By his songwriting and work in what has gone down as one of the first post-Beatles modern rock outfits that has shaken up the scene, The Velvet Underground.
Though Lou Reed did get a lot of help, and those that had expanded that post grunge, punk type of music were a lot more flamboyant.
John Cale, and Lou Reed of that same band, and also Bob Weir (Grateful Dead) were quite unique in their approach.

Matt