JPF Home Page Forums General Messages General Message Forum 10 or 20 Most Influential Artists/Writers on YOUR career?

Hi Folks,
On one of the other boards, we were discussing the Rolling Stone Top 100 Artists of Rock and Roll and we thought it would be fun to have a posting of members 10 or 20 Most Influential Artists FOR THEM (rather than trying to pick the most for everyone). I thought of making it more (and less), but I wanted to keep it manageable but thorough enough to get a picture of where you are coming from musically. So feel free to choose the larger or smaller number (or something in between).

So, please share with us the 10-20 names and a brief paragraph on each and why they were influential on you. If you can refer to specific songs or albums that were highlights (or maybe it was a concert or a chance meeting or something else) that will make it more interesting. Also, try to give us an idea of the time frame these artists did most of their work in (i.e. the 70's and 80's or perhaps they are a classical composer.. just give us as much perspective as you can...) I am really looking forward to learning where everyone is coming from on this topic. When I get to a reasonable stopping point on this year's awards stuff I will post my own list.

Thanks in advance.. now who will be the first to share?

Brian

YES - the whole band in general and of course Steve Howe in particular. Rock and Roll does not have to be simple, songs can be melodic and complex and still rock.

Michael Hedges - there's more you can do with an acoustic guitar in your hand than finger pick folk songs.

Roy Buchanaan - bending the note until it crys can be more telling than years of learning to read sheet music.

James Taylor - the secret to life is enjoying the passing of time.

Gotta run but I'll edit this to add the rest of my top ten after I get my taxes filed!


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Marty listen here

Is there a setting on the digital delay that will allow me to think before I speak?

Beatles. As musicians, as singers, and as writers. I really don't need to write a paragraph about these guys, right?

The Band. Aside from the Beatles, they are the best. They are THE best rock and roll band I ever heard live. They managed to generate the energy and power of a freight train without being loud or fast. They had the groove. They had 3 SUPERB voices--guys who were soulful, distinctive, and off the beaten path. As musicians, each was a monster, with Garth Hudson being simply the best rock and roll keyboard player ever. Whoever is in second place (pick whoever you want) is WAY behind. And they didn't sound like anybody else. They were true originals, in a very "me-too" business. Several of their albums would make my short list of "desert island" CDs.

Chuck Berry. He taught me, and the rest of the world, all about rock and roll guitar. All these gunslingers owe a debt to CB.

The Rolling Stones. They taught me how to be a rock and roll musician and what a rock and roll band should be. At 16, there was no way were could sound like the Beatles, but DAMN, we could play the [naughty word removed] out of "The Last Time" or "It's All Over Now." The Stones, better than most of the bands that followed their path (that would be all of them, wouldn't it?), understood the rock and roll attitude...brash, cocky, full of sex and spunk, bristling with guitars, and bursting with youthful energy. I saw the Beatles live, but the most exciting 30 minutes of my musical life was a Rolling Stones show in Pittsburgh, in November 1965. OH-MY-GOD!

The Everly Brothers. They made such perfect, perfect records. The songs were great, the vibe was great, but most of all, the SOUND was great. Their voices were like a single, sublime instrument. Their influence on the Beatles was obvious. When I am voicing harmonies, I find myself subconsciously channeling the Everlys. Who better?

Bob Dylan. He is such a good songwriter that you come to actually like his singing, too. That is a powerful influence. Bob taught us the power of song. What more could you expect a guy to do?

Little Richard. He is the best rock and roll singer of all time, an electric performer, a pioneer, and a wonderful songwriter. The first Little Richard song I remember hearing was "Keep A-Knockin" and it nearly slapped me silly. I thought it was a human demon trying to escape from the radio. I love demons with my rock and roll.

The Byrds. Their influence on me was incalculable. The sheer majesty of their records STILL kills me. I learned more about harmony listening to these guys than I did listening to the Beatles. I still hear a lot of Bryds influences in the way I write and in the way I produce music.

Hank Williams. Great,great,great songs. I like country music and he is the foundation of everything that has come since. A rare genius.

Carole King. She wrote the soundtrack of my youth. Her catalog is so overwhelmingly great that its hard to believe anyone could do what she did.

Honorable mention (in no particular order):
Hendrix
Aretha
Smokey Robinson
Beach Boys
Paul Simon
Clapton
Roy Orbison
Elvis

Here's my little list in no particular order:

1. Beatles (60's): Need I really say more?

2. The Eagles (70's): Hotel California - one of the first major guitar solos I learned. It's a very well thought out tune.

3. Queen (80's): These Are The Days of our Lives - A beautiful song with probably one of the tastiest guitar solos ever. I learned it note for note and my old roommate loved it. A strange thing about it is recently my old roommate has been talking with Brian May and Roger Taylor. He told Brian May about me knowing that song and solo note for note. I have no idea why, but Brian was flattered. That's my Queen story.

4. Ozzy (80's): First concert I ever went to by myself. I was so hooked on Randy's playing but he died before I ever picked up a guitar. My first and last guitar hero. I haven't got one anymore. I think my favorite song from Randy is Diary of a Madman.

5. King's X (80's-90's): the Heavy Metal version of the Beatles. I think the song that got me hooked was "It's Love". Then I saw them live and it has been a long journey ever since.

6. Extreme (90's): Nuno is an amazing guitar player. I think Pornographitti really showed me that a new guitar player could play wicked cool riffs and sound original. Favorite song - Get the Funk Out.

7. Rush (70's-present): It's my progressive favorite. Lyrical imagery and fun music. Favorite song - Red Sector A.

8. Peter Gabriel (80's-present): Sonically one of the greatest sounding records of all time is So. Favorite song has to be Don't Give Up. The bass in that song slays me.

9. Jeff Scott Soto (80's-present): Had a profound effect on me cause I lived with him. Yngwie's former singer. He's probably the single reason why I developed as a singer. He's so stupid good that he does every recording in one take. It makes me sick. I still take or three takes to get something right. Favorite Song - Love Parade.

10. Tesla (80's-90's): Of all the "hair" bands, these guys were the most musical and had smoking guitar players to boot. Favorite Songs - The Party's Over, Modern Day Cowboy and Love Song.

11. Joe Satriani (80's-present): Probably the most influencial gutiarist in my life. He had the rhythm, the melody and intense chops. Favorite Song - Rubina. I can listen to that song over and over and over and over and over and over... In fact just writing about it now I have to go hear it.

12. Steve Vai (80's-90's): I used to love Vai, especially when I was in music school. He's got so much fire under so much control it's crazy. Favorite Song - Viv Woman.

13. Nine Inch Nails (90's-present): Trent turned the music world onto the art of noise and gets no credit for defining a sound that gets ripped off so much it's sad. I will buy anything he writes because I know it will be sonically amazing and lyrically weird. Favorite Song - Into the Void

14. Paul McCartney and Wings (70's): I felt his songwriting got spotty but there were so many good songs here. Favorites - Venus and Mars, Maybe I'm Amazed.

15. Jackson Browne (70's): My parents loved him so I had to listen all the time. Long before I ever got into music I knew who he was.

16. Pink Floyd (70's-90's): I have Dark Side of the Moon and the Wall. Two of probably the most intense albums ever. Favorite Song - Money. The coolest song ever written in 7/4 time.

17. Imperial Drag (90's): The aftermath of the Jellyfish. The lead singer / guitarist IS the epitomy of being a rockstar. Favorite Songs - Spider, and a demo called Suzi Suicide. Doesn't hurt that Eric Dover (lead guitar/singer) once befriended me and complimented me on my playing and singing.

18. Jellyfish (90's): They wrote two of the best pop albums of all time and then broke up. It's very sad when a band with that much talent gets beat up in the system and falls apart. Favorite Song - both of the CD's Spilt Milk and Bellybutton, but my favorite song is a demo called Family Tree.

19. Queensryche (80's-90's): the one band that jumped the shark. I loved their writing and playing. The pen ultimate concept CD is "Operation: Mindcrime" - it's so perfectly done that no one before it can stand up to it and no one since has matched it. Favorite Song - Silent Lucidity. Too bad the main writer and guitarist left the band. They should have quit when Chris DeGarmo did.

20. T-Ride (90's): The most original band out of 1992. Like a heavy metal power trio version of Queen. They were so far ahead of their time that most of the bands today are just catching up technologically. Favorite Song - Backdoor Romeo - but the whole damn disc is awesome. The first CD in the early 90's that was sans guitar solos and it was soooooo friggin cool. I've made friends with the guitarist and apparently there is a second CD that was never released and is going to be mastered within a couple of weeks from this posting. I'm hoping I get a copy of that.

20a. Maroon 5 (2003): A great blend of old school disco, R'n'B and motown with a modern rock vibe. I made the trip to buy this CD despite it sounding "pro-tooled". The writing is insanely good. I haven't seen them live yet, but I plan on it. Doesn't hurt that people think my new stuff is reminicent of them but heavier sounding...


I could go on, but I'll stop there.

Jody

[This message has been edited by Whitesides (edited 05-04-2004).]

one word NRBQ

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www.barkinbarney.com

Being old, I have more than I can count who influenced me both writing and playing, if what I di can be called playing.
And I sure don't intend to try and figure them on a score one to ten.
Blind Lemon Jefferson, Rolling Stones, The Ventures, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Little Richard, J J Cale, Dave Hole.
Is thsat ten yet?
Nope.
Good.
because, probably the biggest influence anybody in fact had on what I am doing, and how I thin musically now is none other than Bob Young.
Fact is, I have learned more and bent my thinking more from listening to Bob, watching what he does musicaly, and with words, than anybody before or since him.
I realise it probably doesn't show in what I do. After all, we do not write, or sound anything alike.
Never the less, I firmly believe, I would have been doing the same old stuff over and over again if I hadn't fell in love with most of the stuff Bob churns out.
No doubt some will see, or hear Bob's influences in his stuff.
Me. I just hear Bob Young, and wish I could do that.
I hear a new one of his, and I go fol around with what I get out of it.
It always comes out way differant to anything Bob does, but it often comes out way differant to what I have ever done also.
I know I can't be an orphan in being influenced by somebody close to us.
Maybe I simply look a bit closer to home for my influences than some.
What ever. That's my pick of the crop.
And thanks to all of them.
Other one I got to mention is Pop Staples Dad to The Staple Singers. Martha and co.
Put his first solo album out at 72. And it is a fine piece of work.
Gotta love him for that. I got a few years to learn to sound better yet.
Graham

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http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/grahamhendersonmusic.htm

Okay....here's the ten that I think, right now, have influenced me the most. I could change my mind tomorrow, but I don't think the list would be altered too significantly.
In no particular order:

Bob Marley - I can't think of another single person, in any time or place, that did as much to define an entire genre of music. To me that's inspiring. I've absorbed so much of his music over the years, it's impossible that it's not influenced my writing in some way.

Van Morrison - Quite simply, I don't know that I've ever heard a song of his that I didn't enjoy. I'm not sure I could say the same about any one else on my list.

Johnny Cash - The first real concert I ever went to was Johnny. I was in third grade. The first song he sang in that show was "Folsom Prison Blues". The experience is still etched in my mind. Aside from writing songs that I love, he also had an unparelled talent for making any song his own, whether he wrote it or not.

Paul Simon - He's always seemed like one of the quintessential singer/songwriters to me. Not always the most technically extraordinary writer, but it never seemed to matter. His ability and willingness to experiment in his music, to me, was always part of the pleasure of his style.

Dwight Yoakam - This one seemed the most peculiar on my list when I wrote it down, but I'll stick with the choice. He best represents a "group" of artists that have inspired me greatly. He managed to reach back to the roots and pull them forward in a way that made it fresh for a new generation and helped keep a piece of culture alive. There are other artists I could say similar things about, but Dwight wrote his own great songs in the process that set him apart.

John Prine - This guy's brilliant. When they tell you to keep it as simple as possible while still effectively delivering the message...I look to John Prine. He's a wonderful story teller. Some of his songs seem so basic, until you try to write one that stacks up against it.

Beatles - How much do I really have to say? They wrote some good songs.

Hank Williams - Hillbillies....they ain't just for breakfast anymore. He put southern music on the pop culture map, in my opinion. Any one that's made a dime in country music since owes a nod to the man.

Elvis Presley - If I close my eyes and listen real hard, I can still hear the scratches in the Elvis gospel records from when I was a kid. As an artist, he definitely influenced me.

Lastly, all those forgotten, nameless people who wrote the old folk songs that I love. Songs like Old Joe Clark, Wayfaring Stranger, Barbara Allen...well, the list goes on. Collectively, they've had a major impact on me musically. If I could write one song with that kind of endurance, I'd be more than satisfied.

Randy

Other than "Elvis," this list is not necessarily in the exact order in which I was influenced the most, or like the best; but is close.

Elvis-
The Beach Boys
The Rolling Stones
The Beatles
Simon And Garfunkle
Jimi Hendrix
Led Zeppelin
Stevie Wonder
Chuck Berry
Queen
Creedance Clearwater Revival
Elton John
Billy Joel
Joni Mitchel
Cat Stevens
The Holly's
Bob Seger
Hank Williams
Lionel Richie
The Everly Brothers

Kermit The Frog- just kiddin'






[This message has been edited by Cal (edited 04-15-2004).]

Hmmm,
The first 3 gentlemen said most of who influenced me. I am a big Glen Campbell fan. Outrageous player, session cat for everybody. Still plays like silk. Vince Gill. Triple threat. Writer, singer, multi-instrumentalist. Rodney Crowell. Says it right always in his songs. For writers and vibe, Berry Gordy and that house of Motown talent. Lieber and Stoller, Carol King, Dave Mason. If it was and is on the radio, I have sucked it up like a sponge my whole life. From South Pacific Soundtrack to Lincoln Park band, I am still there. oh yeah.
Neil Young bigtime. Peace

[This message has been edited by Michael H (edited 04-15-2004).]

GARTH BROOKS, Eagles, Chicago, Wynonna, Randy Travis, Buddy Greene, Anna Lenox, George Strait, Billy Joel and JERRY LECARO my Hubby...

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And..."Don't give up, give Love"..:)

Briggitte...JBLOVE
JBLOVE at IUMA
JBLOVE at Soundclick
JBLOVE at Songramp

Thanks Cobber....hope you got my e mail..

As a musician..

The Ventures..made me want to play guitar
Mike Bloomfield..make me want to play the blues on my guitar
Jeff Beck..made me want to buy that really loud amp for my guitar
Roy Buchanan..made me want to give up guitar !
King Curtis,Jimmy Smith,Stanley Jordan,Earl Palmer,Cannonball Adderley,...taught me in my formative years that there were lots of cool sounds that didn't come from a guitar.
Brian Wilson...Phil Spector..these last two taught me about combining alot of instruments to create one sound

As a singer/performer

Eddie Cochran
Little Richard
Chuck Berry
The Everly Brothers
Buddy Holley
Otis Redding
Louis Armstrong
Etta James
The Band
Ernest Tubb
Hank Williams

As a writer/performing songwriter

Irving Berlin
Bob Dylan
John Prine
Randy Newman
Harlan Howard
Steve Cropper
James Taylor
George and Ira Gershwin
Paul Simon


There are many more, but these are the people most responsible for the development of my "style" in my formative years.

Bless 'em all !

And....thanks !

Bob

ooops!


[This message has been edited by bob young (edited 04-15-2004).]

Beatles...I channeled their accents until I couldn't talk any other way, for a while!! I was still young enough to sing all the harmonies, then...sigh...

Peter, Paul, and Mary...(album 1700, in particular, because the songs were all so different, yet good!! Also, their Live, in Concert...)

Love...(Cmaj7, Fmaj7 chords in a "rock" song? Wow!! Who'da thunk it?) Way before their time...

Leo Kotke...How does he do that!!?? An example of who to listen to when one starts feeling big-headed about their guitar playing...humbling!!

Tim Hardin...An archtype singer/songwriter..."If I Were a Carpenter" was his worst song--(can you say, "Irony"?) I think his most beautiful is "Misty Roses", which I've been trying to play/sing for years now, with no luck...

Tim Buckley...Sad, beautiful poet with soaring voice..his best--"Happy Sad"

John Prine--he is only one of two songwriters who actually wrote a song that "makes me cry, Pa!!" ("There's a hole in Daddy's arm, where all the money goes")

Hot Tuna (Acoustic)...They were my first exposure to acoustic blues.

Jefferson Airplane..."After Bathing at Baxter's" contains one of the best jams I've ever heard--"Spare Chaynge". They were also a force for peace in the world...a dirty word, these days, it seems sometimes...

Jimi Hendrix..."Are You Experienced?"--I had to buy this LP THREE times...wore it out!!! ("Third Stone From the Sun" is my favorite)

Ventures/Beach Boys...What can I say, I love surf music? The harmonies of the Wilsons--my fav is "Surfer Girl" (not "Pet Sounds", so shoot me!!)

Mothers of Invention/Frank Zappa..."We're Only In It For the Money" should be required listening for anyone who gets starstruck by the Beatles, as I was...great satire, right down to the album cover.

The Fugs..."It Crawled Into My Hand, Honest"...another great satire band...

Pentangle..."Basket of Light" Awesome English folk music...alternate tunings?

The list goes on...should be more like top 100 or so...

AMEN! I picked up their box set a few weeks ago to round out my Jellyfish collection. What a great band. I keep hoping that VH1 will do them as a Band Reunited... amazing songwriters.


[This message has been edited by MBradbourne (edited 04-15-2004).]

[This message has been edited by MBradbourne (edited 04-15-2004).]

Okay, here's my Top Ten (actually, Twelve), for what they're worth:

1, 2, and 3. STEVE GOODMAN, BOB DYLAN, and JOHN PRINE. All are poets; all masters in the use of words. None of them were good singers, or good guitarists (though they all got better over time); all they had to work with really was their words, and to the extent they became well-known, it was the words that did it.. Steve Goodman probably tops the list just because he had so much fun at it. Of all the people whose styles I've tried to imitate, these three are the ones I've tried to emulate the most. I think they've had the most to teach me.

4, 5 and 6. TOM PAXTON, ELVIS PRESLEY, and AVRIL LAVIGNE. (Obviously, I'm partial to people who write and perform their own material.) Paxton and Presley were both masters of delivery and inflection, even though Elvis had a Voice and Paxton didn't. I credit Avril Lavigne with the modern overtones in my latest country-music songs; can't exactly call it "rap," but it's the way she strings words together.

7 and 8. THE BEATLES and THE GRATEFUL DEAD. The Beatles are a reminder that creativity can come from strange places–a lot of theirs stemmed from that creative tension between Lennon and McCartney. I've tried to look for creative stimulus in all sorts of places, and have found it in a few odd ones myself. The Beatles are also evidence of how far you can go if you never stop pushing the envelope. From the Dead I learned you can be uncompromising and sometimes get away with it–and I've tried to emulate that, too. (My favorite Dead songs are the country ones.)

9 and 10. BING CROSBY and FRANK SINATRA. Both taught me that the voice, too, is an instrument. Sinatra probably worked harder at it; I never particularly liked any of his stuff, or learned to play any of it, but I picked up a lot about technique from listening to him. Crosby was more of a natural talent–but surgically precise in his delivery.

11. BILL MONROE, for his professionalism (though I like the music, too). He and the Bluegrass Boys were the most professional group of musicians it has ever been my pleasure to meet, see, and hear. Others are artists, performers, and poets; Bill Monroe is the only one I'd characterize as a craftsman.

12. Lastly–and on reflection, he should probably top the list–JEFF TANZER, the late lead guitarist and other songwriter in the Dodson Drifters, the bluegrass band I played in 20-odd years ago. Jeff wasn't a real great guitarist, and not a great singer, either (country music with a powerful New York City Jewish accent)–what he could do was *perform*, and he taught me and the rest of the band how to do it, too. He could also write (yep, my heroes have always been writers), and he and I developed the same kind of creative tension that Lennon and McCartney had. One of the Dodson Drifters' claims to fame was the amount of original material we did–and Jeff and I wrote just about all of it. Unlike Lennon and McCartney, we actually liked–and enjoyed singing–each other's material.

And there you have it–for right now. (The list will obviously lengthen over time, because one never stops being influenced by the outside world.) It kinda surprised me that Hank Williams (Senior, of course) didn't make the list; he was a good writer, and performer, and arguably one of the biggest influences on country music (and I can even strain my voice far enough to sing a couple of his songs)–but he just wasn't that big an influence on *me*. (He does figure in a song I was working on, though–"Won't Someone Dig Hank Williams Up and Make Him Play Some More.") T.A.N.A.F.T, I guess (There Ain't No Accounting For Taste).

Joe

In no particular order:

Gordon Lightfoot. His songs, music, and singing spoke to me as a young musician. I still warm up my fingerpicking with his Song for a Winter's Night. Lightfoot's bass players John Stockfish and Richard Haynes have provided me with a model of how to accompany fingerpickers.

Robert Johnson. In a few short years, he put together a body of work that would change music. His guitar playing influenced everyone from Clapton on. His songs such as Sweet Home Chicago and Dust My Broom still knock me out. I have a cd of his entire work near my stereo at all times.

Steve Goodman. I first heard Steve at the Twelfth of Never coffeehouse long before he became famous. As a young fingerpicker, his flatpick guitar style mesmerised me. Steve's singing had a "cry" to it that still gives me chills. When my band Redhead had our record release party, Steve came in and played telecaster all night long. His debillitating illness never diminished his personality. He is sorely missed. You can find his website by doing a search for Chicago Shorty.

Richard Dobson. Richard is a Texas songwriter in the Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark mold. He currently resides in Switzerland where he records for Brambus Records. Richard's songs include some of my favorite country tunes ever. Nanci Griffith calls him the "Hemingway of Country Music."

Carole King. Her "Tapestry" album showed me what songwriting could be.

The Beatles. There's nothing more to say here.

Jerry Garcia. I must have been a Grateful Dead fan, because I have their T shirts and some old concert tickets. In the seventies, I played with a band called Above the Storm that did a lot of Dead. Jerry could be sophisticated, rootsy, elegant, and sloppy all in one measure.

Hank Williams.

Henry Strzelecki. Henry was Chet Atkins' bassist for fifteen years. He was Nashville's first A Team electric bassist, after Bob Moore on the upright. Henry recorded with George Jones, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan (that's Henry playing the B-3 bass pedals with his hands on Rainy Day Woman # 12 and 35), Tammy Wynette, Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra, David Allan Coe, Gordon Lightfoot, and several other wannabes. He's a great guy and is still active in the Nashville Union.

Nanci Griffith. Nanci can write an amazing song like Love at the Five and Dime. She puts together wonderful bands. Her career has a huge devoted underground following. The stuff she did with the Chieftains is stunning.

Harlan Howard. Do you think it ends when you wrote the song? Several years ago, I played with a band called White Crow. We were produced by Chuck Glaser (of the Glaser Brothers) and Harlan pitched some songs for us. We picked one called Never Mind. Harlan came out to our rehearsal to help us learn it. He contacted people to come to our showcase at the Bluebird and he attended and worked the crowd while we played. When we split up, he pitched the song to Nanci Griffith and started all over again until she cut it and it was released. Mr. Songwriter knew his stuff.

James Jamerson. He was the session bass player for Motown Records. Mr. Jamerson's playing defined the song. The horn players took their cues from him. To me, he was the perfect bass player.

Red, White, and Blue(grass). They were one of the first "newgrass" bands. Their three albums include Vassar Clements, Norman Blake, and Byron Berline. They were the first major bluegrass band to include a drummer (was that ever shocking to the bluegrass crowd!) I joined them for their last year and a half...I guess I killed them off.

John Prine. John started a whole style of songwriting. His wit and charm sometimes hides his amazing depth. He can write a hit for radio or for his underground following. I've gotten to play with him a bit, his guitar picking is as solid as a rock.

Jim Post. As a teenager, I used to open the show at It's Here Coffeehouse for Jim and his wife Cathy. They were called Friend and Lover, and they had a top ten hit Reach Out of the Darkness. Jim as a single act was the biggest draw at Amazing Grace Coffeehouse, a rather large venue in Evanston, Illinois, he drew more than Steve Goodman, John Prine, Odetta, or Asleep at the Wheel. Jim is currently doing a one man show as Mark Twain. He's one of the most amazing showmen I've ever seen.

Razzy Bailey. Razz has had over a dozen number one hits. He was Billboard's Country Entertainer of the Year. He's in the Alabama Hall of Fame. Razzy never quits learning and expanding. He writes continually and demos more songs than anyone I know. His voice is amazing, he reminds me of a cross between Ray Charles and Englebert Humperdink. He can sing country, rock, R&B, and blues. Razzy is one of Willie Nelson's favorite singers. I'm proud to work with him.

Ray Price. There's a country music style called a Ray Price shuffle. It's a 4x4 swing. Ray's voice was and is an amazing instrument. Smooth and expressive, he makes you feel what he's feeling. His band included people like Willie Nelson, Jack Greene, Johnny Bush, and Roger Miller. He's a legend in Texas. In the eighties, Henry Strzelecki asked me to sub for him in Ray's band and I turned it down. It's one of my big regrets.

Bob Gibson. Bob would have been one of the biggest folk stars if it weren't for drugs. He discovered Judy Collins. Bob's manager, Albert Grossman, put him together with Hamilton Camp and they recorded Gibson and Camp at the Gate of Horn. The Gate was Grossman's folk club in Chicago. Their record became an important milestone in the folk boom. Grossman tried to get them to add a female singer for a trio, but Bob and Hamilton balked at the idea. Grossman went to New York and found a trio of two men and a woman that was what he was looking for...Peter, Paul, and Mary. In the seventies, Bob and I were on the same record label. I was honored to get to know him and pick with him. Bob probably did more than anyone to popularize the twelve string guitar. He's gone now, what a loss.

Otis Blackwell. Otis wrote Great Balls of Fire, Fever, Handyman, Return to Sender, All Shook Up, and a dozen more rock standards. He was a victim of racism, many of his songs were practically stolen from him. Cheap Trick recorded Great Balls of Fire and insisted that the publishing company give them half of the publishing. They turned around and gave it to Otis. I got to play some with him before his death. I've got a number chart of Handyman with his autograph framed on the wall of my studio.

Doc Watson. Doc's guitar work is to bluegrass and acoustic country what Louis Armstrong is to jazz. Doc plays with all the speed and accuracy of any of the greats, but he also has incredible feel and playfullness.

Joni Mitchell. Joni's songwriting and singing set a standard that few have approached. As a bassist, I love her work with Jaco Pastorius and Charles Mingus. Joni bridged folk, jazz, pop, and rock. Like Prine, she has her own style of songwriting.

Others would include: Jimmy Buffett, Townes Van Zandt, Robert Shumann, Cole Porter, Otis Redding, Willie Nelson, Big Bill Broonzy, Win Stracke, Johnny Bush, Bonnie Raitt, Mick Jagger, Phil Ochs, Merle Haggard, Roy Buchannon, Tom Paxton, Bob Dylan, Ian Tyson, Sylvia Fricker, Jerry Jeff Walker, Pat Mc Laughlin, Donna Fargo, Jimi Hendrix, Steve Allen, Duke Ellington, Lowell George, Ray Charles...I could go on for days.

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Mike Dunbar Music

[This message has been edited by Mike Dunbar (edited 04-15-2004).]

1. JIMI HENDRIX- He is the ultimate musical treasure for me. I can listen to Axis Bold as Love a million more times and still hear something different in there. Not only could Jimi play like a wild man
and distort, burn, and play with every orphus of his being. He was a gentle soul that could play the sweetest blues and melodic trancending ballads known to man.

2. EAGLES- The greatest hits volume one is the largest selling albulm of all time... There is no doubt why.
It was actually the very first albulm I got as a kid. No better way to start.. Henley, Frey, Meisner, Leadon,
latter Joe Walsh. Don Felder. THese boys were magicians with words and harmonies.
Don Henley is my lyrical Hero...

3. CROSBY, STILLS, NASH, YOUNG- Just behind the Eagles ..... Sweet Harmonies and great Accoustic style from Stephen Stills... Graham Nash and a intoxicated Crosby belting out Suite Judy Blue Eyes...

4. AMERICA- The 12 strings pounding. Dewey and Bunnell are some of the most underated song writing gurus of the 70's. They wrote albulms in a real setting. THey would go out in a cabin in the woods and record a full albulm. Real ambience not some LA studio....

5. THE WHO- WHO was better at smashing stuff and ripping up Hotel rooms... No one... WHo can scream better that Roger Daltry... No One... Who can write better theatrical rock songs better than Pete Townsend.... The who will just kick your ass.....period....

6. THE DOORS- Mind Bending Jim want you to break on through to the other side... True Poetic marvel wrapping poems into rock. Try reading a poem into a rock song... Just aint going to sound as enchanting as Morrison..

7. VAN HALEN with DAVID LEE ROTH ONLY- The first time I heard ERUPTION with those hammer triplets I was sold. Bought every Van Halen Tape until ROTH left or got fired??

8. THE KINKS- Saw them in concert and Ray Davies was awesome. Another group that is always underated in those top 100 lists.. Songwriting delight at every turn. Lola, Superman, Come dancing.
tons and tons lessons..

9. DAVID GATES-BREAD- Ok for the softer side of things NO one is a sadder writer... THis guy seemed to have been dumped by every girl he ever met. Guitar Man is one of my favs.. If you are not touched by THat Hi pitched cry of angst by David Gates than you aint got no soul......

10. AC/DC- I hate to say I like it. but something about it just makes you want to drive fast and smash things when you listen. The best power chords ever played.. So simple but yet raw to the bone.. I feel like I need to go to church after I listen..

If I was to categorize groups and artists I would have to break them down by era.. from the 90's on I would
have to metion, Sherl Crow, Alanis Morisette. THE GOO GOO DOLLS, Shawn Mullins, The Presidents of the United States of America, JUST TOO MANY.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by roxhythe:
[B]Okay, here's my Top Ten (actually, Twelve), for what they're worth:

4, 5 and 6. TOM PAXTON, ELVIS PRESLEY, and AVRIL LAVIGNE. (Obviously, I'm partial to people who write and perform their own material.)



Hey Rox-
Avril Lavigne- You got it!!! Love her!!!
She "Rocks!"
"Complicated" flipped me out from the first time I heard it- still does. Excellent lyric/beat/arrangement.
Heard the tune one time while at Virginia Beach last year- while rompin' around in a souviner shop- toes (like always) started tappin', brought that smile on my face.

Good other picks also.

Cal

Peter, Paul & Mary (60s) - Listening to their music taught me how to harmonize at a very young age.

Joni Mitchell (70s) - She could write poignant images, sing and play guitar AND piano.

John Bassett (70s) - a Cleveland folk singer who performed regionally in the '70's (I began to wonder, "Why not me...?")

Jim Wunderle (70s) - another local entertainer/guitar teacher and friend. He was the first "real" person I knew who wrote and submitted songs as a matter of course. Again, I wondered, "Could I do that?"

Amy Grant (80s) - Though I found her stuff a little too "poppy", hers was the first Christian music I had heard that didn't sound like old-time gospel or "grandma's church music." It made me realize that there might actually be a place for my original, spiritual music. I literally cried in relief and hope...

The Beatles - Do I really need to explain?

John Denver (60s/70s) - Easy, melodic, homey music that appealed to the masses. What a formula!

All those old blues performers (30s-present) - Somehow, their music "stuck" with this little white girl...

Alan Sherman (50s/60s) - Funny songs, too, could find an audience.

Andy Williams (60s/70s) and Vaughan Monroe (40s?) - I learned about ballad singing listening to his records.

Other singer/songwriters like James Taylor, Paul Simon, Carole King (all 60s/70s) - Great stuff...and they could "deliver" alone onstage...

Harmony groups like CSNY, the Mamas & Papas...

The "leather girls": Suzi Quatro (aka "Happy Days' 'Leather Tuscadero'", Joan Jett and Chrissie Hynde - just 'cause they got out there ROCKED, just like the boys!

Hymn composers (several centuries) - 'cause they conveyed the Christian faith in ways that kept the words and message in my head...and that later sunk into my heart.

The Offspring (90s) - 'cause screaming while singing is cathartic!

Bob Seeger and Travis Tritt - 'cause rollicking, growling singing is fun, too.

OK - So it's not a very "cool" list...but there it is...naked and true...

------------------
www.dianatyler.com

The Beatles and George Martin: The arranging, orchestration, the unmistakeable harmony, the lyrics, the mixing and recording techniques used, The Beatles cartoon is what got me going.

David Gates of Bread: The whole thing. The melancholy sound they had. Probably why I started to write. The arranging.

James Taylor: Simple. All about the song. Made a drummer interested in the Acoustic.

Kool and the Gang {the original}: Is there anyone funkier? I don't think so Tim. Jungle Boogie is an athem.

Sly Stone: Ok, maybe this guy was as "Funkafied". Beautiful songs, fun. Yes,his album was on my wall.

Stevie Wonder: I would stay summers with my Aunt and Uncle in a small Iowa farm town. I would listen to the transistor in bed to Supersticious. I was 8 maybe 9. He totally blew me away. He was definitely funky. A real groove miester.


The Eagles: Harmonies. My most favorite thing to do in the world other than write. Now as a guitar player, I can really appreciate the impact that Don Felder made. Some of the most underated guitar work to date. Great songs. Everything in it's place. A textbook of how to arrange individual parts.

Three Dog Night: I never realized how many hits these guys had until I saw them less the original lead singer. True greatness vocally and great songs. Another album on my wall. Here's to the great Floyd Snead {drummer}

America: Harmonies again. Production well thought out. Easy to listen to, even today.

Queen: Freddie had the most astounding vocal talent. And although I am not a Queen fan persay, they are without a doubt even today still cutting edge. A must for vocal enthusiasts.

Restless Heart: They made me want to write country for about 5 songs worth. They are a perfect example of what pop country should have turned out to be.

Mary Chapin Carpenter: I like the midwest twang of her voice and her songs. Country Divas make my oatmeal hit the wall. Put her back on the radio where she belongs.

Shawn Colvin: Yes, yes, and yes. She writes really nice. Nice job Mr. Levanthal as well. Learn how to produce from this guy.

Del Amitri: Learn how to write a killer bridge from these guys. They won't steer you wrong.They are all about the song.

Elvis Costello: No matter what kind of music you write. He is the modern day master. Every writer should own one of his albums. I recommend "Imperial Bedrooms". It made me believe that music hadn't completely gone mediocre and that there was more to writing than a specified genre.

Pink Floyd: I want to play like David Gilmore and have six backup singers per side in my show. Oh well...it's another year.

Nora Jones: Proving again, it's ok to be classy.

And there are so many more. From these I have learned vocal, playing, and mixing techniques that have kept me working all my years. And gave me great enjoyment.
I am still learning from the Beatles, Patsy Cline, and others.

Nice topic.

Kris Karr

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/2/kriskarrmusic.htm
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/everywednesdaymusic.htm

Kris,

Mary Chapin Carpenter and Del Amitri! Two of my favorites!

Brian

John Wesley Harding-- Taught me what professionalism is. When everything that could possibly go wrong does, he never forgets that it's not about him... it's about the folks that came in the door to listen.

Randy Newman-- Bitter, cynical and funny as hell. Truthful.

Tom Waits-- Anything goes with Tom. If it sounds good, it is good, even if it's beating on an Igloo cooler with a wooden spoon. Writes the stuff no one else would think to.

Tim Armstrong-- Of Rancid, Operation Ivy... Tim is the master of cool. A great songwriter, horrible (but fascinating) singer, and great producer. Punk doesn't get any better.

Johnny Cash-- has been my hero since I could walk and got me into guitar lessons at age four. I still miss him.

Leonard Cohen-- Nobody is dark like this guy. Not even me. Sounded like garbage until he turned forty, when his voice finally changed. Rock and roll.

Mahler-- I wish I could write tension like Mahler. I hang on every note.

Tool-- Take the most ***-kickin' rock you've ever heard and freebase it. You'll get Tool. Loud, precise, original, melodic and smart.

Ben Folds-- He writes about the stuff we've all seen, or been through, or try to avoid. He comes across as an old high-school buddy. Besides, no one rocks on the piano anymore.

I'll skip the other hundred...



------------------
Shandy Lawson

Folk-noir Ballads and Acoustic Brawls
ShandyLawson.com

Shandy's Soundclick

Just to clarify, Avril Lavigne did not write her major hits. Chalk those massive smash hits to a writing group called The Matrix. It's a real rude slap in the face to them that she doesn't acknowledge that at all in public.

Jody

Jody,

Interesting...
I saw somewhere where Avril was bashing Brittany Spears for not writing her own material too. I was under the impression that Avril wrote her own stuff.
I'll have to look up this Matrix group.

DAvid

Jody,

I don't think the Matrix are feeling too bad when they check their bank accounts. If you have the choice between fabulously rich or fabulously famous, choose rich first. And the Matrix folks are plenty famous where it counts.. in the music industry upper levels.

But lets keep this all focused on the topic. How about some more Top 10-20 Influential Artists picks? I am enjoying reading everyones so far.

Brian

Hi All,
It was and still is the Golden Era of Country Music for me. The Golden ERA of Country Music was from 1946, right after the Second World War, until 1956 when Country Music began to change. We got electricity in the house about 1950 and got a radio. Country Music was releasing hit after hit and I really liked it. Most of the Artists are gone now but all that music is avaliable in Boxed Sets. The music was mono, recorded by all musicians and Artist at the same time and when they got it right it was usually released. While it seems some of these Artists are mostly forgotten today when you listen to the recordings they sound as fresh as if they were recorded yesterday. While there was more talent probably in that ERA than anytime since there is always new talent coming. I have posted this before but it bears repeating. Webb Pierce is my Artist of The Century. For one whole year there was only one other song that got to the top of the charts. Every other song was by Webb. It was tough in those days as the Artists didn't have huge buses to travel in and the highways weren't as good.

Hank Williams - The bridge between country and the blues and one of the foundations of country, period. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" still gives me chills.

Johnny Cash - He was such a complicated man with such a simple, powerful delivery. I've never felt such feelings of friendship, almost kinship with someone I've never met in person. Cash rules.

Charley Patton/Robert Johnson - Kings of the blues, in my book. Teacher and student who taught everybody else.

Steve Earle - I never 'got' him until I saw a concert special in 1999. From that point I was hooked. His life is inspiring... if not miraculous; it's a wonder he's alive after all the drugs he's taken. I don't always agree with his politics, but he always makes me think. Great songwriter.

Guns n' Roses - Appetite for Destruction, their debut album, made me love music for the first time. It also taught me a few dirty words, ha. If Axl wasn't plain nuts, they might still be rocking our world today instead of putting off studio albums for years and having a revolving door membership.

Hootie and the Blowfish - Yeah, laugh. I'm serious. Their debut album got me through a tough time in life and inspired me to start writing lyrics. They're nothing groundbreaking, but heart-on-your-sleeve bar rock is never unwelcome on my stereo.

Dylan - I'm not a rabid fan, but I can't dispute his legend, or his writing's influence on mine.

Matraca Berg - She's an awesome songwriter, and a great singer as well.

Bruce Robison - Wow. I love nearly every song he's ever written. I like his versions best... but almost all his songs that have been covered by 'mainstream' artists have been top 5 hits (Dixie Chicks - Travelin' Soldier, Tim McGraw - Angry All the Time, George Strait - Desperately, etc.). He does it his way; got out of a major label deal to put out his last CD the way he wanted it.

Jim Lauderdale - Great mainstream country songwriter, and great alt-country artist. That would be my dream life.

John Prine - I love his humor and heart.

Elvis - What more can be said? He rules, alongside Cash.

Dolly Parton - What a woman... how can she be so classy and trashy at the same time? She's a living legend.

Kurt Cobain - Rocked my world in my senior year of high school. I still love his music, his raw emotion and those beautiful melodies wrapped in hellish noise.

Although I'm still being influenced by current artists and writers, the following list has had major impacts, in no particular order. And, there are numerous more beyond these.

EmmyLou Harris - if angels sing....
The Band
Shel Silverstein
Grateful Dead
CSNY - especially Neil
Boudleaux Bryant
Poco
Savoy Brown - never got the credit they deserved.
Gram Parsons
Paul Simon
Allman Brothers Band
Hank Williams
John Denver
Jimmy Buffett
Willie Nelson
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Amazing Rythm Aces
New Riders

This list could go on for pages so I'll stop there.

Harry -

Emmylou darn near made my list, too. I don't have gender identity issues, but danged if I don't wish at times I could sing like her.
I was honored enough to meet her once. I've seen and met quite a few famous folks over the years, but it was the first time I felt flustered and tongue tied.

Randy

I hope somebody will keep track of who the most named people are...
I'm too lazy...

Also nice to see so many of the same names showing up on lists of very different people..
Nice to see some youngsters giving credit to some "mature" artists and nice to see some grownups giving props to the new blood.

Very impressive, everybody !

Bob

Whoa. How could I have forgotten Dolly Parton? She is one of my favorites.

Ya know, I sometimes think that album really belongs as much to the producer, Daniel Lanoir, as it does to Peter Gabriel. It was a bit of a revelation to me some time ago that every single one of my favourite PG tracks was a Lanoir production and when I compare them to his (PG's) other work they absolutely shine in terms of the arrangements and overall quality. To me it truly demonstrates the huge importance of the producer's role.

Try it yourself sometime and you'll see what I mean

Simon

I don't know about a top 20 per say...

My first influence was Boots Randolf. He made playing the sax sound so fun I had to give it a go.

Then came Mancini (sp?). Most notably, "The Marches of Mancini". Played that one (in a 90 piece band) at band camp the first time. The next time was in compitition in the local high school band.

Then came some of the greatest rockers of all time (IMHO).
Black Sabbath's Heaven and Hell album, with Ronny James Dio at the helm. Some of the greatest lyrics and musicianship I've ever had the pleasure of listening to.

Iron Maiden.. Most notably the Piece of Mind album. Great works on that one. I really enjoyed their ability to take an existing story and put it to music (Ryme of the Ancient Mariner).

Queens Ryche... Can't say enough good about them. They are one of the few who can take you right to where they are.

After listening to them for a while, and after a 10 year sebatical from playing music myself, I was sitting around and Behind the Music was on and they were doing The Mamas and the Papas. Well right then and there I got myself back into music.

Then there is Cheryl Crow... Most notably The Globe Sessions CD. I always listen to that one when I'm traveling through New Mexico... Usually bawling my eyes out.

And lastly, Pentangle's Basket of Light. When I first heard that one I was doing some (what I concidered) pretty darn good Americelt folksy type of music. When I heard how it was really supposed to be done, I kinda gave up on that genre... for now.

Mozart: I grew up listening to these incredible melodies and movements and followed along with them and sang them back. I really think this developed my sense of pitch, ability to harmonize by ear and of course, classical is a great foundation for anything!

Gladys Knight: A wonderful vocalist who's phrasing and timing I really admire. I love the way she emotes without OVER emoting and I have always admired her talent and fortitude

Gamble/Huff Writing Team: They wrote great soul and soulful pop stuff and I have been very much influenced by thier songs in my lifetime.

Taupin/John: Another great songwriting duo. I have been hugely infulenced by Elton's voice and ability to create a memorable piano line and melody.

Billy Joel: I listened to a lot of Billy Joel growing up and loved how he could rock out but still be super soulful. Again, great melodies and great pop lyrics that always balanced 'popular' in the best way by making them accessible but not trite.

BeBe & CeCe Winans: I've always loved thier songs and singing style. CeCe has such a pure and soulful voice and as I grew up listening to a lot of Contemporary Gospel, she was a staple for me and I learned a lot by listening to her. Great phrasing and technique.

The Beatles: Wonderful pop music! I learned a lot about writing and melodic development by listening to the Beatles growing up. They were a staple in my very British home!

Gospel Music in General: I know this isn't an artist or writer per se, but I grew up singing this music and it totally developed my ear and my sense of harmony. I would do a lot of extemperaneous type of singing in this setting and I really think it enabled me to experiment with riffs and variations in a free and nurturing environment.

I think for the most part I am influenced by bodies of work and genres. There are so many great artists out there, but I haven't really modeled myself after one in particular. I am into catchy, soulful, pop music and try to write things that appeal to a broad base and incorporate my love of soulful music into those songs. I like to reach people and have people understand the messages I am trying to convey. I think that all the music I listened to growing up was geared in that fashion.

Cool topic

Nat

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Melodic R&B, Voice Matters. Official Natalie Brown ONLINE[/b] | [b]Listen: SoundClick : dmusic : Artistlaunch

[This message has been edited by rnbluvva (edited 04-17-2004).]

SimpleSimon-

You made a great point about Daniel Lanois. He is my favorite producer and a very good songwriter in his own right. He's produced some of what, in my opinion, are the best overall sounding albums I could name...from Peter Gabriel to U2 and Emmylou Harris' "Wrecking Ball", which is an incredible album from a production standpoint. He's been a significant influence on me, though not in the same sense as the artist/writers on my list.

Randy

Mostly influenced by instinct and guts, VONTANNER gives praise to the likes of Patti Labelle, Stevie Wonder, Valerie Day and John Smith of NU SHOOZ, Gino Vannelli, CASSELBERRY-DUPREE, their mentor Elton John, Crystal Lewis, The Pet Shop Boys, Giorgio Moroder and Donna Summer, Joni Mitchell, Amy Grant, Laura Niro (URMissed), and many, many (Melba) more...
cVonTanner
Scream-like-a-girl Records


http://www.soundclick.com/vontanner

It will be really hard to narrow this down, since I feel that so many writers and composers have had a hige impact on my music.

Here's a few:

The Beatles - I grew up listening to their songs...Their accessible, commercial, timeless sound helped shape my early songwriting....

Mozart - This favorite composer of mine had creative vision that changed music forever.
There is a vitality and passion in his music that has really inspired me.

Beethoven - The 9th Symphony, Pastoral Symphony and piano music continue to make my heart sing; he wasn't afraid to try new things and was a wonderful link between the Classical and Romantic Era.

Laura Nyro - love her lyrics and original blend of gospel, doo-wop, blues, etc.

Joni Mitchell- The "Picasso" of the music world...I don't know of too many artists with this type and depth of body of work...She's created styles that most of the women artists today copy.

Others that have inpsired me:
Stevie Wonder
Paul Simon
James Taylor
Bob Dylan
Miles Davis
Bruce Springsten
Bonnie Raitt
Fleetwood Mac
Louis Armstrong
Ella Fitzgerald
Thats' all for now - I will add more later!

Emily

Well, this is hard. So many influences.

I would have to say some of my very earliest influences, ones that I bought 45's to would be The Jackson Five and that other group that sounded like them back then. I remember getting my first 45 and record player. I can't remember who it was on the 45, but I remember it being a really big deal. I would play it over and over and pretend I was playing the instruments. Elton John was a big one back then too, I remember having his 45's and albums and playing them over and over.

Thennnnnnn. I became a pimply teen-ager. Testostorone and all. I move to hard rock and discovered one of my bigger musical influences, Rush. I remember being in the back of this upper-classman's Nova and he had one of those huge speaker systems and he played BYTOR AND THE SNOWDOG, and I was like - man - where has this been all my life?? What was that - wow. I was hooked. And no, no illegal substances at that time...jhahah. I had to go buy all those albums (Fly By Night, Caress Of Steel, Rush) to catch up. I tried to get my parents let me go see Kiss and Rush when they came to town together, but they wouldn't let me. waaaaaaaaaaaaa. I had another epiphany when 2112 came out. At that time, that CD was just so in tune to me and what I wanted to listen to. For it's time, the space intro and all that was new (and by the way - Alex Lifeson is the man on guitar - even back then - if you listen to Fly By Night the album - he incorporated every trick/effect in the book know at that time into the music - he even played bottle neck slide!). I like told my friend down the street - you just gotta buy 2112. He did and took it back cause he said it sucked. hahahha.

Anyway, yup, I drove my Dad nuts with that music. Funny, he always played his Buddy Rich really, really loud during Sunday dinner, and that was OK. haha. And funnier still, when I presented him a gift of a "Burning For Buddy" CD of a remake of all those popular Rich songs with various drummers produced by none other than Neil Peart! The first thing out of his mouth was - "What! Those long haired guys!"

I think later on on my "church phase", I loved Amy Grant. The stuff before she went pop (not that that is a bad thing).

What's really funny is I never really got into the Beatles. I like thos music, but I think I only bought one album of theirs, and I never played it much.

As far has who has influenced my guitar playing, that would be Rush (I try to open up the chords and solos like Alex), John Denver (had to learn the country plucking), Vince Gill, David Wilcox (the king of alternate tuning), and anyone I have just listened to. By the way - you guitar players should check out a really cool device. Third Hand Capo. Look it up on the web. It frets each individual string. Cool for songwriting and playing if your scared (like me) to change the tuning live.

Others influences would be Mozart (his is just sooooooo brilliant), Bach (if you have every tried to write a fugue or a canon, you can see why he loved these - for a small effort you can realize a big reward - interesting music with lots of movement that would be near impossible to write by doing traditional counterpoint. And of course Liszt (his life was soooooooo fasinating - he was like Micheal Jackson or Princess Diana in fame during his lifetime).

During my country phase, Garth Brooks of course. The songs he wrote and chose are well crafted. It's funny, I never ever pull out a GB CD to listen to anymore, but when I hear a GB song on the radio, they are really good and worth remembering. And Alan Jackson and Randy Travis cause those guys are real country (sorry - but GB is wonderful but he is kinda of - as Rolling Stone once said I believe - A Kmart Cowboy).

Tons of others....


[This message has been edited by Liszt Laughing (edited 04-21-2004).]

From strictly a lyricist's standpoint, as I'm not a performer, I find myself drawn to the written word of so many writers/performers, even some whose actual music I don't always care that much for. My inexhaustive list, if you'll indulge me:

1. Harry Chapin (one of the best musical storytellers ever. Find "On The Road to Kingdom Come")
2. Paul Simon (lyrically and musically very engaging. Wish I had written "Bridge Over Troubled Water")
3. Justin Hayward (lush sonic balladry, if sometimes too sickly sweet. But "Tuesday Afternoon" will never get old)
4. Billy Joel (always consistently clever lyrics)
5. Robert Hunter (G.Dead lyricist, showed that bizarre and obscure are okay in lyrics)
6. John Barlow (G.Dead OTHER lyricist)
7. Bernie Taupin (most of my songwriting collaborations have been patterned after the way he and Elton work; Bernie scribbles the lyrics and sends them to Elton to compose the music. Very convenient for me. too.)
8. Nanci Griffith (beautiful voice, heartfelt lyrics and melodies. I LOVE "Late Night Grand Hotel")
9. Freddie Mercury (especially loved the operatic vocals and unique lyrics of songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Somebody To Love," "Good Old Fashioned Lover Boy," and "The Millionaire Waltz." I sure miss him.)
10. Gerry Beckley (gtr/vcls for America. Always beautiful, simple acoustic ballads.)

So many others, but I'm on my lunch break. Good topic, Brian!

Greg

[This message has been edited by Greg C. Brown (edited 04-20-2004).]

Hey Brian, hope you are well.,. good topic.,.,

Being a singing bass player first, my early influences were bass players.,., Geddy Lee (Rush), Steve Harris (Iron Maiden), Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple), Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius.... As for songwriters and singers.,.

McCartney - amazingly sensitive, great melodies and great bass player..

Lennon - the 'guts' of the Beatles.

Carole King - Amazing!

Paul Carrack - great voice (Tempted, Living Years), great writer - extremely underrated.

Kenny Loggins - Amazing!

Stevie Wonder - Amazing!

James Taylor, Jackson Browne - great songwriting story-tellers.,.,

Kiss - great rock band!

Best to all!
russ
www.russbonagura.com

There's so many!

John Lennon,Paul McCartney,Ray Davies,Arthur Lee,Nick Drake,Burt Bacharach,Bob Dylan,Brian Wilson,Neil Young,Carole King,Kurt Cobain,Paul Simon,Marc Bolan,Donovan,Jimi Hendrix,Lou Reed...

One person i'm amazed hasn't been mentioned by anyone as an influence yet is David Bowie..

To my mind he's probarbly the most musically intelligent,magical songwriter (at his creative peak in the early 70s)ever!

Constantly inventive,inspired,exciting and suprising-an explorer of uncharted waters of mood/atmosphere,yet with an instinctive understanding of the natural beauty/balance of pop structure...

While having a coffee with my friend(also a songwriter),i told him i'd read this thread and felt suprised that no one had mentioned Bowie as an influence..

He reckoned it wasn't suprising at all and that a board with a majority of country writers would find alot of the values Bowie represents (i.e alienation,uncertainty,sexual ambiguity)disturbing,threatning and unsavoury...

Also,that his love of drama and artifice would be perceived by many as equalling being insincere and dishonest...

For me personally,i've always just seen him(at his best) as a truly gifted songwriter and artist,yet to be bettered in breadth of imagination and vision...



[This message has been edited by SteveIson (edited 04-22-2004).]

I'd hardly say that the even a large percent of the influences listed here are country artists/writers. Most of the listed writers are mainstream rock and folk/singer songwriter.

Bowie is cool. I like him more for his attitude and intelligence than his music, which is hit and miss a lot of the time. But I love seeing him interviewed or simply discussing any number of topics. Very smart and down to earth guy.

Brian

Brian,I find it strange that while he's become alot more approachable and likeable as an intelligent media personality the last few years,his creativity dosn't burn a 10th as bright as it did in the early 70s,when he was totally lost and desperately unhappy....

Most of his music since the late 70s is 'hit and miss' for me also,but his early albums like Hunky Dory,Ziggy and Alladinsane represent the creative pinnacle of pop music the way i see things...

I do realise its very much down to personal taste tho..

Hey,
Jackson Brown, The Guess Who. Kansas. So many many. Makes your head spin!

I am hoping to post my list later this month.. but I have to brag about the fact that I got to hang out with 2 of the artists on my personal list this weekend at the Future of Music summit.. Suzanne Vega and John Flansburgh of They Might Be Giants. Way friggin cool!

Brian

Diane Warren

Bandit....

[This message has been edited by BlackTransAm (edited 05-07-2004).]

hey all

1. chuck berry- gave us the boogie box guitar pattern that is in 90% of uptempo songs

2. bo diddley- the bo diddley beat that is in the other 10%

3.johnny cash- songwriter hall of fame, country music hall of fame, rock and roll hall of fame, nuff said

4. cat stevens-wrote em, played em, sang em and delivered a message with em

5. rodney crowell- top notch writer and singer. saw him in an interview talking about how he never changed his music to chase the latest fad. he said something to the effect of "the fads are always revolving, sometimes i'm in, sometimes i'm out but i keep doing my own thing. i thought that was pretty cool.

6.aerosmith- i saw a show where they were recording the album 'Pump'. They did half of their writing as they were recording in the studio. they would be playing along and stop, then one of them would make up a couple of lines ,they would discuss it and then add it to the song. I can fret over a line for days, they write and record a song in 30 minutes.

7. crosby,stills and nash- great writers. just them with their 3 voices and 3 guitars could fill up a whole lot of musical space. they don't need a band

8. james taylor- wrote, played and sang. i get much influence from the singer/songwriters although it terrifies to perform myself

9. stevie ray vaughn- you can hear one note and know its stevie. he wrote great lyrics and great instrumentals. he would have been further up the list had i thought of him sooner.

10. eric clapton- 40 years of fads have come and gone while he's been doing his thing. all the fads are gone but he's still here

and that about sums it up. steve

Ben Harper, Richard Ashcroft, Elliot Smith, Damien Rice, Neil Young, Kurt Cobain, and Jim Guthrie... I aspire to be 1/10th of any of the bunch... oh, and can you guess I'm solo acoustic?

This might not be the type of answer you're looking for, but these two have greatly influenced my attitude about performing and as a musician.

Denyse Graves (sp?)--I heard her say that "doing your best" means doing your best on that particular day, at that particular moment, under those particular circumstances. She gave me a valuable, different perspective on performing--more realistic and kinder to myself.

One of the Marsalis brothers (sp?), not sure if it was Wynton or Brandon--said that he practices, not in order to play perfectly, but in order to get better at taking a mistake and making it part of the piece of music, making it sound like it was supposed to be there, making it something good.

--Jean

Here's my list (not in order after #1)and singer songwriters...every one!


David Bowie
For consistently writing interesting lyrics that covered every kind of topic to no topic at all... and playing with the language so well


Neil Young
For Ohio.... and so much more


Paul Simon
For a great sense of melody and lyric


Robert Zimmerman
For being Dylan... just bow to a master writer.


Irving Berlin
For blazing a trail


Leonard Cohen
For re writing and struggling over every word


Lennon and McCartney
No top ten list would be complete without them


Hank Williams
Quintessentially country .... Your Cheatin Heart was my first favourite song (and I'm not even a big country fan!)


Billy Joel
For showing me "punch" in music (ya had to be a big shot didnt ya had to open up your mouth"


Dar Williams
I'm pushing it here because she's so new with only 5 CD releases but she's a gem!


Thats ten.... I'm sure I could go on...