1. Devo: The “Whip It” band pioneered a synth-heavy ’80s new wave sound that’s left a lasting mark on popular music.
2. Bone Thugs-n-Harmony: The ’90s gangsta rappers put East 99th Street and St. Clair Avenue on the map with rapid-fire flows and melodic hooks.
3. Nine Inch Nails: Two-time Rock Hall nominee Trent Reznor burned on albums such as The Downward Spiral, which popularized industrial rock.
4. Bobby Womack*: The R&B singer-songwriter’s work as a solo artist and producer over 60 years cemented his place as a legend.
5. Kid Cudi: The Shaker Heights native’s introspective lyrics and psychedelic production influenced Kanye West and every hip-hop artist who followed him.
6. Pere Ubu: Birthed from proto-punk band Rocket From the Tombs, the experimental ’70s post-punk band forged a path for every alt- and art-rock act.
7. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins: The theatrical piano player and boundless singer put a spell on audiences and influenced weirdo rockers.
8. Marilyn Manson: The shock rocker terrified and enticed ’90s fans with his industrial horror metal and provocative themes.
9. Joe Walsh*: The vocalist and guitarist saw success with the James Gang, the Eagles and as a solo artist.
10. The O’Jays*: Canton’s “Love Train” R&B band went on to help define the funky subgenre Philadelphia soul.
11. Frankie Yankovic: “America’s Polka King” popularized Cleveland-style polka with his ditty “Cleveland The Polka Town.”
12. The Moonglows*: Managed by Alan Freed, the ‘50s R&B act hit the charts with “Sincerely” and pioneered the vocal style of “blow harmony.”
13. Chrissie Hynde*: The Akron singer, songwriter and guitarist founded the Pretenders and immortalized her return home in “My City Was Gone.”
14. Mushroomhead: The avant-garde nu-metal band that dons horror masks and makeup has recorded eight studio albums since 1993.
15. The Black Keys: The blues-heavy Akron rockers shepherded garage rock’s second wave amid a barren rock ‘n’ roll wasteland.
16. The Dead Boys: Those from Rocket From the Tombs who didn’t join Pere Ubu moved to New York City, became scene mainstays and wrote punk anthem “Sonic Reducer.”
17. the Raspberries: The teenybopper pop-rock band had chart success with three albums in 1972-1974.
18. Tracy Chapman: The four-time Grammy Award winner is known both for her poignant vocals and human rights activism.
19. Dazz Band: The “Let It Whip” band were funk and jazz-fusion pioneers.
20. Michael Stanley Band: MSB had a local cult following that culminated in a 1982 four-night stand at Blossom Music Center.
Click here to follow our Spotify playlist, "20 Most Influential Cleveland Bands."
These 20 Northeast Ohio Artists Helped Change The Face Of Music
From Devo to Michael Stanley Band, we rank the most influential 20 bands in Cleveland's history.
