B1G power rankings Week 6: Music edition

1. Wisconsin - U2: They were a dark, Gothic, underground band in the 80's with just a cult following.  In the early 90's they became a world wide sensation, selling out arenas and stadiums everywhere.  They went platinum and evolved from an alternative rock band to universal pop/rock sensation with multiple hits.  On their recent 360 Tour they opened up their play book to include their bread and butter from the 80's and 90's as well as some more progressive music from the 2000's.

2. Michigan - The Beatles: Widely considered the greatest rock band of all time, their music is iconic and to this day sounds relevant.  They are classic and pure, not trendy, just themselves.  Their critics will tell you that they weren't a true rock band and that their songs were boring and at times soft and sounded too much like pop music.  However, the Beatles were progressive and different and remain the gold standard for all bands up to this day. 

3. Michigan State - The Rolling Stones: Fans of the Stones are generally not fans of the Beatles and vice verse.  The Stones combine elements of blues and rock and are more in your face and hard than The Beatles.  Their lead singer Mick Jagger is edgy, fun, and considered a party boy.  The Stones are the ultimate get out of your seat and dance rock band.

4. Nebraska - Def Leppard: Skeptics mocked and ridiculed them during their run in the 80's and early 90's, because of their one dimensional monster ballads, but no one can deny the popularity and success of Def Leppard during their run. They were a band you didn't want to admit you liked, but they were the Kings of the now extinct hair bands.  The band has tried to make a return to mainstream relevance in the 2000's with mixed results.  For the most part they have been relegated to State Fairs and casinos.

5. Illinois - Mumford and Sons: Every 5-10 years or so comes along a band that has a 3 year shelf life.  Mumford and Sons is that band.  They are as deep as a puddle and they sing the same song over and over again.  They are trendy right now, but you, me, and your brother's dog all know that they will be a punch line in 10 years.  "Dude, remember when we went to that Mumford and Sons concert?  How fucking embarrassing was that?!"  Think Dave Mathews Band, Limp Bizkit, and Kid Rock.  They are all fun, but they have the life expectancy of the Big 12 conference.

6. Iowa - The Cure: They have a passionate fan base, some would consider it a cult following nonetheless it's as passionate of a fan base as you will find.  They specialize in dark, Gothic, alternative, however they have come out with 3 or 4 main stream hits such as: "Friday, I'm in Love", "Boys Don't Cry", and "Just Like Heaven".   Some consider The Cure the Kings of the First Wave of Alternative Rock.

7. Ohio State - Britney Spears: People have written her off before only to find it backfire.  Spears is an elite entertainer that continues to find ways to reinvent herself.  After a personal crisis 5 years ago, she is back on the top of the Billboard charts once again.  Once you think she is down for good, she pops right back up better and stronger than ever.

8. Penn State - Michael Jackson: The late Michael Jackson is the undisputed King of Pop was amazing in the 80's and to this day, no one in music will ever say a bad word about him.  He was transcendent, progressive, and simply put amazing, but his music eroded late in his career and most people found it painful to watch him perform in public because he looked terrible and was a shell of his former self.  Simply put most people saw the end of Michael Jackson's career as simply sad, no one wants to watch a legend fail.

9. Northwestern - Taylor Swift: Sweet, innocent, and rarely taken serious by anyone over the age of 25.  She is cute and talented but doesn't strike fear into anyone.  A tireless worker who will consistently overachieve.


10. Purdue - Kid Rock: He had a heck of a run in the early 2000's taking the country by storm with his mix of rap, rock, and folk.  He was progressive and invigorated the music industry with a new genre that it hadn't ever seen before.  That genre is still being used today, however Kid's career has fallen off a cliff.


11. Indiana - William Hung: He made a career for himself by being terrible on American Idol. 


12. Minnesota - Frank Sinatra: Ol' blue eyes was an icon!  However, he doesn't resonate with today's generation.   He had an incredible run from the 40's to 60's and to this day is looked at as a legend.  His strong powerful voice was unmatched.   It's too bad that old blue eyes passed away in 1998.  He is sorely missed.