I noticed only a few lists have James Brown and/or Sly and The Family Stone. . . so funk doesn't exsist? Rap doesn't exsist?

While not 'musically'(as in 'what notes are actually there') influential, I'd also have to put NWA somewhere in there as well. Rap took a HUGE turn after "Straight Outta Compton."

. . . as to whether or not you want a poster of them though, is a subject of high conention, I should think.

 

I totally agree with Bob Marely.


I can aslo see Run DMC but you can create a whole new category for Hip Hop with groups like Public Enemy or even Ice T who created gansta style.


I would also suggest the Cure or even the hometown boy Prince. Without Prince, the world would have never had a pair of yellow butt-less pants.

Oh and since I just saw "Movin Out" last night I would suggest people like Billy Joel or Elton John have had some influence on others.


The truth here is that every one will reply with good arguments for artists in the genre of music they like.

 

In no particular order:

1. Devo
2. 2 Live Crew
3. Frank Sinatra
4. Eagles
5. Bruce Springstein
6. Rod Stewart
7. Bee Gees
8. Bach
9. Verdi
10. U2

 

Minor Threat

 

1) Les Paul (he invented the Solid body electric guitar AND overdubbing)
2) Chuck Berry (He started R & R, play any of his songs and you'll understand)
3) Elvis Presley (He made Rock and Roll acceptable to 'white' audiences
4) The Beatles ( made Rock and Roll acceptable to all, and longer hair too boot!)
5) The Beach Boys (made playing the Studio as important as the instruments)
6) Jimi Hendrix (listen to the sound of guitars BEFORE he came on the scene,
you'll understand)
7) Janis Joplin (She made it possible for women to rock as hard as men)
8) Bee Gees (gave us Disco, as wretched as it was, it was a change, thank god it died)
9) The Allman Brothers (gave us Southern Rock)
10 ) Van Halen (Picked up where Jimi left off)

 

I don't know, and maybe I'm wrongly attributing this to Jimi, but I think that he forever changed the role of the lead instrument. While I'm certainly not questioning the validity of the Beatles being on this list, the guitar they used was the prototypical strumming sound, with the real lead coming from vocals. Jimi changed that, and the entire world of rock followed.

 

Jimi played backup for The Isley Brothers and Little Richard back in the day.

 

Guitar solos have been around since the dawn of the instrument. What Jimi did was turn out to be better at a style of music (psychedelic blues-rock) than a whole slew of guys in Soho (London). Guitar solos were inevitable. The former members of The Yardbirds were the kings until they (and The Who. The Beatles. and The Stones) started going down to see this studio guy from the States. . .

If it weren't for the fact that Jimi had some very influential fans (who influenced him, and then subsequently were influenced by Jimi). He never would've met Mitch Mitchelson and Jimi's music would probably have never seen the light of day. . .

As per Jimi's sound, most of those effects are 'rock-tuned' variations of the effects pioneered by the 'musique concrete' school (Stockhausen, Parch et. al.) which Jimi, Paul McCartney, Brian Jones and a whole host of 'kid intelllectuals' enjoyed in the early to mid-60's as well.

In terms of making a point of 'rocks lead sound,' Duane Eddy, Booker T, The Ventures and a host of others had already made instruments (including and especially the guitar) a very viable and necessary part of the rock n' roll sound.

Per Jimi's use of a distorted guitar on tape, George Harrison beat him by two years ('She's A Woman). As to whether that was a mistake or not, is something that George took to his grave. Once again, George was Jimi's biggest fan, and Jimi held The Beatles in high esteem as songwriters and musicians. . .

As per his influence on Heavy Metal; Jimi had mastered distortion, but tempering that into the heavy chord changes and rhythms of 'Heavy' music was clearly pioneered by Cream (featuring a certain former Yardbirds member) and Vanilla Fudge.

If you approached me on the street, I'll say "Yes, Jimi was a genius." As to why, I'll simply say, "like Miles, he knew the right place to put the notes." No added trickery - he just knew where to put the notes.

 

Sure, solos came before Jimi, but I don't think anyone ever let the guitar take the place of their own voice like he did. There's definitely a big difference in rock before and after Jimi.

Oh well, it's all massively subjective anyway.