The Influencers
The Influencers of rock series examines the musicians behind the rock and roll era - those pioneers whose musical styles influenced the rocks music movement; as well as other legendary musicians who inspired and impacted rock music or the larger music scene as a whole.
The Devil’s on His Way
Acrylic and Sheet Music
24 x 30
2018
When one thinks of Motown and music legends Stevie Wonder is one of the musicians who instantly comes to mind. A multi- Grammy Award winner and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, political activist, and an advocate for many humanitarian causes, Stevie Wonder’s career has spanned decades, starting with his career as Little Stevie Wonder at the age of 11.
While I usually paint rock stars, Stevie Wonder is one of those musical legends, whose work has influenced all artists and genres. Known for his incredible R&B, soul and funk sounds, his music has been covered by groups such as Phish and The Red Hot Chili Peppers. He has directly influenced other musical greats such as Jeff Beck, Bob Marley and George Benson. Have collaborated with musicians such as Elton John and Paul McCartney, Wonder’s sphere of influence is magical.
Inspiration for songs comes from all kinds of places. While Stevie Wonder was on my list to paint, I knew the time was right when I was out one night and heard a band play a cover of “Superstition”, my personal favourite Wonder song. While I played with titles for this particular painting, “The Devil’s on His Way” elicited powerful imagery and it many ways it is a lyric one might expect in a rock song.
If you have listened to Stevie Wonder in a while, I would encourage you to do so, especially his songs from the Seventies. From re-connecting with “Superstition”, to listening to the original version of “Higher Ground” and “Boogie on Reggae Woman” the talents of Wonder are something that need to be listened to time and time again.
Crescendo of the Smooth Criminal
Acrylic and Sheet Music
24 x 30
2020
Universally known as the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson’s impact on the music industry is well known. A true mega star, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the twentieth century. He made his musical debut at the age of five, as the youngest member of the Jackson brothers’ group, The Jackson Five. A true entertainer, whose career spanned four decades, Jackson’s influence and legacy live on today.
I have always loved Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”. It is one of those songs where the lyric “Annie are you okay” stays in your head where it plays over and over. This song was so groundbreaking for Jackson, that Alien Ant Farm, remade the song as a cover. Jackson who was already the biggest pop star in the world, was looking to take his music in a different direction.
Many of Jackson’s songs were personal in nature; “Smooth Criminal” deviates in that it tells the story of a fictional character. From the get go, there was internal conflict with Jackson’s production team over the song. However, Jackson held his ground, and the result is his best blend of R and B groove and rock edginess, and a turning point in his shift toward darker, harder-edged material, as well as a change in his stage imagery and persona.
Well known for different looks throughout his career, the iconic gangster inspired video, was a shift in costume for Jackson – to the now familiar 1930’s mobster imagery. Often this is how people remember Jackson, a vintage style suit complete with a Fedora.
With the release of this painting on the eleventh anniversary of Jackson’s death, “Crescendo of a Smooth Criminal” pays homage to the legendary Jackson. The accomplishments of this musical genius, will likely never be rivaled by any artist in the years to come and for good reason. The edginess of this song, was the perfect introductory Jackson painting for me. While this was my first Jackson painting, it will certainly not be the last.
24 x 30
2020
Universally known as the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson’s impact on the music industry is well known. A true mega star, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the twentieth century. He made his musical debut at the age of five, as the youngest member of the Jackson brothers’ group, The Jackson Five. A true entertainer, whose career spanned four decades, Jackson’s influence and legacy live on today.
I have always loved Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal”. It is one of those songs where the lyric “Annie are you okay” stays in your head where it plays over and over. This song was so groundbreaking for Jackson, that Alien Ant Farm, remade the song as a cover. Jackson who was already the biggest pop star in the world, was looking to take his music in a different direction.
Many of Jackson’s songs were personal in nature; “Smooth Criminal” deviates in that it tells the story of a fictional character. From the get go, there was internal conflict with Jackson’s production team over the song. However, Jackson held his ground, and the result is his best blend of R and B groove and rock edginess, and a turning point in his shift toward darker, harder-edged material, as well as a change in his stage imagery and persona.
Well known for different looks throughout his career, the iconic gangster inspired video, was a shift in costume for Jackson – to the now familiar 1930’s mobster imagery. Often this is how people remember Jackson, a vintage style suit complete with a Fedora.
With the release of this painting on the eleventh anniversary of Jackson’s death, “Crescendo of a Smooth Criminal” pays homage to the legendary Jackson. The accomplishments of this musical genius, will likely never be rivaled by any artist in the years to come and for good reason. The edginess of this song, was the perfect introductory Jackson painting for me. While this was my first Jackson painting, it will certainly not be the last.
This is What it Sounds Like
Acrylic and Sheet Music
24 x 30
2021
Prince’s "When Doves Cry" was the lead single from the album Purple Rain and arguably his most recognized song. The track was written for his semi-autobiographical film of the same name. However, how much of the movie was based on real life remains a mystery, as Prince rarely gave interviews or talked about his personal life.
The common notion is that in the movie, the song expresses his fear of becoming like his parents and the impact it has on his own relationship. Often viewed as a song about his own tumultuous romantic relationship, intermingled with his parents’ difficulties and a love affair – the notion behind this idea has come into question.
While the song focuses on the problems in the relationship, it also references how his lover makes Prince feel sexually and emotionally. It is a deeply rooted song about upbringing and the impact and scars it can leave with an individual. However, the repeated reference to doves also inspires hope. Hope that in spite of challenges and one’s own issues, the relationship can work and that love can prevail.
While we might think of doves crying as being a negative metaphor, it may actually represent optimism, tears of joy, in the face of a difficult time. With the struggle that we have all experienced over the last year, I hope that this painting, the song brings you a message of life, hope, renewal, love and peace.
24 x 30
2021
Prince’s "When Doves Cry" was the lead single from the album Purple Rain and arguably his most recognized song. The track was written for his semi-autobiographical film of the same name. However, how much of the movie was based on real life remains a mystery, as Prince rarely gave interviews or talked about his personal life.
The common notion is that in the movie, the song expresses his fear of becoming like his parents and the impact it has on his own relationship. Often viewed as a song about his own tumultuous romantic relationship, intermingled with his parents’ difficulties and a love affair – the notion behind this idea has come into question.
While the song focuses on the problems in the relationship, it also references how his lover makes Prince feel sexually and emotionally. It is a deeply rooted song about upbringing and the impact and scars it can leave with an individual. However, the repeated reference to doves also inspires hope. Hope that in spite of challenges and one’s own issues, the relationship can work and that love can prevail.
While we might think of doves crying as being a negative metaphor, it may actually represent optimism, tears of joy, in the face of a difficult time. With the struggle that we have all experienced over the last year, I hope that this painting, the song brings you a message of life, hope, renewal, love and peace.
Down Go the System, Long Live the King
(Original not Available)
Acrylic and Sheet Music
30 x 24
2021
My latest subject is a musician who I knew nothing about prior to the painting. While rap music is not a genre that I have a lot of knowledge about, the story behind Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, made for a powerful subject matter. A well-known rap artist, singer, songwriter, and record producer in the hip-hop industry, Miller spoke openly about his struggle with both substance abuse and depression. These topics were frequently referenced in his lyrics.
He began his career at the age of 15 and by 19, his debut studio album, Blue Slide Park (2011), became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200 since 1995. His success in the music industry included the founding of REMember Music and the release of a number of albums under label giant Warner Bros.
The lyrics “down go the system, long live the king from the song “Hurt Feelings” spoke to immediately following my research into Miller. The song speaks to Miller changing and growing as a person, as he continued to deal with this struggles. He also addressed those who do not want to develop as people; recognizing that it is not healthy to remain stagnant.
Sadly, while he continued to battle his personal demons, he died from an accidental drug overdose, in 2018, at the age of 26. His album “Swimming” was posthumously nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
In 2018 Ariana Grande released the song Breathin’, a song about a panic attack she had while in studio. The video for the song was a tribute to Miller, Grande’s boyfriend of two years. The story of a self-made artist, who found great success and love and sadly lost his life at an early age, gives one pause for thought. I hope that the painting speaks to you as much as the entirety of the process did for me.
Acrylic and Sheet Music
30 x 24
2021
My latest subject is a musician who I knew nothing about prior to the painting. While rap music is not a genre that I have a lot of knowledge about, the story behind Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, made for a powerful subject matter. A well-known rap artist, singer, songwriter, and record producer in the hip-hop industry, Miller spoke openly about his struggle with both substance abuse and depression. These topics were frequently referenced in his lyrics.
He began his career at the age of 15 and by 19, his debut studio album, Blue Slide Park (2011), became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200 since 1995. His success in the music industry included the founding of REMember Music and the release of a number of albums under label giant Warner Bros.
The lyrics “down go the system, long live the king from the song “Hurt Feelings” spoke to immediately following my research into Miller. The song speaks to Miller changing and growing as a person, as he continued to deal with this struggles. He also addressed those who do not want to develop as people; recognizing that it is not healthy to remain stagnant.
Sadly, while he continued to battle his personal demons, he died from an accidental drug overdose, in 2018, at the age of 26. His album “Swimming” was posthumously nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
In 2018 Ariana Grande released the song Breathin’, a song about a panic attack she had while in studio. The video for the song was a tribute to Miller, Grande’s boyfriend of two years. The story of a self-made artist, who found great success and love and sadly lost his life at an early age, gives one pause for thought. I hope that the painting speaks to you as much as the entirety of the process did for me.
Feeling Good
(Original not Available)
Acrylic and Sheet Music
24 x 30
2021
Eunice Kathleen Waymon, was an American pianist, singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist. While her music spanned a broad range of musical styles, she is well known as a jazz and blues musician. Better known professionally as Nina Simone, her talent and stage presence earned her the title "the High Priestess of Soul".
"Feeling' Good" is from the Broadway musical The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd. Simone's version became one of her best-known songs and paired perfectly with her vocal stylings. The song was written to express a particular kind of euphoria, that which comes with a sense of contentment and freedom. While “freedom” varies from person to person, based on one’s experiences, the song is important in that it shares the message that each new day brings with a new opportunity, a chance to appreciate the simple things in life.
While a gifted musician, Simone’s personal life and eventually her professional life suffered, due to her struggles with bipolar disorder. One night she could give a brilliant show, the next Simone may not have been in any state to play. Sadly, her struggles also affected the relationships of those closest to her – her partners, her children, and those in the music industry.
However, what is unquestionable are her contributions both as a musician and as a social justice advocate. Regarded as one of the most influential recording artists of the 20th century, she left behind a legacy. Musicians who have cited Simone as important for their own musical upbringing include: Madonna, Aretha Franklin, Adele, Patti LaBelle, John Legend, and Christina Aguilera, as well as rock notables Elton John, David Bowie, Janis Joplin, Bono, and Peter Gabriel.
Simone passed in 2003 from cancer, but her impact lives on today. Rolling Stone named Simone the 29th-greatest singer of all time. She received four career Grammy Award nominations, two during her lifetime and two posthumously and in 2018, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. While the last two years have been a challenge for all – I encourage everyone to listen to the song, reflect on the lyrics and take inspiration from “Feeling Good.”