# Most Influential Pop Music **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 6, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990 "2005-04-06T03:59:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/1 "2005-04-06T03:59:25Z")
This is my first new thread, but here we go: This year marks 50 years of Rock `N’ Roll in our culture (give or take a year) and my question to fellow Doper’s is simply this: Who have been the most influential pop music acts (solo, duo, group, etc.) over the past 50 years. I’m not looking for record sales as a barometer of influence. My choices would be: [ol] [li]Everly Brothers[/li][li]Velvet Underground[/li][li]Beatles[/li][li]Stevie Wonder[/li][li]Donny Osmond (seeing if you’re paying attention and just joking)[/li][li]The Clash[/li][li]Prince[/li][li]Johnny Cash[/li][/ol] So, what do the rest of you think? ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/2 "2005-04-06T04:05:56Z")
Not a bad start. I would have to add the following: Eddie Cochran Chuck Berry The Stooges The Ramones The Rolling Stones Of course, you realize, a thread like this will end up never ending. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/3 "2005-04-06T04:40:27Z")
Moving thread from Great Debates to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/4 "2005-04-06T04:55:45Z")
If you’re going by influence alone, it’s pretty much the Beatles at number one. You could make an argument that Black Sabbath is pretty high up, and the Ramones too. And don’t forget Elvis, either. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/5 "2005-04-06T05:15:13Z")
Yeah, I’d add Elvis to the list, as well as Ray Charles. In what way is Prince influential? I love him, but I don’t really see his mark on the musical landscape. Mightn’t Led Zeppelin be on the list for pretty much creating hard guitar-driven rock? ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/6 "2005-04-06T05:17:31Z")
I think that Elvis was a product of the influences before him (R&B, C&W, etc.) rather than him necessarily being an influence. The difficult thing, of course, is to try to determine the influence of recent artists as opposed to older ones. The problem in my mind is that most artists in the last 10-15 years have been more content to imitate rather than innovate. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/7 "2005-04-06T05:22:37Z")
> [@Eonwe](#): > > Yeah, I’d add Elvis to the list, as well as Ray Charles. > > In what way is Prince influential? I love him, but I don’t really see his mark on the musical landscape. > > Mightn’t Led Zeppelin be on the list for pretty much creating hard guitar-driven rock? Elvis - see response above. Ray: definitely, bridging the secular & gospel areas not to mention his groundbreaking use of C&W to further his success in the R&B arena. To me (and I’m 50+) Prince took R&B to the post Stevie Wonder/Marvin Gaye era and added a little Miles Davis with some pure pop into the equation. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/8 "2005-04-06T05:33:58Z")
Well, Isn’t there a difference 'tween pop and rock music. If we stick to pop, I think these are the most influential: Beach Boys Supremes (or rather mid 60’s B Gordy productions) Phil Spector Beatles Stax Stevie Wonder (60’s style) Everything that came after is derived from those, in one way, or another. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/9 "2005-04-06T05:48:28Z")
I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Bob Dylan. There’s no way anyone can underestimate how much his influence changed Pop and Rock since the 1960’s. Also, how about Jimi Hendrix? Hard Rock and Metal pretty much started with him. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/10 "2005-04-06T05:56:02Z")
In my mind pop and rock can’t be separated over the last 50 years in much the same way that it would be difficult to separate R&B/Funk/Soul etc. I would add a definitive yes to Dylan and Hendrix. Hendrix is the quintessential guitar god (should that be capitalized?) of the last 50 years. It’s also interesting to note the correlation between “pop” and “social context”. One of the most popular songs of 1966 was the Barry Sadler song “Ballad of the Green Berets” followed in 1967 by Simon & Garfunkel’s “Sounds of Silence”. Can’t say that pop music doesn’t follow historical & political trends. ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/11 "2005-04-06T06:55:21Z")
How can people forget Michael Jackson. Sure he’s a weirdo, but he made Thriller! Also, don’t forget Garth Brooks, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Billie Joel, Elton John, Grandmaster Flash, Notorious BIG, Tupac, and Jimi Hendrix. ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/12 "2005-04-06T11:00:13Z")
Well this is an overly broad thread but I’d say: Beatles Elvis Pink Floyd Led Zeppelin The Doors Janis Joplin Jimi Hendrix Black Sabbath Metallica Ray Charles Miles Davis P Funk Grandmaster Flash Public Enemy Nine Inch Nails Nirvana Smashing Pumpkins Digital Underground Tupac Notorious BIG Aerosmith Tom Petty Bee Gees Depeche Mode Joy Division The Stooges Sex Pistols Madonna Prince Garth Brooks The Velvet Underground Hell, we could go on for days, but that seems like a good list. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/13 "2005-04-06T11:52:18Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > Well this is an overly broad thread but I’d say: > > Beatles > Elvis > Pink Floyd > Led Zeppelin > The Doors > Janis Joplin > Jimi Hendrix > Black Sabbath > Metallica > Ray Charles > Miles Davis > P Funk > Grandmaster Flash > Public Enemy > Nine Inch Nails > Nirvana > Smashing Pumpkins > Digital Underground > Tupac > Notorious BIG > Aerosmith > Tom Petty > Bee Gees > Depeche Mode > Joy Division > The Stooges > Sex Pistols > Madonna > Prince > Garth Brooks > The Velvet Underground > > Hell, we could go on for days, but that seems like a good list. it’s a good AMERICAN list, but some of those people couildn’t get arrested outside of the US. All I know about the Smashing Pumpkins is that they were on the Simpsons (“Hello Billy Corrigan, smahing pumpkins”; Homer: “Hello, Homer Simpson, smiling politely”). Who are P Funk? Garth Brooks means nothing outside the US, Aerosmith are seen as Zep/Stones clones in Europe, Tom Petty is a minority interest (I quite like him, but he doesn’t chart) Digital Underground? Who they? From a british point of view people like: Cliff Richard and the Shadows The Who Small Faces Kinks Deep Purple Stock Aitken and Waterman Joe Meek Tom Jones are more important. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/14 "2005-04-06T11:56:02Z")
My favourite overlooked influential group: Kraftwerk. Imagine a world without electronic pop music… ---
**Author:** ![UnwrittenNocturne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/6de8d8/32.png) [@UnwrittenNocturne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UnwrittenNocturne)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/15 "2005-04-06T12:43:13Z")
Allow me to add: Wendy Carlos Gary Numan Joy Division Bauhaus The Misfits The Sex Pistols ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bb73d2/32.png) [@Dark\_Side\_of\_the\_Floyd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Side_of_the_Floyd)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/16 "2005-04-06T12:54:11Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > it’s a good AMERICAN list, but some of those people couildn’t get arrested outside of the US. All I know about the Smashing Pumpkins is that they were on the Simpsons (“Hello Billy Corrigan, smahing pumpkins”; Homer: “Hello, Homer Simpson, smiling politely”)… Er… on that list, I counted at least five Brit/UK bands there. There are probably more, but I dont remember if the ones I haven’t counted are. Or am I mistaken and you meant influential to British people? ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2005, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/17 "2005-04-06T13:07:29Z")
> [@DarkSideoftheFloyd](#): > > Er… on that list, I counted at least five Brit/UK bands there. There are probably more, but I dont remember if the ones I haven’t counted are. > > Or am I mistaken and you meant influential to British people? Yup that’s what I mean. No one in britain is influenced by the Smashing Pumpkins as they’re not well known. Bands like Husker Du and the Pixies mean more over here than the Pumpkin people, not to mention New York Dolls, television, Velvet Underground etc. So a band growing up in England would have some of the influences on that list but others would be as powerful. That band could go on to be influential in their own right - think Depeche Mode (who were never as big here as in the states). P.s we theink the Doors are wankers and can’t be doing with the Grateful Dead. Mind you, our number one at the moment is “Is this the way to amarillo?” (yes that one). ---
**Author:** ![mswas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e99b99/32.png) [@mswas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mswas)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/18 "2005-04-07T04:43:03Z")
The question is “Most influential”, not “Most well known”. Billy Corgan worked out the guitar sound that ended up being Nirvana’s trademark. He was working with the producer Butch Vig who produced Nevermind. The irony of it all was that Nirvana wasn’t that happy with the way Nevermind sounded, and Billy Corgan scrapped that sound so as not to come off as a Nirvana clone. Then all the Nirvana clones over the next 15 years ripped off that guitar sound. Billy Corgan has produced albums for Marilyn Manson and Hole, James Iha is in A Perfect Circle. P Funk is one of the originators of Funk, they have maintained a very powerful cult following for the past 30+ years, and are an influence for basically ALL Funk and Hip Hop that have come since. So you not hearing of them has little bearing on their influence. They had a much more deep and dirtier sound than James Brown or Rick James. They are like a darker Kool and the Gang. George Clinton is their front man. Digital Underground is a rap group that’s been around since the 80s. Jim Morrison is one of the prototypical rock stars. His influence is more in his words and personality. Aerosmith, I could care less about them, I just kind of threw them in. As you have not heard of some on my list, I also have not heard of a couple from your list. Erek ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 11:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/19 "2005-04-07T11:07:34Z")
One’s you may not know from my list (and why they matter) Cliff Richard and the Shadows. Cliff is important as he was the first real british rock 'n roller. (he’s since become a family entertainer in a Pat Boone sort of a way). The Beatles and the Stones (and every other Brit beat boom band) owe something to Cliff. His backing band were the Shadows who’s guitarist was Hank Marvin who had a great big impact on the likes of Beck, Clapton, Page etc. Hank was the first british guitar hero. I’m assuming you’re au fait with the small faces, who and the kinks! Joe Meek was a one-off producer who was basically the closest Britain had to a Phil Spector type (and was equally mad). He produced Telstar which was the first British record to get to number one in the USA opening up that market for the groups that followed. He killed his landlady and himself. Stock Aitken and Waterman are the people behind Kylie and a load of other bubblegum pop from the 80s and 90s and are responsible for the whole infantilisation of the pop charts - not necessarily a god thing, but an important thing. And I can’t believe that no one has suggested Bob Marley! ---
**Author:** ![Trunk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/87869e/32.png) [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/20 "2005-04-07T15:32:01Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > And I can’t believe that no one has suggested Bob Marley! Why would they? Just how much pop do you hear that is influenced by Marley? Are people here just naming their favorite bands, or really considering who is infuential? **Black Sabbath** , while in most opinions, weren’t as good (definitely not as popular) as Zeppelin, if you listen to anyone from ]Metallica to Soundgarden, their influence is much clearer. And the bands will tell you as much. I don’t see the great influence that Smashing Pumpkins has had or even Pink Floyd. The amount of influence **Dr. Dre** has had on the pop scene for the last 15 years is incredible. I think that you’re really starting to see the influence of **U2** on the scene, with bands like Oasis, Train, and Coldplay owing a lot to their sound. Naming Garth Brooks completely misses the point. There were tons of people doing “neutered country” before Garth Brooks. He is one of the current generation influenced by lame-o’s before him, like Hank Williams Jr. and Randy Travis. They’re the ones who removed the balls from country. Garth just sold more. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990.md?page=2)