Mahavishnu Orchestra

USA, 1971–1976

Jazz-rock group led by guitarist John McLaughlin, formed in 1971. The Inner Mounting Flame uses fast tempos, irregular metres and amplified instruments, and was widely imitated in fusion.

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

Who influenced Mahavishnu Orchestra?

• Miles Davis — John McLaughlin came up through Miles Davis's electric band (In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew); hearing Miles Ahead at 15 was his jazz light-bulb — Mahavishnu extended Miles's fusion.
• John Coltrane — Coltrane's A Love Supreme was McLaughlin's spiritual and modal touchstone — the intensity and devotion at the heart of Mahavishnu.
• Ravi Shankar — Indian classical music profoundly shaped McLaughlin — its ragas, tabla rhythms and odd meters are woven through Mahavishnu's sound (and later Shakti).
• The Beatles — McLaughlin came of age 'tripping out' on the Beatles alongside Coltrane — the psychedelic-rock half of Mahavishnu's fusion.

Which artists did Mahavishnu Orchestra influence?

• Bad Brains — Bad Brains began as jazz-fusion band Mind Power in the mould of Mahavishnu Orchestra — they carried Mahavishnu's furious speed straight into hardcore punk.