J.J. Cale

With his laconic voice, concise guitar playing, and subtly incisive songwriting, in the early 1970s J.J. Cale was the main architect of what would come to be known as the Tulsa sound, named for his Oklahoma hometown. Cale's laid-back mix of country, blues, and rock & roll was a huge influence on Eric Clapton, who had major hits with Cale songs. Everyone from British rockers Gomez to American jam band Widespread Panic pays homage to Cale's understated style, but it's best experienced on the humble legend's own solo releases, which unfortunately became more sporadic after the reclusive guitar guru went into semi-retirement.

• rock
• pop
• blues
• pop rock
• 1970s
• 1990s
• 1980s
• 2000s