Tom Waits

USA, 1973–now

American singer and songwriter who moved from piano ballads on Closing Time to the percussion-heavy, junk-instrument arrangements of Swordfishtrombones and Rain Dogs.

MusicRoots documents 2 artists who influenced Tom Waits and 2 artists Tom Waits influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Tom Waits?

• Howlin' Wolf — Waits has named Howlin' Wolf's voice a lifelong model — the growl beneath the junkyard orchestra.
• Bob Dylan — Waits began as a Dylan-schooled folk writer at the Troubadour hoots — a debt he has named repeatedly.

Which artists did Tom Waits influence?

• Auktyon — Leonid Fyodorov's ragged, theatrical avant-rock draws on Tom Waits, whom he cites among the records he listens to most.
• Florence and the Machine — Welch built her voice by chasing male singers rather than the women she gets compared to: 'I always wanted to sound like a man, like Jeff Buckley or Tom Waits.'