To me, what it all really comes down to is, he was the first truly literate and sophisticated rock 'n roll lyricst. Without him, we'd never have had early rap (before it became commodified in the mid-80s.) We'd never have had such witty and articulate rock songwriters as Bob Dylan, Peter Townshend, Ray Davies, John Lennon, Ian Hunter, Joni Mitchell, Suzanne Vega, Morrissey, Marina Diamandis...and a lot of alternative/indie artists that I've either overlooked, or never heard of, or whose music just isn't my thing.

Rest in peace, Johnny B. And thanks for raising the standards of songwriting.

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