Musicians Who Set the Stage for Rock and Roll

Run DMC were the Beatles of hip hop. They drove the movement past marginalized, stigmatized communities and into the mainstream. These guys incorporated disco elements, funk, folk, jazz, and rock into their work. They even collaborated with Aerosmith. They were a model for Wu-Tang, Public Enemy, and they even set the stage for a ton of boy bands. Jam Master Jay was occasionally called the John Lennon of hip-hop, and so far, their influences are truly parallel. 

Johnny Ramone

Johnny Ramone was full of youthful energy. He was goofy, strong, and quiet offstage, but he was a force to be reckoned with on stage.