Today, the world lost a science fiction icon as groundbreaking author Ray Bradbury passed away at age 91. Nearly every teenager has read his short novel Fahrenheit 451 (and rightly so!), and his countless award-winning stories, some of which comprised the sci-fi classics The Martian Chronicles and The Illustrated Man, continue to impact writers of all genres. The influence of his stories and novels spreads far beyond books, though, as his narratives, characters and ideas pervade movies and even music as well. Artists who cite or credit Bradbury include Pixies’ Frank Black, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Barry Adamson, The Lonely Forest, Rush, and many others. The best way you yourself can celebrate Bradbury’s life would be to pick up one of his books, but a close second might be to find the work of those inspired by this great man. Here are a few songs more or less related to his work:
The Lonely Forest - Golden Apples of the Sun, Pt. 1
Rush - The Body Electric
Frank Black - Men in Black
Gregory Alan Isakov - Dandelion Wine
William Shatner - Rocket Man
Siouxsie and the Banshees - Something Wicked This Way Comes
The Herbaliser - Something Wicked This Way Comes
Rachel Bloom - Fuck Me, Ray Bradbury (Funny or Die)
Solaris - The Martian Chronicles 1983 (full album)
