I was thinking about Kid Gleason's comment in the Rush thread about how influential Rush was to metal bands and got to thinking, how often are bands cited as being an influence, yet they do not have commercial success.Do musicians, painters, and other artists have a propensity to be influenced by non mainstream acts?

Think about how many people were influenced by Johnny Thunders or The Ramones. How many bands were influenced by MC5 or New York Dolls. T-Rex had one big hit in the US (Bang a Gong) and one minor hit "Jeepster", though that one gets more play nowdays than does Gong) but influenced countless bands. How many girls have picked up a guitar (or bass) and you can easily trace it back to Suzi Quatro. The girl may have taken her look and playing from Joan Jett, but ask Joan who she took from and she will proudly scream SUZI.

Edited October 3, 200619 yr by Kid Gleason

Notice how many bands who have had pop music commercial success mention Big Star as an influence.

Notice how many bands who have had pop music commercial success mention Big Star as an influence.

 

A perfect example.

 

Ditto for Mott the Hoople, T-Rex, and Faces. Interesting that those all happen to be faves of Gleason's I think.

 

He;s definately Rocking Under the Influence.