1. Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who is widely considered to be one of the greatest voices in the history of popular music. Known as the “Queen of Soul,” she began her career singing gospel music in her father’s church in Detroit, Michigan, before signing with Columbia Records in 1960 and later with Atlantic Records in 1967.
Throughout her career, Franklin had numerous hits and won a total of 18 Grammy Awards. Some of her most popular songs include “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” and “Natural Woman.” She also performed at several historic events, including President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009, and sang at the funeral services of Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks.
In addition to her success as a musician, Franklin was also known for her activism and philanthropy. She supported various social causes, including civil rights and gender equality. She also established the Aretha Franklin Family Foundation to assist with food and housing for those in need.
Franklin’s impact on American music and culture is immeasurable, and she continues to inspire countless musicians to this day. She passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76.
2. Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston (1963-2012) was an American singer, actress, and producer who is widely regarded as one of the most talented vocalists of all time. Born in Newark, New Jersey, Houston began singing in church and eventually signed a record deal with Arista Records in 1983.
Houston’s debut album, “Whitney Houston,” was released in 1985 and became the best-selling debut album by a female artist at the time. She went on to release several more successful albums, including “Whitney,” “I’m Your Baby Tonight,” and “My Love Is Your Love.”
Throughout her career, Houston had numerous hits, including “I Will Always Love You,” “Greatest Love of All,” and “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” She also starred in several films, including “The Bodyguard,” which featured her hit single “I Will Always Love You.”
Despite her incredible success, Houston struggled with drug addiction and personal issues throughout much of her life. She passed away on February 11, 2012, at the age of 48. Her untimely death was a great loss to the music industry, but her legacy lives on as one of the greatest vocalists of all time.
3. Beyoncé
Beyoncé (born 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and producer who is known for her powerful vocals and captivating performances. She first rose to fame as a member of the R&B group Destiny’s Child, before launching a successful solo career in 2003.
Beyoncé has released several critically acclaimed albums, including “Dangerously in Love,” “B’Day,” and “Lemonade,” and has won 28 Grammy Awards over the course of her career. She is known for her dynamic stage presence and has performed at several high-profile events, including the Super Bowl halftime show and the Coachella music festival.
In addition to her music career, Beyoncé is also a successful actress and has appeared in several films, including “Dreamgirls” and “The Lion King.” She is also a philanthropist and has supported various causes, including gender equality and disaster relief efforts.
Beyoncé is widely regarded as one of the most influential artists of her generation and has been named one of the most powerful women in the world by Forbes magazine. She is known for her empowering messages of self-love and female empowerment, and her impact on popular culture continues to inspire millions around the world.
4. Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand (born 1942) is an American singer, actress, and filmmaker who is known for her powerful voice and impressive range. She began her career performing in nightclubs and eventually landed a role in the Broadway musical “I Can Get It for You Wholesale” in 1962.
Streisand released her debut album, “The Barbra Streisand Album,” in 1963, which won multiple Grammy Awards. She went on to release several more successful albums, including “Guilty,” which was a collaboration with Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees.
In addition to her music career, Streisand is also a successful actress and has appeared in several films, including “Funny Girl,” for which she won an Academy Award for Best Actress. She has also directed several films, including “Yentl” and “The Prince of Tides.”
Streisand is known for her activism and has supported various causes over the course of her career, including environmentalism and LGBTQ+ rights. She has also been a vocal critic of the Trump administration.
Streisand’s impact on American popular culture is immeasurable, and she is regarded as one of the greatest entertainers of all time. She continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians and performers to this day.
5. Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey (born 1970) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who is known for her incredible vocal range and chart-topping hits. She began her career as a backup singer and eventually signed with Columbia Records in 1988.
Carey’s debut album, “Mariah Carey,” was released in 1990 and included several hit singles, including “Vision of Love” and “Love Takes Time.” She went on to release several more successful albums, including “Butterfly,” “Daydream,” and “The Emancipation of Mimi.”
Throughout her career, Carey has had numerous number one hits on the Billboard charts, including “We Belong Together,” “One Sweet Day,” and “Fantasy.” She has won five Grammy Awards and has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time.
In addition to her music career, Carey has also acted in several films, including “Precious” and “Glitter.” She is also known for her philanthropic work and has supported various causes over the years, including children’s charities and HIV/AIDS research.
Carey’s impact on popular music is undeniable, and she continues to inspire generations of musicians and fans alike. Her powerful voice and memorable hits have solidified her place as one of the greatest singers of all time.
6. Tina Turner
Tina Turner (born 1939) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress who is widely regarded as one of the greatest performers of all time. Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, she began her music career as a member of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue in the 1960s.
Turner went on to have a successful solo career, releasing several hit albums, including “Private Dancer,” which included the hit singles “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Private Dancer.” She has won multiple Grammy Awards and has sold over 100 million records worldwide.
In addition to her music career, Turner has also acted in several films, including “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” a biopic about her life. She is also known for her energetic and captivating live performances, which have earned her the nickname the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Turner’s impact on popular music and culture is immeasurable, and she has influenced generations of musicians and performers with her powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence, and indomitable spirit. She continues to inspire fans around the world and is considered an icon of the music industry.
7. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin (1943-1970) was an American singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential female rock and blues singers of all time. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Joplin began her music career in the mid-1960s performing with various bands, including Big Brother and the Holding Company.
Joplin’s powerful and distinctive voice quickly gained attention, and she went on to release several successful albums, including “Cheap Thrills” and “Pearl.” Her hits included “Piece of My Heart” and “Me and Bobby McGee,” which became a posthumous number one hit.
Joplin was known for her raw and emotional performances and her ability to infuse her music with a powerful and authentic blues sound. She was also a symbol of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and a feminist icon, breaking barriers for women in the male-dominated music industry.
Joplin tragically died of a drug overdose at the age of 27, but her impact on popular music and culture is still felt today. She is considered an icon of the 1960s and a pioneer for women in rock music, paving the way for future generations of female musicians.
8. Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera (born 1980) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and television personality who first gained fame in the late 1990s with her debut single, “Genie in a Bottle.” Born in Staten Island, New York, Aguilera began her career as a child performer on “Star Search” and “The Mickey Mouse Club.”
Aguilera’s vocal range and powerful voice quickly set her apart in the music industry, and she has since released several successful albums, including “Stripped” and “Back to Basics.” She has won multiple Grammy Awards and has sold over 75 million records worldwide.
In addition to her music career, Aguilera has also acted in several films, including “Burlesque” and “Life of the Party,” and has served as a coach on the television show “The Voice.” She is also known for her philanthropic work and has supported various causes over the years, including HIV/AIDS research and animal rights.
Aguilera’s impact on popular music is undeniable, and she is known for her powerful vocals, innovative style, and willingness to push boundaries. She has inspired countless artists and continues to be a force in the industry today.
9. Adele
Adele Laurie Blue Adkins (born 1988), known professionally as Adele, is an English singer-songwriter who has become one of the most successful and critically acclaimed artists of her generation. Born in Tottenham, London, Adele rose to fame in 2008 with her debut album, “19,” which included the hit single “Chasing Pavements.”
Adele’s powerful and soulful voice quickly garnered attention, and she has since released several successful albums, including “21” and “25.” Her hits include “Rolling in the Deep” and “Someone Like You,” which have become modern classics.
Adele’s music is known for its emotional depth and vulnerability, and she has been praised for her ability to connect with audiences through her lyrics and performances. She has won multiple Grammy Awards and has sold over 120 million records worldwide.
In addition to her music career, Adele is also known for her philanthropic work and has supported various causes over the years, including raising funds for the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in London.
Adele’s impact on popular music is undeniable, and she is known for her distinctive voice, powerful ballads, and ability to connect with audiences around the world. She continues to be a force in the industry today and is considered one of the greatest singers of her generation.
10. Patsy Cline
Patsy Cline (1932-1963) was an American country music singer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest voices in the history of the genre. Born in Winchester, Virginia, Cline began singing at an early age and gained a following in the 1950s with her performances on local radio shows.
Cline’s breakthrough came in 1957 with her hit single “Walkin’ After Midnight,” which led to appearances on national television and increased popularity. She went on to release several successful albums, including “Patsy Cline Showcase” and “Sentimentally Yours.” Her hits included “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces.”
Cline was known for her distinctive voice, which combined country and pop influences, and her ability to convey emotion in her performances. She was a pioneer for women in country music and broke barriers in the male-dominated industry.
Tragically, Cline died in a plane crash at the age of 30, but her impact on country music and popular culture is still felt today. She is considered an icon of the genre and a trailblazer for women in music, paving the way for future generations of female country singers.
