CNN is doing a history of rock. Interesting the groups they ignored

[TrogL]

Led Zepplin (two mentions but no music)
Queen (uncredited clip)
Pink Floyd
ELP
Rush
Genesis
Yes
The Who
Grateful Dead

...but they spent 5 minutes on the Cars

[unblock]

1. Lol. How many great rock groups cite the cars as a major influence?

[CentralMass]

2. Well, I can't argue the point but I saw the Cars in concert and they were a cool band.

[unblock]

3. Yes indeed. But if you're doing a history of rock,

I'm not sure they should feature very prominently....

[ProfessorGAC]

6. Actually, They Were

The entire New Romantics movement in the 80s were influenced by their combination of synths and guitars.
Most of those bands didn't go much beyond one or 2 hits, but they were popular for a bit, or more.
Duran Duran, Depeche Mode, OMD, Flock of Seagulls, and others were heavily influenced by that mixing of synth textures & tasteful rock guitar.

[unblock]

7. Fair point, but... compared the The Who?

[ProfessorGAC]

8. Well, The Cars Had A Better Guitar Player!

Yeah, I've never been a fan of Pete's guitar playing.
That said, I believe Elliott Easton to be rock's #1 most underrated guitar player ever.
Even most Cars fans wouldn't know the name. He's an incredibly skilled player.
But, I get your point, despite liking little of The Who, other than the album that had "Can't Explain" & Quadrophenia. (The latter I find most impressive. Much better than Tommy.)
And, if we're talking influential, I'd bet they didn't even mention Black Sabbath, and they launched an entire genre, that continues to this day!

[The Magistrate]

4. Well, No Led Zepplin 'Music', At Least

At least makes the thing watchable....

[ificandream]

5. Was this sponsored by the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame?

Sounds like a Jann Wenner production, if you ask me.

[TrogL]

9. That wouldn't surprise me

It was mentioned a bunch of times.

They're well known for their hatred of progressive rock or anything that has more than 3 chords.