The Last Rock God.

[E. Clectic]

In the past there have been the John Lennon's, Jimmi Hendrix's, and Freddy Mercury's of the music world that transcended what it meant to be a Rock Star. However with the rock music landscape in the state of dilution it is in, where any band with a demo and internet connection has access to millions of listeners, one thing that has been lost is the larger than life figures known as "Rock Gods." Recently a major music magazine called Jack White (of the White Stripes, the Racounteurs, the Dead Weather) "the last Rock God."

Question:
Is Jack White a Rock God?

If yes, is he the last?
If not do you think there is someone else in music today who is? If so who?
And if there isn't, do you believe there ever will be one again?

Note: Don't post/or consider musicians who have been active for decades and are still making music today, i.e. Bob Dylan or Paul McCartney.

http://i552.photobucket.com/albums/jj325/laurenwilliamson15/rolling.jpg

[newfoundmichael]

The term "Rock God" is such an undefinable term that anything that anyone on here says will be 100% opinion based. I voted that they were extinct, but only because I don't look at Jack White's music as being on the same level as Mercury's or Lennon's. I enjoy a lot of the stuff that he does, but I think the term "Rock God" is just as much about your appearance/way the public looks at you/ability to be part of a counter culture. We are currently living in a day where you're average Joe can pick up the guitar and strum a few chords and put some songs on myspace. Look at the Beatles and the whole Beatlemania phenomenon where young women all over England and America literally looked at Lennon as a God. In the sixties and seventies, making music was something that was looked at on a "Godlike" level I suppose. To me, that image of being a "rockstar" back then helped shape what expectations were for being a "Rock God".

[Clark]

I don't like this.

[domotime2]

Definitely not.... Jack white of the WHITE STRIPES? I dont see how in any shape way or form he's in the elite class of "rock icons". Just look at it simply, the white stripes aren't even a top 10 rock band of this decade..and if so, barely. A random person has NO IDEA who Jack White is. And his actions aren't what I would call "rock like". No chance.

And it's not as if the ROCK GOD died after Freddy Mercury (obvi kurt cobain), We've had MANY moses' though too: Billy Corgan, Billy Joe, Bono, Eddie Veder, Chris Martin and sure we can toss on Jack White too.

and for the time being the great new big "rock band" is probably not going to happen for a while but that's because "Rock n' Roll' is simply not popular right now. But there have been tons of large rock bands in the past 20 years.

[threepunchjim]

Not Rock God, no, but he's definitely the Last (or at least youngest) Hero of Rock and Roll. He's what's left - the final, expelling breath of that beautiful thing. Rock & Roll's been dying a slow, painful death since the synth.

[doppelganger]

he is not a rock god.

[IceAge/HeatWave]

dave grohl.

[Alex DiVincenzo]

While I think he's a great musician, I would never think of him as a rock god. Upon further thought, I don't think rock gods exist today. Those days are over. Grohl is a good contender though.

[Loge182]

David Fucking Grohl says hi.

[E. Clectic]

David Fucking Grohl says hi.



Umm... I guess this is suppose to mean that you think David Grohl is a Rock God?

[Shin Akuma]

Matt Bellamy

[fightinirish217]

David Fucking Grohl says hi.

Word.

Jack White is no rock god at all. Someone currently may become one, and someone surely will become one in the future. Don't know who though.

[Yellowcard2006]

No, I think they are dead. But there are many talented musicians.

[kbi the crowing]

I don't like this.

ditto

[phil19]

from the white stripes? fuck no

[AussieBoy]

i prefer Jack Black even

[introduction]

i prefer Jack Black even

lol this.

[oh...rly]

My nominees: John O of The Maine
Jonathan Cook of FTSK
Those two guys from 3OH3

[Kapa73]

Definitely not.... Jack white of the WHITE STRIPES? I dont see how in any shape way or form he's in the elite class of "rock icons". Just look at it simply, the white stripes aren't even a top 10 rock band of this decade..and if so, barely. A random person has NO IDEA who Jack White is. And his actions aren't what I would call "rock like". No chance.

And it's not as if the ROCK GOD died after Freddy Mercury (obvi kurt cobain), We've had MANY moses' though too: Billy Corgan, Billy Joe, Bono, Eddie Veder, Chris Martin and sure we can toss on Jack White too.

and for the time being the great new big "rock band" is probably not going to happen for a while but that's because "Rock n' Roll' is simply not popular right now. But there have been tons of large rock bands in the past 20 years.

Chris Martin aint no ROCK god. He's more of a pop-star that's capable of writing good make-out music. Go listen to the Raconteurs, or Dead Weather, then come back and re-evaluate your judgment.

[Meeze]

Ace Enders = God

[Outtathaway!]

Is Jack White a rock god? Hell yes!! But, there are plenty of other that have emerged since De Stijl's debut..
-"Howlin" Pelle Almqvist
-Gerard Way/Ray Toro
-Karen O
-Adam Lasagna
-Pete Wentz/Patrick Stump
-That dude from Cage The Elephant
-Billie Joe established his rock god status with American Idiot
-Matt Bellamy

there must be more..

[kaoskid]

Well, he certainly has obtained rock legend status with me, but not as much as say Angus Young or of course, Freddie Mercury(Greatest vocalist of all time, no dispute). But there are at least a few people or bands I can think of that are way...better at what it means to be a "rock god/legend/master". For example, Muse (Mostly Matt Bellamy), Queens of the Stone Age and Brandon Flowers of The Killers. That bands debut was more ambitious and awe-inspiring than some of the biggest bands in the world. Brandon may be a total douche and not respect the music before him, but that's a small trade for the best vocalist I've heard since Mercury.
Example:
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[BulleTheory]

john mayer?

[ilikesound93]

Cobain was the last real rock star. I don't know who has been since then

[drzafs]

Tom Delonge is probably the best guitarist in the world.

[kazuma_ootaro28]

Pete Wentz

Tom Delonge is probably the best guitarist in the world.
:wallbash: At least that other musician (not Mark Hoppus) hasn't been mentioned yet.

[E. Clectic]

Is Jack White a rock god? Hell yes!! But, there are plenty of other that have emerged since De Stijl's debut..
-"Howlin" Pelle Almqvist
-Gerard Way/Ray Toro
-Karen O
-Adam Lasagna
-Pete Wentz/Patrick Stump
-That dude from Cage The Elephant
-Billie Joe established his rock god status with American Idiot
-Matt Bellamy

there must be more..

WOW.

If you don't know his name and have to say "that dude" he is not a fucking Rock God.

Nobody on this list is close to approaching the mastery of Mercury, Cobain, Hendrix, Page, Lennon...etc.

I wanted to think that Jack White could be considered a Rock God, but now that I've seen that someone who think that Pete Wentz is a Rock God, AKA you, thinks that he is, I have quickly changed my mind.

[Truman122]

...Anthony Kiedis? Maybe not the best pick for a "Rock God," but certainly better than Jack White.

[drzafs]

:wallbash: At least that other musician (not Mark Hoppus) hasn't been mentioned yet.
I'm only joking... Tom Delonge is one of the most horrendous guitarists ever. I don't know why he's so popular. But, I still love him so...

[VIVALAMATT]

...Anthony Kiedis? Maybe not the best pick for a "Rock God," but certainly better than Jack White.

Anthony Kiedis isn't even the most talented musician in his own band. lol

[VIVALAMATT]

I'm only joking... Tom Delonge is one of the most horrendous guitarists ever. I don't know why he's so popular. But, I still love him so...

Woah woah woah. Say what you will about Tom's singing, but the dude is fucking awesome on guitar. Sure he overuses octaves, but when he tries, he's up there with the best.

[VIVALAMATT]

Umm... I guess this is suppose to mean that you think David Grohl is a Rock God?

Umm.. YEAH haha

[Truman122]

Anthony Kiedis isn't even the most talented musician in his own band. lol

Hah very true. I'd still say he's more popular than Jack White though. Even if he isn't as musically talented. Or at least his band is.

[VIVALAMATT]

My nominees: John O of The Maine
Jonathan Cook of FTSK
Those two guys from 3OH3

Well done. lol

[VIVALAMATT]

Hah very true. I'd still say he's more popular than Jack White though. Even if he isn't as musically talented. Or at least his band is.

Well, popularity has nothing to do with this poll. It's about having talent. Sure, The White Stripes aren't the most popular band in the world, but if you look at everything White's ever done, you gotta admit the dude's got major talent.

[VIVALAMATT]

As a guitarist, I will say that I greatly appreciate everything Jack White has done up to this point for music. The man knows how to write a song and is one of the best at shredding on the axe.

He may not be a "God', but I think 10-15 years from now, we'll look back on him being one of the elite guitarists of our generation.

[Truman122]

Well, popularity has nothing to do with this poll. It's about having talent. Sure, The White Stripes aren't the most popular band in the world, but if you look at everything White's ever done, you gotta admit the dude's got major talent.

I think popularity has a lot to do with this poll. If you asked half the people on this website, Jesse Lacey would be a rock god because of his talent. In my opinion, there's gotta be a combination of the both, and I just don't think that Jack White has enough popularity to match his talent in the eyes of the general public.

[drzafs]

Woah woah woah. Say what you will about Tom's singing, but the dude is fucking awesome on guitar. Sure he overuses octaves, but when he tries, he's up there with the best.

Ok, well, he isn't bad. But, I've been playing guitar for three years and I can already play things much more complicated than I've ever heard him play. But, he does have a mean downstroke. But, I am a fan of his voice and I love his music. I'm not trying to hate on Tom. He's just not that good.

[And Hours Pass]

Jack white is simply not talented enough to be a rock god. Amen to those who put Dave Grohl here. This is a guy who went multi-platinum with 2 different groups. Come on.

[VIVALAMATT]

Ok, well, he isn't bad. But, I've been playing guitar for three years and I can already play things much more complicated than I've ever heard him play. But, he does have a mean downstroke. But, I am a fan of his voice and I love his music. I'm not trying to hate on Tom. He's just not that good.

Well I'm glad to hear you're playing guitar. Stick at it! I've been playing for about 8 years now myself.

As for the topic of Tom Delonge, just because he made his money off of power chords doesn't mean he can't shred. I remember seeing an old blink recording video of him throwing down some epic sweeps when he was goofing around.

And as a guitarist yourself, I'm sure you can listen to a song like Dumpweed and marvel at the fact that he could write such sweet ass guitar parts. Even if not that, the world can admit that he can write some catchy riffs. I still remember the day I learned the intro to Whats My Age Again. =)

[VIVALAMATT]

I think popularity has a lot to do with this poll. If you asked half the people on this website, Jesse Lacey would be a rock god because of his talent. In my opinion, there's gotta be a combination of the both, and I just don't think that Jack White has enough popularity to match his talent in the eyes of the general public.

No I think you're right that popularity plays some role. I just don't think it's 50 percent talent, 50 percent popularity. Obviously someone has to know about Jack White for him to get recognized. There are a lot of great unknown guitarists out there, you know what I mean? But don't downplay Jack White's popularity. People know him. If you play guitar, you know Jack White pretty well. Even if you're semi into the rock scene, The White Stripes have been fairly relevant. Hell, the Raconteurs put out one of the best albums of the year in 2008. Sure, he doesn't have that RHCP type of fame, but I promise you everyone who came onto this poll to either vote or comment knew who Jack White was. Anyone who doesn't needs to get a clue! lol

[VIVALAMATT]

Jack white is simply not talented enough to be a rock god. Amen to those who put Dave Grohl here. This is a guy who went multi-platinum with 2 different groups. Come on.

Jack White is simply not talented enough to be a rock god.......

Jack White is simply not talented enough to be.......

Jack White is simply not talented enough......

Jack White is simply not talented.....

Wait what?!

[VIVALAMATT]

For the record (because I've mostly just been posting replies on this poll)

I think Jack White is indeed one of the top 5 guitarists of our generation.

If I were to have a "guitar god" list, I'd certainly consider him one of the best today.

I think Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is the best guitarist out there right now. Too raw.

[Truman122]

No I think you're right that popularity plays some role. I just don't think it's 50 percent talent, 50 percent popularity. Obviously someone has to know about Jack White for him to get recognized. There are a lot of great unknown guitarists out there, you know what I mean? But don't downplay Jack White's popularity. People know him. If you play guitar, you know Jack White pretty well. Even if you're semi into the rock scene, The White Stripes have been fairly relevant. Hell, the Raconteurs put out one of the best albums of the year in 2008. Sure, he doesn't have that RHCP type of fame, but I promise you everyone who came onto this poll to either vote or comment knew who Jack White was. Anyone who doesn't needs to get a clue! lol

True. I saw the Raconteurs at a Virgin Mobile Fest in uh, '06 I think. And it looked like they drew a pretty big crowd even then. Funny thing is, they were opening for RHCP, haha.

[VIVALAMATT]

True. I saw the Raconteurs at a Virgin Mobile Fest in uh, '06 I think. And it looked like they drew a pretty big crowd even then. Funny thing is, they were opening for RHCP, haha.

Ha! Now thaat's ironic.

[And Hours Pass]

Jack White is simply not talented enough to be a rock god.......

Jack White is simply not talented enough to be.......

Jack White is simply not talented enough......

Jack White is simply not talented.....

Wait what?!

For the record (because I've mostly just been posting replies on this poll)

I think Jack White is indeed one of the top 5 guitarists of our generation.

If I were to have a "guitar god" list, I'd certainly consider him one of the best today.

I think Omar Rodriguez-Lopez is the best guitarist out there right now. Too raw.


I never said he wasn't talented. But he's ABSOLUTELY NOT one of the top 5 guitarists of our generation. He's not that good of a player at all. He's got a certain style, but there are a ton of guitarists that have 10x the technical skill he does. I've seriously studied guitar for 12 years, so while that doesn't make me an expert, it gives me a pretty solid ability to know technical skills of different guitarists. Someone like John Mayer has 50x the guitar skills than Jack White does. I'm not arguing Mayer's a rock god because he's not, but I'm just saying that a rock god has to have some sick skills, and Jack White (while incredibly creative) does not have a great enough technical prowess.

[VIVALAMATT]

I never said he wasn't talented. But he's ABSOLUTELY NOT one of the top 5 guitarists of our generation. He's not that good of a player at all. He's got a certain style, but there are a ton of guitarists that have 10x the technical skill he does. I've seriously studied guitar for 12 years, so while that doesn't make me an expert, it gives me a pretty solid ability to know technical skills of different guitarists. Someone like John Mayer has 50x the guitar skills than Jack White does. I'm not arguing Mayer's a rock god because he's not, but I'm just saying that a rock god has to have some sick skills, and Jack White (while incredibly creative) does not have a great enough technical prowess.

Well that's where we'd differ because I clearly believe Jack White's a better guitarist than John Mayer. But that's opinion.

Who would you consider the top 5 guitarists of our generation then?

[And Hours Pass]

Well that's where we'd differ because I clearly believe Jack White's a better guitarist than John Mayer. But that's opinion.

Who would you consider the top 5 guitarists of our generation then?
I respect that. I just think that technical skill goes to Mayer. I think Jack White's incredibly creative.

Some guitarists that I really like would be Mayer, Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks, Robert Randolph... etc.

[nineinchsin]

Jack White does some what personify what it is to be a huge rock star in many ways. Yet, like it has been pointed out....Dave Grohl is still around. Also, there has been a new emergence of larger than life musicians such as Conor Oberst, Claudio Sanchez, Max Bemis, Gerard Way, Billie Joe Armstrong and a dozen others that often get more notice than the other band members.

[Tim Lincecum]

dave grohl is one

[drzafs]

Hmm... After putting careful consideration into this decision. I choose Dave Knudson (Botch and Minus the Bear)

[spunkmastaflex]

Jack White is a tool and no, he is not a rock god

[inthemidst]

dave grohl.

I don't think there's any such thing as a "Rock god", but I do believe that Dave Groehl is the man, though!

[inthemidst]

Plus, the White Stripes suck anyway.

[hells army]

metallica

[Colin1755]

ever see a marz volta concert? thosr guys r rock gods or at least act like it on stage their fuckin awesome