The singer, who is best remembered for his electrifying performances and upbeat music, is known as one of the founding fathers of rock and roll who combined genres of music like boogie, gospel and blues, and inspired the artists that followed him.
“Without a doubt — musically, vocally and visually — he was my biggest influence,” Elton John wrote in a tweet. “Seeing him live in my teens was the most exciting event in my life at that point. Goosebumps, electricity and joy came from every pore.”
