I would consider three rhythm and blues creators : Chuck Berry, Little Richard & Carl Perkins! Gene Vincent, Buddy Holly and Bill Haley were the original creators of “Rock & Roll” and “Country Rock-a-Billy” was first created by Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley! You can’t leave out Sam Cooke, Otis Redding and Jackie Wilson! All of these super-talents were the true pioneers of Popular Music of the 1950s & 1960s!! These were the artists whose songs have been recorded and re-recorded over the past 70 plus years!! I am sure that “rap” will wear itself out and the monotonous melodies of this 2000 era will not be repeated over many years to come, but the original songs from the Rhythm & Blues era will probably live forever!!