Top Ten Most Innovative Music Artists

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...

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).
Very overlooked band in terms of how much they (more specifically Brian Wilson) contributed to music, unfortunately. If you're new to their music, or only know their surf and summer songs, I suggest listening to the albums Pet Sounds, SMiLE, Smiley Smile, Wild Honey, Sunflower, Surf's Up, Holland, and Love You. All are amazing and innovative albums worth every second of listening.
Sgt. Pepper's vs Pet Sounds = the decade's greatest musical minds trying to out-innovate each other and we all benefited from it

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.
Hands down to the great bowie..he's probably the greatest innovative solo artist you could ever get.
This man's sounds were ground breaking and he experimented almost every genre that you could name.. infact he did make many genres as popular.
RIP Starman
TOTALLY re-invented himself every few years with consistent success like Madonna, except with musical talent

I knew he would be number one before I even read the list, simply, the greatest.
Greatest on stage innovator. Not to mention spectacular music
Every new album was again new.

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

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

She has the most sweetest voice ever... I bet you
All her romance songs would prove how chithra is best innovator


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


Mercury is a musical genius. He combined opera and rock (Barcelona) and composed in many different genres
Combine opera with rock is very innovative.
The most talented musical artist.

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.
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.

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.

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 musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably... 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!
One of the greatest innovators/geniuses in musical history - - AT ALL!? He is in a category all by himself! Innovation - - that's Jimi Hendrix! Place him number 1.
He completely changed rock, look at rock before and after him, and it's completely different.



after OK computer, they decided to go in the direction for less radio-friendly, non crowd pleasing tunes. My opinion is they never sold out for profit and continued to make creative music with each album having a very unique sound and mood
No one has inspired innovation for me more than radiohead. They are the reason I try new things
Never afraid to take risks with totally revamping their sound

During his short career, Holly wrote, recorded, and produced his own material. He is often regarded as the artist who defined the traditional rock-and-roll lineup of two guitars, bass, and drums. Holly was a major influence on later popular music artists, including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Elton John. ...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.

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.
From 1989 to 2001 Madonna became, in the words of Rolling Stone, "as close to art as pop music gets". Madonna's vision and creativity set her apart and produced a collection of albums that are among the greatest pop albums ever made. In between the pop star of the early eighties and the banshee that we're used to seeing, Madonna was a female Bowie.
The women is smart. No doubt about it. Never seems to run out of ideas.

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.


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

The band became mainstream after improving after their debut album got panned. In 1978, Osbourne was fired and replaced with former Rainbow vocalist Ronnie James Dio. Who went to release... read more
The first Heavy metal band!

