Friday, 6/13 (!)

Yes, I actually do have a list. Because, you know, I'm a geek.

During yesterday's entry on the late great Brian Wilson I mentioned that he was one of the four musical geniuses of the 20^th century. That led several of you—Holly in Marquette and Chelsee from “around Chicago”--to ask, and I'm quoting here, “You have a list of the four greatest musical geniuses of the 20^th century”?

Well, of course I do. Doesn't everyone?

8-)

Brian Wilson was obviously one of the four, although on the list in my head they're not ranked in any order other than, perhaps, chronological. Of the four, there's not a number one, nor is there a runner-up or someone in “last”. They're all geniuses who changed the course of music history, and left (or are leaving) a catalog of work that's unsurpassed, music that we'll be listening to for decades (if not centuries) to come.

Those four, in chronological order?

George Gershwin

Brian Wilson

Paul McCartney

Stevie Wonder

If you had a list of the four greatest music geniuses of the 20^th century, your list might not include those particular four. It might not even include any of the four (although then I'd look at you with a skewed eye and, perhaps, judge you silently). But I'll give you the reasons why those are my four geniuses--

“Rhapsody in Blue”

“Good Vibrations”

“Eleanor Rigby”

“Superstition”

I mean, each of those four is so much more than just the works I listed, but if you have any doubts as to why they're on the list, those four works are why. Like I said, your opinions may vary, and that's cool. But that's who's on my list and just a few reasons why. Because, as we all know. I'm a geek.

Have a great weekend. I don't like having to say this in June, but I must. Stay warm!!

(jim@wmqt.com)