For instance: Roger McGuinn stated that his guitar playing (particularly on "Eight Miles high") was infludenced by John Coltrane, a sax player.

The drummer in my band(s) claims that Bob Newhart has had just as much influence on his playing as any drummer (his timing).

And I know that Peter Hook (bassist for Joy Division/New Order) has given me inspiration on the geetar on more than one occasion... the pulsating, linear melody lines.

Any of you all see the similar-type influences affecting your playing?

The Edge attributes his entire style to overhearing some drunk longshoreman fight a case of the runs in a Dublin pub lavatory stall.

Now that makes sense!

Joe Lally, fugazi bassist. Total role-reversal, structurally. The guitars make the noise, he picks out the melody, and it's usually creative and Good.

i think stand up comedy has been a pretty big influence on me about how to own a stage. not that i own the stage, but that's my goal.

also, hip hop has a had a huge influece on how i think about songs.
and the fact that i grew up listening to rap and all those years of freesytle rapping really influenced the way i write songs.

i can and have played 20 minute "folk" songs freestyling all the lyrics, and i think that comes from hip hop.

I'm influenced by good musicians, as defined by me.

that is to say, musicians who communicate through their music, cause there are plenty who don't.

we HEARD you already.

Hey, i can't help that Chicago Public Schools are still trying to get free internet from Netzero.

heh heh.