Black musicians have left an indelible mark on the rock and alternative music landscape, from the soulful melodies of southern blues to the electrifying guitar riffs of punk rock. Here are five of the most influential black rock artists of all time.
5. Little Richard
It’s impossible to list any top rock ‘n roll artist without mentioning the genre’s architect: Little Richard.
To say that Little Richard was a big deal in the ’50s would be an understatement. Back then, everyone and their moms were singing along to “Tutti Frutti.” Richards’ delightfully energetic piano work and powerful screams made audiences go crazy simply because they had never heard something like it before. Richard’s gospel training granted him the vocal chops to sing better (and louder) than almost any of his contemporaries, making songs like “Long Tall Sally” and “Good Golly, Miss Molly” such explosions of artistic energy that would lay out the blueprint for rock ‘n roll.
If you like the Beatles, you have Little Richard to thank. If you like Tina Turner, AC/DC, Bruno Mars, or practically any musician in the industry, you have Little Richard to thank for being the direct inspiration for the majority of what music has become today.
4. Prince
Who doesn’t love Prince? In a time when the music industry began more and more provocative, pushing boundaries was Prince’s ace card. It’s almost impossible to forget his signature, suave style, and his electrifying stage presence as he shreds his iconic The Model C guitar. But what’s stuck with American culture more than the sick outfits and seductive tone was the music.
“Doves in the Wind,” “I Wanna Be Your Lover,” “Kiss” — Prince is one of those artists that was chucking out hit after hit during his heyday.
Music from albums like Dirty Mind (one of the few records in history to get completely perfect reviews from critics) walked the line of sexual explicitness in music to the backdrop of sensationally produced tunes that’ll probably stay with us forever.
With a smooth falsetto voice and the charisma of a rock star, Prince made music that took a sensual, yet still aggressive, approach to music that perfectly incorporated elements of funk, psychedelic, R&B, and (of course) rock.
3. Death
A cult classic for many and a staple group in the Afropunk scene, the band Death holds a special place in the lexicon of rock ‘n roll. What started from brothers David, Bobby, and Dannis Hardney jamming out in the living room of their childhood home led to what many critics consider to be one the first punk bands in history.
Though they were making groundbreaking music with ethereal lyrics by David and a never-heard-before approach to rock music, there was no way for the brothers to have known the massive impact that the initial incarnation of the band would spark in generations to come. Their debut single “Politicians in My Eyes” sold a disappointing five-hundred copies when it was released in 1975 under Drag City Records.
Much of their commercial failure came from the band’s marketing with their producer telling them that no one wants to listen to a band named Death. Though nobody would bat an eye about such a name today, it, unfortunately, put the nail in the coffin for the band to disband two years after their debut single. But thanks to music collectors trading the band’s records across the world and word spreading about the group’s beyond-innovative sound, Drag City Records released a seven-track album of Death’s unreleased studio tracks.
After almost six decades of waiting for their music to reach the masses, Death is still going strong. They just released a split single last October with their sons called Death/Rough Francis that’s definitely worth a listen.
2. Lenny Kravitz
There aren’t too many artists who can say that they won the Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance four times in a row. Actually, there’s only one, and that’s Lenny Kravitz. Anyone who’s heard hit songs like “Dig In” and his rendition of “American Woman” can tell you that Kravitz’s voice is unique, powerful, and truly unforgettable.
Growing up, Kravitz was always surrounded by stars. His father was a prominent music promoter with a VIP friends circle that included names like Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. But, when it was time for Kravtiz to make a name for himself in the music industry, he wanted to do it his way. It was a rocky start from sleeping in his car to struggling to persuade record labels to OK the eccentric, new sound he was bringing to the table.
It all paid off with the release of “It Ain’t Over ’til It’s Over” in 1991, one of the smoothest soul ballads you’ll ever listen to. The single took the number two spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 and catapulted him to rock stardom. Kravitz’s signature take on funk rhythms, impressive multi-instrumental performance, and serene voice made hit songs like “Always On the Run” and “Fly Away” favorite among rock listeners and earned him a spot in the legendary Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame — plus one of the coolest Grammy records in history.
1. Jimi Hendrix
Some refer to him as the “Voodoo Child,” while others call him “The Bat.” Yet, one fact remains undeniable: if you received a dollar for every person who picked up a guitar after hearing Jimi Hendrix’s rendition of “All Along the Watchtower” on the radio, you’d likely be a millionaire. After spending the first half of the 1960s backing bands for legendary artists like the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, Hendrix forged his own path in American music by forming his own group.
The band, aptly named the Jimi Hendrix Experience, left an indelible mark on music history, showcasing masterful riffs and chords that cemented Hendrix’s status among critics as one of the greatest guitarists of all time.
For those exploring rock music, delving into Hendrix’s discography is an essential journey. The vast array of artists influenced by electrifying tracks like “Purple Haze,” “Little Wing,” and arguably his most iconic, “Hey Joe,” seems endless: Prince, A Tribe Called Quest, Funkadelic, to name a few.
