Music is an integral part of American culture and history, and American singers have made significant contributions to the global music industry. From the soulful and powerful voice of Aretha Franklin to the electrifying stage presence of Michael Jackson, American singers have defined and redefined music genres, creating a rich and diverse musical landscape. In this article, we will be exploring the top 20 famous American singers who have left a lasting impact on the music industry. Each of these singers has their unique style and sound, but they all share a passion for music and an ability to connect with audiences through their songs. From the classic jazz of Nat King Cole to the socially conscious lyrics of Bob Dylan, we will be delving into the careers and legacies of these iconic American singers who have helped shape the musical landscape of America and the world. Join us as we take a journey through the music and lives of the top 20 famous American singers.
1. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who was widely regarded as the “Queen of Soul.” Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1942, Franklin began singing in her father’s church at a young age and went on to become one of the most influential and successful female singers of all time. Her powerful and soulful voice, combined with her incredible range, made her one of the most iconic singers of the 20th century. Franklin’s hits include “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “Natural Woman,” among many others. She won a total of 18 Grammy Awards over the course of her career, and in 1987 she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin passed away in 2018, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and influence musicians around the world.
2. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley, also known as “The King of Rock and Roll,” was an American singer and actor who rose to fame in the 1950s. Born in Tupelo, Mississippi in 1935, Presley began his music career with Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee, where he recorded his first hit single, “That’s All Right.” Known for his signature blend of rockabilly, country, and blues, Presley became a cultural icon and one of the most important figures in the history of rock and roll. Some of his most famous hits include “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Presley also starred in several successful movies, including “Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Hawaii.” Despite his early success, Presley’s career was cut short by his untimely death in 1977. However, his influence on popular music and culture continues to this day, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential singers of all time.
3. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was an American singer, actress, and producer who was one of the most successful and influential female vocalists of the 20th century. Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1963, Houston began her career as a backup singer and went on to release seven studio albums, selling over 200 million records worldwide. Her powerful and emotional voice earned her numerous accolades, including seven Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards. Some of her most famous hits include “I Will Always Love You,” “Greatest Love of All,” and “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Houston’s life was tragically cut short when she passed away in 2012, but her music continues to inspire and influence generations of singers and musicians around the world.
4. Madonna
Madonna, born Madonna Louise Ciccone, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who became known as the “Queen of Pop” in the 1980s. Madonna’s music is known for its catchy melodies, provocative lyrics, and dance-oriented beats. She has sold over 300 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Some of her most famous songs include “Like a Virgin,” “Material Girl,” and “Vogue.” Madonna’s career has spanned four decades and she has continuously reinvented herself and her music throughout that time. In addition to her music career, Madonna has also acted in several films and has become known for her activism and philanthropy.
5. Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen, also known as “The Boss,” is an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his poetic lyrics, working-class themes, and energetic live performances. Born in New Jersey in 1949, Springsteen began his career in the 1970s and quickly became known for his distinctive sound, which combined elements of rock, folk, and country music. Some of his most famous songs include “Born to Run,” “Dancing in the Dark,” and “Thunder Road.” Springsteen has won numerous awards throughout his career, including 20 Grammy Awards and an Academy Award. He is also known for his political activism and support for various causes, including workers’ rights and the fight against poverty.
6. Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Hardaway Morris, is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist who has been a major figure in popular music since the 1960s. Blind from birth, Wonder began his music career as a child prodigy and went on to become one of the most successful and acclaimed artists of his generation. Some of his most famous songs include “Superstition,” “Isn’t She Lovely,” and “I Just Called to Say I Love You.” Wonder has won 25 Grammy Awards over the course of his career, as well as an Academy Award and several other honors. He is known for his soulful voice, innovative use of technology and instrumentation, and his ability to blend various genres of music, including soul, funk, and pop. Wonder is also a philanthropist and activist, and has been involved in various humanitarian causes throughout his career.
7. Tina Turner
Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her powerful voice, electrifying stage presence, and soulful performances. Turner began her music career as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in the 1960s and went on to have a highly successful solo career. Some of her most famous hits include “Proud Mary,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” and “The Best.” Turner has won numerous awards throughout her career, including 12 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She is also known for her acting career, with notable roles in films such as “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
8. Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline was an American country music singer known for her distinctive voice and emotional performances. Born in Virginia in 1932, Cline began singing in local talent shows as a child and went on to have a successful career in country music. Some of her most famous songs include “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” and “Walkin’ After Midnight.” Cline’s career was cut short by her untimely death in a plane crash in 1963, but she remains a beloved and influential figure in the history of country music.
9. Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole was an American jazz pianist and vocalist who became one of the most successful and popular musicians of the 20th century. Born in Alabama in 1919, Cole began his music career as a jazz pianist and later became known for his smooth baritone voice. Some of his most famous songs include “Unforgettable,” “Mona Lisa,” and “Route 66.” Cole was also a successful television personality, hosting his own variety show in the 1950s. He won numerous awards throughout his career, including 15 Grammy Awards and an Emmy Award. Cole’s music and his influence on popular culture continue to be celebrated and revered by fans and musicians alike.
10. Prince
Prince, born Prince Rogers Nelson, was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor known for his eclectic and innovative music style. Prince’s music combined elements of funk, rock, pop, and R&B, and he was known for his virtuosic guitar playing and powerful stage presence. Some of his most famous hits include “Purple Rain,” “Kiss,” and “When Doves Cry.” Prince won seven Grammy Awards throughout his career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also known for his gender-bending fashion sense and his advocacy for artists’ rights and creative freedom.
11. James Brown
James Brown, also known as the “Godfather of Soul,” was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and bandleader who played a key role in the development of soul and funk music in the 20th century. Brown’s music was known for its energetic and rhythmic style, and he was known for his dynamic stage presence and elaborate performances. Some of his most famous hits include “I Got You (I Feel Good),” “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag,” and “Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine.” Brown won numerous awards throughout his career, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Kennedy Center Honor. He was also a prominent social and political activist, advocating for civil rights and the importance of education.
12. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was an American singer and songwriter known for her powerful and soulful voice and her contributions to the countercultural music scene of the 1960s. Joplin’s music combined elements of rock, blues, and soul, and she was known for her emotional and raw performances. Some of her most famous songs include “Piece of My Heart,” “Me and Bobby McGee,” and “Cry Baby.” Joplin’s career was cut short by her death from a drug overdose in 1970, but she remains a beloved and influential figure in the history of rock music. She was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995.
13. Ray Charles
Ray Charles was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer who combined elements of gospel, blues, and jazz music to create his unique style. Charles was known for his powerful and soulful voice and his ability to convey intense emotion through his music. Some of his most famous songs include “Georgia on My Mind,” “Hit the Road Jack,” and “What’d I Say.” Charles won numerous awards throughout his career, including 17 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also a prominent civil rights activist and supporter of the American Foundation for the Blind.
14. Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer, songwriter, and musician known for his poetic and socially conscious lyrics and his contributions to the folk and rock music genres. Dylan’s music often dealt with political and social issues, and he was a key figure in the protest movement of the 1960s. Some of his most famous songs include “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Like a Rolling Stone,” and “The Times They Are A-Changin’.” Dylan has won numerous awards throughout his career, including the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2016. He continues to be a highly influential figure in popular music and culture.
15. Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson, also known as the “King of Pop,” was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor who became one of the most successful and iconic musicians of the 20th century. Jackson’s music combined elements of pop, rock, soul, and R&B, and he was known for his electrifying stage presence and innovative music videos. Some of his most famous hits include “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller.” Jackson won numerous awards throughout his career, including 13 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also known for his philanthropic work, including his support for charities such as the Heal the World Foundation.
16. Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who is often considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Cash’s music combined elements of country, rock, and folk music, and he was known for his deep, distinctive voice and his emotionally powerful lyrics. Some of his most famous songs include “I Walk the Line,” “Ring of Fire,” and “Folsom Prison Blues.” Cash won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Grammy Awards and inductions into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
17. Marvin Gaye
Marvin Gaye was an American singer, songwriter, and producer who played a key role in the development of soul and R&B music in the 20th century. Gaye’s music was known for its smooth and sensuous style, and he was a prominent social and political activist, using his music to address issues such as civil rights and the Vietnam War. Some of his most famous songs include “What’s Going On,” “Sexual Healing,” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” Gaye won numerous awards throughout his career, including multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
18. Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was an American singer, songwriter, and musician who rose to fame as the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Nirvana. Cobain’s music was known for its raw and emotional style, and he was considered one of the key figures in the development of grunge music in the 1990s. Some of Nirvana’s most famous songs include “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come As You Are,” and “Heart-Shaped Box.” Cobain’s career was cut short by his death in 1994, but he continues to be a highly influential figure in the history of rock music.
19. Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison was an American singer, songwriter, and poet who is best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the band The Doors. Morrison’s music combined elements of rock, blues, and psychedelic music, and he was known for his charismatic and theatrical stage presence. Some of The Doors’ most famous songs include “Light My Fire,” “Break On Through (To the Other Side),” and “Riders on the Storm.” Morrison’s career was also cut short by his death in 1971, but he remains a beloved and influential figure in the history of rock music and counterculture.
20. Reba McEntire
Reba McEntire is an American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her contributions to the country music genre. McEntire’s music often dealt with themes of love, heartbreak, and empowerment, and she was known for her powerful and emotive voice. Some of her most famous songs include “Fancy,” “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia,” and “Does He Love You,” a duet with Linda Davis. McEntire has won numerous awards throughout her career, including three Grammy Awards, 16 Academy of Country Music Awards, and 15 American Music Awards. She has also been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In addition to her music career, McEntire has also acted in film and television, including a starring role in the television series “Reba.” She is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential women in country music history.
Samuel Moore is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
