the reason most of those mainstream artists from the 60's and 70's are considered better is because they didn't write the songs. it hasn't been about talent in a long time; it's about the songwriting.

the talented artists of yesterday are the studio musicians of today. i've known people who received performance degrees from Eastman, etc. who were in some of the worst bands i can remember-they could play but they couldn't write for shit. going out to shows i see plenty of bands that are talented and can play their instruments but if you can't write a song what's the use?

as radiohead said: "anyone can play guitar."