Laura Nyro　

Laura Nyro was one of pop music’s true originals： A brilliant and innovative composer, her songs found greater commercial success in the hands of other performers, but her own records -- intrica ..more

Gary Numan　

One of the founding fathers of synth pop, Gary Numan’s influence extends far beyond his lone American hit, Cars, which still stands as one of the defining new wave singles. That seminal track hel ..more

The Strokes　

Equally inspired by classic tunesmiths like Buddy Holly and John Lennon and the street-smart attitude and angular riffs of fellow New Yorkers Television and the Velvet Underground, the S ..more

Rod Stewart　

Rod Stewart now finds more fun in pop standards than in blondes. His 2002 collection of American pop standards, ’It Had To Be You … The Great American Songbook’ received positive reactions from a rang ..more

Badfinger　

There are few bands in the annals of rock music as star-crossed in their history as Badfinger. Pegged as one of the most promising British groups of the late ’60s and the one world-class talent ..more

Robert Plant　

In 1968, a naive young singer from the Black Country hills in England named Robert Plant was discovered wailing the blues by veteran session guitarist Jimmy Page and bassist/keyboardist John P ..more

Supertramp　

Supertramp followed an unusual path to commercial success in the 1970s, fusing the stylistic ambition and instrumental dexterity of progressive rock with the wit and tuneful melodies of British pop ..more

Lovin' Spoonful　

Right on the tails of the Beau Brummels and the Byrds, the Lovin’ Spoonful were among the first American groups to challenge the domination of the British Invasion bands in the mid-’60s. B ..more

West Bruce & Laing　

Wishbone Ash　

During the early and mid-’70s, Wishbone Ash were among England’s most popular hard rock acts. The group’s roots dated to the summer of 1966, when drummer Steve Upton formed a band called Empty ..more

The Clash　

The Sex Pistols may have been the first British punk rock band, but the Clash were the definitive British punk rockers. Where the Pistols were nihilistic, the Clash were fiery and ideal ..more

David Byrne　

Lamb Of God　

Originally known by the less-than-subtle moniker Burn the Priest, Richmond, Virginia-based Lamb of God decided to change their name shortly after the release of a self-titled debut in 1998. Feat ..more

Yngwie Malmsteen　

Yngwie Malmsteen is arguably the most technically accomplished hard rock guitarist to emerge during the ’80s. Combining a dazzling technique honed over years of obsessive practice with a love fo ..more

Howard Jones　

Howard Jones was one of the defining figures of mid-’80s synth pop. Jones’ music merged the technology-intensive sound of new wave with the cheery optimism of hippies and late-’60s pop. Jones ..more

Randy Newman　

An anomaly among early-’70s singer/songwriters, Randy Newman may have been slightly influenced by Bob Dylan, but his music owed more to New Orleans R＆B and traditional pop than folk. Newman d ..more

Phil Lynott's Grand Slam　

XTC　

XTC was one of the smartest -- and catchiest -- British pop bands to emerge from the punk and new wave explosion of the late ’70s. From the tense, jerky riffs of their early singles to the ..more

Nine Inch Nails　

Nine Inch Nails were the most popular industrial group ever and were largely responsible for bringing the music to a mass audience. It isn’t really accurate to call NIN a group; the only officia ..more

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