The 7 Most Influential Greater Manchester Musicians since 1983

Who made our list?

Published 1st Apr 2015

Greater Manchester is an area filled with rich musical heritage, influencing much of the music we hear today.

Following news that the original ‘Now That’s What I Call Music’ CD is being re-released for Record Store Day, we got all nostalgic in the Hits Radio office and decided to share some of the most influential artists to come from Greater Manchester since it was originally released back in 1983…

1. Gary Barlow

Often seen as the linchpin behind Take That, Gary’s pop career has been a musical rollercoaster. However the Frodsham-born singer has been lauded as one of the best songwriters in the UK, becoming a judge on The X Factor and being awarded an OBE.

2. Morrissey

As the lead singer of The Smiths, Morrissey has become one of the biggest faces of the 1980s Manchester music scene.

3. Ian Brown

Ian Brown symbolises one of the biggest Manchester bands of the 1980s and 1990s, The Stone Roses.

4. Noel Gallagher

Hailed as the songwriter behind Oasis' biggest hits, Noel Gallagher is partly responsible for Britain's biggest ever rock band.

5. Mick Hucknall

Rising to fame as the lead singer and songwriter of Simply Red, Hucknall enjoyed a 25-year music career, selling over 50 million albums in the process.

6. Shaun Ryder

Lead singer of the Happy Mondays and Black Grape and truly at the forefront of the whole Madchester scene and residents at the Hacienda in it’s prime. Establishing the sound of a city with hits like Kinky Afro and Step On.

7. Richard Ashcroft

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Lead singer of The Verve, the biggest thing to come out of Wigan since the rugby league team. Throughout the 90’s the band enjoyed best-selling albums and singles with Urban Hymns and picked up multiple awards, before Richard Ashcroft continued with solo work.

Credit: PA Photos