The Israeli who saved rock 'n' roll

Computer maverick Eran Egozy voted among Time's 100 most influential artists and entertainers for 2008. Along with partner Alex Rigopulos, Egozy invented popular video games 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band'
Yaniv Halily

Israeli-born Eran Egozy was ranked #70 this year in Time Magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people. The only Israeli to make the list, Egozy, 36, shares the spot with partner Alex Rigopulos, 38, with magazine guest writer Steven Van Zandt (of E-Street and Sopranos fame) hailing them as the saviors of classic rock.

"The Batman and Robin of Harmonix," as Van Zandt refers to the duo, are credited with exposing a whole new generation to classic rock culture through the immensely popular video games 'Guitar Hero' and 'Rock Band.'

"I love that Rock Band allows people to act like real-life dysfunctional rock groups - you play either together or against one another. The game breaks down walls, allowing friends and family to rock out to punk, alternative, hard rock or whatever in a living room, or four strangers to connect from four different countries.

"In the history of rock 'n' roll, Rock Band may just turn out to be up there with the rise of FM radio, CDs or MTV," writes the enthused Van Zandt.

Others ranked by Time in the 'Artists and Entertainers' category alongside Egozy and Rigopulos are Joel and Ethan Coen, George Clooney, Judd Apatow, Khaled Hosseini, Tim Russert, Chris Rock and Lorne Michaels.