Top Ten Most Innovative Music Artists
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are regarded as the most influential band of all time and were integral to the development of the 1960s counterculture and the recognition of popular... read more Rock, psychedelic music, and art rock were invented by The Beatles. Alice Cooper, KISS, Ozzy Osbourne, etc., were all influenced by The Beatles. They were the first band to evolve as artists and have fans across the world numbering in the billions. The Beatles were the first iconic, legendary, innovative, groundbreaking, massively influential band to rule the world in commercial and artistic success. 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 whose sound could fit in today. Just listen to She Loves You or I Want To Hold Your Hand.
They were also able to transform and do a complete 180 from their early '60s selves. If you want to hear innovation, just listen to the entire Sgt. Pepper's album. Game over.
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 in 2nd place. They're usually so overlooked. No idea why higgsboson thinks Brian Wilson is a lyrical genius since he didn't write lyrics most of the time, but he was definitely the single greatest musical innovator of the 20th century. The Beatles would not have gone where they did without The Beach Boys. They definitely deserve the top spot, but seeing them in 2nd is also great. (Good Vibrations is 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.
David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie (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 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 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 groundbreaking, and he experimented with almost every genre you could name. In fact, he made many genres popular. RIP Starman.
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. She is to song what Mozart was to musical composition. She is the Einstein of musical interpretation. She is the Shakespeare of vocal expression. Chithra's impact on the musical world will be as important a contribution as that of Wilbur and Orville Wright on the world of travel.
She has the sweetest voice ever, I bet you.
All her romance songs prove how Chithra is the best innovator.
Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael... read more 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.
Only The Beatles and Elvis Presley had more influence on pop music, but no one was more innovative.
Pink Floyd are 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 Why is LP above one of the most innovative artists of all time? Without PF, most bands wouldn't be here today.
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 and electric. Folk, country, rock, blues, traditional, R&B, Christian, disco, and several things which defy labels or genres. And Sinatra interpretations!
Stevland Hardaway Morris, known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and multi-instrumentalist.
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.
The Moody Blues were 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
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 Mercury is a musical genius. He combined opera and rock (Barcelona) and composed in many different genres.
Combining opera with rock is very innovative.
The most talented musical artist.
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". Most of the innovations 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.
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... read more
This is way too low a ranking. If this is about innovation, no one moved the blues into the electric/psychedelic era like Hendrix. His studio work is surpassed only by the likes of Prince and Quincy Jones. Hendrix was the next step after Muddy Waters and others first plugged in the blues in Chicago, and he took it way further. Be serious!
One of the greatest innovators and geniuses in musical history. 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.
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined... 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 '50s 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 innovative the person was. Elvis is one of the most innovative artists who have ever walked the earth.
This list is supposed to be about 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 way higher up.
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.
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980) 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... read more
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.
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). After OK Computer, they decided to go in the direction of 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 by totally revamping their sound.
Madonna Louise Ciccone, known professionally as Madonna, 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... 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 there is. Madonna went beyond 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.
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.
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
Led Zeppelin was an English hard rock band formed in London in 1968 as the New Yardbirds. The group consisted of Robert Plant (Vocal), Jimmy Page (Guitar), John Paul Jones (Bass, Keyboard) and John Bonham (Drums) and was very much the child of Jimmy Page who even financed their first tour. He had tasted... read more Maybe they were influenced by The Beatles, but Zeppelin was one of the most innovative rock bands of all time. First, the sound of Zeppelin can now be found in nearly every post-Zeppelin rock band (e.g., Nirvana, Guns N' Roses, even Queen, and many more). Second, guitarist Jimmy Page was innovative by discovering new techniques like the reverse echo. He even experimented with a violin bow on a guitar, which is really innovative.
Madonna above these legends?! They helped pioneer Heavy Metal.
Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist and activist.
Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture... read more Their style is pretty much versatile, combining elements of hip hop, rap, rock, and metal. They innovated the music of the 21st century.
They always do something different for each album.
So innovative, SO AWESOME. It's a shame they're on the bottom of this list.
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... read more