Artists who have influenced Ayu ?

[mizuki-7]

After reading this very interesting thread about Ayu's influence on other artists I found interesting to make the opposite ! Artists who have influenced Ayu ? I know a few of them but maybe some of you know about others?

3/4 of her discography is based of rock songs more or less strong ! Generally big popstars like her "only" make dance/electro or popish songs of course Ayu is versatil so she has songs with these kind of styles but since the begining her albums have always been influenced by rock genre even her own compositions but I have no clue on who have influenced her in this area ? Anybody know something about that ?

You can name Japanese artists or foreign artists ! Artists who influenced her musically and the ones who influenced her visually ^^
This is NOT a thread to say Ayu is a copycat because everybody can have the same ideas.
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Japanese artists

Keiko Yamada (globe)

I know that she is one of her biggest inspiration vocally particulary in her debut until 2002 when Ayu began to find her own style but since then there are still some things similar to Keiko like how she finished some notes ! it's quite difficult to describe but the best exemple is A song is born Ayumi almost mimics the way sing Keiko !
I also know that globe's album FACES PLACES is one of her favorite album all time !

Spoiler:

Matsutoya Yumi

Probably the most legendary jpop female artist in activity... From body language, to theatrics, to stages, to choreography, to outfits to overall sound, she is an influence. Ayu two of her songs.

Spoiler:

Seiko Matsuda

The equivalent of Ayu during the 80's and the first big artist to use the kawaii image... Everytime Ayu goes mid-aged 8 years old girl or living birthday cake, she is going Seiko.

Spoiler:

Akina Nakamori

I think she also been influenced by Akina Nakamori ! It can be just a coincidence but when Akina began her career her voice was linear, without vibrato, a bit high because it was the trend set by Seiko Matsuda and when she grown up as an artist 3/4 years later she got a really deep voice with huge vibrato somewhat exagerated sometime just like Ayumi she began with high pitched voice because it was a trend set by Komuro girls but 2/3 years later just as Akina her voice became more deep with her big vibrato that everybody knows lol
They also share the same charisma on stage ! Look at this performance of Tango noir I totally see Ayumi doing this !

Spoiler:

Foreign artists

The Smashing Pumpkins

Spoiler:

　　(A) Now, somehow, really ... I'm enjoying life more than ever. Really enjoying music now. So I've come to need less reasons than before. Playing with Mac is a pure fun to me.
　　(S) And that you don't need any excuses any more?
　　(A) Ah, really. Though I'm not so ambitious as to break down the situations. How do you think? Does Ayu look like a person who listens to Backstreet Boys rather than Smashing Pumpkins.
　　(S) As your public image?
　　(A) Yes. It's likely, isn't it?
　　(S) I feel so.
　　(A) Though I had listened to Smashing Pumpkins so often until I was tired of it. (Laugh) But I think most people can't imagine so without doubt. They would say, "Huh? Ayu would never listen to such music."
　　(S) You are eager to link yourself with it now, aren't you?
　　(A) Yes. But somehow, I'm not so ambitious of it. It's all right even if I don't realize it. I only like to enjoy the process toward it.
　　(S) I see. You like to enjoy yourself now. Otherwise, I think you wouldn't have suggested to do this work with us. (Laugh)
　　(A) Really.
　　(S) I think you would have been reluctunt. (Laugh)
　　(A) Huhuhuhu.
　　(S) How do you like Smashing Pumpkins?
　　(A) Let me see. What do you call that --- like an obi (band of paper) of a CD?
　　(S) Huh? An obi.
　　(A) Ah, it's and obi. (Laugh) You know? On the obi of "Mellon Collie", which I've listened to before this interview, written as "Infinite Sadness." Somehow I liked the phrase very much at first, not the songs. I liked the phrase "Infinite Sadness" very much, just when I saw it before buying it. I wondered what it was, listened to it, and thought --- "Ah ! The obi is right." Hahahaha. Actually I have no knowledge of other artists, whether foreign or Japanese. So all I can do is to find in such a way at first.
　　(S) I think it's just the belief of Billy Corgan, the leader of Smashing Pumpkins. That sadness is one of the great emotions, the great asset in life, and one must not deny it, though he doesn't affirm it, either. I think he is the person who maintains in music with courage that nothing will be solved without facing it, and so is his music. You felt sympathy in that respect, didn't you?
　　(A) I think so.
　　(S) And you wish to do like him, don't you?
　　(A) I think so. It's somehow very ... tender, beautiful, kind and healing on the one hand. But on the other hand, distant and horryfying. I feel so very much somehow. Tremendously cold, I feel.
　　(S) Smashing Pumpkins kept on doing so, created quite high quality music. But the quality didn't satisfy that man who aimed at even higher level of music, and the band broke up. I think Hamasaki-san is at the starting point in the sense now.
　　(A) Yes.
　　(S) I think your music expresses such "Infinite Sadness" as energy, but that it hasn't bloomed yet as music. Talking with you now, I feel you know that more than anyone else. And I think you wish to make for the place very much now.
　　(A) ... Huhuhuhu. Yes.

Madonna

Ayu said that one herself a couple of times. AT02 is basically a poor man's Drawned World Tour and a lot of the early eletronic stuff Ayu did was based on Ray of Light and Music albums. Also, the theatrics, catholic symbolism and the concerts totally set around the same concept.

Spoiler:

Ray of Light: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8VO...297A48938DF34A

Kylie Minogue

Maybe it's just me, but the dance break from this performance reminds me a lot of AT07 appears

Spoiler:

Michael Jackson

In the corner during AT09 was obviously based on him!

Spoiler:

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I will continue later ...

credit : Mizuki-7/Andrenekoi