Musical Influences of the 20th Century

Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, The Beatles, Michael Jackson and Nirvana; I proposition that these artists had the greatest influence on American Music in the 20 th Century. These artist not only impacted music of the last century but culture around the world as well. Louis Armstrong is seen as the Father of Jazz, the first form of modern music that originated in the United States. His influence has been felt in all type of music from Country to Blues to Rock and Roll. Not only was Armstrong a virtuoso on the trumpet but his vocal style helped shaped several generations of pop and jazz singers including Frank Sinatra. Sinatra's vocal phrasings and way of telling a story in the way he interpreted songs was unique. With the widespread use of the radio as the main means of household entertainment in this country Sinatra became the first Teen Idol of the 20th Century. Elvis Presley took the music of the Mississippi Delta and Black America and put a white face on it. Many of his early songs were renditions of songs sung by black artist who could not get radio air time because of discrimination. There are many theories of who the Father of Rock and Roll was but to me all roads lead to The King. Presley influenced a new generation of musicians and opened the door for Race Music, later called Rhythm and Blues, to be played in households throughout the America. Elvis recorded for Sun Records in the mid-50's, one of his stable mates was Johnny Cash. Cash was to become a cross-over artist, his popularity extended to both country and pop record enthusiasts. He was a co-founder of the Outlaw movement in Country Music ; this group consisted of Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and others who fought the over produced Nashville sound of the 60's and 70's. Johnny Cash is one of the few, if any, artists that have been elected to the Rock and Roll, Country Western and Songwriters Hall of Fame. So much has been written on the influence of the Beatles on all areas of Music and Culture that this simple Blog could not do them the justice they deserve. Suffice it to say that their appearance on the Music Scene in the early 1960's changed the way people view music, style, politics, drugs, religion and social awareness to this day. Michael Jackson was the King of Pop, awesomely talented and flawed at the same time. His Thriller album and video created a new way of presenting Music to the masses. MTV became a household name because of Jackson's popular music videos of the 80's; his performances were interspersed with dynamic dance moves that have been copied but never match to this day. We all know that hard times have fallen on the King of Pop in the last several years due to various allegations of misconduct with minors but his influence cannot be denied. The last decade of the 20th Century saw a new form of Rock develop, Grunge. Nirvana was the first Seattle band that broke big on the scene with a type of music that was guitar driven with lyrics that showed the angst of Generation X. Kurt Cobain became the reluctant standard bearer for this new form of Rock. Cobain's life ended tragically in suicide but his music legacy remained strong through the end of the Century. Groups such as Pearl Jam continue to be important exponents of the Seattle sound to this day. As the 21st Century heads into its second decade who are the artists emerging that will make this list 90 years form now. Any thoughts? Your comments are welcomed.