Robert Johnson: Mississippi Delta bluesman, influencing rock 'n' roll. Legendary guitar skills; rumored deal with the devil for talent
Chuck Berry: Rock 'n' roll pioneer. His guitar riffs and stage antics set standards for future rock musicians
Louis Armstrong: Jazz trailblazer. Introduced improvisational soloing, shaping the direction of jazz with his unique voice and trumpet
Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass. Combined Appalachian folk with blues and jazz, creating a distinctive American musical form
Grandmaster Flash: Hip-hop innovator. Introduced DJ techniques like scratching and mixing; foundational in early rap's development
Sylvester: Queen of Disco. His falsetto and flamboyance brought LGBTQ+ presence to the mainstream dance scene
Kurt Cobain: Grunge icon with Nirvana. Merged punk ethos with heavy rock, defining Seattle’s early '90s sound