An instrumental contributor to the history of the synthesizer in dance music, Patrick Cowley's influence carried far beyond his late-'70s prime. Artists, including the Pet Shop Boys and New Order, consider Cowley to be a major musical influence on their work. He explored uncharted territories of synthesizer sounds and instrument programming long before modern-day music conveniences. His work with the band Sylvester gained him fame and allowed Cowley to have his own glory as a producer, writer, and musician. His ongoing experimentation with electronic instruments resulted in some of the most recognized disco hits: "You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)" and "Megatron Man."