In observance of Black History Month, I've compiled a list of some of music’s true pioneers: the black men and women who helped create, shape and innovate rock music’s ever-changing landscape.
Although I've chosen 50 artists in all, I started off with the first 25 last week (numbers 50 to 26) -- and the remaining 25 are presented in the photo gallery below.
So, here they are, 50 of music’s most influential black rockers -- numbers 25 through 1. Here's the link to part one in case you missed it.
Music writer Ebony March contributes often to GuitarWorld.com.
“Cliff always wanted to play more than he should have, but we didn’t try to control him – we couldn’t”: How Cliff Burton’s bass masterpiece earned its place in the pantheon of great rock solos
“It was very simplistic compared to my later compositions”: It may have been inspired by the Kinks, but Al Di Meola's Race with Devil on Spanish Highway is one of the great virtuoso displays in guitar history. Watch the maestro play it with Steve Vai
