Originally posted by Palynka Remove everything except grindcore and you might have a point. For all the rest, several bands preceded the Swans and were much more influential than them. If anything, the influence of the Swans is pretty marginal in those genres.
But the hyperbole in your statement already shows you're a blinkered fan, so I don't expect you to come to terms with reality.
Sure, they weren't the most influential in those genres bar grindcore, I accept that. Still, they had a lasting impact on those genres. Didn't Godflesh listen to early Swans? Didn't late gothic rock bands listen to Children of God? Didn't neofolk groups of the last 20 years listen to the Burning World or White Light...? Didn't GY!BE listen to Soundtracks for the Blind? And I didn't even mention the Melvins in my earlier post...
But you're probably right, if I wasn't a SWANS-fan I probably wouldn't rate their influence as high.
Originally posted by StTito What year is it? When did rock become so narrowly defined? I am just putting up the idea that rock would not be alive if not for the genres of the past. And a big hellsyeah for rock continuing to go back to it's former roots and not so obvious roots to continue the sound.
I agree completely. My point is that while Robert Johnson was an amazing musician and quite influential on a number of likewise influential musicians (blues, rock and otherwise), he died in 1938, long before rock 'n roll exploded into existence. Not knocking anyone on your list, just drawing a reasonable line.
Originally posted by KazetNagorra Sure, they weren't the most influential in those genres bar grindcore, I accept that. Still, they had a lasting impact on those genres. Didn't Godflesh listen to early Swans? Didn't late gothic rock bands listen to Children of God? Didn't neofolk groups of the last 20 years listen to the Burning World or White Light...? Didn't GY!BE listen to Soundtrack obably right, if I wasn't a SWANS-fan I probably wouldn't rate their influence as high.
To be fair, I used to like the Swans a lot, just that I gradually fell out of love with them. And don't mind me, I'm just passing through. 😉
If you wanted to break it down into the main sub-genres of rock (as I see them) I think you could say the following were the most influential for that sub genre..
Punk Rock - The Clash
Rock N Roll - Chuck Berry
Classic Rock - Neil Young
Pop Rock - The Beatles
* If you want to include bandslike Depeche Mode/MGMT/Prodigy etc as a sub genre of Rock, then hands down the oscar goes to Kraftwerk.
Originally posted by znsho Bcause [Neil Young] keeps going and stays true to his ideals.
I don't think he does/did. That's why I stopped listening to him in the late 80s and only begrudgingly check him out nowadays. He was anti-Nixon but then pro-Reagan. I think he is a celebrity with an eye on his demographic. I haven't detected a lot of 'ideals' in play since the 70s. You're right about him 'keeping going' though. Can't dispute that. 🙂
Originally posted by KazetNagorra I'd say (in no particular order):
- Chuck Berry
- John Cale
- Brian Eno
- Michael Gira
- Frank Zappa
Any thoughts?
I'd really like to agree with you on Gira but I think you might be stretching his influence too far. I mean, Nick Cave is also quite influential, but would you put him on the list? Obviously Gira's a sort of godfather figure and Young God records has managed to attract a stable of good to great artists. Interestingly enough I just read that he hinted recently that there might be a Swans tour in the future, imagine that.
http://brainwashed.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7536&Itemid=1
Judging by tribute albums alone I'd have to suggest Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits instead of Gira and Eno (rock?).
Originally posted by Palynka To be fair, I used to like the Swans a lot, just that I gradually fell out of love with them. And don't mind me, I'm just passing through. 😉
Did you listen to Angels of Light too? Gira has never bored me, although I seldom revisit albums like Filth or Body to Body, Job to Job.
I would be tempted to mention 80s metal, such as Iron Maiden and Metallica, and also Bon Jovi. They're the stuff that today's bands listened too (taking "today" to mean "when I was growing up"...) and so although they are not as old (obviously, the nearer to the top of the tree you go the more influential you are) they still carry a lot of influence.
Also, I don't believe Jimi Hendrix or Led Zepplin have been mentioned. Again, influential but not at the beginning and so excluded from the very top.
Perhaps a "most influential rock bands/musicians" list should be sorted into smaller lists be decade?
EDIT: FMF mentioned both Jimi and Led Zep, and he ordered his list! I should read threads more thoroughly...
“1001 ALBUMS YOU MUST HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE” is a fairly plausible and entertaining 960 page exercise in ‘collective subjectivity’ by 90 leading international rock critics about the years 1950-2005. (so some of our choices pre-date the scope of this tome)
So I thought I’d have a look to see how many albums each of OUR (collective) choices managed to notch in this ultimate loo book.
Chuck Berry - 0
John Cale - 1
Brian Eno - 5
Michael Gira - 0
Frank Zappa - 3
Neil Young - 7
Beatles - 7
Rolling Stones - 6
Great Society - 0
Doors - 3
Fairport Convention - 2
Pink Floyd - 4
R Johnson - 0
JL Hooker - 1
Guthrie - 0
Ray Charles - 2
Miles Davis - 4
Little Richard - 1
Bill Haley - 0
Elvis Presley - 3
Clash - 2
Bob Dylan - 7
Jimi Hendrix - 3
David Bowie - 7
Buddy Holly - 0
Led Zeppelin - 4
Who - 5
Byrds - 5
Police - 2
U2 - 4
REM - 4
Nirvana - 3
Queen - 3
Iron Maiden - 2
Metallica - 4
Bon Jovi - 1
Originally posted by Bosse de Nage I'd really like to agree with you on Gira but I think you might be stretching his influence too far. I mean, Nick Cave is also quite influential, but would you put him on the list? Obviously Gira's a sort of godfather figure and Young God records has managed to attract a stable of good to great artists. Interestingly enough I just read that he hinted r ...[text shortened]... albums alone I'd have to suggest Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits instead of Gira and Eno (rock?).
Yeah, it's probably a bit of an overstatement. Still, I can see his influence growing over the next couple of decades.
And while Eno is primarily noted for ambient music, he did have a significant impact on rock music as well, as a member of Roxy Music, and producer of various landmark albums (by Talking Heads, Slowdive, etc.).
Originally posted by FMF [b]“1001 ALBUMS YOU MUST HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE” is a fairly plausible and entertaining 960 page exercise in ‘collective subjectivity’ by 90 leading international rock critics about the years 1950-2005. (so some of our choices pre-date the scope of this tome)
Originally posted by Swlabr I would be tempted to mention 80s metal, such as Iron Maiden and Metallica, and also Bon Jovi. They're the stuff that today's bands listened too (taking "today" to mean "when I was growing up"...) and so although they are not as old (obviously, the nearer to the top of the tree you go the more influential you are) they still carry a lot of influence.
Also, ...[text shortened]... i and Led Zep, and he ordered his list! I should read threads more thoroughly...
Hm! You must be a Cream / Disraeli Gears fan. Am I right?
Five most influential rock musicians?
11 May '09 20:36
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