The Top Five Most Influential Artists

In the rock-n-roll era, there were those few artists that helped shape the future of music. Whether it was progressing a music genre, establishing a new music genre, or influencing countless future artists, it was a handful of artists that were able to help shape music and pop culture. These five artists are not in any order of importance because they are all important in the evolution of music.

Ray Charles was a true genius. He fused the gospel sound he grew up with to the rhythm sound he was working with. Those elements together helped shape not only rhythm and blues but also soul music. Charles had been a performer for several years before he signed with Atlantic Records in 1952. It was his time with Atlantic Records that not only provided Charles with his best music but also his most influential. It was during this time that Charles broke down barriers. Songs such as "I Got a Woman" and "What'd I Say" were widely popular and hugely successful. His songs had a gospel background with a boogie beat and a soulful vocal. It was his huge success at Atlantic that helped him move to ABC/Paramount and continue with his success. His rendition of "Georgia On My Mind" is widely considered to be one of his greatest songs. So much so that Georgia's legislature proclaimed it to be Georgia's State song. It is not hard to think the rhythm and blues we know today wound not be the same without Ray Charles.

The loss of Buddy Holly, on February 3, 1959, is indescribable in regards to its impact on music. Holly's recording career only lasted close to two years, but he was able to squeeze a body of work into that time that influenced a generation. Some of the biggest names in rock-n-roll history name Holly as one of their main influences. Those include the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Holly actually amassed a considerable career in those short two years that might take other artists decades to amass. Most of his songs can be considered progressive and highly sophisticated for their time. In the mid to late fifties, music was more geared to the Tin Pan Alley and Rockabilly style of music. Holly was able to take those sounds and expand on them. He added lyrics that were more thoughtful. Holly also took the traditional three member band line-up and expanded it to a four member band. Holly was able to incorporate more instruments, like the celesta, for "Everyday", and also increase their usages. Without a doubt, Holly left his mark not only on music but also on the future of musicians. He allowed the singer songwriter to emerge by writing his own songs and to encourage others to do the same.

James Brown was an original. His unique style crossed racial barriers and influenced countless entertainers after him. Among those that cite James Brown as an influence are Michael Jackson and Prince. Brown was able to incorporate energetic dance moves with his even more energetic voice. His songs mixed gospel and rhythm and blues together. Merging those two genres together, with soul, helped Funk be created. Brown was very instrumental in establishing Funk as a music genre, a highly profiled genre as well. Brown was also influential in society. He was a staunch supporter for civil rights. He used his celebrity status to bring light to the cause by inspiring rallies. In 1968, he even made a call out to the black community not to react in a negative way in the wake of Martin Luther King Jr.s assassination.

With the unmistakable beginning of "I Want to Hold Your Hand", the Beatles burst onto the world stage and never looked back. The Beatles were recording and performing long before 1964, but it was their entrance into the American charts that solidified them as cultural icons for future artists. Before the Beatles, in the wake of Buddy Holly's death the music scene was laced with doo-wop and the explosion of teenage idols, such as Fabian. But with those opening chords of "I Want to Hold Your Hand", the Beatles changed the face of music overnight. In the spirit of Buddy Holly, the Beatles expanded on the idea of musicians not only writing their own songs but also, performing them. Each single or album they recorded, they pushed the boundaries of music. Every song or album was an event. No one could predict how a Beatles record would sound until it was out to the public. The Beatles progressed their sound with each record they released. Along with their sound, they also introduced album covers as art. For example, Revolver, was a ground breaking album for the sophisticated sound and complicated lyrics, but the cover art was also breathtaking in design. In the mid 1960's, the Beatles brought along psychedelic rock. They helped usher in the Summer of Love. They became the standard of what was expected of songwriters and the originality of performers.

Then there was Elvis Presley, his entrance into the national music scene in 1956 created such a stir that it can still be felt today. He has a mass appeal for almost everyone that was young. Elvis had a big powerful voice, that mixed with his provocative body moves, that embodied what it meant to be young. Elvis also pioneered what it meant to be a super star. From owning his very own mansion, Graceland, to his own airplane, to his own entourage. His innovated way of presenting his music enchanted those that came across it. He was arguably the most original entertainer and singer to come along. He not only bridged gaps between gender and classes but also races. Elvis changed how the world would view artists. Artists before Elvis were merely figures. After Elvis, society looked to artists to see how the world changes. Elvis embodied everything that an artist could be. Almost every artist after him, from country to rock, can name him as an influence. Because after Elvis there was endless boundaries to explore due to him having led the way.