Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
These are the most influential bands and solo artists in rock music from 1960 to today.
Numerous bands, with their best days long behind them, set aside long-standing disputes and regroup to record and tour. It offers a chance to perform again and score a paycheck. Usually, these efforts garner some attention and enthusiasm but very little in the way of headlines. An exception happened in September of ’24. Jane’s Addiction…
No one in Rock was more consistently influential than David Bowie. He effectively adopted (and discarded) images (Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane & The Thin White Duke) and styles creating an incredible and varied body of work. Here is the list of Great Songs: #10. Space Oddity It was first released on July 11th, 1969, as the…
Supergroup #12 or Asia came about when Carl Palmer (formerly of ELP), Steve Howe (of Yes fame), John Wetton (King Crimson alum) and Geoff Downes joined forces. By the early ‘80s, the supergroup concept was a bit shop worn but these Art-Rockers managed four memorable songs. Two are on their self-titled debut (“Only Time Will…
Early Aerosmith got slammed for being a second-rate Rolling Stones. Singer Steve Tyler possessed more than a passing resemblance to Mick Jagger. It wasn’t his fault. Jagger just got to the look first. Guitarist Joe Perry was pegged as a Keith Richards knock-off. (Of course, Richards was once dismissed as a Chuck Berry knock-off.) But…
The Genesis story covers three distinctly different periods: Genesis with Peter Gabriel, then the post-Gabriel Genesis and finally the ‘80s Phil Collins led incarnation with remaining members Mike Rutherford and Tony Banks. Genesis (Original Version) Under Peter Gabriel’s leadership, Genesis was Prog Rock to the extreme. Given Gabriel’s use of masks and props the band…
“The Clash… the only band that matters.” The importance of The Clash cannot be overstated. They were a lightning rod for the Punk movement preaching revolutionary politics. While they often appeared to be chasing the Sex Pistols, they were far more successful artistically and far more influential politically. They also showed considerable musical range (including…
The band’s fifth album, “Synchronicity,” was known for “Wrapped Around Your Finger” and “King Of Pain,” both major hits, but the path was blazed by the album’s lead single, the minimalist “Every Breath You Take.” Combined with the stark black and white video that dominated MTV, the song was mega. You couldn’t escape it. Still,…
The duo, White Stripes, hailed from Detroit in the late ’90s. Former Country/Rock drummer (with Goober and the Peas) turned guitarist/vocalist, Jack White (born John “Jack” Anthony Gillis) and drummer Meg White used Punk and Blues as their base while incorporating Folk and Art Rock. The idea for White Stripes was to create simple, basic…
When Art Alexakis left L.A. he moved to his new girlfriend’s hometown, Portland, OR. There the singer/guitarist hooked up with bassist Craig Montoya and drummer Scott Cuthbert. They released an album on a local label. That went nowhere and only served to frustrate Alexakis. Another indie release, on a new label, the EP “World Of…
Heart (led by Ann and Nancy Wilson) had two iterations. The first came in the mid-70’s when they jumped on one of the major Rock trends – blending acoustic and electric instruments. After a successful run the band faded. But they returned in the early ’80’s with new band members and were in heavy rotation…