Most Innovative Artist of the 20th Century
 

Who would you say is the greatest musical innovator of the 1900s? It can be a composer, performer, songwriter, and even a luthier or instrument developer, just anyone who was innovative.

Go.

Stravinsky.

I would have to say Les Paul. He built his own guitars (i.e. the Log and the Clunker, not the Gibson Les Paul), wrapped his own pick ups, built his own recording equipment. He is credited with many recording innovations, and also help innovate the solid body guitar and multi-track recording, and many of his ideas are still used today. The guitars players who were influenced by him reads like a Who's Who in Rock n Roll.

Good choice, his concept of structure was pretty groundbreaking.

I think that the most innovative artist would be John Cage because of his inventive approach of defining music or instruments. Since he made it a point to only write pieces that did something new, his innovation carries over into many other areas like harmony and timbre. He also gave us chance music, prepared instruments, and really brought out the conceptual side of music.

The Beatles
Jimi Hendrix
Kraftwerk
Aphex Twin
Eddie Van Halen
Public Enemy

list off the top of my head... also considered Sonic Youth, My Bloody Valentine and Portishead, but they're not really up there with those 6 in terms of innovation.

also Elvis Presley... broke down all kinds of doors and kickstarted a load of trends but musically I wouldn't say he was that innovative. perhaps just in a 'performer' sense?

I would say Michael Jackson

He was one artist that transformed R&B music into many kinds of music which led to more distinctive differences in R&B music. Michael was doing more Pop R&B. Also he combined James Brown's dancing, Elvis's charisma and his own voice, you have the King of Pop. I even remember seeing him on BET awards 2003, I mean you could see MJ still had and was giving his all when pertaining to dancing.

I will explain more later but MJ was one great genius.

If I had to pick an individual, I'd say David Bowie.

If I had to pick a group, I'd go for The Velvet Underground.

Kate Bush and Klaus Nomi had their moments too.

Never heard of this guy but like all the other names you mentioned. Will download some stuff ASAP.

Michael Jackson



I am sure that I will think of more later but he is the first artist that comes to mind when I think of "innovator" or someone who sets trends.

David Bowie, Alice Cooper, Pete Townshend, Jimi Hendrix, etc.