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- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Sep 13, 2023 · In this collection, we consider 12 of the great composers, from Bach to Rachmaninoff. Covering Baroque, Classical, and Romantic music, many of the works remain instantly recognisable even amongst non-classical...
- Mark Cartwright
- Publishing Director
- Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Bach is the definitive Baroque composer. If you have sublime Bach you don’t need the others (and we’re only half kidding).
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791) Continuing the tradition of names with three words and four well-formed syllables in the middle one, is the child prodigy and all-round genius, Mozart.
- Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Beethoven’s name is widely interchanged with the phrase ‘greatest composer who ever lived’. And we’re okay with that.
- Hildegard von Bingen (1098-1179) Jumping back in time, and way back to medieval times, let’s meet Hildegard von Bingen. She was a saint, poet and composer who in her lifetime was one of the most influential women in Europe.
- David Bowie. Nobody changed music as much as art rock chameleon David Bowie. A master provocateur confronting sexual conformity with his androgynous looks, Bowie’s ingenious personas (glam rock alien Ziggy Stardust, the steely nobility of the Thin White Duke) led the way in inspiring others to meld fashion, theatre and performance art with popular music.
- The Beatles. The Beatles have always been, and remain, a phenomenon. The timeless songwriting of Lennon-McCartney (Strawberry Fields Forever, A Day In The Life) and impeccable musicianship of George Harrison and Ringo Starr continues to inspire millions.
- Jimi Hendrix. When Jimi Hendrix arrived in the UK in 1966, no one could have predicted the earth-scorching impact he would have. Leaving other virtuosos like Eric Clapton in the dust, Hendrix’s bluesy proficiency on guitar and his exemplary use of riffs and shredding (Voodoo Child) was truly jaw-dropping.
- Led Zeppelin. In their respective fields, each Led Zeppelin member sits in the pantheon of most influential musicians of all time; together, as the greatest rock band of all time, their majestic hard rock sound is unlikely to be dethroned any time soon.
- Ludwig van Beethoven. 20,862 votes. Heralded as one of the most influential composers in Western classical music, this German maestro was born in 1770 and showcased an extraordinary talent early in life.
- Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 17,752 votes. This prodigious composer, born in 1756, is celebrated for his unparalleled contribution to classical music and his uncanny ability to create complex yet exquisitely beautiful compositions.
- The Beatles. 34,488 votes. Formed in Liverpool in 1960, this iconic British band transformed popular music with their innovative songwriting, experimentation with different genres, and unmatched charisma.
- Queen. 33,486 votes. This legendary British rock band emerged in the early 1970s with a unique blend of hard rock, glam rock, and operatic influences that would define their signature sound.
50 greatest composers of all time: 50 to 41. 50 Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943) Russian virtuoso pianist, gifted melodist and one of the greats of late Romanticism. John Rutter on Rachmaninov. Rachmaninov belongs to the aristocracy of composers.
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These influential world music artists have shaped global sounds and cultures, connecting diverse audiences through their unique styles. From Ravi Shankar's sitar to Bob Marley's reggae, their legacies highlight the power of music in bridging cultural divides.
