Modern Day Musical Geniuses

When somebody asks you to name three modern day musicians, who comes to mind? Eric Clapton or Jimi Hendrix? Or perhaps Lady Gaga is more your style, or would it be Madonna? Everyone has a difference of opinion as to what they would call a modern day musical genius.

Are they considered genius because of the show and tell they put on while performing? Or are they considered genius because they can play a wide range of instruments? Is it their ability to compose and put words to music?

Once a studio musician, Reb Beach was hired by the band Winger because of his talent on the guitar. He moves with such an amazing speed up and down the fret and still putting out a tune that is just as amazing. He is a modern day musical genius because of his technical ability. This is one reason why so many other artists such as Alice Cooper, Night Ranger and Whitesnake have hired him.

Let's not forget about Prince. He hit the music scene in the 80s and has just kept on going. Not only is this man a talent on stage with a guitar and vocals, but he has proven to have acting ability as well. Some may say he's not so much a modern musical genius, but when you can still draw a full stadium concert 30 years later, you're pretty genius in any true music lover's book.

Rick Rubin may not be a common name, but this man has a genius about him that has to be respected. He can go from producing the sounds of Johnny Cash to Slayer, one right after the other, and never miss a beat. 

His label has served the music world good in many genres from the Black Crowes to the Dixie Chicks and worked in the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Neil Diamond too. Perhaps the true definition of a modern musical genius is a producer that knows a good sound, no matter the genre, and makes the artist famous.

While looking at the backside of a record label and the fame that comes with it, we can't leave out Björk. A singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer from Iceland that had probably the best debuts in 1993's with a dance-pop classic that was dizzying and maybe a bit disturbing too. While many consider this modern day genius a freak of sorts, she is a good way freaky.