History Main / ShortLivedBigImpact

* Syd Barrett was guitarist for PinkFloyd for less than two years, and had a big influence on PsychedeicRock and even ProtoPunk.

** JanisJoplin -- a key player in women coming onto the rock scene; everyone from {{Paramore}} to {{Pink}} owes something to this gal.

* EddieAndTheCruisers is an in-world example: the titular band is hailed as the forerunners of modern rock even though the band disbanded after the sudden death/disappearance of their lead singer/songwriter.

* ''TheCanterburyTales'' was never even finished. It is still considered one of the most influential books of the English language despite the fact it was written in Middle English, making this trope OlderThanSteam.

[[quoteright:189:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Bruce_Lee_3012.PNG]]
[[caption-width-right:189:[[BruceLee The man who brought the west the Kung-Fu Film]].]]

''MightyMouseTheNewAdventures'' managed just 19 episodes before it was shut down in a controversy fueled by MoralGuardians. However, the series was highly influential on later animated series, and those series' snarky, zany, pop-culture obsessed tone. Additionally, it was one of the first examples of "creator-run animation" on American television - animation that had the CreatorThumbprint of a specific artist (in this case RalphBakshi) or team of animators.

''MightyMouseTheNewAdventures'' managed just 19 episodes before it was shut down in a controversy fueled by MoralGaurdians. However, the series was highly influential on later animated series, and those series' snarky, zany, pop-culture obsessed tone. Additionally, it was one of the first examples of "creator-run animation" on American television - animation that had the CreatorThumbprint of a specific artist (in this case RalphBakshi) or team of animators.

** Music/AmyWinehouse -- a key influence in revitalizing the stagnated British music scene, and for popularizing soul music, she directly inspired and paved the way for major artists like Adele, Lady Gaga, Florence Welch, Paloma Faith, Jessie J, Duffy, Rebecca Ferguson and Gabriella Cilimi .

** Music/AmyWinehouse -- a key influence in revitalizing the stagnated British music scene, and for popularizing soul music.

* John Keats was only 25 when he died, with only three books of his work published, but is considered one of the Great Romantic Poets.

* {{UPA}} [United Productions of America] barely lasted more than a decade as a theatrical cartoon studio, during which time their [[LimitedAnimation stylized approach to the medium]] profoundly changed the way cartoons looked for the next few decades ([[TheDarkAgeOfAnimation for better or worse]]). Even today, their influence, direct or indirect, is felt in shows as diverse as ''DextersLaboratory'', ''ThePowerPuffGirls'', ''BeavisAndButthead'', ''SamuraiJack'', ''HomeMovies'', ''TheSimpsons'' and ''MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''.

* Music/{{Cream}} was only together for a couple of years, but in that time, they influenced Hendrix, the development of heavy metal (Music/LedZeppelin, Music/DeepPurple) and jam bands like Music/TheAllmanBrothers and Music/TheGratefulDead.

* Music/{{Cream}} was only together for a couple of years, but in that time, they influenced Hendrix, the development of heavy metal (Music/LedZeppelin, Music/DeepPurple) and jam bands like The Music/AllmanBrothers and The Music/GratefulDead.

** [[{{Nirvana}} Kurt Cobain]] -- the lead singer of {{Nirvana}}, he helped define the image of rock the late 80's and early 90's, and set the stage for the rock scene in the next decade.
** AmyWinehouse -- a key influence in revitalizing the stagnated British music scene, and for popularizing soul music.
* The SexPistols had a grand total of ''one'' studio album, yet they are considered the pioneers of PunkRock.
* LedZeppelin had a career that spanned little more than a decade, cut short by drummer John Bonham's death. Their impact on the rock genre is undeniable, and their sound was one of the precursors to HeavyMetal.

* JoyDivision only released two albums owing to the AuthorExistenceFailure of their lead singer (who died at 23), but are the first thing everyone thinks of when they hear the term PostPunk, in addition to helping lay the groundwork for what would become GothRock. If TheDoors did not influence them, usually Joy Division did.
* TheBeatles. 12 years together, 7 years recording professionally, little more than a dozen albums...
* {{Cream}} was only together for a couple of years, but in that time, they influenced Hendrix, the development of heavy metal (LedZeppelin, DeepPurple) and jam bands like The AllmanBrothers and The GratefulDead.

* ''NeonGenesisEvangelion'' was one of the most influential anime shows of the Giant Mecha Genre, but only lasted one season and 26 episodes.

** Robert Johnson -- basically made {{Blues}} what it was; was also a profound influence on many of the earliest rock singers

* ''JapaneseSpiderMan'' ran for one season (41 episodes) and [[TropeMaker made]] the HumongousMecha genre.

* TheBeatles. 12 years together, 7 years recording professionally, less than a dozen albums...

* EddieAndTheCruisers is an in-world example: the titular band is hailed as the forerunners of modern rock.
* ThisIsSpinalTap set the tone for {{mockumentaries}} and {{Rockumentaries}} for decades to come. It's influence can also be seen in the early episodes of {{Metalocalypse}}.

'''Examples:'''

This trope is about something having left a noticeable impact on it's genre, even though the work/artist was cut short. Short works that were great but have not influenced their genre a lot yet (ex: {{Firefly}}, ArrestedDevelopment) go under TooGoodToLast, not here.

In serial media(comic books, anime, cartoons, etc.), this trope can manifest as a work that was cut short or simply not meant to be a LongRunner, but the impact it left on the genre is still felt.

In music, it is important to mention this is not a OneHitWonder: a Short-Lived Big Impact musical act might actually have multiple hits before they left the scene, or even [[NoHitWonder no hits at all]]. OneHitWonder usually refers to an artist or act that left no impact beyond the popularity of their one hit, a Short-Lived Big Impact's effect on their genre is still felt.

Do not confuse this with TooGoodToLast, but it can play a part in the untimely demise. Tell who was influenced when you make your example or it goes under TooGoodToLast.

* JamesDean only starred in three Hollywood films and died in a tragic car crash shortly after finishing the third one, but his performances in ''EastOfEden'' and ''RebelWithoutACause'' (especially the latter) pretty much defined the "[[TroubledButCute misunderstood bad-boy teen]]" image of the era.
* BruceLee didn't star in very many films, and died at the age of 33, but he is widely credited with introducing martial-arts films to the United States, and popularizing asian culture. His fighting philosophy still lives on to this day, and he has inspired dozens upon dozens of {{Bruce Lee Clone}}s.

* ''TheCanterburyTales'' was never even finished. It is still considered one of the most influential books of the English Language despite the fact it was written in Middle English making this trope OlderThanSteam.

* The AdamWest ''Series/{{Batman}}'' series pretty much defined the Caped Crusader in the public eye for decades (and seemingly permanently in Japan), but the TV show itself only ran for 2 years.

* {{UPA}} (United Productions of America) barely lasted more than a decade as a theatrical cartoon studio, during which time their [[LimitedAnimation stylized approach to the medium]] profoundly changed the way cartoons looked for the next few decades ([[TheDarkAgeOfAnimation for better or worse]]). Even today, their influence, direct or indirect, is felt in shows as diverse as ''DextersLaboratory'', ''ThePowerPuffGirls'', ''BeavisAndButthead'', ''SamuraiJack'', ''HomeMovies'', ''TheSimpsons'', and ''MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''.
* ''TheRenAndStimpyShow'' at four seasons ([[FanonDiscontinuity the last two of which are barely talked about nowadays]]) did not last as long as the two other shows in the original {{Nicktoons}} line up, ''{{Rugrats}}'' and ''{{Doug}}'', which continued in some form or another for the better part of a decade. And yet, ''R&S'' is among the most influential cartoon shows of the last twenty years, spawning dozens of imitators and being the TropeMaker for the GrossoutShow genre.

* NeonGenesisEvangelion was one of the most influential anime shows of the Giant Mecha Genre, but only lasted one season and 26 episodes.

* JamesDean. He only starred in three Hollywood films and died in a tragic car crash shortly after finishing the third one, but his performances in ''EastOfEden'' and ''RebelWithoutACause'' (especially the latter) pretty much defined the "misunderstood bad-boy teen" image of the era.
* BruceLee. Didn't star in very many films, and died at the age of 33, but he is widely credited with introducing martial-arts films to the United States, and popularizing asian culture. His fighting philosophy still lives on to this day, and he has inspired dozens upon dozens of {{Bruce Lee Clone}}s.

* TheCanterburyTales was never even finished. It is still considered one of the most influential books of the English Language despite the fact it was written in Middle English making this trope OlderThanSteam.
* John Keats, he was only 25 when he died, with only three books of his work published, but is considered one of the Great Romantic Poets.
* Stieg Larson, author of the ''Millennium'' Trilogy( of which ''TheGirlWithTheDragonTattoo'' was the first book), died under mysterious circumstances before finishing what was supposed to be a five book series. The series became a phenomenon, and many a modern author is already showing influence from his books, especially amongst the Nordic countries.
* The Bronte sisters, [[CharlotteBronte Charlotte]], [[EmilyBronte Emily]] and [[AnneBronte Ann]] were extremely successful and influential authors, but they only wrote a total of seven books between the three of them.

* The AdamWest ''{{Batman}}'' series pretty much defined the Caped Crusader in the public eye for decades (and seemingly permanently in Japan), but the TV show itself only ran for 2 years.

* 2Pac and NotoriousBIG both died at 25, leaving a profound influence on rap in their wake.
* JoyDivision. Only released two albums owing to the AuthorExistenceFailure of their lead singer (who died at 23), but are the first thing everyone thinks of when they hear the term PostPunk, in addition to helping lay the groundwork for what would become GothRock. If The Doors did not influence them, usually Joy Division did.

* ''TheRenAndStimpyShow'' at four seasons ([[DisContinuity the last two of which are barely talked about nowadays]]) did not last as much as the two other shows in the original Nicktoons line up, ''{{Rugrats}}'' and ''{{Doug}}'', which continued in some form or another for the better part of a decade. And yet, ''R&S'' is among the most influential cartoon shows of the last twenty years, spawning dozens of imitators and being the TropeMaker for the GrossoutShow genre.