All-Time Greatest Music

Prior to jumping right into the All Time Greatest Guitar players I believe it is fitting to take time to reflect upon the history of the guitar. It is noteworthy to mention that the evolution of the guitar dates back to 1257 AD (or before) in western Europe which it was then called an Oud.

By 1480 AD, a drawing of Wolfegg Castle is shown below playing a lute 223 years after the oud. Its early frets were made from gut material. He was known to be one of the first finger players. An example of a current lute player (John Dowland) is “Lachwimae:” (https://youtu.be/ogTbZAYh5pw).

In just seven years, or in 1487, the vihuela (or viola, the English translation) was being played in Spain. So this predecessor to the guitar was referred to todays viola played in orchestras with a bow. The design looked like this (see photo below):

Ninety-seven years later, or in 1581, Belchior Dias built a Renaissance guitar in Lisbon, Portugal.

I have included 82 guitar players within the All-Time Greatest Guitar players (if there is a number after their names, this is their ranking by RollingStone magazine):

Duane Allman (9), Vincente Amigo (flamenco), Chet Atkins (21), Jeff Beck-Yardbirds (5), Chuck Berry (7), Richie Blackmore (50), Mike Bloomfield (42), Joe Bonamassa, James Burton (19), Charlie Christian, Eric Clapton (2), Fitzroy Coleman, Ry Cooder (31), Steve Cooper (39), Paco de Lucia (virtuoso), Bo Didley (27), Don Donato, Eddie Durham, Mark Fisher, Jerry Garcia (46), Billy Gibbons (32), Paul Gilbert, David Gilmour (14), Jonny Greenwood (48), Buddy Guy (23), Jimi Hendrix (1), Andrew Higgs, George Harrison-Beatles (11), John Lee Hooker (35), Elmore James (30), Tony Iommi (25), Sarah Joanne, Ledward Kaapana, Albert King (13), B.B. King (6), Freddie King (15), Eddie Lang, Steve Mackay, Felix Martin, Brian May (26), Jeronimo Maya (flamenco), Curtis Mayfield (34), Ramon Montoya (virtuoso), Scotty Moore (29), Tom Morello (40), Ichika Nito (26), Mark Nopfler (44), Jimmy Page-Led Zepplin (3), Charley Patton, Les Paul (18), Lore Paz-Ampeuro, Prince (33), Randy Rhodes (36), Johnny Romano (28), Mick Ronsin (41), Sabicas (virtuoso), Ando San Washington, Carlos Santana (20), Stephan Stills (47), Hubert Sumlin (43), Mick Taylor (37), The Edge (38), Vanny Tonon, Amin Toofani, Pete Townsend-The Who (10), Derek Trucks (16), Eddie Van Halen (8), Stevie Ray Vaughn (12), Muddy Waters (49), Doc Watson, Mason Williams, Link Wray (45), Kris Xenopoulos, Angus Young (24), Neil Young (17), Frank Zappa (22).

Ichika Nito (born: July 7, 1994 [age 26]), is a Japanese musician and record producer. He has made many songs and albums, but got most of his popularity through YouTube. Ichika used to upload original music and covers, but switched to original and short videos with a meme title. With over 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube, the beautiful melodies and skills of guitarist Ichika Nito have entranced people worldwide. We learn more about his goal to create soul-stirring music.

Joseph Leonard Bonamassa (born May 8, 1977) is an American blues rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. He started his career at age 12, when he opened for B.B. King. In the last 13 years Bonamassa has put out 15 solo albums through his independent record label J&R Adventures, of which 11 have reached number 1 on the Billboard Blues chart. Bonamassa has played alongside many notable blues and rock artists, and earned a Grammy Award nomination in 2013. Among guitarists, he is known for his extensive collection of vintage guitars and amplifiers. On December 6, 2013, Bonamassa and Beth Hart were nominated for a Grammy Award for their 2013 collaborative album Seesaw (https://youtu.be/UX2MSLMjorQ) (RQ 9) in the Best Blues Album category.

Bonamassa’s album Different Shades of Blue (Hey Baby – New Rising Sun) (https://youtu.be/oUIGbxQgGv0) (RQ 8) is his first solo studio album since So, It’s Like That to showcase only original songs (with the exception of a brief instrumental Jimi Hendrix cover.) Bonamassa wrote the album in Nashville with three songwriters: Jonathan Cain of Journey; James House, known for his work with Diamond Rio, Dwight Yoakam, and Martina McBride; and Jerry Flowers, who has written for Keith Urban. Bonamassa sought to create serious blues rock in the project instead of three-minute radio hits. The album was recorded at a music studio in the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas. The album charted at number 8 on the Billboard 200, number 1 on the Blues Chart, and number 1 on the Indie Chart. In May 2015, Bonamassa won a Blues Music Award in the ‘Instrumentalist – Guitar’ category.

Charles Henry Christian (July 29, 1916 – March 2, 1942) was an American swing and jazz guitarist. Christian was an important early performer on the electric guitar and a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra from August 1939 to June 1941. An example of his work was “Rose Room” (https://youtu.be/x4H7M2YFK0s) (RQ 8). His single-string technique, combined with amplification, helped bring the guitar out of the rhythm section and into the forefront as a solo instrument. For this, he is often credited with leading to the development of the lead guitar role in musical ensembles and bands. John Hammond and George T. Simon called Christian the best improvisational talent of the swing era. In the liner notes to the album Solo Flight: The Genius of Charlie Christian (Columbia, 1972), Gene Lees wrote that “Many critics and musicians consider that Christian was one of the founding fathers of bebop, or if not that, at least a precursor to it.” Christian’s influence reached beyond jazz and swing. In 1990, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the category Early Influence.In 2006 Oklahoma City renamed a street in its Bricktown entertainment district “Charlie Christian Avenue” (Christian was raised in Oklahoma City and was one of many musicians who jammed along the city’s “Deep Deuce” section on N.E. Second Street).

Eddie Durham (August 19, 1906 – March 6, 1987) was an American jazz guitarist who was one of the pioneers of the electric guitar in jazz. He was a guitarist, trombonist, composer, and arranger for the orchestras of Bennie Moten, Jimmie Lunceford, and Count Basie. With Edgar Battle he composed “Topsy”, which was recorded by Count Basie and became a hit for Benny Goodman. In 1938, Durham wrote “I Don’t Want to Set the World on Fire” with Bennie Benjamin, Sol Marcus, and Eddie Seiler. During the 1940s, Durham created Eddie Durham’s All-Star Girl Orchestra, an African-American all female swing band that toured the United States and Canada. From 1929, Durham started experimenting to enhance the sound of his guitar using resonators and megaphones. In 1935, he was the first to record an electrically amplified guitar with Jimmie Lunceford in “Hittin’ the Bottle” (https://youtu.be/V_JimSuysoE) (RQ 9) that was recorded in New York for Decca. In 1938, Durham recorded single string electric guitar solos with the Kansas City Five (or Six), which were both smallish groups that included members of Count Basie’s rhythm section alongside with the tenor saxophone playing of Lester Young.

Eddie Lang (born Salvatore Massaro, October 25, 1902 – March 26, 1933) is known as the father of jazz guitar. During the 1920s, he gave the guitar a prominence it previously lacked as a solo instrument, as part of a band or orchestra, and as accompaniment for vocalists. He recorded duets with guitarists Lonnie Johnson and Carl Kress and jazz violinist Joe Venuti, and played rhythm guitar in the Paul Whiteman Orchestra and was the favoured accompanist of Bing Crosby. He is the son of an Italian-American instrument maker, Lang was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and grew up with violinist Joe Venuti. His first instrument was violin when he was seven. He performed on violin in 1917 and became a member of a trio. In 1920, he dropped the violin for banjo and worked with Charlie Kerr, then Bert Estlow, Vic D’Ippolito, and Billy Lustig’s Scranton Siren Orchestra. A few years later, he dropped the banjo for guitar when he became a member of the Mound City Blue Blowers led by Red McKenzie. He recorded one of the first solos in 1924 on “Deep 2nd Street Blues” (https://youtu.be/qD9i2rt1trQ) (RQ 7). His performances with McKenzie’s band drew attention, and he found many jobs as a freelance guitarist. Before Lang, the guitar hadn’t been a prominent instrument in jazz bands and dance orchestras. Lang and Joe Venuti recorded with Roger Wolfe Kahn and Jean Goldkette and performed with the Adrian Rollini Orchestra. Lang recorded with blues guitarist Lonnie Johnson under the name Blind Willie Dunn to hide his race and as a tribute to blues guitarist Blind Lemon Jefferson. He also worked with Frankie Trumbauer, Hoagy Carmichael, Annette Hanshaw, Red Nichols, Jack Pettis, Bessie Smith, and Clarence Williams.

Charley Patton (April 1891 – April 28, 1934), also known as Charlie Patton, was an American Delta blues musician. Considered by many to be the “Father of the Delta Blues”, he created an enduring body of American music and inspired most Delta blues musicians. The musicologist Robert Palmer considered him one of the most important American musicians of the twentieth century. Patton was born in Hinds County, Mississippi, near the town of Edwards, and lived most of his life in Sunflower County, in the Mississippi Delta. Most sources say he was born in April 1891, but the years 1881, 1885 and 1887 have also been suggested. Patton’s parentage and race also are uncertain. His parents were Bill and Annie Patton, but locally he was regarded as having been fathered by former slave Henderson Chatmon, several of whose children became popular Delta musicians, as solo performers and as members of groups such as the Mississippi Sheiks. Biographer John Fahey described Patton as having “light skin and Caucasian features.” Patton was considered African-American, but because of his light complexion there has been much speculation about his ancestry over the years. One theory endorsed by blues musician Howlin’ Wolf was that Patton was Mexican or Cherokee. It is now generally agreed that Patton was of mixed heritage, with white, black, and Native ancestors. Some believe he had a Cherokee grandmother; however, it is also widely asserted by historians that he was between one-quarter and one-half Choctaw. In “Down the Dirt Road Blues”, Patton sang of having gone to “the Nation” and “the Territo'”, referring to the Cherokee Nation’s portion of the Indian Territory(which became part of the state of Oklahoma in 1907), where a number of Black Indians tried unsuccessfully to claim a place on the tribal rolls and thereby obtain land. In 1897, his family moved 100 miles (160 km) north to the 10,000-acre (40 km) Dockery Plantation, a cotton farm and sawmill near Ruleville, Mississippi. There, Patton developed his musical style, influenced by Henry Sloan, who had a new, unusual style of playing music, which is now considered an early form of the blues. Patton performed at Dockery and nearby plantations and began an association with Willie Brown. Tommy Johnson, Fiddlin’ Joe Martin, Robert Johnson, and Chester Burnett (who went on to gain fame in Chicago as Howlin’ Wolf) also lived and performed in the area, and Patton served as a mentor to these younger performers. Robert Palmer described Patton as a “jack-of all-trades bluesman”, who played “deep blues, white hillbilly songs, nineteenth-century ballads, and other varieties of black and white country dance music with equal facility”. He was popular across the southern United States and performed annually in Chicago; in 1934, he performed in New York City. An example of his work: “Spoonful Blues”(https://youtu.be/EyIquE0izAg) (RQ 6). Unlike most blues musicians of his time, who were often itinerant performers, Patton played scheduled engagements at plantations and taverns. He gained popularity for his showmanship, sometimes playing with the guitar down on his knees, behind his head, or behind his back. Patton was a small man, about 5 feet 5 inches tall (1.65m), but his gravelly voice was reputed to have been loud enough to carry 500 yards without amplification; a singing style which particularly influenced Howlin’ Wolf (even though Jimmie Rodgers, the “singing brakeman”, has to be cited there primarily). Patton settled in Holly Ridge, Mississippi, with his common-law wife and recording partner, Bertha Lee, in 1933. His relationship with Bertha Lee was a turbulent one. In early 1934, both of them were incarcerated in a Belzoni, Mississippi jailhouse after a particularly harsh fight. W. R. Calaway from Vocalion Records bailed the pair out of jail, and escorted them to New York City, for what would be Patton’s final recording sessions (on January 30 and February 1). They later returned to Holly Ridge and Lee saw Patton out in his final days.

Amin Toofani, the guitarist who got fame with his song called, Gratitude, is from Pakistan —- but wait wait – all fingers actually point to it that he is from present day Iran. Iran (especially areas of Kerman and Seestan and Balochistan and western Punjab now in Pakistan) had no borders and had open areas and people were in and out for daily business and they knew the languages very well. His name is also quite Pakistani which make things confusing. Anyways now according my knowledge he is from Iran not from Pakistan. His well known song played at the Harvard HKS Talent Show called “Gratitude” (https://youtu.be/k4ixAfJ1LuI) (RQ 7).

On July 26, 2016, Trinidad and Tobago lost one of its greatest musicians — the brilliant guitarist Fitzroy Coleman — at the age of 93. Coleman had an inimitable style of playing; it was perhaps one of the qualities that made the popular website DigitalDreamDoor.com rank him Number 93 on its list of the world’s greatest jazz guitarists, alongside more internationally acclaimed greats like Wes Montgomery and Django Reinhardt. Trinidadian sound engineer Robin Foster, who knew Coleman well, posted several photos of the guitarist, as well as videos of past performances, one of which showed him backing Mahalia Jackson, recorded by the BBC in the early 1960s. In a telephone interview, Foster described Coleman as a “genius” — and, as many geniuses are, he was a “very emotional” man, Foster said, adding that injustices affected Coleman deeply. Foster confirmed that two of the most renowned classical guitarists in the world, John Williams and Julian Bream, once told Coleman that they considered him “the greatest chord player of all time”. As a young man, Coleman was in high demand to perform at social events for the who’s who of Trinidad society, as well as the American soldiers who were stationed on the island during World War II. A musical autodidact, he left Trinidad in 1945 and went to London to be part of a Caribbean band. While there, he was a regular fixture on the BBC, accompanying great talents such as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, and Eartha Kitt, as well as established calypsonians such as Lord Kitchener and Roaring Lion. An example of his work: “This Can’t Be Love” (https://youtu.be/dr5UM8kkss0).

Ledward Kaapana (born August 25, 1948) is a Hawaiian musician, best known for playing in the slack key guitar style. He also plays steel guitar, ukulele, autoharp and bass guitar, and is a baritone and falsetto vocalist. His professional breakthrough came when he was a part of the Hui ‘Ohana (means “Family Group”), with his twin brother, Nedward Kaapana, and his cousin, falsetto-great Dennis Pavao. Hui ‘Ohana released fourteen albums, each of which was a commercial and critical success. Kaapana left the group eventually, then released six albums as the leader of another trio, “I Kona” (https://youtu.be/dVq93FRWI-g) (RQ 9) and performed with the Pahinui Brothers, Aunty Genoa Keawe, David Chun, Barney Isaacs and Uncle Joe Keawe. His first solo album, Lima Wela (means “Hot Hands”), was released in 1983; the album won the Na Hoku Hanohano (means “Honored Stars”) Award for “Instrumental Album of the Year” in 1984. He released Simply Slack Keyin 1988, and Led Live in 1994 on Dancing Cat Records. He has performed and recorded with acoustic lap-steel player Bob Brozman, and released several more albums on the Dancing Cat label from the late 1990s onward. One of the greatest living slack key masters, Ledward has deep roots in the older styles, using only index finger and thumb picks to combine traditional musical phrases, some modern influences, and spontaneous improvisation to create beautiful multipart arrangements that are simultaneously old and new. Nashville great Chet Atkins was so impressed by Ledward’s playing that he paid him the ultimate country music compliment by giving Ledward his guitar. Ledward has played at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C., and made many tours of North America; his fans frequently refer to themselves as “Led Heads.”

Paul Brandon Gilbert is an American hard rock and heavy metal guitarist (born in 1966 in Carbondale, IL). He is best known for being the co-founder of the band Mr. Big. He was also a member of Racer X, with whom he released several albums. In 1996, Gilbert launched a solo career, for which he has released numerous solo albums, and featured in numerous collaborations and guest appearances on other musicians’ albums. When interviewed about his musical and stylistic influences, Paul Gilbert mentions many different artists, including: Randy Rhoads, Kim Mitchell, Eddie Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen, Tony Iommi, Alex Lifeson, Jimmy Page, Johnny Ramone, Robin Trower, Ritchie Blackmore, Pat Travers, Gary Moore, Michael Schenker, Judas Priest, Akira Takasaki, Steve Clark, Jimi Hendrix, Kiss, and The Ramones. On many occasions, Gilbert has stated that his uncle Jimi Kidd was vital in heavily fueling Gilbert’s childhood interest in playing guitar. Gilbert grew up a great fan of Todd Rundgren, Cheap Trick and The Beatles, artists who frequently influence his songwriting style. He stated on the Space Ship Live DVD that George Harrison is one of his favorite guitar players. Guitar World magazine declared him one of 50 of the world’s fastest guitarists of all time (his five favorite guitars: https://youtu.be/SQmU185CzGA), along with Buckethead, Eddie Van Halen, and Yngwie Malmsteen. Gilbert composes music in a wide variety of styles, including pop, rock, metal, blues, and funk. However, Gilbert is perhaps best known for his fast playing speed and stylistic versatility. He is noted in particular for his efficient, staccato-like picking technique. He combines fast picking and legato techniques in the same phrase, usually instinctively. When teaching/demonstrating a particular phrase, he has to think about what he is actually doing with his right hand in order to explain it. Despite being famous for his heavy metal work and his rapid right hand ability, Gilbert has since dissociated himself from that style of playing, instead gravitating towards blues and melodic ideas. Gilbert has been voted fourth-best on GuitarOne magazine’s “Top 10 Greatest Guitar Shredders of All Time”. He has also ranked in Guitar World’s “50 Fastest Guitarists of All Time” list.

Mason Douglas Williams (born August 24, 1938) is an American classical guitarist, composer, singer, writer, comedian, and poet, best known for his 1968 instrumental “Classical Gas” (https://youtu.be/mREi_Bb85Sk) (RQ 10+) and for his work as a comedy writer on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, and Saturday Night Live.

Arthel Lane “Doc” Watson (March 3, 1923 – May 29, 2012) was an American guitarist, songwriter, and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues, and gospel music. Watson won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson’s fingerstyle and flatpicking skills, as well as his knowledge of traditional American music, were highly regarded. Blind from a young age, he performed with his son, guitarist Merle Watson, for over 15 years until Merle’s death in 1985 in an accident on the family farm. His music was recognized by winning eight Grammy Awards:

1973 Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording (Including Traditional Blues): Doc Watson for Then and Now “Bonaparte’s Retreat” (https://youtu.be/3U2ndKyjCLc) (RC 10).

1974 Best Ethnic or Traditional Recording: Merle Watson & Doc Watson for Two Days in November.

1979 Best Country Instrumental Performance: Doc Watson & Merle Watson for “Big Sandy/Leather Britches”.

1986 Best Traditional Folk Recording: Doc Watson for Riding the Midnight Train.

1990 Best Traditional Folk Recording: Doc Watson for On Praying Ground.

2002 Best Traditional Folk Album: Doc Watson & David Holt for Legacy.

2004 Lifetime Achievement Award.

2006 Best Country Instrumental Performance: Bryan Sutton & Doc Watson for “Whiskey Before Breakfast” track from Not Too Far from the Tree by Bryan Sutton.

In 1986, Watson received the North Carolina Award and in 1994 he received a North Carolina Folk Heritage Award. He is a recipient of a 1988 National Heritage Fellowship awarded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which is the United States government’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. In 2000, Watson was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in Owensboro, Kentucky. In 1997, Watson received the National Medal of Arts from U.S. president Bill Clinton. In 2010, he was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.

These are the 10 guitarists you need to hear in 2020. (Peter Hodson of guitarworld)

On the lookout for jaw-dropping new talent? Here are 10 fresh guitarists to keep an ear out for in 2021:

Sometimes I start from a melodic idea or a chord progression, so I’ll choose one or the other, then I try to focus more on the sound itself, because sometimes I don’t know what will happen! Sometimes I’ll start with the guitar with no effects, or from a specific sound, like an Eventide harmonizer or modulation. I see sound as color; I try to put my emotions and feelings into my music. If I’m in more of a dark metal mood, I might experiment with more creepy, horror sounds. It depends on the mood. Here is a sample of his play: a cover of Jimi Hendrix’ “Little Wing” (https://youtu.be/NxBvXWCjTLI) (RQ 8).

I am very eclectic. I like experimenting with a wide range of clean and distorted sounds in every song. My band, Anchor Thought (track examples from the 2020 NAMM show: (https://youtu.be/T0iULTs3N8k) (RQ 7), put out our first EP this year, Cosmonaut, and it ranges from soft piano to metal to ambient, and I like that flexibility. I don’t write with expectations; whatever comes out, comes out, and if I like it, it will fit.

My style is a definite in individuality with an intense passion for discipline of technical ability and an evergreen love for the passion we all feel when we first begin. That fuel of beginning contains so much of it. I want to always lay in a great medium between the tourist/purist dynamic. Here is a sample solo from Robert’s Western World in Nashville: https://youtu.be/oqz7csdvkkA (RQ 5). He was 19 at the time.

Less philosophically speaking, my style is a combination of old-style country players like Jerry Reed, Chet Atkins and Brent Mason along with the intention of psychedelic-era players like Jimi Hendrix and Jerry Garcia. But I also was born in the Nineties, so John Mayer has equity of inspiration in nearly everything I pluck on the guitar.

My style of playing consists of playing two guitars as one. Mixing two chords, two melodies, chord-melody and lots of percussion techniques spread on both fretboards. I grew up in a small town in Venezuela, and I learned without the internet, books or teachers. This was a difficult process but at the same time it made me create a few techniques on my own. For some reason, tapping was always easier for me than fingerstyle guitar, so I basically spent all my high school days practicing and developing my tapping technique, which later I applied to two guitars. In 2011 (ten years ago) he performed “High Spirit” at the Berkeley College of Music: https://youtu.be/4isMaD8yTyU (RQ 7).

My style is melodic acoustic fingerstyle, extended techniques with songwriting, thoughtful lyrics and a vocal connection that makes you feel the story behind it all. A style that needs to be seen, not just heard. A good example of this can be witnessing his use of embracing the body of his guitar with his forearm to achieve a dramatic accentuation in sound. Here he is recently playing “Psychedelic Sunday” at the Loma Club: (https://youtu.be/U0z5wPkZFdU) (RQ 8).

It took me lots of practice and experimentation to get were I am today. Sourcing inspiration and knowledge from others. I always try to do what is best for the song – which means it’s notabout a particular technique, being showy or theory or speed. I reach for being the opposite of all that. I make things as easy for myself as I can, so again, I can focus on delivering music as a story, message or statement. That’s what people remember more.

My style comes from King of the North (Australia), it’s blues-based riffs and scales, tuned low and played really hard. I was raised in the very healthy Adelaide hard rock and punk scene of the mid to late Nineties. What I took from that schooling was the ‘leave it all out on the stage’ vibe. So I play with a lot of attack and put everything into a live performance. While playing with his Andrew Higgs Band at the Grace Darling Hotel (about ten years ago), he played “Riverside” (https://youtu.be/FsWYd8vGZbM) (RQ 6).

I really try to perform the songs, not just play them, and I feel this is reflected in my playing and singing. If I’m not exhausted afterwards, I didn’t do it right. The most unique thing about KOTN is based around how I have to play and arrange songs within the confines of my 3 From 1 guitar pedal. It’s a multi-amp interface that essentially lets me make one guitar sound like lead, rhythm and bass. Using this is an instrument in itself.

My style is based upon how I produce music. I combine hip-hop beats with progressive guitar elements to create a fresh new sound or genre. I like to call it prog-hop. I also like to incorporate thumping in my writing. A lot of my music is based on thumping, and what makes it unique is how I incorporate thumping with hip-hop beats. Here he is playing “Yuh” (https://youtu.be/E6spYutPbKg) (RQ 8). Notice how he utilizes playing primarily both hands on the fretboard!

I blend a lot of different chords to create an interesting sequence of melody and harmony. I do a lot of tapping, glitch tapping, hybrid picking and finger picking. So the technique side of my guitar playing and style is very fun and effective when I create new and unique sounds with some of the beats I produce. I want to keep expanding upon this prog-hop idea. I think it’s such a new sound for the guitar world. And I think the guitar has a lot to bring to the hip-hop world!

My style is based on two different trends. One refers to the clean sounds, which are inspired by phrases coming from jazz, as chord melodies, but just a little more modern since I use many techniques such as fingerstyle, tapping and thumping. The other is a little more aggressive and more connected to the sounds of metal. I always take into account long intervals too. Here she is at the 2019 NAMM show playing “Lilith” (https://youtu.be/J_BoA0u-4_8) (RQ 6).

My type of play originates by carefully listening to a bunch of modern guitarists. I got inspired by José Macario, Felix Martin and Mateus Asato, among others. I always keep in mind that to be active in the music industry, you have to be as innovative and creative as your inspirations are. I think of players like José, Felix and Mateus daily to inspire my own sound.

Its hard to describe my playing because it’s such an amalgamation of everything I’ve ever heard, but maybe imagine a neoclassical jazz-fusion and death metal guitarist that listens to pop and hip-hop. I’m very into modern guitar techniques like multi-finger tapping, thumping, hybrid, sweep and economy picking. I’m also influenced by microtonal genres like Indian classical music. Here is an example of his play “Vulvodynia” (https://youtu.be/zHBQFF0pAt0) (RQ 8).

In my playing, I’ve always tried to take influence from everything I’ve ever heard, whether it be bad or good. The bad helps me discover what I don’t want to sound like, and when you let everything you’ve ever heard influence you – as opposed to a few different bands – you end up sounding more like yourself.

My style can be described as “whatever-I-want-core?” Or, A deformed mutant constructed from the DNA scrapings of multiple, much better guitar players. Relegated to perpetually float in an underground formaldehyde tank in the dark; escape was only possible through an oversight in the tank’s engineering; concentrated piss taking can erode the structural integrity of mutant formaldehyde tanks.

My style escaped and aimlessly wandered the night like a drunken windmill. It eventually befriended a wise pigeon who took my style under its wing. Many years later on its death bed, the pigeon told its greatest student (my style) that pigeons don’t actually like pigeon holes… They just go in there to shit and then go somewhere else. Here he is building custom tones: https://youtu.be/rdv37YpvDV4. (RQ 6).

From that day on, my style didn’t consider pigeon holes to have any significance. So I guess my style is “escaped mutant trained by an unconventional pigeon” style.

Guitar player roles…

Guitar players sometimes lead the way, other times lay the groundwork for sound behind the scene…their ax take on different personalities:

RollingStone Magazine has ranked the Top100 guitar players. Here is the top 1-25:

Next, are guitar players ranked 26-50:

Here is the RollingStone link to their Top100 guitar players:

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-guitarists-153675/muddy-waters-4-53336/
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-guitarists-153675/ritchie-blackmore-52823/

Here are examples by players 1-10:

1 – Hendrix, Jimi. (https://youtu.be/cJunCsrhJjg) “Purple Haze.” (RQ 8).

2 – Clapton, Eric (https://youtu.be/O_j9KEjrY4o) “Old Love.” (RQ 10).

3 – Page, Jimmy (https://youtu.be/PgA76eq2RTU) “Heartbreaker.” (RQ 6).

4 – Richards, Keith. (https://youtu.be/oZUp1gUQLyg) “Sympathy for the Devil.” (RQ 10).

5 – Beck, Jeff (https://youtu.be/nQDjSGnmYBI) “Behind the Veil.” (RQ 9).

6 – King, B.B. (https://youtu.be/MpRIYi721WE) “King of Blues.” (RQ 9).

7 – Berry, Chuck. (https://youtu.be/Uf4rxCB4lys) “Johnny B. Goode.” (RQ 7).

8 – Van Halen, Eddie (https://youtu.be/mIpHZo7BsT8). “Live without a Net.” (RQ 7).

9 – Allman, Duane. (https://youtu.be/FUvxRjYqjEQ) “Whipping Post.” (RQ 8).

10 – Townshend, Pete (https://youtu.be/6BSWV5zO7ZU). “El Salvador.” (RQ 10).

Listen to how these flamenco guitar players make complicated picking and strumming sound beautiful:

Francisco Gustavo Sánchez Gómez (21 December 1947 – 25 February 2014), known as Paco de Lucía was a Spanish virtuoso flamenco guitarist, composer, and record producer. A leading proponent of the new flamenco style, he was one of the first flamenco guitarists to branch into classical and jazz. A good example if Lucia’s work is “Entre dos aguas” (https://youtu.be/2oyhlad64-s) (RQ 10) Richard Chapman and Eric Clapton, authors of Guitar: Music, History, Players, describe de Lucía as a “titanic figure in the world of flamenco guitar”, and Dennis Koster, author of Guitar Atlas, Flamenco, has referred to de Lucía as “one of history’s greatest guitarists”.

Ramón Montoya (November 2, 1879, Madrid, Spain – July 20, 1949), was a Flamenco guitarist and composer. He was the single most influential flamenco guitarist of the 20th century. His innovations made possible the solo careers of such later greats as Sabicas and Manitas de Plata. In 1936, Ramon played “Siguiriya Gitana” (https://youtu.be/ZVC1ng2dtdo) (RQ 7).

Sabicas (proper name: Agustín Castellón Campos) (16 March 1912 – 14 April 1990) was a Spanish flamenco guitarist of Romani origin. One example of his work would be: “Fantasia” (https://youtu.be/ZnFtLjQ_rr8) (RQ 9). Sabicas was instrumental in the introduction of flamenco to audiences outside of Spain and the Spanish-speaking world. He was probably best known for his technical skills: blazingly fast picados (scales), fast arpeggios, quality composition for the many forms of flamenco, and infallible rhythm, which was critical when playing with a dancer. He was also considered to have perfect pitch.

Vicente Amigo Girol (born 25 March 1967) is a Spanish flamenco composer and guitarist, born in Guadalcanal near Seville. He has played as an accompanying guitarist on recordings by flamenco singers Camaron de la Isla, and Luis de Cirdoba, and he has acted as a producer for Remedios Amaya and Jose Merce. His album Ciudad de las Ideas won the 2001 Latin Grammy for the Best Flamenco Album and the 2002 Ondas award for the best Flamenco work. An example of his work: “Tres Notas Para Decir Te Quiero” (https://youtu.be/_TzhCp9HNz8) (RQ 10+).

Jerónimo Maya, a real guitar genius, and a direct descendant from the guitarist Ramón Montoya, started his musical career at the early age of 5. He was immediately recognized as a gifted child by the audience and the flamenco community, and whose worth was recognized by great masters, such as Sabicas or Paco de Lucia. His playing is full of personality and character, as well as virtuosity. His complex harmonies and his conception of music are definitely forward-thinking. One of the examples of his works is: “Bulerias” (https://youtu.be/gwlNewS94c4) (RQ 8). He has accompanied many singers: Diego el Cigala, Chano Lobato, Esperanza Fernández, Estrella Morente, José de la Tomasa, and more frequently his uncle Ricardo Losada el Yunque, Ginesa Ortega or Paco del Pozo, as well as sharing stage with artists such as Paco de Lucia, Camarón de la isla or Sabicas, who were friends as well as colleagues.

Lets talk piano history a bit before looking at 45 pianists that have been the best in our world. The piano’s ancestry can be traced back through various instruments such as the clavichord, harpsichord, and dulcimer. But if it were traced back even further, one would find that the piano is a descendant of the monochord. In other words, based on its ancestry the piano can be classified as a string instrument. Although the piano can be classified as a string instrument due to the fact that the sounds come from the vibration of strings, it can also be classified as a percussion instrument because a hammer strikes those strings. In this way it is similar to a dulcimer.
The dulcimer is an instrument that originated in the Middle East and spread to Europe in the 11th century. It features a simple resonating box with strings stretched on top of it. Much like a piano, a small hammer is used to hit the strings, which is why the dulcimer is considered to be a direct ancestor of the piano.

The piano is also considered to be a part of the keyboard family. The history of instruments with keyboards dates far back and originates from the organ, which sends bursts of air through pipes to make sound. Craftsmen improved upon the organ to develop an instrument that was a step closer to the piano, the clavichord.
The clavichord first appeared in the 14th century and became popular during the Renaissance Era. Pressing a key would send a brass rod, called a tangent, to strike the string and cause vibrations that emit sound over a range of four to five octaves.

Created in Italy in around 1500, the harpsichord later spread to France, Germany, Flanders, and Great Britain. When a key is pressed, a plectrum attached to a long strip of wood called a jack plucks the string to make music.
This system of strings and soundboard, and the overall structure of the instrument resemble those that can be found in a piano.

The piano was invented by Bartolomeo Cristofori (1655-1731) of Italy.

Cristofori was unsatisfied by the lack of control that musicians had over the volume level of the harpsichord. He is credited for switching out the plucking mechanism with a hammer to create the modern piano in around the year 1700.
The instrument was actually first named “clavicembalo col piano e forte” (literally, a harpsichord that can play soft and loud noises). This was shortened to the now common name, “piano.”

Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band…among history’s best…

Here are our 45 world’s best pianists and keyboard player (individual stories follow):

Oleg Akkuratov (blind), Dmitri Alexeev, Alessio Bax, Ricardo Castro, Frederico Colli, Michael Dalbeuto, Keith Emerson (Lake & Palmer band), Helene Grimaud, Sofya Gulyak, Tieran Hamasyan, Marc-Andre Hamelin, Jan Hammer, Anna Han, Herbie Hancock, Ian Hobson, Ilya Itin, Ethan Iverson, Sunwook Kim, Jon Kimura-Parker, Lang Lang, Jon Lord (Deep Purple band), Louis Lorte, Radu Lupu, Kate Liu, Eric Lu, Brad Mehloau, Thelonious Monk, Rafael Orozco, Vladimir Ovchinnikov, Ian Pace, Murray Perahia, Oscar Peterson, Artur Pizarro, Michael Roll, Jordan Rudness, Dimitris Sgourus, Anntti Siirala, Art Tatum, Anna Tsybuleva, Rick Wakeman (Yes band), Yuta Wang, Roger Williams, Matthew Whitaker (blind), Bernie Worrell, Richard Wright (Pink Floyd band).

Roger Williams (born Louis Jacob Weertz, October 1, 1924 – October 8, 2011) was an American popular music pianist. Described by the Los Angeles Times as “one of the most popular instrumentalists of the mid-20th century”, and “the rare instrumental pop artist to strike a lasting commercial chord,” Williams had 22 hit singles – including the chart-topping “Autumn Leaves” in 1955 (https://youtu.be/88Js16yeHl4) (RQ 10) and “Born Free” in 1966 (https://youtu.be/npDeOGxwgoQ) (RQ 10) and another 38 hit albums between 1955 and 1972.

Anna Han and Kate Liu

Here are two younger pianists from the U.S.A.: Anna Han and Kate Liu. They are two competitors vying to win the 20th Leeds contest held every three years. The Leeds is one of the world’s foremost music competitions. Since the first competition in 1963, it has attracted the world’s finest young pianists, drawn by the opportunities offered by the outstanding prize package, the challenge of demanding repertoire, a stellar jury – and a warm welcome from the City of Leeds.

In April of this year, there are just over 60 pianists competing from the following countries: Armenia (1), Austria (1), Belgium (1), Bulgaria (1), Canada (2), China (9), Croatia (1), Denmark (1), France (4), Germany (2), Iran (1), Israel (1), Italy (3), Japan (5), Kazakhstan (1), Lithuania (1), Morocco (1), Peru (1), Poland (2), Romania (1), Russia (4), Slovenia (1), South Korea (5), Tajikistan (1), Turkey (1), United Kingdom (4), Ukraine (3) and the USA (3).

Anna Han (24 years old) The Washington Post says Anna Han is as “prodigiously gifted… a display of imagination, taste and pianistic firepower far beyond her years,” Anna strives to deliver heartfelt performances through a variety of classical piano repertoire. She has given solo, concerto, and chamber performances in such venues as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Alice Tully Hall, the Phillips Collection in Washington D.C., The Kosciuszko Foundation, SubCulture New York, New World Center in Miami, the Lied Center of Kansas, Canisius College, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, and the Warsaw Philharmonic Chamber Hall in Poland. She has soloed with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, the Downtown Sinfonietta (in White Plains, New York), the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, the Kansas Sinfonietta, Music Academy of the West Festival Orchestra, the MusicaNova Symphony Orchestra, the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra, the West Valley Symphony, and the Verde Valley Sinfonietta. An example of her work: Bach: French suite No.2 in C minor (https://youtu.be/7XXwveIs1ns) RQ 8.

Han is currently an emerging artist resident at the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance, where she has performed nearly five hours of Beethoven’s solo and chamber music in live, in-person concerts since October as part of their Beethoven anniversary celebration. She looks forward to three more concerts before the end of the season in December. Highlights of the previous year included solo recitals at the Bohemian National Hall, Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts, Rockefeller University’s Caspary Auditorium, and the Salmagundi Club; appearances at the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School and Festival and Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival Winter Workshop; and concerto performances with the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra and West Valley Symphony Orchestra. She was the third prize winner of the 2019 Hilton Head International Piano Competition, as well a semi-finalist at the 2019 China International Music Competition. She was also awarded a 2019 Salon de Virtuosi Career Grant.

An avid chamber musician, Anna spent three summers at the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music School and Festival, four winters at Juilliard ChamberFest, and two winters at the Four Seasons Chamber Music Festival. She is a founding member of the Munin Piano Trio, along with violinist Rebecca Benjamin and cellist Frankie Carr. Additionally, she has done a broad exploration of ensembles, such as piano quartet, piano quintet, and clarinet trio, performing in venues from Alice Tully Hall to the New York Bar Association to Brayton Hall in the Caribbean Island of Turks and Caicos. A passionate advocate for the traditional masterpieces that have enchanted audiences for centuries, she has also explored new avenues of musical expression with an array of collaborators. Recently, she has presented the surprising sound palette of John Corigliano’s Chiaroscuro (1997) for two pianos tuned a quarter tone apart; Charles Wuorinen’s Metagong (2008) for two pianos and two percussion; a series of original arrangements of works for organ and piano duo in collaboration with organist Daniel Ficarri; Jerome Begin’s Strange Gardens (2015) for 2 pianos, 2 bass clarinets, 2 percussion, and vocoder; and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Cello Sonata No. 3 in A major, Op. 69 as a fortepianist. She commissioned Malaysian composer Tengku Irfan [What’s Up, Kid? (2018)], expanding the literature available for clarinet, cello, and piano trio.

Born in Mesa, Arizona, Anna began her musical journey in a class of four year olds at the East Valley Yamaha Music School. Classes in improvisation, ear training, composition, and other general musical skills at Yamaha would continue to supplement her training in early years. Anna started taking private piano lessons at age five with Mr. Fei Xu at New Century Conservatory in Chandler, Arizona. Over the following 13 years, he trained and inspired her to rapidly and thoughtfully learn demanding repertoire, developing a technique that undergirded her growing career at a young age. When she was eleven, she became the national first place winner of the Baldwin Junior Piano division of the 2007 Music Teachers National Association Competition, having barely made the age cutoff. In the same year, she made her orchestra debut with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, playing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1.

In the following years, Anna swept prizes at numerous international piano competitions, including the New York International Piano Competition, New Orleans International Piano Competition for Young Artists, the Gina Bachauer International Junior Piano Competition, the Missouri Southern International Piano Competition, and the International Institute for Young Musicians (IIYM) International Piano Competition, where she remains the only person in its 15-year history to have won first prize twice. She was named a Silver Award Winner by the National YoungArts Foundation in 2013, and a United States Presidential Scholar in the Arts in 2014. Her performances of Chopin earned her recognition as a scholarship recipient from the National Chopin Foundation of the United States and as a semi-finalist at the Ninth National Chopin Piano Competition of the United States.

Anna received her Bachelor and Masters degrees at The Juilliard School under the tutelage of Robert McDonald, where she developed much of her interest in both chamber music and teaching. As a sophomore, she became the winner of the 2016 Juilliard Gina Bachauer Piano Competition, and received the Kovner Fellowship the following year. She received the William Schuman Prize for outstanding achievement and leadership in music upon graduation in 2020.

Kate Liu (26 years old)

Kate was born on May 23,1994. She is from Winnetka, Illinois and has been playing the piano since she was 4 years old.

Liu has gained international acclaim after winning the Bronze Medal and Best Mazurka Prize at the 17th International Fryderyk Chopin Competition in Warsaw, Poland. She was also awarded the audience favorite prize voted by the Polish public on the Polish National Radio.

As a soloist, Kate has performed in many important venues, such as the Seoul Arts Center, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, Carnegie’s Weill Hall, Severance Hall in Cleveland, La Maison Symphonique de Montréal, Warsaw National Philharmonic, Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Shanghai Concert Hall, Osaka Symphony Hall, Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra Hall, Phillip’s Collection, and others. She has collaborated with orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Polish Radio Orchestra, Poznan Philharmonic, Yomiuri Nippon Symphony Orchestra, Daegu Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, and Evanston Symphony Orchestra. Her debut album of works by Chopin was released on the Fryderyk Chopin Institute label in 2016. An example of her work: Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 Op. 110. (https://youtu.be/30QpoqPRQH8) RQ 9.

Born in Singapore, Kate began playing the piano when she was four years old and moved to the United States when she was eight. Early on in her career, she won 1st Prizes at the Third Asia-Pacific International Chopin Competition and the New York International Piano Competition. She received a Bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music and is currently pursuing graduate studies at The Juilliard School with Robert McDonald and Yoheved Kaplinsky. Her previous private studies were at the Music Institute of Chicago with Alan Chow, Micah Yui and Emilio del Rosario.

Past LEED winners & samples of their work:

2018 (USA) Lu, Eric (1997-) https://youtu.be/qeJBEbRn1YA Préludes, Op. 28: No. 15 in D-Flat Major, “Raindrop.”

2015 (Ukraine) Tsybeleva, Anna (1990-). https://youtu.be/drKU_nOxr5c Fantasien, Op. 116: III. Capriccio.

2012 (Italy) Colli, Federico (1988-) Https://youtu.be/UX8xBU-aPbQ Scarlatti: 4 Sonatas.

2009 (Russia) Gulyak, Sofya (1979-) https://youtu.be/3O_R2EBs1_g Maurice Ravel: “La Valse” Fazielli Concert Hall.

2006 (South Korea) Kim, Sunwook (1988-). https://youtu.be/j3iIlvYn4WQ. Piano Concerto No. 1 in D Minor, Op. 15: II. Adagio.

2003 (Finland) Siirala, Antti (1979-). https://youtu.be/f0nlJXooIVc. Godowsky: Passacaglia in B Minor.

2000 (Italy) Bax, Alessio (1977-) https://youtu.be/KDeIgB3Cr20 Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C-sharp minor, Op.3, No.2 

1996 (Russia) Itin, Ilya. (1967-) https://youtu.be/1jVUzSWaPTU F. CHOPIN NOCTURNE Op. 27 No. 2 D Flat Major 

1993 (Brazil) Castro, Ricardo (1964-) https://youtu.be/5iM_rTVtj6k Beethoven 5 with Simon Rattle 

1990 (Portugal) Pizarro, Artur (1968-) https://youtu.be/qFZxY5ZBQ18 Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor Op. 30 

1987 (Russia) Ovchinnikov, Vladimir (1958-) https://youtu.be/35fYr7bwhpw Liszt Mephisto Waltz No 1 

1984 (Canada) Parker, Jon Kimura (1959-) https://youtu.be/iRXNtzMR9ts Rachmaninoff: Prelude Op. 23, No. 5 

1981 (UK) Hobson, Ian (1952-) https://youtu.be/2hB1lQMau7Q Prokofiev Piano Sonata No. 7 in B-flat Major, Op. 83 

1978 (France) Dalbeuto, Michael (1955-) https://youtu.be/2JWoJCv9WvU Fauré: Nocturne n°6 

1975 (Russia) Alexeev, Dmitri (1947-) https://youtu.be/GO1ngWJqZAU Schumann Arabeske & Piano Sonata no. 1 

1972 (USA) Perahia, Murray. (1947-) https://youtu.be/352qLWqKN-U Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata 3rd Movement

1969 (Romania) Lupu, Radu. (1945-) https://youtu.be/BatjiA6VPWI Live in Bologna 2017 

1966 (Spain) Orozco, Rafael. (1946-1996). https://youtu.be/TbKRRTHwM6M. Chopin Etude No. 1 Op. 10.

1963 (UK) Roll, Michael. (1946-) https://youtu.be/aDEv28dnt7Q Stravinsky Concerto (3rd movt.)

Oleg Borisovich Akkuratov is a Russian pianist, jazz improviser and singer who suffers from amaurosis – complete blindness. He is a virtuoso performer of jazz and classical works and a laureate of the Prize of the President of the Russian Federation for young cultural workers (2019). Recently (February 17, 2021), he played and sang “Baby I Love You” during his The Voice audition (https://youtu.be/mQx5APB-yzY) (RQ 10).

Akkuratov (32 years old) was born on October 21, 1989, in the city of Yeisk, Krasnodar Territory. Blind from birth, at the age of four, the boy began to show extraordinary musical abilities, playing the melodies he heard on the piano. The teachers of the Yeisk School of Music immediately took the boy to the 1st grade. And two years later he entered a specialized music school for blind and visually impaired children in the city of Armavir, Krasnodar Territory. Later, in parallel with his studies at school, Oleg studied at the Moscow State College of Music of Variety and Jazz Art, in the class of teacher Mikhail Okun. Akkuratov entered the pop and jazz department of the Institute of Music of the Moscow University of Culture and Art after graduating from the College of Music in 2008. In 2015, Akkuratov graduated with honors from the Rostov State Conservatory in 2017 – Postgraduate studies in chamber music. During his studies, Akkuratov took part in concerts and became a laureate of various music competitions, including international ones. Previously, he lived in the village of Morevka near Yeisk. He worked as a soloist of the Russian Opera Theater, artistic director and soloist of the Eisk Jazz Orchestra MICH-Band (piano).

Akkuratov took part in a concert with the opera singer Montserrat Caballe, performed with Evelyn Glennie. He took part in the world premiere of the international charitable action “Thousands of Cities of the World”, performed at the residence of the Pope as the UNESCO World Consolidated Choir.

Oleg plays jazz and classical pieces. He sings in many languages: English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, Korean and others. Lyudmila Gurchenko dedicated her debut directorial work to Akkuratov – the film “Colorful Twilight” shot in 2009. November 24, 2009, was the hero of Andrey Malakhov program “Let them talk”.

In 2013, Oleg Akkuratov began to work closely with People’s Artist of Russia Igor Butman. As a member of the Igor Butman Quartet and the Moscow Jazz Orchestra, Akkuratov toured Latvia, Israel, the Netherlands, Italy, India, the USA and Canada and many other countries.

In 2013, Oleg Akkuratov performed at the Igor Butman festival “Triumph of Jazz”. In May of the same year, Akkuratov, along with double bass player Keith Davis, drummer Mark Whitfield and saxophonist Francesco Kafiso, took part in Igor Butman’s international project “The Future of Jazz” and the projects “Chereshnevy Les” in Moscow, “Aquajazz. Sochi Jazz Festival” in Sochi.

In March 2014, his performance completed the closing ceremony of the XI Paralympic Games in Sochi. In April 2015, at the invitation of Winton Marsalis, Akkuratov performed at the Rose Hall of New York’s Lincoln Center with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. On February 1, 2017, in the Svetlanov Hall of the Moscow International House of Music, Akkuratov’s first big solo concert with Igor Butman’s participation took place. In October of the same year, Akkuratov, as part of his own trio, performed for several thousand guests of the 19th World Festival of Youth and Students in Sochi.

In 2018, Oleg took part in the Gala Concert of the International Day of Jazz organized by UNESCO, was awarded the Moscow Mayor’s Prize, and also took second place at the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, held in the homeland of jazz, in the USA.

Saxophonist Benny Green wrote that Tatum was the only jazz musician to “attempt to conceive a style based upon all styles, to master the mannerisms of all schools, and then synthesize those into something personal.” Tatum was able to transform the styles of preceding jazz piano through virtuosity: where other pianists had employed repetitive rhythmic patterns and relatively simple decoration, he created “harmonic sweeps of colour unpredictable and ever-changing shifts of rhythm. Musicologist Lewis Porter identified three aspects of Tatum’s playing that a casual listener might miss: the dissonance in his chords; his advanced use of substitute chord progressions; and his occasional use of bitonality (playing in two keys at the same time). He recorded commercially from 1932 until near his death. He recorded nearly 400 titles, if airchecks and informal, private recordings. An example of one of his recordings: “The Best of Art Tatum” (https://youtu.be/IZERfh28Od0) (RQ 10).

Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer. He had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire. Monk is the second-most-recorded jazz composer after Duke Ellington. Monk’s compositions and improvisations feature dissonances and angular melodic twists and are consistent with his unorthodox approach to the piano, which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of switched key releases, silences, and hesitations. An example of one of his many works is: “Monk’s Dream” (https://youtu.be/icFRHJ9VZaw) (RQ 10+).

Herbert Jeffrey Hancock is an American pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, composer, and actor. Hancock started his career with Donald Bryd. He shortly thereafter joined the Mikes Davis Quintet, where he helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the post-bop sound. In the 1970s, Hancock experimented with jazz fusion, funk and electro styles. One of his greatest recordings: “Just Around the Corner.” (https://youtu.be/ogKDBbi2thA). (RQ 10+).

Oscar Emmanuel Peterson, was a Canadian jazz pianist, virtuoso and composer. He was called the “Maharaja of the keyboard” by Duke Ellington, simply “O.P.” by his friends, and informally in the jazz community as “the King of inside swing.” He released over 200 recordings, won eight Grammy Awards, and received numerous other awards and honours. He is considered one of the greatest jazz pianists, and played thousands of concerts worldwide in a career lasting more than 60 years. “If You Could See Me Now” (https://youtu.be/14P5rwe7ark) (RQ 10) is an excellent example of one if his best recordings.

Today’s best on the keyboard…

Matthew Whitaker (born April 3, 2001) is an American jazz pianist. Blind since birth, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater, where, at 10, he was the opening performer for Stevie Wonder induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame. Whitaker is the subject of Thrive, a 13-minute documentary about “the prodigious talent and irrepressible spirit of a musically precocious 12-year-old blind boy.”

On March 6, 2017, he released his first album, Outta the Box. Other musicians on the album include Christian McBride, Dave Stryker, Will Calhoun, Sammy Figueroa, Melissa Walker, and James Carter. In April 2017, Whitaker performed on the Ellen Degeneres Show and competed on Fox’s Showtime at the Apollo, winning first place. Whitaker has toured Europe, the Middle East and Asia. An example of one of his recordings: “Live Session for Jazz FM” (https://youtu.be/Ir6zixUUo7g) (RQ 10).

Another Eight Famous Keyboard Players:

From the UK:

John Douglas Lord (9 June 1941 – 16 July 2012) was an English orchestral and rock composer, pianist, and Hammond organ player known for his pioneering work in fusing rock with classical or baroque forms, especially with Deep Purple. In 1968, Lord co-founded Deep Purple, a hard rock band of which he was regarded as the leader until 1970. Together with the other members, he collaborated on most of his band’s most popular songs. One of his best solos was “Lazy” (https://youtu.be/ANSUu5GwWOY) (RQ 10).

Richard Christopher Wakeman (born 18 May 1949) is an English keyboardist, songwriter, producer, television and radio presenter, actor and author. He is best known for being in the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004 and for his solo albums released in the 1970s. His solo (unnamed) was simply unbelievable: (https://youtu.be/WV-gddts3I0) (RQ9).

Richard William Wright (28 July 1943 – 15 September 2008) was an English musician who was a co-founder, keyboardist, and vocalist in the progressive rock band Pink Floyd, performing on all but one of their albums and playing on all of their tours. One of his best solos was “Fat Old Son” (https://youtu.be/xOx03KOi4W4) (RQ 8).

Keith Noel Emerson (2 November 1944 – 11 March 2016) was an English keyboardist, songwriter, and composer. He played keyboards in a number of bands before finding his first commercial success with the Nice in the late 1960s. He became internationally famous for his work with the Nice, which included writing rock arrangements of classical music. After leaving the Nice in 1970, he was a founding member of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, one of the early progressive rock super groups. Emerson, Lake & Palmer were commercially successful through much of the 1970s, becoming one of the best-known progressive rock groups of the era. Emerson wrote and arranged much of ELP’s music on albums such as Targus (1971) and Brain Salad Surgery (1973), combining his own original compositions with classical or traditional pieces adapted into a rock format. One of his greatest solos was “Fanfare of the Common Man” (https://youtu.be/yRbiYJYVWH8) (RQ 8).

From Prague, Czechoslovakia:

Jan Hammer (born 17 April 1948) is a Czech-American musician, composer and record producer. He first gained his most visible audience while playing keyboards with the Mahavishnu Orchestra in the early 1970s, as well as his film scores for television and film including “Miami Vice Theme” and “Crocket’s Theme” (https://youtu.be/TRCQmNMOqUY) (RQ 10), from the 1980s television program, Miami Vice. He has continued to work as both a musical performer and producer, expanding to producing film later in his career.

From the United States:

Jordan Rudess (born Jordan Charles Rudes; November 4, 1956) is an American keyboardist and composer best known as a member of the progressive metal bands Dream Theater and the super group Liquid Tension Experiment. An example of his work was at “Live At Budokan” (https://youtu.be/_klj5ji8NVo) (RQ 9).

George Bernard Worrell, Jr. (April 19, 1944 – June 24, 2016) was an American keyboardist and record producer best known as a founding member of Parliament-Funkadelic and for his work with Talking Heads. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, inducted in 1997 with fifteen other members of Parliament-Funkadelic. Worrell was described by Jon Pareles of The New York Times as “the kind of sideman who is as influential as some bandleaders.” Great example of his work is when he utilizes a Moog Sub Phatty: (https://youtu.be/YX4b7gnb7bs) (RQ 10).

Classical Piano Players – Best in our World

Louis Lortie, (born 27 April 1959) is a Canadian pianist. An international soloist, with over 45 recordings on the Chandos Records label, Lortie is particularly known for his interpretations of Ravel, Chopin and Beethoven. Lortie won First Prize in the Rerruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in 1984. In the same year, he won the fourth place prize at the Leeds Competition. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec as well as receiving an honorary doctorate from Universite Laval. An example of his work: Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No17 in D minor.” (https://youtu.be/4gMBXfRs43M) (RQ 10).

Tigran Hamasyan (born July 17, 1987) is an Armenian jazz pianist. He plays mostly original compositions, which are strongly influenced by the Armenian folk tradition, often using its scales and modalities. In addition to Tigran’s folk influence, he is influenced by American jazz traditions and to some extent, as on his album Red Hail, by progressive rock. His solo album A Fable is most strongly influenced by Armenian folk music. Even on his most overt jazz compositions and renditions of well-known jazz pieces, his improvisations often contain embellishments based on scales from Middle Eastern/South Western Asian traditions. An example of his work: “New Maps” (https://youtu.be/mo7miuAHBbo) (RQ 10+).

Yuja Wang (born February 10, 1987) is a Chinese classical pianist. She was born in Beijing, began studying piano there at age six, and went on to study at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing and the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. By the age of 21, she was already an internationally recognized concert pianist, giving recitals around the world. She has a recording contract with Deutsche Gramophone. In an interview with the Los Angeles, she said: “For me, playing music is about transporting to another way of life, another way of being. An actress does that.” She lives in New York City. An example of her work: “Shubert/Liszt, etc.” (https://youtu.be/6Ypx9fH-OHk) (RQ 8).

Bradford Alexander Mehldau (born August 23, 1970) is an American jazz pianist, composer, and arranger. Aspects of pop, rock, and classical music, including German Romanticism, have been absorbed into Mehldau’s writing and playing. Through his use of some traditional elements of jazz without being restricted by them, simultaneous playing of different melodies in separate hands, and incorporation of pop and rock pieces, Mehldau has influenced musicians in and beyond jazz in their approaches to writing, playing, and choice of repertoire. Mehldau’s performances often employ unusual rhythmic meters; for example, he plays his arrangement of “All Things You Are” on Art of the Trio 4 in 7/4 time, and “I Didn’t Know What Time It Was” on Art of the Trio 1 in 5/4. An example of one of his works: “Empty Concertgebouw Sessions” (https://youtu.be/5NTmoL_vogQ) (RQ 10).

Ethan Iverson (born February 11, 1973) is a pianist, composer, and critic was best known for his work in the avant-garde jazz trio The Bad Plus with bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King. In 2017, the Bad Plus announced that Iverson would be leaving the Bad Plus and that Orrin Evans would replace him. In the autumn of 2019 on the ECM label Iverson, with trumpeter Tom Harrell, released quartet album Common Practice recorded at the historic New York jazz club the Village Vanguard. He currently studies with John Bloomfield and serves on the faculty at New England Conservatory. An example of his work: “Thrift Store” (https://youtu.be/TDbAQ56QIpk) (RQ 10+).

Hélène Grimaud (born 7 November 1969) is a French classical pianist and the founder of the Wolf Conservation Center in South Salem, New York. In 1987, she launched her professional career with a solo recital in Paris and in 1988 she made her debut with the Orchestre de Paris under Daniel Barenboim. Grimaud made her debut with the New York Philharmonic, under Kurt Masur, in 1999, and her Carnegie Hall debut, playing the Schumann concerto, in 2002. She performed repeatedly at the BBC Proms, including at the Last Night of the BBC Proms in London in September 2008, playing the piano part of Beethoven’s Choral Fantasia. Critics have praised Grimaud’s willingness to reinterpret works and take chances, and compared her to Glenn Gould. An example of her works: “Brahms – Piano Concerto No. 1.” (https://youtu.be/2ji8cTeL6OY) (RQ 10).

There are 100s of other exceptionally talented pianists that could be mentioned, but I will include four more here:

Marc-Andre Hamelin. (born September 5, 1961), is a Canadian virtuoso pianist and composer. He is recognized worldwide for the originality and technical proficiency of his performances of the classic repertoire. He has received 11 Grammy Award nominations. An example of his works: “Variations on a Theme by Paganini” (https://youtu.be/3N1przkk5tA). (RQ 9).

Lang Lang. (born 14 June 1982) is a Chinese concert pianist who has performed with leading orchestras in China, the United States, Europe, and elsewhere. Active since the 1990s, he was the first Chinese pianist to be engaged by the Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras. An example of his works: “Fur Elise.” (https://youtu.be/s71I_EWJk7I) (RQ 10).

Dimitris Sgouros. (Born 30 August 1969) is a Greek classical pianist. Widely acclaimed for his prodigious musical talent as a boy. He graduated from Royal Academy of Music in London with the highest marks the institution had ever awarded. Besides his musical talents, Sgouros has undertaken postgraduate studies in mathematics at the University of Oxford. Sgouros is one of the world’s leading concert pianists. One of his works: “Liszt – Etudes d’exècution transcendante Nos. 1 & 2” (https://youtu.be/9XqzDwuDaiQ) (RQ 10+).

Ian Pace. (born in 1968) is a British pianist. Pace studied at Chetham’s School of Music. The Queen’s College, Oxford and the Juilliard School in NewYork. His main teacher was the Hungarian pianist Gyorgy Sandor. He is particularly well known for playing music of the 20th and 21st centuries, especially contemporary British, French, German and Italian music. Also, as a musicologist, his areas of speciality are 19th-century performance practice, music and society, the work of Theodor Adorno, and post-1945 modernism. Pace is also known for his leftist views on music and musicology and his advocacy of modernist aesthetics. An example of his works: “Maxim Kolomiiets – Rejection.” (https://youtu.be/pTR-kaQFmFg) (RQ 8).

(Virtuoso Orchestra, LEEDS & The Great Composers)

The 2021 “Virtuoso Orchestra”

Virtuoso Orchestra – Member Highlights:

Andrés Orozco-Estrada (born 14 December 1977) is a Colombian violinist and conductor, with dual nationality in Columbia and Austria. In January 2013, the Houston Symphony appointed Orozco-Estrada as its next music director, as of the 2014–2015 season. Before taking up the Houston post, he and the orchestra recorded Dvorak’s Seventh Symphony. His current contract with the Houston Symphony is until the 2021–2022 season.

STRING SECTION:

Itzhak Perlman (born 31 August 1945) is an Israeli-American violinist, conductor, and music teacher. Over the course of his career Perlman has performed worldwide, and throughout the United States, in venues that have included a State Dinner at the White House honoring Queen Elizabeth II, and at the Presidential Inauguration of President Obama. He has conducted the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Westchester Philharmonic. An example of his work: Beethoven’s Violin Concerto (https://youtu.be/cokCgWPRZPg) (RQ 10). In 2015, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He has been awarded 16 Grammy Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and four Emmy Awards.

Nicola Joy Nadia Benedetti (born 20 July 1987) is a Scottish classical violinist. In September 2012, she performed at the Last Night of the Proms, playing Violin Concerto No1 by Mac Bruch. That same year, Benedetti was loaned the 1717 “Gariel” Stradivarius by London banker and London Symphony Orchestra Board member Jonathan Moulds. In July of 2019 she recorded “Marsalis’ Violin Concerto in D minor (https://youtu.be/lTsAkAHMvf4) (RQ 10). Apart from solo performances, Benedetti performs in a trio with the German cellist Leonard Elschenbroich and the Russian pianist Alexei Grynyuk.

Rachel Barton Pine (born Rachel Elizabeth Barton, October 11, 1974) is an American violinist. She debuted with the Chicago Symphony at age 10, and was the first American and youngest ever gold medal winner of the International Johann Sebastian Bach Competition. The Washington Post wrote that she “displays a power and confidence that puts her in the top echelon.” An example of her work: “Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto 1st movement” (https://youtu.be/hdcpb_mUIrQ) (RQ 8).

Mark O’Connor is an American violinist and composer whose music combines bluegrass, country, jazz and classical. O’Connor has released 45 albums, of mostly original music, over a 45-year career. He has recorded and performed mostly his original American Classical music for decades. Born: August 5, 1961 (age 59 years), In Seattle, WA. An example of his work: “In the Cluster Blues.” (https://youtu.be/r4kvzWLSDT4) (RQ 8).

Lawrence Power is a British violist, born 1977, noted both for solo performances and for chamber music with the Nash Ensemble and Leopold String Trio. Power started out as a violist (rather than beginning studies on the violin and switching to viola) at his primary school aged eight. When 11, Power entered the Junior Department of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London studying with Mark Knight. Later Power spent a year at the Juilliard School with Karen Tuttle. Power has had a prominent career as a chamber musician, as violist in the Nash Ensemble and the Leopold String Trio. An example of his work: “Salonen’s Pentatonic Étude for solo viola” (https://youtu.be/f3ngHLgnvc8) (RQ 10). He has made guest appearances at international music festivals such as in Edinburgh, Aldeburgh, Verbier, Vancouver, and Oslo.

Dr. Claudine Bigelow is head of viola studies and chamber music coordinator at the Brigham Young University School of Music in Provo, Utah. She has performed in Europe, the US and New Zealand, and continues to be an active recitalist. As a soloist and chamber musician, she can be heard on the Tantara label. She has been privileged to collaborate with Manahem Pressler, Orli Shaham, Ralph Matson, Paul Katz, Brant Bayless, as well as the Fry Street and Avalon String Quartets. Occasionally she gives presentations and one example of one at BYU was titled ”Creativity.”(https://youtu.be/LARQf2CjDJ0).

Claudine has played with the viola sections of the National and Utah Symphonies, Smithsonian Chamber Orchestra, National Chamber Orchestra and at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D. C. Every summer she performs with the Grand Teton Music Festival. Her varied performances have been broadcast on radio and television, including PBS, NPR’s “Performance Today,” and KBYU-FM and KBYU-TV. Her studio recording work for television and film has been affiliated with LA East and LDS Motion Picture Studios.

In 2012, Claudine was chosen to be a Fulbright Senior Scholar, where she served as artist-in-residence at the Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music in Wellington.

Yo-Yo Ma (born October 7, 1955) is an American cellist. Born in Paris, France to Chinese parents and educated in New York City, United States. Ma was a child prodigy, performing from the age of four and a half. He graduated from The Juilliard School and Harvard University, and has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world. A sample of his work: “Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major” (https://youtu.be/1prweT95Mo0) (RQ 10). He has recorded more than 90 albums and has received 18 Grammy Awards.

Natalia Grigoryevna Gutman (born 14 November 1942 in Kazan), is a Russian cellist. She began to study cello at the Moscow Music School with R. Sapozhnikov. She was later admitted to the Moscow Conservatory, where she was taught by Galina Kozolupova amongst others. She later studied with Mstislav Rostropovich.

Distinguished at important international competitions, she has carried out tours around Europe, America and Japan, being invited as a soloist by great conductors and orchestras. At one notable recital, she was accompanied by Sviatislav Richter in the Chopin Cello Sonata. Always attentive to music from the 20th century, she regularly performs works by contemporary composers. She has recorded Shistakovich’s Cello Concerto for RCA records and Dvorak’s Cello Concerto with Wolfgang Sawallisch conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra for EMI records. Another example of her work: “Bach Cello Suite No1” (https://youtu.be/J7QA7zE5Hg0) (RQ10). A great supporter of chamber music and contemporary music, she founded the Musikfest Kreuth with her husband, Oleg Kagan, in 1990. She continued the festival in memory of Kagan, who died in 1990.

Over the last 3 decades, Grammy-winning bassist Christian McBride has become one of the most requested, most recorded and most respected figures in the music world. Born in Philadelphia and educated at Juilliard, he left music school at the age of 17 to tour with Bobby Watson; he quickly became one of the most in-demand players on the US jazz scene. One of his best performances was: “Shake and Blake” (https://youtu.be/oQ93lI0LNuM) (RQ 9).

In a Jazzfuel interview, he talked about his early days as a sideman with the jazz greats. “I learned a little bit from every band leader I’ve ever worked with. Freddie Hubbard was much different than Benny Golson. Benny Golson was much different than Joe Henderson and Benny Green.”

Russian bassist Daria Shorr plays her composition “Siberia” (https://youtu.be/hjGbUuX4_Zw) (RQ 10). The bass playing is fantastic and video work is amazing. Our Virtuoso Orchestra will need Daria’s artistry and uniqueness. Daria’s comments about creating the video are as follows: “The exhibition of Buryat artist Zorikto Dorzhiev has inspired me to create this composition. He prompted me to realize how rich, original and unique the Russian culture is. Every nation in Russia has its own way, history, their own joy and pain but they are all united by huge and wonderful land. I wanted to show you through this video the unity and that we are all the children of our homeland. And no matter how huge our land is, we are all part of this country, of our history and culture. We are equally great-all of us. I decided to name my composition “Siberia” – this is the symbol of togetherness – both territorial and spiritual.”

WOODWINDS SECTION

Sharon Bezaly (born 1972) is a flutist. Bezaly was born in Israel, but lives presently in Sweden. She has been an international performer since 1997, when she began her solo flute career. She made her solo debut at 13 with Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic. A sample of her work: “F. Doppler Hungarian Fantasy” (https://youtu.be/ZQpjASd6PZQ) (RQ 8). Since then, 16 composers from 12 countries in five continents have written 20 concertos for her, on top of which are many composers with chamber and solo works, all dedicated to her. As a side note, her flute was made by Muramatsu Flutes out of 24-carat gold!

Sir James Galway, (born 8 December 1939) is an Irish virtuoso flute player from Belfast, nicknamed “The Man with the Golden Flute.”He has established an international career as a solo flute player. In 2005, he received the Brit Award fir Outstanding Contribution to Music at the Classic Brit Awards. In addition to his performances of the standard classical repertoire, he features contemporary music in his programmes, including new flute works commissioned by and for him by many composers. An example of his work is this classic Irish tune “Danny Boy” (https://youtu.be/xv1rI1kFvwA) (RQ 9). Galway still performs regularly and is one of the world’s best-known flute players. His recordings have sold over 30 million copies.

.

Eugene Izotov (born 1973) is a Russian-born oboist and recording artist. He is currently the Principal Oboist of the San Francisco Symphony appointed by Michael Tilson Thomas in 2014. He is the first Russian–born oboist in any major U.S. symphony orchestra. He has previously served as the Principal Oboist of the Chicago Symphony (an example of his work: “Mozart Oboe Concerto” https://youtu.be/3DI3z2Tgz3U) (RQ 10), Principal Oboist of the Metropolitan Opera, Principal Oboist of the Kansas City Symphony, and has appeared as guest Principal Oboe with the Boston Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and New York Philharmonic. He studied with American oboist Ralph Gomberg at Boston University, from which he received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. In addition to being recognized as one of the world’s premiere orchestral oboists, Izotov has been awarded top prizes at international competitions for solo oboists in Moscow (1990), Saint Petersburg (1991), New York (1995) and the First Prize at the 2001 Fernand Gillet International Oboe competition.

Elaine Douvas (born 1952) has been Principal Oboe of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in New York City since 1977. An example of her work: “Richard Strauss: Oboe Concerto PART 1” (https://youtu.be/zJQbjd12U7A) (RQ10). She is also Instructor of Oboe and Chairman of the Woodwind Department at The Juillard School. She also serves on the faculty of Mannes College The New School for Music in New York City, the Bard College Conservatory of Music in Annandale-on-Hudson, NY, the Aspen Music Festival and School, Le Domaine Forget Academie (Quebec), and the Hidden Valley Music Seminars (Carmel, CA). She was born in Detroit, Michigan. Her primary studies were with John Mack at the Cleveland Institute of Music and at the Interlochen Arts Academy with Don Jaeger, Jay Light, and Robert Morgan. Prior to joining the Met, she was Principal Oboe of the Atlanta Symphony under Robert Shaw.

Martin Fröst (born 14 December 1970) is a Swedish clarinetist and conductor. An example of his solo clarinet work is: “Klezmer Dances” (https://youtu.be/o7OaQMiJc3o) (RQ 10). This is one of the coolest performances I have ever seen and listened to (regardless of the instrument played or the genre of music)! It is simply amazing!

Frost is currently principal conductor of the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. Fröst’s work in contemporary music includes collaborations with Anders Hillborg, Krzysztof Penderecki, Kalevi Aho, Rolf Martinsson, Brent Sorensen, Victoria Borisova-Ollas, Karin Rehnqvist and Sven-David Sandstrom. In May 2014, he received the Léonie Sonning Music Prize, the first clarinetist so honoured.

Fröst was artistic leader of the Vinterfest music festival for 10 seasons, concluding his tenure in 2015. He became joint artistic director of the Stavanger International Chamber Music Festival in 2010, and served in that until 2015. He has been a conductor-in-association with the Norrkoping Symphony Orchestra. In May 2017, the Swedish Chamber Orchestra announced the appointment of Fröst as its next principal conductor, effective with the 2019–2020 season, with an initial contract of 3 seasons.

Sabine Meyer was born (1959) in Crailsheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany. Meyer began playing the clarinet at an early age. Her first teacher was her father, also a clarinetist. She studied with Otto Hermann in Stuttgart and then with Hans Deinzer at the Hichschule fur Musik and Theater Hanover, along with her brother, clarinetist Wolfgang Meyer, and husband, clarinetist Reiner Wehle, who played later in the Munich Philharmonic. She began her career as a member of the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and the Berlin Philharmonic, where her appointment as one of the orchestra’s first female members caused controversy. An example of her solo work: “Mozart: Clarinet Concerto” (https://youtu.be/Q7LctOkceuo) (RQ 10).

Herbert von Karajan, the orchestra’s music director, hired Meyer in September 1982, but the players voted against her at the conclusion of her probation period by a vote of 73 to 4. The orchestra insisted the reason was that her tone did not blend with the other members of the section, but other observers, including Karajan, believed that the true reason was her gender. In 1983, after nine months, Meyer left the orchestra to become a full-time solo clarinetist.

Klaus Thunemann (born April 19, 1937) is a German bassoonist. Thunemann was born in Magdeburg, Germany. He originally studied piano but from the age of 18 focused on the bassoon. He was a student at the Hochschule für Musik in Berlin, where he studied under Willy Fugmann. Upon graduation Thunemann was engaged by the North German Radio Symphony Orchestra of Hamburg where he served as principal bassoonist from 1962 to 1978. During this time he also appeared frequently in chamber music and as a soloist.

Thunemann has made an extensive discography, recording the bassoon repertoire of Vivaldi, Mozart and others for labels including Philips Records and Deutsche Grammophon. A sample of his work: “(8) Vivaldi Bassoon Concertos” (https://youtu.be/eHdu7meKk00On) (RQ 10+). He has collaborated with many artists including pianist Alfred Brendel, oboist Heinz Holliger, and the chamber group I Musici. From 1978 he focused on a teaching career in addition to his solo work. Thunemann served on the faculties of the Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, the Hochschule für Musik Hanns Eisler in Berlin, Madrid’s International Institute of Chamber Music and the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid.

Upon his retirement from teaching in Germany, the German government honored Thunemann in 2006 with the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (the Federal Cross of Merit, Verdienstorden der Bundesrepublik Deutschland). Thunemann has continued to perform occasionally as a bassoon soloist. In October 2008 he appeared at the Jerusalem International Chamber Music Festival playing the Bassoon Sonata by Saint-Saëns.

Judith LeClair joined the New York Philharmonic as Principal Bassoon in 1981, at the age of 23. Since then, she has made more than 50 solo appearances with the Orchestra, performing with conductors such as Sir Colin Davis, Sir Andrew Davis, Alan Gilbert, Christopher Hogwood, Rafael Kubelik, Erich Leinsdorf, Lorin Maazel, Kurt Masur, Zubin Mehta, André Previn, John Williams, and Andrey Boreyko.

Ms. LeClair is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with K. David Van Hoesen. She made her professional debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra at age 15, playing Mozart’s Sinfonia concertante with colleagues from the Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, where she studied with Shirley Curtiss. Before joining the New York Philharmonic, she was Principal Bassoonist for two seasons with the San Diego Symphony and San Diego Opera.  

Active as a chamber musician, she has performed with numerous leading artists and has participated in leading festivals around the country. She has given solo recitals and master classes at the Eastman School of Music, Northwestern University, New England Conservatory, Oberlin College, University of Michigan, Ohio University, and the University of Colorado at Boulder. Every August she gives a solo recital and week-long master class at the Hidden Valley Music Seminar in Carmel Valley, California. She performed with the Philharmonic Woodwind Quintet of New York, formed in 2001 with her colleagues from the New York Philharmonic wind section. They gave recitals throughout the country and on the Orchestra’s foreign tours.

In April 1995 Ms. LeClair premiered The Five Sacred Trees, a concerto written for her by John Williams and commissioned by the New York Philharmonic as part of its 150th Anniversary celebration. She later performed the concerto with the San Francisco Symphony and with the Royal Academy Orchestra in London. She recorded it for Sony Classical with the London Symphony Orchestra in June 1996, with Mr. Williams conducting. This, along with her solo New York Legends CD for Cala Records, was released in March 1997. Her newest CD, Works for Bassoon (https://youtu.be/Z1L_RJBnVHg) (RQ 10+) was released in the spring of 2010.

Ms. LeClair is on the faculty of The Juilliard School, and she will join the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music in fall 2014. She lives in New Jersey with her husband, pianist Jonathan Feldman, and their son, Gabriel.

BRASS SECTION

Arturo Sandoval is a Cuban-American jazz trumpter, pianist, and composer. While living in his native Cuba, Sandoval was influenced by jazz musicians Charlie Parker, Clifford Brown and Dizzy Gillespie. In 1977 he met Gillespie, who became his friend and mentor and helped him defect from Cuba while on tour with the United Nations Orchestra. An example of his kwork: “Funky Cha Cha” (https://youtu.be/KRBapxrFxu0) (RQ 10). Sandoval became an American naturalized citizen in 1998. His life was the subject of the film For Love or Country: The Arturo Sandoval Story (2000) starring Andy Garcia.

Christopher Stephen Botti (born: October 12, 1962) is an American trumpeter and composer. In 2013, Botti won the Grammy Award in the Best Pop Instrumental Album category, for the album “Impressions.” An example of his work: “When I Fall in Love” (https://youtu.be/HJheZYZTVmE) (RQ 10). He was also nominated in 2008 for his album “Italia” and received three nominations in 2010 for the live album “Chris Botti In Boston.”

Sarah Willis (born in Maryland in 1969) is now a British French Horn player. She is a member of the Berlin Philharmonic, and is a presenter of TV and online programs about classical music. Willis is the host of the regular online series Horn Hangouts, which are streamed live on her website and archived on her YouTube channel. The series includes interviews with famous musicians, as well as tips on playing the instrument. She credits the series with helping to create an online community of horn players around the world. Willis has recorded a number of CDs as member of the Berlin Philharmonic, as soloist, and as part of chamber ensembles. A unique example of her work was recorded on the streets of Havanna, Cuba: “Mozart Mambo” (https://youtu.be/m1FSR3wKgrk) (RQ 7).

Zdenek Tylsar (and his brother) are the leading exponents of a long Czech tradition of French horn-playing. An example of his work: “Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No.2 E flat major” (https://youtu.be/S4QWb8UXpm8) (RQ 10). Both graduated at the Janáček Academy of Musical Arts and after winning prizes in prestigious competitions in Europe became members of the acclaimed Czech Philharmonic Orchestra. Their repertoire comprises a wide range of works from Haydn and Mozart to contemporary music. They also have a special interest in Czech music by composers such as Rosetti and Reicha.

PERCUSSION SECTION

Trilok Gurtu (born: October 30, 1951 in Mumbai, India). He is an Indian percussionist and composer whose work has blended the music of India with jazz fusion and world music. An example if his very unique abilities to blend numerous percussion applications into one recording: “A Master of Percussion” (https://youtu.be/6L4QKQMdO8Q) (RQ 8). He has worked with Terje Rypdal, Gary Moore, John McLaughlin, Jan Garbarek, Joe Zawinul, Michel Bisceglia, Bill Laswell, Maria João & Mário Laginha, and Robert Miles.

John Henry Bonham (31 May 1948 – 25 September 1980) was an English musician and songwriter, best known as the drummer for the English rock band Led Zeppelin. Esteemed for his speed, power, fast bass drumming, distinctive sound, and feel for the groove, he is regarded as one of the greatest and most influential rock drummers in history. A mostly self-taught drummer, Bonham’s influences included Max Roach, Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich. Bonham was also close with Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice, who introduced him to Ludwig drums. While primarily known for his hard rock style during his lifetime, Bonham’s reputation as a drummer has grown beyond hard rock following his death; he is now seen as one of the greatest drummers of all time. Known as one of the best drum solos of all time lasting just over fifteen minutes is: “Moby Dick” (https://youtu.be/r9-42mu1D9Y) (RQ 8).

A sad ending to his life at only 32 years old…on 24 September 1980, Bonham was picked up by Led Zeppelin assistant Rex King to attend rehearsals at Bray Studios for a tour of North America, to begin 17 October in Montreal, Canada – the band’s first since 1977. During the journey, Bonham asked to stop for breakfast, where he drank four quadruple vodka screwdrivers (16 shots between 400 and 560 ml, also equivalent to 9–13 American standard drinks). He then continued to drink heavily after arriving at rehearsals. The band stopped rehearsing late in the evening and then went to Page’s house, the Old Mill House in Clewer, Windsor. After midnight on 25 September, Bonham fell asleep; someone took him to bed and placed him on his side. Led Zeppelin tour manager Benji LeFevre and John Paul Jones found him unresponsive the next afternoon. Bonham was later pronounced dead at 32 years old. The famous band disbanded a few months later. At some point, I plan to replace him, but this acknowledges his No1 ranking as a drummer…

GUEST ARTIST SECTION

Louis Lortie, (born 27 April 1959) is a Canadian pianist. An international soloist, with over 45 recordings on the Chandos Records label, Lortie is particularly known for his interpretations of Ravel, Chopin and Beethoven. Lortie won First Prize in the Rerruccio Busoni International Piano Competition in 1984. In the same year, he won the fourth place prize at the Leeds Competition. He was named an Officer of the Order of Canada, and was made a Knight of the National Order of Quebec as well as receiving an honorary doctorate from Universite Laval. An example of his work: Beethoven’s “Piano Sonata No17 in D minor.” (https://youtu.be/4gMBXfRs43M) (RQ 10).

Ketil Are Haugsand (born: June 13, 1947 in Oslo, Norway) started his musical studies in Trondheim and Oslo, and later studied in Prague and Haarlem. In 1973, he earned his solo diploma. In 1975, he was awarded the Prix d’Excellence at the Amsterdam Conservatory, where he studied under Gusray Leonhardt.

Haugsand is now a world-renowned harpsichordist and has toured extensively in Europe, Israel and the United States. Major recordings include Johann Sebastian Bach’s Goldberg Variations and several recordings with the Norwegian Baroque Orchestra. One of his best current recordings is: “Prelude and fugue in G major” (https://youtu.be/H3Pmr8wa4vw) (RQ 9). Currently he is a Professor of Music at the Norwegian Academy of Music from 1974–95. Since 1995, he has been a professor at the Hochschule fur Musik (Academy of Music) in Cologne, Germany.

Matthew Whitaker (born April 3, 2001) is a 19 year old American jazz pianist. Blind since birth, he has performed at venues including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center and the Apollo Theater, where, at 10, he was the opening performer for Stevie Wonder induction into the Apollo Theater’s Hall of Fame. Whitaker is the subject of Thrive, a 13-minute documentary about “the prodigious talent and irrepressible spirit of a musically precocious 12-year-old blind boy.”

On March 6, 2017, he released his first album, Outta the Box. Other musicians on the album include Christian McBride, Dave Stryker, Will Calhoun, Sammy Figueroa, Melissa Walker, and James Carter. In April 2017, Whitaker performed on the Ellen Degeneres Show and competed on Fox’s Showtime at the Apollo, winning first place. Whitaker has toured Europe, the Middle East and Asia. An example of one of his recordings: “Live Session for Jazz FM” (https://youtu.be/Ir6zixUUo7g) (RQ 10).

Alison Brown (born: August 7, 1962 in Hartford, CT). She is an American banjo player, guitarist, composer, and producer. She has won and has been nominated for several Grammy awards and is often compared to another banjo prodigy, Béla Fleck, for her unique style of playing. In her music, she blends jazz, bluegrass, rock, blues as well as other styles of music. One of her live performances with her quartet was: “Going to Glasgow” (https://youtu.be/SEKcRF4iab8) (RQ 7).

Christopher Scott Thile (born: February 30, 1981 in Oceanside, CA). He is an American mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and radio personality, best known for his work in the progressive acoustic trio Nickel Creek and the acoustic folk and progressive bluegrass quintet Punch Brothers. Also, he is capable of playing a classical style as this example shows: “Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor” (https://youtu.be/j3lH_Tevw5o) (RQ 7). He also is a 2012 MacArthur Fellow.

Stéphane Grappelli (26 January 1908 – 1 December 1997), born Stefano Grappelli, was a French-Italian jazz violinist who founded the Quintette du Hot Club de France with guitarist Django Reinhardt in 1934. It was one of the first all-string jazz bands. He has been called “the grandfather of jazz violinists” and continued playing concerts around the world well into his eighties. Here’s one of his songs: “Uptown Dance” (https://youtu.be/3mXIZRiF9YY) (RQ 10).

Grappelli played on hundreds of recordings, including sessions with Duke Ellington, jazz pianists Oscar Peterson, Michel Petrucciani and Claude Bolling, jazz violinists Svend Asmussen, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Stuff Smith, Indian classical violinist L. Subramaniam, vibraphonist Gary Burton, pop singer Paul Simon, mandolin player David Grisman, classical violinist Yehudi Menuhin, orchestral conductor Andre Previn, guitar player Bucky Pizzarelli, guitar player Joe Pass, cello player Yo Yo Ma, harmonica and jazz guitar player Toots Thielemans, jazz guitarist Henri Crolla, bassist Jon Burr and fiddler Mark O’Conner.

Claudio Constantini holds an international and multi-faceted career as a performer of two instruments, the piano and the bandoneón, as well as being a composer in worldwide demand. Born and raised in Lima (Perú) into a musician´s family, Constantini´s unique style is defined by its solid classical roots paired with a passion for popular music genres, among which Latin American music and improvisation play a key role. He has performed worldwide in top venues (such as Amsterdam´s Concertgebouw, The Berlin Philharmonie, Vienna´s Musikverein, The Los Angeles Opera house, among many others. Active in chamber music, he regularly collaborates with great artists such as Leticia Moreno, Ksenija Sidorova, and Rafael Aguirre, among others. His latest Album AMERICA with piano music of George Gershwin and Astor Piazzolla has won him numerous outstanding reviews worldwide and has been nominated for a Latin Grammy (2019)in the category of “Best Classical Album.” He is also in the process recording the complete piano Works of Claude Debussy, of which he has already released two albums. The first volume was selected among the 10 best albums of the year 2015 by Fanfare magazine (USA) and the second won him several recognitions. He has also collaborated in over a dozen productions for various artists. Constantini has taught masterclasses at several institutions in Europe and abroad. He organizes the yearly “Primavera Pianistica” masterclasses and competition in Belgium, aimed at young pianists who wish to develop their artistry further. He initiated his piano studies with his father (Gerardo Constantini) and later received his bachelor´s degree in Finland, his master´s degree in The Netherlands, and finally the diplome de concert in Paris, all of which earned him the highest distinctions. He was a pupil and eventually assistant of maestro Aquiles Delle Vigne, disciple of legendary pianists Claudio Arrau and Gyorgy Cziffra.

The Leeds is one of the world’s foremost music piano competitions. Since the first Competition in 1963, it has attracted the world’s finest young pianists, drawn by the opportunities offered by the outstanding prize package, the challenge of demanding repertoire, a stellar jury – and a warm welcome from the City of Leeds. Competitors are limited by age between 19-29. Initially 60 players are chosen for the worldwide contest. There is no fee for their auditions which will be held in New York City, Singapore and London beginning in April of 2021 (only scheduled every three years).

A bold new vision, launched in 2016 by Co-Artistic Directors Paul Lewis and Adam Gatehouse, has seen The Leeds spread its wings. Internationally, in 2018 First Rounds were held in Berlin, New York and Singapore. And for the first time the whole Competition was broadcast online with medici.tv, attracting over 1 million views across more than 190 countries.

Locally, the Leeds Piano Festival took place in Leeds and London and partnerships have been built and strengthened. Our Leeds roots are deepened with Piano+, an imaginative programme of city-wide activity, and our year-round Learning & Engagement work.

The Leeds is led by Adam Gatehouse, who became sole Artistic Director in 2019, and is honoured to have the support of Murray Perahia as Patron and Lang Lang as Global Ambassador.

Eric Lu (born December 15, 1997) is a Chinese-American classical pianist. At 20 years old, he won the First Prize and the gold medal at the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2018. He performed the “Concerto No. 4, Op. 58” (2018 Leeds Final): https://youtu.be/r8WC4g23nuo (RQ 9) for the win.

Anna Tsybuleva (born 12 August 1990) is a Russian classical pianist. She won the Leeds International Piano Competition in 2015. She Played Saint-Saens – “Etude en forme de Valse” (https://youtu.be/2Rn0swlNKuc) (RQ 9) for the win.

Greatest classical composers (men and women) in the world playlist link: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1hR_3ejNDQf2rPUInjCYeWi

Beethoven 1770-1827 (56 years old at death)

Ludwig van Beethoven composed music in the transitional period between the Classical and the Romantic eras, and his work has been divided into (roughly) three periods. The first period, between 1794 and 1800, is characterized by traditional 18th-century technique and sounds. The second period, between 1801 and 1814, is marked by an increased use of improvisatory material. The third period, between 1814 and 1827, featured a wide range of musical harmonies in and textures. Beethoven’s second period was his most prolific. He composed many of his most famous pieces—including the Eroica Symphony (https://youtu.be/2AsUSY5rXuMRQ 10) in 1805.

Mozart 1756-1791 (35 years old at death)

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was an Austrian composer, widely recognized as one of the greatest composers in the history of Western music. With Haydn and Beethoven he brought to its height the achievement of the Viennese Classical school. Unlike any other composer in musical history, he wrote in all the musical genres of his day and excelled in every one. His taste, his command of form, and his range of expression have made him seem the most universal of all composers; yet, it may also be said that his music was written to accommodate the specific tastes of particular audiences. He wrote several successful operas. Mozart also composed a number of symphonies and sonatas. His last symphony—the Jupiter Symphony—is perhaps his most famous. Mozart completed the Jupiter Symphony (https://youtu.be/C6EOb86YdIs) (RQ 10+) in 1788, just three years before his death. At his death, Mozart left incomplete his Requiem in D Minor, K 626. The requiem was later completed by Mozart’s student, Franz Xaver Sussmayr.

Bach 1685-1750 (65 years old at death)

Johann Sebastian Bach had a prestigious musical lineage and took on various organist positions during the early 18th century, creating famous compositions like “Toccata and Fugue in D minor.” Some of his best-known compositions are the “Mass in B Minor (The English Concert choir)” (https://youtu.be/7F7TVM8m95Y) (RQ 10) the “Brandenburg Concertos” and “The Well-Tempered Clavier.” Bach died in Leipzig, Germany, on July 28, 1750. Today, he is considered one of the greatest Western composers of all time. He was a magnificent baroque-era composer, Johann Sebastian Bach is revered through the ages for his work’s musical complexities and stylistic innovations.

Tchaikovsky 1840-1893 (53 years old at death)

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was a Russian composer whose works included symphonies, concertos, operas, ballets, chamber music, and a choral setting of the Russian Orthodox Divine Liturgy. Tchaikovsky’s most popular compositions include music for the ballets Swan Lake – Kirov Ballet (1877) (https://youtu.be/9rJoB7y6Ncs) (RQ 8), The Sleeping Beauty (1889), and The Nutcracker (1892). He is also famous for the Romeo and Juliet overture (1870).

Chopin 1810-1849 (39 years old at death)

Frederic Chopin was a Polish-born pianist and composer of matchless genius in the realm of keyboard music. As a pianist, his talents were beyond emulation and had an impact on other musicians entirely out of proportion to the number of concerts he gave — only 30 public performances in 30 years of concertizing. His most famous piece was “The Nocturnes, Op. 9” (https://youtu.be/-gDinVAmtA0) (RQ 9) are a set of three nocturnes written by Frédéric Chopin between 1830 and 1832, published in 1832, and dedicated to Madame Marie Pleyel. The second nocturne of the work is regarded as Chopin’s most famous piece.

Vivaldi 1678-1741 (63 years old at death)

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi was born on March 4, 1678, in Venice, Italy. His father, Giovanni Battista Vivaldi, was a professional violinist who taught his young son to play as well. Through his father, Vivaldi met and learned from some of the finest musicians and composers in Venice at the time. Vivaldi was an innovator in Baroque music and he was influential across Europe during his lifetime. As a composer, virtuoso violinist, pedagogue, and priest, his life and genius influenced a number of notable artists. The Four Seasons (https://youtu.be/zzE-kVadtNw) (RQ 10), a series of four violin (Janine Jansen, featured violinist) concerti, is his best-known work and a highly popular Baroque piece. I wonder if Frankie Valli got the idea for his band name from Vivaldi?

Schubert 1797-1828 (31 years old at death)

Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer of the late Classical and early Romantic eras. Despite his short lifetime, Schubert left behind a vast oeuvre, including more than 600 secular vocal works, seven complete symphonies, sacred music, operas, incidental music and a large body of piano and chamber music. His most famous song that he composed was “Ave Maria.” One of the favorite recording artists of this song was Barbara Bonney (https://youtu.be/l5cF5GGqVWo) (RQ 10). She recorded the song in 1994.

Haydn 1732-1809 (77 years old at death)

Franz Joseph Haydn is considered the father of the classical symphony and string quartet, and an innovator in the composition of piano sonatas and trios. It was Haydn’s voice which first took him to Vienna to begin singing in a choir. He is often called the “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet” because of his important contributions to these genres. He was also instrumental in the development of the piano trio and in the evolution of sonata form. Haydn was an extremely prolific composer, and some of his most well-known works include the London Symphonies, The Creation, Trumpet Concerto, and Cello Concerto No. 2 in D Major (https://youtu.be/5tAvhIyw-BY) (RQ 10+). His compositions are often characterized as light, witty, and elegant.

Brahms 1833-1897 (64 years old at death)

Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist and is considered a leading composer in the romantic period. His best known pieces include his Academic Festival Overture and German Requiem. Born in Hamburg into a Lutheran family, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna. He wrote in many genres, including symphonies, concerti, chamber music, piano works, and choral compositions, many of which reveal the influence of folk music. He surprised his audiences by programming much work of the early German masters such as Heinrich Schütz and J. S. Bach, and other early composers such as Giovanni Gabrieli; more recent music was represented by works of Beethoven and Felix Mendelssohn. Brahms also wrote works for the choir, including his Motet, Op. 29. Throughout Johannes Brahms’s career there is a variety of expression—from the subtly humorous to the tragic—but his larger works show an increasing mastery of movement and an ever-greater economy and concentration. Some of his best-known compositions included Symphony No. 3 in F Major (https://youtu.be/2tB2SLLnPZg) (RQ 10+), Wiegenlied, Op. 49, No. 4, and Hungarian Dances.

Handel 1685-1759 (74 years old at death)

George Frideric Handel, a German-born English composer of the late Baroque era, was known particularly for his operas, oratorios, and instrumental compositions. He wrote the most famous of all oratorios, Messiah (1741). Most music lovers have encountered George Frideric Handel through holiday-time renditions of the (The Orchestra of the Antipodes) Messiah’s ‘Hallelujah’ (https://youtu.be/JH3T6YwwU9s) (RQ 10+) chorus or his Music for the Royal Fireworks. Even though Handel was very interested in music, his father (who was a barber and surgeon) was not. There’s a story that Handel smuggled a clavichord — a VERY quiet instrument — into the house so that he could practice in secret. Handel’s father insisted that his son become a lawyer, until the day that Handel sat down at the keyboard and dazzled a duke. The duke convinced Handel’s father to let his son study music.

Not only a composer of some 70 works, Hildegard von Bingen was a writer, mystic and visionary. As a Benedictine Abbess, she founded two monasteries. One of her compositions, the Ordo Virtutum, is the oldest surviving morality play. It features melodies for the human soul and 16 virtues, but the Devil for once doesn’t get any of the best tunes – he has a speaking role. One example of her works (Sequentina, artist): “Canticles Of Ecstasy” (https://youtu.be/Ei88J4lERbk) (RQ 10).

A Singer, lutenist, poet and teacher, Francesca Caccini was the daughter of the great Renaissance composer, Giulio Caccini. She became one of the most influential female European composers but very little of her music survives. Her stage work, ‘La liberazione di Ruggiero’, is considered to be the first opera by a woman. One example of her works (Capella di Santa Maria, artist): “Il primo libro delle Musiche” (https://youtu.be/DmHhvpbxoNM) (RQ 10+).

Barbara Strozzi was said to be ‘the most prolific composer – man or woman – of printed secular vocal music in Venice’ in the middle of the 17th century. Her unique output only contains secular vocal music, with the exception of just one volume of sacred songs. The large majority of her works were written for soprano. One example of her (Roberta Invernizzi, soprano) works: “Sino alla morte” (https://youtu.be/3iW7014VGpI) (RQ 10).

At 16, Isabella Leonarda entered a convent where she stayed for the rest of her life. She was one of the most productive woman composers of her time, as well as a teacher for the other nuns. Her ‘Sonate da chiesa’ was historic in that it was an instrumental composition rather than vocal. She is one of only two Italian women known to have written instrumental music. An example (Elena Russo, cello) of one of her works: “Sonata duodecima” (https://youtu.be/lSKkglNwQEU) (RQ 10).

Louise Farrenc received piano lessons from masters such as Ignaz Moscheles and Johann Nepomuk Hummel. Following her marriage, she interrupted her studies to play concerts with her husband, the flautist Aristide Farrenc. Despite her brilliance as a performer and composer, she was paid less than her male counterparts for nearly a decade. Only after the triumphant premiere of her Nonet for wind and strings – in which the violinist Joseph Joachim took part -did she demand and receive equal pay. An example (Cappella Coloniensis, radio recording) of one of her works: “Nonet in E-flat major, Op.38” (https://youtu.be/v4p1q0mNjoo) (RQ 8).

Sister of the composer Felix Mendelssohn, Fanny Mendelssohn composed more than 460 works, including a piano trio and several books of piano pieces and songs. A number of her works were originally published under Felix’s name. Her piano works are often in the style of songs and carry the title, ‘Song without Words.’ This style of piece was successfully developed by Felix, though some assert that Fanny preceded him in the genre. “Notturno in G minor” (Heather Schmidt, pianist) (https://youtu.be/ti1eZ2B63Ro) (RQ 8).

The wife of Robert Schumann and herself one of the most distinguished pianists of her time, Clara Schumann enjoyed a 61-year concert career. Her father Friedrich Wieck taught her to compose and she wrote her Piano Concerto at the age of 14. She largely lost confidence in her composing in her mid-30s. ‘I once believed that I possessed creative talent, but I have given up this idea;’ she said, ‘a woman must not desire to compose — there has never yet been one able to do it. Should I expect to be the one?’ An example of one of her works (Jozef de Beenhouwer, pianist): “Complete Piano Works” (https://youtu.be/xhDFHqOLgeQ) (RQ 9).

Teresa Carreno, a Venezuelan pianist, singer and composer, performed for Abraham Lincoln at the White House in 1863 and at several of Henry Wood’s promenade concerts. She composed at least 40 works for piano, two for voice and piano, two for choir and orchestra, and two pieces of chamber music. Her song ‘Tendeur’ was a hit in her time. Remarkably, a crater on Venus is named after her. An example if one of her works (Teresa Carreno, pianist): “Ballade No. 1 in G minor Op. 23” (https://youtu.be/_SCoheEblp0) (RQ 9).

Cecile Chaminade was composing from an early age, even playing some of her music to Georges Bizet when she was eight. She wrote mostly pieces for piano and salon songs, which were hugely popular in America. She composed a Konzertstück for piano, the ballet music to ‘Callirhoé’ and other orchestral works. The composer Ambroise Thomas once said of her, ‘This is not a woman who composes, but a composer who is a woman.’ An example of one of her works: “Arabesque No.1, Op.61” (https://youtu.be/gaV2unQNWA0) (RC 10).

Amy Beach, America’s first successful female composer, was an accomplished pianist who agreed, after her marriage, to limit her piano performances to one charity recital a year. After her husband died, she toured Europe as a pianist, playing her own compositions to great acclaim. Her music is mainly Romantic, although in her later works she experimented with more exotic harmonies and techniques. Her most famous works include the Mass in E-flat major and the Gaelic Symphony. An example (Neeme Jarvi, Detroit Symphony Orchestra) of one of her works: “Symphony in E-minor, Op.32” (https://youtu.be/VmLU1CfHcJw) (RQ 9).

Who are the great symphonies of today?

Gramophone story by: Mariss Jansons, Chief Conductor:

Of course I knew the Royal Concertgebouw from records long before I ever conducted them. I loved the early Mengelberg recordings and later those with Bernard Haitink. Standing on the podium before the musicians, I always appreciate just how special they are. Their approach to music-making goes far beyond questions of sound; it is so profound, so deep, so noble. They create with you a unique atmosphere, they make you feel that you have entered a very special world.

They have an understanding of each composer like an actor understands his roles – they interpret, and shift into the appropriate character. It comes from a hunger to comprehend what is behind the notes. Notes are after all only signs, and if you only follow the signs they won’t get you there. Yet very few orchestras in the world have that quality of knowing the depth and the character of the music. We have many technically good orchestras these days. But this musicial intelligence, allied to the orchestra’s very personal sound, makes the Concertgebouw stand out.

In rehearsals the players talk with you on a fascinating level about interpretation. So often rehearsals can be simply about organisation: you are expected to come in and say only, “Here a little louder, here a little softer,” which is all very primitive. The Concertgebouw players expect something extra from you, an interesting interpretation, illuminating ideas, a fantasy. If you offer them that, they play with a passion as though for a new piece rather than a work they have played a million times before. This is what the players want – that higher level, when you forget about the notes and play the image, the idea.

All the truly great orchestras boast an individual sound, which is far from the norm today. When I took over the Concertgebouw, journalists asked me what I would change. I said, “Nothing for the moment. It’s my task to find out their special qualities and preserve them. Then, if through a natural process my own individuality adds something – and theirs to me – that will be fine.” I would never set out to change the Concertgebouw. We continue to learn together. A sample of their work: Debussey’s “La Mer” (https://youtu.be/fe1pB9KqHRg) (RQ 9).

Gramophone story by Fergus McWilliam (a horn player for the Berliner Philharmoniker):

Contrary to popular mythology, I don’t think there is any such thing as a recognisable orchestral sound. However, you can recognise an orchestra by its way of playing. I have surprised myself on a number of occasions, turning on the radio in the car or in the kitchen, hearing an orchestra mid-flight and immediately knowing that it’s us. It has to do with the priorities of the players – we Berlin Phil musicians play passionately and emotionally, throwing ourselves gung-ho into the music – and that is evident even across the airwaves.

I have been a member of the orchestra for 23 years under three music directors (Herbert von Karajan, Claudio Abbado and Simon Rattle), and during that time we have changed and developed. Indeed, it would be a sad case if we had failed to do so. I think any institution that wears its traditions proudly on its chest must necessarily be aware that tradition is a living process. A performing tradition is not to be mummified, like a fly in a piece of amber or an exhibit behind glass in a museum, but instead is something that lives. By definition, it must evolve and adapt.

One of the principal points we addressed when considering where to take the orchestra after Abbado was whether we wanted to move forward into the 21st century, or back into the past. Abbado had already done the pioneering work. When he took on the job after Karajan he was stepping into immensely big shoes, but he managed to achieve a pretty radical revolution, which influenced orchestras throughout the world. He would take a fairly traditional programme and present it in a certain way, causing the audience to sit up, take notice and really clean out their ears. And within a fairly short space of time other orchestras were attempting more daring programmes, too – as if they had simply been waiting for someone to take the lead. Now that we have Simon Rattle, we do perform a greater number of contemporary works. Many musicians around the world haven’t quite come to terms even with the 20th century yet, but Simon is a conductor for the 21st century.

As a musician, if I had been reduced to playing nothing but Brahms and Beethoven – magnificent works as they are – that would be a very thin diet. I have enjoyed the journey and adventure with this orchestra immensely because my musical education has benefited consistently year on year by pushing the envelope. It’s a tremendously rewarding and uplifting working environment – not the kind of high-pressure situation where you worry every day whether you will be good enough. I certainly don’t feel there is a Damoclean sword over my head, but it’s none the less a challenging environment. In meeting these challenges we orchestral musicians experience greater satisfaction and are able to raise the bar again – but it does require total commitment from every single player.

Here is a sample of their works: “Symphony No9” (https://youtu.be/IDOAT1ZbTRI) (RQ 10+).

Gramophone story by Wihelm Sinkovicz (The classical music critic for Die Presse):

It must be admitted that the Vienna Philharmonic, for all its deserved fame, does not always sound like the best orchestra in the world. It plays too many concerts, for one thing, and too many of those are with conductors unable or unwilling to bring the best out of the players. Sometimes, as when Valery Gergiev comes to visit, they can even sound brutal, like a second-rate symphony band. Sometimes the playing sounds boring, as long as maestri such as Daniel Harding address the orchestra’s possibilities without any apparent artistic concept.

But – and it’s a very big but – when the right conductor is before those players, it is a different matter entirely. When cultivated and inspiring interpreters such as Christian Thielemann, Franz Welser-Möst or the fabulous Bertrand de Billy (in opera as well as in concert) work with a sense of its deep well of musicality, the Vienna Philharmonic can sound like no other orchestra.

As it benefits from its daily activities in the opera house, the orchestra is able to form the smoothest transitions, the finest modulations of sound. That makes it incomparable, at least from time to time – whenever it exercises its option to be so.

An sample of their works: “Neujahrskonzert Wien” (https://youtu.be/TwRvxPUX4cg) (9).

Gramophone story by Marin Alsop, a regular guest conductor for the London Symphony Orchestra:

The LSO stands out from all the orchestras I’ve worked with because of its totally unique work ethic. The players are always ‘on’, whether it’s 9am or 9pm, whether they’ve been working flat-out all week or whether they’ve just come back from their holiday. You start work and they’ll immediately light up in a way I’ve never experienced anywhere else.

The LSO style is well known – there’s snappiness and vitality, a precision and a drive, and they give their all, especially when it comes to volume. Where does it come from? Well, they certainly have extraordinary versatility: they can play anything! But there’s an attitude that goes with that – they have the same openness to every project that comes their way. They have the vocabulary to be true to every style of sound that’s required. They’re constantly adapting.

They also benefit from great management, people who share with the musicians a curiosity about new things, and don’t shy away from new challenges. And as the players are involved in many of the decision-making processes, they choose to work with people who share their philosophy. They’re scrappers too – they love putting things together and the range of music-making they tackle is colossal! You always get the sense that they’re there because they want to be – there’s never any sense of grind. And that contributes to the immediacy of the experience.

An example of their works (Eduarto Mata): “Bolero” (https://youtu.be/GJVWEstu_lM) (RQ 9).

Gramophone story by: Emanuel Ax is a pianist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra:

I have been playing with the Chicago Symphony for such a long time that I feel like a member of the family. When I performed with them for the first time I was 26 years old and they couldn’t have been nicer – they are just adorable people. As a student I had often heard them at Carnegie Hall under Solti, so playing a Liszt concerto with him conducting was like a fantasy come true.

But I have to say that each time I play with them it’s special. Last year I did a Brahms concerto under Haitink, and that was amazing. I am still at the point where I have a kind of thrill when I get to go on stage with a great orchestra, and they are incredibly talented, a very exciting group of players. I don’t think I have ever heard more brilliant Strauss and Mahler than I have heard in Chicago.

As an orchestra they have this gleaming brass sound that I think they are justly famous for. Some people criticise them for failing to balance that incredible brilliance, but I believe they are an orchestra that responds to what you ask them to do. When Solti was conducting them, he encouraged that brilliant sound, whereas when I heard them under Barenboim they sounded like a fantastically rich and deep European orchestra, so I think they are capable of pretty much anything. Chicago, like all great orchestras, have a kind of pride in themselves, regardless of who is on the podium, and this is an important element in maintaining a high standard.

A sample of their works: “Beethoven’s No9” Symphony: (https://youtu.be/rOjHhS5MtvA) (RQ 10).

Gramophone story by: Mariss Jansons, Chief Conductor for the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra:

Here is an orchestra that is not only very brilliant – it doesn’t have any weaknesses at all. They are enormously spontaneous and emotional performers, playing every concert like it could be their last. They give everything, more than a hundred per cent.

But the orchestra has a secret to its success.

As a radio orchestra, all of its concerts are recorded. Therefore all the players are at once accustomed to the idea that they must be technically perfect and unfazed by the presence of microphones – so, with the playing quality almost a given, they also concentrate on interesting and involved interpretation. They are trained to do both, which yields enormous results. In addition, they play a lot of contemporary music. That keeps them sharp; their sight-reading, for instance, is phenomenal. For me, as a conductor, it’s like driving a Rolls Royce. The orchestra can cope with everything.

A sample of their works: “Symphony No9” (https://youtu.be/9_BlhOJp8RY) (10+).

Gramophone story by Mark Swed, chief music critic for the LA Times:

In refinement of tone, impeccable intonation, ensemble tautness and the sheer warmth of sound, the Cleveland Orchestra is the Concertgebouw and Vienna Philharmonic practically rolled into one. America’s so-called European orchestra, it was made great by George Szell, an Old World autocrat, in the years following Second World War. No American-born music director before or after Szell moved to Cleveland. Most of the major commissions these days come from overseas. At the moment, Cleveland is a better place to find out what Oliver Knussen, Matthias Pintscher or the young Austrian Johannes Maria Staud are up to than is New York.

But nothing, in fact, could be more American than Cleveland’s orchestra. That it remains one of the world’s best in an economically struggling Midwestern city is the American can-do spirit in operation. Franz Welser-Möst, who is in his fifth season as music director, has his detractors. They call for a return to 20th-century predictability. Welser-Möst, instead, is moving Cleveland into the 21st century through his questing interpretations and inventive programmes. Nearly every week brings something current or a novelty from the past to the elegant and intimate Severance Hall. Though an Austrian, Welser-Möst has demonstrated a restless curiosity about American music, including the maverick tradition in the west, which is mostly ignored east of the Mississippi.

Even Welser-Möst’s detractors usually admit that his orchestra continues regularly to produce its trademark sound that’s hard not to love. The orchestra tours extensively and plays several weeks a season in Miami, helping out in Florida’s orchestra-deficient capital. And Welser-Möst now has a contract running through to 2018, which allows him the luxury of making long-term plans, assuring a stability not to be found elsewhere in the orchestral world.

An example of their works: “Adagio from Symphony No9” (https://youtu.be/8PQT5IK8mwA) (RQ 10).

Gramophone story by: Leonard Slatkin, was a principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra between 2005 and 2007:

I tend to think of a great orchestra as either one that has such a distinctive sonic personality that it sets itself apart, or one that is defined as special by the repertoire it plays. With Los Angeles, it’s probably the latter that you think about. In his years at the helm, Esa-Pekka Salonen has vastly broadened the scope of what the orchestra plays. You are almost as likely to hear them play a work by Steven Stucky as one by Beethoven.

So by now the LA Philharmonic is famous for its excursions into contemporary music. That gives them the ability to handle the technical demands of the repertoire in an important way. It also means that they’re very open to new thoughts and ideas.

So each conductor coming to that orchestra can place his or her individual stamp on the music, as opposed to a default interpretation that the orchestra provides. If, for instance, you go to conduct the Vienna Philharmonic in a Brahms symphony, it’s more than likely that you’ll get the Vienna Philharmonic’s performance of that Brahms symphony. It’s not like that with LA.

Their new hall is also a vital factor in their success. You can’t be a truly great orchestra unless you have a hall that gives you an environment in which to be unique, either in the repertoire that you choose to play or through the kind of sound you create. That hall may not be to everyone’s taste, but in point of fact Disney Hall has given this orchestra a real chance to bloom. They can do things they couldn’t do before because they were limited in terms of stage space – and they can do new things sonically because the hall is much more conducive to a wider sonic palette.

I expect Gustavo Dudamel’s arrival as chief conductor to continue the good times, and his upbringing in Venezuela will help him. He’ll probably introduce concepts he’s grown up with, trying to make music ever more a part of the community. And he can help the orchestra make a connection with Los Angeles’ large Hispanic population, a new audience that maybe hasn’t yet been fully reached out to.

A sample of their works: rehearsal of Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet Overture” (https://youtu.be/MEeLl9-l63w). (RQ 10+).

Gramophone story by James Jolly, Editor-in-Chief of Gramophone:

For an orchestra that is only celebrating its 25th birthday this year, the Budapest Festival Orchestra has risen to the top with extraordinary speed. But then it’s an extraordinary set-up – a group of superb musicians who play with a passion and commitment that beggars belief. The combination of Iván Fischer, the orchestra’s founder and music director ever since, and these fine players has elevated music-making to a level that astonishes and delights with equal measure. This is not an ensemble in which the players fall into an easy routine – they know that their reputation relies on their continuing to deliver at white heat at every performance. Watching the BFO rehearse or record is like glimpsing chamber-music-making on a big scale, each player deeply concerned about his or her contribution to the whole. And in Fischer they have not a dominant ego, but a facilitator of remarkable sensitivity.

Sample of their works: “Carmen Fantasy Op. 25)” (https://youtu.be/Fph7RGl8fPw). (RQ 10).

Gramaphone story by: Violinist Nikolaj Znaider who returned to conduct and play with the Staatskapelle in January 2009, for concerts marking Mendelssohn’s 200th anniversary:

This is one of the very few orchestras with its own distinctive sound. By which I mean a sound that is, perhaps more than with any other orchestra, immediately recognisable. This has to do with the orchestra’s heritage, somewhat with the fact that it was isolated during the Cold War, and also with the players’ awareness of this sound and their own wish to preserve it. And so the players pass on the knowledge of how to produce it to their pupils, who often succeed them in the orchestra.

I admit, my name is Nikolaj Znaider and I’m an addict. I’m addicted to this orchestra, and to the intoxicating, central European sound it creates today and that can be heard even on those old recordings under Wilhelm Furtwängler from the 1940s and ’50s. It’s an orchestral sound that almost no longer exists elsewhere. It’s hard to describe, because to do that one must become subjective, but I would aesthetically define it as a dark, wooden quality.

Less subjectively, the Dresden players play music the way I believe it should be played – with what is invariably called “a chamber-music quality”. That of course simply means actively listening to what goes on around you and relating what you do to that. With certain orchestras, definitely this one, you sense that every musician takes responsibility not just for their own part but for the music as a whole.

As I grow and develop, increasingly I have a need for that act of creating something that does not yet exist – something that must be brought into the physical world from the metaphysical. To do that it’s not enough to play my solo violin part; it is vital to play with a great conductor and a great orchestra, with people who have musical vision and share that need to express collectively something in the music.

So I play with the Staatskapelle whenever I can. Recently I have started sitting in the orchestra for a concert’s second half. Last year we played some dates in Dresden and each time after the interval I sat with them to play Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony. To be in the midst of this group of people thinking and breathing as one, while still acting as individuals taking responsibility for their part in the whole, is the ideal. I can’t imagine any list of the world’s great orchestras without the Dresden Staatskapelle at or near the top.

A sample of their works: Sergi Rachmaninoff “Symphony No2” (https://youtu.be/SvuitFzDxDg) (RQ 10+).

ENSURING HIGH QUALITY SOUND RECORDINGS

After carefully listening to 100s of recordings of all types of music, it has become relatively easy for me to distinguish high quality from low quality.

You will find, in brackets, a rating for each recording immediately after it’s web link. The best possible score is a 10+ (the lowest is a 1). An example would be: (RQ 10). RQ is short for Recording Quality. This is my attempt to identify professionally well done recordings vs others. Scores less than 9 will tend to be a bit subjective although they do represent recording “grades” that are less than excellent or even good. The numbers will not align to how good of a song it is. This is particularly true when the video was done during a live performance. I have included many live performances as I think it really adds to fully appreciating the song when you place the singers faces, etc with their voices. If you listen with ear buds or head phones, it makes the quality “jump out at you.” All of the 9’s and 10’s are simply unbelievable!

Reviewing the history of recording techniques and methods made my head spin a bit. You can segment the technology recording history into four primary era categories by decades:

Acoustic 1877-1925

Electrical 1925-1945

Magnetic 1945-1975

Digital 1975-Present

We have come a long way from the: “Edison phonograph, the Scott phonautograph, the Cros photo engraver, the Berliner metal recorder, the pantograph, the UK gramophone, the Vicktrola, the BBC magnetic tape recorder, the AEG stereo tape recorder, and the Brush-Ampex-3M commercial recorders.”

The well known names of Les Paul and Bing Crosby jump started our use of recording music. This was followed up by Phil Spector’s use of 3-track recording devices during the Motown years. And, Tom Doud, of Atlantic Records was using multi-track systems in the 1950s. In London, *Abby Road Studios (https://www.abbeyroad.com/about-us) worked with The Beatles and Rolling Stones using their 4-track recording systems.

After the trendy compact audio cassettes and 8-tracks recorders faded, digital methods replaced all of the analogue technology in the 1980s.  Plus, Dolby Labs introduced technology aimed at dividing the frequency spectrum into several bands.  Ultimately this increased the dynamic range signal-to-noise ratios. 

Since then, almost everywhere pros and individual enthusiasts turned to hard-disc based systems.  The has allowed young emerging talented singers to interface with YouTube, Spotify and others to establish a name for themselves.

As you listen to the recordings within my blog, it is a good thing to appreciate what it takes to produce a good recording.  Several factors are involved.  For example:

Controlling dB level of the beat

Archiving documentation properly

Balancing the kick fader (the foundation of backbeat)

Cleaning up audacity

Digitizing analogue recordings

Expert user of Ableton and ProTool software (or similar)

Keeping your live and control rooms separated

Locating a comfortable range for your peaks

Proper pre-amp utilization

Properly setup input gain to avoid clipping

Separation of melodies and then recording

Setting up your recording suite (including midi keyboards)

The proper use of LED bulbs

Twenty Four Bit Audio Recording

Uncompressed Wave Formatting

Understanding high gain in relationship to distortion

Understanding the effects of pulse-code modulation

Use of echo chambers

Using compressors to maintain the ratio of a limiter

Using condenser, cardioid, omni and figure 8 microphones

Using effective noise reduction processes

Using proper output levels

When to blast live room with cold air to help keep room quiet

*Note: there are at least seven top of line studios besides Abby Road in London:

Capital Studios (Hollywood, CA) https://www.capitolstudios.com/studios/

Air Studios (London) https://www.airstudios.com/

Metropolis Studios (London) https://www.thisismetropolis.com/

Platinum Studios (Los Angeles, CA). Comic book mixed media. https://www.platinumstudios.com/

SOL Studios (Fort Smith, Arkansas – about 150 miles SE of Tulsa, OK). https://solstudios.com/

Hansa Studios (Berlin, Germany). https://hansastudios.de/en/home/

Our Vertict Studios (Wildomar, CA – 150 miles SE of Anaheim) (verdictgamestudio.com)

In case you want to learn how to record for yourself, here is some information that will be helpful:

From: Graham Cochrane of RecordingRevolution

RecordingRevolution Plans for 2021: https://youtu.be/YQQnQlHe9Jg

How to record and mix a song:

Graham Cockrane, owner of Recording Revolution, created two mini-courses that will walk you through step-by-step how to record and mix a song from scratch.

The two video courses are completely free and will get you recording and mixing if you’re just starting out. 

You get to watch as I record and mix a real song from scratch using the cheapest equipment and a free DAW!

MINI-COURSE 1: How to RECORD a Song from Scratch

• Watch me record an entire song from scratch
• How to Setup your Gear and Equipment for Recording
• Using Drum Loops to Create a Beat
• Laying down Bass Guitar
• Recording Acoustic and Electric Guitars
• Recording Virtual Instruments using a Midi Keyboard
• Capturing Stunning Vocals

MINI-COURSE 2: How to MIX a Song from Scratch

• Watch me mix the song I recorded from scratch
• How to do a Static Mix
• Mix Buss Processing

NEW TRENDS IN MUSIC – WITH HIGHEST RATED SONGS – ROLLINGSTONE’s TOP 100

High quality headphones are expensive. Here is a list of the best by cost:

1. Sennheiser HE-1. $45,000. (Audiogon.com)

2. Abyss AB-1266. PH1 TC. $6,095 (headamp.com)

3. Susvora HiFiMAN. $6,000. (HI-Fi Heaven)

4. Focal Utopia by Tournaire $5,000. (Audiogeeks.com)

5. Sonorous D8000. $4,299. (headphones.com)

6. Layla Aion Universal (in-ear monitor) $3,499. (thesourceav.com)

7. Sony MDR-Z1R Signature (closed back). $3,396. focuscamera.com

8. Shure KSE 1500 Electrostatic. $2,600. prosoundgear.com

9. Focal Stellis (closed back). $2,399. musictech.com

10. Grado GS 3009e, dynamic driver. $1,996. audioadvisor .com

11. Sennheiser HD820 closed back. $1,600. headampaudio.com

11. Bang & Olufsen, Beoplay H95. $999. neimanmarcus.com

12. Bowers and Wilkins. P1 overear. $699. amazon.com

13. Bose Quiet Comfort wireless. $379. bose.com (8.8 rating)

14. Comfort Wireless. $379. 9.7 rating. Amazon

15. V Moda: Crossroads M-100. $250. guitar center

16. Sony WH-10000 XM5 wireless. $239. Target

17. HiFiMAN Pro Wireless. $199. 9.1 rating. Amazon

18. One Odio Bluetooth, over ear. $44.99. 9.7 rating. Amazon

FINDING HIGH QUALITY SOUND IN OUR RECORDINGS

After researching the existing 43 blog posts, we identified 556 songs with a recording quality (RQ) grade of either a 10 or 10+. If you want to quickly find a song with the highest recording quality, I have listed each of the 556 songs with the names of the artists as well as the blog post number that you will find links to allow for quick selections. There are a total of 27 alphabetized charts that follow:

New “10” Adds (Bacharach-Beatles):

American Folk. North American music. 48. The Darlings.

Bach, JoHann. 44. Mass in B Minor.

Balada. Latin and South American music. 48. Las Mejeres Baladas.

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. 44. Symphony No9.

New “10” Adds (Beatles – Booker):

Beethoven, Ludwig. 44. Erotica Symphony.

Berlinger Philharmoniker. 44. Symphony No9.

Blues. North American music. 48. 30 Greatest

New “10” Adds (Boone – Byrds):

Bonney, Barbara. 44. Ave Maria.

Brahms, Johannes. 44. Symphony No3 in F Major.

Bretan, Laura. 37. “Believe” and “O mio babbino caro.”

Budapest Festival Orchestra. 44. Carmen Fantasy Op. 25.

New “10” Adds (Canned Heat – Chin):

Caccini, Francesca. 44. Il Primo Libro.

Chaminade, Cecile. 44. Arabesque No1 Op.61.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra. 44. Beethoven’s No9 Symphony.

New “10” Adds (Chin – Cryus):

Clapton, Eric. 46. Old Love.

Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. 44. Adagio from Symphony No9.

Cumbia. Latin and South American music. Mexicana – Alex Rice.

New “10” Adds (Diagle – Dylan):

Desmond, Paul (& The Dave Brubeck Quartet). 36. “Take Five.”

New “10” Adds (Eagles – Exciters):

New “10” Adds (Fabres – Freeman):

Fifth Dimension, The. 36. “Medley: Aquarious/Let the Sunshine In.”

New “10” Adds (Gabor – Houston):

Girol, Vicente. 46. Tres Notas Para Decir To Quiero.

Grimaud, Helene. 45. Brahms Piano Concert No1.

Hamaasyan, Tigran. 45. New Maps.

Hammer, Jan. 45. “Crockett’s Theme.”

Hancock, Herbie. 45. Just Around the Corner.

Handl, George. 44. Hallelujah.

New “10” Adds (Impressions – Jan and Dean):

Iverson, Ethan. 45. Thrift Store.

New “10” Adds (Jefferson – Konstantinov):

New “10” Adds (Lady Gaga – Lynne):

Lang Lang. 45. Fur Elise.

LA Philharmonic. 44. Romeo and Juliet Overture.

Leonaroa, Isabella. 44. Sonata Duodecima.

Lord, Jon. Deep Purple. 45. “Lazy.”

Lucia, Paco de. 46. Entre dos agues.

New “10” Adds (MacKampa-Monroe):

Mambo. Caribbean music. 48. “Latin 10.”

Mariachi. Latin and South American music. 48. Happy Mexican.

Monk, Thelonious. 45. Monk’s Dream.

New “10” Adds (Moody Blues – Neville):

Mozart, Wolfgang. 44. Jupiter Symphony.

New “10” Adds (Oldham – Platters):

Opera. European music. 48. Must Know 10.

Peterson, Oscar. 45. If You Could See Me Now.

New “10” Adds (Playlist – Pucket):

Punjabi. 48. Asian music. “San Fer.”

New “10” Adds (Queen – Robinson):

Ranchera. Latin and South American music. 48. Corrido De Juanto.

New “10” Adds (Robinson – Ryder):

Richards, Keith. 46. Sympathy for the Devil.

Rock and Roll. North American music. 48. 100 Best.

Rubin, Carter. 37. “Before You Go.” “Up from Here.” “Rainbow Connection.” “You Say.” and “Here.”

New “10” Adds (Sam and Dave – Skomorekova):

Schubert, Franz. 44. Ave Maria.

New “10” Adds (Skynyard – Streisand):

Small Faces. 36. Itchycoo Park.

Soca. Caribbean music. 48. Best of Osocity.

Spiral Starecase. 36. More Today than Yesterday.

Staatskapelle Dresden. 44. Symphony No2.

Storzzi, Barbara. 44. Sino Alla Morte.

New “10” Adds (Supremes – Swift):

New “10” Adds (Talbot – Turtles):

Tatum, Art. 45. The Best of Art Tatum.

The American Breed. 36: “Bend Me Shape Me.”

The Left Bank. 36. Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Walk Away Renee.”

Tjano. North American music. 48. Puro Family.

Townsend, Pete. 46. El Salvador.

New “10” Adds (U2 – Z):

Vallenatto. Latin and South American music. 48. Romantices.

Vivaldi, Antonio. 44. Four Seasons.

von Bingen, Hildegard. 44. Canticles of Ecstasy.

V-Pop. Asian music. 48. Bong Bong Bang Bang.

Whitaker, Matthew. 45. Live Session for Jazz FM.

Worrell, Bernie. 45. “Minimorg synthesizer.”

Zouk. Caribbean music. 48. Ou Le-Kassay.

Of the Top 100 artists, twenty six of them were recording after 1970. On the other hand, seventy-four began actively recording during the 1950s and 1960s! This supports the fact that the 1950s and 1950s were the greatest era for music. Here is a link to the RollingStone report published on December 3, 2010 (for each artist a well known peer from the music industry wrote very detailed background reports giving their insights into the individual artist’s career and why they deserved the ranking): https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-artists-147446/.

Here is the list of the Top100 artists and the years they were active:

No1 – The Beatles (1960-1970)

No2 – Bob Dylan (1961-Present)

No3 – Elvis Presley – (1946-1977)

No4 – The Rolling Stones (1962-Present)

No5 – Chuck Berry (1953-2017)

No6 – Jimi Hendrix (1963-1970)

No7 – James Brown (1953-2006)

No8 – Little Richard (1951-2020)

No9 – Aretha Franklin (1960-2017)

No10 – Ray Charles (1947-2004)

No11 – Bob Marley (1962-1981)

No12 – The Beach Boys (1961-Present)

No13 – Buddy Holly (1952-1959)

No16 – Sam Cooke (1951-1964)

No17 – Muddy Waters (1941-1982)

No18 – Marvin Gaye (1958-1984)

No19 – Velvet Underground (1964-1996)

No20 – Bo Didley (1951-2008)

No21 – Otis Redding (1958-1967)

No22 – U2 (1976-Present)

No23 – Bruce Springsteen (1964-Present)

No24 – Jerry Lee Lewis (1949-Present)

No25 – Fats Domino (1942-2017)

No26 – The Ramones (1974-1996)

No27 – Prince (1975-2016)

No28 – The Clash (1976-1986)

No29 – The Who (1964-1994)

No30 – Nirvanna (1987-1994)

No31 – Johnny Cash (1954-2003)

No32 – Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (1955-2011)

No33 – The Everly Brothers (1951-2005)

No34 – Neil Young (1960-Present)

No35 – Michael Jackson (1964-2009)

No36 – Madonna (1979-Present)

No37 – Roy Orbison (1953-1988)

No38 – John Lennon (1956-1980)

No39 – David Bowie (1962-2016)

No40 – Simon and Garfunkel (1956-2010)

No41 – The Doors (1965-1978)

No42 – Van Morrison (1958-Present)

No43 – Sly and the Family Stone (1966-1983)

No44 – Public Enemy (1985-Present)

No45 – The Bryds (1964-2000)

No46 – Janis Joplin (1962-1970)

No47 – Patti Smith (1967-Present)

No48 – Run – DMC. (1983-2002)

No49 – Elton John (1962-Present)

No50 – The Band (1968-1999)

No51 – Pink Floyd (1965-2014)

No52 – Queen (1970-Present)

No53 – The Allman Brothers Band (1969-2014)

No54 – Howlin’ Wolf (1930s-1976)

No55 – Eric Clapton (1962-Present)

No56 – Dr. DRE (1985-Present)

No57 – Grateful Dead (1965-1995)

No58 – Parliament and Funkadelic (1955-Present)

No59 – Aerosmith (1970-Present)

No60 – The Sex Pistols (1975-2008)

No61 – Metellica (1981-Present)

No62 – Joni Mitchell (1964-2013)

No63 – Tina Turner (1957-2020)

No64 – Phil Spector (1958-2009)

No65 – The Kinks (1963-1996)

No66 – Al Green (1955-Present)

No67 – Cream (1966-2005)

No68 – The Temptations (1960-Present)

No69 – Jackie Wilson (1953-1975)

No70 – The Police (1977-2008)

No71 – Frank Zappa (1950s-1993)

No72 – AC/DC (1973-Present)

No73 – Radiohead (1985-Present)

No74 – Hank Williams (1957-Present)

No75 – Eagles (1971-2017)

No76 – The Shirelles (1957-1982)

No77 – Beastie Boys (1978-2012)

No78 – The Stooges (1967-2013)

No79 – The Four Tops (1953-Present)

No80 – Elvis Costello (1970-Present)

No81 – The Drifters (1953-Present)

No82 – Creedence Clearwater Revival (1967-1972)

No83 – Eminum (1988-Present)

No84 – James Taylor (1966-Present)

No85 – Black Sabbath (1968-2017)

No86 – Tupac Shaker (1989-1996)

No87 – Gram Parsons (1963-1973)

No88 – Jay-Z (1988-Present)

No89 – The Yardbirds (1963-Present)

No90 – Carlos Santana (1965-Present)

No91 – Tom Petty (1968-Present)

No92 – Guns ‘N Roses (1985-Present)

No93 – Booker T and the MGs (1962-Present)

No94 – Nine Inch Nails (1988-Present)

No95 – Lynyrd Skynyrd (1964-Present)

No96 – Diana Ross & the Supremes (1959-1977)

No97 – R.E.M. (1980-2011)

No98 – Curtis Mayfield (1956-1999)

No99 – Carl Perkins (1946-1997)

No100 – Talking Heads (1975-2002)

Dating back to December 11, 2003, the RollingStone organization began publishing listings of the Top 500 songs of all time. Their comprehensive data further substantiates the fact that the music from the artists of the 1950s and 1960s is the best ever! I created an Excel spreadsheet from their song data: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-151127/sly-and-the-family-stone-hot-fun-in-the-summertime-56860/.

Once I transferred the RollingStone data into an Excel format, I was able to associate points to each of the 500 recordings. The point subtotals in the chart below are separated out between the 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990 and early 2000s. The data supports my belief in that about 60% of the best highly rated songs were generated from the artists within the 1950s and 1960s. The point subtotals are derived by giving each song a specific point total depending upon their overall rating. So, starting with the number one song of the 500, it was given the best possible score of 500. Then, proceeding down to 499, the second highest rated song was given 499 points. This continued correspondingly downward to the lowest rated song which was given a score of one.

In case you are interested, here is a quick summary of the most productive artists beginning with the best overall on top (their point totals are in the middle column and the total number of highly rated songs are in the right hand column):

What Does the Future Hold? Music Trends & Expert Predictions for 2020 (and Beyond)

The development of A.I. (i.e. Artificial or Automated Intelligence) will automate a whole host of expensive, time-consuming, and complicated processes across music creation and advertising, cutting out the middlemen and democratizing the industry.

A.I. tools like A.I-mediated composition (Amper, Popgun, etc.) and voice synthesis will change the way music distribution works and make it easier and more affordable for thousands of musicians all over the globe to create high-quality, professional-sounding music.

Even today, artists have to compete with an enormous amount of other artists. As of 2019, over 40,000 tracks are added to Spotify every single day — and there’s every reason to believe that this figure will continue to grow. The AI-enabled music creation will open up the gates even further — but as the number of songs continues to grow, the audience attention will remain a finite resource. 

That is a massive challenge — especially for record labels that have to make right bets, while the music market grows increasingly saturated.

A.I. will also make it easier to create and deliver the right messages to the right audience at the right time. On the music business side, it will help artists reach their audience more efficiently, and thus, drive more income.

Advertisers can harness the power of A.I. to better tailor ads to the preferences and tastes of listeners. Algorithms will use consumer data to display adaptive ad-content linked to the specific moment, location, and user, making branded content fit seamlessly into our consumption patterns. Better personalized ads will generate more ROI and more revenue for artists that will target the communications to reach the right audiences at the right moment.

Music production, event planning, playlist recommendation: machine learning will make it all simpler (and more effective). Machine learning is the fuel of the future, that will transform everything — from metadata management and music composition to the way people listen to music.

Voice queries will allow listeners to effortlessly listen to music that suits their immediate mood or preference without having to interact with text interfaces and toggle through albums or playlists.

The democratization driving today’s music streaming trends will be linked to the local markets. In these developing territories, music consumption will be different from the one we see today. This new flux of streaming users coming from all around the globe will increasingly place the music industry’s focus on the local repertoire.

Some of the local markets will experience rapid, significant shifts as a result of complexity of their current system. Contextual playlists will transform how listeners discover music, and generative music (music, created by algorithms and computer systems) will increasingly cater to listeners looking for mood-specific playlists.

We’ve already seen apps like Endel going viral in Japan, and we can predict that other solutions will emerge — for example, meditation apps might employ generative algorithms to power their ambient playlists.

Now, that’s not news to anyone — the streaming economy has unbundled music, and the album format has been in decline for years in a row. Now, we are not the ones to proclaim “the death of an album” — that’s an exaggeration to say the least. The album is not going anywhere — even the millennial demographics are still engaging with the format, as the recent Deezer study (research.deezer.com) revealed.

However, music listeners increasingly discover new music through recommendation algorithms and playlists across streaming platforms. In the coming years, traditional albums will play a supporting role — while the song will take center stage, and become the staple of music creation and promotion.

Barriers that once existed between various media and creative industries like music, fashion, and film are now melting down, and this trend will only quicken in the future. Platforms like Amazon and Apple not only stream music, but finance and stream television shows and films (which, along with Netflix, are beginning to displace traditional studios). There are new music brands that are breaking the mold of traditional major labels, melding various different areas of media and creative endeavors into a single brand of artistry.

Now, 10 years ago new media content platforms competed for consumer’s spare time. Spotify, YouTube, Netflix and alike have grown as they took over the consumers available time and unaddressed attention. Those were the moments of people looking out of the window, their daily commute and so on. In 2020, however, the attention economy has peaked — meaning that there’s not much in terms of that down-time left. 

Various content platforms and services have successfully taken over the entirety of the consumer’s available attention — which means that the further growth of any platform is only possible through decline of others, as the consumer shifts their attention from one platform to another.

The post-peak attention economy is a huge challenge for music — and a big reason music industry has to collaborate more — not only internally, but also with other crossing over into other platforms and formats like video and video games. With the advent of video streaming services like YouTube, Twitch, and TikTok, the music and gaming industries are overlapping more than ever.

Apps like TikTok allow listeners to use and repurpose music in unique, collaborative ways will break down barriers between genres (and between creators). That is something that already exists in the underground electronic scene — and it will touch on other genres in the years to come.

Labels and producers traditionally held power to make (or at least influence) the artistic decisions. However, social media has empowered artists to create a personal brand and connect with fans directly — without any label interference. This will lead to labels taking more of a Venture Capital (VC) -like approach, handling the financials — while the artist (and their manager) focuses on artistic direction and brand-building.

Social media and music streaming services like Spotify and Pandora have skewed the balance of power away from labels and back towards artists. In turn, music managers will begin running more and more aspects of an artist’s career. 

In the new music ecosystem, managers will increase their share of the work in artist development, both as promoters and additional D.A.’s (rather than just promoting the interests of the artist).

In just 20 years or so the internet has completely reshaped the music business, and we’re still only in the early stages of this transformation. Democratization and collaboration will become the order of the day: artists will be able to create professional-quality music on the spot. Streaming will conquer new markets, giving millions of people unlimited access to music. The trend of democratization will be powered by emerging markets, rather than the traditional ones, that rule over the industry today.

Artists will connect with new audiences, both far-flung and right at home. Music will be used and repurposed in ever more creative and unique ways. Old barriers between media will break down. All of these processes are already well underway. Getting a peek into the future is just a matter of understanding the shifts that are happening now.

Understanding these trends and how they will change the way music is created, promoted and consumed is extremely important. This is the context in which the music industry will develop in the years to come — and having a good idea of these tectonic shifts is instrumental to success in the industry as fast-paced as the music business.

However, what’s even more important is to make a link between the macro- and micro-level and understand how those structural changes affect your career and the careers of the artists you work with. Here’s where Soundcharts can help. We gather artist’s data across dozens of platforms and mediums, from social media to streaming platforms and radio airplay, to bring you a complete overview of any career.

Music analytics service Chartmetric has released their semi-annual report on music industry trends, and is reflecting on one of the most turbulent periods in the industry’s recent history.

TikTok, of course, looms large in their analysis, and the report points out both the importance of the platform as a discovery mechanism, but also that TikTok is “far from a music consumption platform.”

If TikTok is the point of discovery and virality, then long-form consumption of trending songs takes place elsewhere. Top trending TikTok song, Conkarah’s “Banana” had 25 million posts in the first six months of 2020, which translated into 87 million listens on Spotify and a combined 31 million views on Youtube. But that doesn’t mean TikTok users then flock by default to follow the artist on other platforms. On Spotify, Conkarah had a (very respectable) 57,105 followers by the end of June.

The industry, it notes, is only just starting to figure out how to best use TikTok, and its high impact will surely continue in the short term. For now, it’s the starting point for many artist teams to create excitement around a song. Extending interest around the artist across platforms is a separate challenge, and suggests a compartmentalised approach to artist growth.

But tastes and consumption habits change quickly (insert obligatory MySpace reference here) and that extends to genre too. Rock music is looking a bit green around the gills, with Chartmetric noting that “rock artists are virtually non-existent in terms of top growth percentages,” on the platforms they look at.

Those looking to the long-term future may spot an opportunity here: rock music hasn’t become bad overnight, and streaming catalogues are full of classic songs – so how can it be reinvigorated for today’s audience? Viral TikTok videos featuring rock music may require some creative thinking.

Some of the data points are a fascinating insight into how success in the modern music industry happens: you may have suspected beabadoobee was set for bigger things back in January when she had 1.5 million monthly listeners, but would you have gambled on 1,932% growth to just under 30 million in June? And would you have guessed that the most-synced track on TV would be The Who’s 42-year old Who Are You, getting twice as many syncs as Lizzo’s “Juice”?

The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating effect on the music industry short-term. Live music revenue, which was predicted to generate almost £30bn for the industry in 2020, is set to take a 75 per cent hit globally. Small- and mid-sized venues are having to head back to the drawing board to develop new ways to cover their overheads, and artists and management are feeling the hole in their income widen with each cancelled show.

This month has been monumental for the UK music industry. Thanks to initiatives such as #LetTheMusicPlay, and a nationwide push to raise awareness of our slowly suffocating arts and heritage sectors, the government has stepped in with an injection of capital to the tune of £1.57bn. And with Boris Johnson’s latest announcement, larger venues could begin to see progress towards opening up their doors for audiences again as early as autumn.

But the future of the industry across the globe remains uncertain. As is evident to any fan, so much of our relationship with music and the scenes we love depends on social interaction and sharing a space together, an experience which will be hindered until the COVID-19 pandemic is brought under control.

What endures for now, is a shared desire to see the music industry, and live music in particular, repaired and restored.

To speculate on the future of the music industry at large we have pulled together insights from figures across the sector, providing a snapshot of the situation as they see it now. Each of these experts have seen their base of operations impacted by the cataclysmic, but in some ways catalytic, events of 2020 so far.

Their views are at once pragmatic, passionate and reverent for an industry which is more than a product, and an integral part of our society and identity. No keystone of music is left unturned: from revolutions in streaming to the uncertain but exciting future of live music, licensing and fan interaction.

Will Evans, CEO at Spitfire Audio, believes a post-pandemic world will provide new opportunities for talent from outside major metropolitan centres looking to enter the music sector: “I think there’ll be greater opportunities to plug-into talented people who want to work in music, and who will do a great job, but aren’t interested in being in a major city. I’ve seen a lot of migration over the years where the promise of a higher quality of living has won over a number of brilliant music industry employees.”

Carlotta de Ninni, CEO at The Creative Passport, believes this period of upheaval will herald a second digital wave – as was experienced when music streaming was first coming to prominence – causing a sea-change in the way we consume live music:

“We are experiencing a second digital wave. The first happened with the transition from physical records to downloads and streaming. Now it’s the turn of the live and concert sector.

“New technologies, from 5G to VR (i.e., augmented reality and/or virtual reality) and the intersection between gaming and live performances, are really fuelling new opportunities and creating new business models for virtual concerts and experiences.

“What we must ensure is that these new business models and revenue streams will be fair and remunerative not only for industry players, but also and especially for the music makers themselves.”

Pascal de Mul, CEO of Exit Live, shares the view that COVID-19 presents an opportunity to clean house in an industry which, in its current form, does not adequately serve the artists, fans and the relationship between the two parties:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted problems that were already apparent in the music industry and rapidly accelerated changes that were long overdue. 

“An individual may listen to 150 hours of music per month via their subscription, including hours of playlists curated by others. This has totally diluted the connection with individual artists and bands. The subscription fee is also spread so thinly across so many music producers that most artists are underpaid.

“We believe that the fallout of COVID-19 has helped rekindle an appreciation of live music and for reconnecting with artists on a more personal level. We see a bright future where fans are able to access unique live performances which were previously inaccessible to them and where artists receive a fair income stream for their live music recordings.  

“We are very hopeful. The love of music cannot be tamed. Live music will find a way.”

Paul Sampson, CEO at Lickd, takes the view that artists will feel the personal and physical benefit post-pandemic, as fans shift their expectations for the live music experience and the toll it takes on performers:

“Beyond COVID-19 virtual events will remain popular and become more common-place. Not only do they free artists from the constraints of ticket limitations and the physical exhaustion of global touring but, as the tech improves, artists will be able to perform as reality-bending extensions of themselves. I predict we’ll see more and more collaboration between the gaming and music industries over the coming years.”

John Funge, CEO at The Music Fund, takes a more hardline stance on the growth of virtual gigs, putting the nascent format in direct competition with the live experience:

“Many artists don’t enjoy touring, and being on the road is not something they look forward to. They tour because it is a way to grow the fan base and make money outside of streaming. But if technology can make fans spend online, and connect with artists directly, why tour? 

“The cost of running an online concert is much lower, which leads to interesting new possibilities. For example, we’ve seen many artists use online concerts to raise money for a cause. For artists with a large fan base, they can host an Instagram live show from their living room and can easily raise tens of thousands of dollars. This was unthinkable in the physical world.”

Susie Meszaros, violist of the Chiligirian String Quartet, turns her focus to the safety and social element at the heart of live performance, particularly in the classical space:

“Classical chamber music concerts are by definition intimate. We play on acoustic instruments to audiences of a few hundred people at most, in a variety of venues ranging from city concert halls to tiny rural churches. The proximity of performer to audience is a vital part of that special atmosphere and experience. 

“So here we are now, barred from sharing the same space and surroundings with our listeners. Some performances are taking place in empty concert halls and being live-streamed to paying audiences, such as the Wigmore Hall concerts. Some performances to greatly reduced and distanced audiences secure sponsorship for the seats that can’t be used. 

“But for the vast majority of musicians who tour around smaller venues it has put a complete halt to their livelihoods. Musicians valiantly and imaginatively organise online performances, but without the clout of well established concert promoters this is simply not financially viable.”

To close, Christian Henson, Composer and co-founder of Spitfire Audio, encapsulates the emotional argument for live music, a pursuit we must fight to preserve:

“If there’s one thing that COVID-19 has reaffirmed for me is that music isn’t an industry, it isn’t a luxury item, or something you add to your cart before checkout. It isn’t a choice, or lifestyle purchase, a fashion item nor indeed an accessory to life.

“Music is a fundamental human need and no matter what hardship befalls us, what adversity we face, the need to make and listen to music will never ever cease. 

“I hope in these difficult months ahead we can act and behave as a family and support each other whilst our businesses naturally transform. The businesses we create to monetise music will always have to change and mutate, but in direct contradiction of Mr. Don Maclean – the music itself will never die.”

Using Cups to Create Rhythm

Anna Cooke Kendrick (born August 9, 1985) is an American actress and singer. She began her career as a child in theater productions. Her first starring role was in the 1998 Broadway musical High Society, for which she earned a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She made her film debut in the musical comedy Camp (2003), and rose to prominence for her role in The Twilight Saga (2008–2012). Kendrick achieved further recognition for the comedy-drama film Up in the Air (2009), which earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, and for her starring role in the Pitch Perfect film series (2012–17). Within the movie, she recorded “When I’m Gone” (https://youtu.be/cmSbXsFE3l8) (RQ 10+). It is commonly referred today as the “Cup Song.”Kendrick also had prominent roles in films such as the action comedy Scott Pilgrim vs the World (2010), the comedy drama 50/50 (2011), the crime drama End of Watch (2012), the musical fantasy Into the Woods (2014), the drama Cake (2014), the comedy Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates (2016), the animated comedy Trolls (2016), the comic thriller A Simple Favor (2018), the fantasy comedy Noelle (2019), and the animated sequel Trolls World Tour (2020). She also sang on various soundtracks for her films and published a memoir, Scrappy Little Nobody, in 2016.

Arina Danilova was born on December 25, 2003 (age 17) in Russia. She is a celebrity youtube star. She is a YouTube content creator and social media influencer who rose to fame by publishing video blogs on her self titled YouTube channel. She has gone on to garner more than 2.2 million subscribers on the platform. An example: “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” https://youtu.be/W2IARSo9t0Q (RQ 10).

Lots of school children are singing the “cup song.” Which one is your favorite?

After you watch these kids sing and tap the cups etc., don’t you think that their ability to carry a note, stay in rhythm, harmonize, move their bodies (swaying and nodding) to a varying degree? Like I’ve said before, it is amazing to listen to good music and realize that, for some, singing beautifully comes so natural and relatively easy. It is really important that such awards like Grammys recognize artists that write songs as well those that excel at playing instruments (not just singing). But, it is my belief, that whether you excel at singing, playing an instrument and/or writing music, you most probably were born with these talents.

SUMMARY OF POSTS

Blog Lookup Tables: Artists & Bands

New artist adds:

Aboriginal Didgerido. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – Asian – Australian.

Acapella (No19). 56th Post: A Capella.

A-Capella. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Accentus (No8) & Orchestra. 56th Post: Choral.

Adams, Faye. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Shake a Hand.”

Afrobeats. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Akkuratov, Oleg. 45th Post: Piano and Keyboard Players. “Baby I Love You.”

Ainae. (21) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Best Part”. RQ 9. Team Kelly.

Alake, Zania (34) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Sweet Love”. RQ 10+. Team John.

Alana (22 years old). #21. 52nd Post: American Idol “Bust Your Windows.”

Alliaj, Gala (15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Don’t Know Why” and “Make You Feel My Love.” She also has been a professional model for over ten years.

Altinkaya, Shamaiah (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Winner Takes All.”

Amaya, Carmen. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. European – Spain (flamenco singer). “Alegrias.”

American Folk. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Amigo, Vincent Girol. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. European flamenco guitar. “Tees Notas Para Decir Te Quiero.” (RQ 10+). Also, Post 46: Guitar Players.

Anka, Paul. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Diana, Lonely Boy, Your Head on My Shoulder,

Anthony, Cam (19) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Lay Me Down” RQ 10. Team Blake.

Anthony, Durrell (22) 53rd Post: The VOICE “What’s Going On” RQ 10+. Team John.

Anthony, Ray. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Bunny Hop.

Armstrong-Star, Cassandra (10 years old). 37th Post: Promising Young Singers. “Hallelujah.”

Artis, Thunderstorm (23 Yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Blackbird.”

Astaire, Fred. 54th Post: Dance in the 50s-60s. Mame and Hello Dolly.

August, Ava (15 years old). #7. 52nd Post: American Idol “Ghost of You.”

Autry, Gene. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Back in the Saddle Again.”

Avalon, Frankie. 29th Post: M$ Dollar Records Book. “Venus.”

Awari (35) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Weak” Cut.

Aye, Naomi (12 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Bachata. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Bach, JoHann. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Mass in B Minor.”

Baez, Joan. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “

Baker, LaVern. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Tweedlee Dee.”

Baila. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Balada. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Baltasar-Neumann (No17) & Orchestra. 56th Post: Choral.

Bandy, Mo. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “That’s What Makes the Jukbox Play.”

Barton, Eileen. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “If I’d Known You Were Comin I’d Baked a Cake.”

Barton-Pine, Rachel. Post 44. The Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto 1st movement.”

Bass, Fontana. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Rescue Me.”

Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Mariss Jansons. “Symphony No9.”

Beach, Amy. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Symphony in E Minor Op. 32.”

Beamer Brothers. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Honolulu City Lights.” (RQ 10).

Beane (23 years old) #1. 52nd Post: American Idol “What’s Goin On.”

Beckham, Chayce (24 years old) #8. 52nd Post: American Idol “You Should Probably Leave.”

Belafonte, Harry. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings. “Banana Boat Song.”

Bell, Madaline. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.”

Benga. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Benedetti, Nicola. Post 44. The Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Marsalis’ Violin Concerto in D minor.”

Bennett, Joe (and His Sparkletones). 12th Post: Last Named (A-D). “Black Slacks.”

Benton, Brook. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Endlessly.”

Berlinger Philharmoniker. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Simon Rattle. “Symphony No9.”

Berry, Len. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “1-2-3.”

New artist adds:

Bezaly, Sharon. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “F. Doppler Hungarian Fantasy.”

Bigelow, Claudine. Post 44. The Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Scene Andalouse for viola.”

Bishop, Casey (16 years old). 36th Post: Promising Young Singers. “My Funny Valentine.” 52nd Post: American Idol “She Talks to Angels.”

Bluegrass. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Blues. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Bodhran. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World: European. Irish. Sally Advant. “Reel Around the Sun.” (RQ 9).

Bollywood. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Bonamassa, Joe. 46th Post: Greatest Guitarist. “Different Shades of Blue.”

Bonham, John Henry. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Moby Dick.”

Bonney, Barbara. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Ave Maria.”

Bossa Nova. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Bostic, Earl. 12th Post: Last Names (A-F). “ Where or When.”

Botti, Christopher Stephen. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “When I Fall in Love.”

Bowman, Alex (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Back to December.”

Bradley, Jan. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Mama Didn’t Lie.”

Brahams, Johannes. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Symphony No3 in F Major.”

Bretan, Laura (18 years old). Post 37: Who Are the Young Singers of Today that Will Be Famous tomorrow. “Believe” and “O mio babbino cara.”

Brewer, Theresa. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Music, Music, Music.”

Brinc, Elena (13 years old). 37th Post: Promising Young Singers. “Fight Song.”

Brinker, Victory (9 years old). 37th Post: Young Singers. “Juliet’s Waltz.”

Brown, Alison. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Going to Glasow.”

Brown, Arthur (& His Crazy World). 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Fire.”

Browne, Jackson. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “The Pretender.”

Brown, Maxine. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “All in My Mind.”

Brown, Ruth. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Teardrops From My Eyes.”

Bryant, Anita. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Paper Roses.”

Budapest Festival Orchestra. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Ivan Fischer. “Carmen Fantasy Op. 25.”

New artist adds:

Caccini, Francesca. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Il Primo Pelle Musiche.”

Cain, Christine (27) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Watermelon Sugar”. Cut. Coach John.

Calcanhotto, Araina. (singer). Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. Latin & South American. “Melhores Musicas.” (RQ 10).

Calypso. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Canadian Folk. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Cannon, Freddy. Theme Songs 23rd Genre. “Pallasades Park.”

Capoldi, Lewis (24 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Some You Loved.”

Cara, Alessia (22 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on the future? “Here.”

Carnatic. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Caroline, Emna (25) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Slow Burn”. RQ 9. Coach Blake.

Carr, Kathy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Ivory Tower.”

Carr, Vikki. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “ It Must Be Him.”

Carreno, Teresa. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Ballade No1 in G Minor Op.23.”

Carson, Mindy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “ Wake the Town and Tell the People.”

Casper, JD (38) 53rd Post: The VOICE “How to Save a Life” RQ 9. Coach Kelly.

Cass, Mama (Elliot). 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

Castle, Wolfegg. 46th Post: Guitarists (lute player – 1480

Cazimero Brothers. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Waika” (RQ 10) and “Home in the Islands” (RQ 10).

Cecilio & Kapino. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “About You.” (RQ 10).

Celtic Chant. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Celtic Harp. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. European – Irish. Nadia Birkenstock. “A Trip to the Islands.” (RQ 10).

Chad (Stewart) and Jeremy (Clyde). 51st Post: Classics Forever. “A Summer Song.”

Chaminade, Cecile. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Arabesque No1 Op. 61.”

Chance, Greyson (23 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Hungry Eyes.”

Channel, Bruce. Post 35. 1950s and 60s One hit wonders. “Hey! Baby.”

Channing, Carole. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.”

Charles, Jimmy. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “A Million to One.”

Checker, Chubby. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s: The Twist & The Pony.

Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian). Post 35. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “All I Really Want to Do.”

Cherry, Don. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Band of Gold.”

Chestnut, Savanah (25) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Hold Me Now” RQ 9. Coach Blake.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Riccardo Muti. “Beethoven’s No9 Symphony.”

Chimurenga. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Chinese Folk. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Chinese Traditional Opera. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Clinton, Jimmy. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Just a Dream.”

Choir of Kings College. (No12). Cambridge. 56th Post: Choral.

Choir of New College (No14) Oxford. 56th Post: Choral.

Choir of Trinity College (No5). Cambridge. 56th Post: Choral.

Chopin, Frederic. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “The Nocturnes Op. 9.”

Christian, Charlie. 46th Post: Guitarists. “Rose Room.”

Christian, Conner (23) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Bright Lights.” Coach Blake.

Christy, June. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Something Cool.”

Clark, Daisy (19 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Hopelessly Devoted to You.”

Clark, Petula. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Downtown.”

Clarkson, Kelly, Coach 53rd Post: The VOICE Biography.

Clayton, Merry. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Gimmie Shelter.”

Cleveland Symphony Orchestra. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Franz Weiser-Most. “Adagio from Symphony No9.”

Cline, Patsy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Crazy.”

Clooney, Rosemary. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Come On – A My House.”

Cocker, Joe. 31st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “With a Little Help from My Friends.”

Cole, Nat King. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Mona Lisa.”

Coleman, Cassandra (24 years old) #20. 52nd Post: American Idol “Running With Wolves.”

Coleman, Fitzroy. 46th Post: Guitarists. “This Can’t Be Love.”

Collegium Vocals Ghent (No7). 56th Post: Choral.

Collins, Judy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Both Sides Now.”

Como, Perry. 29th Post: M$ R

Compas. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Corey, Jill. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Love Me to Pieces.”

C-Pop. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Crawford, Caroline. Post 35. 1950s and 60s One Hit Wonders. “A Smile is Just a Frown.”

New artist adds:

Croce, Jim. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Time in a Bottle.”

Crosby, Stills & Nash. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Judy Blue Eyes.”

Cumbia. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Daigle, Lauren. 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “You Say.”

Dalton, Denisha (22) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Pillowtalk”. RQ 9. Coach John.

Dancehall. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Dangout. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Danielle, Meghan (18 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on the future? “Simple Man.”

Danilova, Arina (17 yrs old). Post 40 – On the way to fame. Uses a cup for creating a beat for her song. “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas.”

Danny & The Juniors. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s Rock ‘n Roll (Swing).

Davis, Mac. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Baby Don’t Get Hooked on Me.”

Davis, Skeeter. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The End of the World.”

Day, Andra (37 years old). 37th Post: Promising Young Singers. “Rise Up.”

Day, Doris. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Secret Love.”

Dean, Debbie. Post 35. 1950s and 60s One Hit Wonders. “Don’t Let Him Shop Around.”

Deep Purple. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Hush.”

DeFranco, Graham (27 years old) #16. 52nd Post: American Idol “Beautiful War.”

Degryse, Justin (14 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on the future? “Lovely.”

DeLeon, Carmen (15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “El Mismo Aire.”

Del Toro, Guillermo. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Calypso.

Del-Vikings. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Come Go with Me.”

Denver, John. 59th Post: Happy Music.”Thank

DeShannon, Jackie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.”

Degtyareva, Yaroslava (7 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Cuckoo.”

Desmond, Johnny. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “So Nice.”

Desmond, Paul (& The Dave Brubeck Quartet). Post 36: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Take Five.”

Dias, Belchoir. 46th Post: Guitarists. Renaissance Vihuela – 1581.

Divine, Diana. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Dog.

New artist adds:

Dabrowska, Anna (16). 37th Post: Young Singers. “Swiat sie pomyl.”

Divine, Diana. 54th Pist: Dance in the 1950s & 60s.

Donovan (Phillips Leitch). Post 42. Artist Spotlight. “Catch the Wind.” 1965.

Douvas, Elaine. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Richard Strauss: Oboe Concerto PART 1.”

Dowland, John. 46th Post: Guitarists. Lute player. “Lachwimae.”

Doyle, Rio (16) 53rd Post: The VOICE “When We Were Young” RQ 10. Coach John.

Drew, Patti. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “Tell Him.”

Drum and Bass. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Duboc, Anna (13 Years Old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Ballad.”

Duke, Patty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Don’t Just Stand There.”

Durham, Eddie. 46th Post: Guitarists. “Hittin the Bottle.”

Elgard, Lee. 1st Post: Last Names (E-F). “Bandstand Boogie.”

Ellis, Shirley. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Name Game.”

New artist adds:

Emerson, Keith (Lake & Palmer). 45th Post: Piano and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Fanfare of the Common Man.”

Escolania de Montserrat (30 singers). 56th Post: Choral.

Estonian Philharmonic (46 boys). 56th Post: Choral.

Ethio-Jazz. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Euro-Disco. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Everett, Betty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Shoop Shoop Song.”

Everhart, Hanna (17 years old) #22. 52nd Post: American Idol “Wrecking Ball.”

Everly Brothers (Don and Phil). 1st Post: Which identifies the greatest singers and groups of all-time (last names starting with E and F). The artists and groups represented are: The Everly Brothers, Pink Floyd, The Four Seasons, The Four Tops and Aretha Franklin. “Bye Bye Love.”

Fabares, Shelly. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Johnny Angel.”

Face (No24). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Faithfull, Marianne. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “As Tears Go By.”

Farmer, Darci Lynne. 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Summertime.”

Farrell, Keegan (21) 53rd Post: The VOICE “She Will Be Loved.” Coach Blake.

Feliciano, Jose. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Light My Fire.”

Fifth Dimension, The. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Medley: Aquarious/Let the Sunshine In.”

Figueroa, Jose (34) 53rd Post: The VOICE “At This Moment” RQ 10. Coach Nick.

Fisher, Eddie. 1st Post: E-F Last Names. “I NeedYou Now.”

Fischer, Helene (37 years old). Post 37: Promising Young Singers. “Atemlos durch die Nacht.”

Fisher, Miss Toni. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Big Hurt.”

Fiskum, Zan (23 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Always Remember Us This Way.”

Fitzgerald, Ella. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Dream a Little Dream of Me.”

Flamenco. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Fleming, Davon. Post 50: Diamonds in the Rough. “Me and Mr. Jones.”

Floyd, Eddie. Motown/Soul/R&B. “Knock on Wood.”

Ford, Mary (and Les Paul). 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Vaya Con Dios.”

Fosse, Bob. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s: The Frug.

Four Jacks and a Jill. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Master Jack

Francis, Connie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. 29th Post: M $ Records Book. “Who’s Sorry Now?”

Fred, John & His Playboy Band. Post 36. Timeless recordings from the 1950s and 60s. “Judy in Disguise.”

Freeman, Bobby. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s: The Swim.

Frost, Martin. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Klezmer Dances.”

Funicello, Annette. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Tall Paul.” 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Madison (line dance).

Gabrielli, Giovanni. 56th Post: Chorus (founder).

Gagauu Court. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Galway, Sir James. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Danny Boy.”

Garcia, Anna (20) 53rd Post: The VOICE “My Future”. RQ 9. Coach Kelly.

Gardner, Lanie (21). 35th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous tomorrow? “Dream.”

Garguila, Anthony (21 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Barricade.”

Garner, Loyal. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Shave Ice.” (RQ 10).

Garnett, Gale. Post 35: One Hit Wonders. “We’ll Sing in the Sunshine.”

Gatzin, Elena. 37th Post: Young Singers. “At Last.”

Gaye, Marvin. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s: The Hitch Hike.

Gentleman’s Rule (No16). 56th Post: A Cappella.

George, Barbara. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I Know.”

Gibbs, Georgia. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Kiss of Fire.”

Gilbert, Paul. 46th Post: Greatest Guitarists. Five favorite guitars.

Gisele, MacKenzie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Hard to Get.”

Glitch Pop. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Gnawa Ethio Pop. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Goa Trance. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Goncalves, Deshawn (20 years old) #3. 52nd Post: American Idol “Over the Rainbow.”

Gorme, Eydie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Blame It On the Bossa Nova.”

Gospel. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Gough, Maia (18 years old). 37th Post: Young Successful Singers. “No Time

Grace, Anna (20) 53rd Post: The VOICE “My Future” RQ 9. Coach Kel

Grant, Gogi. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Wayward Wind.”

Grappelli, Stephanie. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Uptown Dance.”

New artist adds:

Greg, Halley (29) 53rd Post: The VOICE “I’m Like a Bird”. Coach Kelly.

Gregorian Chant. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. European-Germany. Monks at St. Ottilien (RQ 10).

Grimaud, Helene. 45th Post: Pianists an keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Brahms Piano Concerto No1.”

Grime. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Grimmie, Christina (22 years old, died in 2016). (Featured Artist now). Post 37: Promising Young Singers. “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Guitar, Bonnie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Dark Moon.”

Gurtu, Trilock. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “A Master of Percussion.”

Guthrie, Arlo. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Alice’s Restaurant.”

Gutman, Natalia. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Bach Cello Suite No1.”

Gwani Blues. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Haley, Bill & His Comets. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Rock Around the Clock.”

Hamasyan, Tieran. 45th Post: Pianist and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “New Maps.”

Hamlin, Rosie (& The Originals). Post 35. One Hit Wonders. “Angel Baby.”

Hamelin, Marc-Andre. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Variations on a Theme by Paganini.”

Hammer, Jan. 45th Post: Piano and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Crockett’s Theme.”

Han, Anna. Post 45: Pianists and Keyboard players. “Bach: French suite No. 2 in C minor.”

Hancock, Herbie. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of every band. “Just Around the Corner.”

Handel, George. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Hallelujah.”

Hardin, Tim. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “If I Were a Carpenter.”

Harris, Toneisha (45 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “I Want You To Know What Love Is.”

Harrison, Claudia (18 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on the future? “O Mio Babbino Cara.”

Harrison, Wilbert. Post 3: Last Names (H). “Kansas City.”

Hartley, Keef Band. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Rock Me Baby.”

Haugsand, Ketil. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Prelude and fugue in G major.”

Havens, Richie. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Thing Called Love.”

Haydn, Franz. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Cello Concerto No2 in D Major.”

Hebb, Bobby. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Sunny.”

Highlife. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Hindustani. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Ho, Don. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Lyggs.”

Holloway, Brenda. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Every Little Bit Hurts.”

Holly, Buddy. Rock ‘n Roll 2 of 23 Genres. “Greatest Hits.”

Holman, Eddie. 35th Post: 1950’s and 60’s One Hit Wonders. “Hey There Lonely Girl.”

Home Free (14). 56th Post:

Hough, Julianne & Derek. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Jive.

House Jacks (No 7). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Hovius, Dax (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Blue Suede Shoes.”

Howard, Jan. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “For Loving You.”

Human Beinz. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders. “Nobody But Me.”

Ian, Janis. 4th Post: Last Names (I & J). “At Seventeen.”

I Fagiolini (20). 56th Post: Chorus.

Imbruglia, Natalie. 51st Post: Classics Forever.“Torn.”

Incredible String Band. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “ Come with Me.”

Industrial. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Inkilaya. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Ink Spots. 4th Post: 1950 and 1960s MUSIC GROUPS (I & J’s). “If I Didn’t Care.”

Instrument (24 unique, new) Types. 49th Post

Irish Jig. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. European-Irish. “Riverdance.”

Iron Butterfly. Post 35. 1950s and 1960s One Hit Wonders. “In-A-Gotta-Da-Vita.”

Istel, Richard (21 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Stay.”

Iverson, Ethan. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Thrift Store.”

Izotov, Eugene. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Mozart Oboe Concerto.”

New artist adds:

Jackson, Chuck. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Any Day Now.”

Jackson, Stonewall. 4th Post: Last Names (I & J). “Don’t Be Angry.”

James, Elmore. 4th Post: Last Names (I & J). “ I Believe.”

James, Etta. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “At Last.”

James, Joni. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Why Don’t You Believe Me?”

Jamieson, Colin (22 Years old) #11. 52nd Post: American Idol “Sugar We’re Goin Down.”

Japanese Folk. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Jay and the Americans. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Come a Little Bit Closer.”

Jay and the Techniques. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie.”

Joan, Lindsay (22) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Nightmare” RQ 10+. Coach Nick.

Jobim, Antonio. (singer) Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. Latin & South American. “Stone Flower.” (RQ 10+).

Jo, Damita. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I’ll Save the Last Dance for You.”

Johnson, Betty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I Dreamed.”

Johnson, Louisa (22 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Like I Loved Me.”

Johnson, Marv. Jazz – 22 of 23 Genres. “You Got What It Takes.”

Jonas, Nick, Coach 53rd Post: The VOICE.

Jones, Devan Blake (35) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Hardplace”. Coach Nick.

Jones, George. 4th Post: Last Names (I & J). “I Always Get Lucky with You.”

J-Pop. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Juju. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Kalin Twins. 5th Post: Last Names (K). “When.”

Kallen, Kitty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “In the Chapel in the Moonlight.”

Kamakawiwo’Ole, Israel. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Hele On To Kauai.” (RQ 10).

Kann, Bjorn (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Hotel California.”

Kazachenko, Olesya (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Rise Up.”

Keali’i, Mark. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Roller Coaster Ride.” (RQ 10).

Kelly, Amir (23 yrs old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Maui.”

Kendrick, Anna. Post 41: New Trends in Music. “When I’m Gone.” Created the Cup Song trend.

Kennedy, Caleb (16 years old) #19. 52nd Post: American Idol “The Devil is Drivin Me Insane.”

Kenzelman, Aaron (39) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Ordinary World”. Cut. Coach Blake.

Kim, Andy. 5th Post: Last Names endinK. “Baby I Love You.”

King, Carole. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Tapestry”.

Kings Collage, Cambridge (No22). 56th Post: Choral.

Kingston Trio. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Tom Dooley.” 59th Post: Trios.

Kinstler, Grace (20 years old) #2. 52nd Post: American Idol “Father.”

Kitt, Eartha. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Santa Baby.”

New artist adds:

Knight, Robert. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Everlasting Love.”

Kostov, Kristian (20 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future. “Beautiful Mess.”

K-Trot. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Laine, Frankie. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “I Believe.”

LA Philharmonic. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Gustavo Dudamel. “Romeo and Juliet Overture.”

Lang, Eddie. Post 46: Guitarists. “Deep Second Street Blues.”

Lang, Lang. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Fur Elise.”

Larrson, Zara (21 years old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Uncover.”

Lawrence, Steve (& Edyie Gorme). 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from 1950-1969. “Go Away Little Girl.”

Lead, Nara. (singer) Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. Latin & South American. “Garota de Ipanema.” (RQ 10+).

LeCair, Judith. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Works for Bassoon.”

Lee, Brenda. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I’m Sorry.”

Lee, Curtis. Post 35. 1950s and 60s One Hit Wonders. “Pretty Little Angel Eyes.”

Lee, Jacquie (23 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “The Broken One.”

Lee, Peggy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Why Don’t You Do Right?

Legend, John, Coach 53rd Post: The VOICE Biography.

Lennon, John (and Yoko Ono). Post 47: Searching for Peace. “Imagine.” (RQ 10).

Leonarda, Isabella. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Sonata Duodecima.”

Les Arts Florissants (No15) & Orchestra. 56th Post: Choral.

Lester, Ketty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Love Letters.”

Lewis, Barbara. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Hello Stranger.”

Lewis, Jerry Lee. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Whole Lotta Shaking Goin On.”

Lewis, Smiley. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “I Hear You Knocking.”

Liggins, Jimmy. Post 7: Last Names (L, M & N). “Boogie Woigie King.”

Lind, Bob. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Elusive Butterfly.”

Linden, Kathy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Billy.”

List, Anilee (20 years old) #9. 52nd Post: American Idol “Blue.”

Little Eva (Boyd). 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Loco-Motion.”

Little Richard. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “TittivFruti.”

Liu, Kate. Post 45: Pianists and Keyboard players. “Beethoven: Sonata No. 31 Op. 110.”

Lively, Ethan (17) 53rd Post: The VOICE “You Look So Good in Love” RQ 10. Coach Blake.

Loeb, Lisa. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings. “Stay.”

London Philharmonic Orchestra. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Andris Nelsons. “Bolero.”

Lord, John. 45th Post: Piano and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. Deep Purple. “ Lazy.”

Lortie, Louis. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Piano Sonata No17 in D minor.” Also, Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra.

New artist adds:

Lucia, Paco De. Post 46: Guitar Players. “Entre Dos Aguas.” (RQ 10).

Lu, Eric. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Won Leeds in 2018. “Concerto No4 Op. 58.”

Lukyanets, Solomia (19 years old). Post 37: Who Are the Young Singers that Will Be Successful in the Future. “Time to Say Goodbye.”

Lyman, Frankie. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Why Do Fools Fall in Love.”

Lynn, Barbara. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “You’ll Lose a Good Thing.”

Lynn, Loretta. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Coal Miners Daughter.”

Lynn, Vera. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “My Son, My Son.”

Lynne, Gloria. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “ I Wish You Love.”

Ma, Yo-Yo. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member of Virtuoso Orchestra. “Bach: Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major.”

Mac, Rachel (15) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Let Him Fly.”

Mach, Leila (15 years old) Bad Cut. 52nd Post: American Idol “If It Ain’t Got You.”

Maciejczak, Marcin (14 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “I’ll Never Love Again.”

MacKampa, Jordan (25 yrs old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Magic”

Madigan, Betty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Joey.”

Majika. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Maley, Manon (17 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on thefuture? “Writings on the Wall.”

Mambo. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Mana’O Company. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Drop Baby Drop.” (RQ 10+).

Manhattan Transfer (No3). 56th Post: A Cappella.

March, Little Peggy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I Will Follow Him.”

Mariachi. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Marshall, Andrew (21) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Gravity” RQ 10.

Martin, Dean. 29th Post: M$ Dollar Book. “ That’s Amore.”

Mason, Barbara. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Yes, I’m Ready.”

Mason, Dave. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “We Just Disagree.”

Mathis, Johnny. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Chances Are.”

Naturally (No20). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Maya, Jeronimo. Post 46: Guitar Players. “Bulerias.”

Mbalex. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

McBride, Christian. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Shake and Blake.”

McGuire Sisters (Ruby, Dottie & Phyllis). 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Sincerely.”

McKenzie, Scott. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “SanFrancisco.”

Mehldau, Brad. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Empty Concertgebouw Sessions.”

Mendelssohn, Fanny. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Notturno in G Minor.”

Mento. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Mercer, Johnny. 7th Post: Last Names (L, M and N). “Moon River.“

Mercy. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders. “Love” (Can Make You Happy).

Merengue. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Mesitzo. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Metro Vocal Group (No12). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Metts, Hunter (22 years old). #12. 52nd Post: American Idol “July.”

Meyer, Sabine. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Mozart: Clarinet Concerto.”

New artist adds:

Midler, Bette. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Rose.”

Miles, Allegra (17 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Use Somebody.”

Miller, Alex (17 Years Old). Post 37: Promising Young Singers. Original: “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me.”

Miller, Jody. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Queen of the House.”

Mimi and Josy. Post 37. Promising Young Singers. “Creep.”

Mintz, Claud (20 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Just to Forget.”

Mississippi Mass Choir (75 singers). 56th Post: Choral.

Modig, Ryleigh (18) 53rd Post: The VOICE “When the Party’s Over” RQ 10+.

Monique, Dana (41) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Freeway of Love.”

Monk, Thelonious. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of every band. “Monk’s Dream”

Monroe, Marilyn. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.”

Montiel, Sara. (Flamenco singer). Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. European-Spain. “La Violetera.”

Moon, Arei (28 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Finesse.”

Monet-McCants, Victoria (27 yrs old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Jaguar.”

Montoya, Ramon. Post 46 Guitar Players and Post 48: Music categories in our world. European flamenco guitar. “Solea.”

Monteverdi Choir (No1) & Orchestra. 56th Post:

Morgan, Jane. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “The Day the Rains Came.”

Morgan, Jaye. P. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “That’s All I Want from You.”

Morozov, Artyom ( <15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Who Wants to Live Forever.”

Morris, Maren (31 years old). Post 37: Young Singers. “The Bones.”

Northwell Health Nurse Choir. 56th Post: Chiral.

Motherload. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders.“When I Die.”

Mountain. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Beside the Sea.”

Mozart, Wolfgang. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Jupiter Symphony.”

Mroz, Pete. (45) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Can’t Find My Way Home” RQ10.

Mysterians, ? and the. Post 35. 1950s and 60s One Hit Wonders. “96 Tears.”

Na’Auao, Sean. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Fish and Poi.” (RQ 10+).

Ndombolo. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

New College – Oxford (No20). 56 Post: Chor

Nilisson, Harry. Folk Music – 13 of 23 Genres. “Everybody’s Talking.”

Nordic/Norse. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. Scandinavian. “Folkvanger” and “Volur.” (RQ 10).

Northwell Health Nurse Choir. 56th Post: Choral.

Nunes, Clara. (singer). Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. Latin & South American. “Fiera de Mangaio.” (RQ 10).

Nyro, Laura. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Wedding Bell Blues.”

O’Conner, Mark. Post 44. The Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “In the Cluster Blues.”

Olayan, Liahona (16 years old) #17. 52nd Post: American Idol “Me Too.”

Oliver-Swofford, William. Male Soloists – 6 of 23 Genres.

Opera. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Otis, Johnny. 8th Post: Last Names (O & P). Willie and the Hand Jive.”

Pace, Ian. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Maxim Kolomiiets.”

Page, Patti. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Tennessee Waltz.”

Palm Wine. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Parks, Arlo (20 yrs old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Sophie.”

Parx, Tayla (27 yrs old). Name at birth: Taylor Monet Parks. Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “We Need to Talk.”

Patton, Charley. 46th Post: Guitarists. “Spoonful Blues.”

New artists adds:

Pelekai, Ciana (20) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Dance Monkey”. RQ 10+.

Penna, Kaue (14 years old). 37th Post: Who Are the Young Singers of Today that will be Famous in the Future? “Run to You.”

Pentatonix (No1). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Perkins, Carl. Post 36. All time artists of the 1950s and 60s. “Blue Suede Shoes.”

Perlman, Itzhak. Post 44. The Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member Virtuoso Orchestra. “Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.”

Peter (Asher) and Gordon (Waller). 36th Post: Timeless Recordings 1950-1969. “A World Without Love.”

Peter Moon Band. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Island Cove.” (RQ 10+).

Peterson, Oscar. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of every band. “If You Could See Me Now.”

Phattanan, Gracy (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Wonderframe.”

Phillips, Esther. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Release Me.”

Piaf, Edith. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings. “La Vie en rose.”

Pickett, Wilson. Add song: “ Mu

Pike, Wyatt (19 years old) #5. 52nd Post: American Idol “Blame It on Me.”

Pilimehana, Na Leo. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “I Miss You My Hawaii.” (RQ 10).

Playmates. 8th Post: Last Names (O-P). “Beep Beel.”

Polka. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Polyphony (No2) & Piano + 5 strings. 56th Post: Choral.

Posey, Sandy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Born a Woman.”

Postmodern Jukebox. 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “All About the Bass.”

Powell, Jane. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “True Love.”

Power, Lawrence. Post 44. The Greatest Artists of All-Time. “Salonen’s Pentatonic Étude.”

Price, Lloyd. 8th Post: Last Names (O-P). “Lawdy Miss Clawdy.”

Prima, Louis (& Keely Smith). 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Just a Gigolo.”

Punjabi. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Quill. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Driftin.”

Rababah. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Rabbone, Jordan (16 years old). Post 37: Promising Young Singers. “What About Us.”

Rafi. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Raga Rock. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Ramm, Lisa Marie (15 year old). Post 37: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Run.”

Ramsey, Mason (14 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Famous.”

Ranchero. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Ray, Cecil (20 years old). #24. 52nd Post: American Idol “Beyond”

Red, Kona. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Ho’Aikane.” (RQ 10+).

Regala, Joshua (15 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on the future? Duet with girlfriend (Marby). “You Are the Reason.”

Reggaeton. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

New artist adds:

Reese, Della. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Rhapsody in Black.”

Reggae. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Regina, Elis. (singer) Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. Latin & South American. “Como Nossos Pais.” (RQ 9).

Renata & Samuel. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Boogie Woogie (Jungle Jive).

Renay, Diane. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Navy Blue.”

Renee, Pia (37) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Master Blaster” RQ 10+.

Reynolds, Debbie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Tammy.”

Reichel, Keal’l. Post: 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “EoMai.” (RQ 10).

Rial, Carolina (17) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Stay With Me”. RQ 10. Coach John.

RIAS Kammerchor (No9) & Two Strings. 56th Post: Choral.

RJ & The Del Guapos. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s: The Shake.

Robbins, Marty. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “El Paso.”

Roberson, Avery (20) 53rd Post: The VOICE “If Your Reafing This” RQ 10. Coach Blake.

Rock and Roll – Rockabilly. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Rockapella (No9). 56th Post: A Capella.

Rocksteady. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Rodgers, Eilene. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Miracle of Love.”

Rogers, Ginger. 54th Post: Dance in the 50s-60s.

Romoe, Zae (21) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Falling”. RQ 9. Coach Nick.

Rosalita, Peter (10 years old). 37th Post: Young Singers. “All By Myself”

Royal, Billy Joe. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Down in the Boondocks.”

Royal Concertgebouw. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Mariss Jansons. “La Mer.”

Rubin, Carter (14 years old). 37th Post: Who Are the Young Singers of Today that Will Be Famous Tomorrow? “Before You Go.”

Rudess, Jordan. 45th Post: Piano and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Live at Budukan.”

Ruffin, Jimmy and David. 11th Post: Last Names (R, continued). “When My Love Hand Comes Down.”

Rush. 11th Post: Last Names (R, continued). “Working Man.”

Russell, Leon. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. North American – Hawaiian. “Back to the Island.” (RQ 10).

Rusu, Rianna (15 years old). 37th Post: Young Singers. “And I’m Telling You.” 2021 Romania Kids Talent Show.

Rydell, Bobby. 11th Post: Last Names (R, continued). “Volare.”

Sabastian, John B. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival.

Sabicas. Post 48: Music categories in our world. European flamenco guitar. “Fantasia.” Also, Post 46: Guitar Players.

Sadler, Barry. 50th Post: Diamonds in the Rough. “The Ballad of the Green Berets.”

Safka, Melanie. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Lay Down.”

Sagittarius. 14th Post: Last Names (S). “My World Fell Down.

Sakantas, Matas (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “New Rules.”

Salsa. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Samba. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Sandoval, Arturo. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Funky Cha Cha.”

Sangalo, Ivete. (singer). Post 48: Music Categories in Our World. Latin & South American. “O Mundo Vai.” (RQ 10+).

Santana. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Evil Ways.”

Scott, Linda. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I’ve Told Every Little Star.”

New artist adds:

Sayaque, Rebecca. (10 yrs old) Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “You Raise Me Up.”

Schoenburg, Arnold Choir (No19. 56th Post: Choral.

Schubert, Franz. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Ave Maria.”

Schumann, Clara. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Complete Piano Works.”

Sedaka, Neil. Post 36. All time artists of the 1950s and 1960s. Neil recorded ten number one songs.

Serenko, Joanna (18 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Lean on Me.”

Sgouros, Dimitris. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. “Liszt-Etudes Nos 1 & 2.”

Shaabi. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Sha Na Na. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Frstival. “Duke of Earl.”

Shankar, Ravi. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Testival. Tabla Solo In I

Sharp, Dee Dee. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “MashedPotatoes.”

Sheldon, Blake, Coach 53rd Post: The VOICE Biography.

Shep and the Limelites. 14th Post: Last Names (S). “Daddys Home.”

Shepard, Jean. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Second Fiddle to an Old Guitar.”

Shore, Dinah. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Blues in the Night.”

Shorr, Daria. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. “Siberia.”

Simioni, Marina. (29 years old). Post 37: Promising Young Singers. “Team.”

Simone, Nina. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I Loves You Porgy.”

Simpson, Cody (23 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Golden Thing.”

Sinatra, Frank. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Young at Heart.”

Sinatra, Nancy. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “These Boots Are Made for Walkin.”

Sinclair, Bradley 53rd Post: The VOICE “You Say You Won’t Let Go” RQ 10. Coach Nick.z

Ska. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Skomorokhova, Taisiya (8 yrs old). Post 37. Today’s young singers with potential to be famous in the future. 2020 Russia’s Voice for Kids finalist. “Goomba Boomba.”

Small Faces. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Itchycoo Park.”

Smith, Connie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Once a Day.”

Smith, Keely. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “That Old Black Magic.”

Soca. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Soloman, Victor (22) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Glory”. RQ 10. Coach John.

Somali Jazz. Post 48: Music categories in our world – African.

Sommer, Bert. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “She’s Gone.”

Sophie, Alanis (19 Years old) #10. 52nd Post: American Idol “Uninvited.”

Soul, Jimmy. “If You Wanna Be Happy.” Rock and Roll – 1 of 23 Genres.

Spence, Willie (21 years old) #13. 52nd Post: American Idol “I Was Here.”

Spiral Starecase. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “More Today than Yesterday.”

Springfield, Dusty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.”

Staatskapelle Dresdin. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Nikolaj Znaider. “Symphony No2.”

Stafford, Jo. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “You Belong to Me.”

New artist adds:

Starr, Kay. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Wheel of Fortune.”

Steel Pan. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Stefani, Gwen. 42nd Post: Music categories in our world. Caribbean Ska “Sunday Morning.”

Steinfeld, Hailee (23 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on the future? Already a famous singer (“Love Myself”) and actor.

Stern, Raine (22) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Electric Feel.” Coach Nick

Stevens, Connie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Sixteen Reasons.”

Stevens C, Dodie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. 29th Post: M$ Records Book. “Pink Shoe Laces.”

Stevens, Ray. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Everything Thing is Beautiful.”

Stile Antico (No18). 56th Post: Choral.

Storm, Gayle. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I Hear You Knocking.”

St. Paul’s Cathedral, England (20 singers). 56th Post: Choral.

Straight No Chaser (No10). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Stone Ponies (Linda Ronstadt lead singer). Folk Music – 13 of 23 Genres. “Different Drum.”

Street Corner Symphony (No21). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Streisand, Barbara. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. Five No1 recordings including: “ The Way We Were.”

Strozzi, Barbara. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Sino Alla Morte.”

Swann, Bettye. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Make Me Yours.”

Swedish Radio (No10). 56th Post: Choral.

Sweetwater. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “Oh Happy Day.”

Swing. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Swingle Singers (No2). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Sydney, “Uke.” Post 37. Young Successful Singers. “Billy Jean.”

New artist adds:

Tabernacle Choir. 56th Post: Choral

Take 6 (No6). 56th Post: A Capella.

Tango. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Tatum, Art. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of every band. “The Best of Art Tatum.”

Tchaikovsky, Pyotr. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Swan Lake.”

Ten Years After. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “I’m Going

Thabelo, Nachdem. Post 37: Young Singers. “Halo.”

The American Breed. Post 36: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1966s. “Bend Me Shape Me.”

The Big Bopper. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Chantilly Lace.”

The Browns. 12th Post: Last Names (A-D). “The Three Bells.”

The Capitals. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Cool Jerk.”

The Cardinals Musick (No3). 56th Post: Choral.

The Chad Mitchell Trio. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “The Marvelous Toy.”

The Champs. 35th Post: 1950’s and 60’s “One Hit Wonders.” “Tequila.”

The Chiffons. 51st Post: Classics Forever. He’s So Fine.”

The Chordettes. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Mr. Sandman.”

The Clovers. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Love Potion No9.”

The Contours. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Do You Love Me.”

The Crew-Cuts. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Sh-Boom.”

The Critters. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Mr. Dieingly Sad.”

The Delphonics. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “La La Means that I Love You.”

The Diamonds. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Stroll.

The Dovells. Doo Wop 19 of 23 Genres. “Bristol Stomp.”

The Dunedin Consort (No11) & Orchestra. 56th Post: Choral.

The Elegants. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders. “Little Star.”

The Essex. 1st Post: Last Names (E & F). “Easier Said Than Done

The Exciters. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings. “Tell Him.”

The Fascinators. 1st Post: Last Names (E-F). “Oh Rosemarie.”

The Five Satins. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “In the Still of the Night.”

The Four Aces. 1st Post: Last Names (E & F). “Love is a Many Splendored Thing.”

The Guess Who. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “These Eyes” and “No Time.”

New artist adds:

The Happenings. 51st Post: Classics Forever.“Goodnight My Love” & “See You in September”

The Idea of North (No17). 56th Post: Choral.

The Impalas. 35th Post: 1950’s and 60’s “One Hit Wonders.” “Sorry.”

The Ink Spots. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Seven No1s including “To Each His Own.”

The King’s Singers (No5). 56th Post: A Capella

The Knickerbockers. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Lies.”

The Left Banke. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Walk Away Renee.”

The Lettermen. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “When I Fall in Love.”

The Monotones. 35th Post: 1950’s and 60’s One Hit Wonders. “Book of Love.”

The Orions. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s: The Wah Watusi.

New artist adds:

The Penguins. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders. “Earth Angel.”

The Philharmonic (No8). 56th Post: A Capella.

The Platters. Post 36. Timeless recordings of the 1950s and 60s. “Smoke Gets Into Your Eyes.”

The Poni-Tails. Post 35: One Hit Wonders. “Born Too Late.”

The Puppini Sisters (No15). 56th Post: A Cappella.

The Ramrods. 10th Post: Last Names (R, continued). “Ghost Riders in the Sky.”

The Real Group (No4). 56th Post: A Cappella.

The Rip Chords. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders. “Hey Little Cobra.”

The Ronettes. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Be My Baby.”

The Royal Jesters. Post 16: Last Names (T). “We Go Together.”

The Tallis Scholars (No13). 56th Post: Choral.

The Teddy Bears (and Phil Spector with Annette Kleinbard, lead singer). Post 35. 1950’s and 60’s One Hit Wonders. “To Know Him Is To Love Him” sold 2.5M records in 1958!

The Tremelos. Post 36: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Silence is Golden.”

The Tymes. Motown/Soul/R&B 3 of 23 Genres. “So Much in Love.”

The Seeds. Post 36. Timeless Recordings of the 1950s and 60s. “Pushin To Hard.”

The Silhouettes. 35th Post: 1950’s and 60’s One Hit Wonders. “Get a Job.”

The Sixteen (No4). 56th Post: Choral.

The Tonettes. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “O What a Baby.”

The Turbans. 16th Post: Last Names (T). “When You Dance.”

New artist adds:

The Virtues. Rock and Roll 2 of 23 Genres. “Guitar Boogie Shuffel.”

The Voca People (No18). 56 Post: Choral.

The Vogues. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Turn Around, Look at Me.”

Thile, Christopher Scott. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Bach: Sonata No. 1 in G Minor.”

Timmons, Courtney. Post 50. Diamonds in the Rough. “Soulmate” duet with Billy Walker.

Thomas, Carla. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Gee Whiz.”

Thomas, Irma. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Wish Someone Would Care.”

Thompson, Ayoni (20 yrs old). Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Wife You Up.”

Thompson, Hank. 16th Post: Last Names (T). “The Wild Side

Thompson, Sue. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Norman.”

Thunemann, Klaus. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “(8) Vivaldi Bassoon Concertos.”

Tilghman, Todd (42 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “We’ve Got Tonight.”

Tjano. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

Toaopoba, Koncnr (9). Post 37: Young Singers. “Listen.”

Todrani, Giorgia. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Credo.”

Toofani, Amin. 46th Post: Guitarists. “Gratitude.”

Trance. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – European.

Trinity College – Cambridge (No26). 56th Post: Choral.

Tsybuleva, Anna. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Won the Leeds in 2015. Saint Saens: “Etude en forme valse.”

Twitty, Conway. 16th Post: Last Names (T). “Its Only Make Believe.”

Turner, Big Joe. 16th Post: Last Names (T). “Shake, Raddle and Roll.”

Tylsar, Zdenek. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Mozart’s Mambo.”

UMI. Name at birth: Tierra Umi Wilson (21 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Remember Me.”

Valens, Ritchie. Born Richard Steven Valenzula. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “LaBamba.”

Vallenatto. 48th Post: Music Categories in Our World – Latin and South American.

Valles, Andrea (23 years old) #23. 52nd Post: American Idol “Blinding Lights.”

Valli, June. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Crying in the Chapel.”

New artist adds:

Vaughn, Sarah. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “If You Could See Me Now.”

Vee, Bobby. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Take Good Care of My Baby.”

Vidharshi, Shamaiah (<15 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Cups.”

Vienna Philharmonk. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. Andres Orozco. “Neujahrskonzert Wien.”

Vincent, Gene & His Blue Caps. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s The Bop.

Vinton, Bobby. Post 36. Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 60s. Number ones: “Blue Velvet,” “There I’ve Said It Again” and “Mr. Lonely.”

Vivaldi, Antonio. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Four Seasons.”

Vocal Point (No13). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Voice Male (No23). 56th Post: A Cappella

Voice Play (No11). 56th Post: A Cappella.

von Bingen, Hildegard. Post 44: Lets Give Credit to the Greatest. “Canticles of Ecstasy.”

V-Pop. Post 48: Music categories in our world. Asian.

Wakeman, Rick. 45th Post: Piano and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. Yes. “Unnamed solo.”

Wallace, Jerry. 21st Post: Last Names (V-W). “If You Leave Me Tonight I’ll Cry.”

Wang, Yuja. 45th Post: Pianists, the heart and soul of a band. “Shubert/Liszt, etc.”

Ward, Corey (34) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Dancing on My Own.” Coach Kelly

Ward, Robin. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders of the 1950s and 1960s. “Wonderful Summer.”

Ward, Sammy “Singing,” 35th Post: 1950’s and 60’s One Hit Wonder. “Who’s the Fool?”

Warren, Deion (28) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Shallow”. RQ 10.

Warrior, Jason (25 years old) #18. 52nd Post: American Idol “Believer.”

Warwick, Dionne. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I Say a Little Prayer.”

Washington, Baby (Justine), 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Only Those in Love.”

Watkins, Madison (25 years old) #14. 52nd Post: American Idol “It’s a Man’s World.”

Watson, Doc. 46th Post: Guitar Players. “Bonaparte’s Retreat.”

Watson, Gene. 21st Post: Last Names (V & W). “The Old Man and His Horn.”

We Five. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “You Were on My Mind.”

Wehbe, Carla (27 years old). 37th Post: Who are the young singers of today that will be famous in the future? “Stay.”

Welk, Lawrence. 54th Post: Dance Types 50s & 60s: The Chicken.

Wells Cathedral (No6) (18 children). 56th Post: Choral.

Wells, Kitty. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Makin Believe.”

West, Dottie. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Here Comes My Baby.”

Westminster Abby (No16). 56th Post: Chorus.

Wheeler, Kenzie (22) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Don’t Close Your Eyes” RQ 10+.

Whitaker, Matthew. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of every band. “Live Session for Jazz FM.” And, Post 44. Greatest Artists of All Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra.

Whitman, Slim. 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Indian Love Call.”

Williams, Billy. 21st Post: Last Names (V-W). “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down.

Williams, Mason. 46th Post: Guitar Players. “Classical Gas.”

Williams, Roger. 45th Post: Pianists and Keyboard Players. “Autumn Leaves” and “Born Free.”

Willis, Sarah. Post 44. Greatest Artists of All-Time. Member: Virtuoso Orchestra. “Mozart’s Mambo.”

Winter, Johnny. 51st Post: Classics Forever. Woodstock Festival. “I Can’t Stand It.”

New artist adds:

Witloof Bay (No25). 56th Post: A Cappella.

Woods, Savanna (26) 53rd Post: The VOICE “Zombie”. RQ 9.

Worrell, Bernie. 45th Post: Pianists and keyboard players are the heart and soul of every band. “Minimoug synthesizer.”

Wray, Alyssn (18 years old) #6. 52nd Post: American Idol “I’m Here.”

Wright, Betty. 21st Post: Last Names (V & W). “Secretary.”

Wright, Charles. 21st Post: Last Named (V & W). “Love Land.”

Wright, Richard. 45th Post: Piano and keyboard players are the heart and soul of a band. Pink Floyd. “Fat Old Son.”

Wynette, Tammy, 36th Post: Timeless Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “Stand By Your Man.”

Yarbough, Glenn. 51st Post: Classics Forever. “Baby the Rain Must Fall.”

Young, Jordan Matthew (34) 53rd Post: The VOICE “I’m No Stranger to the Rain” RQ 10+.

Young, Kathy. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders. “A Thousand Stars.”

Young, Mary Jo (19 years old) #15. 52nd Post: American Idol “Us.”

Young, Neil.

Yuro, Timi. 36th Post: Timeless Hit Wonders of the Recordings from the 1950s and 1960s. “I’m So Hurt.”

Zagar & Evans. 35th Post: One Hit Wonders of the 1950 and 1960s. “In the Year 2525.”

Zakharova, Maria (10 yrs old). Post 37. Who are the singers of today that will be famous on the future? “Still Loving You.”

Zoe, Gihanna (17) 53rd Post: The VOICE “She Used to Be Mine” RQ 10. Coach Kelly.

Zouk. Post 48: Music categories in our world – Caribbean.

Zydeco. Post 48: Music Categories in Our World – North American.

This post deals with comparing singer’s earnings in pop versus opera. Specific examples show Taylor Swift and Beyonce Knowles in relationship to 11 of the best all-time opera singers (several of which have successfully crossed over into pop which is rare):

Diana Damrau, Joyce DiDonato, Placido Domingo, Melena Ernman, Renee Fleming, Vitterio Grigolo, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Anna Netrebko, Luciano Pavarotti, Patricia Racette, and Kesenia Varela.

A gifted 9 yr-old singer’s career heading??

I have come to realize that there are many gifted singers in all age groups. Although, a handful of these singers have so much “God-given” ability that they can end up with earning a tremendous amount of money through their recording studio contracts, record sales, etc.

Earnings in opera vs pop…

This brings me to wondering about why some young and extremely talented singers choose opera versus “pop” career paths. According to Careers in Music, an opera singer can expect to make between $60-200K per year (with an average salary of $70K).

According to Rupert Christiansen of The Telegraph, Joyce DiDonato could net as much as E40,000 over a six week timeframe “Lascia ch’io pianga” (https://youtu.be/PrJTmpt43hg) (RQ 10). Luciano Pavarotti, considered to be the best tenor of all time “Ave Maria” (https://youtu.be/XpYGgtrMTYs) (RQ 10+), it is said that he was paid as much as $300,000 per performance in his prime. He passed away in 2007 from pancreatic cancer. Of course, Joyce and Luciano represent the “ cream of the crop.” In contrast to the earnings potential of the best opera singers, the highest 2019 earnings for pop singers are: Taylor Swift $185,000,000 “You Belong to Me” (https://youtu.be/VuNIsY6JdUw) (RQ 10) and Beyonce Knowles $81,000,000 “Single Ladies” (https://youtu.be/4m1EFMoRFvY) (RQ 10+).

So, you take a look and listen to Ksenia Verala at age 9, you wonder what career path you would choose if you were her.

Ksenia Melania Varela, age 9, is now residing in Oceanside CA. Ksenia was born in Hayward California and began singing at age 5. Ksenia is currently learning classical and opera vocals under the International performing artist and music educator Rebecca Steinke in San Diego.

Ksenia’s Recent accomplishments:

• Vocals Gold medalist Team USA in the 2020 World Championship of Performing Arts in the 15 and under age group. “Competition Practice session.”
• Vocals First place winner in the 2020 International Grande Music Competition in New York in the 7 to 9 age group.
• Vocals First place winner in the American Protégé International Vocals 2020 competition in the 12 and under age group. Scheduled to play in Carnegie Hall May 2021.

Examples of Opera Greats Crossing Over into Other Genres…

Besides Pavarotti (“I Hate You Then I Love You” Duet with Celine Dion (https://youtu.be/otAu5twqDpk) (RQ 10+), other opera greats successfully crossed over into a variety of musical genres according to Operawire. Some of which I will highlight in this post include: Anna Netrebko, Placido Domingo, Renee Fleming, Malena Ernman, Vittorio Grigolo, Patricia Racette, Diana Damrau and Dmitri Hvorostovsky.

Anna has stepped outside of typical opera settings in recent years. She performed “O mio babibdo caro” (https://youtu.be/g0Kcg7WEJME) (RQ 10) at Martin Scorsese’s 30th annual Kennedy Center Honors program in 2006. She also performed the Olympic Anthem at the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies.

Placido has worked outside of the opera stage with many outstanding Pop artists including John Denver “Perhaps Love” (https://youtu.be/dDra-5DG3JE) (RQ 10+), Ana Gabriel, Pandora, II Vole, and Julio Iglesias.

Renee has done a wide variety of singing outside of the operetic opera genre. She has done “Living on Love” on Broadway. She recently sang the National Anthem before the Super Bowl. And, she recorded a rock album called “Dark Hope.” One song was “Oxygen” (https://youtu.be/mJC8LB_9mG0) (10+) which she did not use her operetic voice at all. In case you’d like to enjoy Renee’s classical opera-style voice, check this out: “Casta Diva” (https://youtu.be/Rg4L5tcxFcA). (RQ 10+). Enjoy!

Melena has built her singing career around working with fabulous conductors including Daniel Bavenboom, William Christie and Daniel Harding. She has a very unique ability to easily switch between using her operetic style and pop voice within the same song! She recently competed in Eurovision stretching into the pop genre by singing “LaVoix” (https://youtu.be/xE9Pl3mqRbo) (10+) which has become a huge hit in Sweden.

It is noteworthy to mention that Vittorio was a pop superstar before becoming an opera singer! An example of his earlier works is “Bedshaped” (https://youtu.be/UqVQ4ABIbSs) (RQ 10+) that he performed during the Miss Universe Pagent in 2006. He and Lionel Richie sang a duet “Prom in the Park.” He also has been nominated for a Grammy for singing “Maria” (https://youtu.be/QLTvv8YRONE) (RQ 8) from West Side Story.

There are three other opera singers who would fall into “The Best of the Rest” in terms of crossing over into other genres of music. Patricia Racette, recorded a cabaret album “Diva on Detour” (https://youtu.be/kX1nczK1ciA) (RQ 10). Diana Damrau recorded an album “Forever” (https://youtu.be/fFhukDpQOW8) (10) which is from the Little Mermaid and the Sound of Music. Last, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, from Russia, participates in new wave concerts with Adia Garifullina singing “Deja Vu” (https://youtu.be/NRSuJljjEHw) (RQ 9).

After reading and listening to all of these wonderful singers, it reinforces the thought that, when the time comes, Ksenia Vareia will have plenty of options to choose from to go along with her operetic voice she is now developing!

While reading through my All-Time Greatest Music (1950-60s) blog, many references have been made to artists winning Grammy Awards. At this point I thought it would be wise to provide you with an overview about the history of the Grammy Awards. Later on in this post I will also look into other awards like the Tony Award (or, the Antoinette Perry Award) and OBIE Awards.

Started in 1959

Beginning in 1959, the idea grew out from what were called Gramophone Awards. So, that was sixty-two years ago. Back then, the Oscars and Emmy Awards were recognizing leading artists in film and television but not music.

The Walk of Time Project kindled the emergence of the Grammy Award as a way to honor the music industry’s most talented composers, songwriters and musicians. The first Grammy Award event (May 4, 1959) included 28 categories. In 2019 there were 84!

20 Genres honored

Today there are (20) genres that are being considered for Grammy Awards:

Alternative American Roots, Children’s, Classical, Comedy, Contemporary Instrumental, Country, Dance & Electronics, Gospel & Contemporary Christian, Jazz, Latin, Musical Theater, New Age, Pop, Raggae, Rap, Rhythm & Blues, Rock, Spoken Word, and World Music.

4 Awards Across Genres

In addition to Awards based upon genres, there are four major awards given across all genres including: Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Album if the Year and Record of the Year.

Lifetime Achievement Awards

Plus, there have been “Lifetime Achievement“ Awards given to an artist that made an impact on the music industry overall. To date, there have been (22) Lifetime Achievement Awards given:

The Beatles (2014), Johnny Cash (1999), Ray Charles (1987), Bing Crosby (1963), Neil Diamond (2018), The Doors (2007), Bob Dylan (1991), Ella Fitzgerald (1967), Aretha Franklin (1994), Emmylou Harris (2018), Jimi Hendrix (1992), B.B. King (1987), Led Zeppelin (2005), John Lennon (1991), Jerry Lee Lewis (2005), Willie Nelson (2000), Dolly Parton (2011), Queen (2018), The Rolling Stones (1986), Frank Sinatra (1965), Tina Turner (2018), and Hank Williams (1987).

Best All-Time Song Awards

The Grammy Hall of Fame also has recognized (35) significant musical composition and songs by well- known artists:

“Dream On” (https://youtu.be/89dGC8de0CA) (RQ 10+) by Aerosmith.

“Walk This Way” (https://youtu.be/4c8O2n1Gfto) (RQ 9) by Aerosmith.

“I Get Around” (https://youtu.be/KnPL5OXSBNE) (RQ 8) by The Beach Boys.

“Good Vibrations” (https://youtu.be/mdt0SOqPJcg) (RQ 10+) by The Beach Boys.

“Margaritaville” (https://youtu.be/CICf8xoLyG8) (RQ 10+) by Jimmy Buffet.

“Ring of Fire” (https://youtu.be/1WaV2x8GXj0) (RQ 9) by Johnny Cash.

“Georgia on My Mind” (https://youtu.be/qIp9TwSEgFg) (RQ 8) by Ray Charles.

“Fortunate Son” (https://youtu.be/ec0XKhAHR5I) (RQ 10+) by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

“Proud Mary” (https://youtu.be/5hid10EgMXE) (RQ 9) by Creedence Clearwater Revival.

“Take Me Home, Country Roads” (https://youtu.be/1vrEljMfXYo) (RQ 10+) by John Denver.

“Like a Rolling Stone” (https://youtu.be/IwOfCgkyEj0) (RQ 8) by Bob Dylan.

“Mr. Tambourine Man” (https://youtu.be/OeP4FFr88SQ) (RQ 10) by Bob Dylan.

“Hotel California” (https://youtu.be/FVsbvFkhzY4) (RQ 10+) by The Eagles.

“Respect” (https://youtu.be/6FOUqQt3Kg0) (RQ 10+) by Aretha Franklin.

“Boom Boom” (https://youtu.be/X70VMrH3yBg) (RQ 10+) by John Lee Hooker.

“Shout” (https://youtu.be/nEjLFpU2pJ4) (RQ 10) by The Isley Brothers.

“At Last” (https://youtu.be/1qJU8G7gR_g) (RQ 10+) by Etta James.

“The Thrill is Gone” (https://youtu.be/oica5jG7FpU) (RQ 10+) by B.B. King.

“You Really Got Me” (https://youtu.be/-2GmzyeeXnQ) (RQ 6) by The Kinks.

“California Dreamin” (https://youtu.be/N-aK6JnyFmk) (RQ 10+) by The Mamas & the Papas.

“Always on My Mind” (https://youtu.be/R7f189Z0v0Y) (RQ 10+) by Willie Nelson.

“On the Road Again” (https://youtu.be/Gdlyi5mckg0) (RQ 10) by Willie Nelson.

“Jolene” (https://youtu.be/L0eeSoU35wM) (RQ 8) by Dolly Parton.

“Hound Dog” (https://youtu.be/aNYWl13IWhY) (RQ 4) by Elvis Presley.

“Jailhouse Rock” (https://youtu.be/gj0Rz-uP4Mk) (RQ 10+) by Elvis Presley.

“Purple Rain” (https://youtu.be/TvnYmWpD_T8) (RQ 10+) by Prince.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” (https://youtu.be/fJ9rUzIMcZQ) (RQ 10+) by Queen.

“We Will Rock You” (https://youtu.be/_uVb7Ju8VQk) (RQ 10) by Queen.

“Sitting On the Dock of the Bay” (https://youtu.be/rTVjnBo96Ug) (RQ 10) by Otis Redding.

“I Can’t Get No Satisfaction” (https://youtu.be/NEjkftp7J7I) (RQ 5) by The Rolling Stones.

“Paint It Black” (https://youtu.be/5wCUlPNlQuA) (RQ 8) by The Rolling Stones.

“I’ve Got the World on a String” (https://youtu.be/Tu8TCMk5VjU) (RQ 8) by Frank Sinatra.

“My Way’ (https://youtu.be/w019MzRosmk) (RQ 10) by Frank Sinatra.

“Sweet Home Alabama” (https://youtu.be/ye5BuYf8q4o) (RQ 10) by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

All Time Greatest Number of Grammys

Overall, one man, one woman and one group have been awarded the most overall Grammy Awards. The man is Sir Georg Solti, a orchestral and operatic conductor (1912-1997). He was born in Hungary. His grand total Grammy Awards is 31! He has made 250 recordings and 45 complete sets of orchestra performances. Here is his photo:

The woman with the greatest number of Grammy Awards (27) is Alison Krauss (1971-Present). Alison was born in Champaign, Illinois. She is a county/bluegrass performer with 736 single and 14 album recordings! Here is a photo of her:

The group with the most Grammy Awards (22) is U2 (1976-Present). The group hails from Dublin, Ireland. The group members are: Bono, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., and The Edge. Here is a photo of the group:

History of Grammy Award winners (1959-2022)

1959. Domenico Modugno. “Volare,” (https://youtu.be/6jWsIpAbo-8) and Henry Mancini “Peter Gunn,” (https://youtu.be/glemICLcSyU) Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife,” (https://youtu.be/HaXdkGArom0) Frank Sinatra “Come Dance with Me” (https://youtu.be/jQkec8ggGuI) and Jimmy Driftwood “The Battle of New Orleans.” (https://youtu.be/yxSK-Jz3NRY) Best new: Bobby Darin. (https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0201239/).

1961. Percy Faith “A Summer Place Theme” (https://youtu.be/bExkmfSsviA) and Ernst Gold “Theme from Exodus.” (https://youtu.be/z_TfM0SwdJE) Best new: Bob Newhart. (https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0627878/).

1962. Henry Mancini “Moon River” (https://youtu.be/9xi9zDqrSn8) and Judy Garland “At Carnegie Hall.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtpFM3sDaV_gA7QfNrH01Upo1ppGvwUdm)Best new: Peter Nero. (https://www.peternero.com/).

1963. Tony Bennett. “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” (https://youtu.be/Ysw4svDmcxc) and Leslie Bricusse “What Kind of Fool Am I?” (https://youtu.be/ISYifGbP4Ns) Best New: Robert Goulet. (http://www.robertgoulet.com/).

1964. Henry Mancini. “Days of Wine and Roses“(https://youtu.be/VgALWyk4w-A) and “Barbara Streisand album.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwNYi5PVb6TNPgJgttlcO-kw2GMR7ZGe3) Best new: Ward Swingle. (http://www.wardswingle.com/).

1965. Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto. “The Girl from Ipanema” (https://youtu.be/v5DZ5clg-bg) and Jerry Herman and Carol Channing “Hello Dolly.” (https://youtu.be/jyt6NvtjMAE) Best new: The Beatles. (https://www.thebeatles.com/).

1966. Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass “A Taste of Honey,” (https://youtu.be/gRGOm071sE0) Frank Sinatra “September of My Years” (https://youtu.be/oD87obuUgUk) and Johnny Mandel & Paul Francis Webster “The Shadow of Your Smile.” (https://youtu.be/-uUTWLNBl2k) Best new: Tom Jones. (https://www.tomjones.com/).

1968. The Fifth Dimension “Up, Up and Away” (https://youtu.be/UKkNlwpajNk) and The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” (https://youtu.be/VtXl8xAPAtA) Best new: Bobby Gentry. (http://bobbiegentry.org.uk/biography/).

1969. Simon and Garfunkel “Mrs. Robinson,” (https://youtu.be/9C1BCAgu2I8) Glen Campbell “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” (https://youtu.be/MkDKT0ngkFs) and Bobby Russell “Little Green Apples.” (https://youtu.be/AX2fSv9wnkk) Best new: Jose Feliciano. (https://www.josefeliciano.com/).

1970. The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius,” (https://youtu.be/VlrQ-bOzpkQ) Blood, Sweat & Tears, “Spinning Wheel,” and Joe South “Games People Play” (https://youtu.be/vDeVonv3kY0) Best new: Crosby, Stills & Nash.
(https://www.allmusic.com/artist/crosby-stills-nash-mn0000131581/biography).

1971. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” (https://youtu.be/4G-YQA_bsOU) Contemporary Female Vocalist (Linda Ronstadt) “Long, Long Time” (https://youtu.be/OADhKjNz8mI) Best new: The Carpenters. (https://www.carpentersofficial.com/). Karen passed at only 33 years old. Their recording of “ We’ve Only Just Begun” in 1970 demonstrates why I feel she had the best all time clear and perfect voice! (https://youtu.be/xeBoRF5tgDo).

1972. Carole King “It’s Too Late,” (https://youtu.be/VkKxmnrRVHo) “Tapestry“ (https://youtu.be/8FiR2Eb4NSM) and “You’ve Got a Friend.” (https://youtu.be/VbMI4imWFzY) Best new: Carly Simon. (https://www.carlysimon.com/).

1973. Roberta Flack “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face” (https://youtu.be/VqW-eO3jTVU) and George Harrison & Friends “The Concert for Bangladesh.” (https://youtu.be/Tby39qh9Lts) Best new: America. (https://www.last.fm/music/America).

1974. Roberta Flack “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (https://youtu.be/34bYLPNbHeU) and Stevie Wonder “Innervisions.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lhH2tH_BEiKMkDmYqfFQqzNTo7C_qf0FE) Best new: Bette Midler. (https://bettemidler.com/).

1975. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You,” (https://youtu.be/6pFw6rprqH8) Stevie Wonder “Fulfillingness First Finale” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_knOJ9fKcznUtUEyApBZVSCAaz4hDpckA4), Linda Ronstadt “Heart Like a Wheel” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mKCp9WeV8wvT6I5sa4GwfVF5nBQUK5UME) and Marilyn Bergman (with Barbra Streisand) “The Way We Were.” (https://youtu.be/D6aVg7PXtyg) Best new: Marvin Hantisch. (
https://carogaarts.org/event/marvin-and-his-music-a-celebration-of-americas-composer/).

1976. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together.” (https://youtu.be/GpBZNh70uhA) Paul Simon “Still Crazy After All These Years” (https://youtu.be/Q5Eoax6I-O4), Stephen Sondheim “Send In the Clowns.” (https://youtu.be/UBuDSsc9Pak), and Linda Ronstadt “Hasten Down the Wind” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nmEq800SEBTA2f3nu9pmecfT4XD2aN5dQ) and Best new: Natalie Cole. (https://officialnataliecole.com/).

1977. George Benson “This Masquerade,” (https://youtu.be/j9W0g3NGSj4), Linda Ronstadt “Blue Bayou” (https://youtu.be/IDBVW4BXZPo), Stevie Wonder “Songs in the Key of Life” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjb5kMzP2zolSAPpMXR7_0MfYjEcDWQJO) and Bruce Johnson “I Write These Songs.” Best new: Starland Vocal Band. (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/starland-vocal-band-mn0000014967/biography).

1978. Eagles “Hotel California,” (https://youtu.be/09839DpTctU) Fleetwood Mac “Rumours,” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpg0EOoO2vdUxDyiIfZGjwfI8fh6JRvg6) Barbra Streisand “Theme: A Star is Born,” (https://youtu.be/udLeOOy6em4) and Joe Brooks “You Light Up My Life.” (https://youtu.be/FlRFQbFl_kA) Best new: Debby Boone. (http://debbyboone.com/).

1979. Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (https://youtu.be/HaA3YZ6QdJU) and Bee Gees “Saturday Night Fever.” (https://youtu.be/SkypZuY6ZvA) Best new: A Taste of Honey. (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/a-taste-of-honey-mn0000576072/biography).

1980. The Doobie Brothers “What a Fool Believes” (https://youtu.be/exnHAdopRxA), Linda Ronstadt “How Do I Make You” (https://youtu.be/uYWndGMEWt0), and Billy Joel “52nd Street.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lGD1T6895hdOE_rzXVvvKeb1bFUdOyBhM) Best new: Ricky Lee Jones. (https://rickieleejones.com/).

1981. Christopher Cross “Sailing“ (https://youtu.be/9PnXcP8ZI7M) and Toto “Rosanna.” (https://youtu.be/qmOLtTGvsbM) Best new: Christopher Cross. (https://www.christophercross.com/).

1982. Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes“ (https://youtu.be/EPOIS5taqA8), Linda Ronstadt “Get Closer” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lbTMLLvGypIHfIykfCZgqrPYr90OAEOCA) and John Lennon & Yoko Ono “Double Fantasy.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mXLRgH1-fvjAuskyqzh33iL8vqDjK2XBg) Best new: Sheena Easton. (http://sheenaeaston.com/).

1983. Johnny Christopher “Always on My Mind.” (https://youtu.be/-3dnHzzFDxc), Linda Ronstadt “What’s New” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nsaiLI_2bw1cpg7guyHv4q2KaOMVAFnio), Best new: Men at Work. (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/men-at-work-mn0000873085).

1984. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (https://youtu.be/oRdxUFDoQe0) and “Thriller.” (https://youtu.be/sOnqjkJTMaA) Sting “Every Breath You Take.” (https://youtu.be/tgJ5qgfsIa0) Best new: Culture Club. (https://boygeorgeandcultureclub.net/)

1985. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” (https://youtu.be/oGpFcHTxjZs) Lionel Richie “Can’t Slow Down.” (https://youtu.be/n2L-qI_38wM), Linda Ronstadt “Lush Life” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nE3R_zYxMHQuCXhMfum8zp3Y6_dIQpuCk), Best new: Cyndi Lauper. (https://cyndilauper.com/?playlist=ac113e2&video=88aafb7)

1986. USA for Africa (United Support of Artists)“We Are the World” (https://youtu.be/9AjkUyX0rVw) Members (39):

Dan Aykroyd
Harry Belafonte
Lindsey Buckingham
Kim Carnes
Ray Charles [US1]
Bob Dylan
Sheila E.
Bob Geldof
Hall & Oates
James Ingram [US]
Jackie Jackson
La Toya Jackson
Michael Jackson
Al Jarreau
Waylon Jennings
Billy Joel
Cyndi Lauper
Huey Lewis
Kenny Loggins
Bette Midler
Willie Nelson
Jeffrey Osborne
Steve Perry [US1]
The Pointer Sisters
Lionel Richie
Smokey Robinson
Kenny Rogers
Diana Ross
Paul Simon
Bruce Springsteen
Tina Turner
Dionne Warwick
Stevie Wonder
Randy Jackson [US3]
Bill Gibson
Mario Cipollina
Christopher Hayes
Johnny Colla
Sean Hopper

1986. Phil Collins “No Jacket Required.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyr9k4HhPxjLnPU8m0P8DWu-4fuXnc9nt) Best new: Lionel Richie. (https://www.biography.com/musicians/lionel-richie).

1987. Steve Winwood “Higher Love,” (https://youtu.be/k9olaIio3l8) Paul Simon “Graceland” (https://youtu.be/GP6a-7MP91g), Linda Ronstadt (with James Ingram) “Somewhere Out There” (https://youtu.be/Smc5FHbZtG4), and Burt Bacharach (& Dionne Warwick) “That’s What Friends Are For.” (https://youtu.be/ycrF4YL9sI4) Best new: Bruce Hornsby & The Range. (https://www.brucehornsby.com/).

1988. U2 “The Joshua Tree” (https://youtu.be/YPmdjA8_YOk) and James Horner (Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram) “Somewhere Out There.” (https://youtu.be/1mVhsr_P2m0), Linda Ronstadt “Canciones de Mi Padre” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_k-f3-_gJF2dal2KSNdiGte4bVqzhCOiNU), Best new: Jody Watley. (https://jodywatley.net/).

1989. Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry Be Happy“ (https://youtu.be/d-diB65scQU), George Michael “Faith.” (https://youtu.be/6Cs3Pvmmv0E), Linda Ronstadt “Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n68DuTBbklAU5FnqZut_UrjhcPlPwBmHA) and Linda Ronstadt (with Aaron Neville) “Don’t Know Much” (https://youtu.be/i_ElZaDt2D4). Best new: Tracy Chapman. (https://www.about-tracy-chapman.net/).

1990. Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (https://youtu.be/kr-Zfbh-J7E), Linda Ronstadt (with Aaron Neville) “All My Life” (https://youtu.be/jkT1r8dqDRE) and Bonnie Raitt “Nick of Time.” (https://youtu.be/ztkpEJOJGDI). Best new: NA.

1991. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise,” (https://youtu.be/Qt2mbGP6vFI) Quincy Jones “Back on the Block” (https://youtu.be/7HxenkZBSRU) and Julie Gold “From a Distance.” (https://youtu.be/n558FShiX4s) Best new: Mariah Carey. (https://www.last.fm/music/Mariah+Carey).

1992. Natalie and Nat King Cole “Unforgettable.” (https://youtu.be/uGXHVGhqMcs) and Linda Ronstadt “Frenesi” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kdykzWmaagwVEODdu1EVk3QC350NjY-bA). Also, Linda Ronstadt “Mas Canciones”(https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nH94cdGHH6F-WPJrOpl6ELioN-RkPRUUw). Best new: Marc Cohn. (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/marc-cohn-mn0000675710/biography).

1993. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven.” (https://youtu.be/VVqXLXMch9g) Best new: Arrested Development. (https://www.arresteddevelopmentmusic.com/).

1994. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (https://youtu.be/3JWTaaS7LdU) and “The Bodyguard.” (https://youtu.be/Pl1qeaXm56o) Alan Menken “A Whole New World (Lea Salonga and Brad Kane). (https://youtu.be/GyJI8kr0Qo8) Best new: Toni Braxton. (https://www.tonibraxton.com/).

1995. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do,” (https://youtu.be/ClbmWkbocoY) Tony Bennett “MTV Unplugged” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3ME_UgKBYJ9BtKYU3RMXW8STg24www4D) and Bruce Springsteen “Streets of Philadelphia.” (https://youtu.be/4z2DtNW79sQ) Best new: Sheryl Crow. (https://sherylcrow.com/).

1996. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (https://youtu.be/vx-Lzo9NxAQ), Linda Ronstadt “Dedicated to the One I Love” (https://youtu.be/HSe0BFZWifg), Alanis Morissette “Jagged Little Pill.” (https://youtu.be/5f7EJTXkJBY)!Best new: Hootie & The Blowfish. (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/hootie-the-blowfish-mn0000262794/biography).

1997. Eric Clapton “Change the World” (https://youtu.be/nXB4xBnP22o) and Celine Dion “Falling Into You.” (https://youtu.be/8tWMCGRWr-Y) Best new: LeAnn Rimes. (https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0005361/).

1998. Shawn Colvin “Sunny Come Home” (https://youtu.be/qfKKBDFCiIA) and Bob Dylan “Time Out of Mind.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kTw8fsbuQcxHecb7BZb7wZu-J5Tl8m8Go) Best new: Paula Cole. (https://paulacole.com/).

1999. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (https://youtu.be/9bFHsd3o1w0), Linda Ronstadt “Best Country Collaboration” (with EmmeLou Harris and Dolly Parton) (https://youtu.be/KfZq1jbDiRc), Lauryn Hill “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.” (https://youtu.be/qFfgx-CDBjA) Best new: Lauryn Hill. (https://m.imdb.com/name/nm0005012/).

2000. Santana (Rob Thomas) “Smooth” (https://youtu.be/6Whgn_iE5uc) and “Supernatural.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mTsNldys_tslEgtt2hLjttNMfeD8rx_As) Best new: Christina Aguilera. (https://www.christinaaguilera.com/).

2001. U2 “Beautiful Day” (https://youtu.be/co6WMzDOh1o) and Steely Dan “Two Against Nature.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kAlcFQ_p27WYTHx-ASTECflTDAYLv0tN0) Best new: Shelby Lynne. (https://www.allmusic.com/artist/shelby-lynne-mn0000020760/biography).

2002. U2 “Walk On, (https://youtu.be/gwKEdFoUB0o) ”Soundtrack: O’ Brother, Where Art Thou?” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMsFR-IuG_7F0EspAuL9NvBtsruK14F4s), Alicia Keys “ Fallin.” (https://youtu.be/Urdlvw0SSEc) and Linda Ronstadt (with Fogarty and Lowe) “ A Tribute to Cajun Music – After the Gold Rush” (https://youtu.be/_xyluUvPxWc). Best new: Alicia Keys. (https://www.aliciakeys.com/).

2003. Norah Jones “Don’t Know Why” (https://youtu.be/tO4dxvguQDk) and “Come Away with Me.” (https://youtu.be/lbjZPFBD6JU) Best new: Norah Jones. (https://www.norahjones.com/).

2004. Coldplay “Clocks,” (https://youtu.be/vKw7yvoZ-Tg) OutKast “Speakerboxxx” (https://youtu.be/RTg2IqSy8xY) and Luther Vandross “Dance with My Father.” (https://youtu.be/wmDxJrggie8) Best new: Evanescence. (https://www.evanescence.com/home/).

2005. Ray Charles & Norah Jones “Here We Go Again,” (https://youtu.be/OD4Eo3KWx1k) Ray Charles “ Genius Loves Company” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kjQ38FJ3pybMSWddE2cZEVqpBp9xy1D-I) and John Mayer “Daughters.” (https://youtu.be/rZLbUIa7exE) Best new: Maroon 5. (https://www.billboard.com/artist/maroon-5/).

2006. Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams,” (https://youtu.be/Soa3gO7tL-c) U2 “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL80sr_OFD9CH_VYqAN-X8TZnKfmJlrQQi), Linda Ronstadt (with Ann Savoy) “Adieu False Heart” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lLQascEuMMm1JRmBFlrq_eZmZiX4MjtyU) and Adam Clayton (U2) “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own.” (https://youtu.be/6_VHA0WsRUQ) Best new: John Legend. (https://www.johnlegend.com/).

2007. Dixie Chicks “Not Ready to Make Nice” (https://youtu.be/pojL_35QlSI) and “Taking the Long Way Around.” (https://youtu.be/B1qgazBdKj8) Best new: Carrie Underwood. (https://www.carrieunderwoodofficial.com/).

2008. Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (https://youtu.be/KUmZp8pR1uc) Note: Amy was only 28 years old when she passed. Herbie Hancock “ River: The Joni Letters.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n8JQpDfWoIvyqScXjbfai1Ltl7BVMlRRQ) Best new: Amy Winehouse. (https://www.amywinehouse.com).

2009. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss “Please Read the Letter” (https://youtu.be/L3Xi5gvZ7Kk) and “Raising Sand.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lPg4aTYLLsQyvjHTH6NZLGonTn5P8haw4) Guy Berryman “Viva la Vida.” (https://youtu.be/KiI0M-mfLvs) Best new: Adele. (https://www.billboard.com/artist/adele/).

2010. Kings of Leon “Use Somebody, (https://youtu.be/gnhXHvRoUd0) ”Taylor Swift “Fearless,” (https://youtu.be/ptSjNWnzpjg) and Thaddis Harrell (Liza Minnelli) “Single Ladies.” (https://youtu.be/FfHmm6kZ3jc) Best new: Zac Brown Band. (https://zacbrownband.com/).

2011. Lady Antebellum “New You Now” (https://youtu.be/eM213aMKTHg) and Arcade Fire “The Suburbs.” (https://youtu.be/5Euj9f3gdyM) Best new: Esperanza Spalding. (https://www.npr.org/2018/08/28/638896807/esperanza-spalding-is-the-21st-centurys-jazz-genius).

2012. Adele (Adkins) “Rolling in the Deep” (https://youtu.be/rYEDA3JcQqw) and “21.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqC0BHAcW3Wev1d0r4d_c4mT3kEeL8xb-)Best new: Bon Iver. (https://pitchfork.com/artists/5471-bon-iver/).

2013. Gotye (Kimbra) “Somebody that I Used to Know, (https://youtu.be/8UVNT4wvIGY) ”Mumford & Sons “Babel” (https://youtu.be/iWza_On7ajs) and Jack Antonoff “We Are Young.” (https://youtu.be/Sv6dMFF_yts) Best new: Fun. (https://www.ournameisfun.com/).

2014. Daft Punk & Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky,” (https://youtu.be/5NV6Rdv1a3I) Random Access “ Memories” (https://youtu.be/wIMSU8otS-g) and Lorde “Royals.” (https://youtu.be/nlcIKh6sBtc) Best new: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. (https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/893222?deferredFl=1&utm_campaign=artist&utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic).

2015. Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (https://youtu.be/pB-5XG-DbAA) and Beck “Morning Phase.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_mLGPyNfLTJrsZFGwV_vuS9YKEl4hB9Hjs) Best new: Sam Smith. (https://www.billboard.com/artist/sam-smith/).

2016. Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk” (https://youtu.be/OPf0YbXqDm0) and Taylor Swift “1989.” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLrJBFu1DgTkiELowkIZWwZv0-Ufwn50QM) Best new: Meghan Trainor. (https://www.meghan-trainor.com/).

2018. Adele “Hello,” (https://youtu.be/YQHsXMglC9A) “25” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhSGZwKV9EEk6WWy1Gj1PyFX2I-pFArBw) and “Thinking Outloud.” With Ed Sheeran (https://youtu.be/DIjhTmy6Bx8) Best new: Chance the Rapper. (https://chancestuff.com/).

2019. Billie Eilish (& Finneas O’Connell) “Bad Guy.” (https://youtu.be/O_Abz5ZErnc) Best new: Billie Eilish. (https://www.billboard.com/artist/billie-eilish/).

2020. Billie Eilish “Everything I Wanted,” (https://youtu.be/EgBJmlPo8Xw) Taylor Swift “Folklore” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfiMjLyNWxeZl828zfvlnymKB2c9o3cKp) and Dernst Emile II & H.E.R. “I Can’t Breathe.” (https://youtu.be/E-1Bf_XWaPE) Best new: Megan & Thee Stallion. (https://legendswillneverdie.com/2022/08/12/megan-thee-stallion-traumazine-review/).

2021. Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars) “Leave the Door Open” (https://youtu.be/yoWJfsk0gvk) and Jon Batiste “We Are.” (https://youtu.be/MkpvNaBe0mg) Best new: Olivia Rodrigo. (https://www.oliviarodrigo.com/).

2022. Lizzo “About Damn Time,” (https://youtu.be/IXXxciRUMzE) Harry Styles “Harry’s House” (https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfSdF_HSSu55q-5p-maISZyr19erpZsTo) and Bonnie Raitt “Just Like That.” (https://youtu.be/Skd0XR3twCA) Best new: Samara Joy. (https://www.samarajoy.com/).

The Tony Award recognizes excellence in live Broadway Theatre. The 79th annual award was held in 2019. The awards (40) are presented by the American Theatre Wing and The Broadway Wing at an annual ceremony in Midtown Manhattan. There are four specific awards that recognize singing:

1. The Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. Santino Fontana won this award in 2019 for Tootsie, “Unstoppable” (https://youtu.be/WWWR6tQJiX8) (RQ 5).

2. The Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical.

3. The Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. Stephanie Block won this award in 2019 for The Cher Show “I Found Someone” (https://youtu.be/k9n5EAJ4Xds) (RQ 9).

4. The Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. Angela Lansbury was one of the most recognized all time in this category in Mame (1966) (https://youtu.be/Fi15Nmvdb7w) (RQ 4) wear World (1969), Gypsy (1975), Sweeney Todd (1979) and A Little Night Music (2010).

The awards were founded by Brock Pemberton are named after Antoinette “Tony” Perry. an actress, producer and theatre director who was co-founder and secretary of the American Theatre Wing. The trophy consists of a medallion, with a face portraying an adaptation of the comedy and tragedy masks, mounted on a black base with a pewter swivel.

The Obie Awards honor the highest calibre of off-Broadway and off-off Broadway theatre to recognize brave work, champion new material, and advance careers in theatre.

For more than sixty years, the Village Voice has put off and off-off Broadway on the map by recognizing the artistic power of downtown theatre. The Voice was a forum for heated artistic discussion, including theatre reviews, that sparked awareness and excitement for New York’s emerging theatre movement. Alongside the publication, The Voice developed the Obie Awards in 1955 to celebrate the important work being staged south of Broadway. The Obie Awards honor the boundary-pushing theatre seen in the city’s intimate performing spaces, supporting an incubator for emerging work, with an award that validates off-Broadway as a league of its own.

In 2015, Lea DeLaria sings “Welcome To My Party” (https://youtu.be/o4X5qR4hRjw) (RQ 4) at the Obie Awards show.

Another example of a singing performance at the 2013 Obie Awards Show: “Here Lies Love” (https://youtu.be/agDWoQ9AJOo) (RQ 4) by Florence Welch.

Francis Jue won an OBIE Award in 2019 for “Wild Goose Dreams” (https://youtu.be/hzb1MbP12jo) (RQ 3).

For your ease of listening experience, I have created ten age-based playlists:

Under 12 Years of age (10 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1hyJzLsOAGnCOvy5uL30LHv

12 and 13 year old singers (11 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1igOALxHn7oCR2mAq7l2uw6

14 year old singers (10 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1j_eOB5gqBsQ_-kX_dZKvz0

15 year old singers (12 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1j2t1_VIOYHbPbyaTE-cCFx

16 and 17 year old singers (13 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1jcNSFwu-F9BUq8RtV26xHJ

18 year old singers (11 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1iL9gZWDlGFLkkzYoegPZux

19 year old singers (12 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1hK9-cHVXma797mM7hitnxo

20-22 year old singers (31 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1iSoz_GrDkayse-mTCP7o5m

Over 22 year old singers (12 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1ikPelbBKofyGrkp21MJEZr

(QR 10+) Young Singers (24 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1g6FtYM3Hh10aEXWyCWZZxP

(QR 10+) Older Singers (18 videos): https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1gknR54HTl_13Rwl3Ie4cj6

Over the past four years, I have identified 176 talented young singers. Of these, many have already been recording records, have seen high volumes of YouTube/Spotify follows and are experiencing strong careers through record contracts, etc.:

Afante, Justine; Aguilar, Angela; Alliag, Gala; Alsina, Victoria; Altinkaya, Aylin; Armstrong, Cassandra; Aye, Naomi; Battaglia, Roberta; Bailey, Chloe; Beasha, Emmane; Beer, Madison; Bergling, Tim (Avicii); Bevier, Calasta; Biscuit, Petit; Bishop, Casey; Boertien, Emma; Bowman, Alex; Bretan, Laura; Brian, Rich; Brinc, Elina; Brinker, Victory; Brown, Isabelle; Brown, Jayna; Bryant, Benico; Burns, Ansley; Capoldi, Lewis; Cara, Alessia; Carpenter, Sabrina; Carter, Rubin; Chance, Greyson; Chin, Tessanne; Clare, Evie; Clark, Daisy; Cottrill, Claire (Clario); Crosby, Claire; Cryus, Noah; Curtis, Alexa; Cynohoba, Bachnca; Dabrowska, Anna; Daniella, Meghan; Davies, Daniel; Davis, Grace; Day, Thomas; Deboc, Anna; Degryse, Justine; DeLeon, Carmen; Dermott, Beau; Diagle, Lauren; Dodds, Kenaldi; Dukes, Kevin; Elliot, George; Eillish, Billie; Elkington, Miles; Evancho, Jackie; Farmer, Darci-Lynn; Fiskum, Zan; Folley, Jess; Gabor, Viki; Gabriella, Zoe; Garcia, Gazzy (Lil Pump); Garcia, Melani; Garinla, Anthony; Gardner, Lanie; Gatzin, Elena; Gray, Griffith, Sarah “Griff,”Loren; Grimmie, Christiana; Fischer, Helene; Fisher, Elsie; Gabor, Viki; Gaju, Marie-Emilie; Garcia, Melani; Goldsmith, Ben; Gough, Maia; Hadwin, Courtney; Hale, Angelina; Harris, Toneisha; Harrison, Claudia; Hovious, Dax; Ifil, Faith; Istel, Richard; IV Jay; Jezlie, Joaquina; Asanda; Johnson, Louisa; Jordan, Angelina; Kanii; Kann, Bjorn; Kazachenko, Olesya; Kelly, Amir; Khvedelidze, Marita; Kiss, Stephanie; Kita, Amelia; Knight, Lydia; Kostov, Kristian; Larsson, Zara; Lazarri, Carla; Lee, Jacquie; Lenae, Ravyn; Li, Jeffery; Lil Nas; Lorde; Lukyanets, Solomia; Maciejczak, Marcin; MacKampa, Jordan; Maley, Hanon; Manon, Pour; Marina, Ashley; Marvanne, Rhema; Maxtoon, Maia; McCants, Victoria; Mendes, Shawn; Mia, HalMiles, Allegra; Miller, Alex; Miller, Bea;Miller, Nova; Mimi & Josy; Mintz, Claud; Moon, Arei; Morris, Maren; Nava, Angelina; Noa, J, Parke, Ronan; Parks, Arlo; Parx, Tayla; Penna, Kaue; Phattanan, Gracy; Pohlodkova, Katarina; Rabbone, Jordan; Ramm, Lisa-Marie Ramsey, Mason; Ravinkaite, Alene; Regula, James; Khalid Donnel Robinson; Rocha, Rita; Rosalita, Peter; Rose, Madysyn; Ruel; Sa-Chaves, Leonor; Sakantas, Matas; Sayaque, Rebecca; Selfidin; Serenko, Johanna; Sezin; Shane, Kodie; Shaw, Grace (Mallrat); Sherlock, Allie; Skinner, Robin (Cavetown); Simioni, Marina; Simpson, Cody; Smith, Jaden; Snorek, Ethan (Whethan); Sonenclar, Carly; Steinfeld, Hailee; Stella, Lennon; Sturdy, D, Summers, Sydney “Uke,” Charlotte; Talbot, Connie; Tandon, Grace; Tandy, Holly; Thapelo, Nachdem; Thompson, Ayoni; Tilghmans, Todd; Toaopoba, Kpnchr; Trevejo, Malu; Tuleshova, Danieliya; Tumasonyte, Iveta; Vanderwall, Grace; Vasquez, Angie; Vidhorshi, Shamaiah; Wegiel, Rakana; Wehbe, Carla; Wilkinson, Sam; Williams, Rai-Elle; Williams, Sophie Mae; Willnghagen, Amira; Wilson, Tierra (UMI); and Zakharova, Maria.

Beau Dermott auditioned for the tenth series of Britain’s Got Talent, singing “Defying Gravity” from the musical Wicked (https://www.facebook.com/share/r/rYbt46MDkD5jrNzT/?mibextid=YpDZO8). She was judge Amanda Holden’s Golden Buzzer act, securing herself a place in the live rounds of the competition. She signed with Decca Records and her first album, Brave, was released on 1 September 2017.

Ansley Burns is a 16 year old recording artist from Easley, South Carolina. She began singing at the age of 3, aiming to become a professional recording artist. She started vocal lessons at the age of 8, and has since performed at local events, churches and competitions. Ansley was the winner of Best Singer in the State of South Carolina, Youth Division 2017, and she has won many other competitions to date. Ansley went viral for her cover of “Cry Pretty” by Carrie Underwood, with the video reaching over 1.4 million views on Facebook and even getting the attention of Underwood herself! During her audition for America’s Got Talent, Simon said Ansley is someone he will remember and a ray of sunshine! Ansley went on to finish in the semi-finals on Season 14 of America’s Got Talent. Ansley was also a contestant on Season 22 of The Voice. Ansley covered “Unchained Melody” (https://youtu.be/dRRuNLELC60) on the blind auditions. She is currently pursuing her career in music equipped with original songs and a professional band!

The most recent season of the Belgian branch of the music show “The Voice Kids 2017” has been won by 18-year-old (then 13) Katarina Pohlodková, whose parents are originally from Slovakia. She fought her way through to the final round with the song “She Believes in Me”, the Kenny Rogers song covered in the 1980s by the Belgian singer André Hazes, and the song “Empire State of Mind” (https://youtu.be/E94WouC1nWc), which Alicia Keys made a mega-hit. Her victory entitles her to a scholarship worth EUR 10 000 and the opportunity to record her own single. Her version of Whitney Houson’s hit “I Have Nothing” will be available on iTunes on Monday, 3 July. “The last few months have taught me a lot,” the singer told Belgian TV. “I never dreamed of winning this entire competition. It’s wonderful that I have the opportunity to release my own single.” The girl, who was referred to as “Whitney Houston 2.0” by one of the jurors, performed excellently throughout the contest, which included performing the current hit song “Rockabye” by Clean Bandit. Her family has been living in Belgium for more than 20 years and her older sisters sing in a Belgian band. Pohlodková’s remarkable musical talent is said to have been clear from early childhood. By now, however, she has lost much of her native language of Slovak after living so long in Belgium.

Marita Khvedelidze impressed many when she appeared on Georgia’s (northern Europe) Got Talent. Marita gave an outstanding performance of the evergreen “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” song (https://youtu.be/zsV1IU0X2CY). Marita gave a heartfelt and overall amazing adaptation on the stage and won over the judges with her powerful and crystal clear vocals. Marita was a popular contestant in Ranina 2020, the national contest to select the Junior Eurovision participant. She finished in second place and gave some memorable performances. The winner was Sandra Gadelia. She is younger (11) than Marita. One of her videos is “Killing Me Softly” (https://youtu.be/3G-hwI8tqhA). Footnote: Georgia is a country which borders southern Russia and Turkey on it’s south. The country used to be a part of Soviet Union. However, after many years of clashing with the Soviet Union, in 1991 they formally were recognized as being an independent multiparty democratic country.

Evelyn Clair Abplanalp (born December 2, 2003), known professionally as Evie Clair, is a musical artist and reality television personality who appeared on the twelfth season of the talent competition series America’s Got Talent. Clair auditioned for America’s Got Talent three times before getting on the show, auditioning with “Arms” by Christina Perri and won praise from Perri. Due to her father’s death Clair was offered the opportunity to come back the following season however, she chose to stay on course and perform in the upcoming finals. She sang “I Just Want You to Be Sure” to her father while in the hospital (https://youtu.be/CzIyeQSRaS4) (RQ 8).

Thomas Day is a 17-Yr Old singer and athlete from Nashville. Throughout his life, Thomas has been performing for people on ice during hockey games and on fields for soccer, football and baseball games. Currently, Thomas is ranked as one of the top football prospects in the country. However his true heart’s desire is music. When he’s not on the field, Thomas is home singing for his parents, playing piano and writing music. Thomas Day was initially supposed to perform in America’s Got Talent Episode 1513, but Thomas and his mother ended up contracting COVID-19, causing him to miss out on the Quarterfinals. Despite not performing in the Quarterfinals, Thomas Day returned as a Wild Card for the Semifinals after recovering from COVID-19. His performance in Episode 1517 consisted of singing Billie Eilish’s “When The Party’s Over” (https://youtu.be/0XG3-hIGGdg) (RQ 7). Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergaragave him standing ovations. Thomas did not receive enough votes to advance to the Finals in Episode 1518, eliminating him from the competition. Another of his new recordings is “The New Me” (https://youtu.be/jBzi2lMaZQ8) (RQ 9).

Jeffrey Li is a 13-year-old (born: Februay 25, 2005) Canadian YouTube star and a wannabe singer. Jeffrey Li, the young music sensation dazzled the American audience with his rendition of Josh Groban’s single “You Raise Me Up (https://youtu.be/bjitM4m0RGc) (RQ 9) while on the stage of 13th series of America’s Got Talent. Being new to the Hollywood glitz and glam world, his personal life and childhood in Canada have not been discovered yet. Also, no other information regarding his education background has been revealed to this date. At the tender age of 13, Jeffrey has achieved a lot which is pretty incredible for any kid of his age. Merely a pre-teen now, he is only at the early stage of the career and there still is a lot more to come for this great talent.

The ‘Got Talent’ series has gone global, and the world has never such talented individuals from around the world in such plentiful quantity. Appearing on Asia’s Got Talent (2015), this twelve year old girl from Thailand named Sydney “Uke”has opted not to sing, but to play the ukulele (https://youtu.be/UYZAAkulYd4). While the four judges (and even the audience) are a little shocked that she’s not going to be singing, she almost immediately wins them over with some absolutely stellar finger-style ukulele playing. Dressed like Michael Jackson and only having practised for two years, this girl is sure to be a rock star in Asia any day now. A glimpse into her future at 19 is this link where she is playing “Billie Jean” on an acoustic guitar: https://www.facebook.com/SydneyUke/videos/779583012446024/?d=n.

Hailey Mia (from Clifton, NJ) grew up with a love of music and has been singing since she could talk. At 8 years old, she had to have surgery to correct the deteriorating vision in her right eye, but says music was the driving force that got her through it all. After a successful surgery, she regained over 30 percent of her vision and went on to teach herself how to read music and play the piano. She participates in choir and talent shows and is getting ready to attend a technical high school where she’ll get to take courses in vocal performance. As the youngest in The Voice competition, Hailey has been waiting for the day she turned 13 so she can finally sing on “The Voice” stage. Her blind audition song was “You Broke Me First” (https://youtu.be/UMX3NNEWZ9Q).

When GQ (an online business featuring fashion news and celebrity profiles) meets “Griff” (Sarah Griffith), clad in a pearly Richard Quinn dress worthy of a Tudor queen, she’s overjoyed: It’s the drizzly June morning her debut mixtape, One Foot in Front of the Other,drops, and Taylor Swift, no less, has just recommended the project to her 166 million Instagram followers. One of her newer recordings: “Black Hole” (https://youtu.be/B2SK_jb68dk) (RQ 10).“It’s really, really surreal,” admits Griff, born Sarah Griffiths in Hertfordshire, just north of London, and of Chinese-Jamaican heritage. Yet it’s easy to see why Swift would be impressed. Totally authentic on social media and fearless when layering vocals to produce her unique, confessional synth pop, Griff is the consummate modern “bedroom pop” star gone boom. Growing up, she felt that “pop was always associated with a lot of fake, music-industry, churned-out stuff.” Griff, on the other hand, taught herself to use Apple’s Logic Pro software on her brother’s laptop via YouTube tutorials.That DIY ethic even extended to the dress she wore to perform at the Brit Awards in May: She stayed up the night before to hand-stitch the fabric into an asymmetric gown. “There’s a lot of kids now taking things into their own hands,” she explains. “There’s a credibility attached to pop again.”

So, who is Victory Brinker?

As her mom explained leading up to her America’s Got Talent audition, Victory grew up singing “morning, noon and night.” Per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the preteen from Latrobe, Pennsylvania has been performing in front of her parents and 10 siblings since she was a toddler and would play America’s Got Talent with them. Her mother, Christine Brinker, told the outlet that Victory had actually been invited to the AGT stage last season, but their plans fell through. Thankfully though, everything worked out better this time around. “When you see your child do something that they love, it’s so overwhelming to watch that,” Christine said. “Just to see her jumping up and down backstage, she could not wait.” Victory’s website further explains that the young classical singer can perform songs in seven different languages. A recent example during the competition is “Juliet’s Waltz” (https://youtu.be/vrRfBmMWpLY) (RQ 8). She discovered classical music at age 6 and quickly fell in love. Before making her AGT debut, her bio notes that she performed on NBC’s Little Big Shots and at Carnegie Hall, various NBA basketball games and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2019 home opener baseball game. Today, she’s well on her way to being crowned the next winner of AGT. What’s more, she already has a plan for what she intends to do with her $1 million prize money should she win the competition. While looking at Simon, she told him she’d buy him a “rainbow shirt that has glitter on it.” “You need some color!” Victory told Simon, making fun of his iconic “white, gray, and black” ensembles. If we had to guess, Simon better start preparing himself for a closet makeover this summer — Victory has a real shot at the title.

2021 – Most Under 16 – Pick Your Favorite Newcomer:

Bal, Sezin (Germany) 16 years “All I Want” https://youtu.be/cShPQHCiH-s (RQ 9).

Василиса Суюнова (Russia). 18 years old “Toy” https://youtu.be/t3WErTuGxLU (RQ 10).

Nikita Bawakan (Indonesia) “Bohemian Rhapsody” https://youtu.be/ES9qsVJZTLI (RQ 8).

Amelia Kita (Poland) 14 years old “Dancing On My Own” https://youtu.be/OIrL3vhX7ss (RQ 10).

Leonor Sa-Chaves (Portugal) 12 years old “When I Was Your Man” https://youtube.com/watch?v=gsqBWZIhxBQ&feature=share (RQ 8).

Anna Dąbrowska (Poland) 43 years old “Hurt” https://youtu.be/56YrErCHjYE (RQ 10+).

Stephanie Kiss (Romania) 22 years old “Satu Mare“ https://youtu.be/CX85D8xv64Q (RQ 7).

Pour Manon (France) Writing’s on the Wall” https://youtu.be/wFQgLXNC3ekhttps://youtu.be/wF (RQ 9).

New artists adds:

“Mariah better watch out,” judge Heidi Klum said after the Filipino singer hit the high notes of “All By Myself.” 10 year old Peter Rosalita dominates America’s Got Talent in season premiere. His singing chops gave him a commanding presence in the season premiere of “America’s Got Talent” Tuesday. The Filipino contestant slayed the high notes of “All By Myself” (https://youtu.be/meUpKhUKZ94) (RQ 9) earning strong praise from fussbudget judge Simon Cowell. “You have an amazing voice, an amazing personality, an amazing energy,” Cowell gushed. “Everyone is gonna fall in love with you after this audition.” Peter said he would buy a Nintendo Switch and a laptop for online school if he was to win the performance competition’s $1 million grand prize. He got one step closer after all four judges voted him through to the next round. “I predict you’re gonna go far in this competition,” Howie Mandel said.

The Voice Kids is a Polish reality music talent show for aspiring singers aged 8 to 15. Airing on the TVP 2 television network, this is part of the international syndication The Voice based on the reality singing competition launched in the Netherlands as The Voice Kids, created by Dutch television producer John de Mol. Tomson and Baron and Dawid Kwiatkowski again took over as trainers. Cleo joined them, replacing Edyta Górniak. The leaders remained unchanged. The second season premiered on New Year’s Day 2019 and was won by 14-year-old Anna Dąbrowska from Wesoła, coached by Cleo. Her winning song in the finale was “Swiat sie pomyl” (https://youtu.be/WLB9sBnhR2Q) (RQ 9).

Maia Gough was born on a Friday, April 12, 2002 in South Wales. Her birth name is Maia Gough and she is currently 18 years old. People born on April 12 fall under the zodiac sign of Aries. Her zodiac animal is Horse. At 12 years old at the time, she sang Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” (https://youtu.be/dG63_nwX8tw) for her 2015 Britain’s Got Talent audition. She ended up a semi-finalist. More recently she sang: “No Time to Die” (https://youtu.be/ohYnx9GntKY).

Elena Gatzin came to Romanian Talent full of emotions and hopes. 12 years ago she moved to Constanta from the Republic of Moldova. It was difficult to settle in Romania and this was due to the emphasis on the Romanian language. Some laughed at her and it made her cry and want to go home. She took the stage at the Romanians “Talent”, full of emotion, not knowing what would happen at the end of the number. He sang an Aura Urzicanu song, and the judges were amazed by the participant’s voice and talent. Elena was faithful and engaged in music as a child, and for this she is grateful to her mother, who supported her with music in high school, although she was very far from home. Elena shyly sat down at the piano and full of emotion began to play what she was doing as a child and feeling great. Her voice impressed the jury, and the chosen song was one with a strong message. An example of her current work shows her polished piano/keyboard ability: “At Last” (https://youtu.be/r4GaOZkO8lc) (RQ 9). “I’m a little excited, but I’m fine. I’m from the Republic of Moldova, but I’ve lived in Constanta for 12 years. It was hard for me because I didn’t speak like the people here, they laughed at my accent. It upset me because I felt different. I wish my mom was with me. I’m a musician, pianist and vocalist. Thanks to the kindergarten teacher, she advised my mom to send me to music school. It’s hard to get to high school 40 miles away. She trusted me so much, but I thanked her very much. I only know the two people I came here with, my mother and child Alyaksandr, “Alena explained.

Maren Larae Morris (born April 10, 1990) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. She has released two studio albums. Her 2015 extended play, Maren Morris, charted on two Billboard charts. Her major label debut album, Hero, reached number five on the Billboard 200 chart and number one on the Top Country Albums chart, and was certified platinum in the United States. Morris is also a member of the Highwomen, a group also consisting of Brandi Carlile, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby. Her first album Walk On was released in 2005. Her debut single, “My Church”, peaked at number one on the Country Digital Songs chart in 2016 and reached the top five on the US Hot Country Songs chart and won a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance. Her third single, “I Could Use a Love Song”, was her first to reach number one on the US Country Airplay chart. She provided vocals for “The Middle”, a pop collaboration with Zedd and Grey, released in January 2018, which reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and received three nominations at the 61st Grammy Awards. Morris’ second album, Girl, was released on March 8, 2019, through Columbia Nashville, preceded by the lead single and title track. The album once again attained the top spot on the Top Country Albums chart and peaked at number four on the Billboard 200 chart, while Morris achieved her first top 15 entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the album’s single “The Bones”, (https://youtu.be/gvPMVKUI9go) (RQ 10) which peaked at number 12. To top this off, “The Bones” was just made Song of the year at the American Country Music Awards show. With all of these awards, it is very interesting to make note that earlier she auditioned for both Idols and The Voice where their judges cut her! It confirms that even these professionals miserably fail sometimes to recognize superior talent!

Predictions 2021 (by Charlie Smith of straight.com): Lanie Gardner gets set for breakout year after millions see her covers of Stevie Nicks hits. As this is the time when the Georgia Straight is publishing predictions in a variety of areas, here’s one for the music world. I’m going to suggest that 2021 is the year when a 21-year-old Nashville artist named Lanie Gardner breaks out and hits the big time. Her stunning cover of Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” (https://youtu.be/V1LhC1zGouc) (RQ 10) attracted more than nine million views on YouTube since being posted in early October and more than 40 million views across a variety of social-media platforms. Then the charismatic young singer came back with another Fleetwood Mac classic, “Rhiannon” (https://youtu.be/XZ4CqjdJ46c) (RQ 10), which was posted on YouTube in early December. This time, she played an acoustic guitar and sang in a way that put any claims of lip synching to rest. It was almost like listening to a reborn Stevie Nicks, with Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood declaring that even he was “absolutely blown away by this”.

Rianna Eliza Rusu is 15 years old and comes from Iași, Romania. She stunned the whole country with a difficult song (“And I’m Telling You” https://youtu.be/5K7t8994RWw RQ10) on the show “Romanians have Talent”, season 11. The show’s judges got up after Rianna’s moment and only had words of praise for the young singer. Remus and Anișoara Rusu are the young artist’s parents. It was they who always supported Rianna and believed in her talent. Before she started singing, Rianna taught fashion theater at an art club in Iasi, where she was also noticed by a singing teacher she works with today.

Most kids dream of becoming a veterinarian, teacher or firefighter, but for Cassandra Star Armstrong (from Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada), she said she has never thought of being anything other than a performer. “I’ve honestly never thought of anything else,” Cassandra said. “I’ve always been singing and humming and dancing and I love to make people happy.” At just 10 years old Cassandra has already performed with Broadway stars, started a popular story time series on her YouTube channel and recorded a multitude of songs. A few recent recordings are:

“Hallelujah” (https://youtu.be/XUJRZRymd1I) (RQ 9) A duet with her 19 year old sister Callahan.

“Dance Monkey” (https://youtu.be/-3SrqKNB_28) (RQ 10).

“This Little Light of Mine.” (https://youtu.be/W5_zb2Ef4IM) (RQ 9).

Cassandra captured the attention and hearts of the Fort Frances community at the start of the pandemic last April by starting a story time series where she would read and re-enact children’s books such as The Paper Bag Princessand Rock Away Granny. The story time was developed as a way to connect the community. “A lot of kids in Fort Frances and around Ontario are really sad because they can’t really see their friends… and I knew that books were comforting so I knew it would help,” Cassandra said. She said adults and children have sent her videos to tell her how much her story times have helped them through the pandemic and that she is very grateful for the support and kindness she’s received from people in the community. Not long after, Cassandra and her mother Nikki were contacted by award-winning author and singer/songwriter, Carolyn Sloan, telling them how much she enjoyed Cassandra’s story time of her book Welcome to the Symphony.From there a friendship grew and Cassandra was given the opportunity of a lifetime.

Marina Simioni is a 29 year-old professional singer, duel nationality English/Italian from Surrey, UK with a passion for Jazz, Soul and R&B and Musical Theatre. In 2019 she competed in the UK Voice competition where she sang “Team” in the knockout round with the trio Equip to Overcome (https://youtu.be/P0eLzC2jAtk) (RQ 10). Marina was classically trained from an early age and has found her mature, powerful vocal range (D3-F5) was clearly influenced by the likes of the classic Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin to the more contemporary Jessie J. Having trained in Musical Theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Marina has since performed as lead production singer for Costa Cruises to audiences from all over the world and has performed her own singing sets to prestigious private member clubs. She is musically creative, confident, versatile and an exciting performer with a range of repertoires including relaxing lounge music and her own version of well known classics.

Jordan Anthony Rabbone (born 17 December 2004) is an Australian singer. In May 2019, at the age of 14, he auditioned for the eighth season of The Voice Australia, where he was mentored by Delta Goodrem and finished in fourth place. He represented Australia at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song “We Will Rise”. Another song he sang in the Voice competition was “What About Us.” (https://youtu.be/NuRDByUxPvU) (RQ 10).

Elena Brinc sang Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” (https://youtu.be/HOPgrqlR0PU) (RQ 10+) for her Croatia’s Got Talent audition in 2018. The video now has over 50 million views as her Golden Buzzer winning performance was a hit with viewers everywhere. Elena took on the inspiring ballad with tremendous power in her voice. Honestly, we hear this song performed many times on talent competition shows but never like this. From the very first note, the judges knew they were in the presence of a star. Her performance even had her family and friends in disbelief and tears as they watched from the audience and also backstage. Not to mention performing a song in English though it is not her native language garnered a lot of attention from fans of Croatia’s Got Talent online. After going viral for her audition on Croatia’s Got Talent, Elena once again sang “Hero” in a YouTube video posted a year later. She also led a choir of Zagreb girls and boys through a performance to commemorate the Day of Remembrance of Vukovar.

Casey Bishop, just 16 years old, recently wowed American Idol‘s celebrity judges with an a cappella rendition of Motley Crue’s “Live Wire” (https://youtu.be/XHR5mt2gBjo) (RQ 9). Although the judges — Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and Luke Bryan — seemed surprised by the song choice before Bishop nailed it. It happened amid the second week of auditions during Sunday’s (February 21, 2021) American Idol broadcast for Season 19, the fourth season of the singing competition show on ABC instead of Fox. Bishop, an avowed rock ‘n’ roll fan, started her audition with a bluesy vocal take on the early Motley Crue single, one of the band’s first from their 1981 debut, Too Fast for Love. She’s currently a sophomore at Center for the Arts at Cypress Lake High School in Fort Meyers, Fla., as The News-Press reported. Talking to the Idoljudges, she said she listens to “Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, and then I love blues like Ella Fitzgerald. I love rock, though.” The blues aspect helped clinch her standing among the judges. Following the retooled Motley Crue number, the singer proved her versatility by belting a Sarah Vaughan-inspired version of “My Funny Valentine” (https://youtu.be/jsEyz-lq2hU) (RQ 9). At the start of her audition, Bishop remarked that she had “no experience performing. … The only places I sing are literally my bathroom. I put my song on, pick up my brush and then I just go for it, like in the mirror. I just literally pretend that I’m onstage.”

Helene Fischer (born 5 August 1984) is a German singer, dancer, entertainer, television presenter, and actress. Since her debut in 2005, she has won numerous awards, including 17 Echo awards, four “Die Krone der Volksmusik” awards and three Bambi awards. According to record certifications, she has sold at least 15 million records. In June 2014, her multi-platinum 2013 album Farbenspielbecame the most downloaded album ever by a German artist and is currently the sixth-bestselling album of all time in Germany. Her signature song “Atemlos durch die Nacht” (https://youtu.be/2czABFw6RnE) (RQ 10) was the bestselling song in Germany in 2014. She has had the best-selling album of the year in Germany five times, in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, and 2018. She ranked No. 8 on Forbes’ list of “The World’s Highest-Paid Women In Music 2018”, earning $US32 million. Fischer has been referred to as the “Queen of Schlager.”

Christina Victoria Grimmie (March 12, 1994 – June 10, 2016) was an American YouTuber, singer, songwriter, and actress. In 2009, she began posting covers of popular songs onto YouTube. After releasing her debut EP, Find Me (2011), her YouTube channel reached one million subscribers. After she reached two million subscribers, she released her debut studio album, With Love (2013). Grimmie then became a contestant on season six of The Voice, finishing in third place. She sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (https://youtu.be/lMMIc0_fwv4) (RQ 9) as a part of the competition. Adam Levine, her coach on the show, announced in the finale that, regardless of the results, he would sign her to his label 222 Records. Lil Wayne also offered to sign her to his label, Young Money Entertainment. She was signed with Island Records for a short time before being dropped. Grimmie released her second EP, Side A, in 2016.That same year, she took on an acting role, making her first and only motion picture appearance in The Matchbreaker. On June 10, 2016, Grimmie was fatally shot by Kevin James Loibl while signing autographs following a concert performance at The Plaza Live in Orlando, Florida. Immediately afterward Loibl committed suicide. A motive was never determined as Christina was a kind-hearted individual with no known “enemies.”

Alex Miller grew up in Garrard County, Texas, which is a community full of farmers. “My first word was ‘tractor’” he said in an an interview with the Garrard Central Record, “It’s always been special to me, a way to escape and go out and work and stay in shape. I’ve learned a lot through farming, how to work hard and do things on your own. It’s transitioned over into my musical career and aspirations.” He made his big debut at the Garrard County Fair when he was just 4 years old. He also performed at the Lancaster Tobacco Festival when he was just 7 years old. Recently (February 2021), he auditioned for American Idols singing a duet with Luke Bryant “Big City” (https://youtu.be/uQzi9fbjlco) (RQ 9). His song for the audition was an original “I’m Over You, So Get Over Me.” Afterward, Luke said he would be taking him home to perform at the Grand Ol’ Opry. Alex possesses excellent vocals along with his guitar playing ability.

Andra Day (born Cassandra Monique Batie; December 30, 1984) is an American singer, songwriter and actress from San Diego, California. Her debut album, Cheers to the Fall, was released in 2015 and peaked at number 48 on the US Billboard 200 chart. At the 2016 Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for Best R&B Album and the album’s main single, “Rise Up” (https://youtu.be/lwgr_IMeEgA) (RQ 10) was nominated for Best R&B Performance. Day also appeared alongside Stevie Wonder, who is partially credited for her discovery, in an ad for Apple TVin late 2015. Her “Cheers to the Fall” (https://youtu.be/Hrzx3obzUmY) (RQ 9) Tour began in November 2016.

Dax Hovius is a 15 year old singer and guitar player. He’s been playing guitar for 5 years, been singing for 4 years, and writes his own songs. In 2020, he was the winner of The Voice Kids in the Netherlands. A great example of his work is “Blue Suede Shoes” (RQ 9) https://youtu.be/usvLTEaWQ8M. He posts updates on his musical activities in the form of video’s, photo’s and messages on his website. If you want to see more of his work, you can visit his youtube channel by putting Dax Hovius official in the search bar. Mostly he plays rock, rock&roll, rockabilly and Americana, but likes playing blues and other genres as well.

Mimi and Josefin Vagler, also known as Mimi & Josy, are a German singing duo from Augsburg. In 2019, they won the 7th Staffel The Voice Kids is the first duo in the history of the television program. They are the daughters of the soprano Hélène Lindqvist and the music professor Philipp Vogler and most recently attended the Maria Ward Realschule Augsburg. In 2019, the sisters took part in the seventh season of the casting show The Voice Kids. With their blind audition, they convinced all coaches and chose the country singer The BossHoss. In the battles, they prevailed against their opponents Greta and Kimberley. In the sing-offs, The BossHoss decided to send both to the final. Their version of the Radiohead classic “Creep,” (https://youtu.be/wC64ZPJXMGU (RQ 10) which was retrieved more than 60 million times (as of December 2020) on YouTube, became a viral hit. This is one of the best harmonizing duets I’ve heard which is amazing since they were only 13 and 15 at the time! In the live show, Mimi & Josy prevailed over Erik and won in the spectator voting as the first duo in Germany’s history of The Voice. In the final, they performed “Nothing Compares 2 U” (https://youtu.be/A4iKoLD-EjY) (RQ 9) by Sinéad O’Connor. After winning, they recorded their first single “Little Help” (https://youtu.be/vIoxrzjerA8) (RQ 9) with The BossHoss, which was released on the 3rd May 2019. For the single, the duo, which became known as Mimi & Josefin during The Voice Kids, renamed Mimi & Josy. On the morning of the day of release, the two siblings performed in the morning program Sebastian Winkler and the early turners of Bavaria 3, where they first listened to the single on the radio. In the afternoon, they played a free concert in their hometown of Augsburg followed by a meet and greet. The single reached 32th place in the German charts and 41th place in the Swiss hit parade. In the course of 2019, they performed at several major events such as the Augsburg Press Ball and the Hope Gala in Dresden. In September, they performed as a supporting act by Michael Patrick Kelly in front of 10000 spectators on Munich’s Königsplatz. In 2020, the two were once again part of the TV show The Voice Kids, where, as backstage presenters, they gave insights behind the scenes and, incidentally, samples of their own, hitherto unreleased songs. In the fall of 2020, they composed and interpreted the title song “Einmal Reisen” (https://youtu.be/k2CqlSPvxHo) (RQ 10) for the feature film Jim Knopf and the Wilde 13.

The Voice Kids was created by John de Mol, this televised talent show is the junior version of “The Voice” and part of `The Voice Kids’ worldwide franchise. Emma Willis presents as children aged seven to 14 take to the stage to perform in front of a crowd of thousands, hoping to win the grand prize of cash and a family holiday. With `The Voice UK’ judge will.i.am, singer-songwriter Pixie Lott and McFly’s Danny Jones as the judges. The young contestants give it all they’ve got from the blind auditions all the way to the live final. The first episode date was on June 10, 2017.

Top 2020 Voice Kids singers (Quality 10+ thru 8). Playlist link: https://youtu.be/9hM_swiaNe8

Older than 22 Singers:

Lauren Ashley Daigle (born September 9, 1991) is an American contemporary Christian music singer and songwriter. After being signed to the label Centricity Music, she released her debut album, How Can It Be, in 2015. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Top Christian Albums chart, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA and produced three No. 1 singles and one No.3 on the Billboard Christian Airplay airplay chart (“First”, “Trust in You” No1, and “O’Lord” No3). In 2018, she also recorded the very popular song “You Say” No1 (https://youtu.be/sIaT8Jl2zpI) (RQ 10).

Postmodern Jukebox, also widely known by the acronym PMJ, is a rotating musical collective founded by arranger and pianist Scott Bradlee (39 years old) in 2011. The other band members pictured above are: Casey Abrams (29, bass player/singer and sixth place finisher in the 2011 American Idols show), Haley Reinhart (30, lead singer and 3rd place finisher in the 2011 American Idols show), Morgan James (38, singer and well known Broadway performer), Ariana Savales (26, singer and burlesque performer), James Hall (trombone), Ben Golden (clarinet), Adam Kubota (bass) and Chip Thomas (drums). PMJ is known for reworking popular modern music into different vintage genres, especially early 20th century forms such as swing and jazz. Postmodern Jukebox has amassed over 1.4 billion YouTube views and 5 million subscribers. With over one million views in its first week, and four million in its first year, Robyn Adele Anderson’s cover version of Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’ “Thrift Shop” -2012- (https://youtu.be/bDlC9m1FDo4) (RQ 7) was Postmodern Jukebox’s first viral music video. The song was included on Introducing Postmodern Jukebox (2013) and reached No. 8 on the Billboard magazine jazz album chart. This was followed by her cover of Miley Cryus’ “We Can’t Stop” (https://youtu.be/pXYWDtXbBB0) (RQ10) in 2013. The band performed on Good Morning in 2014, guest Kate Davis performed a cover version of Meghan Trainir’s song “All About That Bass” -2014- (https://youtu.be/aLnZ1NQm2uk) (RQ 10+) in Scott Bradlee’s living room after three hours of practice. Davis performed on double bass. “I knew the song, probably could have done it on the fly. Maybe that’s why it’s so funny. I remember thinking it was so funny at the time I was going to crack up, maybe five times. “The 1940s arrangement and piano accompaniment is by Bradlee with Dave Tedeschi on drums. The single was a success, catching the attention of Time, Billboard, The Huffington Post and the PBS News Hour America in September.

Carla is an Aussie singer grown popular creating song covers of artists like Ed Sheeran, Charlie Puth and Justin Bieber on her carlawehbe YouTube channel. Merging current pop melodies with an edgy 80/s nostalgia, Carla Wehbe teleports you back to another era. Her pure pop vocal, matched with a tough exterior and vintage elements, is a combination that is hard to ignore. Before fame, she created her YouTube channel in April 2009 but didn’t post her first cover, a rendition of Justin Bieber’s “Be Alright (Don’t Tell Me)” (https://youtu.be/RHQE0oGwxxI) (RQ 8) until 2012. She also recorded “Stay” (https://youtu.be/QC7iC3DUiaY) (RQ 9) originally written by Maurice Williams in 1960. In 2016, she released her debut EP “Electric Field” (https://youtu.be/XJjw7RaZucQ) (RQ 7). She has two brothers, one of whom is named Joshua. One of her most popular YouTube song covers is of “Skinny Love” by Birdy (https://youtu.be/ESRTn6AAtqo) (RQ 6).

Tessanne Amanda Chin (born September 20, 1985) is a Jamaican recording artist, best known for winning Season 5 of NBC’s reality TV singing competition The Voice as part of Adam Levine’s team. She has opened for famous acts such as Patti LaBelle, Peabo Bryson and Gladys Knight, and toured for three years with Jimmy Cliff. She is the younger sister of singer Tami Chynn. On the second episode of the Blind Auditions broadcast on September 24, 2013, she performed Pink’s’s song “Try” (https://youtu.be/ifVeTKpjiEA) (RQ 10). All four coaches, namely Adam Levine, CeeLo Green, Christina Aguilera and Blake Shelton turned their chairs for her but she opted for Adam Levine. On December 10, 2013, her performance of Simon & Garfunkel’s classic “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (https://youtu.be/UMhvfLgmngk) (RQ 8) for the Semifinal Round became #1 on the iTunes chart, with her becoming the first contestant to achieve the top chart position at the end of an applicable voting window that season. This performance also served as her first U.S. chart appearance, charting at #64 on the Hot 100 chart, #14 on the Digital Songs chart, and #5 on Heatseekers Songs chart. On the Canadian Hot 100, the song made its debut at #39. On December 17, 2013, her performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing” (https://youtu.be/vZ7Cp3_H9mg) (RQ 10+) became #1 on the iTunes chart, with her also becoming the first contestant that season to achieve the top chart position twice. (Note: Whitney’s original recording of “I Have Nothing” (https://youtu.be/FxYw0XPEoKE) (RRQ 10+). In a way, Tessanne brought Whitney’s spirit back as she passed away in 2012 at only 48 years old). The following week the cover made its debut on the Hot 100 at #51, #12 on the Digital Songs chart and #15 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Her duet with coach Adam Levine, a cover of the Beatle’s “Let It Be” (https://youtu.be/_2K3-H7k9-s) (RQ 8) charted at #76 on the Hot 100 and #24 on Digital Songs. The songs also charted at #1 and #7 respectively on the Heatseekers Songs chart. In Canada, her cover of “I Have Nothing” charted at #32 while “Let it Be” charted at #35. A compilation album with studio versions of her The Voice performances was released on iTunes and charted at #4 on the Heatseekers Albums chart. During the Finale Results show, she was revealed to be the winner of Season 5 obtaining the highest number of votes in Voice history. Jacquie Lee as runner-up and Will Champlin in third place. After her victory was announced, she debuted her first U.S. single “Tumbling Down” (https://youtu.be/sY_nDgC-IhAw) (RQ 9), written by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. She is to date so far, the only foreign-born contestant to win The Voice USA. Tessanne shared on her Facebook page that she planned to release the background song which was featured in her clear scalp and hair commercial. It was co-written by Balewa Muhammad while produced and released by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League. “Fire” (https://youtu.be/vcCFO0POGG0) (RQ 10+), is the first official single released on the newly formed Justice League Music Group. On April 26, 2015, Chin performed at the 42nd Daytime Emmy Awards show where she performed the musical classic “What I Did for Love” (https://youtu.be/q_A8MPYM8qg) (RQ 8). Since then, Tessanne performed at the National Memorial Day Concert held in Washington, D.C. on May 24, 2015, performing alongside Joe Mantegna, Gloria Estefan, Stephanie Scott, Katherine Jenkins, Russell Watson amongst others where she covered Whitney Houston’s version of “I Will Always Love You” (https://youtu.be/4gwJJDjMC-o) (RQ 20). Chin is in the process of releasing a new album. Tessanne thus has far collaborated with American rapper T.T. and producer Lil’C as well as Jamaican songwriter/vocalist Olaf Blackwood for the upcoming album which remains untitled. Tessanne appears on 2018 single, “Let Me Love You” (https://youtu.be/qgr1bCeGojw) (RQ 8) with GrooveGalore and Honorel. The single is also included on Honorebel’s album, “Above The Noise” (2019). In September 2019, Chin announced she was pregnant with her first child, a girl, on her Twitter and Instagram accounts. She also remarried in June of that year.

Greyson Chance (born August 16, 1997) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. He rose to national attention in 2010 with his performance of Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” (https://youtu.be/bxDlC7YV5is) (RQ 5) at a grade school music festival which went viral on YouTube, gaining over 68 million views. Two of his original compositions, “Stars” (https://youtu.be/emblM4a76jg) (RQ 4) and “Broken Hearts” (https://youtu.be/-AwoiGR6c8M) (RQ 3), gained over six and eight million views respectively on his channel. Chance’s debut single, “Waiting Outside the Lines” (https://youtu.be/gNh4BnTTv9s) (RQ 2) was released in October 2010 followed by his debut studio album, “Hold On ‘til the Night” (https://youtu.be/QrT1EfdO67s) (RQ 10) in August 2011. On January 13, 2014, Chance released a new song named “Temptation” (https://youtu.be/Z5xkVUGAxHU) (RQ 8) onto his Soundcloud. He performed the song at the Sundance Film Festival. Throughout the year, he continued the process of writing and recording his EP, “Somewhere Over My Head.” On September 16, Chance released a single called “Thrilla In Manila” (https://youtu.be/a5uwbUFfI3w) (RQ 7). Another track named “Meridians” (https://youtu.be/xn1Qi9YsXSs) (RQ 9) was released on March 24, 2015. Both songs, ultimately, did not appear on the final track list. The official lead single, “Afterlife” (https://youtu.be/QjZL1MZQEqk), (RQ 8), was released on October 29, 2015. In 2016, it was succeeded by “Hit & Run” (https://youtu.be/OOPre_zP7zI) (RQ 7) on February 5 and “Back On the Wall” (https://youtu.be/9QP2RLsNfls) (RQ 8) on April 29 as the second and third singles, respectively. On April 28, he released a new music video for his single “Back On The Wall” on his YouTube channel. The EP was released May 13, 2016. Before the release of “Somewhere Over My Head,” from January 27 to February 1, 2016, Chance performed three shows in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City. He had a release party of his new EP in YouTube Space LA on May 13, 2016. And on May 28–29, he had another two shows after the release of the EP in San Francisco and Seattle. During promotion of the EP, Chance was also featured on an electronic dance track by tyDit and Jack Novak titled “Oceans” (https://youtu.be/_-i5WUK6eY4) (RQ 7), which was released on February 19, 2016. In February 2016, he was picked as Elvis Duran’s Artist of the Month and was featured on NBC’s Today show hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hota Kotb and broadcast nationally where he performed live his single “Hit & Run”. In June 2016, one month after releasing his new EP, “Somewhere Over My Head,” Chance returned to Asia for a short promo tour starting in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang in Malaysia, and Manilla, Philippines. On September 15, 2016, Frank Pole released a song titled “Anything” which featured Chance. On December 23, 2016, Chance released a song called “London”. On May 6, 2017, Chance is also featured on Fabian Mazur’s song called “Earn It”. On May 12, 2017, Chance’s cover of “Hungry Eyes” (https://youtu.be/lyh-wNJ4DC0) (RQ 9) was released as part of the soundtrack album for the television film remake of Dirty Dancin. On June 30, 2017, Chance released a song called “Seasons” (https://youtu.be/dEeI6_lXfzc) (RQ 7). On December 8, 2017, Chance released his single “Low” (https://youtu.be/oqoR5OKnrHY) (RQ 9), and on May 4, 2018, he released his single “Lighthouse” (https://youtu.be/kj3qYE91W_c) (RQ 8), collaborating with Danish-American DJ & music producer Fabian Mazur. Another single was released on June 8, 2018 called “Good As Gold” (https://youtu.be/wHixQSPaqiQ) (RQ 10).

Cody Robert Simpson (born 11 January 1997) is an Australian singer, songwriter, dancer, actor and model. After parting ways with his band “The Tide” he began focusing on his solo career. Simpson released the song Golden Thing (https://youtu.be/YmFX6xVWR3I) (RQ 9) he wrote for Mikey Cyrus on 18 October 2019 which crossed over 1 million views on Spotify. In the same year, he participated on The Masked Singer Australia, as the “Robot” and went on to win the show. He’s set to release his upcoming full-length solo album which will cover pop, rock, and urban songs in 2020. As an actor in 2014, he made his television debut by making a cameo in a sitcom Instant Mom. In 2015, Simpson guest starred on the American television sitcom Cougar Town, portraying Pete, a high school student. In the same year he booked a role in Nickelodeon’s film One Crazy Cruise where he played the love interest of Kira Kosarin’s character Ellie Jensen-Bauer and starred as himself. In late 2017, Simpson was cast in the supporting role in Bret Easton Ellis’ thriller film, The Smiley Face Killers opposite actor Crispin Glover. In October 2018, he debuted on Theatre when he was cast in the Broadway musical Anastasia as the leading male character Dmitry, alongside John Bolton and Christy Altomare.

Jacqueline Ann “Jacquie” Lee (born June 25, 1997) is an American pop singer from Colts Neck, New Jersey. She is best known for being the runner-up of Season 5 of NBC’s singing competition The Voice in 2013 as part of Christina Aguilera’s team and as a solo artist signed to Atlantic Records. Lee recently started releasing music under her given name, Jacquie “The Broken Ones” (https://youtu.be/LGVCI6OrHw8) RQ 8). At the blind auditions on September 24, 2013, Lee performed Amy Winehouse’s “Back to Black” (https://youtu.be/ScgBbnkMP-I) (RQ 9) persuading Christina Aguilera and Blake Sheldon to turn their chairs. Lee chose Aguilera and remained on her team the entire season. In the Battle rounds, Lee was paired with Briana Cuoco where they sang the song “House of the Rising Sun” (https://youtu.be/dvOVsfwmIMw) (RQ 7) and advanced. During the Knockout round, Lee sang “Stompa” https://youtu.be/umOlwnN3nTshttps://youtu.be/umOlwnN3nTs) (RQ 9) by Serena Ryder against Anthony Paul and Christina selected her to move on to the Live Playoffs, sending Paul home. Lee continued through the Live Rounds and during the Top 5, got an iTunes bonus for reaching the Top 10 overall songs with her studio version of “Angel” (https://youtu.be/iK9yxynlRVI) (RQ 6) by Sarah McLachlan. In the Finals, Lee again received an iTunes bonus from reaching the No. 9 position with her recording of the Jennifer Holliday song “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” (https://youtu.be/vs8pzmBYHoE) (RQ 10). On December 17, 2013 she was declared to have come in 2nd place behind winner Tessanne Chin.

Ages 20-22.

Twenty 20-22 Year Old Singers On Their Way To Stardom:

I believe there are nineteen artists that are well on their way to stardom (ages 20-24): Lil Nas X, Shawn Mendes, Ronan Parke, Ella Henderson, Bea Miller, Lorde, Cavetown, Gabriella Wilson, Alessia Cara, Zara Larsson, Hailee Steinfeld, Richard Istel, Zan Fisku, Thunderstorm Artis, Lewis Capoldi, Tierra Umi Wilson, Amir Kelly, Kristian Kostov, Louisa Johnson and . Here are their highlights:

Alessia Caracciolo (born in Ontario: July 11, 1996), known professionally as Alessia Cara is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. After producing acoustic covers, she signed with EP Entertainment and Def Jam Recordings in 2014 and released her debut single the following year. “Here” (https://youtu.be/UKp2CrfmVfw) (RQ 7) peaked at number 19 on the Canadian Hot 100chart and was a sleeper hit in the United States, peaking at number 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Zara Maria Larsson (born 16 December 1997) is a Swedish singer and songwriter. At the age of 10, she achieved national fame in Sweden for winning the 2008 season of the talent show Talang, the Swedish version of British TV’s Got Talent. Four years later, in 2012, Larsson signed with the record label Ten Music Group and subsequently released her debut compilation recording, the extended play “Introducing” in January 2013. Larsson’s first original song, “Uncover” (https://youtu.be/U-PXEe-qeK4) (RQ 8) topped the music charts in Scandinavia: Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. In February 2013, “Uncover” was certified Platinum by Universal Music Sweden. In July 2013, Introducing was certified 3× Platinum in the country. Larsson signed a three-year contract with Epic Records in the United States in April 2013. In 2016, she performed at the opening and closing ceremonies for UEFA Euro in France. Larsson’s second studio album, “So Good,” was released on 17 March 2017 and entered at number seven on the UK Albums chart. Her third studio album, “Poster Girl” is expected to be released in 2020.

Hailee Steinfeld (born December 11, 1996) is an American actress, singer, songwriter, director, and producer. Her breakthrough role came as Mattie Ross in the drama western film True Grit (2010), for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Academy Award amongst other accolades. Steinfeld made her breakthrough in music after performing “Flashlight” in Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). She signed with Republic Records soon after and released her debut single, “Love Myself” (https://youtu.be/bMpFmHSgC4Q) (RQ 10). This was followed by her debut extended play Haiz (2015). She went on to release a series of singles, including “Starving”, a collaboration with both Grey and Zedd, which peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Hit 100 chart, and “Let Me Go”, a collaboration with Alesso, Florida Georgia Line and Watt which peaked at number 14 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. In May 2020, Steinfeld released her second extended play, “Half Written Story,” which was supported by the singles “Wrong Direction” and “I Love You’s.”

It’s always fascinating finding new singers, especially when they’re from Europe (Germany in this case). The first thing you notice about Richard Istel, (born: 5-Aug-2013) is his impeccable English — an American English — with absolutely no accent!! When you ask Richie how this was possible, he answered it was simply a talent for emulating sounds! Richard Istel lives in Leipzig with his family and has been incredibly busy touring Germany and performing in Latvia and Poland. In Konin (Poland), he recently won the 13-18 category at the International Children’s Song and Dance Festival. But even way before this, in 2009, Richie made his mark in a German talent show called Das Supertalent by being the only child to reach the final round (he placed 5th). Richie has also been on Teenage Rockstar and placed 3rd at the Europop contest. One original song he recorded is called World‘s Turning (https://youtu.be/9E3n1axGuGo) (RQ 6) with lyrics by his sister Lisa and co-created with his dad, who seems to be a solo entertainer on the accordion. What you hear when Richie sings is a harmonic, rich, treble voice capable of holding notes and full of young power. He has a natural, self-confident performing style and is certain of his ability to charm an audience. His choice of music from the modern Pop genre shows his ability to deliver somber tunes like Stay (https://youtu.be/K4s9PQvrpRQ) (RQ 8), Vampire (https://youtu.be/EkHHMqZW8E0) (RQ 4) and Hallelujah (https://youtu.be/5F3MJ8G5Uro) (RQ 6), as well as romping tunes like Hollywood Hills (https://youtu.be/CVf803IYUm0). There are many more covers worth listening to on his Youtube channel: Skyscraper,Video Games, Angeland a very funny home video of him cracking up trying to sing Ben from a few years back. You can find out more about Richard Istel by visiting his fan page.

Kristian Konstantinov Kostov (born 15 March 2000) is a Bulgarian-Russian singer. He was a finalist in season one of The Voice Kids Russia and a runner-up in the fourth season of X Factor Bulgaria. He represented Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song “Beautiful Mess” (https://youtu.be/bgxz23-i3lA) (RQ 10+) finishing in 2nd place. In January 2018, Kostov won the EBBA Public Choice award. In January 2019, Kostov was one of seven first batch singers who would be performing in the seventh season of Hunan Television’s singing reality-competition “Singer” (previously I Am a Singer).

Louisa Johnson (born 11 January 1998), known as Louisa on stage, is an English singer. In 2015, she won the twelfth series of The X Factor. She subsequently released her winner’s single “Forever Young” (https://youtu.be/8Z9BE2Pz_VA) (RQ 10+) which peaked at number nine on the UK Singles chart, and featured on Clean Bandit’s UK top five single “Tears” (https://youtu.be/wRvraPQaqE4) (RQ 9). There were indications that her debut studio album would be released as quickly as possible, maybe as early as February 2016, and would include her debut single “Forever Young” (https://youtu.be/8Z9BE2Pz_VA) ( RQ 10+). However, the singer later declared: “If I don’t like it, no way is it going out. People are going to know me through that album – so it needs to be perfect.” In May 2016, Louisa released a single with British band Clean Bandit called “Tears”. The song was a commercial success, reaching the top five in Scotland and the UK, and charting in many other European countries. It was also certified platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI). In June, she performed “Tears” with Clean Bandit and a new version of the song “Over and Over” (https://youtu.be/D2uNHrgkBzk) (RQ 9) with Nathan Sykes at the Summertime Ball. She co-headlined the concert the following year, and appeared as a guest performer in 2018. Louisa released her second solo single, “So Good” (https://youtu.be/svhGUlB9V5U) (RQ 7) in November 2016. The single peaked at number 13 in the UK, and received a gold certification from BPI. The following month, Johnson co-headlined both nights of the annual Jingle Bell Ball at London’s 02 Arena; she co-headlined the concert for second consecutive year in 2017. Her third single, “Best Behaviour” (https://youtu.be/1sA7Ojgzzus) (RQ 8) was released in March 2017. It charted at number 48 in the UK, and was certified silver by BPI. In 2017, she also featured on Olly Murs’ single “Unpredictable” (https://youtu.be/06GsQH47VyQ) (RQ 6), which reached number 32 on the official UK singles chart and received a silver certification from BPI. In March 2018, Louisa released her fourth single, “Yes” (https://youtu.be/O02MnrL_wrc) (RQ 8) a collaboration with the American rapper 2 Chainz, which peaked at number 65 in the UK. On 13 July 2018, Johnson announced via social media that she had left Syco. She also announced the release of her new single for early August with Ministry of Sound. The single “Between You & Me” (https://youtu.be/3JPWE5VDOGQ) (RQ 7), recorded in collaboration with One Bit, was released on 10 August 2018. Later that month, she was featured on Mars Moniz’s single “999” (https://youtu.be/0yK4XKmyT8Q) (RQ 9). In 2019, she collaborated with Sigma on the single “Here We Go Again” (https://youtu.be/uqCgS24GFps) (RQ 9) which charted in the UK at number 98. She also featured on Kream and Eden Prince’s single “Ain’t Thinkin Bout You” (https://youtu.be/kAAlMNT3MQo) (RQ 6), and released “Ain’t Got You” (https://youtu.be/AB7VhZY0ezk) with Steve Void in 2019. In January 2020, Johnson announced a collaboration with fitness clothing brand USA Pro. Following the announcement, she released “Like I Love Me” (https://youtu.be/dSo2AAPE6C4) (RQ 8) to promote the collaboration.

Anthony Gariula, is a teen pop music recording artist, with a huge audience on the video creating app Vine with more than 275,000 followers and 70 million loops as of February 2016. He has signed with Cheiron Records. His goal has always been to inspire people through music. He started writing music at a very young age and loved to sing for family and friends when he was little. His single “Barricade” (https://youtu.be/nN7Bwcc4mOs) (RQ 7) was his first song to hit the iTunes Charts. In fall 2015, he released the song “So I Don’t Drown” (https://youtu.be/G7BnJYFcgtk) (RQ 9). In 2018, while auditioning for The Four, he sang “In My Blood” (https://youtu.be/-SERW0vN7A8) (RQ 9). His brother is named Louis, and his parents are Jude-Ann and Rich Gargiula. He was introduced to audiences across America when he appeared and performed live on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for the first time at the very young age of 7: “Think” (https://youtu.be/junlSsSmx4E) (RQ 8).

Eleven more 20 yr olds – good chance to make it:

There are another eleven artists that are 20 who stand a very good chance to making a living singing. They are: Madison Beer, Daya, Ravyn Lenae, Mallrat, Kodie Shane, Lenon Stella, Jasmine Thompson, Grace Davis, Maxtoon (Maia), Claud Mintz and Arlo Parks. Here is a quick preview of them:

After Stella starred in a Nashville musical,
she recorded “Polaroid”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdrV2c49Vhc (RQ 7)
Photo credit: deezer.com

Nine more 20 yr olds – longshots to make a career singing:

In addition to the twelve aforementioned singers, these additional artists in their 20s would fall into my “longshot” category for their potential in the music industry:

Whethan. (at birth: Ethan Snorek) “Upside Down” (https://youtu.be/erkGiZp0NYQ) (RQ 6)

Sabrina Carpenter. “Honeymoon Fades” (https://youtu.be/XLUTTA27oFE) (RQ 9), also played Maya Hart in Girl Meets World. “Skin” (https://youtu.be/CA9E4HHHbRk) (RQ 10).

Jackie Evancho. From Pittsburgh. “Burn” (https://youtu.be/PDrM8-AXI3g) (RQ 10). “River” (https://youtu.be/Hl40RLU2KCQ) (RQ 10). When younger sang opera style in America’s Got Talent.

Jaden Smith. “Cabin Fever” (https://youtu.be/82UsnbunJUs) (RQ 9).

Miles Elkington. “Hey Ya” (https://youtu.be/5gwsTplPYBc) (RQ 10).

Carly Rose Sonenclar “Feeling Good” (https://youtu.be/Ej04VAktzyE) (RQ 10+). “Change My Mind” (https://youtu.be/YYywHYFosfI) (RQ 10).

Chloe Bailey “Upper Register” (https://youtu.be/pntB7it50ls) (RQ 6). Chloe’s sister Halle, who is only 19, looks more promising including doing Ariel in the Little Mermaid.

Special Mention

19 Year Olds.

Six 19 Year Olds On Their Way To Stardom:

I have identified twelve singers that are 19 that are blessed with talent. Of these, I believe five that are well on their way to a singing career: Nola Cryus, Billie Ellish, Nova Miller, Lydia Knight, Solomia Lukyanets and Malu Trevejo. Here are their highlights:

Solomia Lukyanets is a Ukrainian opera singer who gained fame for appearing on ‘The Voice Kids Ukraine’ and ‘The Voice Kids Germany’. A native of Kiev, Solomia started singing when she was three years old. In 2004, she won her first international competition. In 2012, she successfully auditioned for the inaugural season of ‘‘The Voice Kids Ukraine’. She lasted up until the final episode and was eventually declared one of the two runner-ups. She later moved to Berlin, Germany with her family. Solomia has appeared on the German version of ‘The Voice Kids’ as well. She has been listed as the youngest performing opera singer in the Ukrainian Book of Records. She is quite popular on social media. She has about 56 thousand followers on Facebook and more than seven thousand subscribers on YouTube. For her prodigious musical skills, she is considered to be a phenomenon in the world of opera. Here is a sample of here music: “Time To Say Goodbye” (https://youtu.be/ZT-rdjv8wgQ) (RQ 9).

María Luisa “Malu” Trevejo (born October 15, 2002) is a Cuban-born singer, now based in Miami, Florida who performs in both Spanish and English. She became famous for her videos on the video sharing app Musical.ly. She’s now also an Instagram personality with more than 8 million followers. On September 22, 2017, she released her debut single, “Luna Llena”(https://youtu.be/E-zcNpZJX78) (RQ 10+) through Universal Music Latin. It has acquired over 100 million views on her YouTube channel as of November 2019. Not long after, she released another single “En Mi Mente” which has surpassed 10 million views.

Eight More 19 Yr Olds could make it:

The other eight 19 year olds which have lots of potential:

Petit Biscuit (At birth: Mehdi Benjelloun). “Drivin Through the Night” (https://youtu.be/ZcTLzwhpMYY) (RQ 8).

Rich Brian (At birth: Brian Imanuel Soewarno). “Love In My Pocket” (https://youtu.be/xX9PYIIgoEA) (RQ 9).

Jayna Brown. “Rise, Rise, Rise” (https://youtu.be/eChkUnJ7TpY) (RQ 10+).

Asanda Jezlie. “This Girl”Asanda Jezlie. “This Girl” (https://youtu.be/RCGbqH66EBE) (RQ 9).

Lil Pump (At birth: Gazzy Garcia). “Illuminate”

(https://youtu.be/vpJQk02KJ7Y) (RQ 8).

Connie Talbot. “Over the Rainbow” (https://youtu.be/j1DHg_nzR40) (RQ 10+). “Bohemian Rhapsody” (https://youtu.be/RmtP8X4ZErs) (RQ 10) played keyboard (see above).

Angie Vasquez (At birth: Ángela Vázquez Espinoza). “Rolling in the Deep” (https://youtu.be/9bh6Hlt_7Ms) (RQ 10+).

Daisy Clark, a singer-songwriter, has risen to fame through her self-titled YouTube channel. She is best known for her cover of “Bellyache” (https://youtu.be/ldMJRZTNdnQ) (RQ 7) by Billie Eillish, which Eilish herself reacted to. Another popular cover of hers is the Avril Lavigne song “Complicated” (https://youtu.be/Hr_Kh2VNQrA) (RQ 9). After her YouTube channel was created in 2011, she later posted the inaugural video “Wide Awake/Pumped Up Kicks/Paradise Fern” in August 2012. In February 2017, she released her debut single “Hopelessly Devoted to You” (https://youtu.be/8foh6QC0n1c) (RQ 9) to iTunes and Spotify. Her boyfriend, Max Harris, is also a YouTuber and musician. One of her most popular song covers is of Emeli Sande’s “Read All About It (Part 3).

18 Year Olds.

Four 18 Year Olds Already On Their Way To Stardom

I believe there are eight 18 year old singers that are extremely gifted. Of the eight, three are already on their way to singing careers: Loren Gray, Jay IV, Maddie Jane and Laura Bretan. Their highlights immediately follow the others with lots of potential…

6 More 18 Yr Olds Could Make The Big Time

The other six singers with lots of potential are:

Madysyn Rose. “Fall for You” (https://youtu.be/HuJHqZwJHQw) (RQ 9).

Aimee Banks. “Seod A’ Chaoi” (https://youtu.be/B0h0niz9sYM) (RQ 10).

Annika Rose. “Butterflies” (https://youtu.be/ujTNzEWh-BQ) (RQ 6).

Joanna Serenko is a famous American singer, pianist as well as a songwriter from St. Louis, Missouri who was a contestant on season 18 of “The Voice”, a show that airs on NBC. Joanna started piano and voice lessons at 6 and later went on to join marching band, show choir and musical theater. After opening for a local musician in high school, Joanna started to gain traction in her community and recently won a citywide talent competition. Joanna’s mother is a nurse and would love for her to pursue a job in the medical field. However, her mom and dad are very encouraging of her musical aspirations and are both in support of her decision to put college on hold and pave her own path while chasing her dreams on “The Voice.” An album of hers: “Best of Me” https://youtu.be/rEAzgpmu5ro(RQ 9).

One 18 Yr Old Retired Too Early?

Rhema Marvanne Voraritskul (7 years old at the time) became famous in 2010 for singing a near perfect version of “Amazing Grace” (https://youtu.be/DDDlxmsciqY) (RQ 10). Unfortunately, She is no longer active in singing gospel music.

In 2016, Bretan was the winner of Romania’s Got Talent. Following that win, Bretan auditioned for season eleven of America’s Got Talent when she sang “Nessun dorma” from Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot. The act received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell, Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel; afterwards Mel B pressed her golden buzzer, sending Bretan directly to the quarterfinals. Bretan performed in the first live show on July 26, 2016, and advanced to the semifinals with the audience vote. She gave another well-received performance in the semifinals, but missed out on the audience vote later and lost the “Dunkin Save” vote. However, Bretan won the judges’ vote and passed onto the finals. Bretan performed “O mio babbino caro”https://youtu.be/qF7C3f9L74shttps://youtu.be/qF7C3f9L74s (in the finals, earning very favorable reviews from the show’s judges. “Today you look like a princess, but tonight you rule the stage like a queen,” said Klum. She finished in sixth place overall. In 2017, Bretan performed “I Dreamed a Dream” in the finale of season one of The Voice Kids Romania. In December 2018, Bretan was announced as one of the semi-finalists for the 2019 edition of Selecția Națională, Romania’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel. She performed her song “Dear Father”, winning in the televote but finishing 3rd in the jury, being the runner up in the overall results. She also recorded “Believe” with The Tenors (https://youtu.be/QHWg_TtmkEU (RQ 10).

17 Year Olds.

Three Can’t Miss Singers, Two Longshots

I believe there are five singers worth mentioning. The “longshots“ in terms of earning a long term singing career would be Elsie Fisher and Allegra Miles.

Elsie was in the movie “Despicable Me 2” – where she was the voice of Agnes (https://youtu.be/qQeOnGI7H-s) (RQ 10). If she does make it, the type of singing will most likely be behind the scenes doing voice work for animated movies.

On the other hand, Sophie May Williams and Manon Maley have shown lots of future potential and Angela Aguilar has already displayed a high degree of success (see some details below):

One 16 Year Old Stands Alone:

There are seven 16 Year Olds worth mentioning. One of the seven seems to stand alone, and has done so since 2013. Her name is Amira Willighagen.

16 Year Olds (see 17 year olds for playlist link):

The Most Unique 14 Year Old

This 14 year old might be the most unique of all of the singers mentioned in this section of my blog: Courtney Hadwin “Hard to Handle” (https://youtu.be/Upx9Qdl1yJg) (RQ 10). “Nutbush City Limit” (https://youtu.be/aUgke-UydXo) (RQ 7). (To me, like many others, she seems to be capable of bringing back the old-school soulfulness of such artists like Janice Joplin.

Courtney Hadwin’s (14 years old) future is so bright, wearing shades won’t protect you. Channeling the great Janis Joplin, the young British phenom delivered the goods once more when she guested on America’s Got Talent: The Champions on Monday night. “I’ve always been quite shy in I do find it difficult to talk to people,” the teen said in a pre-recorded interview. “When I do sing, I feel like I turn into a different person.” And before our eyes, the AGT season 13 finalist did just that. Hadwin rocked out with her performance of “Pretty Little Thing,” (https://youtu.be/JO2xa_gU4bE) an original composition. Afterwards, AGT judge Simon Cowell admitted he was stunned by Hadwin’s second-place result last season, after which she signed with Syco Music and Arista Records. “When you were on the show last time and you didn’t win,” Cowell said at the top of Hadwin’s performance, “my mouth literally dropped. So many people were disappointed, hence the reason you’re here today.” When asked how she felt to be competing against the champs, Hadwin was humble. “I didn’t expect to be getting invited to Champions. So just to be here is an honor.”

Seven More Talented 16 Year Olds:

The third singer like Angela Aguilar, also has established himself as a solid singer: Ruel. In addition to Ruel, there are six more featured 16 year olds: Jess Folley, Holly Tandy, Rai-Elle Williams, Emma Boertien, Calysta Bevier, and Darci Lynne Farmer. Their links follow immediately below.

Darci Lynne Farmer is an American ventriloquist and singer. She was the winner of season twelve of the NBC competition show America’s Got Talent (as a 12 year old). She sang “Summertime” (https://youtu.be/rk_qLtk0m2c) (RQ 9). She was also the runner-up of the first season of America’s Got Talent: The Champions.

15 Year Olds

Seven 15 Year Olds Moderately Successful To Date:

Even though this age group is trending to be very young, I think there are seven of eleven singers that all have potential to become successful as professional singers.

Isabelle Brown. “Places” (https://youtu.be/cE7rVJr5IhM) (RQ 6).

Benicio “Beni” Bryant. Was a finalist in 2019 in America’s Got Talent. I am on the fence with Beni. I think he really belongs in the good chance of making it status. “Who I Am” (https://youtu.be/UejFKnrt620) (RQ 8).

Carla Lazarri. Finished 5th in the 2019 French Junior Eurovision contest. “Bim Bam Toi” (https://youtu.be/pjJ2w1FX_Wg) (RQ 9).

Kenadi Dodds. 2020 America’s Got Talent finalist. Country music singer. “Love Wins” (https://youtu.be/hIgvh4E44IA) (RQ 6).

Daniel Davies. 2018 Voice Kids winner. “Phantom Waltz” (https://youtu.be/af3bcz4Dh1s) (RQ 8).

Allie Sherlock. Performed on Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2018. Invited to LA to work with producer Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic records. It looks like she is moving up in the world of music! She is from Dublin, Ireland. “Unchained Melody” (https://youtu.be/6uecFirb4T4) (RQ 9).

Four 15 Year Olds Building Strong Careers

The other four: Grace Vanderwall, Raksana Wegiel, Gala Alia and Joshua Regala are all seemingly on their way to strong singing careers. Here are snapshots of the four:

14 Year Olds.

Four 14 Year Old Longshots

The four singers that would be “longshots” as future potential professional singers are:

Charlotte Summers. From Marbella, Spain. Competed in America’s Got Talent. A model. Also, acted in Little Big Shots. “I Put a Spell On You” (https://youtu.be/Q7SrqxBCmSY) (RQ 9).

Hello Sunday. Duet made up by Myla Finks and Chelsea Glover. Made it to the 2019 semi finals of the VOICE. “Fight For You” (https://youtu.be/-cyxSyMatBE) (RQ 7).

Kelvin Dukes. Quarterfinalist in the 2020 America’s Got Talent show. “Ain’t No Way” (https://youtu.be/QC8DnUlvUso) (RQ 7).

Justin Degryse. Finalist in 2020 Voice Kids Belgium. He is from Orsmaal. “Lovely” (https://youtu.be/tDNfPUAF14U) ( RQ 7).

Seven 14 Year Olds Already Building Singing Careers

In my opinion, four of eight singers have the most potential on becoming professional singers in the long run. The four are: Angelina Jordan, Danieliya Tuleshova, Sam Wilkinson, Iveta Tumasonyte, Mason Ramsey, Carter Rubin and Kaue Penna. Their highlights are included below.

Born on July 18, 2006, Daneliya Tuleshova age is 16 years old. She hails from Almaty, Kazakhstan to the mother, Elena Tuleshova. The young artist spent childhood days with siblings- Ameli Tuleshova and Timur Tuleshova. On the blind audition of The Voice Kids Ukraine, Daneliya Tuleshova rocked the song “Cold Stone” (https://youtube.com/watch?v=jGUqIU6u8Ew&feature=share) in the most promising way ever. Thoughtfully, she won the judges and audiences spectrum and the entitled the successor of The Voice Kids in 2017. All the credit goes to her training mode at the age of eight. Besides The Voice Kids, she has the honor of People’s Favorite national award in Kazakhstan, Bravo music award in Russia and Ayalagan Astana national contest. Besides, the star is active on social media. As of January 2019, her Instagram account has more than 305k followers. Likewise, her Facebook account has 12k followers. She also has a YouTube channel with more than 235k subscribers. Another song “What About Us: https://youtu.be/zvUyDrNG2Xw.

Mason Ramsey is an American singer and voice actor. In March 2018, after gaining Internet fame from a viral video of him yodeling Hank Williams’ “Lovesick Blues” at a Walmart, Ramsey was signed to Big Loud. He is known for his single “Famous” (https://youtu.be/69WmX3PmguM) (RQ 10). He has also appeared on the “Ellen” (DeGeneres) show where she offered an opportunity for Mason to play on stage at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville where she taped his live performance (https://youtu.be/SkgUbSvuqV0).

Carter Rubin, 14, is a singer who chose to sing “Before You Go” (https://youtu.be/w4lF4CxdO2I) (RQ 10) by Lewis Capaldi and managed to get two of the four 2020 The Voice coaches to turn their chairs. Both Gwen Stefani and John Legend wanted Rubin on their teams, but Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton refrained from turning around. Stefani believed that she was listening to a female singer; she muses, “She’s going to be big.” When fellow coach John Legend hits his buzzer to move Rubin forward, the house lights come on to reveal a teenage boy. Stefani then hits her buzzer, and as her chair turns to face the stage, she sees Rubin, dressed in blue jeans, a black shirt, and a blazer. Following his song, she marvels, “You do not look like your voice, OK? … I cannot believe what I’m hearing and seeing right now. This is a shock.” Jokes fellow coach Blake Shelton, “Where is this person who was singing?” When Carter says he’s from Long Island, Legend exclaims, “Strong Island!” Fellow coach Kelly Clarkson compliments him on his smile and tells him, “You have a really great voice, especially finding out that you’re 14. That’s insane.” He is best known as the winner of 19th season of the American talent competition The Voice. He has the distinction of being the youngest male winner and the second-youngest winner overall. Carter’s mother, the founder and president of the autism advocacy group Families in Arms was present with her son at Universal Studios Hollywood, where the NBC show is shot. Rubin explained that his older brother Jack was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.

Here are more links to his recent recordings:

“Up From Here” (https://youtu.be/gH5HmUdTfQk) (RQ 10).

“Rainbow Connection” (https://youtu.be/Y8rrpaGXEbE) (RQ 10).

“The Climb” (https://youtu.be/73x9LgWlFC0) (RQ 10).

“You Say” “https://youtu.be/7r4YbgL50rE (RQ 10). Second version during

“Hero” (https://youtu.be/mVRwny8HjPU) (RQ 10).

“Hallelujah” (https://youtu.be/YYIpkBiRD4Y) (RQ 6). Three years ago…

The Voice Kids (Brazilian season 5). The fifth season, premiered on Rede Globo on January 5, 2020 in the 12:45 p.m. / 11:45 a.m. daytime slot. On March 18, Globo announced that the live shows which were scheduled to begin on March 29 (following a two-week hiatus due to the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix scheduled broadcast), would be postponed until later in the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Five episodes featuring highlights from the blind auditions and the battles aired during the hiatus. On August 7, Globo confirmed that the season would return on September 13, 2020, with a special pre-taped episode. The live shows were reduced from five to four and changed to remote shows with pre-recorded performances at the contestants’ home. On October 11, Kauê Penna (14 years old in 2020) from Team Brown won the competition, marking Brown’s first win as a coach. Kaue sang “Run to You” (https://youtu.be/V0imz1iyK9E) (RQ 10). This is one of the best auditions I have ever witnessed!

13 Year Olds.

All Five 13 Year Old Singers Look Promising

I believe there are four 13 year old singers that deserve mentioning and, in this case, all four look to be on track to become professional singers in the long run. They are: Viki Gabor, Melani Garcia, Angelina Nava, Justine Afante and Anna Duboc. Here are brief highlights of each:

Anna Duboc, in trying to capture the essence and musical excitement, she used standard clichés we usually reach for to describe such a phenomenon – naturally gifted, prodigy, old soul, on fire – seem limiting. Anna has already sung with Katy Perry, Andrea Bocelli and Kenny Loggins and has appeared with her middle school choir at Carnegie Hall. Now, with the release of her latest original song, “Ballad” (https://youtu.be/pIs_uStChTg) (RQ 7), the multi-talented singer, songwriter, and performer is quickly emerging as a powerful, eloquent, and inspirational voice of her generation and beyond. Anna has accomplished much during her 13th year. In addition to ‘Ballad,’ she recorded Demi Lovato’s “Stone Cold” (https://youtu.be/NPKLmnhmOHg) (RQ 8) live for You Tube as a follow up to her 2 original songs, “Blamed it on Me” (https://youtu.be/HnKcbLW49gY) (RQ 9) and “Yellow Car” (https://youtu.be/j4c9LJeNQJQ) (RQ 6). She has now accumulated over 2 million views on You Tube. Having come from a highly artistic family, Anna has been singing, dancing, and performing on stage since she was four years old. Her mother Carol has penned hits for Patti Labelle, Tom Jones, and others and has hit the charts with numerous jazz albums over the past 18 years. While one of Anna’s great grandmothers was a prima ballerina, the other was a concert pianist. Her great grandfather was an opera singer. From ages 4 to 7, Anna sang “Yesterday” so often that her tennis coach nicknamed her after the Beatles classic. Influenced by everyone from Queen to Ariana Grande and Rihanna and more recently Billie Eilish, Anna began writing songs in the third grade and created a CD of her music for a school assignment. Anna’s musical theater resume is off the charts as well. Her theatre school, the Adderley School for Performing Arts, has been the home of Jack Dylan Grazer (from Stephen King’s “It” and “Shazam”), Dakota Lotus (from Disney’s “Coop and Cami”), and Golden Globe winner Ben Platt (from “The Book of Mormon,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Dear Evan Hansen”). Anna performed the lead role in “Anything Goes,” her first musical, at age 5 with Grazer and as Penny in “Hairspray” with Lotus. Other shows she has starred in include “West Side Story,” “Les Miserable,” “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” and “Ruthless.”Anna has also enjoyed being a member of the MnR Dance Team, a competitive group that competes throughout Southern California and performs for local children’s charities. After winning the combination dance and singing solo competition, Anna was asked to sing the solo at Staples Center in front of Shaquille O’Neal and the L.A. Clippers. In August 2019, she performed numerous solos in the “Footloose” revival concert with Kenny Loggins and his band to an awestruck crowd!

12 Year Olds

Two 12 Year Old Longshots:

In the age category, I have identified six singers for your consideration. The first two, Angelica Hale “Shallow” (https://youtu.be/eFSKxzXRmvU) (RQ 6) and Fayth Ifil “Proud Mary” (https://youtu.be/aii62acsp_E) (RQ 7) would be more “longshots” to become successful over the long haul to become a professional singers. See their snapshots below:

Four Other 12 Year Old Singers. One Can’t Miss.

The third twelve year old, Emanne Beasha, already has what it takes to make it in the professional singing ranks. Emanne currently sings mostly operatic music. However, a glimpse of her future can be heard Emanne singing a Christmas carol “O Holy Night” (https://youtu.be/4imgfYZZiQw) (RQ 9) Then, another example of her amazing ability is when she briefly met guitarist Mark Bruner at the Oklahoma City airport where they spontaneously jammed together singing “Yesterday” (https://youtu.be/dQHfOjllOnA) (RC 5). The fourth twelve year old showing a high professional singing level even at such a young age is Dara McNicholl. The fifth singer, also with loads of potential, is Ashley Marina. The sixth singer, Naomi Aye, sings and already plays the piano like a professional. Emanne, Dara, Ashley and Naomi’s profiles are posted below:

Under 12 Years of Age.

Three Singers Standout

It is ways difficult to predict what will happen to a young person’s voice after showing natural instincts for stage presence under the age of 12. There were three performers that took part in the 2020 The Voice for Kids that merit singling them out: George Elliot (10), Victoria Alsina (8) and Rebecca Sayaque (10).

Three Very Good Singers, One Can’t Miss

Also, Roberta Battaglia (10) won 4th place at AGT in 2020. Claire Ryann Crosby (a sweet duet with her father) has such a wonderful polished presence for being only 6! Eight-year old Taisiya Skomorokhova’s Russian Voice for Kids finalist very polished performing skills! And, Maria Zakharova looks like a “can’t miss” professional singer at only 10. Alexa Curtis won the 2014 Australia’s VOICE for Kids, then made the AGT quarterfinals, but I would call her a longshot. Here are George, Victoria, Roberta, Alexa’s, Claire’s, and Maria’s snapshots:

Yaroslava Degtyareva (also called Yasya) is a young Russian singer. She started singing at the age of five, shortly after being involved in a serious car accident. The girl was so seriously injured that she couldn’t even walk. Yaroslava got several serious surgeries, including the replacement of an eyeball and the insertion of a pin into the leg. The girl’s mother was worried because her daughter had to relearn how to move and to walk. However, little Yaroslava was always positive and cheered on by her mother. Despite her young age, the girl kept on going to achieve her dream, a dream to sing. Finally, at the age of 7, she has risen to the big stage as part of the project “The Voice of Russia: Kids,” and has become one of the finalists on the show where she sang “Cuckoo” (https://youtube.com/watch?v=kH0W3u8siYg&feature=share) (RQ 8). Her special tender voice moved the audience: Yaroslava has stolen the hearts of Russian and International viewers and made it to the finals stage of the competition. This talented little girl has an amazing performance singing the Michael Jackson’s “Earth Song”. Her voice is inspiring, powerful and moving and it leaves us with our jaws dropped. It would be an incredible performance from an experienced adult performer but to come from one so young and so tiny, it is beyond words. She knows how to hold our visual attention despite barely moving except to rock from one foot to the other. Yaroslava continues with her rehabilitation.

There are three sections in this post: 110 Female artists, 26 Male artists and 35 groups or bands. For the purposes of ease of listening, here are six associated playlists:

Playlists

Len Barry thru Jim Croce Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1hmKOd4CS-Jv-yGeedbL4Hf

Danny & the Juniors thru Connie Francis Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1jnaQhHTB4duC_Ai1nvVhxR

Bobby Freeman thru Eartha Kitt Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1j9aBFC9bU1TzrcZgkbNLOP

Brenda Lee thru Little Richard Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1jHLv3mmBmvYovhvfkB-D_J

Eileen Rodgers thru The Diamonds Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1iRguzfGMpH8kA0JgtVLqsi

The Fifth Dimension thru Carla Thomas Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLqptie5CKN1gBbPYY82_1d7EderLcD_TZ

110 Female Artists:

Adams, Faye; Clark, Petula; Funicello, Annette; Baker, LaVern; Bass, Fontana; Black, Cilla; Brewer, Teresa; Brown, Maxine; Brown, Ruth; Bryant, Anita; Carr, Kathy; Carr, Vicki, Carson, Mindy; Cass, Mama (Elliot); Christy, June; Channing, Carole; Cher (Cherilyn Sarkisian); Cline, Patsy; Clooney, Rosemary; Collins, Judy; Corey, Jill; Davis, Skeeter; Day, Doris; DeShannon, Jackie; Duke, Patty; Ellis, Shirley; Everett, Betty; Fabares, Shelly; Faithful, Marianne; Fisher, Miss Toni; Ford, Mary; Francis, Connie; Fitzgerald, Ella; George, Barbara; Gentry, Bobbie; Gisele, Mackenzie; Gore, Leslie; Gorme, Eydie; Guitar, Bonnie; Holloway, Brenda; Howard, Jan; Jackson, Wanda; James, Etta; James, Joni; Jo, Damita; Johnson, Betty; Kallen, Kitty; King, Carole; Kitt, Eartha; Lee, Brenda; Lee, Peggy; Lester, Ketty; Lewis, Barbara; Linden, Kathy; Little Eva (Boyd); Loeb, Lisa; Lulu (Kennedy-Cairns); Lynn, Barbara; Lynn, Loretta; Lynne, Gloria; Madigan, Betty; March, Little Peggy; Mason, Barbara; McGuire Sisters; Midler, Bette; Miller, Jody; Monroe, Marilyn; Morgan, Jane; Morgan, Jaye P.; Nyro, Laura; Page, Patti; Phillips, Esther; Piaf, Edith; Posey, Sandy; Powell, Jane; Renay, Diane; Reynolds, Debbie; Rodgers, Eileen; Scott, Linda; Sharp, Dee Dee; Shepard, Jean; Shore, Dinah; Simone, Nina; Sinatra, Nancy; Smith, Connie; Smith, Keely; Sommers, Joanie; Springfield, Dusty; Stafford, Jo; Starr, Kay; Stevens, Connie; Stevens, Dodie; Storm, Gayle; Streisand, Barbara; Swann, Betty; Thomas, Carla; Thomas, Irma; Thompson, Sue; Troy, Doris; Yuro, Timi; Valli, June; Vaughn, Sarah; Warwick, Dionne; Washington, Baby Justine; Washington, Dinah; Wells, Kitty; West, Dottie; Brian Wilson, Wilson, Nancy and Wynette, Tammy.

Here are the lady’s mini-biographies and links to their music:

Lisa Loeb (born in Dallas on March 11, 1968) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She started her career with the number 1 hit song “Stay (I Missed You)” (https://youtu.be/i9HGwRbMiVY) from the film Reality Bites, the first number 1 single for an artist without a recording contract. Her studio albums include two back-to-back albums that were certified gold; these were Tails and Firecracker. Loeb’s film, television and voice-over work includes guest starring roles in the season finale of Gossip Girl, and two episodes, including the series finale, of Netflix’s Fuller House. She also starred in two other television series, Dweezil & Lisa, a weekly culinary adventure for the Food Network that featured her alongside Dweezil Zappa, and Number 1 Single on E! Entertainment Television. She has also acted in such films as House on Haunted Hill, Fright Night, Hot Tub Time Machine 2, and Helicopter Mom. Loeb has released children’s CDs and books such as Catch the Moon, Lisa Loeb’s Silly Sing-Along: The Disappointing Pancake and Other Zany Songs, and Songs for Movin’ and Shakin’, Nursery Rhyme Parade! is her album and long-form video of over 30 children’s favorites. She co-wrote the lyrics and co-composed the music to Camp Kappawanna, a family musical that was premiered in New York in March 2015 by the Atlantic Theater Company. In 2016, she released her children’s CD Feel What U Feel, which won Best Children’s Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. Loeb’s latest album, A Simple Trick to Happiness, was released in February 2020.

Édith Piaf, born Édith Giovanna Gassion,19 December 1915 – 10 October 1963) was a French singer-songwriter, cabaret performer and film actress noted as France’s national chanteuse and one of the country’s most widely known international stars. Piaf’s music was often autobiographical, and she specialized in chanson and torch ballads about love, loss and sorrow. Her most widely known songs include “La Vie en rose” (1946), “Non, je ne regrette rien” (https://youtu.be/Q3Kvu6Kgp88) (RQ 9) (1960), “Hymne à l’amour” (1949), “Milord” (1959), “La Foule” (1957), “L’Accordéoniste” (1940), and “Padam, padam…” (1951). Since her death in 1963, several biographies and films have studied her life, including 2007’s Academy Award-winning La Vie en rose. Piaf has become one of the most celebrated performers of the 20th century.

Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien (16 April 1939 – 2 March 1999), professionally known as Dusty Springfield, was an English pop singer and record producer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s. With her distinctive mezzo-sopranosound, she was an important singer of blue-eyed soul and at her peak was one of the most successful British female performers, with six top 20 singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 and sixteen on the UK Singles Chart from 1963 to 1989.

One of her best was “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” recorded in 1966 (https://youtu.be/1PUT2a5NafI) (RQ10). She is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and UK Music Hall of Fame. International polls have named Springfield among the best female rock artists of all time. Her image, supported by a peroxide blondebouffant hairstyle, evening gowns, and heavy make-up, as well as her flamboyant performances, made her an icon of the Swinging Sixties.

Note: after the 110 Female Artists, there are another 25 Male Artists and 35 Bands or Groups listed from the 1950s and 1960s…

Faye Adams was born in Newark, New Jersey. Her father was David Tuell, a gospel singer and a key figure in the Church of God in Christ. At the age of five she joined her sisters to sing spirituals, regularly performing on Newark radio shows. Under her married name, Faye Scruggs, she became a regular performer in New York nightclubs in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

While performing in Atlanta, Georgia, she was discovered by the singer Ruth Brown, who won her an audition with the bandleader Joe Morris of Atlantic Records. Having changed Scruggs’s name to Faye Adams, Morris recruited her as a singer in 1952, and signed her to Herald Records. Her first release was Morris’s song “Shake a Hand“, (https://youtu.be/E4hJLKu71ZI?feature=shared) which topped the US Billboard R&B chart for ten weeks in 1953 and reached number 22 on the US pop chart. It sold one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. In 1954, Adams had two more R&B chart toppers with “I’ll Be True” (later covered by Bill Haley in 1954 and by a young Jackie DeShannon in 1957) and “It Hurts Me to My Heart”.

Delores LaVern Baker (Born in Chicago on November 11, 1929 – March 10, 1997) was an American R&B singer who had several hit records on the pop chart in the 1950s and early 1960s. Her most successful records were “Tweedle Dee” (1955), “Jim Dandy” (1956), and “I Cried a Tear” (1958).

Fontella Marie Bass (Born in St. Louis on July 3, 1940 – December 26, 2012) was an American R&B and soul singer and songwriter best known for her number-one R&B hit “Rescue Me” in 1965.

She was the daughter of gospel singer Martha Bass, who was a member of the Clara Ward Singers, and the older sister of R&B singer David Peaston. At an early age, Fontella showed great musical talent. At the age of five, she provided the piano accompaniment for her grandmother’s singing at funeral services, she sang in her church’s choir at six, and by the time she was nine, she had accompanied her mother on tours throughout the South and Southwest America.

Bass continued touring with her mother until age of sixteen. As a teenager, Bass was attracted by more secular music. She began singing R&B songs at local contests and fairs while attending Soldan High School from which she graduated in 1958. At 17, she started her professional career working at the Showboat Club near Chain of Rocks, Missouri.

In 1961, she auditioned on a dare for the Leon Claxtoncarnival show and was hired to play piano and sing in the chorus for two weeks, making $175 per week for the two weeks it was in town. She wanted to go on tour with Claxton but her mother refused and according to Bass “… she literally dragged me off the train”. It was during this brief stint with Claxton that she was heard by vocalist Little Milton and his bandleader Oliver Sain who hired her to back Little Milton on piano for concerts and recording.

Priscilla Maria Veronica White, better known as Cilla Black, was an English singer, television presenter, actress, and author. Championed by her friends, the Beatles, Black began her career as a singer in 1963. Her singles “Anyone Who Had a Heart” (https://youtu.be/ZUxn6JLwdDY) and “You’re My World” (https://youtu.be/o6drD2SCwHE) both reached number one in the UK in 1964. She had 11 top 10 hits on the UK Singles Chart between then and 1971, and an additional eight hits that made the top 40. In May 2010, new research published by BBC Radio 2 showed that her version of “Anyone Who Had a Heart” was the UK’s biggest-selling single by a female artist in the 1960s. “You’re My World” was also a modest hit in the U.S., peaking at No. 26 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Teresa Brewer (born as Theresa Veronica Breuer; May 7, 1931 – October 17, 2007) was an American singer whose style incorporated pop, country, jazz, R&B, musicals, and novelty songs. She was one of the most prolific and popular female singers of the 1950s, recording nearly 600 songs. Brewer was born in Toledo, Ohio, the eldest of five siblings. Her father was a glass inspector for the Libbey Owens Company (now part of Pilkington Glass), and her mother was a housewife.

Maxine Brown began singing as a child, performing with two New York City based gospel groups called the Angelairs and the Royaltones when she was a teenager. In 1960, she signed with the small Nomar record label, who released the deep soul ballad “All in My Mind” (which was written by Maxine) late in the year. The single became a hit, climbing to number two on the US R&B charts (number 19 pop), and it was quickly followed by “Funny”, which peaked at number three.

Brown was poised to become a star and she moved to the bigger ABC-Paramount in 1962, but left the label after an unsuccessful year and recording several non-chart singles for the label, and signed to the New York-based uptown soul label, Wand Records, a Scepter Records subsidiary, in 1963.

Brown recorded a string of sizable hits for Wand over the next three years. Among these were the Carole King/Gerry Goffin songs “Oh No Not My Baby”, which reached number 24 on the pop charts in 1964, and “It’s Gonna Be Alright”, which peaked at No. 26 on the R&B charts the following year. She also recorded duets with label-mate Chuck Jackson, including a reworked version of an Alvin Robinson hit, “Something You Got”, which climbed to No. 10 on the R&B chart. However, the company turned its focus to other bigger-selling acts, especially Dionne Warwick.

Ruth Alston Brown (Born in Portsmouth, VA on January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and actress, sometimes known as the “Queen of R&B”. She was noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music in a series of hit songs for Atlantic Records in the 1950s, such as “So Long”, “Teardrops from My Eyes” and “(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean”. For these contributions, Atlantic became known as “the house that Ruth built” (alluding to the popular nickname for the old Yankee Stadium). Brown was a 1993 inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Anita Jane Bryant (Born in Barnsdale, OK on March 25, 1940) is an American singer and anti-gay rights activist. She scored four Top 40 hits in the United States in the late 1950s and early 1960s, including “Paper Roses” that reached No. 5 on the charts. She was also a former Miss Oklahoma beauty pageant winner, and was a brand ambassador from 1969 to 1980 for the Florida Citrus Commission.

Angelina Helen Catherine Cordovano (Born in The Bronx on June 28, 1936 – November 22, 1988), known professionally as Cathy Carr, was an American pop singer. As a child, she appeared on The Children’s Hour, a television show locally aired in New York; sponsored by Horn & Hardart, a cafeteria chain which had locations in New York and Philadelphia. She later became a singer and dancer with the USO and joined big band orchestras such as those of Sammy Kaye and Johnny Dee.

In 1953 she signed with Coral Records, but had no hits for them, later switching to Fraternity Records, a small company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, in early 1955. It was for Fraternity that she had her only major hit, “Ivory Tower“, which was her third record for Fraternity.

Florencia Bisenta de Casillas-Martinez Cardona (Born in El Paso, TX on July 19, 1940), known by her stage name Vikki Carr, is an American vocalist. She has a singing career that spans more than four decades. Her parents are of Mexican ancestry and has performed in a variety of musical genres, including pop, jazz and country, while her greatest success has come from singing in Spanish. She established the Vikki Carr Scholarship Foundation in 1971. Vikki Carr has won three Grammys and was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Latin Grammys in 2008 at the 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards.

Mindy Carson (Born in NYC on earth July 16, 1927) is an American former traditional pop vocalist. She was heard often on radio during the 1940s and 1950s. In 1949, Carson signed with RCA Victor. Although her initial recordings for RCA Victor failed to sell well, the success of Eileen Barton’s novelty hit “If I Knew You Were Coming I’d’ve Baked a Cake” prompted the company to try a similar recording for Mindy Carson. Her recording of “Candy and Cake” was backed with “My Foolish Heart” and the record became a rare two-sided hit. However, after a number of unsuccessful follow-up recordings, RCA Victor dropped her in 1952.

Carson then moved to Columbia Records, and her duet with Guy Mitchell, “Cause I Love You That’s-A-Why”, climbed on the charts to the top 25. She also guest-starred on ABC’s 1957 series The Guy Mitchell Show. “All the Time and Everywhere”, a big hit in the United Kingdom for Dickie Valentine, went nowhere for Carson and other U.S. recording artists. A cover of The Gaylords’ big hit “Tell Me You’re Mine” charted at #22, and a few others made the top 30 in 1952, 1953 and 1954. Her song “Memories Are Made of This” with the Ray Conniff Orchestra was issued in 1955.

In August 1955 she scored a hit when her recording of “Wake the Town and Tell the People” reached #13, despite the fact that the trends in popular music were moving to Rock’n’Roll and she was not generally a rock singer. Carson had a minor hit with “The Fish”, the single prior to “Wake The Town…”, which was a mild rocker based on a proposed dance craze. The record appeared in both the Cashbox and Music Vendor retail surveys. She had only one more hit, Ivory Joe Hunter’s “Since I Met You Baby” in 1957. By 1960, her recording career was over.

Cass Elliot (born in Baltimore, MD, as Ellen Naomi Cohen; September 19, 1941 – July 29, 1974), also known as Mama Cass, was an American singer and actress who is best known for having been a member of the Mamas and the Papas. After the group broke up, she released five solo albums. In 1998, she was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her work with the Mamas and the Papas.

June Christy (born in Springfield, IL, as Shirley Luster; November 20, 1925 – June 21, 1990) was an American singer, as known for her work in the cool jazz genre and for her silky smooth vocals. Her success as a singer began with The Stan Kenton Orchestra. She pursued a solo career from 1954 and is best known for her debut album Something Cool. After her death, she was hailed as “one of the finest and most neglected singers of her time”.

Carol Elaine Channing (Born in Seattle, WA, on January 31, 1921 – January 15, 2019) was an American actress, singer, dancer, and comedian, known for starring in Broadway and film musicals. Her characters usually had a fervent expressiveness and an easily identifiable voice, whether singing or for comedic effect.

Channing began as a Broadway musical actress starring in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1949 and Hello, Dolly! in 1964, and winning the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for the latter. She revived both roles several times throughout her career, playing Dolly on Broadway for the final time in 1995. She was nominated for her first Tony Award in 1956 for The Vamp, followed by a nomination in 1961 for Show Girl. She received her fourth Tony Award nomination for the musical Lorelei in 1974.

Cher (born in El Entro, CA, as Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Commonly referred to by the media as the “Goddess of Pop”, she has been described as embodying female autonomy in a male-dominated industry. Cher is known for her distinctive contralto singing voice and for having worked in numerous areas of entertainment, as well as adopting a variety of styles and appearances throughout her six-decade-long career.

Cher gained popularity in 1965 as one-half of the folk rock husband-wife duo Sonny & Cher after their song “I Got You Babe” peaked at number one on the US and UK charts. By the end of 1967, they had sold 40 million records worldwide and had become, according to Time magazine, rock’s “it” couple. She began her solo career simultaneously, releasing in 1966 the transatlantic top three single “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)”. After her divorce from Sonny Bono in 1975, she launched a comeback with the disco album Take Me Home (1979) and earned $300,000 a week for her 1979–1982 concert residency in Las Vegas. (Sonny was killed in a skiing accident in South Lake Tahoe on January 5, 1998).

Having sold 100 million records to date, Cher is one of the world’s best-selling music artists. Her achievements include a Grammy Award, an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Cannes Film Festival Award, the Billboard Icon Award, and awards from the Kennedy Center Honors and the Council of Fashion Designers of America. She is the only artist to date to have a number-one single on a Billboard chart in six consecutive decades, from the 1960s to the 2010s. Outside of her music and acting, she is noted for her political views, social media presence, philanthropic endeavors, and social activism, including LGBT rights and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Born in Surry, England as Sally Olwen Clark; on 15 November 1932. Her stage name became Petula Clark. She is a British singer, actress, and composer. Her professional career began during World War II, as a child entertainer on BBC Radio. In 1954 she charted with “The Little Shoemaker” (https://youtu.be/O50ZHG9LWFw) (RQ 7)— the first of her big UK hits—and within two years began recording in French. International successes included:

“Prends mon coeur” https://youtu.be/vXAgSyF1mU8 (RQ8).

“Sailor” (in 1961, a UK No1) (https://youtu.be/6Q94foxIIZo) (RQ 8).

“Romeo” (https://youtu.be/8Se98yRqgsY) (RQ 9).

“Chariot” (https://youtu.be/_1a5Y82dp28) (RQ 10+).

Hits in German, Italian, and Spanish followed. In late 1964 Clark’s global success extended to America with a four-year run of career-defining, often upbeat, singles, many written or co-written by Tony Hatch (and Hackie Trent). These songs include her signature song “Downtown” (https://youtu.be/Zx06XNfDvk0) (RQ 10). She had a string of followup hits including:

“I Know a Place” 1965. No3. (https://youtu.be/wORh2Zo9kS0). (RQ 10).

“My Love” 1966. No1. (https://youtu.be/MJE7XyKHPmM). (RQ 10).

“A Sign of the Times” 1966. No11. (https://youtu.be/SDhYJKc8oVc) (RQ 10+).

“I Couldn’t Live Without Your Love” 1966. No9. (https://youtu.be/578cg6yRLzA) (RQ 10+).

“Don’t Sleep in the Subway” 1967. No5. (https://youtu.be/0ISX9mW78Dw) (RQ 10+).

“Who Am I” 1966. No21. (https://youtu.be/Tvs-x6HKU6g) (RQ 7).

“Colour My World” 1967. No16. (https://youtu.be/k-j5hmlGY80) (RQ 9).

“This Is My Song” (by Charlie Chaplin). 1967. No5. (https://youtu.be/GgkDxMQfsSA) (RQ 9).

“The Other Man’s Grass Is Always Greener” 1967. No31. (https://youtu.be/iA93sPlY6-8) (RQ 9).

“Kiss Me Goodbye” 1968. No58. (https://youtu.be/DrMTJZSNu0o) (RQ10).

Patsy Cline (born in Winchester, VA, as Virginia Patterson Hensley; September 8, 1932 – March 5, 1963) was an American singer. Tragically, at only 31 years old, while returning home from a benefit gig in Kansas City, she was killed in a small plane flown by her manager Randy Hughes (along with singers Cowboy Copas and Hawkshaw Hawkins). No-one survived the crash.

She is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one of the first country music artists to successfully cross over into pop music. Cline had several major hits during her eight-year recording career on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart.

Rosemary Clooney (Born in Maysville, KY, on May 23, 1928 – June 29, 2002) was an American singer and actress. She came to prominence in the early 1950s with the song “Come On-a My House”, which was followed by other pop numbers such as “Botch-a-Me”, “Mambo Italiano”, “Tenderly”, “Half as Much”, “Hey There”, and “This Ole House”. She also had success as a jazz vocalist. Clooney’s career languished in the 1960s, partly due to problems related to depression and drug addiction, but revived in 1977, when her White Christmas co-star Bing Crosby asked her to appear with him at a show marking his 50th anniversary in show business. She continued recording until her death in 2002.

Judith Marjorie Collins (born in Seattle, WA on May 1, 1939) is a Grammy Award-winning American singer and songwriter with a career spanning over 60 years. She is known for her eclectic tastes in the material she records (which has included folk music, show tunes, pop music, rock and roll and standards) and for her social activism. Collins has released 28 studio albums, 4 live albums, numerous compilation albums and 4 holiday albums.

Collins’ debut album A Maid of Constant Sorrow was released in 1961, but it was the lead single from her 1967 album Wildflowers, “Both Sides, Now” – written by Joni Mitchell – that gave Collins international prominence. The single hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Pop Singles chartand won Collins her first Grammy Award for Best Folk Performance.

She enjoyed further success with her recordings of “Someday Soon”, “Chelsea Morning”, “Amazing Grace”, and “Cook with Honey”. Collins experienced the biggest success of her career with her recording of Stephen Sondheim’s “Send in the Clowns” from her best-selling 1975 album Judith. The single charted on the BillboardPop Singles chart in 1975 and then again in 1977, spending 27 non-consecutive weeks on the chart and earning Collins a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female, as well as a Grammy Award for Sondheim for Song of the Year. In 2017, Collins’ rendition of the song “Amazing Grace” was selected for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or artistically significant”. In 2019, Judy Collins scored her first #1 album on an American Billboard Chart with Winter Stories at the age of 80 years old.

Italian-American Norma Jean Speranza (stage name: Jill Corey) was born in Avonmore, Pennsylvania, a coal mining community about forty miles east of Pittsburgh. Her father, Bernard Speranza, was a coal miner, and she was the youngest of five children. She is a 1953 graduate of Bell-Avon High School. Corey began singing as an imitator of Carmen Miranda at family gatherings and on amateur shows in grade school (never winning any prizes, usually finishing last). At the age of 13, she began to develop her own style. She won first prize at a talent contest sponsored by the Lions Club, which entitled her to sing a song on WAVL in Apollo, Pennsylvania. This got her an offer to have her own program. By the age of 14 she was working seven nights a week, earning $5 a night, with a local orchestra led by Johnny Murphy. By the age of 17 she was a local celebrity talent.

At the home of the only owner of a tape recorder in town, with trains going by in the background and no accompaniment, she made a tape recording to demonstrate her singing skills to the outside show business world. The tape came to the attention of Mitch Miller, who headed the artists & repertory section at Columbia Records. He normally received over 100 record demos a week, and this one, with a 17-year-old girl and its train background, would not have been likely to gain his attention. He telephoned her in Avonmore, and the next morning she flew to New York to be heard by Miller in a more normal studio setting. Miller had Life Magazine send over reporters and photographers, and had her audition with Arthur Godfrey and Dave Garroway. The Life photographers reenacted her signing a contract with Columbia, and all this happened in a single day, with her headed back to Avonmore that night.

Both Garroway and Godfrey called her, and it was her choice to pick one; she picked Garroway, who took the name Jill Corey out of a telephone book. Within six weeks the Life article, with a cover picture and seven pages, came out. Jill Corey became the youngest star ever at the Copacabana nightclub, and had numerous hit records.

Skeeter Davis (born Mary Frances Penick; December 30, 1931 – September 19, 2004) was an American country music singer who sang crossover pop music songs including 1962’s “The End of the World”. She started out as part of the Davis Sisters as a teenager in the late 1940s, eventually landing on RCA Victor. In the late 1950s, she became a solo star. One of the first women to achieve major stardom in the country music field as a solo vocalist, she was an acknowledged influence on Tammy Wynette and Dolly Parton and was hailed as an “extraordinary country/pop singer” by The New York Times music critic Robert Palmer.

Doris Day (born in Cincinnati, OH, Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff; April 3, 1922 – May 13, 2019) was an American actress, singer, and animal welfare activist. She began her career as a big band singer in 1939, achieving commercial success in 1945 with two No. 1 recordings, “Sentimental Journey” and “My Dreams Are Getting Better All the Time” with Les Brown & His Band of Renown. She left Brown to embark on a solo career and recorded more than 650 songs from 1947 to 1967.

Jackie DeShannon (born in Hazel, KY, as Sharon Lee Myers, August 21, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter with a string of hit song credits from the 1960s onwards, as both singer and composer. She was one of the first female singer-songwriters of the Rock and Roll period. She is best known as the singer of “What the World Needs Now Is Love” and “Put a Little Love in Your Heart”, and as the composer of “When You Walk in the Room” and “Bette Davis Eyes”, which were covered by The Searchers and Kim Carnes, whose versions have been hits for both these acts.

Anna Marie “Patty” Duke (Born in NYC on December 14, 1946– March 29, 2016) was an American actress and health advocate. Over the course of her acting career, she was the recipient of an Academy Award, two Golden Globe Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Like many teen stars of the era, and bolstered somewhat by her appearance in the musical Billie, Duke had a successful singing career, including two Top 40 hits in 1965, “Don’t Just Stand There” (#8) and “Say Something Funny” (#22). She also performed on TV shows such as The Ed Sullivan Show.

Shirley Marie O’Garra (stage name Shirley Ellis, married name Shirley Elliston; Born in The Bronz, NY on January 19, 1929 – October 5, 2005) was an American soul music singer and songwriter of West Indian heritage. She is best known for her novelty hits “The Nitty Gritty” (1963, US no. 8), “The Name Game” (1964, US no. 3) and “The Clapping Song” (1965, US no. 8 and UK no. 6). “The Clapping Song” sold over 1 million copies and was awarded a gold disc.

Betty Everett (Born in Greenwood, MS on November 23, 1939 – August 19, 2001) was an American soul singer and pianist, best known for her biggest hit single, the million-selling “Shoop Shoop Song (It’s In His Kiss)”, and her duet “Let It Be Me” (https://youtu.be/YwTh4OkPTb0) (RQ 9)with Jerry Butler.

Michele Ann Marie “Shelley” Fabares (Born in Santa Monica, CA on January 19, 1944) is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her television roles as Mary Stone on the sitcom The Donna Reed Show (1958–1963) and as Christine Armstrong on the sitcom Coach (1989–97), the latter of which earned her two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations.

Fabares’ national popularity led to a recording contract and two “Top 40” hits, including “Johnny Angel,” which went to number one on the BillboardHot 100 in April 1962, and peaked at number 41 in the UK. It sold over one million copies and was certified gold. She released an album, Shelley! “I was stunned about that, to put it mildly,” she later said. “After all, I never could sing.”

This was followed by a second album, The Things We Did Last Summer (album), which included two hit songs “Johnny Loves Me” (no. 21) and “The Things We Did Last Summer” (no. 46).

Fabares left The Donna Reed Show in 1963 (she would return periodically until its end in 1966) to pursue other acting opportunities. She released a third album, Teenage Triangle in 1963.

Marianne Evelyn Gabriel Faithfull (Born in London on 29 December 1946) is an English singer, songwriter, and actress. She achieved popularity in the 1960s with the release of her hit single “As Tears Go By” and became one of the lead female artists during the British Invasion in the United States.

Toni Fisher (born in LA as Marion Colleen Nolan; December 4, 1924 – January 11, 1999), also billed on her records as Miss Toni Fisher, was an American pop singer. She was known for her recordings of “The Big Hurt”, “West of the Wall”, “Maybe (He’ll Think Of Me)”, and “Why Can’t The Dark Leave Me Alone”. She was later known as Toni F. Monzello, following her marriage to Henry Monzello.

Mary Ford (born in El Monte, CA as Iris Colleen Summers; July 7, 1924 – September 30, 1977) was an American vocalist and guitarist, comprising half of the husband-and-wife musical team Les Paul and Mary Ford. Between 1950 and 1954, the couple had 16 top-ten hits, including “How High the Moon” and “Vaya con Dios”, which were number one hits on the Billboard charts. In 1951 alone they sold six million records. With Paul, Ford became one of the early practitioners of multi-tracking.

Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (born in Newark, NJ on December 12, 1937), better known as Connie Francis, is an American pop singer, former actress, and top-charting female vocalist of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Although her chart success waned in the second half of the 1960s, Francis remained a top concert draw.

Success had finally seemed to come with “The Majesty of Love”, Francis was informed by MGM Records that her contract would not be renewed after her last solo single.

Francis considered a career in medicine and was about to accept a four-year scholarship offered at New York University. At what was to have been her final recording session for MGM on October 2, 1957 with Joe Lipman and his orchestra, she recorded a cover version of the 1923 song “Who’s Sorry Now?” written by Bert Kalmar and Harry Ruby. Francis has said that she recorded it at the insistence of her father, who was convinced it stood a chance of becoming a hit because it was a song adults already knew and that teenagers would dance to if it had a contemporary arrangement.

Francis, who did not like the song and had been arguing about it with her father heatedly, delayed the recording of the two other songs during the session so much, that in her opinion, no time was left on the continuously running recording tape. Her father insisted, though, and when the recording “Who’s Sorry Now?” was finished, only a few seconds were left on the tape.

The single seemed to go unnoticed like all previous releases, just as Francis had predicted, but on January 1, 1958, it debuted on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand, and on February 15 of that same year, Francis performed it on the first episode of The Saturday Night Beechnut Show, also hosted by Clark. By mid-year, over a million copies had been sold, and Francis was suddenly launched into worldwide stardom. In April 1958, “Who’s Sorry Now?” reached number 1 on the UK Singles Chart and number 4 in the US. For the next four years, Francis was voted the “Best Female Vocalist” by American Bandstand viewers.

As Connie Francis explains at each of her concerts, she began searching for a new hit immediately after the success of “Who’s Sorry Now?” since MGM Records had renewed her contract. After the relative failure of the follow-up singles “I’m Sorry I Made You Cry” (which stalled at No. 36) and “Heartaches”(failing to chart at all), Francis met Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield, who sang a number of ballads they had written for her. After a few hours, Francis began writing in her diary while the songwriters played the last of their ballads. Afterwards, Francis told them that she considered their ballads too intellectual and sophisticated for the young generation and requested a more lively song. Greenfield urged Sedaka to sing a song they had written that morning with the Shepherd Sisters in mind. Sedaka protested that Francis would be insulted, but Greenfield said that since she hated all the other songs they had performed, they had nothing to lose. Sedaka then played “Stupid Cupid.” When he finished, Francis announced that he had just played her new hit song. It went on to reach number 14 on the Billboard chart and was her second number 1 in the UK.

The success of “Stupid Cupid” restored momentum to Francis’ chart career, and she reached the U.S. top 40 an additional seven times during the remainder of the 1950s. She managed to churn out more hits by covering several older songs, such as “My Happiness” (number 2 on the Hot 100) and “Among My Souvenirs” (number 7), as well as performing her own original songs. In 1959, she gained two gold records for a double-sided hit: on the A-side, “Lipstick on Your Collar” (number 5), and on the B-side, “Frankie” (number 9).

Ella Jane Fitzgerald (Born in Newport News, VA on April 25, 1917 – June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella. She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, intonation, and a “horn-like” improvisational ability, particularly in her scat singing.

After a tumultuous adolescence, Fitzgerald found stability in musical success with the Chick Webb Orchestra, performing across the country but most often associated with the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Her rendition of the nursery rhyme “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” helped boost both her and Webb to national fame. After taking over the band when Webb died, Fitzgerald left it behind in 1942 to start her solo career.

Her manager was Moe Gale, co-founder of the Savoy, until she turned the rest of her career over to Norman Granz, who founded Verve Records to produce new records by Fitzgerald. With Verve she recorded some of her more widely noted works, particularly her interpretations of the Great American Songbook.

While Fitzgerald appeared in movies and as a guest on popular television shows in the second half of the twentieth century, her musical collaborations with Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spotswere some of her most notable acts outside of her solo career. These partnerships produced some of her best-known songs such as “Dream a Little Dream of Me”, “Cheek to Cheek”, “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall”, and “It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)”.

In 1993, after a career of nearly 60 years, she gave her last public performance. Three years later, she died at the age of 79 after years of declining health. Her accolades included fourteen Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Annette Joanne Funicello (Born in Utica, NY on October 22, 1942 – April 8, 2013) was an American actress and singer. Funicello began her professional career as a child performer at the age of twelve. She rose to prominence as one of the most popular Mouseketeers on the original Mickey Mouse Club. As a teenager, she transitioned to a successful career as a singer with the pop singles “O Dio Mio”, “First Name Initial”, “Tall Paul” and “Pineapple Princess”, as well as establishing herself as a film actress, popularizing the successful “Beach Party” genre alongside co-star Frankie Avalon during the mid-1960s.

Barbara George (16 August 1942 – 10 August 2006) was an American R&B singer and songwriter. Born Barbara Ann Smith at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, she was raised in the 9th ward New Orleans, Louisiana and began singing in a church choir. She was discovered by singer Jessie Hill, who recommended her to record producer Harold Battiste. Her first record on Battiste’s AFO (All For One) record label, the certified gold single “I Know (You Don’t Love Me No More)”, which her mother Eula Mae Jackson wrote, was issued in late 1961 and topped the R&B chart and made number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was later recorded by many other artistes, including Freddie King, Paul Revere & the Raiders (1966), the Merseybeats, Ike and Tina Turner, and Bonnie Raitt (1972).

Two subsequent releases, “You Talk About Love” (on AFO) and “Send For Me (If You Need Some Lovin’)” (on Sue Records), reached the Billboard Hot 100 later in 1962 but failed to match the national success of her first hit.

Later recordings such as the 1979 Senator Jones produced “Take Me Somewhere Tonight”, met with more limited success, and George largely retired from the music industry by the early 1980s, with subsequent singles never achieving the success of “I Know”. She sang on the Willy DeVille album, Victory Mixture.

Barbara gave birth to three sons, Tevin, Albert, and Gregory. Tevin trained as a professional boxer and is listed as the United States 1986 winner of the Golden Gloves award subsequently going on to perform in the Olympic Trials.

George died in August 2006 in Chauvin, Louisiana, where she had spent the last ten years of her life, six days before her 64th birthday.

Bobbie Lee Gentry (born in Woodland, MS as Roberta Lee Streeter; July 27, 1942) is a retired American singer-songwriter who was one of the first female artists to compose and produce her own material.

Gentry rose to international fame in 1967 with her Southern Gothic narrative “Ode to Billie Joe”. The track spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was third in the Billboard year-end chart of 1967, earning Gentry Grammy awards for Best New Artist and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1968.

Gentry charted 11 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 and four singles on the United Kingdom Top 40. Her album Fancy brought her a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance. After her first albums, she had a successful run of variety shows on the Las Vegas Strip. In the late 1970s Gentry lost interest in performing, and subsequently retired from the music industry. News reports conflict on the subject of where she currently lives.

Georgia Gibbs (born in Worcester, MA, as Frieda Lipschitz, August 17, 1918 – December 9, 2006) was an American popular singer and vocal entertainer rooted in jazz. Already singing publicly in her early teens, Gibbs first achieved acclaim (and notoriety) in the mid-1950s interpreting songs originating with the black rhythm and blues community and later as a featured vocalist on a long list of radio and television variety and comedy programs. Her key attribute was tremendous versatility and an uncommon stylistic range from melancholy ballad to uptempo swinging jazz and rock and roll.

Through 1949 and 1950 she appeared on TV shows Cavalcade of Stars and All Star Revue. In 1951 she signed with Mercury Records where she ultimately had success “sticking with plain Georgia Gibbs”. Possessed of a versatile voice, she cut a long list of well-received records in every category from torch songs to rock-and-roll, jazz, swing, old fashioned ballads and cha-chas. The most successful, 1952’s “Kiss Of Fire”, which she performed on The Milton Berle Show in that spring, reached #1 on the pop music charts. “Kiss of Fire” was adapted from the Argentinian tango El Choclo and the lyrics, arrangement and delivery communicate passion on a Wagnerian scale.

Sultry and throbbing, with a touch of vibrato, Gibbs’s voice is best showcased on romantic ballads and torch songs like “My Melancholy Baby”, “I’ll Be Seeing You”, “Autumn Leaves”, and “You Keep Coming Back Like a Song”. Yet she could also belt out steaming jazz numbers like “Red Hot Mama”, “A-Razz-A-Ma-Tazz”; jive with tunes like “Ol Man Mose”, “Shoo Shoo Baby”; or rock out with “I Want You to Be My Baby”. Her Swingin’ With Her Nibsalbum (1956) demonstrated her natural affinity for improvisation as well.

In 1957, Gibbs signed with RCA Victor going on to chart with over 40 songs before retirement from singing, and was briefly successful doing rock ‘n’ roll songs as well. Her Mercury record “Silent Lips” was a big hit in Sweden (September 1958-March 1959) peaking at number 5 in the best selling charts, and there were even several Swedish cover versions of that song, “Ingenting” by among others Towa Carson, Lill-Babs and Britt Rylander. Also “The Hula Hoop Song” did well in Sweden (February–March 1959) peaking at number 12. She continued to appear on many television shows including The Ed Sullivan Show, and hosted one of her own, Georgia Gibbs and her Million Record Show. She cut her final album Call Me, in 1966 and rarely performed after that.

Gisèle MacKenzie (born in Winnipeg, Canada as Gisèle Marie Louise Marguerite LaFlèche; January 10, 1927 – September 5, 2003) was a Canadian-American singer, actress, and commercial spokesperson, best known for her performances on the US television program Your Hit Parade.

The daughter of a Winnipeg doctor, McKenzie spent her childhood in Manitoba where she studied violin and attended the Sacred Heart School as a child. As a teenager she studied violin and voice at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario. She had at least two Canadian Broadcasting Corporationradio programs, Meet Gisèle, where she played hostess to Jack Benny, Clark Gable, Loretta Young, Fred Astaire, James Stewart, and others, and Gisele and Mr. Cable.

She took on the stage name MacKenzie and moved to Los Angeles, California in 1951 to replace The Andrews Sisters on CBS Radio’s daily program, Club Fifteen, starring Bob Crosby, where she alternated as regular vocalist with Jo Stafford. She became a naturalized US citizen in 1955.

MacKenzie recorded albums and singles on various record labels, most notably Capitol and RCA, Everest, Mercury, Liberty Sunset, Cricket Playhour (Pickwick). In 1953 she reached No. 6 in the UK Singles Chart, with her rendition of “Seven Lonely Days”.

Her biggest selling song was “Hard To Get” in 1955. She was also an accomplished classical violinist, who studied at The Royal Conservatory of Music and performed many comedic musical duets with mentor Jack Benny. In an often-played clip, she and Benny perform a violin duet of “Getting to Know You”, in which she breaks their synchronization several times to add some extra musical flourishes, to his mock irritation. Finally, he breaks in with a lengthy (and stereotypically mediocre) flourish of his own, and evokes audience laughter with mock indignation: “Fool around with Me, sister!”

Lesley Sue Goldstein (Born in NYC on May 2, 1946 – February 16, 2015), known professionally as Lesley Gore, was an American singer, songwriter, actress, and activist. At the age of 16 (in 1963), she recorded the pop hit “It’s My Party” (a US number one), and followed it up with other hits, including the hit “You Don’t Own Me”, and seven further Billboard top 40 hits.

Eydie Gormé (born in The Bronx, NY as Edith Gormezano; August 16, 1928 – August 10, 2013) was an American singer who had hits on the pop and Latin pop charts. She sang solo and with her husband, Steve Lawrence, on albums, television, Broadway, and in Las Vegas.

Myrtle Audrey Arinsberg (Born in Philadelphia, PA on September 20, 1924 – March 10, 2016), known professionally as Gogi Grant, was an American pop singer. She is best known for her No. 1 hit in 1956, “The Wayward Wind”.

At the age of 12, she moved to Los Angeles, where she attended Venice High School. In California, she won a teenage singing contest and appeared on television talent shows.

She worked as a car saleswoman in the early 1950s. In 1952 she began to record, using first the name “Audrey Brown” and later “Audrey Grant”. She was given the name “Gogi” by Dave Kapp, the head of Artists and Repertory at RCA Victor, who liked to patronize a restaurant called Gogi’s LaRue. (Another source says that Grant asked Kapp, “What is a Gogi?” She continued, “His answer was, ‘Darned if I know, I dreamed it last night.'”)

In 1955 Grant signed with a small record company, Era Records, and had her first top ten hit with “Suddenly There’s a Valley”. The next year, she had an even bigger hit, reaching number 1 on the Billboard Top 100 chart with “The Wayward Wind” and holding there for six weeks. The song sold over one million copies in the United States alone, and peaked at No. 9 in the UK Singles Chart. She was voted the most popular female vocalist by Billboardmagazine. This single returned to the Hot BillboardHot 100 in 1961.

Bonnie Buckingham (Born in Seattle, WA on March 25, 1923 – January 13, 2019), better known as Bonnie Guitar, was an American singer, musician, producer, and businesswoman. She was best known for her 1957 country-pop crossover hit “Dark Moon”. She became one of the first female country music singers to have hit songs cross over from the country charts to the pop charts.

Brenda Holloway (born in Los Angeles on June 21, 1946) is an American singer and songwriter, who was a recording artist for Motown Records during the 1960s. Her best-known recordings are the soul hits, “Every Little Bit Hurts”, “When I’m Gone”, and “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy.” The latter, which she co-wrote, was later widely popularized when it became a Top Ten hit for Blood, Sweat & Tears. She left Motown after four years, at the age of 22, and largely retired from the music industry until the 1990s, after her recordings had become popular on the British “Northern soul” scene.

Jan Howard (Lula Grace Johnson; born in West Plains, MO on March 13, 1929 – March 28, 2020) was an American author, country music singer and songwriter. As a singer, she placed 30 singles on the Billboard country songs chart, was a Grand Ole Opry member and was nominated for several major awards. As a writer, she wrote poems and published an autobiography. Additionally, she was married to American country songwriter Harlan Howard.

Wanda Lavonne Jackson (born in Maud, Oklahoma on October 20, 1937) is a retired American singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist who had success in the mid-1950s and 1960s as one of the first popular female rockabilly singers, and a pioneering rock-and-roll artist. She is known to many as the “Queen of Rockabilly” or the “First Lady of Rockabilly”.

Jamesetta Hawkins (Born in Los Angeles on January 25, 1938 – January 20, 2012), known professionally as Etta James, was an American singer who performed in various genres, including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazzand gospel. Starting her career in 1954, she gained fame with hits such as “The Wallflower”, “At Last”, “Tell Mama”, “Something’s Got a Hold on Me”, and “I’d Rather Go Blind”. She faced a number of personal problems, including heroin addiction, severe physical abuse, and incarceration, before making a musical comeback in the late 1980s with the album Seven Year Itch.

Joni James (born in Chicago as Giovanna Carmella Babbo on September 22, 1930) is an American singer of traditional pop music. Babbo was born to an Italian-American family, one of six children supported by her widowed mother. As an adolescent, she studied drama and ballet, and on graduating from Bowen High School, located in the South Chicago neighborhood, went with a local dance group on a tour of Canada. She then took a job as a chorus girl in the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago.

After doing a fill-in in Indiana, she decided to pursue a singing career. Some executives at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) spotted her in a television commercial, and she was signed by MGM in 1952. Her first hit, “Why Don’t You Believe Me?” sold over two million copies. She had a number of hits following that one, including “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (a cover of Hank Williams’ hit) and “Have You Heard?”. She was the first American to record at London’s Abbey Road Studios, and recorded five albums there. She was also very popular across parts of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in the Philippines where she performed at Manila’s now defunct EM Club in 1957. She also scored a big hit in Manila with Filipino composer Salvador Asuncion’s work titled “In Despair”.

James had seven Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Why Don’t You Believe Me?” (#1 in 1952) “Have You Heard?” (#4 in 1953) “Your Cheatin’ Heart” (#2 in 1953) “Almost Always” (#9 in 1953) “My Love, My Love” (#8 in 1953) “How Important Can It Be?” (#2 in 1955) and “You Are My Love” (#6 in 1955) as well as sixteen other Top 40 hits from 1952 to 1961. She has sold more than 100 million records and recorded more than 25 albums.

Damita Jo DeBlanc (Born in Austin, TX on August 5, 1930 – December 25, 1998), known professionally as Damita Jo, was an American actress, comedian, and lounge music performer.

She was the featured vocalist on albums by Steve Gibson and the Red Caps during the 1950s. She later married Gibson, but they parted ways professionally and personally in 1959. The couple had a daughter, Stephanie Latrelle Gibson born April 12, 1955. She carried on the families musical tradition as a singer and pianist where her lessons began at the age of 4. Later marrying Nathan Fred Shelton of West Virginia, and having twin boys, Bruce Thomas Shelton and Brian Stephen Shelton in Montclair, New Jersey.

Credited as Damita Jo, DeBlanc had some chart success in the early 1960s with two answer songs: 1960’s “I’ll Save the Last Dance for You” (an answer to “Save the Last Dance for Me”) and 1961’s “I’ll Be There” (an answer to “Stand by Me”). Both songs were originally sung by Ben E. King (the former with the Drifters) and made the R&B top 20, and “I’ll Be There” also reached number 12 on the pop chart. In 1962 she recorded “Dance with a Dolly (With a Hole in her Stocking)”, previously made famous by the Andrews Sisters and Bill Haley, for Mercury Records. In 1966 she had a minor hit with a cover of the Jacques Brel song “If You Go Away.” She was successful in Sweden, where “I’ll Save the Last Dance for You” peaked at number 2 (March 1961), “Do What You Want” at number 5 (July 1961) and “Dance with a Dolly (With a Hole in her Stocking” at number 3 (January 1962).

Betty Johnson (born on March 16, 1929; Guilford County, NC) is an American traditional pop and cabaret singer who reached her career peak in the 1950s.

Her professional debut was in a family group, the Johnson Family Singers, including her parents and three brothers, singing a repertoire primarily of religious material. The family won a singing contest in Charlotte, North Carolina, and was signed to a contract on a WBT (AM), a major radio station in that city. The family sang on broadcasts from 1938 to 1951, and Betty did some solo work on the station as well beginning in 1943. By 1948, she had her own 15-minute radio program.

From 1949 to 1954 she was married to Dick Redding, having one son from that marriage, Harold Richard Redding (born 1952), known as “Dicky.”

In 1951, Percy Faith, who had known her from her Columbia recordings, tried to convince Mitch Miller (A&R director at Columbia) to sign her, but Miller, who included Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney among the artists he had signed, was not interested.

Johnson released a children’s album with country singer Eddy Arnold produced by Simon & Schuster, who subsequently signed her to their own recording label, Bell Records in 1954. In the same year she signed with Csida-Grean, a management company which had handled Arnold’s career. Charles Grean of that company produced many of her subsequent recordings. In 1955, she signed with RCA Victor, which sent her to Chicago, Illinois. She married Grean in 1957, and though the marriage would only last until 1961, the professional relationship continued.

In Chicago, Johnson worked with Arnold again on his syndicated television series, Eddy Arnold Time, backed by a group who had worked with her family on the Grand Ole Opry, The Jordanaires. That group later became well known as a backing group for Elvis Presley. While in Chicago, she also did some work on Don McNeill’s Breakfast Club beginning in 1955, which led to a contract with a small record company, Bally Records. After one not-so-notable recording for Bally, she clicked with her biggest hit, “I Dreamed”, in 1956. She continued to appear on The Breakfast Club until 1957.

She then was hired by Jack Paar for his television show, Tonight. This led to a record contract with Atlantic Records in 1957, for which she had her next big hit, “Little Blue Man”, A novelty number which featured Fred Ebb as the voice of the “Little Blue Man”, repeatingly saying: “I Rov You… to Bits”. ‘Johnson continued on Tonight until 1962 when Paar was replaced by Johnny Carson, while also making appearances on a number of other television shows.

In 1964 she married Arthur Gray, an investment banker in New York City. She had two daughters, Elisabeth (born 1966) and Lydia (born 1968), from this marriage. From then until 1993 she mostly stayed out of show business, going to college (attending some classes at Dartmouth College beginning in 1977, but ultimately getting her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of New Hampshire in 1981).

Kitty Kallen (born in Philedelphia, PA as Katie Kallen on May 25, 1921 – January 7, 2016) was an American popular singer whose career spanned from the 1930s to the 1960s, to include the Swing era of the Big Band years, the post-WWII pop scene and the early years of rock ‘n roll. Kallen performed with popular big band leaders of the 1940s, including Jimmy Dorsey and Harry James, before establishing a solo career.

She is widely known for her 1954 solo recording ‘”Little Things Mean a Lot,” (https://youtu.be/2C7SzKv2uLU) (RQ 9) a song that stayed at the U.S. number one spot for nine consecutive weeks, charted in the U.S. for almost seven months, hit #1 on the UK singles chart, and sold more than two million copies. Voted “most popular female singer” in 1954 in both Billboard and Variety polls, Kallen lost her voice at the London Palladium in 1955 at the top of her career and stopped singing before an audience for four years. After testing her voice under a pseudonym in small town venues, she ultimately returned and went on to achieve 13 top-ten career hits.

Carole King (born in Manhattan, NY as Carol Joan Klein on February 9, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter who has been active since 1958, initially as one of the staff songwriters at the Brill Building and later as a solo artist. She is the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century in the US, having written or co-written 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. King also wrote 61 hits that charted in the UK, making her the most successful female songwriter on the UK singles charts between 1962 and 2005.

Eartha Kitt (born in St. Matthews, SC as Eartha Mae Keith on January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American singer, actress, dancer, voice actress, comedienne, activist, author, and songwriter known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings of “C’est si bon” (https://youtu.be/nVvHQfMrfq4 (RQ 9) and the Christmas novelty song”Santa Baby”, both of which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. Orson Welles once called her the “most exciting woman in the world”.

Brenda Mae Tarpley (born in Atlanta, GA on December 11, 1944), known professionally as Brenda Lee, is an American singer. Performing rockabilly, pop and country music, she had 47 US chart hits during the 1960s and is ranked fourth in that decade, surpassed only by Elvis Presley, the Beatles and Ray Charles. She is known for her 1960 hit “I’m Sorry”, and 1958’s “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”, which has become a Christmas standard.

Norma Deloris Egstrom (Born in Jamestown, ND on May 26, 1920 – January 21, 2002), known professionally as Peggy Lee, was an American jazz and popular music singer, songwriter, composer, and actress, over a career spanning seven decades. From her beginning as a vocalist on local radio to singing with Benny Goodman’s big band, Lee created a sophisticated persona, writing music for films, acting, and recording conceptual record albums combining poetry and music.

Ketty Lester (born in Hope, AR as Revoyda Frierson; August 16, 1934) is an American singer and actress known for her 1962 hit single “Love Letters”, which reached the top 5 of the charts in the U.S. and the UK. She is also known for her role as Hester-Sue Terhune on the American television series Little House on the Prairie.

Barbara Ann Lewis (born in Salem, MI on February 9, 1943) is an American singer and songwriter whose smooth style influenced rhythm and blues. She was writing and recording by her teens with record producer Ollie McLaughlin, a black DJ at Ann Arbor radio station WHRV, now WAAM. Lewis’ first single release in 1962, the uptempo “My Heart Went Do Dat Da,” did not chart nationally, but was a local hit in the Detroit, Michigan area. She wrote all of the songs on her debut LP, including the hit “Hello Stranger” which reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and featured extensive use of the Hammond organ. Lewis had moderate follow-up hits with “Straighten Up Your Heart” (#43) and her original “Puppy Love” (#38) before Bert Bernsproduced her million-seller “Baby I’m Yours” (U.S. #11) (https://youtu.be/h_qrBYtIGb4)!(RQ 8) written by Van McCoy. Berns also produced the followup “Make Me Your Baby” (U.S. #11) which had originally been recorded by the Pixies Three, and Lewis’ final Top 40 hit “Make Me Belong to You” (#28 in 1966), written by Chip Taylor and Billy Vera.

Kathy Linden (born 1938) is an American pop singer from Moorestown Township, New Jersey. She grew up in Burlington, New Jersey. Linden scored two big hits on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 late in the 1950s. The first was “Billy”, a song originally written in 1911; it hit number seven in 1958. The second was “Goodbye Jimmy, Goodbye”, a song written by a radio program director named Jack Vaughn; it rose to number eleven in 1959. Both singles were released on Felsted Records and featured Joe Leahy’s backing orchestra. Linden was known for having a breathy, childlike voice, even as a married woman in her 20s.

Linden’s talents appeared early. Her first public appearance was as a tap and ballet dancer when she was five years old. Since then, she acted in school plays and musicals, appeared in public pageants, played piano and violin in several local symphony orchestras, and with an all-girl string quintet called the Singing Strings. She attended the University of New Hampshire Summer Youth Music School in 1954, was a soprano soloist with the All State Chorus in 1955, and studied at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music. At 19, she was discovered by record producer and trumpeter Joe Leahy when she auditioned for him. He was so intrigued with her sound that he recorded her and her first release was “It’s Just My Luck to Be Fifteen.” He transferred her recording contract to Felsted Records, a subsidiary of London Recordswhich had just set up shop that year. She debuted on Felsted with “Billy”.”Goodbye Jimmy, Goodbye” became an international hit, not least in Sweden, where Linden’s version peaked at no 3, where it stayed for many weeks in September and October 1959.

After more recordings for Felsted and subsequently Monument and Capitol, some of which became regional hits, Linden retired from show business in 1963 to devote more time to her family and other personal interests.

In 2015, Linden gave her first and only radio interview since her retirement. She told former Casey Kasem interviewer Ronnie Allen that her life had changed enormously around 1980 when she became a Christian and started writing inspirational songs and singing and leading worship at many churches. In 1985, she was interviewed and sang on the Joy Program on TV. In 1992, she made a pilgrimage to Israel and led worship on the boat on the Sea of Galilee. She also led worship in both maximum and minimum security prisons of Southern California for three years.

Eva Narcissus Boyd (Born in Belhaven, NC, on June 29, 1943 – April 10, 2003), known by the stage name of Little Eva, was an American pop singer. Although some sources claim that her stage name was inspired by a character from the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin, she stated in an interview that she was named after her aunt, which prompted her family to call her “Little Eva”. She had twelve siblings. At the age of fifteen she moved to the Brighton Beach section of Brooklyn, New York. As a teenager, she worked as a maid and earned extra money as a babysitter for songwriters Carole King and Gerry Goffin.

It is often claimed that Goffin and King were amused by Boyd’s particular dancing style, so they wrote “The Loco-Motion” for her and had her record it as a demo (the record was intended for Dee Dee Sharp). However, as King said in an interview with NPR and in her “One to One” concert video, they knew she could sing when they met her, and it would be just a matter of time before they would have her record songs they wrote, the most successful being “The Loco-Motion”. Music producer Don Kirshner of Dimension Records was impressed by the song and Boyd’s voice and had it released. The song reached No. 1 in the United States in 1962. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc. After the success of “The Loco-Motion”, Boyd was stereotyped as a dance-craze singer and was given limited material.

Lulu Kennedy-Cairns (born in Sterlingshire, Scotland as Marie McDonald McLaughlin Lawrie; 3 November 1948), known professionally as Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, television personality and businesswoman. Noted for her powerful singing voice, Lulu is internationally known, but especially by UK audiences in the 1960s. Later in her career she had hits internationally with “To Sir with Love” from the 1967 film of the same name and with the title song to the 1974 James Bond film The Man with the Golden Gun. In European countries, she is also widely known for her Eurovision Song Contest 1969 winning entry “Boom Bang-a-Bang”, and in the UK for her 1964 hit “Shout”, which was performed at the closing ceremony of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Barbara Lynn (born in Beaumont, TX as Barbara Lynn Ozen, later Barbara Lynn Cumby, January 16, 1942) is an American rhythm and blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. She is best known for her R&B chart-topping hit, “You’ll Lose a Good Thing” (1962). In 2018, Lynn received a National Heritage Fellowship.

Loretta Lynn (Born in Butcher Hollow, KY as Loretta Lynn Webb on April 14, 1932) is an American singer songwriter. In a career which spans six decades in country music, Lynn has released multiple gold albums. She is famous for hits such as “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man)”, “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)”, “One’s on the Way”, “Fist City” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter” along with the 1980 biographical film of the same name.

Vera Lynn (Born in Essex, England as Dame Vera Margaret Lynn Welch on 20 March 1917 – 18 June 2020) Lynn was an English singer, songwriter and entertainer whose musical recordings and performances were very popular during the Second World War. She was widely referred to as the “Forces’ Sweetheart” and gave outdoor concerts for the troops in Egypt, India and Burma during the war as part of Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA). The songs most associated with her are “We’ll Meet Again”, “(There’ll Be Bluebirds Over) The White Cliffs of Dover”, “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” and “There’ll Always Be an England”.

Gloria Lynne (born in Harlem, NY as Gloria Wilson; November 23, 1929 – October 15, 2013), also known as Gloria Alleyne, was an American jazz vocalist with a recording career spanning from 1958 to 2007. Lynne sang with the local African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Choir. At the age of 15, she won first prize at the Amateur Night contest at the Apollo Theater. She shared the stage with contemporary night club vocal ensembles as well as with Ella Fitzgerald, she recorded as part of such groups as the Enchanters and the Dell-Tones, in the 1950s. She recorded as a soloist under her birth name, though most of her work was released under her stage name on the Everest and Fontana labels. In 1958, she was signed to Everest.

Although showing much promise early on, especially after TV appearances, including the Harry Belafonte Spectacular, her development suffered through poor management. Some unscrupulous recording ‘executives’ profited while she was left virtually penniless – a victim of unpaid royalties – and only saved by the fact that she was able to work steadily and earn her money from live performances.

During her earlier years on the road, Lynne shared bills with RnB, jazz, traditional pop music, and pop singers including Ray Charles, Billy Eckstine, Johnny Mathis and Ella Fitzgerald. TV specials include two with Harry Belafonte. Her final recording was “I Wish It Would Snow” featuring Bucky Pizzarelli.

Betty Madigan (born in Washington, DC in 1928) Her first hit record was “Double Crossing Blues”, with the Johnny Otis Quintette and the Robins (a vocal group), released in 1950 by Savoy Records, which reached number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. She made several hit records for Savoy with the Johnny Otis Orchestra, including “Mistrusting Blues” (a duet with Mel Walker) and “Cupid’s Boogie”, both of which also went to number 1 that year. Four more of her records made the Top 10 in the same year: “Misery” (number 9), “Deceivin’ Blues” (number 4), “Wedding Boogie” (number 6), and “Far Away Blues (Xmas Blues)” (number 6). Few female artists performing in any genre had such success in their debut year.

Phillips left Otis and the Savoy label at the end of 1950 and signed with Federal Records. But just as quickly as the hits had started, they stopped. She recorded more than thirty sides for Federal, but only one, “Ring-a-Ding-Doo”, made the charts, reaching number 8 in 1952. Not working with Otis was part of her problem; the other part was her deepening dependence on heroin, to which she was addicted by the middle of the decade.

In 1954, she returned to Houston to live with her father and recuperate. Short on money, she worked in small nightclubs around the South, punctuated by periodic hospital stays in Lexington, Kentucky, to treat her addiction. In 1962, Kenny Rogers discovered her singing at a Houston club and helped her get a contract with Lenox Records, owned by his brother Lelan.

Phillips eventually recovered enough to launch a comeback in 1962. Now billed as Esther Phillips instead of Little Esther, she recorded a country tune, “Release Me”, with the producer Bob Gans. This went to number 1 on the R&B chart and number 8 on the pop chart. After several other minor R&B hits for Lenox, she was signed by Atlantic Records. Her cover of the Beatles’ song “And I Love Him” nearly made the R&B Top 20 in 1965. The Beatles flew her to the UK for her first overseas performances.

She had other hits in the 1960s for Atlantic, such as the critically acclaimed Jimmy Radcliffe song “Try Me”, which featured a saxophone part by King Curtis (and is often mistakenly credited as the James Brown song of the same title), but she had no more chart-toppers.

“Little” Peggy March (born Margaret Annemarie Battavio, March 8, 1948, in Lansdale, Pennsylvania) is an American pop singer. In the United States, she is primarily known for her 1963 million-selling song “I Will Follow Him”. Although she is sometimes remembered as a one-hit wonder (despite many strong and promising singles), she continued to have success in Europe well into the 1970s.

Barbara Mason (born August 9, 1947, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American soul singer with several R&B and pop hits in the 1960s and 1970s, best known for her self-written 1965 hit song “Yes, I’m Ready”. Mason initially focused on songwriting when she entered the music industry in her teens. As a performer, though, she had a major hit single with her third release in 1965, “Yes, I’m Ready” (#5 pop, #2 R&B). She had modest success throughout the rest of the decade on the small Arctic label, run by her manager, top Philadelphia disc-jockey, Jimmy Bishop. She reached the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 again in 1965 with “Sad, Sad Girl”, and “Oh How It Hurts” in 1967. A two-year stay with National General Records, run by a film production company, produced one album and four singles which failed to find success.

The McGuire Sisters were a singing trio (from Middletown, OH) in American popular music. Among their most popular songs are “Sincerely” and “Sugartime,” (https://youtu.be/bRvEHn6fKWE) (RQ 8), both number-one hits.

 The group was composed of three sisters:

• Ruby Christine McGuire (July 30, 1926 – December 28, 2018)
• Dorothy “Dottie” McGuire (February 13, 1928 – September 7, 2012)
• Phyllis Jean McGuire (February 14, 1931 – December 29, 2020)

The McGuire Sisters signed with Coral Records in 1952. In the same year, they appeared on Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts, and Godfrey hired them for his other shows, where they remained for seven years. The November 1953 issue of Cosmopolitan called them “Godfrey’s Merry McGuires”. The sisters often were compared to the Andrews Sisters. Maxene Andrews said in an interview with Joe Franklin on WOR (AM) radio in 1979, “The McGuire Sisters were fine once they stopped imitating the Andrews Sisters.” While working on the Godfrey show, the McGuires befriended the singer Lu Ann Simms and attended her wedding to the music publisher Loring Buzzell in July 1956. Buzzell’s publishing Her first hit record was “Double Crossing Blues”, with the Johnny Otis Quintette and the Robins (a vocal group), released in 1950 by Savoy Records, which reached number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. She made several hit records for Savoy with the Johnny Otis Orchestra, including “Mistrusting Blues” (a duet with Mel Walker) and “Cupid’s Boogie”, both of which also went to number 1 that year. Four more of her records made the Top 10 in the same year: “Misery” (number 9), “Deceivin’ Blues” (number 4), “Wedding Boogie” (number 6), and “Far Away Blues (Xmas Blues)” (number 6). Few female artists performing in any genre had such success in their debut year.

Phillips left Otis and the Savoy label at the end of 1950 and signed with Federal Records. But just as quickly as the hits had started, they stopped. She recorded more than thirty sides for Federal, but only one, “Ring-a-Ding-Doo”, made the charts, reaching number 8 in 1952. Not working with Otis was part of her problem; the other part was her deepening dependence on heroin, to which she was addicted by the middle of the decade.

In 1954, she returned to Houston to live with her father and recuperate. Short on money, she worked in small nightclubs around the South, punctuated by periodic hospital stays in Lexington, Kentucky, to treat her addiction. In 1962, Kenny Rogersdiscovered her singing at a Houston club and helped her get a contract with Lenox Records, owned by his brother Lelan.

Phillips eventually recovered enough to launch a comeback in 1962. Now billed as Esther Phillips instead of Little Esther, she recorded a country tune, “Release Me”, with the producer Bob Gans. This went to number 1 on the R&B chart and number 8 on the pop chart. After several other minor R&B hits for Lenox, she was signed by Atlantic Records. Her cover of the Beatles’ song “And I Love Him” nearly made the R&B Top 20 in 1965. The Beatles flew her to the UK for her first overseas performances.

She had other hits in the 1960s for Atlantic, such as the critically acclaimed Jimmy Radcliffe song “Try Me”, which featured a saxophone part by King Curtis (and is often mistakenly credited as the James Brown song of the same title), but she had no more chart-toppers.

Bette Midler (born in Honolulu, HA on December 1, 1945) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, author, and comedian. In a career spanning over half a century, Midler has won four Golden Globe Awards, three Grammy Awards, three Primetime Emmy Awards, and two Tony Awards. Midler began her professional career in several Off-Off-Broadway plays prior to her engagements in Fiddler on the Roof and Salvation on Broadway in the late 1960s. She came to prominence in 1970 when she began singing in the Continental Baths, a local gay bathhouse where she managed to build up a core following. Since 1970, Midler has released 14 studio albums as a solo artist, selling over 30 million records worldwide, and has received four Gold, three Platinum, and three Multiplatinum albums by RIAA. Many of her songs became chart hits, including her renditions of “The Rose”, “Wind Beneath My Wings”, “Do You Want to Dance”, “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”, and “From a Distance.” She won Grammy Awards for Best New Artist, Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for “The Rose”, and Record of the Year for “Wind Beneath My Wings”.

Jody Miller (born November 29, 1941) is an American country music singer. Born Myrna Joy Miller, in Phoenix, Arizona, she was raised in Blanchard, Oklahoma, the youngest of five sisters. Miller began her career in the early 1960s as a folk/pop singer, singing in the Los Angeles area and appearing on Tom Paxton’s television series. She released her first album on Capitol Records in 1964 and had a modest pop hit that year with “He Walks Like a Man” in the US but a big hit in Australia, reaching No. 8 on the national charts. competition, Miller and Donaggio presented differently arranged versions of the entry “Io Che Non Vivo (Senza Te)”. The song came in at # 7 and was only a moderate hit until Dusty Springfield recorded an English version in 1966 which was eventually released as “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me”. Also in 1965, Jody Miller released an answer record to Roger Miller’s (no relation) blockbuster hit “King of the Road”, titled “Queen of the House” (which became her signature hit, peaking at number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100and at number 5 on the country singles chart). Miller won the Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance for the song in 1966.

Miller scored a second top 40 pop hit that year with “Home of the Brave”, a No. 25 Hot 100 hit that was historically significant for tackling the issue of noncomformity and tolerance. The theme prevented it from making headway in the more socially conservative country charts of 1965. By the mid-1960s, Miller became a pioneer crossover female vocalist, opening the doors for Linda Ronstadt, Anne Murray, and Olivia Newton-John, and others as a pop singer recording a strong country influence and finding success in both genres. Miller’s pop success petered out by the late 1960s. Tammy Wynette’s record producer, Billy Sherrill, was a fan of Miller. He signed her to Epic Records in 1970 to record specifically for the country market. She had two country hits right off the bat in 1970 with “Look At Mine” nearly making the Top 20 and a Top 20 hit with “If You Think I Love You Now (I Just Started)” in early 1971. She recorded a remake of the Chiffons 1963 hit “He’s So Fine”, which hit the top 5 on the country chart and No. 53 on the pop chart that summer, garnering another Grammy award nomination.

Several major country hits followed, many of them remakes of pop/rock classics such as “Baby I’m Yours,” “Be My Baby,” and “To Know Him is to Love Him”. Among the new country songs she had hits with were the top tens “There’s a Party Goin’ On,” “Good News,” and “Darling, You Can Always Come Back Home.” She also continued to have hits with cover versions of pop hits like “House of the Rising Sun”, a hit for The Animals, “Reflections” (different from the Diana Ross and the Supremes hit), and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, an Aretha Franklin hit. Miller’s last top 30 country hit was 1977’s “When the New Wears Off Our Love” and two years later she made her final chart appearance.

Doris Troy (born Doris Elaine Higginsen; January 6, 1937 – February 16, 2004) was an American R&B singer and songwriter, known to her many fans as “Mama Soul”. Her biggest hit was “Just One Look”(https://youtu.be/GI3OYR_XM0w) (RQ 10) a top 10 hit in 1963. She was also one of the four female back up singers on “The Dark Side of the Moon” (https://youtu.be/DLOth-BuCNY) (RQ 9) by Pink Floyd.

Male Artists (26):

Belafonte, Harry; Berry, Chuck; Berry, Len; Chandler, Gene; Clark, Dee; Croce, Jim; Dawkins, Dale; Desmond, Paul; Donovan (Phillips Leitch); Felicano, Jose; Freeman, Bobby; Gray, Dobie; Hawkins, Dale; Ives, Burl; Jackson, Chuck; Lawrence, Steve; Mason, Dave; Parker, Robert; Perkins, Carl; Peter (Asher) & Gordon (Waller); Richard, Little; Sedaka, Neil; Vee, Bobby; Vinton, Bobby; Whitman, Slim and Brian Wilson.

Here are the male artist mini-biographies and links to their music:

Harry Belafonte (born Harold George Bellanfanti Jr.; March 1, 1927) is an American singer, songwriter, activist, and actor. One of the most successful Jamaican American pop stars in history, he was dubbed the “King of Calypso” for popularizing the Trinidadian Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s. His breakthrough album Calypso (1956) was the first million-selling LP by a single artist. Belafonte is known for his recording of “The Banana Boat Song” (https://youtu.be/YO7M0Hx_1D8) (RQ 9), with its signature lyric “Day-O”. He has recorded and performed in many genres, including blues, folk, gospel, show tunes, and American standards. He has also starred in several films, including Carmen Jones (1954), Island in the Sun (1957), and Odds Against Tomorrow (1959).

Steve Lawrence (born Sidney Liebowitz; July 8, 1935) is an American singer and actor, best known as a member of a duo with his wife Eydie Gormé, billed as “Steve and Eydie.” One of their best duets was “Baby Its Cold Outside”(https://youtu.be/g4kb0hlGA9k) (RQ 10). The two first appeared together as regulars on Tonight Starring Steve Allen in 1954 and continued performing as a duo until Gormé’s retirement in 2009. Gormé died August 10, 2013. Lawrence had success on the record charts in the late 1950s and early 1960s with such hits as “Go Away Little Girl” (https://youtu.be/k0OrTZd5KM0) (RQ 10) (U.S. #1), “Pretty Blue Eyes” (U.S. #9), “Footsteps” (U.S. #7), “Portrait of My Love” (U.S. #9), and “Party Doll” (U.S. #5). “Go Away, Little Girl” sold over one million copies and was awarded a Gold record.

Peter and Gordon were a British pop duo, composed of Peter Asher (b. 1944) and Gordon Waller (1945–2009), who achieved international fame in 1964 with their first single, the million-selling single “A World Without Love”. Peter Asher and his sister Jane were child actors in the 1950s. They played siblings in a 1955 episode of the television series The Adventures of Robin Hood. Jane Asher dated The Beatles’ Paul McCartney between 1963 and 1968, and Peter and Gordon recorded several songs written by McCartney but credited to Lennon–McCartney. Those hits included “A World Without Love” (https://youtu.be/Tdx6lLvvRyg (RQ 10), (US & UK #1), “Nobody I Know” (US #12; UK #10), “I Don’t Want To See You Again” (US #16, but not a hit in the UK), and “Woman”.

Robert Thomas Velline (Born in Fargo, ND. April 30, 1943 – October 24, 2016), known professionally as Bobby Vee, was an American singer, songwriter and musician who was a teen idol in the early 1960s and also appeared in films. According to Billboard magazine, he had thirty-eight Hot 100 chart hits, ten of which reached the Top 20. He produced six gold singles: 

• “Devil or Angel” (1960) No6 (17 yrs old). https://youtu.be/XKzurXU0Ewg (RQ 10+)
• “Rubber Ball” (1961) No6. https://youtu.be/z5jrqe8ryJ8. (RQ 10+)
• “Take Good Care of My Baby” (1961) No1. https://youtu.be/awNqLO6auQA. (RQ 10+)
• “Run to Him” (1961) No2. https://youtu.be/RW1w45JOf-g. (RQ 10+)
• “A Night has a Thousand Eyes” (1962) No3. https://youtu.be/ssCLB6Y8zjA. (RQ 10)
• “Come Back When You Grow Up” (1967) (Bobby Vee and The Strangers) No3. https://youtu.be/OJBcNmQUCXw (RQ 10+)

Donovan Phillips Leitch (born 10 May 1946) is a Scottish singer, songwriter and guitarist. He developed an eclectic and distinctive style that blended folk, jazz, pop, psychedelic rock folk and world music (notably calypso). He has lived in Scotland, Hertfordshire (England), London, California, and since at least 2008 in County Cork, Ireland, with his family. Emerging from the British folk scene, Donovan reached fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 with live performances on the pop TV series Ready Steady Go!.

Chuck Berry contributed to the depth of the music in the 50s and 60s by recording a total of 64 albums along with 45 singles. One of his most popular even today is: “Johnny B. Goode” (https://youtu.be/6ROwVrF0Ceg) (RQ 10+). The song was first introduced in March of 1958. Go ahead a play it, then “cut a rug.”

Len Barry (born Leonard Borisoff; June 12, 1942 – November 5, 2020) was an American vocalist, songwriter, and record producer. He was raised in Philadelphia. Barry had little thought of a show business career while still in school. Instead, he aspired to become a professional basketball player upon his graduation. It was not until he entered military service and had occasion to sing with the US Coast Guard band at Cape May, New Jersey, and was so encouraged by the response of his military audiences, that he decided to make music a career.

Upon his discharge from military service, Barry returned home to Philadelphia and formed the Dovells. Barry was the lead singer, appearing on all of the group’s best selling records, such as “Bristol Stomp” (https://youtu.be/qaCCoXze9Rk) (RQ 8), “Hully Gully Baby” (https://youtu.be/LNGUei3oR0Qhttpand) (RQ 5) “You Can’t Sit Down” https://youtu.be/QXWSoku2shE() (RQ 10) among others. “Bristol Stomp” sold over one million copies and was awarded a RIAA gold disc. As a Dovell, he also toured with James Brown. Barry also made film appearances with the Dovells in films such as Don’t Knock the Twist, and toured the UK with the Motown Revue. Barry also had guest appearances on US television on American Bandstand, Shindig, and Hullabaloo. Soon after leaving the group, Barry recorded his first solo single “Lip Sync” (https://youtu.be/6hcaKsL1bdE) (RQ 6).

As someone who sang rhythm and blues, he recorded hits in 1965 and 1966 for Decca Records in the US and released by Brunswick Records: “1-2-3” (https://youtu.be/DcxcbzAYD9Y) (RQ 10) Like a Baby” (https://youtu.be/KHtASr311eE) (RQ 7) and “I Struck It Rich” (https://youtu.be/6jjym0Lo9ag) (RQ 7) a song he wrote with Leon Huff of the Philadelphia International Record producers, Gamble and Huff.

His first two hits also made the Top Ten of the UK Singles Chart. “1-2-3” reached number three. Those songs also peaked at number 2 and 27 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart respectively. “1-2-3” sold over four million copies, and gave Barry his second RIAA gold disc and a Grammy Award nomination for Contemporary Rock & Roll Male Vocal Performance. Both “1-2-3” and “Like a Baby” were composed by Barry, John Madara, and David White.

PHe performed at the Apollo Theatre in New York; the Howard Theatre in Washington, D.C.; The Regal Chicago, in Chicago; Illinois; The Fox Theatre in Detroit, Michigan; and The Uptown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also toured with Sam Cooke, The Motown Revue in the United Kingdom, and appeared on Top of the Pops. // He became a major singing star in The United Kingdom. Highlights of his European tour included featured performances at the London Palladium and Royal Albert Hall Billboard as well as numerous appearances throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

Barry’s respect for the Native American culture led him to write and produce the instrumental “Keem-O-Sabe” (https://youtu.be/Vp7xdlwLvgM) (RQ 5). The song went to number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1969 for “The Electric Indian.”

He also did writing and production work with WMOT Productions. With Bobby Eli he helped write the hit singles “Zoom” for Fat Larry’s Band and “Love Town” for Booker Newberry III.

Gene Chandler achieved early success in his career recording “Duke of Earl” in 1962 (https://youtu.be/h6Uht69h8Is) (RQ 10). The record reached Billboards’s No1 rating and was recognized with a gold record. He followed up this recording with “Groovy Situation” (https://youtu.be/QFOnZAzjeoU) (RQ 10) which also won a gold record as well. Afterward, he was briefly jailed for drug use in 1976. At 45, he was living in the Chicagoland area and still keeping his hand in music where he signed Fastfire to a new label in NYC.

Dee Clark was from Blytheville, Arkansas. He lived from 1938-1990. He was only 52 when he passed. His given first name was Delectus. They moved to Chicago in 1941. His mother Essie was a gospel singer and encouraged his son to pursue his love for music. His first recording was done in 1952 called “Hambone.” His first groups he sang for were: The Hambones and Goldentones/Kool Gents. He began his solo career in 1957 following Little Richards style. He produced three hits over the next four years. The first two: “Hey Little Girl (https://youtu.be/fbYEVDpXepw) (RQ 10+) and Just Keep It Up” (https://youtu.be/Yce0Ug5ElWw) (RQ 9) reached the Top20 on Billboard. But the third one in 1961, “Raindrops” (whttps://youtu.be/WUnwOwz6OvQ) (RQ 10+) as a major power ballad augmented by thunderstorm noise. It sold over a million copies. While he produced several more songs, none were as successful as Raindrops.

James Joseph Croce (January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, Croce released five studio albums and numerous singles. I have included him in the 1960s group as four of his seven active years occurred then. While he worked very hard learning his trade in the late sixties, his hits started coming in 1972. Then, in 1973, he lost his life in a plane crash…

His first two albums were commercially unsuccessful, failing to chart or produce any hit singles. During this period, Croce took a series of odd jobs to pay bills while he continued to write, record, and perform concerts. After forming a partnership with songwriter and guitarist Maury Muehleisen his fortunes turned in the early 1970s. His breakthrough came in 1972; his third album: “You Don’t Mess Around with Jim” (https://youtu.be/iPfM-GROsZ8) (RQ 10) produced three charting singles, including:

“Operator” (https://youtu.be/3RA4MykPm4s) (RQ 10+) and

“Time in a Bottle” (https://youtu.be/dO1rMeYnOmM) (RQ 10+) which reached No. 1 after his death.

The follow-up album, “ Life and Times,” contained the song “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown,” (https://youtu.be/QvwDohEEQ1E) (RQ 10+) which was the only No. 1 hit he had during his lifetime.

On September 20, 1973, the day before the lead single to his fifth album, “I Got a Name” (https://youtu.be/O_BEFyNNIvM) (RQ 10+) was released, Croce, along with five others, was killed in a plane crash, at the height of his popularity. Croce’s music continued to chart throughout the 1970s following his death. His wife, Ingrid Croce, was his early songwriting partner and she continued to write and record after his death, and his son A. J. Croce himself became a singer-songwriter in the 1990s.

Dale Hawkins began recording in 1956. In 1957, Hawkins was playing at Shreveport, LA clubs, and although his music was influenced by the new rock and roll style of Elvis Presley and the guitar sounds of Scotty Moore, Hawkins blended that with the uniquely heavy blues sound of black Louisiana artists for his recording of his swamp-rock classic, “Susie Q” (https://youtu.be/GmrETlIXzLg) (RQ 9). Fellow Louisiana guitarist and future Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Burton provided the signature riff and solo.

The song was chosen as one of The Rock and Roll 500 songs that shaped Rock and Roll. An accompanying album, Oh! Suzy Q was released in 1958. Creedence Clearwater Revival’s version of the song (https://youtu.be/18kqUNG9mO4) on their 1968 debut album helped launch their career and today it is probably the best-known version.

“Take Five” (https://youtu.be/vmDDOFXSgAs) (RQ 10+) is a jazz standard composed by saxophonist Paul Desmond and originally recorded by the Dave Brubeck Quartet for their album Time Out at Columbia Records’ 30th Street Studios in New York City on July 1, 1959. Two years later it became a surprise hit and the biggest selling jazz single ever! Revived since in numerous movie and television soundtracks, the piece still receives significant radio airplay. The single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1996. “Take Five” is written in the key of E Minor, in ternary (ABA) form. Rhythmically, the five beats to the bar are split unevenly into 3 + 2 quarter noted; that is, the main accents (and chord changes) are on the first and fourth beats.

José Monserrate Feliciano García (born September 10, 1945), better known simply as José Feliciano, is a blind, Puerto Rican musician, singer and composer, best known for many international hits, including his rendition of the Doors “Light My Fire” (https://youtu.be/7RtTWDv-yWMfth) (RQ 10) and the best-selling Christmas single, “Feliz Navidad.” His music is known for its fusion of styles: Latin, jazz, blues, soul and even rock, created primarily with his unique, signature acoustic guitar sound. His oftentimes mellow easy listening influences are easily recognizable in many songs heard around the world.

Robert “Bobby” Thomas Freeman (June 13, 1940 – January 23, 2017) was an American rock, soul and R&B singer, songwriter and record producer from San Francisco, best known for his two Top Ten hits, the first in 1958 on Josie Records called “Do You Want to Dance” (https://youtu.be/_-tmZHMnlAo) (RQ 6) and the second in 1964 for Autumn Records, “C’mon and Swim” (https://youtu.be/h6S5v6lLEgs) (RQ 10+).

Dobie Gray (born Lawrence Darrow Brown; July 26, 1940 – December 6, 2011) was an American singer and songwriter, whose musical career spanned soul, country, pop, and musical theatre. His hit songs included “The In Crowd” (https://youtu.be/qF7KU50IY34) (RQ 9) in 1965 and “Drift Away” (https://youtu.be/gr_eVcCAUXo) (RQ 10+) which was one of the biggest hits of 1973, sold over one million copies, and remains a staple of radio airplay.

In the 1960s, Burl Ives began singing country with greater frequency. In 1962, he released three songs that were popular with both country music and popular music fans: “A Little Bitty Tear”, “Call Me Mister In-Between”, and “Funny Way of Laughin’.” Ives had several film and television roles during the 1960s and 1970s. In 1962, he starred with Rock Hudson in The Spiral Road, which was based on a novel of the same name by Jan de Hartog. He also starred in Disney’s Summer Magic with Hayley Mills, Dorothy McGuire and Eddie Hodges and a score by Robert and Richard Sherman. In 1964, he played the genie in the movie The Brass Bottle with Tony Randall and Barbara Eden. Ives’ “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (https://youtu.be/P_dI6fVZwd0) (RQ 10) charted No4 and “Silver and Gold” became Christmas standards after they were first featured in the 1964 NBC-TV presentation of the Rankin/Bass stop-motion animated family special Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Overall he charted 22 single recordings.

Chuck Jackson (born July 22, 1937) is an American R&B singer who was one of the first artists to record material by Burt Bacharach and Hal David successfully. He has performed with moderate success since 1961. His hits include:

“I Don’t Want to Cry” – No36 (https://youtu.be/yK1i7dTgykU) (RQ 7),

“Any Day Now” – No23 (https://youtu.be/3AYI-_makRY) (RQ 10+),

“I Keep Forgettin” – No56 (https://youtu.be/NuK0pm-TubU) (RQ 7) and

“All Over the World” (https://youtu.be/Yn-sd0LcwN8) (RQ 8).

Between 1957 and 1959, he was a member of The Del Vikings, singing lead on the 1957 release “Willete” (https://youtu.be/REK7KpIiS0k) (RQ 6). After leaving them, he was “discovered” by Luther Dixon when he opened for Jackie Wilson at the Apollo Theater. He signed a recording contract with Scepter Records. “I Don’t Want to Cry,” his first single, which he co-wrote (with Luther Dixon) and recorded in November 1960, was his first hit (released in January 1961). The song charted on both the R&B and pop charts.

In 1962, Jackson’s recording of the Burt Bacharach-Bob Hilliard song “Any Day Now” became a huge hit and his signature song. His popularity in the 1960s prompted him to buy the time on his contract from Scepter and move to Motown Records. There he recorded a number of successful singles, including “Honey Come Back” (https://youtu.be/N-S3-w4Lp3M) (RQ 5). He later recorded for All Platinum and other labels, but with minimal success.

David Thomas Mason (born 10 May 1946) is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Worcester, who first found fame with the rock band Traffic. Over the course of his career, Mason has played and recorded with many notable pop and rock musicians, including Paul McCartney, George Harrison, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Michael Jackson, Davis Crosby, Graham Nash, Steve Winwood, Fleetwood Mac, Delaney & Bonnie, Leon Russell and Cass Elliot. One of Mason’s best known songs is: “Feelin Alright” (https://youtu.be/DQcCqckIM_w) (RQ 6), recorded by Traffic in 1968 and later by many other performers, including Joe Cocker, whose version of the song was a hit in 1969. For Traffic, he also wrote “Hole in My Shoe” (https://youtu.be/a77yHpjdUtU) (RQ 7), a psychedelic pop song that became a hit in its own right. “We Just Disagree” (https://youtu.be/p8_FOQ7-P30) (RQ 10), Mason’s 1977 solo US hit, written by Jim Krueger, has become a staple of US classic hits and adult contemporary radio playlists.

Robert Parker passed (of natural causes) in January of 2020 at 89. He was from New Orleans originally. While he recorded other semi-popular songs, in 1966 “Barefootin” (https://youtu.be/2VZakvxRD44) (RQ 10+) reached No1 on the Billboard charts.

Carl Lee Perkins (April 9, 1932 – January 19, 1998) was an American singer-songwriter who recorded most notably at the Sun Studio, in Memphis beginning in 1954. Amongst his best-known songs are “Blue Suede Shoes” (https://youtu.be/DRNyvO4QouY) (RQ 7), “Matchbox” (https://youtu.be/OTA8m_luor4) (RQ 9) and “Everybody is Trying to Be My Baby” (https://youtu.be/d1sY356CRgM) (RQ 9).

According to Charlie Daniels, “Carl Perkins’ songs personified the rockabilly era, and Carl Perkins’ sound personifies the rockabilly sound more so than anybody involved in it, because he never changed.” Perkins’s songs were recorded by artists (and friends) as influential as Elvis, the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash and Eric Clapton which further established his place in the history of popular music. Paul McCartney claimed that “if there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.”

Richard Wayne Penniman (December 5, 1932 – May 9, 2020), known as Little Richard, was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He was an influential figure in popular music and culture for seven decades. Nicknamed. “The Innovator, The Originator, and the Architect of Rock and Roll”, Richard’s most celebrated work dates from the mid-1950s, when his charismatic showmanship and dynamic music, characterized by frenetic piano playing, pounding back beat and raspy shouted vocals, laid the foundation for rock and roll. Richard’s innovative emotive vocalizations and uptempo rhythmic music also played a key role in the formation of other popular music genres, including soul and fink. He influenced numerous singers and musicians across musical genres from rock to hip hop; his music helped shape rhythm and blues for generations. In 1955, “Tutti-Frutti” (https://youtu.be/Cj059o9OwqY) (RQ 9), one of Richard’s signature songs, became an instant hit, crossing over to the pop charts in both the United States and overseas in the United Kingdom. His next hit single, “Long Tall Sally” (1956) (https://youtu.be/2OfhmVmhL7s) (RQ 9), hit No. 1 on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues Best-Sellers chart, followed by a rapid succession of fifteen more in less than three years.

Neil Sedaka (born March 13, 1939) is an American pop singer, pianist, composer and record producer. Since his music career began in 1957 as a short-lived founding member of the Tokens, he has sold millions of records as a performer and has written or co-written over 500 songs for himself and others, collaborating mostly with lyricists Howard Greenfield and Phil Cody.

Sedaka was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Mac Sedaka, was a taxi driver and a whose parents came to the United States from Istanbul in 1910. Sedaka’s mother, Eleanor, was of Polish and Russian descent. Neil grew up in Brighton Beach, on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. Sedaka was a first cousin of the singer Eydie Gorme, whose mother was Mac Sedaka’s sister.

He demonstrated musical aptitude in his second-grade choral class, and when his teacher sent a note home suggesting he take piano lessons, his mother took a part-time job in an Abraham & Straus department store for six months to pay for a second-hand upright. In 1947, he auditioned successfully for a piano scholarship to the Julliard School of Music’s Preparatory Division for Children, which he attended on Saturdays. His mother wanted him to become a classical pianist like his contemporary Van Cliburn, and Sedaka continued to show fondness for (and capacity to play) classical music throughout his life. At the same time, to his mother’s dismay, Sedaka was discovering pop music; his mother would eventually acquiesce when Sedaka received a five-figure royalty check for his hit “Calendar Girl” in 1961. When Sedaka was 13, a neighbor heard him playing and introduced him to her 16-year-old son, Howard Greenfield, an aspiring poet and lyricist. They became two of the Brill Building’s composers.

Sedaka and Greenfield wrote songs together throughout much of their young lives. Before rock and roll became popular, Sedaka and Greenfield found inspiration from show tunes. When Sedaka became a major teen pop star, the pair continued writing hits for Sedaka and numerous other artists. When the Beatles and the British Invasion took American music in a different direction, Sedaka was left without a recording career. In the early 1970s, he decided a major change in his life was necessary and moved his family to Britain. Sedaka and Greenfield mutually agreed to end their partnership with “Our Last Song Together”. Sedaka began a new composing partnership with lyricist Phil Cody, from Pleasantville, New York. His (10) all-time number one hits include:

• “Oh Carol” (https://youtu.be/e72tG80LmsU). (RQ 6) Italy, 1960
• “One-Way Ticket to the Blues” (https://youtu.be/HwBo0jnAKSw). (RQ 8). Japan, 1960
• “Calendar Girl” (https://youtu.be/qUlOyj9F5gM). (RQ 10+). Canada & Japan, 1961
• “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” – (https://youtu.be/tbad22CKlB4). (RQ 10). Canada. US Billboard Hot 100, 1962
• “La terza luna” (https://youtu.be/i-_fYtklChU). (RQ 10+). Italy, 1963
• “Star-Crossed Lovers” (https://youtu.be/M98Lg1U9-EQ). (RQ 6). Australia, 1969
• “Laughter in the Rain” – (https://youtu.be/MtIibcNDQ6o) (RQ 10+). US Adult Contemporary, 1974; US Billboard Hot 100, 1975
• “The Immigrant” – (https://youtu.be/qNfY62BbInw) (RQ 8). US Adult Contemporary, 1975
• “Bad Blood” – (https://youtu.be/VijNeup2c_8) (RQ 9). US Billboard Hot 100, 1975–76

Robert Stanley Vinton Jr. (born April 16, 1935), known professionally as Bobby Vinton, is an American singer and songwriter who briefly appeared in films. In pop music circles, as a teen idol he became known as “The Polish Prince”, as his music pays tribute to his Polish heritage. His most popular song was “Blue Velvet”, a cover of Tony Bennett’s 1951 song, which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963 and number two in the UK in 1990. It also served as inspiration for the film of the same name.

After two years’ service in the United States Army, where he served as a chaplain’s assistant, Vinton was signed to Epic Records in 1960 as a bandleader: “A Young Man With a Big Band”. The break for the Epic Records contract had come after Vinton and his band appeared on Guy Lombardo’s TV Talent Scoutsprogram. However, two albums, Bobby Vinton Dancing At The Hop and Bobby Vinton Plays for his Lil Darlin’s as well as several singles were not successful, and with Epic ready to drop him from its roster, Vinton found his first hit single literally sitting in a reject pile. The song was titled “Roses Are Red My Love,” (https://youtu.be/EYjIdBFpr9E) (RQ 10+). (RQ 10+). Vinton had to do his own promotion for the song; he bought one thousand copies and hired a young woman to deliver a copy of the record and a dozen red roses to every local DJ. It spent four weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also a hit on the Country and R&B charts. The success of the song pushed Epic to renew Vinton’s contract and change his status from bandleader to solo singer.

Arguably, his most famous song is 1963’s “Blue Velvet,” (https://youtu.be/9Cr_apcZkpY) (RQ 10+), originally a minor hit for Tony Bennett in 1951, that also went to number one. 23 years later, Davis Lynch named his movie Blue Velvet after the song. In 1990, “Blue Velvet” reached number 2 in the UK singles chart, after being featured in a Nivea commercial. The 1990 reissue also hit number 3 in the Irish Singles. Chart and number 7 in Australia.

In 1964, Vinton had two number 1 hits: “There! I’ve Said It Again” (https://youtu.be/YLAhVU0NOm0) (RQ 10). This song was a number 1 hit in 1945 for Vaughn Monroe. The second hit was: “Mr. Lonely” (https://youtu.be/dCwgYCMq11g) (RQ 10). Vinton’s version of “There! I’ve Said It Again” is noteworthy for being the last U.S. Billboard number-one single of the pre-Beatles era, deposed from the Hot 100’s summit by “I Want To Hold Your recorHand.” Also noteworthy is the fact that Vinton continued to have big hit records during the British Invasion, scoring 16 top-ten hits, while Connie Francis, Ricky Nelson, the Shirelles, and other major artists of the early 1960s struggled to reach even the Top 30, though many of them would remain popular in concerts or continue to have hits for certain periods of time.

Vinton wrote “Mr. Lonely” during his chaplain’s assistant service in the U.S. Army in the late 1950s. The song was recorded during the same 1962 session that produced “Roses Are Red” and launched Vinton’s singing career. It was released as an album track on the 1962 Roses Are Red (and other songs for the young & sentimental) LP. Despite pressure from Vinton to release it as a single, Epic instead had Buddy Grecco release it and it flopped. Two years and millions of records sold later, Bobby prevailed on Epic to include “Mr. Lonely” on his Bobby Vinton’s Greatest Hits LP. Soon DJs picked up on the song and airplay resulted in demand for a single release. “Mr. Lonely” shot up the charts in the late fall of 1964 to reach number 1 on the Hot 100 on 12 December 1964. Epic then released the LP Bobby Vinton Mr. Lonely, giving the song a unique claim to fame since it now appeared on three Bobby Vinton albums released within two years. The song has continued to spin gold for its composer in the 45 years since it hit number 1. Harmony Korine named his 2007 film Mister Lonely after the latter and features the song in the film’s opening, and it was also the basis for Akon’s 2005 hit, “Lonely.”

Ottis Dewey Whitman Jr. (January 20, 1923 – June 19, 2013), professionally known by the stage name “Slim” Whitman, was an American country music, western music and folk music artist singer-songwriter and instrumentalist known folir his yodeling abilities and his smooth, high, three-octave-range falsetto in a style christened as “countrypolitan”. He personally stated that he had sold in excess of 120 million records, although the recorded sales figures give 70 million, during a career that spanned over seven decades, and consisted of a prolific output of over 100 albums and around 500 recorded songs, that not only consisted of country music, but also of contemporary gospel, Broadway show tunes, love songs and standards.

In the 1990s and 2000s a new generation was exposed to Whitman through his songs featured in the film Mars Attacks!; his famed “Indian Love Call” (https://youtu.be/HBuk1HXcz1kd) (RQ 9). And, then he would kill the invading Martians every time the record was played and his rendition usfamoof “I Remember You” was heard in Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses.

Bands or Groups (35):

Danny & The Juniors; Day, Bobby & His Satillites; Fred, John & His Playboy Band; Gilmore, Jimmy & The Fireballs; Jay & The Techniques; Little Anthony & The Imperials; Mickey & Sylvia; Santos & Johnny; Shirley & Lee; Small Faces; Spiral Staircase; The American Breed; The Box Tops; The Capitals; The Coasters; The Contours; The Crests, The Danleers; The Dells; The Diamonds; The Exciters; The Fifth Dimension; The Five Satins, The Fleetwoods; The Guess Who; The Isley Brothers; The Knickerbockers; The Left Bank, The Lettermen; The Platters; The Riverias; The Seeds; The Surfaris; The Trempelos; and The Vogues.

Here are individual mini-biographies of each band or group:

Little Anthony and the Imperials is an American rhythm and blues/soul vocal group from New York City founded by Clarence Collins in the 1950s and named in part for its lead singer, Jerome Anthony “Little Anthony” Gourdine, who was noted for his high-pitched voice. In addition to Collins and Gourdine, the original Imperials included Ernest Wright, Glouster “Nate” Rogers, and Tracey Lord, the last two of whom were subsequently replaced by Sammy Strain. Changing their name to “The Imperials”, the group signed with End Records in 1958. Their first single was “Tears on My Pillow” (https://youtu.be/x33hBl5HIi0) which was an instant hit. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA. The group was one of the very few doo-wop groups to enjoy sustained success on the R&B and pop charts throughout the 1960s. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4, 2009, 23 years after the group’s first year of eligibility for induction.

Brenda Reid, Carolyn (Carol) Johnson, Lillian Walker, and Sylvia Wilbur formed the group while at high school together in Queens, New York City, in 1961. They were originally called the Masterettes, as a sister group to another group called the Masters, and released their first recording, “Follow the Leader”, in early 1962. Wilbur then left the group to be replaced by Penny Carter, and they auditioned for Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, winning a recording contract. Penny Carter then left, and was replaced by Herb Rooney, a member of the Masters; Reid and Rooney later married. The group’s name was changed to The Exciters, and their first hit record, arranged by George “Teacho” Wiltshire and produced by Leiber and Stoller for United Artists Records, was “Tell Him”, which reached no. 4 on the U.S. pop chart in early 1963. The song had previously been released unsuccessfully, as “Tell Her”, by Gil Hamilton later known as Johnny Thunder. According to Jason Ankeny at AllMusic, the Exciters’ version of “Tell Him” “…boasted an intensity that signified a sea change in the presentation and perception of femininity in popular music, paving the way for such tough, sexy acts as the Shangri-Las and the Ronettes.” Dusty Springfield was on a stop-over in New York City en route to Nashville to make a country music album with Springfield in 1962, when she heard The Exciters’ “Tell Him” (https://youtu.be/ox-9l9GElTo) (RQ 9) playing while taking a late-night walk by the Colony Record Store on Broadway. The song helped Springfield decide to embark on a solo career with a pop/soul direction. She’d recall: “The Exciters sort of got you by the throat…out of the blue comes blasting at you “I know something about love”, and that’s it. That’s what I wanna do.” Other songs by the group included “He’s Got the Power” (written by Ellie Greenwich and Tony Powers), “Get Him”, and Northern Soul classic “Blowing Up My Mind”. The Exciters also recorded “Do-Wah-Diddy”, written by Greenwich and Jeff Barry, in 1963; with a revised title of “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” it was covered shortly after by Manfred Mann, for whom it was an international hit. They were one of the opening acts for the Beatles during their first North American tour in August–September 1964. During this tour, they became the first black musicians to perform at the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida; the stadium’s management had initially refused to allow the Exciters to perform because of their race, but when the Beatles said they would refuse to perform too, the group was allowed to go on. In 1965, the Exciters left the Leiber-Stoller management team, and the United Artists label, for Roulette Records. There they issued a remake (with revised lyrics) of the Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers’ song “I Want You to Be My Boy”. They continued to record through the 1960s for Bert Berns’ labels Bang and Shout, and later for RCA, but with little success. Ronnie Pace and Skip McPhee replaced Johnson and Walker. The group broke up in 1974.

The Guess Who is a Canadian rock band, from Winnipeg, in 1965. Formed as a garage rock band, their musical style encompassed the pop rock and psychedelic genres. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, the group found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s primarily under the leadership of songwriters Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman (later of Bachman-Turner Overdrive) and recorded many hit singles, including ( I can’t believe “American Woman” was their only No1 Billboard hit):

“No Time”, https://youtu.be/Qq3BylHjiuk (RQ 10+). No5. 1969.

“American Woman”, https://youtu.be/3r_qd2yxIsM, (RQ 10+). No1. 1970.

“Laughing”, https://youtu.be/Bvzdtn43vnI (RQ 10+). No10. 1969.

“These Eyes”, https://youtu.be/xcLdbsrSngA (RQ 10+). No6. 1969.

“Undun”, https://youtu.be/VLMF5GM0Kt8 (RQ 10+). No22. 1969.

“Share the Land”, https://youtu.be/IUpW783GL0E (RQ 10). No10. 1970.

“No Sugar Tonight”, https://youtu.be/yMG-Mi9I0-k (RQ 10). 1969.

Robert James Byrd (July 1, 1930 – July 27, 1990), known by the stage name Bobby Day (and His Satellites) was an American rock and roll and R&B singer, multi instrumentalist, music producer and dsongwriter. He is best known for his 1958 hit record “Rockin’ Robin” (https://youtu.be/4OFESufsZG0) (RQ 7), written by Jimmie Thomas. He also recorded more than thirty other songs including “Little Bitty Pretty One” (https://youtu.be/kQinZhTaWNI) (RQ 9) and “Over and Over” (https://youtu.be/kdboU4i7x7k) (RQ 10+) which also was very popular.

Danny & the Juniors are an American doo-wop and rock and roll vocal group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania originally consisting of Danny Rapp, Dave White, Frank Maffei and Joe Terranova. Formed in 1955, they are most widely recognized for their 1957 hit single “At the Hop” (https://youtu.be/F3SrtN6tMyg) (RQ 9).

Jay & the Techniques was an American pop group formed in Allentown, Pennsylvania during the mid-1960s. The band was best known for its Top 10 debut single, “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” (https://youtu.be/rrk9XUJKuHc) (RQ 8), which was released in 1967 and reached No. 6 in the Billboard Hot100 chart. The track was arranged by Joe Renzetti, and written by Maurice Irby, Jr. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc Although this song served as the band’s primary hut, the group also captured various chart positions with “Keep the Ball Rollin” (#14) (https://youtu.be/TpJ4rVhWhag) (RQ 9) and “Strawberry Shortcake”. “Keep the Ball Rollin” also notched up sales in excess of a million copies, to secure a second gold disc for this group. However, its position on the 1960s pop charts declined after “Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music” was released. They made their final effort with the R&B hit, “Number Onderful”, but after that, the group disbanded.”Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie” and “Baby Make Your Own Sweet Music” (the latter a cover of a single first released in 1967 by Johnny Johnson and the Bandwagon) were both released in the UK by Mercury Recirds and, while neither song charted in the UK, in the early 1970s both songs became dance favourites of the British Northern Soul music scene.In 1996, Mercury Records released a compilation album of the band’s hits entitled The Best of Jay & The Techniques. Original band members:

• Jay Proctor: Lead vocalist and primary founder of the group
• George “Lucky” Lloyd: Second vocalist
• Dante Dancho: Lead guitar
• Chuck Crowl: Bass guitar
• Karl Landis (Lippowitsch): Drums (was replaced by Paul Coles, Jr.)
• Ronnie Goosley: Saxophone
• Jon Walsh: Trumpet (was replaced by Danny Altieri)
• Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson and Melba Moore often served as backing vocalists

Jimmy Gilmer & the Fireballs had a monster number one single in late 1963 with “Sugar Shack,” (https://youtu.be/CLl5rdBW-94) (RQ 9) a light pop/rocker dominated by the vibrating sound of a primitive precursor to the synthesizer, the Solovox. The song was singled out for special venom by Griel Marcus in The Rolling Stone Illustrated History of Rock & Roll, who called it “the worst excuse for itself rock and roll had yet produced.” The public disagreed, sending it to number one; surprisingly, it also topped the R&B charts. Gilmer and the band made the Top 20 one more time with “Daisy Petal Pickin’,” a transparent “Sugar Shack” soundalike, right down to the Solovox. They cut various flops for Dot in the mid-’60s, and Gilmer recorded a Buddy Holly tribute album on his own. Signing to Atlantic in 1967, the Fireballs had another Top Ten hit with Tom Paxton’s “Bottle of Wine,” without giving top billing to Gilmer, although he was still in the band. Gilmer left the Fireballs shortly afterwards, though, and the Fireballs saga petered out after a few other low-charting singles in the late ’60s.

John Fred Gourrier (May 8, 1941 – April 14, 2005), known by his stage name John Fred, was an American blue-eyed soul, swamp pop, tick and roll, and R&B performer from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One of their most famous recordings was: “Judy in Disguise” (https://youtu.be/Biu95fyvmLI) (RQ 9).

Mickey Baker and Sylvia Vanderpool were an American R &B duo which produced “Love is Strange” (https://youtu.be/zxZ8rwN8Wrk) (RQ 9) together in 1957. They sang together beginning in 1954. This best known single reached No11 on the U.S. Pop Chart and was awarded a gold disc by RIAA. Sylvia had a followup hit record in 1973 called “Pillow Talk” (https://youtu.be/NA2X1040_gY) (RQ 4). Sylvia passed on in 2011 at the age of 76 and Mickey did so in 2012 at the age of 87.

Brothers Santos and Johnny Farina were an rock and roll instrumental duet from Brooklyn, NY. They were best known for their record “Sleep Walk” (https://youtu.be/YBRCvVpknvg) (RA 9) which was released in 1959. It reached the top of the rock and roll charts. Both continue to be active in the music industry including owning a record company (Aniraf).

Shirley Goodman and Leonard Lee topped the R&B charts in the 1950s. They were from New Orleans and began singing together as children in the Baptist church. Their first recording was “I’m Gone” (https://youtu.be/X5F1sfcQSWc) (RC 7) in 1952. They were only 13 at the time and, after a few more songs, became known as “The Sweethearts of the Blues.” I’m Gone reached No2 on the R&B charts. One of their most famous songs from 1956 was “Let the Good Times Roll” (https://youtu.be/uM9yYL6BD-4) (RQ 9).

Small Faces were an English rock band from London, founded in 1965. The group originally consisted of Steve Mariott, Ronnie Lane, Kenny Jones and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band’s keyboardist in 1966. The band was one of the most acclaimed and influential mod groups of the 1960s, recording hit songs such as “Itchycoo Park” (https://youtu.be/JGEgRnvFzLY) (RQ 10), “Lazy Sunday” (https://youtu.be/yzgVk3mOSko) (RQ 10), “All or Nothing” (https://youtu.be/ViKz0gQpzuQ) (RQ 8), and “Tin Soldier” (https://youtu.be/H7v5ZqcReLM) (RQ 9), as well as their concept album “Ogden’s Nut Gone Flake.” They later evolved into one of the UK’s most successful psychedelic bands until 1969.

The Spiral Starecase was an American pop band, best known for its 1969 single “More Today Than Yesterday” (https://youtu.be/HRNPppaIW6I) (RQ 10). The band, from Sacramento, California, United States, was recognizable for its horns and lead singer/guitarist Pat Upton’s voice. Thgroup also included Harvey Kaye (organ), Dick Lopes (saxophone), Bobby Raymond (bass guitar), Gene Austin (bass guitar), Vinny Parello (drums), Mark Barrett (drums) and Al Sebay (electric guitar).

The American Breed was formed in in 1958 in Cicero, Illinois, United States, initially known as Gary & The Knight Litesthe. The founding members included Gary Loizzo (vocals and guitar), Charles “Chuck” Colbert, Jr. (bass guitar and vocals), Al Ciner (guitar and vocals), and Jim Michalak (drums). The band enjoyed its greatest success in 1967 and 1968. They released five singles that reached the charts, including “Step Out Of Your Mind”, “Green Light”, and “Bend Me, Shape Me” https://youtu.be/PSHo146tQjQ() (RQ 10). The latter track was their biggest seller, and sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.

The Box Tops is an American rock band formed in Memphis in 1967. They are best known for these hits: “The Letter” (https://youtu.be/HIWY8UyW9bw). (RQ 10+).”Cry Like a Baby” (https://youtu.be/dmhtxLSUhYU) (RQ 9).”Soul Deep” (https://youtu.be/jpDNqTjlRes) (RQ 8).They are considered a major blue-eyed soul group of the period. They performed a mixture of current soul music songs by artists such as James & Bobby Purify and Clifford Curry; pop tunes such as “A Whiter Shade of Pale” by Keith Reid, Gary Booker, and Mathew Fisher of Procal Harum; and songs written by their producers, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham, and Chips Moman. Vocalist Alex Chilton went on to front the power pop band big Star and to launch a career as a solo artist, during which he occasionally performed songs he had sung with the Box Tops.

The Capitols were an American, Detroit, Michigan-based soul trio, widely known in 1966 for their Billboard hit single “Cool Jerk” (https://youtu.be/OX9nOCOjukQ) (RQ 8). The band members were: Sam George, Don Storball, and Richard Mitchell. Seeking to capitalize on the popularity of the dance, and dance songs in general, Storball wrote a song about the pimp jerk, renaming it “Cool Jerk” in order to prevent possible banning by radio stations. Realizing that the song had potential, the group re-formed and contacted McLaughlin in order to secure studio time to record the song.

Attempting to exploit the success of their hit single, the Capitols released two albums in 1966, Dance the Cool Jerk and We Got a Thing That’s in The Groove,both featuring mostly covers of popular Motown and soul songs. Both albums were somewhat of a commercial and critical failure, though Dance the Cool Jerk did spend one week in the Billboard 100 at number 95 in July 1966. The group released eight additional singles after “Cool Jerk”, only two of which made the Billboard charts getting no higher than number 65.

The Coasters are an American rhythm and blues/rock and roll vocal group who had a string of hits in the late 1950s. Members include: J.W. Lance, Primotivo Candelara, Eddie Whitefield and Dennis Anderson. Beginning with “Searchin” (https://youtu.be/CDrxqcxo-Ec) (RQ 4), “Young Blood” (https://youtu.be/e-Exe4YUJyI) (RQ 9) and “Yakety Yak” (https://youtu.be/epCN0f7FTIY) (RQ 10) were their most memorable songs were written by the songwriting and producing team of Leiber and Stoller. Although the Coasters originated outside of mainstream doo-wop, their records were so frequently imitated that they became an important part of the doo-wop legacy through the 1960s.

The Contours were one of the early African-American soul singing groups signed to Motown Records. The group is best known for its classic chart-topping 1962 hit, “Do You Love Me” (https://youtu.be/l3zJZ2d4cis) (RQ 9) a million-selling single that became a major hit all over again in 1964 covered by the band Dave Clark Five (charted again atNo11).”Do You Love Me,” allegedly, originally was meant for The Temptations. But, in a 2008 interview for MOJO Magazine, Joe Billingslea stated that this was not the case. In the article, Billingslea stated to author Phil Alexander that the song’s author, Motown founder Berry Gordy, offered the song to the Contours first, only intending to give The Temptations the song after he saw that the Contours were having trouble with it. However, after practicing the tune again, Gordy gave the nod—and the song—to the Contours. The resulting record, with its shouted lead vocals from Billy Gordon, hit No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart and crossed over to No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 1962. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.

The Crests were an American doo wop group, formed by bass vocalist J.T. Carter in the mid 1950s. The group had several top40 hits in the late 1950s and early 1960s on Coed Records. Their most popular song, “16 Candles” (https://youtu.be/yoOuTSBAWWA) (RQ 9) rose to #2 on the Billboard charts in February 1959 selling over one million copies and earning a gold disc status. Another popular on the radio today is “Trouble in Paradise” (https://youtu.be/-G6yszZy1P0) (RQ 7).

The Danleers were an American doo-wop formed in Brooklyn, NY in 1958. They could also easily fit into my blog post “One Hit Wonders” as their 1959 song: “One Summer Night” (https://youtu.be/QT4LJxBBaF0) (RQ 10) sold over one million copies. A great example of a “street corner” group whose original members were: Jimmy Weston, Johnny Lee, Willie Ephraim, Nat McCune and Roosevelt Mays.

The Dells were an American R&B vocal group, vocal quintets. Formed in high school in 1953 by founding members Marvin Junior, Verne Allison, Johnny Funches, Chuck Barksdale, and Mickey and Lucius McGill, under the name the El-Rays. They released their first recording in 1954 and two years later had their first R&B hit with “Oh What a Night.” (https://youtu.be/Z1ozQT8yQXA.) (RQ 10) After disbanding due to a near-fatal car crash in 1958, the band reformed in 1960 with Funches being replaced by Johnny Carter. This lineup remained together until Carter’s death in 2009. In 2004, The Dells were inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. The group performed until illness forced longtime lead singer Marvin Junior and bass vocalist Chuck Barksdale into retirement, ending the group’s 60-year run.

The Diamonds are a Canadian vocal quartet that rose to prominence in the 1950s and early 1960s with 16 Billboard hit records. One of their most popular hits was – “Little Darlin” in 1957 (https://youtu.be/5FYoYYChb0Y) (RQ 9). The original members were Dave Somerville (lead), Ted Kowalski (tenor), Phil Levitt (baritone), and Bill Reed (bass). They were most noted for interpreting and introducing R&B vocal group music to the wider pop music audience. Contrary to a popular myth, the father of Tom Hanks was never a member of the group.

Formed as the Versatiles in late 1965, the group changed its name to “the Fifth Dimension” by 1966. They became well known during the late 1960s and early 1970s for their popular hit songs “Up, Up and Away,”, “Stoned Soul Picnic”, “Medley: Aquarious/Let the Sunshine In” https://youtu.be/VlrQ-bOzpkQ() (RQ 10), “Wedding Bell Blues”,”One Less Bell to Answer”, “Never My Love”, and “(Last Night) I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All” as well as The Magic Garden album. The five original members were: Billy Davis Jr., Florence La Rue, Marilyn McCoo, Lemonte McLemore and Ronald Townson.

The Five Statins, formed in New Haven, Connecticut in 1954, consisted of leader Fred Parris, Lewis Peeples, Stanley Dortche, Ed Martin and Jim Freeman and Nat Mosley. With little success, the group reorganized, with Dortche and Peeples leaving, and new member Al Denby entering. The group then recorded “In the Still of the Night” (https://youtu.be/fBT3oDMCWpI) (RQ 9), a big hit in the United States, which was originally released as the B-side to the single, “The Jones Girl”. The single was initially issued on the tiny local “Standord” label (45 stock # 200) and after some local Connecticut sales, it was released the following year on the New York label Ember (45 stock # 1005), and “In The Still Of The Night” ended up charting at number three on the R&B ichart and number 25 on the pop chart.Two singles later, the follow-up track “Pretty Baby (That’s Why I Sing)” (Ember 1025) got weeks of airplay on powerful CHUM in Toronto, in November 1957. An August 1958 release, “A Night To Remember” (Ember 1038), got some Boston airplay. During late 1959 (in SanFrancisco, CA) and early 1960 (in both san Antonio, TX and Rochester, NY), their classic 45 side garnered renewed current airplay, becoming a Top 10 hit in all three listed markets. “In The Still of the Night” became an even bigger hit when it appeared as the lead track on Original Sound Records’ Oldies But Goodies Vol. 1. The series eventually ran to 15 volumes. The series has been in continual print in one form or another since that first volume was released in 1959. In total, their signature track sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc.

The Fleetwoods were an American singing group from Olympia, Washington, United States, whose members were Gary Troxel, Gretchen Christopher, and Barbara Ellis. The Fleetwoods’ first hit was “Come Softly To Me” (https://youtu.be/Dkf-Dhihdrc) (RQ 10), which was also covered by others. The UK’s Frankie Vaughn and The Kaye Sisters had a Top 10 chart hit in the United Kingdom with the song, though The Fleetwoods exceeded them, simultaneously charting in the UK’s Top 5.

Their second hit, “Graduation’s Here” (https://youtu.be/azowVqsgQyY) (RQ 8) was co-written by Ellis and Christopher, with Troxel later adding a scat line in counterpoint. That one was followed by “Mr. Blue,” (https://youtu.be/_9ceb6uzG3I) (RQ 7) which, like “Come Softly To Me”, also topped the US pop chart.

The Fleetwoods continued recording into the 1960s. They hit the Top 10 again with a remake of thomas Wayne’s “Tragedy” (https://youtu.be/1bohMPplkpY) (RQ 7) in 1961. Though they went on to have a total of eleven hits on the Hot 100, the beginning of the end for the group came when Troxel had to fulfill his obligation to go onto active duty in the United States Navy. He joined the Naval Reserve in 1956. Additionally, the British Invasion of the mid 1960s changed the public’s taste. The trio’s hits ended in 1963 with Barbara Ellis singing melody on “Goodnight My Love” (https://youtu.be/5ZSbONkGyC0) (RQ 10). Vic Dana, who was to go on to a successful solo career, replaced Troxel in the group when he was in the service, solely for live performances.

The Isley Brothers are an American musical group originally from Cincinnati, Ohio that started as a vocal trio consisting of brothers O’Kelly Isley Jr, Rudolph Isley and Ronald Isley in the 1950s. With a career spanning over seven decades, the group has been cited as having enjoyed one of the “longest, most influential, and most diverse careers in the pantheon of popular music.” After moving to the New York City area in the late 1950s, the group had their first successes during these early years, first coming to prominence in 1959 with their fourth single, “Shout,” (https://youtu.be/nEjLFpU2pJ4) (RQ 10+) written by the three brothers. Initially a modest charted single, the song eventually sold over a million copies. In the 1960s, the group recorded songs for a variety of labels including the top 20 single “Twist and Shout” (https://youtu.be/cTaqn8_gMR0) (RQ 10) and the Motown single “This Old Heart of Mine,” (https://youtu.be/5sD8tuRCsec) (RQ 7) before recording and issuing the Grammy Award winning hit “It’s Your Thing” (https://youtu.be/Tqc_EhmL8-E) (RQ 10+) on their own label, T-Neck Records.

The Knickerbockers band was formed in 1962 in Bergenfield, New Jersey, by brothers Beau Charles (guitar and vocals) and John Charles (bass and vocals) (birth names: Robert and John Carlos Cecchino respectively), with fluctuating personnel until 1964, when they met Buddy Randell (vocals and sax) (birth name: William Crandall). Randell was previously of the Rockin’ Saints and The Royal Teens, who had a hit with “Short Shorts” (https://youtu.be/UcvjXAtzaMU) (RQ 7) in 1958. They took their name from Knickerbocker Road (County Route 505), which runs through Tenafly, the next town to the east of Bergenfield. The classic line-up consisted of Randell, the Charles brothers, and drummer Jimmy Walker (previously the drummer with the Massena, New York-based Atco Records act The Castle Kings). They were spotted by producer and singer-songwriter Jerry Fuller playing the University Twist Palace in Albany, New York, and he subsequently signed them to Los Angeles-based Challenge Records. Throughout The Knickerbockers’ three years of recordings, the group tirelessly pursued current trends; the vocals on “Jerk Town” (https://youtu.be/MCh67v_8usE) (RQ 8) for example, are heavily derivative of the Four Seasons. Furthermore, the song’s lyrics refer to “hit rods”, like many other popular songs of the day. The group had a top-20 hit in 1965 with “Lies” (https://youtu.be/1I_bG4VBHCU) (RQ 10+) on which the group emulated the Beatles’ harmonies and playing so perfectly that the record was often passed off to the unsuspecting as an actual Beatles cut. // The follow-up to “Lies” was “One Track Mind” (https://youtu.be/M2JPEtw_3es) which was nearly a hit as well. However, the band’s label, Challenge Records, could not handle the distribution, and the single only reached number 45. The Knickerbockers soldiered on, appearing in the movie Out of Sight (1966) and as regulars on Dick Clark’s ABC-TV program, Where the Action Is (1965–1967).

The Left Banke was an American baroque pop band, formed in New York City in 1965. They are best remembered for their two U.S. hit singles, “Walk Away Renee” (https://youtu.be/qDfrW5cWqMU) (RQ 10) and “Pretty Ballerina” (https://youtu.be/m-Ep5x-DETc) (RQ 8). The band often used what the music press referredto as “baroque” string arrangements, which led to their music being variously termed as “Bach-rock” or “baroque rock.”

The Lettermen are an American male pop vocal trio. The Lettermen’s trademark is close-harmony pop songs with light LP arrangements. The group started in 1959. They have had two Top 10 singles (both #7), 16 Top 10 singles on the Adult Contemporary chart (including one #1), 32 consecutive Billboard chart albums, 11 gold records, and five Grammy nominations. The Lettermen were unknown until they signed with Capitol Records in 1961. Their first single for Capitol, “The Way You Look Tonight,” (https://youtu.be/rahlSR7nvsc) (RQ 10) succeeded on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart and climbed to No. 13. Their next, “When I Fall in Love,” (https://youtu.be/cbL8VsbqKHk) (RQ 10+) reached the Top10 in late 1962 and hit No. 1 on AC. They had several other Top 10 hits, such as 1965’s “Theme from a Summer Place” (https://youtu.be/NlnNHKJam5s) (RQ 10+). In late 1967, Bob Engemann resigned and was replaced by Jim Pike’s younger brother, Gary Pike. The hits continued with the 1967 medley: “Goin Out of My Head” (https://youtu.be/o8gX3pIZUCQ) (RQ 9), “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (https://youtu.be/lRkF82ZTui4) (RQ 8) and in 1968 with “Put Your Head on My Shoulder” (https://youtu.be/do0Hdn_BHno) (rq 10). In the 1969’s “Hurt So Bad”, (https://youtu.be/GTf18vueoKg) (RQ 10) which reached No. 12 and lasted 21 weeks on the Hot 100, second only to the 22 weeks for The Archies’ “Sugar, Sugar” within that calendar year. The last successful single was in 1971, John Lennon’s “Love”a solo by Jim Pike.

The Platters are an American vocal group formed in 1952. They are one of the most successful vocal groups of the early rock and roll era. Originally, their distinctive sound was a bridge between the pre-rock Tin Pan Alley tradition and the burgeoning new genre. The act has gone through several personnel changes, with one of the most successful incarnations comprising lead tenor Tony Williams, David Lynch, Paul Robi, Herb Reed, and Zola Taylor. The group had 40 charting singles on the Billboard Hot100 chart between 1955 and 1967, including number-one hit: “Smoke Gets in your Eyes” (https://youtu.be/H2di83WAOhU) (RQ 10+). The Platters are one of the first African-American groups to be accepted as a major chart group and are one of the most successful vocal groups in the world. The group had four top 100 compilation albums in the Australian top 100 between 1975 and 1986.

The Rivieras were made up of teenagers from South Bend Central High School. (This band should not be confused with the Coed Records East Coast rhythm & blues band of the same name which had hits in the late 1950s and the early 1960s.) Originally called the Playmates, but they were forced to change their name as there was already a band with that name. They renamed themselves after an automobile, the Buick Riviera. They were one of the many bands in America that became part of the frat rock movement in the early 1960s. The Rivieras consisted of Marty “Bo” Fortson on vocals and guitar, Joe Pennell on guitar, Otto Nuss on organ, Doug Gean on bass guitar, and Paul Dennert on drums. The band had its only hit in 1964 with a cover version of the song “California Sun” (https://youtu.be/Yy57Xdk9u0o) (RQ 10) by Joe Jones. It climbed the pop charts when the No. 1 song was “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by the Beatles.

The Seeds were formed in 1965 when lead singer Sky Saxon responded to an advertisement. Saxon, who had relocated to Los Angeles from Salt Lake City, had recorded a string of 45s under the name Richie Marsh. The band secured regular gigs at the LA club Bido Lito’s and quickly gained a local reputation for high energy live performances.

Keyboardist Daryl Hooper was a major factor in the Seeds’ sound; the band was one of the first to utilize keyboard bass. Guitarists Jan Savage (born Buck Jan Reeder) and Jeremy Levine along with drummer Rick Andridge completed the original quintet, but Levine left shortly after the first recording sessions for personal reasons. Although Sky Saxon was usually credited as bass player, he did not play bass on any of the Seeds’ recordings. This was handled by session musicians, usually Harvey Sharpe. On stage, keyboardist Daryl Hooper would perform the bass parts via a separate bass keyboard, in the same manner as Ray Manzarek later did with The Doors.

The Seeds’ first single, “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine,” (https://youtu.be/fSqMaqKs9Eg) (RQ 3) was a regional hit in southern CA in 1965. The song was also played regularly on AM rock stations in northern California (and probably elsewhere), where it was well received by listeners, and eventually went on to become, and is considered today, a 60s cult classic song. The band had a national Top 40 hit, “Pushin to Hard” (https://youtu.be/pNZwCNSSWlI) (RQ 9) in 1966 and performed the song on national television. Three subsequent singles, in 1966 “Mr. Farmer” (https://youtu.be/avAWk2wRnxo) (RQ 4) a re-release of “Can’t Seem To Make You Mine” (1967), and in 1967 “A Thousand Shadows” (https://youtu.be/Z9ADnPQGhno) (RQ 8) achieved more modest success, although all were most popular in southern California. The song’s melody sounds like Pushin’ Too Hard’s. Musically uncomplicated with a flair for simple melodic hooks and dominated by Saxon’s unorthodox vocal delivery, their first two albums, “The Seeds” and “A Web of Sound” are today considered classics of 1960s garage music.

A major turning point for the Seeds came in 1967. The band’s self-produced third album “Future” presented a grander psychedelic artistic statement and thrust the group forward as torchbearers during perhaps the most creative and experimental time in American pop culture and music history. The more expansive musical style with accompanying orchestration – presented with a gatefold sleeve featuring ornate flower-themed artwork by painter Sassin – was a departure from the rawer tone of the band’s previous hits, but nevertheless received acclaim from fans and critics as a notable work of flower power psychedelia. It remains a genre curiosity piece today and is regarded as a pioneering effort in full-blown psychedelic rock. Iggy Pop, Smashing Pumpkins, Animal Collective and members of the Beach Boys have all sourced the band, mentioning this album and previous ones as genre classics.

The release of Future in mid-1967 generally marked the commercial peak of the Seeds’ career, coinciding with a major national hit, raucous concerts, numerous live TV performances, as well as prominent guest appearances on the NBC sitcom The Mothers-in-Law and in the hipper/counterculture-themed cult film Psych-Out. The Seeds also recorded another album devoted specifically to the blues (with liner notes by Muddy Waters). A Full Spoon of Seedy, bearing the artist moniker Sky Saxon Blues Band, was released in November 1967.

The Surfaris were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2019 for their hit instrumental song, “Wipe Out.” (https://youtu.be/p13yZAjhU0M) (RQ 10).

The original band members were Ron Wilson, Jim Fuller, Bob Berryhill, and Pat Connelly. In the fall of 1962, Southern California high school students Jim Fuller and Pat Connolly were a guitar duo before founding The Surfaris in high school after meeting drummer Ron Wilson at a high school dance. After practicing at fellow student Bob Berryhill’s house, they added him as the fourth member. “Wipe Out” was written and recorded by the quartet later that winter, with the song reaching #2 nationally in 1963 before becoming an international hit.

The Tremeloes are an English beat group founded in 1958 in Dagenham, Essex. They initially found success in the British Invasion era with lead singer Brian Poole, scoring a UK chart-topper in 1963 with “Do You Love Me” (https://youtu.be/ONAGbbASIp0) (RQ 10). After Poole’s departure in 1966, the band achieved further success as a four-piece with 13 Top 40 hits on the UK Singles Chart between 1967 and 1971 including “Here Comes My Baby“ (https://youtu.be/LrwVwKimw70) (RQ 8), “Even the Bad Times Are Good”, “(Call Me) Number One”, “Me and My Life” and their most successful single, “Silence is Golden” (https://youtu.be/G1NM8iYbRUY) (RQ 8).

The Vogues are an American vocal group from Turtle Creek, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The original lineup consisted of Bill Burkette (lead baritone), Don Miller (baritone), Hugh Geyer (first tenor), and Chuck Blasko (second tenor). They are best known for their chart-topping singles “You’re the One” (https://youtu.be/mOJ071ExDbk) (RQ 10), “Five O’Clock World” (https://youtu.be/ngqqfHPTrHo) (RQ 10+), “Magic Town” (https://youtu.be/S4onTq5Brpk) (RQ 5) and “Turn Around, Look at Me” (https://youtu.be/VrdQwKlbu4Q) (RQ 10+). In addition to touring the world, the group appeared on American Bandstand, The Tonight Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show. They were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2001.