Every September 23rd I spend at least 15 minutes thinking about this question- three music legends born on a September 23rd- Jazz legend John Coltrane in 1926, Ray Charles in 1930 and Bruce Springsteen in 1949 – how would you rank them in order of greatness? I have listened to more Springsteen than Coltrane and Charles-but I have spent a lot of time listening to all three over the years. In order of greatness-[Jim Morrison was born on this date also- but not THE Jim Morrison- a baseball player Jim Morrison- if it was The Doors singer he would be a distant 4th-}
slicethelife 
Wow 3 great musicians indeed and 3 who defy comparison, imho. Just 3 totally different cats who were all great at what they did.
For me personally – 1) Bruce Springsteen, 2) John Coltrane 3) Ray Charles
The order for me would be Springsteen, Ray Charles, and Coltrane…has nothing to do with talent…it’s who I know the best…but either of them would be #1 on different lists.
1. Springsteen
2. Charles
3. Coltrane
I could only rank them based upon what I know of them.
Yeah, I also have no real idea how to rank those three.
(There is an actual distant 4th though – Julio Iglesias whose superstardom I find baffling)
1. Coltrane 2. Springsteen 3. Charles
A good day for music.