France, Sept. 13 -- The Twin Towers had long been part of New York's visual identity, appearing in films, music videos and on album covers.

Their destruction on 11 September 2001 transformed that image and gave new meaning to songs written before the attacks, while inspiring musicians across genres to respond in their own way.

French journalist Jean-Marie Pottier, author of Ground Zero: Une histoire musicale du 11-Septembre (Ground Zero: A Musical History of 9/11), spoke to RFI about how the attacks shaped American music and musicians, and how the New York skyline became part of that musical memory.

RFI: What did the Twin Towers represent for American musicians before the 9/11 attacks?

Jean-Marie Pottier: Before 9/11, the Twin Towers ...