# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/21 "2005-04-07T16:11:14Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > Who are P Funk? P Funk is good. Related to George Clinton and Parliament. [This site](http://www.duke.edu/~tmc/pfunk.html) should fill you in nicely. ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/22 "2005-04-07T16:28:34Z")
> [@Trunk](#): > > I don’t see the great influence that Smashing Pumpkins has had or even Pink Floyd. Can’t speak for the Pumpkins, but Pink Floyd has been very influential, just not in the pop arena. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/23 "2005-04-07T16:34:31Z")
If ‘influential’ means ‘recycling ideas’, then yes, Pink Floyd qualify. ---
**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, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/24 "2005-04-07T17:31:07Z")
> [@GorillaMan](#): > > If ‘influential’ means ‘recycling ideas’, then yes, Pink Floyd qualify. Early Floyd, I’d agree with. Most of what they did from DSOTM, or really Meddle, through The Wall, I thought was pretty original. Maybe **ultrafilter** can expound on PF. PF does seem to get the credit for the being the first “acid rock”, I guess. They were also a key player in the “theme album”, I guess you’d say. I don’t know if they were first in that regard, though, but still influential. ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/25 "2005-04-07T17:45:12Z")
Big Star Dick Dale Link Wray Bob Wills Mother Love Bone Green River Cole Porter The Runaways / Joan Jett Bikini Kill The Minutemen The Fugs ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/26 "2005-04-07T17:46:49Z")
Tool, Neurosis and Dream Theater were all hugely influenced by Pink Floyd (Neurosis possibly not directly, but the similarities are there), and they’re all hugely influential within their own spheres. ---
**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, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/27 "2005-04-07T19:30:31Z")
The entire Genres of Industrial and Goth were influenced by Pink Floyd. You can’t listen to Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, or Skinny Puppy without hearing the direct influence of Pink Floyd. Those bands in turn spawned thousands of pop bands that you may or may not have heard of depending upon what country you’re in. For instance, one of the frontmen of KMFDM Raymond Watts has a solo project called “Pig” that was not as big as KMFDM, but was huge in Japan. Pink Floyd had a lot of dystopian themes that went on into what later developed, and their fanbase spans so many different subsequent subcultures that many different genres owe something to them. I think the fact that my parent’s generation listened to floyd, as well as goths, ravers, punks, hippies, hip hoppers from my generation still listen to them. I’ve heard techno remixes of “Welcome to the Machine.”, I’ve heard symphonic floyd, I’ve heard an industrial cover album that isn’t just throw away bands, but is filled with names within that genre. It’s amazing to me that people would discount Floyd, when IMO they are more influential on modern pop music than anyone mentioned in this thread besides maybe the Beatles. I also think David Bowie needs some mention. Erek ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/28 "2005-04-07T19:58:35Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > It’s amazing to me that people would discount Floyd, when IMO they are more influential on modern pop music than anyone mentioned in this thread besides maybe the Beatles. Sabbath is up there too. Don’t forget that the Ramones were Sabbath fans, and in the early 90s, everyone was aware of Metallica. ---
**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, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/29 "2005-04-07T20:46:59Z")
I mentioned both Sabbath and Metallica in my post. 😉 Erek ---
**Author:** ![jackelope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@jackelope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jackelope)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/30 "2005-04-08T02:14:57Z")
The Pixies were massively influential in the late 80s/early 90s; much of what would become known as “alternative” (remember when they called it “college rock”?) first coalesced with them. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/31 "2005-04-08T07:24:38Z")
Well since I was the one who started this I should try to add some insight into my OP. As I said, and others pointed out, influential doesn’t necessarily have anything to do with popular. I am not a metal fan and therefore you won’t find me parising those in that genre but hey I’m willing to accept others opinions. Several additions to the list (pardon me if I repeat but I don’t have instant access to previous posts as I compose this): [ul] [li]Alphonse `Bois Sec' & Lawrence `Black’ Ardoin along with Beausoliel, Doucet, etc. who brought the cajun (and later zydeco) into the mainstream (or at least they tried).[/li][li]Band - an awesome collection of talent that produced some of the best music of the 60’s and 70’s melding rock with simple “Americana” despite being mostly Canadian.[/li][li]Jeff Buckley - aside from his frenzied guitar playing what other singer has ever possesed such an incredible voice[/li][li]James Brown - a master of the soul genre who for a long time was the hardest working man in rock.[/li][li]Byrds - redefined the line around rock and country and led first to Gram Parsons and later the Eagles (Oh God! I can’t believe I actually used their name in this thread)[/li][li]Yardbirds - the first and perhaps greatest British contribution to music and the stepping stone to the 60’s.[/li][li]The Blues Breakers, Rolling Stones, etc. - who initially added their own twist to American blues[/li][li]Fairport Convention - who took British folk, a little humour and some awesome writing along with Sandy Denny’s incredible voice.[/li][li]Kris Kristofferson - he of the less than ideal voice who flat out has written some classic songs combining rock, C&W & folk.[/li][li]Bob Marley (and Tosh and others) who influenced Clapton, Police and countless others with the entrancing rhythms of ska and reggae.[/li][li]Mekons - who have singlehandedly reforged themselves so many times from a British rock band to a Chicago cooperative that still is capable of captivating with their lyrics.[/li][li]Randy Newman - who has helped bridge the social and political issues through his music (I still remember hearing “Rednecks” and thinking about my 9 months spent living in “Red Stick”)[/li][li] Finally Wilco/Uncle Tupelo/etc. who again have bridged rock, country, western swing, folk and whatever into a roots music not beholding to the record labels.[/li] I think that its much easier to define influences in jazz than it is in rock or pop. [/ul] ---
**Author:** ![bclouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@bclouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bclouse)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/32 "2005-04-08T10:38:14Z")
Well, for my 2 cents I’d have to include: **Brian Eno** - his work with _Roxy Music_ (glam rock), solo career with rock and ambience, producer (_Talking Heads, David Bowie, U2_), collaborations (_Robert Fripp, David Byrne, Daniel Lanois_) puts him near the top of my list. His and Byrne’s **My Life in the Bush of Ghosts** is one of the forefathers of sampling that helped usher in that aspect of modern music. **La Monte Young** - not well known but highly influential minimalist. His drone work made it’s mark on a lot of scenes, including punk, ambience & Krautrock (_Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream_). Most noted followers were _John Cale_ and _the Velvet Underground_. **Run-DMC** - well, there would be no modern hip-hop without them. ---
**Author:** ![jinty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/dbc845/32.png) [@jinty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jinty)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/33 "2005-04-08T12:59:21Z")
> [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > No one in britain is influenced by the Smashing Pumpkins as they’re not well known. Erm, well I am, and many of my friends and relatives too. IMHO Mellon Collie is the best album of the last 20 years, full stop. Maybe you just run in a crowd that isn’t influenced by the pumpkins, owl, but extrapolating that to 60 million people is a bit of a stretch (if you’ll forgive the pun on yer name). > [@owlstretchingtime](#): > > Bands like Husker Du and the Pixies mean more over here Pixies? …yeah, agree with you there (my favourite band too, can’t believe they aren’t **everyone’s** favourite band 😃 ) However, I love Husker Du, but I seriously doubt they outdo the Pumpkins in the UK in the recognition stakes. YMMV ---
**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 8, 2005, 1:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/34 "2005-04-08T13:15:01Z")
> [@mswas](#): > > The entire Genres of Industrial and Goth were influenced by Pink Floyd. You can’t listen to Nine Inch Nails, Ministry, Bauhaus, Sisters of Mercy, or Skinny Puppy without hearing the direct influence of Pink Floyd. Those bands in turn spawned thousands of pop bands that you may or may not have heard of depending upon what country you’re in. For instance, one of the frontmen of KMFDM Raymond Watts has a solo project called “Pig” that was not as big as KMFDM, but was huge in Japan. Pink Floyd had a lot of dystopian themes that went on into what later developed, and their fanbase spans so many different subsequent subcultures that many different genres owe something to them. I think the fact that my parent’s generation listened to floyd, as well as goths, ravers, punks, hippies, hip hoppers from my generation still listen to them. I’ve heard techno remixes of “Welcome to the Machine.”, I’ve heard symphonic floyd, I’ve heard an industrial cover album that isn’t just throw away bands, but is filled with names within that genre. > > It’s amazing to me that people would discount Floyd, when IMO they are more influential on modern pop music than anyone mentioned in this thread besides maybe the Beatles. > > I also think David Bowie needs some mention. > > Erek You! Get out of my head! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/35 "2005-04-08T13:20:17Z")
Here’s _Rollingstone_’s take on it: [http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/\_/id/7235505](http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/7235505) Actually a pretty good list on the whole. (There’s also a link on that page to the _first_ 50 most influential) ---
**Author:** ![vl\_mungo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/bc8723/32.png) [@vl\_mungo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vl_mungo)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2005, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/36 "2005-04-08T23:41:49Z")
> [@omni-not](#): > > Here’s _Rollingstone_’s take on it: > > [Music News](http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/7235505) > > Actually a pretty good list on the whole. > (There’s also a link on that page to the _first_ 50 most influential) Actually, that’s their list of the “greatest artists of all time” not the most influential. I don’t think they are necessarily the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/37 "2005-04-09T05:44:02Z")
[This may be the best commentary on the Beatles I’ve read](http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/_/id/5939206). It’s written by Elvis Costello, and he captures the sheer magnitude of their impact on rock in the 1960’s and 1970’s. I was very young at the time, but I can remember that even the DJ’s in the 1970’s spoke of the Beatles with absolute reverence when spinning their songs. I don’t think we’ve ever seen artists since that stood so far above their peers. And they didn’t just influence rock. Their influence spanned across several genres like country and folk. ---
**Author:** ![Waterman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b2d939/32.png) [@Waterman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Waterman)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 6:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/38 "2005-04-09T06:47:50Z")
Sam - I agree with you but I believe in the case of the Beatles, their sheer success and selling power was the primary reason they influenced so many of their rock, pop, etc. contemporaries. I don’t mean to detract from their music but most all of the other artists achieved their influence, not by success, but by their willingness to expand the boundaries of their music. From 1965 to 1970 it seemed that everything the Beatles came out with was praised for its greatness and while they wrote/played a lot of good songs some of their stuff would have been thrown off the radio if it had been by anyone else. ---
**Author:** ![owlstretchingtime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/958977/32.png) [@owlstretchingtime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/owlstretchingtime)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 12:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/39 "2005-04-09T12:20:56Z")
With the Beatles it’s quite simple: Clean shaven Beatles = Genius. Facial hair involved = Drug addled crap. Owl - keepin’ it real. ---
**Author:** ![Chimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@Chimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimpy)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2005, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990/40 "2005-04-09T12:47:13Z")
Well I certainly second David Bowie, he took the music of his times and then took it a step further, perhaps he started little but he certainly advanced many forms. The Clash definitely need to be there as do the Ramones. Definitely another vote for Pink Floyd who influenced… everything. I think also a mention needs to be given to Buzzcocks, because although they were in Punk’s second wave, I feel they influenced much that came after them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-influential-pop-music/297990.md?page=3)