Setting The Stage
These pieces never get old, do they? These performers are legends in the music world. A considerable amount of talent, vision, and passion has gone into creating timeless music. Here are 22 great names.
Michael Jackson
“Thriller” changed the music game, but Michael Jackson’s influence goes way beyond that. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, he went from being a child star to a worldwide icon. He also did humanitarian work, like with “We Are The World,” which raised money for Africa.
Michael Jackson (Cont.)
His moonwalk had everyone hooked, while his album “Off The Wall” (1979) marked a turning point with hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough”. Jackson won many awards throughout his career, including 13 Grammys and the Grammy Legend Award.
Elvis Presley
“The King Of Rock And Roll” was born in January 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi. Presley started his lovely music career in 1954 when he recorded his first single, “That’s All Right,” at Sun Studio under producer Sam Phillips. He has also acted in 31 films.
Elvis Presley (Cont.)
Presley’s cheeky hip moves earned him the nickname “Elvis the Pelvis”. After serving in the military in Germany, he made a big comeback with the ’68 Comeback Special. Now, his Graceland mansion stands as an attraction for many.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Aretha Franklin
This woman’s powerful rendition of “Respect” became a rallying cry for the civil rights movement. In 1966, she signed with Atlantic Records and worked with producer Jerry Wexler. This collaboration brought her the song “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)”.
Aretha Franklin (Cont.)
Aretha started singing in her father, C.L. Franklin’s church choir when she was very young. By the time she was 14, she had already released her first album, “Songs Of Faith” (1965). Backstory: Her mother, Barbara Franklin, was a gospel singer.
Atlantic Records, Wikimedia Commons
Stevie Wonder
At the tender age of 13, Wonder’s hit “Fingertips (Part 2)” made him the youngest artist ever to top the Billboard Hot 100. During his experimental phase, he dropped albums like “Music Of My Mind” and “Talking Book”. Plus, his work with the synthesizer TONTO set the stage for electronic music.
UCLA digital library, CC BY 4.0 , Wikimedia Commons
Stevie Wonder (Cont.)
Wonder received an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “I Just Called To Say I Love You” from the film The Woman in Red (1984). Besides that, he played a major role in establishing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday.
UCLA digital library, CC BY 4.0 ,Wikimedia Commons
David Bowie
With every album, Bowie kept reinventing himself. For instance, the upbeat vibe of “Young Americans”, the experimental sounds of the Berlin trilogy, and the catchy beats of “Let’s Dance”. His final studio album, “Blackstar”, came out two days before his death from cancer in January 2016.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
David Bowie (Cont.)
However, Bowie’s career took a dramatic turn in the early 1970s with the creation of his alter ego, Ziggy Stardust, who was a flamboyant and androgynous rock star. The character was introduced in his famous album “The Rise And Fall Of Ziggy Stardust And The Spiders From Mars” (1972).
Prince Rogers Nelson
You can say Prince Rogers Nelson shattered musical boundaries. By his teenage years, he had mastered 27 instruments. He produced, arranged, and performed entire albums solo. This talented singer released his first studio album, “For You”, in 1978.
Allen Beaulieu, Wikimedia Commons
Prince Rogers Nelson (Cont.)
The well-known Minneapolis Sound was primarily developed by Rogers, along with musicians like André Cymone, Jimmy Jam, and Terry Lewis. The icon was born to Mattie Della Shaw, a jazz singer and social worker, and John L. Nelson, who was a lyricist and pianist.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
Madonna Louise Ciccone
Madonna Ciccone moved to New York City with only $35 in her pocket. After finishing high school in January 1976, she got a dance scholarship to the University of Michigan. But in 1978, she chose to leave college and pursue her dreams in New York instead.
chrisweger, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Madonna Louise Ciccone (Cont.)
Apparently, her daring and controversial “Like A Prayer” video lost her a Pepsi deal worth around $5 million. Anyway, Ciccone has produced a couple of chart-topping hits in her lifetime, such as “Like A Virgin”, “Vogue”, “Material Girl”, “Hung Up”, and “4 Minutes”.
Jimi Hendrix
In 1966, after moving to London with the help of bassist Chas Chandler, Hendrix formed “The Jimi Hendrix Experience” with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Noel Redding. Even though Hendrix only worked at Electric Lady Studios for about four weeks, it went on to host sessions for big names.
Jimi Hendrix (Cont.)
These include Bowie, Stevie Wonder, and Led Zeppelin. Hendrix’s performance at the Monterey International Pop Festival in June 1967, where he set his guitar on fire, launched him to fame in the USA. He was also the final performer at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair (1969).
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash grew up as the son of a sharecropper in Arkansas and was influenced by the Southern music culture. He had a connection with prison inmates, which essentially led to concerts at Folsom and San Quentin. Cash’s life was immortalized in Walk The Line (2005).
Johnny Cash (Cont.)
He was a supporter of Native American rights long before it became a trendy cause. Known for his “Man In Black” persona, Cash often wore black clothing as a symbol of solidarity with the downtrodden. Later in his career, Rick Rubin helped him reach a whole new audience.
Johnnycash1950-2003, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Bob Marley
As one of the pioneers of reggae music, Marley fused elements of ska and rocksteady into his sound. His music was about love, spirituality, and standing up for social justice. Marley really found his groove internationally with albums like “Catch A Fire” and “Burnin’” (1973).
Bob Marley (Cont.)
His track “I Shot The Sheriff” became popular when Eric Clapton covered it in ’74. Marley also advocated for pan-Africanism and social justice, using his platform to address poverty and inequality. “Get Up, Stand Up” became the ultimate anthem for human rights.
Elton John
Reginald Kenneth Dwight started taking piano lessons at just three years old to ultimately make his way towards becoming Elton John. In 1967, he met lyricist Bernie Taupin, with whom he came to form one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in music history.
Elton John
John’s concerts are known for their over-the-top costumes, ranging from Donald Duck to Louis XIV. “Candle In The Wind” became the best-selling single ever in 1997, and on top of that, his AIDS foundation has raised more than $600 million.
Neil Young
The singer was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: as a solo artist in 1995 and as a member of Buffalo Springfield in 1997. His high-pitched voice and gritty guitar sound made a mark in bands like Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Warner/Reprise, Wikimedia Commons
Neil Young (Cont.)
Even though Young’s song “Heart Of Gold” (1972) was a success, he put out some experimental stuff like “Trans”. He also hosts the Bridge School Benefit concerts every year to help kids with disabilities. This program was established in 1986.
Frank Sinatra
Sinatra’s solo career took off in the 1940s when he became a sensation among the “bobby soxers”, young female fans who adored him. His smooth baritone voice earned him nicknames like “The Voice” and “Ol’ Blue Eyes”. Sinatra was born in December 1915 in New Jersey.
Frank Sinatra (Cont.)
His discography includes classic albums such as “In the Wee Small Hours” (1955) and “Songs for Swingin’ Lovers!” (1956). Some of his fan-favorite songs include “My Way”, “Strangers in the Night”, and “New York, New York”. Sadly, he passed away in May 1998.
Whitney Houston
The iconic song “I Will Always Love You” topped the charts for 14 weeks in 1992, displaying Houston’s incredible vocal skills. The Bodyguard soundtrack? It’s the best-selling soundtrack of all time. She signed on with Arista Records and dropped her first self-titled album in 1985.
Whitney Houston (Cont.)
This debut album produced several great singles, like “Saving All My Love for You”, “How Will I Know”, and “The Greatest Love Of All”. It literally made Houston the first female artist to achieve three number-one hits on the Billboard Hot 100 from a debut release.
PH2 Mark Kettenhofen , Novice7, Wikimedia Commons
Bruce Springsteen
“The Boss” has dropped 21 studio albums over more than sixty years, mostly with his band, the E Street Band, backing him up. He has won 20 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for Best Original Song for “Streets Of Philadelphia”.
Laura Bland, Wikimedia Commons
Bruce Springsteen (Cont.)
Springsteen’s first two albums, “Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.” and “The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle”, were released in 1973 but did not perform well commercially. However, “Born To Run” (1975) released beloved tunes like “Born To Run” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out”.
Bill Ebbesen, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Billie Holiday
This singer didn’t back down from performing “Strange Fruit”, even with all the color-based threats she faced. Holiday was discovered by producer John Hammond and started recording in 1933 with Benny Goodman. Her autobiography inspired Diana Ross’s first movie.
Billie Holiday (Cont.)
Holiday teamed up with saxophonist Lester Young to create classic jazz tunes, and he even gave her the nickname “Lady Day”. In 1947, she was arrested for a narcotics violation and spent time in rehabilitation. After that, she continued to perform and record.
Tina Turner
Turner’s story has been depicted in various media, such as the biographical film What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993) and the Broadway musical Tina. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice—once as part of Ike & Tina Turner and again as a solo artist.
Tina Turner (Cont.)
Beyond her rock-soul fusion style, Turner’s legs were famously insured for $3.2 million. “Proud Mary”, “River Deep—Mount High”, and “Nutbush City Limits” are some of her electrifying performances. Also, she was born with the name Anna Mae Bullock.
Leonard Cohen
This Montreal poet spent five years in a Zen monastery before returning to music. His song “Hallelujah” was initially rejected by Columbia Records but became one of the most covered songs ever. Cohen was given the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame award.
Roland Godefroy, CC BY 3.0 ,Wikimedia Commons
Leonard Cohen (Cont.)
He published his first book of poetry, Let Us Compare Mythologies, in 1956. In the later years of his life, Cohen released critically acclaimed albums such as “Old Ideas” (2012) and “You Want It Darker” (2016); the latter of which won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance.
James Brown
James Brown literally went from the rough streets of Augusta to being known as “Soul Brother No. 1”. His biggest moments were in the 1960s when he dropped banger albums like “Live At The Apollo” (1963) and fantastic songs like “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag” and “I Got You (I Feel Good)”.
James Brown (Cont.)
His song “Say It Loud—I’m Black and I’m Proud” (1968) became an anthem for African American pride and empowerment. He was born in Barnwell, South Carolina. Brown’s first major hit, “Please, Please, Please,” was released in 1956, which reportedly sold over a million copies.
Ray Charles
Even after losing his eyesight at seven, the determined Charles picked up piano, saxophone, and clarinet while studying at Florida’s School for the Deaf and Blind. His take on “Georgia On My Mind” ended up being named the official song of the state.
Maurice Seymour, Wikimedia Commons
Ray Charles (Cont.)
Ray Charles shot to fame in the 1950s with popular songs like “I Got A Woman” and “What’d I Say”, which fused gospel music with R&B. He snagged 13 Grammy Awards, plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award to top it off. Charles is truly an inspiration.
Freddie Mercury
Born as Farrokh Bulsara in September 1946 in Zanzibar, Freddie Mercury was a British singer, songwriter, and lead vocalist of the legendary rock band Queen. The album “A Night at the Opera” (1975) featured “Bohemian Rhapsody”, and it topped the charts for nine weeks.
Morn, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Freddie Mercury (Cont.)
Basically, in 1970, Mercury chose to join guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor, who were looking for a new lead singer for their band named Smile. He suggested the name “Queen” for the group and later changed his own name to Freddie Mercury.
Freddie Mercury (Cont.)
The legend was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001. Besides, a tribute concert was held in his honor at Wembley Stadium in 1992, which raised funds for AIDS research. Mercury’s life and career were dramatized in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody (2018).
Janis Joplin
Joplin developed a passion for music early on, influenced by Blues singers like Bessie Smith and Lead Belly. She went on to gain national attention as the lead singer of “Big Brother and the Holding Company” after their performance at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.
Grossman Glotzer, Wikimedia Commons
Janis Joplin (Cont.)
Their album Cheap Thrills (1968) featured hits like “Piece Of My Heart”. After leaving Big Brother Company, Joplin formed the Kozmic Blues Band and later the Full Tilt Boogie Band. She also performed at major festivals like Woodstock in 1969.
.jpg){kind=link}
_(cropped).jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
.jpg){kind=link}
