Top 10 Jewish Musicians In History
In commemoration of Passover, we have put together an all-time contender list of the Top 10 Jewish musicians. We have interviewed the experts, put a lot of thought into this (15 minutes tops) and are pretty comfortable saying that this is the list that will be referenced for many a Passover to come! To add to the suspense, we are going to start with Number #10 and work our way down to el mero mero / Big Boss Number #1. Yeah – I am pumped!
Number #10 – Gene Simmons aka Chaim Witz
Personally, I am not a big KISS fan. But, hey this is a guy who has slept with THOUSANDS of women. That is amazing and I am in awe. Additionally, I admire his savvy as a marketer. After all, we are talking about someone who many consider to be more a business man than a musician (talkin about you Bob Leftez).
Number #9 – Perry Farrell aka Peretz Bernstein
Perry Farrell, currently masquerading around an LA club near you as DJ Peretz is a genius. I know that most people agree with me on this, but I still feel like he doesn’t get enough love from mainstream hacks and the casual listener. I once watched him live and I have to tell you – the founder of Jane’s Addiction, Lollapalooza brings the noise.
Number #8 – Randy Newman
My surprise choice! But, hey Randy is a talented songwriter and composer with a unique perspective. Plus how many times do you hear morning talk shows and sports teams rocking out to “I Love LA” in Los Angeles? Gotta show Randy some love.
Number #7 – Beastie Boys
My lone group choice is going in mid-list. The boys from Brooklyn were representing Jews and white people alike in the rap game years before Eminem was around. Kudos to
Another old school choice. For those of you that don’t know, Burt Bacharach is basically the standard by which all musical writers are compared. Think “The Look of Love” and “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”. In my humble opinion, I think Burt can perform quite well and is obviously a world class pianist. Or maybe I am just saying this because my little sister is friends with his son and she said he is a down to earth guy. Whatever…
Number #5 David Bowie
America’s favorite androgynous sweetheart. Famous for taking on the immensely creative persona of alien Mick Jagger – Bowie is a headline maker. For those of you that aren’t hip enough to know, Brazilian musician Seu Jorge – Knockout Ned from City of God – re-worked his Life in Mars album in Portuguese. Fantastic stuff.
Number #4 Neil Diamond
Apart from his weak time wardrobe – Neil Diamond is a very talented man. Not exactly my cup of tea, but this guy knows how to move Neil Diamond concert tickets. Don’t mess with Neil.
Number #3 Paul Simon
I love Paul Simon. This is a musician’s musician with great material ranging from “Down by the School Yard” to that horrendous Daughter Song he released a few years back. Also kudos to Chevy Chase for appearing in his videos – that added to his credibility I am sure.
Number #2 Bob Dylan aka Robert Allen Zimmerman
The original “America’s Poet” has been rocking out ever since he went electric. Bob Dylan is great and no one can touch him in terms of his artistic achievement. Even better he accomplished everything he set out to do without having any ability to sing! Crazy…
Number #1 David Lee Roth aka Diamond Dave
There are a lot of more deserving musicians who didn’t make this list (Billy Joel, Lou Reed etc). This is due to a number of reasons (alcohol, carelessness etc.) But I have to be honest – Diamond Dave is Number #1 in my book because he is a PIMP. I read his biography and was blown away. This guy ran through chicks like his name was Wilt Chamberlain. It is also inspiring to learn that you can become uber rich by completely disregarding your craft, whoring, and generally doing things your own way….the Diamond Dave way!
Tags: African, androgynous, Beastie Boys, Billy Joel, Bob Dylan, Brazilian, Brooklyn, Burt Bacharach, Chaim Witz, Chevy Chase, City of God, concert tickets, concerts, David Bowie, David Lee Roth, Diamond Dave, DJ Peretz, Down by the School Yard, Eminem, Gene Simmons, how, I love LA, is, Jane's Addiction, jew, jewish, jews, Knockout Ned, live concerts, Lollapalooza, Los Angeles, Lou Reed, Mick Jagger, music, Neil Diamond, Passover, Paul Simon, Peretz Bernstein, Perry Farrell, Porno for Pyros, Raindrops Keep Falling on my head, Randy Newman, Robert Allen Zimmerman, Seu Jorge, Spike Jonze, The Look of Love, where, white, why, Wilt Chamberlin, Ziggy Stardust
It would not be too easy to compile a list of non Jewish musicians or at least those without a strong connection thereto. Nice little excluding network.
Er…David Bowie is NOT jewish.
He was born David Jones (helluva jewish name, that – Jones) and is Church of England – Protestant, in other words.
If David Bowie is Jewish, then so are the Beatles and Rolling Stones to complete a British trio.
Only they’re not.
If you want a great musician who was both British and Jewish – try Peter Green or the Green God as we Brits term this magnificent guitarist. Founder of Fleetwood Mac. Sad case actually, as he went a bit loopy, and distressed we fans.
Theres Gentle Giant too – progressive band from the early 70s – superb musicians. British and Jewish, the Shulman brothers.
I’m not jewish, but you are, and these boys are better than those you’ve listed.
Dear Phil K
RE: David Bowie, Mmm… Not being Jewish… Mmm How do you know?
Now I don’t even know if you’re still going to read this website or not
But my question to you dear Phil K is and I mean this in NO disrespect…
How do you know?
How do you know that the Great David Bowie is not Jewish?
Have you met him?
Did he tell you personally?
I’m really interetsed in how you know this?
And how you are so confident that this is a fact?
Once again I mean no disrespect.
I’ve written on this site before and I’m a Christian (Lutheran/Protestant… Like David Bowie (if it’s true) to be exact.
I’m just curious as how do you know because you speak with such confidence on the matter. Again no disrespect. Just curious…
Peace, out!
Lou Reed is much more important musically and culturally than either Gene Simmons or David Lee Roth. Agree with the comment re. Peter Green. Also, Marc Bolan should be included: the founder and main light of Glam rock. Lieber and Stoller, Phil Spector, Carole King are other artists much more significant than Kiss or Jane´s addiction. Finally, Bowie is half jewish by ancestry but Christian by profession of faith.
David Bowie is NOT Jewish!
You can read it is on his OWN website!
His Mother was Irish Catholic… So therefore…
Contrary to the rule
Of Jewish Morthers of Jewish faith
Claiming yes then Jewish
David’s Mother is NOT!
David Lee Roth is only half-Jewish
On his Father’s side
He was raised Jewish
But not born!