Influential Musicians from 1940-2003 ~Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix~

Essay by saragarrantHigh School, 11th gradeA+, December 2003

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Influential Musicians from 1940-2003

~Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix~

The social and political climate of each era of American culture has been historically impacted not only by a recognizable music style from that era but also by lyrics of the musicians, and by the musical artists themselves. While some popular musicians are more celebrated than others there were unmistakably a few pioneers that have changed the course of music in America. One of the most influential pop musicians is Paul Simon, who is well known for his willingness to branch into and combine different styles of music. Bob Dylan is a well-known contemporary folk songwriter and singer. His songs of social protest such as "Blowin' in the Wind" and "These Times are a Changin'" have became permanently associated with the Civil Rights movement in the United States. Though his active music career lasted only four short years, Jimi Hendrix changed the course of popular music and became one of the most successful and influential musicians of the era.

The American rock guitarist, singer, and composer fused American traditions of blues, jazz, rock, and soul, with the techniques of British rock.

Paul Fredric Simon was born on October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey. His parents were Louis, who was a musician and teacher, and Belle, who was a teacher. Simon grew up in the Forest Hills area in Queens, New York. He was popular growing up, he had a natural ability for sports, but he choose to isolate himself with an acoustic guitar, his intent was making a career in pop music. Together with Art Garfunkel, a school friend, he formed the doo-wop band Tom and Jerry. Though they were only fifteen, a producer from Big Records soon offered them a recording contract. During the...