American Reacts to Top 10 Most Influential British Musicians! 

You have seriously missed out on Kate Bush. Do yourself a favour and work your way through her discography at some point in 2024. You won't regret it. And she definitely deserves to be on this list, given the number of artists who built their careers on the back of her unique style.

Kate defo deserves her place on this list. I terms of female artists there had never been anyone like her. Her material went from one extreme to the other but was never boring. Each album brought along a totaly new vibe to her work, very much like a female Bowie. She took themes from classical music to Australian aboriginal sounds and created masterpieces. When Running Up That Hill hit no.1 35 years after its original release I jumped for joy.

Kate Bush is incredible.. her lyrics were so mature.

Kate Bush has always been considered big on the music scene. She never broke America but everywhere else she succeeded.

David Bowie…. The reason he is so high is not just music. His music was creative, original and spanned so many genres! Glam rock, punk, pop, post punk, goth, electronic, straight rock (the two albums under the name Tin Machine). But he also was an actor - was in films as diverse as Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence, Labyrinth, The Hunger, The Man who fell to Earth, and countless others.. he was an artist and has done stage work (I mean plays and mine), the people he worked with again spanned everything-Andy Warhol, iggy pop, Klaus Nomi and Steve Strange (one of the main new wave romantic creators which spawned bands like Duran Duran etc). Someone who influenced music, art, fashion, style, society, and generations of people across so many spectrums! David Bowie is rightfully second behind The Beatles. On music alone maybe not second but taking everything else into account absolutely! One of the most diverse entertainers EVER! I cannot think of anyone who has done what he has done! Over 6 decades! He rightfully is second in my view!

We ve forgot Fleetwood Mac .. These were huge

Kate Bush is so much more than a pop artist. She is a true innovator along with people like Brian Eno and Peter Gabriel. The Dreaming and the Hounds of Love are incredibly innovative and progressive

Hey JJ ... another JJ here ... check out Kate Bush's song Man With the Child in His Eyes ... she wrote this when she was 13 ... she came to the attention of Pink Floyd's Dave Gilmour who promoted her career ... she is an enigmatic musician who paved her own way in the music world (not an easy thing to do.)

I agree with you, Led Zeppelin we're robbed not being on that list. Though I would say Kate Bush definitely deserves her place on the list she's amazing, you should give her a listen. She's my favourite female singer, great reaction, sending peace.

The story of Kate Bush and Wuthering Heights is amazing.. iirc she wrote that song when she was 16.. it's an absolute masterpiece. I saw a documentary about it, I'll see if I can dig it up.

UK as a small nation, we are blessed with such iconic musicians that have gave us such fantastic music...possibly over shadowing the United States 🥴

The Animals often get overlooked. The first of the UK invasion, and if you listen to the organ player on house of the rising sun, and the listen to the Doors organist, very influenced.

I must admit Kate Bush passed me by as well, but I recently watched her show from Hammersmith Odeon (1979) and omg what an experience it was. Truly one of the best live shows I've ever seen, and I thought I've seen it all. Highly recommended!

David Gilmour discovered Kate Bush and got her signed up. Also their Comfortable Numb and Running up that Hill live is great

Oasis?!? Eh?? They were a Beatles tribute band at best.

Every time I think of Kate Bush, I always think of Experiment IV. Which seques into Wow which then somehow segues into Cloudbusting, then ends at Man with the Child in His Eyes. That voice of hers. And her writing ability.

Hi and thanks for this. It's a real pity that you missed out on Kate Bush. As for other female music stars, Lady Gaga is known to be a fan as is Stevie Nicks, Adele, etc; Chrissie Hynde from 'The Pretenders' has described her as having a perfect voice. Tori Amos has eulogised her ability to take a single word song title and from that create a completely new music language (think of songs like 'Babooshka,' 'Egypt,' 'Breathing,' 'Houdini,' 'Cloudbusting,' 'Pi,' 'Snowflake' etc). Bjork has spoken of her in terms of being her musical heroine during her formative years of listening to music. Elsewhere Prince was known to be a fan, as was Tupac, and John Lennon had her music on his personal playlist just before he was killed. Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) has called her a genius, Elton John has spoken of her in terms of being a once in a lifetime talent, Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd) has described her in terms of being a complete one off unique talent like no other. Boy George said she was so far ahead of her time it was like having a typewriter during the Renaissance. Even old John Lydon (aka Johnny Rotten from the Sex Pistols) who famously doesn't really like very much, has described her music as beauty beyond compare and the very definition of everything that music is supposed to be. And on and on it goes with many others. Like I said it is a pity you missed out on her - but it is never too late. A listen to her albums 'Hounds of Love' or 'Never For Ever' are very, very good introductions. Thanks again!

Tour of Duty was the TV show about Vietnam that had paint it black as its theme song. It used to go out late at night/ early in the morning on ITV when I was teenager.

The most amazing/unbelievable Kate Bush track is 'This Woman's Work'.... epic.

Queen are easily the most talented band of all time ... all four member have written number 1's, 3 out of the four could be lead singer in any band, they all play multiple instruments and they talented outside of music ... I mean they went to college and got degrees ... Brian May assisted NASA for god sake ... after the Beatles, Queen have sold the most records worldwide for a band

Even David Bowie admitted the huge influence T-Rex (Marc Bolan) had on his music. I would also suggest that The Sex Pistols, The Cure and Souxsie and the Banshees should have been on the list before some of ones on it.

Tony Iommi didnt lose any full fingers, he lost the tips of his middle and ring finger. Causing him to tune down his guitar for ease of playing on his hands.

Watched your last few music vids. Must say your British rock knowledge is quite impressive.

Kates has had 1 album in the top 10 since the 1970s so definitely a force to be recognised

Genesis and Jethro Tull my 2 favourite bands never seem to cut the mustard here, maybe if there was a top twenty they'd be in it...

Depeche Mode with their 44 year and counting career and ability to still maintain a serious following have influenced more artists than half of this list. Also surprised not to see The Kinks and even Elton John.

Oasis?!?! They're influenced by the Beatles' music, certainly not influencers on music. We have so many great singers and bands that are miles ahead of them when it comes to being original and authentic. They don't deserve to be on the list. I'll give you one example of a band that is unique and have inspired thousands of bands, also genres, such as Goth, Shoegaze, Emo etc., The Cure.

Kate Bush arrived on the UK music scene at the height of Disco and Punk which was the music that dominated the airwaves in the UK. Wuthering heights was completely different anything else at the time. She is practically her own genre and her music can't strictly be called 70s or 80s as it transcends every decade since I would suggest you listen to her follow up hit to her debut a song called The Man with the child in his eyes and marvel with the knowledge she composed it at the age of 13 ,she is without doubt a genius

According to Duncan Jones (Bowie's son, an excellent film director) it is pronounced Bow- as in rainBow, not bow as in bend your head. It isn't something that I think concerned Jones or Bowie, but I'm going with Dunc. He seems like a really nice guy.

The band YES should be on this list.The precursor to bands like Rush.

Similar to you, I started really appreciating The Stones after hearing the intro for Gimme Shelter on a British TV advert around '89/'90 for The RAC, (a motorist breakdown service). I absolutely loved it but had no idea it was by The Rolling Stones, then one day in Art College, a friend was playing their greatest hits and it started playing. I instantly became a big fan!

The tv show you referenced was tour of duty very enjoyable and thought provoking

the importance of The Smiths in the UK cannot be understated. Morrissey and largely Johnny Marr paved the way for something new and almost every 90s britpop band worshipped them along with many 2000's indie bands

Dr Brian May CBE PhD FRAS, his guitar tones would have been like no one else's. He built that guitar with his father when he was a youngster.

I would’ve thought that Queen would’ve been higher on this list but great reaction! Happy New Year 🎊

Bowie is absurdly influential. He’s right where he should be on this list.

No Led Zep? No Sex Pistols? That list is cobblers. Re Kate Bush - have a listen to Wuthering Heights, Man with the child in his eyes, and Cloudbusting. Utter genius!

He has such a calm.voice

That TV show with Pain It Black you mentioned was Tour of Duty!

How can Oasis when the arent even the most influential musicians to come out of manchester and the should be ahead of the likes of Yes, The Who, Led Zep, Jethro Tull, Deep Purple, Iron Maiden, King Crimson, The Kinks, New Order, Joy division etc.

Never mind no zeplin but no The Who😳😳

Totally agree with you. Led Zeppelin should absolutely be on the list. Before Oasis and before Black Sabbath. And does The Clash deserve a place over Sex Pistols? Better musicians, but Sex Pistols paved the way for punk musicians with talent but limited experience/formal training.

Oasis are on the list because they inspired: Arctic Monkeys, The Enemy, The Killers, Good Charlotte, Sum 41, Coldplay, Avril Lavigne, Orson, Blossoms etc etc

Led Zep, The Who, if the list was for the top 100 there’d still wouldn’t be enough room.

One of the most influential British bands was the 1960's Yardbirds who WERE the first metal band - though people in earlier times such as Link Wray were the beginnings. That is influential - the people who influence others which doesn't necessarily mean huge recognition - however they did have lots of hits and Geof Beck and Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page played in that band. They sounded like Hendrix in 1966 before he was known.

"Paint it black" is about a guy in depression at losing his lover but it is associated with 'Nam because it was used as a soundtrack in movies.

My Mum bought The Rolling Stones single Jumping Jack Flash and I remember dancing around the living room to it aged about 4.

The Rolling Stones are an English rock band formed in London in 1962. Led Zeppelin was an English rock band formed in London in 1968. That is why Led Zeppelin isn't on the list. David Bowie's influence is quieter, and wide-ranging & he influenced a lot of other artists in all mediums. David was the 1st music artist who really worked the music business to his advantage. Oasis's influence was not just musical but fashion and culture as well in Britain. They were huge at the time and 1990's bucket hats. Kate Bush has a massive career and has influenced a lot of other music artists all over the world.

I love watching your videos. Don't ever change 🥰🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

Kate didn't get big because of Stranger Things. She was big already

Can't believe Led Zeppelin aren't on the list. That is absolutely incredible. Who on earth compiled that list.

I think this video might be basing the culture change on Britain. Led Zeppelin although huge didn’t really change society in Britain

The Beatles new release is great, it's a track by John that Yoko gave to Paul in the 1970s, the video footage mixing old and new is amazing. I didn't think I'd be listening to a new Beatles song 61 years after I heard their first release Love Me Do in 1962!

The Sex Pistols were far more influential than The Clash in that era, they and the Punk movement were actually a reaction to Led Zeppelin and Prog-Rock and all that guitar-noodling and 5 minute drum solos. Oasis have no right being on the list at all, The Kinks, The Who, Joy Division and Radiohead are all far more deserving. Kate Bush is totally deserving, she was ground breaking and totally unique. Even to this day it's hard to think of a British female artist who even approaches her talent and influence. She was regarded as far too weird for the US market plus she didn't play live for over 35 years.

A few other off the top of my head… Led Zeppelin, The Who, Deep Purple, Motörhead, The Kinks, The Cure, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, Cream, Radiohead, Dire Straits, T-Rex, The Sex Pistols, Iron Maiden, Joy Division, Pulp, Blur, The Stone Roses, Judas Priest, The Verve, Def Leppard, Coldplay, The Jam, Genesis, Stereophonics….

Led Zep are a much more influential band in the USA than the UK. Robert Plant used to drink in a local pub to me in the 80s and we just thought of him as some bloke who was in a band. For context, I was into music and played guitar.

You should definitely take a look at Kate Bush. This woman's work, Moments of pleasure, Wow, The man with the child in his eyes, to name just a few.

I agree about Ked Zepplin but what about The Kinks arguably the genesis for punk?

100% with you on Led Zep over Oasis. I’d put Cream over Oasis too, in fact Oasis would be probably 25 on my list or something like that.

So difficult to make a list so many musicians are so interconnected and influenced each other and merged sounds. There is a lot of latitude given to JSBach influencing much of the progressive rock music

I think Elton John should be on the list too. He had a huge influence on 70s pop and glam rock. I love Kate Bush too, glad she's getting some love.

The pronouncing of the name Bowie were always on debate, though the official is [ˈboʊiː] a lot of people say [ˈbaʊiː]; one time when then Prime Minister Tony Blair had to give an award to him he was quite in doubt so called him [ˈbaoʊiː] 😀 About Kate Bush - her influence is wider and deeper than this video suggests, if you read only the 'Legacy' column of her Wikipedia and its sources or search for famous fans of her (I recommend the old fansite Gaffaweb 1992 article) that already tells enough and then we still didn't talk about her innovations as solo female artist in songwriting, performing and producing (among others she was the first pop artist who used portable head mic on her tour to be mobile enough for the stage coreographies)

In my opinion, Oasis are a strange one. While their music was almost entirely derivative, they did have a huge influence on pop culture. Obviously not entirely on their own, but they essentially defined the 90s Britpop scene and attitudes. Personally, I can't stand them but when people think about Britpop, it is Oasis they are likely thinking of.

The exclusion of the mighty Zep is a complete travesty

All 4 members of Queen have University Degrees and are all individual members of the rock hall of fame

Ya, if Bowie wasn't on this list then this list wouldn't be worth reading. I was a big Oasis fan growing up and in my 20s but I don't think they should be on this list. I guess we have to define influential but if we do, I think we'll have to remember all the Led Zeppelin T Shirts that you see around... Anyway, Bowie 2nd I completely agree with. He re-invented his music so many times and brilliantly. Getting to know his 70's work was almost a journey to me, and I'd recommend it to anyone.

Haha remember watching the Vietnam series myself 😊 paint it black by the stones was the music ( with the helicopters flying around)

Just found your channel, I'm glad I did

All the great bands since the 70s owe something to Bowie. He is just peerless ❤

Happy New Year! I am enjoying your reactions SO MUCH…. (I was surprised in this video that Queen only ranked at Number 5, but - as an avid Queenie & Freddie-phile - I could be biased.😄)

Not sure how Oasis can be classed as influential when their sound was entirely derivative of what had gone before.

Many bands I would argue were more influential than Oasis like Free or Family

For me # 1 is Queen, the greatest frontman Freddie Mercury ❤

Porcupine Tree is abit more of a progressive band that started around 1987, with some similar vibes to that of Pink Floyd in its early years.. Its a very good band and ought to be in those lists!

I remember watching that tv show "Tour of Duty" .... appropriate song for such a series ... loved it

The title is more about influencers There is another video called top 10 British bands to crack america. With out ruining the list led zeplin definitely does feature on the list give it a watch or maybe do a reaction video to it.

The Kinks? 🤷‍♂

paint it black was the theme to "tour of duty", quite possibly the best match of original music to a tv show or film ever

TV show paint it black was on about Vietnam was called Tour of Duty I think

Sorry but Kate Bush is way ahead of Led Zeppelin. You NEED to listen to 'Hounds Of Love' album, preferably with headphones on :)

I couldn't agree more with you, Led Zeppelin should be on that list. Kate Bush, well, ok. But definitely not Oasis.

Tour of duty. I remember watching it in the 90's.

Actually Sabbath who released their first album in 1970 were allegedly influenced by Judas Priest - formed in 1969, reputedly the real 'fathers' of Metal, from near Dudley, a small town just a few miles West of Brum (Birmingham). With singer Rob Halford and guitarist Glenn Tipton, they were metal from the start.

I would move the list down and personally put led zeppelin 3rd with rolling stones just below. David Bowie did say he himself does not know how to pronounce the name, he took it from a Scottish name, but later found out they pronounce it "boowie" I believe he pronounced it like bow as in "bow tie".

that paint it black track was used on Tour of Duty

The programme you are referring to was Tour of Duty. We used to get it in the UK too.

I'm from Bradford West Yorkshire England the same as the Brontes. We went to Haworth on school trips. I am a father of 5 and I always went with them when they did. Now I live in scarborough now and I live 10mins away from Anne Brontes grave at St Mary's Church. Wuthering heights great book. And the landscape is still the same as they knew it. Walked the same paths. Nice.

You were close re. Tony Iommi's fingers. He lost the tips of his second and third fingers in an industrial accident cutting sheet metal on a guillotine with no safety guard. He plays with thimbles on his fingers which he originally made from melted washing up liquid (dish soap) bottles with leather patches glued onto the ends for grip.

Kate Bush was discovered by David Gilmour from Pink Floyd. David Bowie was actualy named David Jones, but he did not want to be confused with Davey Jones from The Monkees, "Let's dance" was produced by Nile Rodgers from Chic and he and Tony Thompson also play on that album." And "Tour of Duty" was a great show indeed.

I'd argue a case for The Cure to be on this list.

Kate Bush is definitely worth a deep dive - imagine a cross between Bjork and Tori Amos and you're in her territory. As with any list of this sort, there are a lot of other bands that could have been in here: Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, The Kinks, Joy Division, Eric Clapton, Yes, Radiohead... but the one I'm most surprised about missing the list is The Who. And yes, you pronounced Bowie correctly - the narrator got it wrong.

I think Bowie should be at the top of the list -

Kate Bush had Pink Floyds Dave Gilmour to thank for Running up that hill. He also play at Wembleys live Aid with with Kate. Well done Dave for spotting talent.

Agree with the list, except Oasis.

Yes the program was Tour of Duty I loved it.

Cliff Richard was missed out. Tom Jones too. Plus The Bee Gees. Have you seen Kate Bush's "Wuthering Heights" her top hit?.

Queen ❤️❤️❤️❤️

IMO, Queen only being number 5 is shocking

Other notable omissions would be The Yardbirds and the Kinks, who would influence a majority of U.S. garage bands. Cream whose fusion of heavy blues would influence Hendrix and The Who with their onstage demolition of equipment / offstage demolition of hotels and furthering of the rock opera plus a notable mention for The Moody Blues who arguably gave us the first concept album.

I agree! found your channel recently amazing! i live in a small village 30 miles from Birmingham uk, My mom taught Robert plant son Logan plant many years ago she's retired now she's 75, "she said hes ok but didn't like his arrogance at parents evening lol" Robert plant lives 10 miles from my house in a small village he sometimes comes into the my local village pub were i live. thought you may enjoy the story, also FYI i think Logan started a brewing business in London while back.