Image by javier dumont from Pixabay
Everyone can name the biggest artists in the world. However, those talented groups and individuals have nearly never gotten to the top entirely on their own. They’ve been helped along the way by people who operated behind the scenes.
In most cases, the names of those helping hands never enter public consciousness. But in some cases, they do. There have been some highly influential people who have never been in the limelight. The fact that we know their names is a testament to how talented they are, and how much success they’ve had.
In this post, we’re going to take a look at some of music’s most influential background workers of the past 100 years.
George Martin
The Beatles simply wouldn’t have reached such heights if it were not for the unassuming George Martin, who played a significant role in shaping the band’s artistic direction. While there are plenty of people who claim to be ‘The Fifth Beatle,’ the members of the band themselves always knew that it was George Martin, who not only provided the arrangements for the band’s biggest hits but also played instruments on a number of tracks.
Given the influence of The Beatles, it’s fair to say that Martin is the most influential music producer of all time.
Clive Davis
Some people transform the music industry via their production or songwriting. Others do so by uncovering musical talents and giving them the platform — and freedom — to do what they were born to do. In that category, we can most definitely place Clive Davis, who discovered some of the biggest acts of the 21st century.
He was a supporter of music that was beyond his scope of expertise, too. Many of hip-hop’s biggest labels got off the ground thanks to support from Clive Davis, who provided guidance and cash injections. When the ultimate book of music 1950 – 2050 is written, Davis is sure to have his own chapter.
Image by EyeCandyDesignz from Pixabay
Rick Rubin
Every now and again, a producer comes along that changes the game. Rick Rubin is one such producer. Not only has he achieved massive success with the artists he’s worked with, but he also changed what it meant to be a producer. The list of musicians he’s worked with is staggering. To name just a selection:
- Beastie Boys
- Metallica
- Jay-Z
- Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Johnny Cash
- The Strokes
The list goes on and on. He also co-founded Def Jam Recordings, one of the most influential record labels in the world.
Brian Eno
Brian Eno isn’t strictly a “behind the scenes” force. He’s had success in his own right. However, it’s for his production work that he has arguably become most well-known. He produced some of David Bowie’s best albums, as well as albums by U2 and the Talking Heads. His influence has extended beyond simply music; he is a creative force that people from various disciplines can tap into. He wrote ‘Oblique Strategies,’ a series of creative prompts that anyone can use when working on a project. Give them a try to sample his influence firsthand.
