yep, Joe...you helped me say it..."virtuosity" and "star quality" are a couple of 'possible' aspects of genius, but genius is by its nature a subjective term.

and Pete Seeger is certainly one who could head the kind of list *I* would make. I saw him in 1961, and was awed by his ability to create the desire to participate and share in 'folk' music. That is, to do something other than be "sung at" in a concert hall. His brother Mike is a better instrumentalist, but Pete emphasizes the music. Even though you know a 'famous' performer is singing, it is the song that is the real star, and the ability to make THAT happen is truly a form of genius.