Bob Dylan - the most influential artist - official!

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Bob Dylan

Who’s the most influential act ever? How can we tell – by the lip service paid to them by various artists in interviews? Well, we’ve got something a little more scientific, since we have been recording this information for aeons – or the last few years, anyway. Every time we encounter a new band, or a band tells us of it’s influences, we incorporate that info into our database of over 14,000 acts, which is how we compiled the following “top 20”.

No real surprises at the top spots, but I did suspect the boys from Liverpool to be in top spot, given that this is a UK gigs site, but Mr Dylan knows no boundaries, and is officially (for now) the most influential artist in allgigs land, passing on his influence to no less than 24 acts, including the excellent Ray Lamontagne. Liverpool’s finest come in with a lowly 23 bands influenced by them. If I’m honest, I’m surprised at the number of jazz and soul acts in the list – didn’t realise the UK music scene was so discerning, so I doff my cap to them.

One thing that does stand out is that Bjork and Tom Waits are the most "contemporary" in the top 10, being that they started their careers in the 80s. Which I guess makes Radiohead the most influential "newcomer", since they are the only band listed from the 90s (obviously it's too soon for the noughties to figure).

Of course, this is not an “official” list, as I’m not sure it’s truly possible to make one – it’s just a bit of fun. Next up, I shall focus my attentions to the acts with the most tribute acts... bet you can’t wait?!

Anyway, here’s the list – make of it what you will:

Bob Dylan influenced 24 acts, including:
- Ray Lamontagne, Allison Moorer, Richard Swift, The TRouBaDors, Jay Scott Project
The Beatles influenced 23 acts, including:
- Liam Fray, The Brightlights, Team Waterpolo, The Yeah Yous, International Jetsetters
David Bowie influenced 17 acts, including:
- The Killers, Drugdealer Cheerleader, Laura Imbruglia, Post War Years, The Bronsons
The Clash influenced 15 acts, including:
- Dogs, Underground Heroes, The Runners, Out Of Nowhere, The Dead City Stereo
Tom Waits influenced 14 acts, including:
- Lee Rogers, Wojtek Godzisz, Dawn Kinnard, Michael Weston King, Dead Monroe
Billie Holiday influenced 13 acts, including:
- Madeleine Peyroux, José James, Alice McLaughlin, Vanessa Freeman, Benjamin Wetherill
Jimi Hendrix influenced 13 acts, including:
- Pat Travers, Wolfmother, David Jordan, OK Tokyo, Natty
Bjork influenced 12 acts, including:
- Adele, Tawiah, The Winchell Riots, Avivit, Erik Mongrain
Rolling Stones influenced 12 acts, including:
- Whiskey Headshot, Phelan Sheppard, I-Koma, The Rosie Taylor Project, Dead Monroe
Led Zeppelin influenced 12 acts, including:
- Conspiracy, Marion Raven, 4ft Soldiers, Vijay Kishore, After 4
U2 influenced 12 acts, including:
- The Killers, The Fray, The Brightlights, Jay Scott Project, Doug Walker
Stevie Wonder influenced 11 acts, including:
- Lyla and her Imaginary Friends, Daniel Merriweather, Rufus Stone, Eliza Doolittle, Vanessa Freeman
Nirvana influenced 11 acts, including:
- Scout Niblett, VAST, Wojtek Godzisz, Laura Imbruglia, Grammatics
Radiohead influenced 11 acts, including:
- Alice McLaughlin, Vijay Kishore, Blue Sky Project, Waylaid, Lecorum
Bob Marley influenced 10 acts, including:
- Pama International, The Resignators, Natty, Jack Savoretti
The Kinks influenced 10 acts, including:
- Blur, Morrissey, The Brightlights, Pete Townshend, James Morrison
Metallica influenced 10 acts, including:
- Susperia, Evile, Nekrosis, Meshuggah, Black Tide
Prince influenced 10 acts, including:
- David Jordan, Basquiat Strings, Jeff Hendrick, Guessmen, Gundogs
Otis Redding influenced 10 acts, including:
- Ray Lamontagne, James Morrison, Pama International, The Fabulous Penetrators, Rachel Harrington
The Pixies influenced 10 acts, including:
- Idlewild, The Insect Guide, Attic Lights, Mike Park, Oh Atoms