Influential top 10

1. David Bowie 2. Radiohead 3. The Beatles 4. Public Enemy 5. Miles Davis 6. Kraftwerk 7. Sex Pistols 8. Eminem 9. Nick Drake 10. The Smiths

Among the musicians taking part were Radiohead, Placebo, U2, Suede and Marilyn Manson.

Bowie, 52, stretched rock music's boundaries in the 70s with his hits Space Oddity, Changes and Suffragette City.

He has continued to have varying degrees of chart success with tracks in the 80s and 90s such as Let's Dance and Dead Man Walking.

Radiohead: Their album OK Computer has been hailed as a landmark of rock music

Many of his songs have been covered by modern bands such as Nirvana and Oasis.

Among the musicians who voted for him were groups Radiohead, Suede and U2 and shock rocker Marilyn Manson.

"Today there seems to be a lack of icons and rock stars in general," said Manson.

"When I grew up, there was David Bowie and Iggy Pop - people who had something to say and had quite an impact on music and society," he added.

Runners-up Radiohead were chosen as an influence by U2's Bono.

Radiohead have been enjoying renewed success with their fourth album, Kid A, following the acclaim lavished on previous work OK Computer.

Talking about his choice, Bono commented: "I saw the new Radiohead show and it was beautiful, so beautiful, perfect sound, beautiful songs, and when he sings it breaks my heart."

Rapper Eminem is a relative newcomer

Among the poll's more curious nominees was controversial US rapper Eminem.

He came in at number eight, even though his UK chart career stretches back just 19 months.

He was nominated by Happy Mondays and Black Grape singer Shaun Ryder.

British guitarist and singer Nick Drake also made it in at number nine, 26 years after his death.