Annaleigh Ashford Quotes

Her makeup, hair and general quirkiness overshadow the fact that Cyndi Lauper was one the most soulful chicks to come out of the '80s.

Michael Jackson carried urban America and eventually American society on his vocal cords for a good 25 to 30 years before even hip-hop became the vox populi of America, and then as an adult he shattered racial barriers.

I was such a fan of Cyndi Lauper and her whole 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun' thing.

My favorite artist in the world is Michael Jackson, and he revolutionized the music video aspect of music.

Pop changes week to week, month to month. But great music is like literature.

I was just totally taken by Michael Jackson when I was a little kid, like everyone else.

Nobody has communicated with the public more than Lady Gaga. Ever. I trust the audience, and I'm very impressed. As far as they're concerned, she's part of their family. The only guy who ever did that was Bing Crosby, years ago.

There's songs like 'Africa' that just have kind of become part of pop culture.

Beyonce's the only contemporary artist that I really, really idolize.

John Mayer will be around forever, like the Eagles and Eric Clapton.

As a kid, I watched every Madonna documentary and tour. I was obsessed with her - and with any pop star of the '80s.

Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country.

No, I don't think rock 'n' roll will ever fade.

If you go back to the '80s, you had a whole plethora of artists, everyone from Madonna and Cyndi Lauper to Prince. God bless Lady Gaga for doing her thing, but she's kind of a lone peacock now. If anything, we have a much more conservative kind of pop world. It's not necessarily about individuality.

I think Aaliyah has influenced artists like a Ciara.

I think what makes his story unique from others is there is not really one piece of American pop music you hear today that does not have some James Brown in it.

I think '80s pop music subconsciously informs what I'm doing.

When I think of a hit, I think of Madonna.

I would think Beyonce will be the greatest female artist of all time.

Madonna is the ultimate pop star of all time, hands down. She wrote the playbook for it. There is no female pop star - and probably few men today, for that matter - who are not indebted to her in one way or another for her contributions to the industry.

I downloaded a Kylie Minogue album and it had all the classics like 'I Should Be So Lucky' and 'Locomotion.' I'm not even ashamed to say I love it, I'm proud.

Outwardly seeing how your music effects culture and everyday life, is amazing.

I love '80s and '90s music.

Berry Gordy is a music legend, and we all know that, but I don't think Berry gets enough credit for his involvement with the civil rights movement.

I try to create something that draws you in without overthinking it. Something that resonates with you automatically that you don't have to think about. That's what the best pop is about: Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Nirvana - these guys made some of the most authentic and popular music.