So I don't know much about the man but a friend who is starting a new band claims he's the major influence for what they do. So who out there has some recomendations, stories, or whatever for me???

That albums he did with Nancy Sinatra is excellent. And not just the one that everyone and his mother did a cover of, "Some Velvet Morning", but, for example, "Summer Wine" is really good, too.

A lot of the tracks are on at least one of the Nancy Sinatra compilations; I forget which one, though. Looks like Lightning's Girl, but do your own research.

I don't know much about his solo stuff, though.