Quote:
Originally Posted by octothorp
Arguably the most covered songwriter of our time; he's somebody that other musicians consider brilliant, but still isn't a household name. I'd consider him already legendary, but I think he's someone who will perhaps be better known a generation from now than he is today.
(I'm looking forward to the upcoming Scarlett Johansson album of Tom Waits covers, especially given that it's being produced by Dave Sitek of TV on the Radio).
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He's an artist in every sense of the word. Brave and uninhibited, but with a sense of genius and taste.
I don't think that an artist needs to achieve a certain level of sales or recognition among the mainstream in order to be legendary. As you said, if their work influences music as art to the degree as Tom Waits has, then you could achieve legendary status.
Music is at the depth of human feeling and understanding. It's not about sales or sounding cool. It's art, it transmits human understanding of the world around us.
In addition, as a musician/composer, I'd throw in Nick Cave.