music history

Influential Musical Artists That Changed History

Learn about some of the most influential music artists of the 20th century, like The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Elvis Presley, and more!

Musicnotes

• 9 min read
influential musical artists - elvis presley

The 20th-century music scene was one of radical change, as the first century of recorded music enabled people to enjoy songs without the presence of a physical performer. From the rhythmic, repetitive notes of swing jazz in the early decades and the gospel-driven percussive sound of R&B in the 1950s, beloved and influential musical artists have morphed and transformed popular music into rock, disco, pop, hip-hop, and country genres over the ensuing years. The following represent the most influential music artists of the 20th century.

The Beatles

The Beatles exploded out of north England with their debut single "Love Me Do," unleashing a sound unlike any musical artists' that came before them. This timeless group was also a product of the times, and the result was music that changed history. The unique melodic structures and sounds of "A Day in the Life," "Help!," "A Hard Day's Night," and "All My Loving" set the band apart and created a standard for others to follow. Catchy tunes such as "I Want to Hold Your Hand," "Yellow Submarine," and "When I'm Sixty-Four" had fans singing along. Their ballads, such as "Blackbird," "Across the Universe," and, of course, "Let It Be," were unmatched and showcased both the lyric and melodic brilliance of their craft. The tremendous influence of The Beatles impacted nearly every musician who came after them.

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Led Zeppelin

While firmly entrenched in the rock genre, Led Zeppelin's eclectic sound had a strong influence on the heavy metal bands that followed. The band possessed a unique combination of passion and expertise, infused with mystery and an experimental edge that kept them on the fringe. "Black Dog" may be the best example of their heaviest rock, but their most popular may be "Stairway to Heaven," which is simply legendary and well-recognized by subsequent generations. Other classic examples of Zeppelin's influence include "All My Love," "Dazed and Confused," "Kashmir," "Over the Hills and Far Away," "Rock and Roll," "Ramble On," and "When the Levee Breaks."

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, the original Man in Black, created a brand of country-folk music with grueling life experiences at its core. He wrote well over 1,000 songs in his lifetime, with more than 100 hits that pushed genre boundaries and influenced musical artists in rock, country, the blues, and even rap. Everything from his wardrobe to songs like "Ring of Fire," "Man in Black," "Folsom Prison Blues," and "I Walk the Line" underscore his rebellion against authority, hypocrisy, and status quo. Genre-jumping collaborations with artists like U2, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Bob Dylan resulted in memorable musical moments, culminating in his colossal cover of Nine Inch Nails's "Hurt." Other hits by Johnny Cash like "Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" and "A Boy Named Sue" illustrate his abilities as a master storyteller.

Louis Armstrong

Louis Armstrong tops the list of the most influential black music artists in history. The informal, swinging vocal style he crafted during the Harlem Renaissance impacted such greats as Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and a host of both jazz and pop artists in subsequent generations. Credited with elevating the art of the jazz soloist, Armstrong's craft is at its peak in such standards as "What a Wonderful World," "A Kiss to Build a Dream On," "Mack the Knife," and "Hello, Dolly."

Elton John

Billy Joel said that Elton John's biggest contribution to the world of rock music is his musicianship. Known for his spontaneous, rhythmic, syncopated piano style with roots in R&B and gospel, Elton John released such iconic masterpieces as "Crocodile Rock," "Bennie and the Jets," and "Rocket Man." His skills in creating memorable melodies also resulted in soothing ballads, including "Daniel," "Your Song," and the moving tribute to Marilyn Monroe, "Candle in the Wind." Elton John is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, and his hit song "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" is one of the best examples of his influence. George Michael asked to duet with him, and that version became a huge hit long after the song's initial success.

Run DMC

Run DMC is responsible for bringing hip-hop music into the 1980s mainstream, introducing a broad audience to "new-school" rap. From their early hit "Sucker M.C.'s," they showcased a groundbreaking style with overlapping vocals and a spare but strong rhythm track. Run DMC became popular with MTV's mostly white audience by infusing hip-hop with rock elements, as in "Rock Box," "King of Rock," "Peter Piper," and the iconic collaboration with Aerosmith on "Walk This Way." "My Adidas" landed the group a lucrative endorsement deal, which gave their music an even broader audience. Arguably, Run DMC's biggest hit is the catchy "It's Tricky," which has been featured in at least six movies, three video games, and multiple promotional spots.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, the undisputed King of Rock 'n' Roll, was an iconic musician and cultural phenomenon. Elvis created an important societal bridge by incorporating traditional "black music" into a new sound that enchanted the mainstream during a time when race relations were strained. Up-tempo songs such as "Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," "Blue Suede Shoes," "All Shook Up," "Jailhouse Rock," and "Return to Sender" were usually performed with the controversial hip swivel that became his trademark. His ability to deliver such swoon-worthy ballads as "Love Me Tender" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" demonstrated an emotional depth that influenced future musical artists and endeared Elvis to generations of audiences.

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Jimi Hendrix

A master wizard on the guitar, Jimi Hendrix effortlessly fused blues and rock through his amazing abilities as a songwriter. While Hendrix is most frequently portrayed as a heavy rocker with his guitar on fire, "Voodoo Child" demonstrates his roots in the blues, while the painfully beautiful "Little Wing" showcases his abilities as a sensitive lyricist. Other notable Jimi Hendrix hits include "Purple Haze," "All Along the Watchtower," "The Wind Cries Mary," "Red House," "Castles Made of Sand," and "Fire."

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye, the Prince of Soul, helped to create the sound of 1960s Motown through songs like "I Heard it Through the Grapevine," "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)," and "What's Going On." Gaye's powerful social consciousness poured into his music, influenced by the Vietnam War and racial tensions. "Mercy Mercy Me" is a prophetic warning about environmental issues. His song "Got to Give it Up" has influenced countless artists over the years and has been featured in numerous films and television shows over the past three decades, and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" remains a challenging vocal standard that has been covered by dozens of musical artists over the years.

Nirvana

Nirvana's grunge-style rock music had an undeniable relevance and relatability while refusing to conform to the mainstream. The band was not only musically ahead of its time but pushed the limits on social issues as well, challenging gender norms, racism, and sexism through their music, appearance, and interviews. Key songs include "In Bloom," "All Apologies," "Something in the Way," "Come As You Are," "Heart-Shaped Box," "Lithium," and the iconic "Smells Like Teen Spirit."

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson, forever known as the King of Pop, revolutionized the music industry. With 372 awards for such hits as "Beat It" and "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough," at the time of his death he was the most awarded entertainer, artist, and person in history. Lyrically, Michael Jackson challenged the prevalent views of a Black man with his songs "Billie Jean," "Bad," and "Man in the Mirror." "Thriller" still holds the record for sales of a single, and the groundbreaking video was both a cultural phenomenon and a metaphor for racism in the United States.

David Bowie

David Bowie's stagecraft and persona put his stamp on music history, as the character he created with Ziggy Stardust was just one of the many voices he showcased over his stellar career. His sophistication and wit are on full display through his songs "Fashion," "Golden Years," "China Girl," and "Changes." Other important songs released by David Bowie over the years include "Space Oddity," "Young Americans," "Let's Dance," "Heroes," and "Fame."

Ray Charles

The music of Ray Charles shows that the right song can cross any boundary, transcend any stereotype, and overcome any disability. He was known as “the Genius” for a reason, as he reinvented country music with an infusion of jazz and soul that was unlike anything that came before him. "Georgia On My Mind" and "I Can't Stop Loving You" are prime examples of Charles infusing a song with passion and heart, while "Mess Around," "Hit the Road Jack," and "What'd I Say" demonstrate his ability to rock. His music has a universal appeal that is rediscovered and reinterpreted by new musical artists in each succeeding generation.

Queen

Queen had a tremendous impact both musically and culturally. As the first openly gay frontman in history, Freddie Mercury felt free to portray his sexuality in his music, dress, and stage presence. The band fused opera and heavy rock with arena rock, symphonic rock, and pop rock to create a unique sound that was radio-friendly and immensely popular, with "We Will Rock You," "Don't Stop Me Now," "We Are the Champions," "Bohemian Rhapsody" as perfect examples of their sweeping, epic style. Other notable songs by Queen include "Killer Queen," "Somebody To Love," and "Fat Bottomed Girls."

The Four Tops

With a career built on both records and live appearances, the R&B and pop successes of the Four Tops propelled them to a long, stable, and influential run as one of Motown's biggest hit-makers. Their initial release, "Baby I Need Your Loving," was immensely popular, followed by such hits as "I Can't Help Myself" and "Reach Out, I'll Be There." The quartet continued to perform as a group for over 40 years and ultimately received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Their harmonies and smooth lounge style are unrivaled, and their position as R&B royalty is demonstrated in such hits as "Ain't No Woman," "It's the Same Old Song," and "Bernadette."

Tupac Shakur

Despite a relatively short career, Tupac Shakur, also known as Pac, 2Pac, and Makaveli, is considered one of the most influential and iconic rappers in history. Known for his abilities as a master storyteller with a strong social conscience and powerful voice, Tupac drew on influences of Shakespeare for his lyrics and Malcolm X for his delivery, as evident in songs like "Me Against the World" and "2 of Americaz Most Wanted." He also experimented widely with sampling tracks, and a range of artists can be heard on his records, including Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder, Pink Floyd, Herbie Hancock, and James Brown. His posthumous hit "Changes" includes sampling from "The Way It Is" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range, addressing such societal issues as drugs, racism, classicism, poverty, violence, police brutality, and war. Other notable songs by Tupac include "California Love'' and "Dear Mama," which showcase his signature method of stacking his vocals to add depth, rawness, and warmth.

Eagles

Eagles, one of the most enduring touring bands of all time, has a lasting appeal for multiple generations of audiences. With their easy, unique Southern California sound, the group straddled the country-rock boundary with R&B, folk, and soul influences evident in songs like "The Best of My Love" and "Already Gone." From haunting melodies like "Hotel California" and "Desperado" to country classics "Lyin' Eyes," "Take It to the Limit," and "Peaceful Easy Feeling," Eagles tossed out the rulebook and established the blueprint for what country music would become in the ensuing decades.

Bob Marley

Bob Marley was one of the forerunners in the reggae genre and is credited with introducing it to the mainstream audience, particularly in the United States. With his roots firmly entrenched in spirituality and humanity as evidenced in hits like "Exodus," Marley’s unique, grounded groove was both moving and revolutionary. Other inspirational hits by Bob Marley include "Three Little Birds," "No Woman, No Cry," "Jamming," "Stir It Up," "Buffalo Soldier," and "Get Up, Stand Up."

Conclusion

20th-century music underwent a revolution unlike anything seen in history, thanks to technology creating the ability for artists to influence each other with their creativity and talent. The brilliance of these musical artists will outlive them and ensure that their music is rediscovered by generations to come.

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