Counting Crows

USA, 1991–now

Berkeley band led by Adam Duritz, formed in 1991. Their debut August and Everything After ('Mr. Jones', 'Round Here') brought literate, Van Morrison-steeped roots-rock to huge success, Duritz's confessional voice at its centre.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Counting Crows and 1 artist Counting Crows influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Counting Crows?

• Van Morrison — Van Morrison is the defining influence on Adam Duritz — Counting Crows' soulful, ragged roots-rock and his phrasing owe an enormous debt to him.
• R.E.M. — R.E.M.'s literate jangle-rock is among the touchstones behind Counting Crows' melodic alternative rock.
• The Band — The Band's rootsy Americana feeds Counting Crows' warm, organic songwriting.
• Bob Dylan — One of the influences named with R.E.M., Van Morrison and the Band.

Which artists did Counting Crows influence?

• Matchbox Twenty — Counting Crows' literate, roots-tinged alternative rock is among the contemporaries Rob Thomas cites as a model.