# Musicians that have influenced you

Category: Jam Session

## Post 1 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Tuesday, 21-May-2013 0:22:59

Subject line says it all. Carry on.

## Post 2 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 21-May-2013 1:57:52

It's hard to say, since that's a fairly broad term. Influence...do you mean playing, singing, how I think of music or of a particular genre?
In the interest of keeping it fairly simple, I'll say the following.
Rain Maida when he was young and angry, weird voice and all, actually convinced me to try and sing (well, listening to his music did). I had always dabbled a little, but never gotten really into it. Eddie Vedder, particularly on the album Ten, did much the same; I still know that album almost inside out.
As a drummer, I was influenced fairly heavily by Neil Peart (sp?) from Rush. I used to like Lars from Metallica, before I realized he was all speed and power, nn real style. Guy wouldn't know a good-sounding fill or riff if it bit him. I also like Stuart Copeland from the Police...simple, but very effective, and tight grooves...holy god.
As far as piano goes...it's funny, since that's the instrument I've been with longest, but I've yet to say that one person or other has really influenced me deeply on the piano itself. I care more about what than who, so it's likely that I could tell you if I heard a song I adored, and could tell you why, but depending on how often I heard it, I might well forget who did it in favour of how nice it was.
And, as far as overall...I basically admire musicians who are willing to do music for its own sake. Once you start getting bogged down by glamour, egotism and the almighty dollar, you kinda lose your shine.

## Post 3 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 21-May-2013 11:06:20

I completely agree with the above poster. It seems like that is what a lot of musicians are in it for these days, but I can sort of understand why. For many this is a career, and that's how they see it as. Money and income.
With that said, I tend to listen to more of the older music, because it isn't so advanced with enhancements and such. It is more natural. There is nothing more that I enjoy than listening to a natural singer. One of my favorite songs that emphasizes this point is one by Aleesha Keys, if I Ain't Got You. She shows great range and she sounds very relaxed and cool. She seems to have fun with her volume as well, singing some parts of the song with more power and others very sofftly and gentle. So, that would probably be my top musician who influences me. Once I get out of that shell I am stuck in with singing, I hope to display similar traits as her and sound very natural.

## Post 4 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Tuesday, 21-May-2013 13:29:51

Yeah, I meant playing and singing influences, you are correct, Mr. Wolf, I didn't make that clear at all. I have way too many singers to list, but I'll try. Jonie Mitchell has had a huge impact on me. Her writing and singing is just so powerful and she's a goddess of the folk age. Anne Wilson of Heart is also hugely influential for me. That's a voice I wish I had, so full and incapsulates so many emotions. She's the only one who can cover Led Zeplan with so much grace and beauty, and she can let that voice go with riffs that put her in a realm with rock gods. She's still got it.

## Post 5 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Tuesday, 21-May-2013 22:52:33

Ann Wilson eh? I remember listening to the album Brigade as a child of about seven, and being in awe, even though we're only talking about basic rock ballads here. God does that woman have power. I...can't say that I want to emulate her, being male and all, but she can (and could) definitely sing well for what she's doing. Sure, there are lots of singers with sweeter voices, better technical skill and all that, but she found a niche and settled in there. Sometimes I think that's what music is about...finding a comfortable place, sorta setting up camp there and having fun. Weird way to explain it, perhaps, but there ya go.

## Post 6 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 22-May-2013 0:43:02

Absolutely. And I feel it's that comfort zone that I have not found in my singing yet. There are so many different singing styles, and some are just not meant to be sang by people. It's not a negative comment really, but why not go for something that you are better at? I've also seen singers who either try too hard to fancy up songs that they sing, and then you also have the ones that you know can do better but you can sense the doubt they have with themselves. I'm deffinetly the second from what the few who have been fortunate, if you'll call it that, to hear me sing. Lol.
I checked out a live recording of Ann Wilson singing the Stairway to Heaven and it was different, but like you said she sounded very comfortable and relaxed. It was impressive.

## Post 7 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Wednesday, 22-May-2013 14:51:55

Tony Iommi

## Post 8 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Wednesday, 22-May-2013 18:30:36

Ryan, I didnn't know you sang. I'd like to hear it sometime. Let's see. Other singers. Hmmm. Adele despite her nodes and bad technique some times, is a huge influence. The girl can write and she's got an amazing voice. Alicia used to be one of my influences, but now, she sounds so tired and not herself. Amanda Moore of The Dresden Dolls, I ust love how passionate she is in everything she sings. Delilah has a voice as smooth as silk and some amazing power to it. Same with Aaliah may she rest in peace.

## Post 9 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 13:58:51

I will work on something for you. Perhaps it will help me get out of my shell some lol. I love Aaliah as well, and I think it was not much more than a year ago was the first time I heard something by her. I can't believe she died. I might have heard Adelle but I'm not sure. That name is very familiar.
I also highly admire Billy Joel. He has excellent piano playing skills, and on top of that he can sing. Over the years he hasn't sounded much different, while it seems that a lot of singers just don't sound the same after a while.

## Post 10 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 14:29:59

You would probably know Adelle if you heard her. Her voice is very distinctive, and she's quite popular right now. Some of her most well-known songs are Rolling in the Deep and Someone Like you. I agree, her lyrics are powerful. Not a fan of her voice as much, she sounds like she's trying too hard in my opinion, but she can certainly write a song.
As for musicians that have influenced me, they fall into two categories. As far as ones who have influenced my singing, I would have to say they are Patsy Cline, Carole King, and Carly Simon. I have a fairly deep voice for a woman, and I feel most comfortable when singing at the lower end of the alto range. With training, I was able to expand my range a bit, which was good, but I felt self-conscious about that for a long time. So, female singers with strong, confident low voices really get to me. Patsy Cline, especially, because, despite the fact that in her time it wasn't customary for anyone to write their own songs, let alone for women to write their own songs, she could take any ballad and make it her own. Though she claimed she hated the miserable persona she had to portray, it sure never showed in her singing.
But there was another powerful influence that music had on me, too. Growing up, I had access to my parents' rather impressive record collection, and I never ventured outside that. While everyone else was absorbed in MTV and the grunge movement, I was busy listening to those artists I just mentioned, along with many other classic rock and soul artists. When I got a little older, about 10 or so, and realized that when people asked me what kind of music I liked, they would look at me like I had 8 heads when I gave my answer, I decided it was time to see what all the fuss was about. I started with rap and pop artists of the era. You know, Eminem, Ludachris, Alicia Keys, Britney Spears, NSync, The Backstreet Boys, etc. But, although some of it was sweet ear candy, my true calling didn't come until my sister introduced me to bands like Linkin Park, Staind, and Nickelback. All those bands were in the height of their popularity at the time. I was going through a really difficult time in my life, and the concept of an art form that could be brutal as it was gentle, heartbreaking as it was uplifting, that blew me away. The whole concept of expressing negative emotions through music did, really. Now that I'm older, it's not limited to that. There are truly dark and desolate songs in all genres. But it was a truly profound experience for me.

## Post 11 by Batman413 (Zone BBS is my Life) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 15:18:12

Aaron Lewis.
He was the lead singer of Staind, and he saved my life with his lyrics. I can truely say, if it wasn't for him, I wouldnot be here.
Aaron also does country, and I'm starting to get into that as well.

## Post 12 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 15:43:15

I'm assuming you guys meant Aaliyah, not Aaliah.
and, yes, she's very influential, mainly in the way she wasn't afraid to be honest in her music.

## Post 13 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 17:06:53

yes, Aaron Lewis was a huge influence on me as well. It's a shame that Staind is on hiatus now, but they had a good run, even if they never come back. I think it's cool that he's doing this country solo stuff now. I love versatile artists like that, people who can sound natural no matter what genre they play. neil young is a prime example of this. In fact, he influenced me in a whole other way, and that was to bolster my appreciation of music. Lots of people complain about his extreme genre shifts, like how he played on an album with Pearl Jam, and then went back to his acoustic roots, and even before that how he was experimenting with synthesizers and all that in the 80's. While I can't say that every direction he's taken has been completely successful, you've got to give the man credit for being ambitious. That's why I think I can listen to just about all genres today. I can see the beauty, and yes, the pitfalls, of each.

## Post 14 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 23-May-2013 17:40:50

Holy crap. If that's the spelling, it's no wonder I could never find any of her stuff. I tried so many ways of spelling that name but I didn't try Sam or your way. Thanks. I'll be so happy to get some of her music now.

## Post 15 by johndy (I just keep on posting!) on Saturday, 25-May-2013 5:07:44

I can't help it; I hate the modern stuff by and large. Bring me back to the 60s, 70s and some of the 80s and I'm there. The music was by and large more real; even the more schmaltzy stuff. I also grew up on trad country, so I'm heavily influenced by the great George Jones. But again, just about anything from the 60s was good.

## Post 16 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Sunday, 26-May-2013 1:07:22

you got that right. I didn't grow up in the 60's, I grew up in the 90's, but the more I listen to the music of that generation, the more convinced I am that I should have grown up in that era instead.

## Post 17 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Sunday, 26-May-2013 17:03:07

The late great Jimi Hendrix, Syd Barrett/early Pink Floyd.

## Post 18 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Monday, 27-May-2013 20:00:44

I love the awesome direction this topic is going. I did neglect to mention Carol King and Carly Simon!!! Love their stuff. Billy Joel is a genius, he really is. His piano playing is second to none and the man can write. Same with Elton John, even though they fucked up his voice. Hmmm, other singer influences, Julie Andrews, the woman was brilliant, a crying shame what the surgeons did to her voice. Annette Olson of Nightwish encompasses so many styles from mid evil celtic sounds to pure raw metal. A lot of nightwish purests like Tarja better, but honestly, her voice doesn't really do anything for me. Sarah Brightman has transscended the broadway/opera world to the pop world with grace to be rivaled. Annie Lenyx is a phenominal performer and singer. Jewel is just all kinds of talented. She has one of the coolest voices in my opinion, she emits raw power and damn, can she weave a lyric.

## Post 19 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Monday, 27-May-2013 20:08:18

More about Amanda Moore of the Dresden Dolls. I was just introduced to her and she is one of the only women who showed me that you don't have to have the perfect voice to be powerful. The way she expresses her feelings swings back and forth like a pendulum from quiet and composed to crazy and unstable. She expresses every feeling with just a quick sudden perfect change of her voice and she really does help me through bad angry moods like no other. Also, Sharon Den Adel, fuck if I can spell her damn last name, from within temptation. wow, she's got the voice of an angel, a black angel singing about the darkest of subjects and she makes everything she touches with that voice into black gold. Speaking of black gold, Esperanza Spalding is another singer who constantly influences me. She's a jazz singer and bassist, and she does both with sassy style. Radio song, is a tune that I think everyone can relate to, when you hear that one catchy as fuck song on the radio and hell if you know what it's called. That's what that song is about. Ashlee Simpson is a surprising musical influence on me, she especially was when I was a teen, as I'd written similar anxty songs like she had, similar keys and all. Now, her sound is very 80's and I love it. I'm overlooking the whole lipsinking thing, that was bad. Lol.

## Post 20 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Tuesday, 28-May-2013 21:57:32

I do too. Oh, and I finally got a chance to look up some of Adelle's music, and I had heard of her before. I'm not one of her biggest fans though. I don't like how her voice cracks sometimes, but if it weren't for that I think she would be great. I do like one song by her, called someone like you, and I certainly won't undermine the fact that she is tallented. There are just some things that I pick up on with certain artists that annoy me a little.

## Post 21 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Wednesday, 29-May-2013 13:59:13

Actually, that's because she wasn't using proper vocal techniques. Now that I'm in music school, that kinda shit scares me. Look, if you don't sing technically exactly, that's totally fine, I'm not a technical singing snob, like some other people I know from my old school, but when you start getting nodes and pollups and shit on yourr throat that need to be surgically removed, that's not cool. That's what happened to Adele herself, and she was able to go on vocal rest and get that yucky shit on her throat under control.

## Post 22 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 29-May-2013 16:02:44

Wait, so is there stuff out there that was made before those came up? I'd just like to hear the difference. Sorry if I come across as too technical and picky, I guess that's one of those things that beginner singers do. I feel like I try too hard sometimes, and yet I get nervous to sing to people. Lol.

## Post 23 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Wednesday, 29-May-2013 16:14:33

yeah, that's how I felt about Adelle's singing as well. To be honest, she sounds like a boy going through puberty when her voice cracks that way. I know that I'm not as technically proficient as some singers, but damn, it was so obvious to me how much she strained her voice that when I heard she was having throat surgery, my reaction was something along the lines of, "well, I saw that coming." Having said that, I still enjoy her lyrics and especially her piano playing.

## Post 24 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Wednesday, 29-May-2013 17:01:10

So, no white chicks on here have said Alanis Morrisette.
Hmm and in the early to mid 90s she was touted as the voice for women, especially women musicians everywhere.
Well some of her stuff was interesting, and I have to hand it to her for good writing.

## Post 25 by Shepherdwolf (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Wednesday, 29-May-2013 17:52:58

I'm obviously not a "white chick", heh. But Alanis always bugged the hell out of me. Very clever sometimes, cynical, almost acerbic at times, but I wouldn't exactly call her a good singer. Unique, for sure, but...rather annoying in anything but small doses, at least for me.
As far as bad technical singing and all that goes...it's as simple as this. If you're gonna belt, you need to know how, and you need to know when to let up. Belting is hard, even though it often sounds easy; I'm a belter but am not technically trained, but I've been privy to enough technical bits to know kind of what I'm talking about. Ann Wilson can belt and probably hasn't ever really hurt herself (though she pushes it sometimes). Adele...well, I don't think she's got the kind of voice for it. Forgive me, any Adele fans who read this, but when I hear her voice my first thought is "overweight smoker", which isn't fair, but there ya go.

## Post 26 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Thursday, 30-May-2013 16:04:19

I completely agree. her voice was like nails on a chalkboard to me. Ugh.

## Post 27 by BuckeyeFan92 (Generic Zoner) on Friday, 31-May-2013 1:05:05

I've actually been very heavily influenced in my singing by Billy Joel and Elton John (before his surgery and his voice got messed up). I used to just sing notes and think that was all that was needed to be a good singer. But all too often, people told me that my voice was plane. So I listened to a crapload of Billy Joel and Elton John last summer, and really worked on picking up their techniques and doing a better job at capturing emotion in singing. I don't just copy them, but I generally use their stylings. Whether I've improved is up for debate, but I at least feel a little more confident in it myself.

## Post 28 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Friday, 31-May-2013 12:57:58

Nick, that's exactly who I tried comparing my singing to as well. Billy Joel does seem like a good one to follow as a beginner.

## Post 29 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Monday, 03-Jun-2013 17:31:19

You pick good artists as influences Nick. Two of the greats I must say. I don't get offended easily by the Adele comments, in fact, the overweight smoker comment made me laugh, since that's what she is. Ooooooooooh. Lol. I love her, but she is. Yeah Anne does push it sometimes, see Heart's recent induction into the rock and roll hall of fame, as an example. She was singing Crazy on you and she totally cracked, realized what she'd done, and toned down for the rest of the song. It was almost funny to watch because you could just tell she was like, "Fuck. I cracked in the middle of my own inductio performance, that's embarrassing." Regina Spektor is another musical influence of mine, she has the craziest lyrics and sometimes, you have no idea what she's talking about, but they're beautiful and her voice radiates her feelings.

## Post 30 by chelslicious (like it or not, I'm gonna say what I mean. all the time.) on Monday, 03-Jun-2013 17:51:36

yes, Ryan, A A L I Y A H, is the correct spelling of Aaliyah's name.
as for the Adele comments, I completely agree with those who don't like her music. I honestly can't stand any of her stuff, much less the way she sounds. I can't even say she's a little talented.
I haven't heard Elton John recently. would someone explain this stuff about his voice supposedly being messed up?

## Post 31 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Monday, 03-Jun-2013 18:03:33

Basically, this throat surgeon fucked his voice up in the 80's 90's isn? I don't know which, but if you hear Elton John sing can you feel the love tonight, as apposed to him singing Rocket man, the difference is noticeable.

## Post 32 by BuckeyeFan92 (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 04-Jun-2013 1:04:21

Chelsea, he was using coke a lot and some other drugs, and it eventually lead to him losing some of the quality of his voice in the late 1980's, due to surgery. Real shame. I like his 1970s and 1980's stuff before the surgery, but the stuff afterword just isn't as good to me. Sam, that's a good comparison of his voice ranges.

## Post 33 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Tuesday, 04-Jun-2013 3:09:59

Hmm, if i'm not careful this could become quite the long list. In preface i'll also mention that a lot of what I sing, or actually really want to get good at singing is what most would describe as heavier/harder rock and metal. that being the case, many on my list have classical training as well, and can sing quite respectably in that style given a mind to do so. that out of the way... Lets begin.
Ivan Moody. Mainly known for his work in five finger death punch, and revered for his harsher vocals, he has a strong clear clean singing voice, with a good deal of range and power. As a singer, he's very passionate about what he sings, and expresses a lot of emotion. Many people are not as familiar with some of his softer clean vocal work, as its never gotten as much air play, or time in the spotlight, so generally look down their nose when he's mentioned, but all the same, I really admire his range, vocal control and passion for what he does. He takes really deeply personal subjects from his own life, and channels them in to something more productive. Plus, I can relate to much of the music he writes.
Chris clancy of mutiny within. Another singer with a wide and powerful clean range, and some seriously harsh yet controlled harsh vocals. He's worked for years to attain his skill, and writes and records his own songs, as well. Much of what he writes is emotionally driven.
Christian Alvistam of solution.45 also stands out in my mind for many of the same reasons the two above do, but I really admire the way he approaches his harsh vocals. One of the few vocalists I can think of that really can scream effectively, and growl just as well. His flexibility in that department alone means he can sing the vocal parts that would usually require two vocalists with different ranges to achieve. he's also a very good clean singer, as well. Even if a little prone to singing a little threw the nose.
Dennis "Sly" Schunke is a really solid vocalist. He is the mail lead for Van Canto (a mostly a cappella "heavy metal" act), and generally sings in a more classical style. He's quite dynamic both in range and power, leading to a lot of potential for creativity. In addition to all this, he's capable of roughing up his vocals enough to convincingly lay down a Metallica cover. Sadly he doesn't shine quite as brightly in a live setting.
Ryan Clark of Demon hunter also is an influence for me... an all around kick ass metal vocalist with the ability to take his work and sing it acoustically as well. He really came in to his own on their last album True defiance, and I am a stone is probably one of my favorite songs, ever. He's not a really showy vocalist, but he's got a lot of technical ability, and the knowledge of when to be powerful, and when to be subtle .
As far as guitarists go. there are a fare few of them, but i'll keep it to saying, they're all generally good, though some are metal, some are more bloos like, and so on, and so forth.
Erik Johnson, Gates and vengeance from avenged sevenfold, brandon Jacobs from mutiny within, Buckethead, Igor Presniakov, Kris Norris.
Drummers: Mike portnoy (formerly of dream theatre, The rev (Formerly of avenged sevenfold), Bill Fore of mutiny within, Travis Barker of blink 182, and strangely enough, a guy that does drum covers on youtube named Phil J. I have major respect for that man, because he's got a lot of raw talent, and chooses to showcase it by creating these really amazing drum covers for songs that are extremely poppy.

## Post 34 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Tuesday, 04-Jun-2013 4:00:25

I am so glad someone finally gave Barker the recognition he deserves. Ambiguous Texan, if you haven't heard him on Lupe Fiasco's track, "if you want to," go check it out. It's ridiculous. Another one I didn't know sang. You guys are just coming out of the woodwork, good grief. Lol. I had another person to add but James made me forget who. Meanie. :P jk.

## Post 35 by BuckeyeFan92 (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 04-Jun-2013 13:09:09

I really like Ivan Moody's voice also. His work on Far from Home really is amazing. Its a real shame that 5 finger DeathPunch spends most of their time with screaming, because the guy has an amazing voice if only he chose to use it.

## Post 36 by BuckeyeFan92 (Generic Zoner) on Tuesday, 04-Jun-2013 13:18:05

Oh, and I also just youtubed some of Van Canto's stuff. That really is amazing singing there. I especially can connect to it, since I like to sing in a cappella groups like that one.

## Post 37 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Tuesday, 04-Jun-2013 16:31:37

Nick, last night of the kings, all the way, and stand alone... and if I die in battle... they have some tracks I don't like as much as others, but man, that guy is a seriously talented singer...
Hmm, trying to remember the name of an acoustic track Ivan moody did for a band called motigrator, but can't remember it.
some of the earlier bands he was in feature him singing a lot more.

## Post 38 by GreenTurtle (Music is life. Love. Vitality.) on Wednesday, 05-Jun-2013 0:53:15

I personally am a fan of Motograter much more so than Five Finger Death Punch. They seem to have settled into a formula which, although it certainly works for them, it works because it sells, and I always get the feeling that they, and particularly Ivan Moody himself, could do more.
Another project of his that came to mind is Ghost Machine. Like motograter, it was completely overlooked and underrated, but very good.

## Post 39 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Wednesday, 05-Jun-2013 7:59:25

I need to look up VanCanto definitely. Another amazing metal singer like that, is Bruce Dickenson. Dude can whale and he's got such a powerful voice. Hmmm. I was gonna add some. Chris Domin is pretty bad ass himself. He has a cool unique way of singing and he totally rocks at it! Another girl singer who's laid a pretty heavy influence on me is Annie Hazlem of the classical/rock group, I don't know exactly what their style is honestly, the Renaissance. She has one of the brightest clearest tones I've ever heard and she can sing over an orchestra, which is something most singers probably couldn't do that if they tried nowadays. She projects like nobody's business and her range is insane.

## Post 40 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Wednesday, 05-Jun-2013 10:00:38

I agree completely about ghost machine. Hmm, was going to add something else here, but what ever it was is a mystery to me.

## Post 41 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Wednesday, 05-Jun-2013 10:00:45

I agree completely about ghost machine. Hmm, was going to add something else here, but what ever it was is a mystery to me.

## Post 42 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 05-Jun-2013 11:50:27

For those who like Breaking Benjamin, I heard a band that seems to have a similar style, but slightly milder. I heard one song by a band called Sick Puppies yesterday and they sound pretty cool. I'm new when it comes to metal, but I am a big fan of five finger death punch, and many of the bands that James mentioned above.

## Post 43 by the charismatic_enigma (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 06-Jun-2013 4:02:32

mine are pretty obvious just by the music listed in my profile. it may not be a popular choice, but justin timberlake is one of my influences. brian mcknight is another because for me he can do anything with his voice. so many i could mention so i'll rattle a few off. wanya morris of boys to men can convey any emotion he feels, and is a huge influence on me. if i can deliver an inch of what he has done then i'll be a little happy. stevie wonder is another, go listen to songs in the key of life and tell me he isn't an absolute master. sam cook, marvin gay go with out saying. i wish i could sing like these people, but i guess a justin timberlake wanna be is what i am lol.

## Post 44 by the charismatic_enigma (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 06-Jun-2013 4:06:51

oh i almost forgot musiq solchild. that man can do no wrong musicly in my eyes.

## Post 45 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Thursday, 06-Jun-2013 12:12:53

I'll admit that when I was playing Richard Wakeman of Yes, Ray Manzerek of the Doors, John Lords of Deep Purple and Keith Emmerson of Emmerson Lake and Palmer were influential keyboardists.
I was certainly taken with the sampling and effects done by many in the 1980s but the above were the way to go for straight-ahead chops.

## Post 46 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Thursday, 06-Jun-2013 14:15:11

Faraaz you named everyone r&b related that I forgot. Thank you Love. all of those amazing guys youmentioned can do no wrong in my eyes. Forgot to mention Monica, Justin Timberlake as well, NeYo, MusikSoulchild, Wanya and Shawn from boyz to men, uh... that's it for now.

## Post 47 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Thursday, 06-Jun-2013 14:29:12

JT is great, and I like a lot of Usher's older hits as well. NeYo is ok, some of his songs I like but not the majority.

## Post 48 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Friday, 07-Jun-2013 1:24:34

Ehh, see, that's the way I am about Usher. I can take or leave Usher, some of his older stuff is good, then he got a little two big for his britches and everything either started to sound the same, or... Nope, it all sounded the same. Lol.

## Post 49 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Friday, 14-Jun-2013 1:27:37

C'mon c'mon, guitars? Bass? Drums? Surely people are still influenced by players of such instruments?

## Post 50 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Monday, 17-Jun-2013 19:52:16

Oh, another great singer I just remembered is Tracy Chapman. As far as the guitars go, I don't remember what his name is but the guitar player in Pink Floyd is bad ass.

## Post 51 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Monday, 17-Jun-2013 20:44:43

Either David Gilmour or Syd Barrett, depending on which era of Pink Floyd you mean.

## Post 52 by SmoothSongstress (Account disabled) on Wednesday, 16-Oct-2013 18:38:34

for me, i'd have to say ella fitzgerald, jazz in general, celtic music, and the cranberries have influenced my singing. as for playing, i'm not sure if anything has really influenced me. i was in jazz band in school, and that has got me comfortable with jazz, but i would not say jazz influenced my playing. celtic music has influenced me a bit i suppose when it comes to playing flute, because sometimes when im playing a song that is notceltic, i find myself adding in those little trills and accented notes and things that celtic has so much of. as far as singing, jaz has really helped my range. i find myself having a much easier time hitting lower notes, as i am a soprano, and a lot of people can't get to some of those notes that ella fitzgerald and people like her can/could hit.

## Post 53 by Elenhiia (Feather'rr'rr'rr'rr'rr'rr'rr'rr'rr'rr for president!) on Monday, 13-Jan-2014 10:24:01

Maria Mena in the category of singing. There's no genre that my voice fits in to, so I've always struggled with singing and have never recorded anything.
Scott Davis for his style and Jordan Rudess for his ability on pianos.
Nick Drake as far as lyricism goes, that explains a lot.
David Parsons, Robert Rich and Steve Roach in the context of abstract things. I had a very angry and loud phase of music, they kind of made me make space for quiet.
Howard Shore's Lord of the Rings score, James Horner, John Williams and James Newton Howard in orchestral work.

## Post 54 by DrummerD (Veteran Zoner) on Thursday, 23-Jan-2014 12:11:11

Alright, let's go right through the band. General songwriters:
Tim Smith, Frank Zappa, Steven Wilson, Tom waits, John Zorn, Mike Pattern, Ben Wineman, Whoever writes for Kayo Dot, I'm sure I'm missing a lot right now.
Singgers:
Steven Wilson, Corry Tailer (The first 2 albums), Ragina Specter, Joanna Newsom, Tom waits, Louis Armstrong, the list goes on.
Guitarists:
Scot Henderson, Tommy Emanuel, Lee Writtinour, John Scofield, Pat Methini, John Petruchi, Tony Mcalpine, Frank Gambale, Ron Jarzombek, Ben Wineman, Fredric Thordendal, Jeff Beck.
Bassist:
Victor Wootan and Tom Kenady are the only names that come to mind right now, but there are a tun more who's names escape me for the moment.
Drummers:
Mike Portnoy (2009 and before), Gavin Harison, Keeth Moon, John Bonnom, Joey Barron, Aib Cunningham, Chriss Mateland, Steve Smith, Dave Weckl, Benny Greb, Jojo Mayer, Joey Jordison (2005 and before), Andels Heric, Kevin Talli, Tomas Hahk, George Kolias, Virgil Donati, Bobby Jarzombek, the list goes on.
I might post more instrumentalists later on, but that's me for now.

## Post 55 by Dolce Eleganza (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Thursday, 23-Jan-2014 12:49:25

Galway, Pahud guld among others.

## Post 56 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Thursday, 23-Jan-2014 20:39:07

Zappa was the fucking master of composers. He made like over 60 albums and I've only got 14 of them.

## Post 57 by DrummerD (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 24-Jan-2014 12:11:47

I have 87 Zappa albums and one audio documentary on him.

## Post 58 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Sunday, 26-Jan-2014 5:14:19

I forgot about this board and completely forgot to mention Regina. I love her so much, Idk if I mentioned John Legend or Aaliya either, so I'm throwin them in there too.

## Post 59 by LaneKeys (Resident Grungehead) on Wednesday, 05-Feb-2014 19:45:21

Eddy Vedder, Layne Staley, and no one's mentioned him yet, so I will: Maynard Keenan. Lead singer for Tool and Perfect Circle if you didn't know. His lyrics sickened a lot of people for some reason, but what a voice.

## Post 60 by DrummerD (Veteran Zoner) on Wednesday, 05-Feb-2014 21:18:45

How dare I not mencion Maynard!! Good shout there. I love 'Let's have a war' by A Perfect Circle.

## Post 61 by Runner229 (I've now got the silver prolific poster award! wahoo!) on Wednesday, 05-Feb-2014 21:23:44

Yes. Completely agree with post 59. I keep forgetting what his name is, but I like his style of singing.

## Post 62 by LaneKeys (Resident Grungehead) on Thursday, 06-Feb-2014 16:44:11

Yeah, let's have a war is extremely different for him, especially if you heard the original version--I think Fear is the name of the band. I thought they were particularly good making all those songs their own.

## Post 63 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Friday, 07-Feb-2014 8:10:18

The late great Peter Steele of Type O Negative, and Carnivore.

## Post 64 by DrummerD (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 07-Feb-2014 9:48:10

Another great one. I heard somewhere that he was driving busses before he died.
How about David Yow, from The Jesus Lizard?

## Post 65 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Friday, 07-Feb-2014 11:59:58

Fucking hell. How could I forget Ozzy.

## Post 66 by LeoGuardian (You mean there is something outside of this room with my computer in it?) on Friday, 07-Feb-2014 12:04:14

My latest?
Jake Shimabukuro. Fantastic ukulele and guitalele player, all sorts of classical, jazz and rock tunes. Find him on Youtube.

## Post 67 by LaneKeys (Resident Grungehead) on Friday, 07-Feb-2014 17:09:33

Peter Steel? Oh my god I didn't even know he died. I used to trip on their music a lot when I was a kid. That's another one of those you hide from your parents... Or your kids too, depending on your point of view.

## Post 68 by DrummerD (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 07-Feb-2014 22:17:34

He passed away in 2009. I believe it was either from a heart attack, or cancer. I could be verry wrong.

## Post 69 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Saturday, 08-Feb-2014 7:28:53

2010. Heart failure.

## Post 70 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Sunday, 09-Feb-2014 2:34:31

I'm Peter Steel, I sing in the same octave as my instrument. Lol, may the gentle giant rest in peace. Yeah it was April 14, 2010 I believe. I just recently started listening to Type O and Tool, I like Maynerd as well. Also forgot Malora Kreger from Rasputina, the chick from Within Temtation, I always forget her name, and Emily Simon. Her cover of Come as you are gives me chillbumps.

## Post 71 by Winterfresh (This is who I am, an what I am about. If you don't like it, too damn bad!!!) on Sunday, 09-Feb-2014 2:36:22

Oh, and I don't care what anyone says, the girls from the comedy duo Garfunkle and Oats and Stephen Lynch are all actually really good singers and musicians as well. Lol.

## Post 72 by Striker (Consider your self warned, i'm creative and offensive like handicap porn.) on Sunday, 09-Feb-2014 2:49:49

I completely agree with the last post. People just laugh at their material, but the musicianship is really there as well, and gets overlooked.

## Post 73 by Imprecator (The Zone's Spelling Nazi) on Wednesday, 12-Feb-2014 19:23:49

GG Allin.

## Post 74 by GuitarGuy (Veteran Zoner) on Saturday, 17-May-2014 19:24:40

Like many of you, lots have influenced me. There are many local people that I jam with which are unknown to you (as they are buddies of mine). In terms of people to check out, I have stumbled across Dave Van Ronk recently. He sang blues, folk, jazz, and gospel tunes, and made them all into his own style. Great singer, guitarist, and interpreter of music. He even released a jug band album in 1964. I'm sad I didn't discover him while he was still living.

## Post 75 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Sunday, 18-May-2014 15:49:18

I thought I had written a comment to this. I guess not. My influential musicians are Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, Lemmy of Motorhead, Cliff Burton of Metallica, and Getty Lee of Rush.

## Post 76 by Deadnight Warrior (Zone BBS Addict) on Thursday, 22-May-2014 19:54:50

There are many musicians that have influenced different aspects of my being a musician, but here are a few.
Janne Wirman, keyboardist from Children of Bodom: I was taking piano lessons through a youth group for the blind here in Los Angeles when I was nine and it didn't really interest me. A year later, my brother showed me one of Wirman's solos and my reaction was "I wanna do that!" And I've been hooked since.
Tuomas Holopainen, keyboardist from Nightwish: Though Wirman got me started on my path as a musician, Holopainen has been the biggest influence on my sound. There are very few genres that can move me like symphonic metal and because of him my metal writing usually features plenty of strings. Also, the band's most recent album was released during a really difficult time in my life. I was suffering from really severe depression after losing two friends to cancer as well as having a cancer scare of my own in the space of about three months. I don't think I've ever felt as empty and hopeless as I did then, but having that music to listen to was just that little reminder I needed to realize that there was still so much beauty in the world. That album helped me cross the line between merely existing and living.
Carrie Underwood: Despite the Christian influence in her song "Temporary Home," this song helped me as much as Nightwish's music during that time. There were points during that depression that I would listen to nothing but this song on repeat for hours. There's a quote by Banksy that says something like "art should comfort the disturb and disturb the comfortable." Underwood and Holopainen definitely did the comforting part, and I want to help others through my music like they helped me.
Honorable mentions to
Brad Paisley: I wish I had half the wit he puts into his music.
Alan Jackson: Gotta love that song writing, and his live performances are so effortless.
Dirk Verbeuren: The Dirk Blast! Nuff said.
Randy Gloss: He was the director of a music program I participated in during high school and I wouldn't be where I am today without the encouragement he gave me. He also challenged me with music I would have never tried to play on my own and therefore cause the huge range of music that I'm into today.
I'm sure I'll think of more later.

## Post 77 by Shell Script (I just keep on posting!) on Thursday, 22-May-2014 21:28:41

Love Nightwish and Children, such good bands!