But dwarfing these early successes were the hits they wrote for the Everly Brothers, among these Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie and All I Have to Do Is Dream. Then in 1968 came their insanely infectious Rocky Top, first a hit for the Osborne Brothers and, in time, a staple for every bluegrass banjo player who ever lived. Since then, he's become a highly influential songwriter. Hits: Mr. Patti Page: Best known for her 1950 crossover hit, The Tennessee Waltz, Page (1927-2013) charted various other country singles through 1982, including the 1972 Top 20 duet with Tom T. Hall, Hello We're Lonely. Her recording of The Tennessee Waltz was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. His classic, "What Did You Learn in School Today?" Her songs Am I Asking Too Much? and Baby Get Lost peaked at no. Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie, on the cover of the single sleeve for "Sunday Girl," 1979. The song was the groups first single and their biggest hit. In all, Wynette would score 20 No. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. Carrie Underwood is an American singer-songwriter and one of the best female country music singers of all time. She began performing when she was 19and rose to fame through singing classic African-American spirituals. Widely regarded as the Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain is the best-selling female artist in the history of country music, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. Her top hits were My Heart Cries For You and Sweet Violets, both reaching no. The Kendall Sisters - Yea, Yea. LaVern BakerConnie FrancisBrenda LeeDinah WashingtonDella ReeseAretha FranklinEtta JamesKaren CarpenterDusty SpringfieldPatti LabelleMore items Judy Garland. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto. Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. He's easily one of the most influential artists in the genre, and one of the most gifted instrumentalists. Formed in 1957 by schoolmatesShirley Owens,Doris Coley, Addie Micki Harris, and Beverly Lee in Passaic, New Jersey, The Shirelles released their first single I Met Him on a Sunday in 1958. It's hard to imagine that we'd still be talking about American folk music had there never been a Carter Family. Here are the 21 best 50s female singers: Patsy Cline dominated the country music scene as one of the best female vocalists of the 1950s. Afterward, in 1947, she signed with Mercury Records as their first thriving female singer. Singing songs targeted toward the teen or pre-teen young women of the times, the girl groups of the 50s and 1960s covered mostly innocent subject matter like The Angels My Boyfriends Back, Then He Kissed Me by The Crystals or The Dixie Cups dream of marriage on Chapel of Love.. Her 1977 cover of You Light Up My Life peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for ten weeks. Most might gravitate towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation for rock and roll during that time. With melodies like Crazy and Sweet Dreams, Cline remains as one of the genres most recognizable voices, even today. Next: The best female singers from the 1970s (70s female singers). Among them were love songs, songs of praise, silly children's songs, songs about nature, and topical protest songs. This earned her a slot in her best-known film, Singin In The Rain., She debuted on Broadway 20 years later in the revival of Irene. The show broke the record for the highest weekly gross of any other musical and earned Reynolds a Tony nomination. Dylan's songwriting has spanned every nook and cranny of Americana, from the blues to folk to rock and roll, and his influence has been felt through every strain of American music. 2023 Opry. Picture this: Youre back in the 1950s, grabbing a bite to eat at the local diner, and theres a jukebox sitting in the corner waiting for you to insert your coin and pick a song. She's also an award-winning artist in her own rightand has recorded album after album of incredible folk, gospel, and blues songs. After winning the radio spot together, they received recognition from bandleader Tony Pastor. Charts), Canadian singer Anne Murray became the first Canadian female solo artist with No. Among Shepard's Top 5 hits were Satisfied Mind and Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar). In 1960 she married singer Hawkshaw Hawkins, who, three years later, was killed in the plane crash that took Patsy Cline's life. According to Billboard, Shania Twain is the 13th Greatest Music Video Female Solo Artist ever. Nina Simone 1. Songs like Your Cheatin Heart and Im So Lonesome I Could Cry earned Williams the nickname of Hillbilly Shakespeare. Decades after his untimely passing at the height of his fame in 1953, Williams remains as one of the most fabled icons the genre has ever known. 13 on the Top Pop Singles chart. Besides her father, Ardens brother, Jan, was a singer. She was placed third in the singing contest Nashville Star. A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Lee is the only female performer to be inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. Etta James 2. Many of them have become as much a part of the Great American Songbook as those written by Ira Gershwin or Johnny Mercer -- classics such as Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, Jolene and 9 to 5, the theme from her 1980 movie of the same name. She is credited with releasing several chart-busting albums that have sold millions of copies worldwide. She also performed in Annie Get Your Gun, Woman Of The Year, and The Unmistakable Molly Brown.. Joan Baez 7. Her voice is an extraordinary soprano, and she's played everything from classic traditional songs to the work of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs. He traveled with Guthrie for a half-decadeand has since recorded 50 albums. In a career spanning six decades, she has released multiple gold albums and has won Grammy Award thrice. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995. 1 singles between 1950 and 1953. Despite a number of songs in her repertoire prior, Clines first big hit was Walkin After Midnight, which peaked at No. Seeger and Hays went on to form The Weavers. 44. The Glories - I Stand Accused (Of Loving You) The Simon Sisters - Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod. All came from different backgrounds but had one thing in common: much like their male counterparts their group name typically started with TheThe Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Shangri-Las, The Crystals, The Marvelettes, and dozens of other all-female groups of the era. He also became an active force in the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s. Phil Ochs is known for writing exceptional protest songs, and he spared nobody with his sharp tongue. The Beatles were arguably the greatest group of the period -- but many would say that their biggest chart rival wasn't the Rolling Stones or the Beach Boys, but the Supremes. Uncommonly witty, ambitious and market-savvy despite having been born dirt poor, she has built an empire that embraces performing, music publishing, recording, conventional and television movies, the Dollywood theme park in her native east Tennessee and a worldwide books-to-children charity. A new era of female songwriters like Carole King, who penned The Chiffons 1963 hit One Fine Day and The Shirelles 1960 hit Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow when she was just 18, and Ellie Greenwich, who wrote hits Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Then He Kissed Me, Chapel of Love, Leader of the Pack, were also coming to the forefront. A talented artist since a young age, she achieved success with her first single and debut album in 2006. She is also one of the best-selling music artists ever. She wouldnt be recognized for her vocals until she performed in an L.A. jazz club in early 1955. A hardcore country traditionalist, Jean Shepard (1933-2016) played bass in an all-woman band called The Melody Ranch Girls before setting out on a solo career. Multifaceted personality, Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, author and businesswoman and is known mainly for her work in country music. 1941) struck gold when Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson discovered her in an Ohio talent contest. The academy also inducted the songs Unforgettable, Teach Me Tonight, and What A Diffrence A Day Makes! into the Grammy Hall of Fame. With a career spanning nearly 70 years, Debbie Reynolds was a singer, actress, and businesswoman. 116 Rep. John Lewis Way North Aretha Franklin was one of the most talented and influential singers not just in the 60s but the Jo Walker-Meador (1924-2017) guided the fortunes of the Country Music Association (which was established in 1958) from 1962 until 1991. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. Shores legacy was honored with a dedicated street name in her hometown as well as a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Shore rose to fame during the big band era but gained even more success as a solo artist. In 1958, Frances Preston (1934-2012) was hired to head the Nashville office of BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.), a major performance rights organization that collects and distributes to songwriters and publishers royalties earned from the public use of BMI-registered songs. In 1955, despite music trends moving toward rock and roll and Carson being a pop singer, she managed a no. Presley certainly wasn't the first to sing what's now considered rock 'n' roll; other notable artists 1 on the charts for 10 weeks. Laura Nyro 17. Johnny Cash - I Walk The Line 4. Hear New Tracks from Macklemore, Boygenius, Jeff Goldblum, and More, American Songwriter: a Savage Ventures Brand. The Chiffons, originating in Bronx, New York, released their first single, Hes So Fine, which was written by Ronnie Mack and produced byThe Tokens(The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and hit No. 1 until 1973 when she began duetting with Kenny Rogers. 1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. is one of the best topical tunes about the American educational system. Apart from being a bandleader, a solo artist, and an interpreter of other artists' works, Harris is also an activist; since 1999, she has been conducting Concerts for a Landmine Free World, an annual benefit tour. 1 hit Leader of the Pack, along with songs like Give Him a Great Big Kiss and Remember (Walking in the Sand)., Hits: Leader of the Pack, Remember (Walking in the Sand), I Can Never Go Home Anymore. 9 on the U.S. singles chart and got inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. Her recording debut came later that year, and both that record and its successor made theBillboardHarlem Hit Parade in 1944. Tim McGraw Teases New Music, "Standing Room Only", Tim McGraw: "New single 'Standing Room Only' coming March 10th. Since then, the Fearless star has not looked back and also made her acting debut in 2009. Who is the greatest female country singer of all time?Carrie Underwood. Born in March 1983, Carrie Underwood claims the first spot for the best country female singers of all time.Dolly Parton.Shania Twain.Patsy Cline.Martina McBride.Taylor Swift.Miranda Lambert.Reba McEntire. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like Eliza Gilkyson and others. by In 1960, the girls auditioned for Berry Gordy who told them they needed to write an original song. Jana Kramer is an American singer and actress who was adjudged Top New Female Artist at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards. In 2013, Georgia Holt became the subject of a documentary titled Dear Mom, Love Cher, which also featured her famous daughter Cher. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. Lees rise to fame took several years. Nashville, Tennessee 37214, Ryman Auditorium He had a very low bass voiceand was renowned for bringing some classic African-American spirituals like "Go Down Moses" to national and international attention. Much like Odetta, often when you hear talk of Paul Robeson, you'll hear about his incredible voice. Loretta Lynn is one of the talented, old female singers still alive. Her first hit, Walking After Midnight, came in 1957 and was followed by such standards-in-embryo as I Fall to Pieces, Crazy and She's Got You.. Her first chart record under her own name came in 1949 via Baby, It's Cold Outside, which paired her with the comic duo Homer & Jethro. Among these were The Girl Most Likely, There Never Was a Time, Country Girl, Oh, Singer and Good Enough to Be Your Wife.. And while female singers were prominent, there were almost never any women playing instruments in the band. 3 on theBillboard charts and impressed studio executives. She became widely renowned for her performances of Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, When Love Goes Wrong (Nothin Goes Right), and Bye Bye Baby in a film adaptation of the Broadway musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.. 1 country single with her 1952 breakout hit It Wasnt God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Controversial and searing, the Shirley Bassey 3. Although both Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon have had careers since the duo split up, and although Paul Simon has become a rather influential, prolific songwriter, it's hard to deny the level of artistry they were able to achieve as a pair. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. 5. Two years passed before she hit the charts, peaking at 93 on theBillboardHot 100. In 2017, she was an active participant at the Los Angeles Women's March. His first major hit, I Walk The Line, which was recorded in 1956, bridged the gap between the two genres, suggesting at his widespread appeal in the decades to follow. Eventually, she would gravitate more toward country tunes, finding better success in that genre. Richard Shindell started working in music with the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band (with fellow incredible songwriter John Gorka). Although they never again reached The Three Bells stature, they continued recording and touring until 1967. She also helped define the Nashville Sound style associated with country music. 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This would also be the period when the music was battered by the advent of rock 'n' roll but would ultimately find renewed vigor through outlets as disparate as bluegrass festivals and crowd-appealing network TV shows. WATCH: Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley Delight Fans, Reunite for "Paisleywood" at Her Nashville Show. Behind the scenes in this era, producers like Chet Atkins played an important part in putting Nashville on the map by striving for a compromise between traditional country sounds and commercially-appealing pop. In a long career that terminated tragically in a car accident in 1991, West charted 63 singles. But the blockbusters came soon after that, with Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad, My Elusive Dreams (a duet with David Houston), and the Grammy-winning I Don't Wanna Play House.. Patsy Cline. The top 50 folk artists of all time, in alphabetical order. Trisha Yearwood is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, author, and celebrity chef. She was another one of the female vocalists of the 1950s to get a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. There was no template. During the late 1950s, she performed in nightclubs with him and sang two duets on The Ed Sullivan Show., Next: Greatest opera singers of all time list, Jo Stafford began singing with her sisters when she was young. Lesley Gore 12. Dave Van Ronk was one of the most important figures in the Greenwich Village folk-music scene of the 1960s. After Washington left Hamptons band, she embarked on a successful solo career. Tina Turner 10. 7. After Webbs death, Fitzgerald took over as band leader while performing with the Benny Goodman orchestra and working on her own side project. If 1960s country music has now largely faded from the public memory, then 1960 country music by female performers is even more obscure. Hits: Please Mr. Postman, Beechwood 4-5789, Dont Mess With Bill, Playboy. Her elegant voice was only part of her legacy. With a career enduring more than 40 years, Julie London was a well-known torch singer and actress. On top of As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. The 2023 version of "The Exorcist" is a fresh interpretation of the horror classic that will be released in theaters on Oct. 13. BillboardHot 100, including songs such as Come See About Me and Love Child., After leaving the group to pursue a solo career, Ross debuted an album in 1970 featuring her legendary songs, Reach Out And Touch (Somebodys Hand) and Aint No Mountain High Enough (her first no.