"Bigger" means a combination of overall, who is the most iconic, influential, famous, popular, etc. This isn't a thread about who your favorite famous musician or band is, out of the biggest names. I'd say the most famous and iconic people in the music world ever, are in my opinion are The Beatles, Elvis Presley, and Michael Jackson, and I'd say they are equally as famous the US, but it's harder to say who is the biggest. http://www.thetoptens.com/beatles-better-than-michael-jackson-elvis-presley/ Outside the US, Michael Jackson is far more famous than Elvis and the Beatles. He toured Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and North America. The Beatles toured Europe and North America, Elvis only toured outside the US a few times (in France and Canada). I don't think either Elvis or the Beatles is popular, famous, or iconic outside the west like Michael Jackson is. I watched a documentary about Elvis, and it said his name is more recognized than any world leader of Hollywood superstar. I'd say worldwide, Michael Jackson is. As for popularity, it's hard to say, but I know more Beatles fans than Elvis fans. The excerpt I posted above said the Beatles were more influential than Elvis or Michael Jackson, and that makes sense. What are your views on it?
I guess I would need to know what time frame you are talking about--most influential now, at their peak, or what.
I still am unclear, but just to keep from going in circles: Bob Dylan is probably the greatest songwriter alive, having done that for a great many people even after his singing career moved to the back burner. Certainly the most popular now would probably be One direction. I ruled Bieber and Swift out on this because despite their popularity, they really aren't writers/musicians of any note. One Direction at least writes a lot of their own stuff, though I think Ed Sheheen writes most of their really big hits. Les Paul had the biggest impact on music, but that was because of his work innovating the modern electric guitar, and not as a performer. Paul McCartney moreso than the Beatles certainly is due mad respect and would be the populist choice probably, but I still would put Johnny Cash as more influential within in the industry as a writer and performer and a musician.
Ask Bob Dylan who called him the heart and soul of the country personified. Certainly a lot of musicians say they were inspired by him.
I'm a traditionnal, so I would choose Bach. Bach is the one who re discovered Vivaldi and had a major influence on many artists thereafter like Chopin.
Do you consider U2 a copy of Johnny Cash? Do you consider the Beatles a copy of the Beach Boys who inspired them with their use of studio effects to right Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band?
I think U2 and the Beatles copied others but did it their unique way-not plagiarism. Does influence mean more than getting ideas from a person-I read influence is more than imitation.
