Who are the most influential band/artist of all time ?

[SouthCoastOwl]

So who influences the influencers?

Answer - Peter Hammill

 

[DavidinSouthampton]

So who influences the influencers?

Answer - Peter Hammill

In the early 1970's, it often used to be said that every band's favourite band was Little Feat. I didn't catch up with them until much later.

 

[highway61]

Dylan Beatles Velvet Underground Pretty Things

 

[Worried Man Blues]

It is Robert Johnson who did a deal with the devil at the crossroads, influenced the black guys who then influenced the white guys. Poisoned by a lover at 27 yoa.

Tunes........ Cross Road Blues or Dust my broom or Hellhound on my trail

 

[pauli cee]

5 pages in and still no mention of syd barrett!!!!!!!!!
Surely the biggest influence in 60's/70's physcadelia rock, and a lot more....

 

[Don Quixote]

Jack Kerouac

 

[spring hall convert]

always about the guitar oriented music... what about the how gamut of House and its progeny?

Frankie Knuckles, Marshall Jefferson, Deerick May, Richie Hawtin, Gerald Simpson, Dr Alex Patterson, The Black Dog, Goldie, Richard James, Orbital: when will these and many others be recognised?

Because this forum is full of rockists, I went for Kraftwerk as they kicked the whole thing off. I could defiantly make a case for Sir Frankie Knuckles, Richie Hawtin/Plasticman & Aphex Twin.

 

[spring hall convert]

Over 60 replies and no one has mentioned

Iggy and the Stooges

The single greatest influence on modern music as they inspired the punk/new wave music and attitude (albeit in some case, filtered via the Ramones, who were in turn directly inspired by Iggy and fully admitted it), and consequently most of what followed. Probably edge Velvet Underground and New York Dolls on that score, largely because VU were too arty for some, and NYD looked like girls.



Bowie & Kraftwerk certainly influential, yes.

Gang of Four are an acknowledged influence by dozens of bands.

You can't under-estimate the influence Sonic Youth had on most american bands from the late 80s on.

I'd even put a case for Hawkwind's 'get into the groove' drug rhythm jams being a direct influence on the electro/rave scene.

No Iggy & The Velvets, No punk. No punk and we're still stoned listening to 30 minute flute solos.

I'd take you Gang of Four and raise you a Wire. Undoubtedly GoF did a couple of great albums but Wire were the first punk band to move outside the genre's stylistic confines. Chairs Missing and 154 definitely went on to inspire shoegaze, alt-rock & post-hardcore. Whilst Pink Flag was the template for American hardcore. I love Wire.

 

[Albumen]

No Iggy & The Velvets, No punk. No punk and we're still stoned listening to 30 minute flute solos.

I'd take you Gang of Four and raise you a Wire. Undoubtedly GoF did a couple of great albums but Wire were the first punk band to move outside the genre's stylistic confines. Chairs Missing and 154 definitely went on to inspire shoegaze, alt-rock & post-hardcore. Whilst Pink Flag was the template for American hardcore. I love Wire.

I've got the latest album but shamefully haven't listened to it yet. You like?

 

[Glawstergull]

The bloke who sung at Wimbledon that time when it rained.

He was decent.

Uncle Bulgaria?

 

[Gullyball]

And the answer definitely isn't Coldplay

 

[spring hall convert]

I've got the latest album but shamefully haven't listened to it yet. You like?

Very much so. Though I'd say if you didn't get on with Red Barked Tree & Object 47 it probably won't be up your street. A lot's been made of these songs being updates from those on Documents & Eyewitnesses but you couldn't really tell I don't think, it's very much modern Wire rather than a retread of former glories.

I missed them when they came round earlier this week but they've been excellent live the last couple of times I've seen them despite not really playing the "hits."

 

[Trufflehound]

No Iggy & The Velvets, No punk. No punk and we're still stoned listening to 30 minute flute solos.

I'd take you Gang of Four and raise you a Wire. Undoubtedly GoF did a couple of great albums but Wire were the first punk band to move outside the genre's stylistic confines. Chairs Missing and 154 definitely went on to inspire shoegaze, alt-rock & post-hardcore. Whilst Pink Flag was the template for American hardcore. I love Wire.

I'll grant you that Wire defined genres, but Go4 had more of a direct influence on other bands. Red Hot Chilli Peppers say publicly that listening to Entertainment was what inspired them to form a band. Michael Stipe has said similar.

 

[Trufflehound]

I'm struggling to think of someone LESS groundbreaking than Paul Weller.

Ocean Colour Scene? Lloyd Cole and the Commotions?

To be fair to Weller there are probably 4 or 5 other bands like that.

Well, 2 or 3 anyway.

 

[33057 Seagull]

Ramones, New York Dolls and Mott the Hoople all inspired the key players in 76/77. Which, in turn, inspired a generation & beyond.

Good call - surprised no one's come up with Syd Barrett

 

[spring hall convert]

I'll grant you that Wire defined genres, but Go4 had more of a direct influence on other bands. Red Hot Chilli Peppers say publicly that listening to Entertainment was what inspired them to form a band. Michael Stipe has said similar.

Go4 also inspired anything with an angular haircut in mid 00's Britain - Bloc Party, Rakes, Maximo Park etc.... I remember the first time I heard Entertainment (probably around 2005) and it was one of those records that joined the dots so to speak. Did you see them in the flesh (pre-reformation?)

 

[seagurn]

Brian Eno

 

[Mancgull]

Yes - sorry I missed him out.

Please don't. Hendrix was incredibly influential and took the electric guitar to a whole new level.

 

[Trufflehound]

Go4 also inspired anything with an angular haircut in mid 00's Britain - Bloc Party, Rakes, Maximo Park etc.... I remember the first time I heard Entertainment (probably around 2005) and it was one of those records that joined the dots so to speak. Did you see them in the flesh (pre-reformation?)

Only the once. Hammersmith Palais 1981, but it was and remains the best gig of my life.

 

[nipponseagull]

BUDDY HOLLY - without him no Beatles, no Stones, no Oasis, oh the list just goes on and on and yeah !