10 Most Influential British Acts On American Rock

When David Bowie debuted his Ziggy Stardust character in 1972 it was the catalyst that set him on the path to legend. Initial reactions to his theatrical shows were so positive, it prompted Bowie to under take a world wide tour. His early impression on American audiences both shocked and captivated the country.

For the most part, rock stars had taken on the look of long haired, adonises, with suggestively tight pants. Bowie changed all that with his androgynous appearance, ushering in the age of glam rock and gender-bending. But Bowie's impact was not merely achieved through his own music and eccentric looks. He had a hand in shaping Lou Reed's seminal solo record, Transformer; he helped mix the Stooges proto-punk album Raw power; and launched Iggy Pop's solo career, by producing and co-writing much of his early material.

With his finger constantly on the pulse of emerging music trends, the '80s saw Bowie revolutionise electronic and synth rock with records like Let's Dance. Even at the end of his life he still innovating. His final album, Black Star, was such a phenomenal fusing of art rock and experimental jazz, that no doubt it will shape the face of both British and American music for years to come.