Most influential non-musician in rock/pop history?

Robert Moog.

 

For me it was nearly a toss up between John Hammond and Bill Graham. John got the nod due to the incredible diversity of talent he recognized and nurtured, whereas Bill Graham was primarily a San Francisco 60's thing.

Ahmet Ertegun probably should have been on that list. Nearly as important and influential as John Hammond.

 

How so?

 

Pablo Picasso

 

He was never called an *******!

 

Pierre Schaeffer? Invented musique concrete, pioneered and nurtured tape music and electronic music and opened the doors of his studio for anyone who wanted to work there (within reason, of course). The studio as instrument and compositional tool, no need for conventional instruments etc.

 

I'm well aware of his work, hardly seems like the most influential non-musician in rock/pop history though.

 

Well he isn't but I thought he deserved a mention - Jann Wenner is on the list after all.

 

I was trying to be discreet and subtle when I phrased the sentence the way I did.

John had issues to overcome soon after meeting Yoko...

 

R̶o̶c̶k̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶R̶o̶l̶l̶ jann wenner hall of fame

 

Eno was the first guy I thought of. He managed to make a handful of the best and most influential albums of the '70s without being able to play much of anything. Quite a feat.

 

Before I saw your list I thought Brian Eno

 

The beat poets? Didn’t the 90% of California-based musicians move to that state because they wanted that lifestyle?

 

William Burroughs
Allen Ginsberg

 

No Brian Epstein, no recording contract and no Beatlemania.

Thank YOU Mr. Epstein for your HUGE contribution to the world of music!

 

Peter Grant

 

Inasmuch as the Beatles were arguably the most influential band in rock history, the man who enabled them to have commercial success has to be up there.

Otherwise it’s probably Thomas Edison, Emile Berliner (the inventor of the gramophone record), or Leo Fender.

 

Nice Thread, OP!

Sam Phillips. IMO there would be no rock 'n roll without Sam Phillips & his Sun Records, having signed Elvis Presley!
Honorable mentions:
Casey Kasem: American DJ, who created "Top 40" radio.
Alan McGee: Founder of Creation Records, who signed Oasis, Jesus and Mary Chain &
Primal Scream - among others.
John Peel: British BBC Radio 1 DJ, who's responsible for promoting punk/new wave artists (among others), bringing them to the public.
Famous John Peel sessions, live in studio, which many have been made into taped recordings, available on CD.
(That's what I have, so I don't know if they're avail. on vinyl or not.)

 

i was going with hammond. and ahmet 2nd. my pop worked closely with hammond on dylan's early launch in 61 and he had non denominational ears.

than there are the other 50 music folks too numerous to mention, that some already have.

 

The question was “non-musician” Do you consider Brian Eno to not be a musician?

 

He also made music with Robert Fripp.

 

Read the question.

 

1. Brian Epstein
2. Clive Davis
3. Ahmet Ertegun
4. Berry Gordie
5. Allen Klein
6. Peter Grant

 

Great topic.
Hard choice....
I'm going to go with Hammond and sam phillips.

 

I chose 2 that are not listed

1.Harry Smith
2.Jack Kerouac