Profession: singer

For a good decade, Jagger was a leading counter-cultural icon and thorn in society’s side. His fellow-conspirator Richards was first met at primary school — their creative partnership was crucial to the Rolling Stones’ success. Waters, Berry and Dixon — strong influences all — came to see them in Chicago; Spector, another significant connection, was also met on their first US trip. Southern and Capote (who wore ear-plugs all the time) both tagged along on tour. Jagger extolled Diddley’s generosity of spirit, and was responsible for Wolf’s only TV appearance. Godard made a famously incoherent film featuring the Stones.

Strummer’s band, the Clash, were British punk’s militant wing. Jones invited him to join an early version of the group; their role as songwriting parters became central to it. Lydon’s Sex Pistols opened for Strummer’s former band: the Clash later reciprocated. Both Scorsese and Jarmusch were big fans, Strummer appearing in films by both. He had previous form with McGowan, and became an irregular member of the Pogues in the singer’s absence. They and Costello all appeared in a sub-standard film. Cash didn’t record the song Strummer wrote for him, and didn’t recognise him the one time they met.

Dylan is widely regarded as one of the half-dozen most influential composers and performers in popular music. As a young unknown, he played harmonica for Belafonte, was taken under Spivey’s wing, learned from meeting Fuller and Carthy, and took cigarettes to the ailing Guthrie, his biggest role-model. He got a break opening for Hooker (who said they stayed up drinking and playing all night), went to a passover meal with Brando, and discussed getting married by Davis. He toured with Haggard, joked about song-writing with Cohen, swapped cassettes with Waits, and was told by Williamson he played too fast.