Johnny Ramone
Lee Ving
Cab Calloway
I can agree with Joe Strummer and Brian Setzer. A little progression, but always doing what they wanted.
But my nomination goes to Social Distortion - Mike Ness.
Last album was true progression lyrically and musically, but also regression in recording methodology. Dude is not afraid to say what he thinks, with a take it or leave it approach. Plus any dude who records to records 2 albums as an ode to his influences, and not sounding the least bit punk, is the definition of punk.
-Tool
-King Crimson