Mes Amis,
Over the years many artists have sighted Ferry/Roxy as a huge influence : Nile Rogers, Siouxie and the Banshees, Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Radiohead, Scissor Sisters, Talking Heads, Goldfapp, and Pulp to name but a few.
Ironically, many of the aforementioned are either retired or disbanded but happily W2 has long thought that Ferry’s musical heir is from the next generation and is well and truly in our midsts.
It is, of course, that incredibly talented artist from the city where they call you ‘Love’. W2 is talking about Sheffield’s very own Alex Turner.
The parallels between Turner and Ferry are multiple.
Both are from the North. Both are renowned for their lyricism ranging from kitchen sink realism to surrealist wordplay.
Both are stylish frontmen in a successful band whilst simultaneously persuing successful side projects.
Just listen to his 2022 album ‘The Car’ and you will know what W2 means. It’s a tremendous fusion of Baroque Pop and Art Rock that is shot thru’ with Jazz influences. Vraiment tres Ferryesque .
What thinketh you learned Roxologists. Is the heir within our midsts ?
Salutations,
W2

I think Monsieur you hit the nail on the head with your initial list of those influenced by BF and who might be seen as worthy successors, as evidenced by their back catalogues and/or ongoing works. However, as you also correctly point out, many of these are either retired or disbanded. Others may no longer be with us, sadly. So, I've been scratching my head trying to think of someone.

Problem is I can be quite lazy when it comes to 'new' artists so the pool of material I can draw on isn't vast and whilst there are relatively new artists and writers I admire enormously (Jack Savoretti in particular, who was compared very favourably with Dylan as far as his earlier work was concerned), none feel as though they are occupying the 21st century space owned by BF through the heights of his career.

I do wonder whether the fact no-one is a blindingly obvious successor means there simply isn't one, although I defer to you on AT. Or perhaps maybe new artists are influenced by BF's 'influencees', meaning any BF 'bias' is much more subtle?

Of course a successor's sound may not have an overtly BF oeuvre to be detected - I know that's not your main point. But where is the art in modern music, the nostalgia, the vision, the wit, the whimsy? Historically, their origins are rooted in Berlin, Gershwin, Porter et al. Their influence on BF, our parents and many of us (being of a certain age!) is pretty tangible, but in the modern age of downloads, streaming and a cavalier attitude to the entirety of an album, never mind the back catalogue of artists long-deceased, what chance is there for anyone to pick up the baton BF successfully ran with from his musical mentors?

In my semi-ignorance, the conclusion I draw is there simply isn't an obvious heir and for the reasons cited above, I just don't see that changing in the headlong, digital race to the bottom. There's still great music to be enjoyed, but not with the very specific qualities that bind many of us here.

I'd love it if someone said "what about...?" and I discover I've had a (rather long-winded) 'senior moment'!

Cher UKRichard,
All W2 would ask is that you listen to ‘The Car’ in its entirety not once, not twice but thrice and, when that lightbulb moment arrives, backtrack listen to 2018’s ‘Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino’. This is when the transition started.
When you’ve done this you’ll want to delve into Alex Turner’s side project - The Last Shadow Puppets with their two albums ‘The Age Of The Understatement’ and ‘Everything You’ve Come To Expect….’.
Having done this you will realise that all the influences you site are there plus Scott Walker, Bryan Ferry & Curtis Mayfield - to name just three more.
At this point you’ll be completely addicted and will want to track W2 down, thank him for his recommendations and ply him with alcoholic beverages of his choice.
Salutations,
Windswept.