George Jones was my all-time favorite singer and one of my favorite people in the world.
People don't realize enough how important and influentical John Carpenter has been in electronic music. He did his soundtracks by himself, using mostly electronic and analog synthesizers. He's a cult figure with DJs these days for good reasons.
The deadpan brilliance of John McCrea has been underrepresented in music since 2004, when Cake served up 'Pressure Chief.'
Patty Griffin is iconic, and there's no other word to really describe her. She is iconic for a lot of people - not only for me but for a lot of fans. Her voice is one of a kind, and she's such an important figure in the American music scene.
I would actually like to play Bobby Brown. To me, he was just the King of R&B at one point.
I always love listening to Bob Dylan. 'Blood on the Tracks' is one of my favorite albums.
I love John Denver. Townes Van Zandt is one of my all-time favorites.
Even before anybody liked the 808, Mannie Fresh was on the 808.
I did want to be Joni Mitchell for quite a long time.
Marvin Gaye is an inspiration to me. He was one of the first Motown musicians that my mom and dad introduced me to, and I always thought it would be a good idea if I was ever an artist, and now I am, to make a record called 'Marvin Gaye.'
My mum and dad are massive Bowie fans, so I grew up listening to his music.
Louie Vega was a huge influence on me.
I want to be what Kenny G. and Carlos Santana were, but for this day and age.
Kaytranada's a really cool dude.
Erykah Badu - she's timeless, that's my second mom.
I love Dilla, and who knows where this beat thing would be without him.
Lemmy is, I think, for anybody in the world of rock n' roll - you don't have to be a bass player - he is a pioneer, and he was true to his music and also the lover of a lot of different styles of music.
If it wasn't for John Peel, there would be no Joy Division and no New Order. He was one of the few people to give bands that played alternative music a chance to get heard, and he continued to be a champion of cutting-edge music throughout his life.
Robert Johnson? No, I didn't know him, personally.
There are so many myths out there about Marianne Faithfull, I had to, um, detach. But I can turn it on because Marianne Faithfull is really an attitude, you know.
I'm a big fan of Snoop Dogg - he was super-hot when I was in high school - but I also listen to a lot of Tim McGraw.
I've never been a mega-star. I'm more of a tastemaker of hip-hop. I try to be more of an ambassador for the era of hip-hop that I came in.
Meeting Ronnie Montrose - that was pretty cool.
John Lee Hooker became a friend of mine and I love all of his work. He was truly an icon. He lived the life. I miss him.
There are thousands upon thousands of new Johnny Cash fans every year, inspired by the music, talent, and - I believe hugely - by the mystery of the man.
