The 1960s was a decade of change and revolution in various aspects of society, including music. This era witnessed the rise of many talented female singers who made significant contributions to the music industry and helped shape the sound of the decade. From the soulful melodies of Aretha Franklin to the pop hits of Dusty Springfield and the powerful vocals of Janis Joplin, these women captivated audiences with their unique voices and styles. In this article, we will take a closer look at the top 20 famous female singers of the 1960s who left an indelible mark on the music world and continue to inspire generations of musicians today.
1. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who became known as the “Queen of Soul.” With her powerful and soulful voice, she revolutionized the music industry and inspired generations of artists. Born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1942, Franklin began her music career singing gospel in her father’s church before transitioning to secular music. She signed with Atlantic Records in 1967 and released several hit songs, including “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “Think.” She won 18 Grammy Awards and became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin’s music was a reflection of the times, and she used her platform to promote civil rights and social justice. Her impact on the music industry and culture at large cannot be overstated.
2. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin was an American singer and songwriter known for her unique voice and bluesy, soulful style. Born in Texas in 1943, Joplin began her music career in the mid-1960s in San Francisco, where she performed with the band Big Brother and the Holding Company. She quickly became known for her powerful vocals and energetic stage presence. Joplin’s music was a blend of blues, rock, and soul, and her lyrics often spoke to the struggles of the time. She released several hit songs, including “Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee,” before her untimely death at the age of 27. Joplin’s legacy lives on through her music, which continues to inspire new generations of artists. She is remembered as a trailblazer for women in rock and roll and as an icon of the counterculture movement of the 1960s.
3. Tina Turner
Tina Turner is a legendary American singer, songwriter, and actress known for her electrifying performances and powerful voice. Born in Tennessee in 1939, Turner began her music career in the 1950s as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. She went on to have a successful solo career, with hits such as “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Proud Mary.” Turner’s music is a blend of rock, pop, and soul, and her performances are renowned for their high-energy and showmanship. She has won numerous awards, including 12 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Turner is a symbol of strength and resilience, and her music continues to inspire and empower people around the world.
4. Diana Ross
Diana Ross is an American singer, actress, and record producer who rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the Motown group The Supremes. Born in Michigan in 1944, Ross began her music career in the early 1960s and went on to have a successful solo career, with hits such as “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” and “I’m Coming Out.” Ross’s music is a blend of pop, soul, and disco, and her performances are known for their glamour and elegance. She has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Tony Award. Ross is a trailblazer for women in music and entertainment, and her influence on popular culture cannot be overstated.
5. Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline was an American country music singer who rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s. Born in Virginia in 1932, Cline began her music career as a teenager and quickly became one of the most successful country music singers of her time. She had hits such as “Crazy” and “Walkin’ After Midnight” and was known for her smooth voice and emotional performances. Cline’s music is a blend of traditional country and pop, and her influence on country music continues to this day. She died tragically in a plane crash at the age of 30, but her music remains a testament to her talent and legacy.
6. Nina Simone
Nina Simone was an American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist known for her unique voice and jazz-infused music. Born in North Carolina in 1933, Simone began playing the piano at a young age and went on to study at the Juilliard School of Music. She had hits such as “Feeling Good” and “My Baby Just Cares for Me,” and her music often explored themes of social and political injustice. Simone was also an outspoken advocate for civil rights and used her music as a platform for activism. She died in 2003, but her music and legacy continue to inspire new generations of artists.
7. Cass Elliot
Cass Elliot, also known as Mama Cass, was an American singer and actress who rose to fame as a member of the folk rock group The Mamas & The Papas. Born in Maryland in 1941, Elliot had a powerful and distinctive voice that set her apart from other singers of her time. She had hits such as “California Dreamin'” and “Monday, Monday,” and her music often explored themes of love and relationships. Elliot was also an accomplished actress, appearing in several films and television shows. She died in 1974 at the age of 32, but her music continues to be celebrated for its beauty and timelessness.
8. Etta James
Etta James was an American singer and songwriter known for her powerful voice and soulful music. Born in California in 1938, James began singing gospel music as a child and went on to have a successful career in blues, rock, and soul. She had hits such as “At Last” and “I’d Rather Go Blind,” and her music often explored themes of love, heartbreak, and empowerment. James’s voice was a reflection of her life experiences, and she used her music as a way to connect with her audience on a deep and emotional level. She died in 2012 at the age of 73, but her music remains a testament to her talent and impact on the music industry.
9. Nancy Sinatra
Nancy Sinatra is an American singer and actress known for her sultry voice and iconic style. Born in New Jersey in 1940, Sinatra began her music career in the 1960s with hits such as “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” and “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).” Her music is a blend of pop, rock, and country, and her performances are known for their dramatic flair. Sinatra has also appeared in several films and television shows, cementing her status as a cultural icon.
10. Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield was an English singer and songwriter known for her soulful voice and iconic style. Born in London in 1939, Springfield began her music career in the 1960s and had hits such as “Son of a Preacher Man” and “I Only Want to Be with You.” Her music is a blend of pop, rock, and soul, and her performances are known for their emotional depth and authenticity. Springfield’s impact on the music industry and popular culture is immeasurable, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists.
11. Martha Reeves
Martha Reeves is an American singer and songwriter known for her powerful voice and energetic performances as the lead vocalist of Martha and the Vandellas. Born in Alabama in 1941, Reeves began her music career in the 1960s and had hits such as “Dancing in the Street” and “Heat Wave.” Her music is a blend of soul, pop, and R&B, and her performances are known for their dynamic energy and showmanship. Reeves’s music and activism helped to shape the sound of Motown and popular music, and her influence continues to be felt in the music industry today.
12. Joan Baez
Joan Baez is an American singer, songwriter, and activist known for her beautiful voice and dedication to social justice causes. Born in New York in 1941, Baez began her music career in the 1960s and had hits such as “Diamonds and Rust” and “We Shall Overcome.” Her music is a blend of folk, rock, and protest songs, and her performances are known for their emotional intensity and authenticity. Baez has been a strong voice for civil rights, human rights, and environmental issues throughout her career, and her activism continues to inspire people around the world.
13. Mary Wells
Mary Wells was an American singer known as the “Queen of Motown.” Born in Michigan in 1943, Wells had hits such as “My Guy” and “Two Lovers,” and her music is a blend of soul, pop, and R&B. Wells’s voice was both powerful and sweet, and her music captured the spirit of the 1960s with its upbeat rhythms and romantic themes. Although her career was cut short by illness, Wells’s impact on the music industry and popular culture is significant, and her music continues to be celebrated for its beauty and timelessness.
14. Lesley Gore
Lesley Gore was an American singer and songwriter known for her powerful voice and feminist anthems. Born in New York in 1946, Gore had hits such as “It’s My Party” and “You Don’t Own Me,” and her music is a blend of pop, rock, and girl group sounds. Gore’s music challenged the gender norms of the time and was a reflection of the feminist movement of the 1960s. Although her music career was relatively short, Gore’s impact on the music industry and popular culture is significant, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists.
15. Peggy March
Peggy March is an American singer known for her sweet voice and hits such as “I Will Follow Him” and “Hello Heartache, Goodbye Love.” Born in Pennsylvania in 1948, March began her music career in the 1960s and her music is a blend of pop and girl group sounds. Her performances are known for their emotional depth and authenticity, and her music continues to be popular with audiences around the world.
16. Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee is an American singer known for her powerful voice and hits such as “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” and “I’m Sorry.” Born in Georgia in 1944, Lee began her music career in the 1950s and her music is a blend of rockabilly, country, and pop. Her performances are known for their energy and enthusiasm, and her music continues to be beloved by fans of all ages.
17. Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress, and television host known for her smooth voice and hits such as “Walk On By” and “I Say a Little Prayer.” Born in New Jersey in 1940, Warwick began her music career in the 1960s and her music is a blend of soul, pop, and R&B. Her performances are known for their elegance and sophistication, and her music continues to be celebrated for its beauty and timelessness. Warwick’s impact on the music industry and popular culture is significant, and her legacy continues to inspire new generations of artists.
18. Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand is an iconic American singer, actress, and filmmaker with a career spanning over six decades. She has won numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, ten Grammy Awards, and five Emmy Awards. Streisand has a powerful, distinct voice and is known for her ability to convey emotion through her performances. She is also a skilled songwriter, having written many of her own songs. Streisand has released over 50 albums and is one of the best-selling female artists of all time. Some of her most famous songs include “The Way We Were,” “People,” and “Don’t Rain On My Parade.” She is a true legend in the entertainment industry and has inspired countless artists with her music and activism.
19. Cher
Cher is an American singer, actress, and television personality who has been entertaining audiences for over five decades. Known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and outlandish fashion sense, Cher has won numerous awards throughout her career, including an Academy Award, a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Cher has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Some of her most famous songs include “Believe,” “If I Could Turn Back Time,” and “Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves.” Cher has also acted in a number of films, including “Moonstruck” and “The Witches of Eastwick,” and has been a vocal advocate for various social causes, including LGBTQ rights and HIV/AIDS awareness.
20. Billie Davis
Billie Davis is an English singer who rose to fame in the 1960s. She is best known for her hit single “Tell Him,” which reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart in 1963. Davis has a soulful, bluesy voice and is often compared to other female vocalists of the era, such as Dusty Springfield and Cilla Black. In addition to “Tell Him,” some of her other popular songs include “I Want You to Be My Baby” and “Angel of the Morning.” Davis has continued to perform and record music over the years and remains a beloved figure in British pop 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.
