The Human League

United Kingdom, 1977–now

Sheffield band formed in 1977. After early austere electronics, Dare (1981) and 'Don't You Want Me' showed that synthesizer pop could reach the top of the charts.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced The Human League and 2 artists The Human League influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced The Human League?

• Kraftwerk — The Human League built themselves on Kraftwerk — the electronic pop blueprint the Sheffield band took as their founding creed.
• David Bowie — Bowie's Berlin-era electronic reinvention was a documented model for the Human League's synth pop.
• The Velvet Underground — Early Human League covered the Velvet Underground — the art-rock lineage beneath the machines, a documented starting point.

Which artists did The Human League influence?

• Gorillaz — The Human League's synth-pop is among the electronic influences Albarn drew on for Gorillaz.
• Tears for Fears — The Human League's synth-pop helped confirm Tears for Fears' turn to electronic pop.