If you had to name the most influential artists in the history of rock, who would they be? I’m talking about the people who changed things, moved things, and otherwise propelled things forward for everyone else. What’s your list?
Elvis, for sure. He’s the guy who brought rock ’n’ roll to the masses in the 1950s and basically ushered in a whole new era in music. The Elvis epoch has waned, but he’s still a towering figure in the history of popular music.
Number two: The Beatles. It seems almost silly to have to say that. How many stories have you heard about people deciding to form a band after seeing The Beatles on
Ed Sullivan in February 1964? The Beatles changed everything across all genres—and they did it in just seven years. Even though they broke up in 1970, they’re still the greatest rock group of all time—and probably will be forever.
And number three? I will fight you if you don’t say anything other than David Bowie, a guy who, coincidentally, shares a birthday with Elvis.
The more you study the history of rock, the more you realize just how many roads lead back to Bowie in some way or another. And although he’s been gone for years, he casts as big a shadow—maybe even bigger—than he ever did. In fact, it seems that as more time passes, the more we realize how important he was to, well, everything.
If you’re still unconvinced, stay with me and I’ll prove it. This is part two of “Why Bowie Still Matters.”
Songs heard on this show (all songs by David Bowie unless otherwise indicated)
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- TVC-15
- Warzawa
- Heroes (French version)
- DJ
- Ashes to Ashes
- Blue Jean
- Tin Machine, Under the God
- I’m Afraid of Americans
This is Eric Wilhite’s playlist.
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