Monthly Archives: October 2012

Eric Clapton

by

1

When you think of influential musicians who do you think of? Jimi Hendrix maybe, or the Beatles, the Rolling stones is also another possibility well Eric Clapton is sometimes looked over. Ok not really, that is a big fat lie Eric Clapton is one of the most influential musicians of all time. He is the ONLY musician to receive not one, not two, but three inductions into the Rock n’ Roll hall of fame. He was named the second best guitarist ever only after Jimi Hendrix by Rolling Stone Magazine. He has been the inspiration to so many guitarists and other musicians alike. He has played with the best and has been known as the best. Which is why in the early 60s late 70s there was a phrase that spread like wildfire all throughout England. “Clapton is God”.

Clapton helped to start many bands including but not limiting to the Yarbirds, Cream, Derek and the Dominoes, and his own solo project. When Clapton left the Yarbirds he referred the band to another guitar legend in Jeff Beck, who then referred Jimmy Page to be part of the lineup. From the Yarbirds sprouted those three who are three of the most influential guitarists.

Clapton went on to play with Cream a three piece super band. This band did so much for Clapton in so many ways. It helped humble him in many ways because he was classified as “God”. While in Cream Clapton was able to find himself as a guitar player, constantly being pushed by the jazz players that were his band mates. During this time Clapton was also introduced to Jimi Hendrix whom would have an astounding influence on Clapton. Seeing Hendrix play when he jammed with them really proved to Clapton that one he wasn’t as good as he thought as well as found his musical soul mate. Sadly Hendrix would die a soon time later. During this time also Rolling Stone magazine had an interview that ended up being a massive blow to Clapton’s ego because the article talked about how Clapton was conceded and wasn’t all he thought he was. Due to these events Clapton began taking a good look at himself to figure out what it was he wanted in himself.

Cream broke up and Clapton began working on the project of Derek and the Dominoes, Derek being a nickname for Clapton. This was done so that the spotlight wasn’t always on Clapton and he could explore his abilities as a song writer and rhythm guitarist. At this time Clapton also began writing about his personal life and struggles. The title track being written about Pattie Boyd the wife of his dear friend George Harrison. Clapton and Boyd would eventually be married after the divorce of Harrison and Boyd.

Clapton would go through many more bands before he would eventually decide to just play as a solo artist. Clapton has written about many life experienced and events that have been important to him. The song cocaine was written about his drug and alcohol addictions. The song tears in heaven were written about his son who died falling out of a window. Clapton to this day is still playing and touring. He has been one of the greatest influences to music. His style and innovations have inspired many guitarists.

Walt Disney

by

0

If anyone deserves to be on this list it is this man. Walt Disney has influenced the world through media more than any other person. If anyone is in objection to this feel free to let me know but I fully stand by my statement that he is the most influential person involving media.

Let’s look at the accomplishments Disney has made. Walt started the Disney Company which has made more children’s movies than any other company. Walt helped to invent the first theme park. Disney has been a key player in the revolution of technology including but not limiting to trains, animatronics, film, and roller coasters just to give a few examples.

Before Walt the only type of animation was cartoon strips to be found in the paper. Walt took the idea of moving cartoon strips and began creating animated short films. With more and more success achieved with these short films Walt decided it was time to create a full length animation film for children. Snow White was then created and became such a large success that Disney began making other films. Some of these films did very well such as Cinderella and others not doing as well such as Pinocchio. With every film that Disney made he would learn and push his staff to new levels.

Disney decided that he wanted to create an amusement park that was designed for kids. Disney had a love for trains and wanted to share that love with the world. Thus Disney land was built. To this day Disney has created many more parks including Disney world which have spread all over the world.

The Disney Company started by Walt has continued to shine and progress even after Walt’s death. The company has bought and taken over some major companies to help the companies and Disney expand. These companies include Marvel Comics ,the leading comic book company, Pixar animation, ESPN, and ABC network.

Blink 182

by

0

Blink 182

The leaders of the new millennium pop-punk era, made it on my list because of the influence they had on punk music. Before Blink most bands that were considered punk were all about being hardcore and super serious about their music. With Blink it was all about having fun, cracking jokes, and then dealing with the serious stuff. They brought a whole new fan base to the idea of punk rock. Blink introduced punk in a very mainstream way which helped pave the road for many bands to come. The style of lyrics written was more poppy and dealt more with adolescence problems and relationships.

With catchy lyrics, a great sense of humor, and a lot of hard work this band was able to show the world what they could do. It didn’t all start out that way though. The band for a long time was ridiculed and was considered a joke by many. Various punk bands even would go as far as to say that they didn’t want to be associated with a band like blink because they weren’t the “norm” punk band. This was just fuel for the band though, they now had a purpose for becoming the best, and they were ready for the world to see what they were missing out on.

One of the things that Blink 182 did that sealed their fate as an influential band was to create videos that were full of humor which reflected their style and personality. Their fan base grew huge and their record sales shot through the roof with the success of these highly entertaining videos.

What didn’t blink have? They had the fame, the fan base, the lyric writing abilities, and a great sense of humor. This band had it all, unfortunately they did have a difference of opinions which did eventually cause the band to split for a while. During this split though the band would actually grow in fame as a result of the other project the members had going on. Tom Delonge had a new project by the name of Angels & Airwaves which led him to have more great success. Mark Hoppus would start producing bands as well as host his own T.V. show. Travis Barker would continue to play in various bands.

The event that would bring the band back together wasn’t an easy one. Travis Barker was involved in a plane crash that left him with second and third degree burns. This event would cause the other band members to come to his side for support. Eventually ending with the band getting back together and they are still going strong.

Will we see the end of the fame of Blink 182? For now I don’t see anything stopping these guys from continuing to change the world.

Stan Lee

by

0

Stan Lee

Well this is a pretty easy person to talk about. Stan Lee is one of my heroes and I think that he defiantly deserves to be put on this list of most influential media figures. He changed the entire aspect and way that comic books would be written. Before Stan Lee DC was the major comic book company, and their style of writing about super heroes consisted of perfect super human beings whose only cares were saving the lives of those whom they protected. Stan Lee came in with this idea of writing about super heroes who would have real world characteristics and problems in their lives. These super heroes worried about impressing girlfriends, paying rent, and other things that you and I worry about. With this new style of writing readers could relate with these characters on a new level.

Stan Lee is credited with being the main creator of super heroes such as: Spider-man, Thor, Hulk, the X-men, Iron Man, and the Fantastic Four. Stan Lee took Marvel comics and made them the comic books that they are. With Stan Lee’s work and contributions we have the majority of the super heroes created. When you think about a superhero more times than not, it is one of Stan Lee’s creations.

Stan Lee on top of creating many of Marvel’s big players changed some of the rules made for writing comic books. Before Stan Lee comic books weren’t allowed to reference major problems in society such as drug abuse. He helped to reform these laws to help the comic book world expand their creative abilities.

Stan Lee helped change writing and media for the better. If anyone deserves to be on this list Stan Lee is one of them. Stan Lee changed the superhero world, the writing styles of comic books, and the laws associated with writing comic books.