He influenced performers like David Bowe, Elton John, Mick Jagger and man more.  His music was a combination of Blues, Funk and Rock n Roll.  He hit it big at a time when crooners were popular.  He was nothing like the crooners.

During his life, he flip-flopped between unrepentantly openly gay and hetero, depending on if he was born again or not.  His career suffered big time when he was a holy roller.  When he got back into "sin" his career would pick up again, only for him to crash it by turning into a holy roller.