Top Ten Most Innovative Music Artists

Nataly

The Top Ten

1 The Beatles The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The members consisted of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They were soon known as the foremost and most influential act of rock era. Rooted in skiffle, beat, and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented ...read more.

Rock, Psychedelic music and art rock was invented by The Beatles, Alice Cooper-KISS-Ozzy Osbourne, etc. Were all influenced by The Beatles, the band were the first band to evolve as artists, have fans across the world that number in the billions, the first band to be iconic, legendary, innovative, groundbreaking, massivley influential and rule the world on commercial and artistic success-The Beatles were the first innovators and we would have NO MUSIC without The Beatles

There wouldn't be a modern pop sound without the Beatles. The only group from that time period who's sound could sound like today. Just listen to She Loves You or I want To Hold Your Hand.

Also, they were able to transform and do a complete 180 from their early '60's selves.
If want to hear innovation, just listen to the entire Sgt. Peppers Album. Game over.

Yesterday in the life will be never again...

They didn't innovated psychelic music at all, many other bands were already, they just imitaded & popularized the genre

2 The Beach Boys The Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American pop rock band formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and their friend Al Jardine.

Interesting seeing them on 2nd. They're usually so overlooked. No idea why higgsboson thinks Brian Wilson is a lyrical genius, since he didn't write lyrics most of a time, but he was definitely the single greatest musical innovator of the 20th century. The Beatles would not have went where they did without The Beach Boys. They definitely deserve the top spot, but seeing them on 2nd is also great (Good Vibrations is on 35th on the best songs list, that's how much love The Beach Boys usually get).

Brian Wilson was a musical and lyrical genius. Paul McCartney himself said so. (Don't quote me on that) - higgsboson2142

3 David Bowie David Bowie David Robert Jones (January 8, 1947 - January 10, 2016) was an English singer born in London, the son of a fundraiser and a waitress. He is credited for his experimental and creative musical discography which has won praise and accolades for many critics and fans. ...read more.

The combined fact that this pretends to be a list of the most innovative music artists, and that David Bowie is not in it, should be reason for all involved to hang their heads in relentless shame and ponder about the gradual decline of the internet, music culture, and society in general.

Wait whaaat?
Bowie is master of reinvention. I don't wanna be rude, but I honestly can't find any reason why u say beatles, k s chitra, jackson and beach boys are more innovative than him... It's a joke!

4 Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana and passed away on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King of Pop (a title given to him by Elizabeth Taylor) or under ...read more.

Every new album was again new.

Only the beatles and Elvis presley had more influence on pop music, but no one was innovative

He was a cute and talented kid, but most of his adult act was a ripoff of James Brown and Jackie Wilson.

Michael Jackson is innovation.. end of story!

V 7 Comments
5 K.S. Chithra K.S. Chithra Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. Chithra also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music.

All her romance songs would prove how chithra is best innovator

Chithra is best innovator for her songs

She has the most sweetest voice ever... I bet you

6 Bob Dylan Bob Dylan Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, and artist who has been an influential figure in popular music and culture for more than five decades.

Acoustic & electric. Folk, country, Rock, blues, Traditional, R&B, Christian, Disco,... Several things which defy labels or genre... And Sinatra interpretations! - Billyv

7 Pink Floyd Pink Floyd Pink Floyd were an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters ...read more.

They are unique and defined progressive & concept albums

Why is LP above one of the most innovative artists of ALL time? Without PF, most bands wouldn't be here today.

8 Stevie Wonder Stevie Wonder Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
9 The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground The Velvet Underground was an American rock band, active between 1964 and 1973, formed in New York City.

Profound influence on alternative rock...same with Iggy Pop and the Stooges

10 The Moody Blues The Moody Blues The Moody Blues are an English rock band. They first came to prominence playing rhythm and blues music, but their second album, Days of Future Passed, which was released in 1967, was a fusion of rock with classical music and established them as pioneers in the development of art rock and progressive ...read more.

The Newcomers

? Frank Zappa Frank Zappa Frank Vincent Zappa was an American musician, songwriter, composer, record producer, actor and filmmaker.

The Contenders

11 Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara, 5th September 1946 - 24th November 1991) was a Zanzibari-born British singer of Indian descent, songwriter and record producer, known as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the British rock band Queen. He also became known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave ...read more.

Combine opera with rock is very innovative.

The most talented musical artist.

Mercury is a musical genius. He combined opera and rock (Barcelona) and composed in many different genres

How the heck is Freddie in the 21st spot? HE'S BELOW BEYONCE? - ImAKillerQueen

12 Linkin Park Linkin Park Linkin Park is an American rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The members currently include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ) and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park are associated with a mixture of Alternative ...read more.

Their style is pretty much versatile, and combine elements of hip hop, rap, rock and metal. It innovated music of the 21st century.

They always do something different for each album.

So innavative, SO AWESOME, it's a shame their on the bottom of this list.

They should in top 5
They are awesome
They are best

13 The Yardbirds The Yardbirds The Yardbirds are an English rock band formed in London in 1963 that had a string of hits during the mid-1960s, including "For Your Love", "Heart Full of Soul" and "Over Under Sideways Down".

The best guitar lineup in history; Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page. They created the music that is known as hard rock to this very day.

Most of the innovations that are credited to Led Zeppelin were actually created first by Jimmy Page when he was in The Yardbirds.
Later, after some personnel changes and a minor name change to "The New Yardbirds", Jimmy Page changed the name of the band again... to Led Zeppelin.

14 Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Elvis Presley was an American musician and actor. Known as "The King" He was mostly known for his number 1 singles including "Heartbreak Hotel" "Hound Dog" "Jailhouse Rock" "Love me Tender" Elvis debuted in the movie "Love me Tender" and focused less on his music and continued that way. ...read more.

I think Elvis Presley should be higher on this list and at least in the top ten. He is a big part of today's culture and the biggest singer from the 50's to his death. He basically introduced rock and is probably the only reason why rock is still relevant. The lists seem to be based on how much one likes the music the artist created, not on how innovated the person was. Elvis is one of the most innovated artists who have ever walked the earth.

This list is supposed to be the innovative ones. And while Elvis isn't necessarily the best artist, he was the one who made rock music big. He opened the eyes of the world to rock, and rock is still a huge genre. To put it simply: No Elvis-No Beatles. So he should be waaay higher up. - Tweepster

15 Paul Simon Paul Simon Paul Frederic Simon is an American musician, singer-songwriter and actor. Simon's fame, influence, and commercial success began as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, formed in 1964 with musical partner Art Garfunkel.
16 John Lennon John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age 40.
17 Bryan Adams Bryan Adams Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist and activist.
18 Robbie Williams Robbie Williams Robert Peter Williams is an English singer, songwriter and actor. He was a member of the pop group Take That from 1990 to 1995 and again from 2009 to 2012. He has also had commercial success as a solo artist.

Nobody can beat this awesome artist - very well respected

Robbie Williams is awesome and the best

19 Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter . Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated ...read more.

This is way too low a ranking. If this is about innovation, NO ONE moved the blues into the electric/psychedelic era but Hendrix. His studio work is surpassed only by the likes of Prince and Quincy Jones. Hendrix was the next step after Muddy Waters et al first plugged the blues in in Chicago and he took it waaay further. Be serious!

How can he be 24th!? Many tried to imitated him, no one did better!

HOW IS HE SO LOW?!

20 Hriday Tulsiani
21 Buddy Holly Buddy Holly Buddy Holly, born Charles Hardin Holley (September 7, 1936 – February 3, 1959) was an American musician and singer-songwriter who was a central figure of mid-1950s rock and roll. He was a rising star when a tragic plane crash struck him down at age 22. ...read more.

Paved the way for the music of the 60s. And all within a span of 3 years. The Beatles probably wouldn't exist if it hadn't been for Buddy.

Should be ranked above Elvis.

22 Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister.
23 Madonna Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. She influenced a lot of singers such as: Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Beyonce Knowles and Britney Spears . She is known as Queen of Pop and at modern pop culture specifically in 2012 "Madge" or MDNA . She has ...read more.

Michael Jackson did funk, disco, and new jack swing with some rock and roll. The Beatles did rock, some psychedelic rock and baroque in Revolver. Madonna has done all of that plus Latin, country, folk, classical, dubstep, house, acid jazz, trip hop, techno, and pretty much every genre their is. Madonna went past songs about love and sang about religion, abortion, sexuality, and morals. Madonna is the best innovator of music and she will never lose her impact no matter how "old" she gets. Hail Queen Madge.

The women is smart. No doubt about it. Never seems to run out of ideas.

24 Cher Cher Cher is an American singer and actress. Described as embodying female autonomy in a male-dominated industry, she is known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in numerous areas of entertainment, as well as adopting a variety of styles and appearances during her five-decade-long ...read more.
25 Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in London in 1968. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums). The band's heavy, guitar-driven sound, rooted in blues and psychedelia on their early albums, has earned them recognition ...read more.

Maybe they were influenced by the Beatles, but Zeppelin was one of the most innovative rock band of all time. First the sound of zeppelin can now be found nearly in every post-zeppelin rock band (example : Nirvana, Guns n' roses, even Queen and much more). Second guitarist Jimmy page was innovative by discovering new stuff like the reverse echo. And he even experimented with a violin bow on a guitar wich is really innovative.

Jimmy Page actually worked all of those innovations out much earlier, when he was with The Yardbirds.

Maddona above these legends?! They helped pinoneer Heavy Metal.

26 Black Sabbath Black Sabbath Black Sabbath were a Heavy Metal band formed in Birmingham, England in 1968 by guitarist and songwriter Tony Iommi, singer John "Ozzy" Osbourne, bassist and main lyricist Geezer Butler and drummer Bill Ward. ...read more.

The first Heavy metal band!

27 Beyonce Knowles Beyonce Knowles Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, is an American singer and actress, who started out in the popular pop/r&b girl group Destiny's Child. They had multiple top 5 hits such as "No, No, No", "Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Survivor", "Independent Women", "Bootylicious", and "Jumpin', Jumpin" from ...read more.
28 Nirvana Nirvana Nirvana was an American grunge band that was formed in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987. Nirvana disbanded after Kurt Cobain committed suicide in 1994. The drummer of the band, David Grohl, went on to start the Foo-Fighters, an alternative rock band. ...read more.
29 Radiohead Radiohead Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke (lead vocals, guitar, piano, keyboards), Jonny Greenwood (lead guitar, keyboards, other instruments), Colin Greenwoood (bass guitar), Phil Selway (drums), and Ed O'Brien (guitar).

Listen to how Hail To The Thief sounds, then: Pablo Honey, In Rainbows and end it with Kid A

No one has inspired innovation for me more than radiohead. They are the reason I try new things

30 Eminem Eminem Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor and music producer born on October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 300 million records making him the bestselling hip-hop artist of all time. In addition to his solo career, he is a member of D12 and (with Royce ...read more.

What! EMINEM IS THE BEST!

This list is an INSULT to innovative music. I mean seriously?! Eminem below Beyoncé and shakira? All those noobs out there, just listen to 'Lose Yourself' and tell me he isn't innovative!

31 Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200 ...read more.
32 Sade Sade Helen Folasade Adu, known professionally as Sade Adu or simply Sade, is an English singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, and record producer.
33 Shakira Shakira Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian-Spanish singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, and model.
34 Prince Prince Prince Rogers Nelson (June 7, 1958 - April 21st, 2016) was an American musician, best known for being one of the most popular and influential artists from the 80s, with songs such as "Purple Rain", "Little Red Corvette", "1999", and "When Doves Cry" .

Prince should be in the top ten. This list seems off to me...

35 Björk Björk Björk Guðmundsdóttir, known mononymously as Björk, is an Icelandic singer and songwriter. She is most famous for her eclectic music styles and experimentation on electronic pop music.

She is the most innovative because with every she releases there is a new theme or sound. On her latest album, Biophila she used a Tesla Coil to play the baseline in her song Thunderbolt. Biophilia was also the world's app album.
That is the epitome of innovation.

Seriously, when you bring Inuit Throat Singing into the world of dare I say, "Mainstream Music" you are one bad-ass force to be reckoned with. Medúlla tested musical limits more than any other album ever.

Huge innovator. In every one of her albums, Björk experiments with a new sound, and more often than not ends up creating music that isn’t just innovative, but it’s beautiful and sublime. Never in my life have I heard of someone creating a series of virtual reality videos for an album (Vulnicura), or using a Tesla cord as a musical instrument (Biophilia), or even incorporating Inuit throat singing into their music (Medúlla) before listening to Björk, and no one innovates as ceaselessly as her.

36 Guitara Guitara Guitara Band, a Kuwaiti band, is composed of four members: Fahad, Renad, Khaled and Rahaf. Khaled was at the origin of the band’s set up, which turned out to be very successful in Kuwait. ...read more.
37 Kate Bush Kate Bush

Kate's songs as a14 year old were like from space. Then she became even more out there. Ninth wave is a work of art

38 t.A.T.u.

T.A.T.U. has changed and saved lives. They are beautiful girls, great songs, creative inspiring albums, and the best of the best. Brave hearted and sincere, I love them. They saved my life many times. Love you Lena and Yulia!

Their song 'Stars' has Lena singing in English, while Julia raps in Russian,... Now that's cool.

39 Lana Del Rey Lana Del Rey Lana Del Rey is a California based singer, songwriter, and model who currently resides in Malibu, California. She was born under the name Elizabeth Woolridge Grant to entrepreneur Robert England Jr. and Patricia Ann Hill in rural Lake Placid, New York on June 21, 1985. She has two siblings, Chuck and ...read more.

She's bringing the 50's to the thousands sh is so amazing I recommend her to anyone she has an amazing voice and is awesome.

40 Chuck Schuldiner Chuck Schuldiner Charles Michael "Chuck" Schuldiner (1967-2001) was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist, best known as the founder and vocalist, guitarist and bassist of the American heavy metal band Death. He is considered the most influential figure in Death Metal, with some publications referring to Chuck ...read more.
41 Joy Division Joy Division Joy Division were an English rock band formed in 1976 in Salford, Greater Manchester. Originally named Warsaw, the band consisted of singer Ian Curtis, guitarist and keyboardist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris.

No one sounded like Joy Division. Ian Curtis realized nearly Wagnerian ambitions that prog rock bands wished they could have attained and he did with relatively simple music, very little synth.

42 Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lopez Jennifer Lynn Lopez, also known as J. Lo, is an American singer, actress, dancer, fashion designer, author and producer.
43 Blink Indonesia
44 Moby Moby Moby is an American musician, who has produced inventive new styles to various subgenres of electronic music, inspired by 1950's gospel as much as by modern rock, and musicians from New Order to David Bowie. ...read more.
45 Peter Gabriel Peter Gabriel Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer-songwriter, musician and humanitarian activist who rose to fame as the original lead singer and flautist of the progressive rock band Genesis.
46 Deadmau5 Deadmau5 Joel Thomas Zimmerman (a.k.a. deadmau5) is a Canadian DJ producer, formerly a web developer, who produces a wide variety of electronic musical genres, such as electro and dubstep, but is best known for popularizing work in the areas of progressive house and electrohouse, along with the genres themselves. ...read more.

Although House music existed before, with Daft Punk of course the most popular House act ever, Deadmau5 made Progressive House music like no one else. He may be newer than the Beatles and MJ, but he has already innovated incredibly in the world of electronic music.

EEZ GOOD

47 Rick Ross Rick Ross William Leonard Roberts II, better known by his stage name Rick Ross, is an American rapper and entrepreneur.

He has the best flow and lyrics of all music artists. Need I say more?

Heard he said in a magazine interview that he was gay when in prison, not that there's anything wrong with that.

48 Chuck Berry Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. He died on 18 March 2017.

Chuck invented rock n roll

49 Laurie Anderson
50 Aphex Twin Aphex Twin Richard David James (born 18 August 1971), known by his stage name Aphex Twin, is an Irish-born English electronic musician and composer. He is known for his influential and idiosyncratic work in electronic music styles such as IDM and acid techno in the 1990s, for which he won widespread critical acclaim. ...read more.
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