female country singers of the '50s and '60s

1950s. In 1958, Frances Preston (1934-2012) was hired to head the Nashville office of BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.), a major performance rights organization that collects and distributes to songwriters and publishers royalties earned from the public use of BMI-registered songs. She also helped define the Nashville Sound style associated with country music. Her performance of the song Aba Daba Honeymoon in the 1950 film Two Weeks with Love peaked at no. American singer, Elle King, made her mark in showbiz when her debut single Good To Be A Man was released in March 2012 as a digital download. He proceeded to write her debut single, Once a Day, that went No. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. Next: The top Soprano singers of all time. List of American female country singers - Wikipedia The group dwindled to four members by the following year. | She is credited with releasing several chart-busting albums that have sold millions of copies worldwide. Seeger and Hays went on to form The Weavers. The Poppies - Lullaby of Love. Since then, the Fearless star has not looked back and also made her acting debut in 2009. Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. Also a humanitarian, Cash supports many charitable organizations like Children, Incorporated, which supports young adults and children. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances Shore made her debut as a singer on a Nashville radio station. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live), Get Happy Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive, Teresa Brewer "Music! One club owner was impressed enough to hire her. Janis Ian was a different kind of teen queen, hitting the national scene at the age of 15 with a self-penned tune about an inter-racial relationship. After being diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer, Sheryl Crow opened the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center by joining hands with her surgeon Kristi Funk. 1946) isn't already designated as country music's official ambassador to the universe, something is terribly amiss. He was a great fan of traditional music, and often performed traditional spiritual songs and the like in his performances with wife June Carter. Womens History Month: These Artists Thrived in the '50s and At the age of 54, she posed for Playboy magazine, becoming one of the oldest women to do so. 2 in 1958. Pop hits, country ballads, punk bangers and jazz standards, the best female singers' work is essential listening. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. Widely regarded as the Queen of Country Pop, Shania Twain is the best-selling female artist in the history of country music, having sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Londons biggest hit was the blues-style jazz ballad, Cry Me A River, written by former classmate Arthur Hamilton. Through his haunting, intuitive songwriting skills, Harper has certainly earned his place among the best folk artists of all time. Many have credited the Weavers with helping to fuel the folk revival that followed their success and subsequent blacklisting during the McCarthy era. Del Wood: Wood (1920-1989) had only one chart hit -- the No. 1945) sang Tom T. Hall's Harper Valley P.T.A. to No. 1941) struck gold when Grand Ole Opry star Bill Anderson discovered her in an Ohio talent contest. Yusuf Islam) was one of the most influential folk singer/songwriters of the 1970s. Who is the singer you choose? Ella Fitzgerald. Frank Sinatra soon joined the band and led them all to the top of theBillboardcharts for 12 weeks in 1940 with their version of Ill Never Smile Again., The group toured across the U.S. for three years, with Stafford making a solo recording on the side in 1941. She hasn't stopped pushing the envelope sinceand is still releasing excellent records. The Mamas and the Papas were one of the most successful folk-pop groups of the '60s, and Mama Cass was one of the most notable female presences of the folk revival. She won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1962 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, more than 25 years after her death. List of older women in pop, soul and country with black female vocalists from the 50s, 60s and 70s who are still alive in 2023. After finishing first multiple times in a contest, Starr received a 15-minute radio show. WebIf 1960s country music has now largely faded from the public memory, then 1960 country music by female performers is even more obscure. She became the first woman to hit no. In all, Wynette would score 20 No. She performed primarily as a jazz artist, incorporating blues, R&B, and pop styles into her music. In 2017, she was an active participant at the Los Angeles Women's March. 1 on the charts for 10 weeks. Her embattled marriage with George Jones made One of Woody Guthrie's most dedicated proteges, Ramblin' Jack earned his reputation as a tall tale teller and folk singer. 9 on the U.S. singles chart and got inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. He frequently pulls from the Wobbly (Industrial Workers of the World) songbook, and his live shows are peppered with as much silliness as serious protest songs. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" melody was taken from an old Carter Family tune. According to Billboard, Shania Twain is the 13th Greatest Music Video Female Solo Artist ever. A frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Atkins got to know many fellow artists, who he would handpick for recording sessions. Cline suddenly passed away during a plane crash in 1963, but she left a legacy behind, earning herself a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. 3 on theBillboard charts and impressed studio executives. 100 Best Country Singles of the 1960s by Female Performers 1 tracks on the American charts and the first to get a gold certification. Their tune "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" became a country-folk standard in the late '20s. Their first chart-topper was Every Time Two Fools Collide, followed by All I Ever Need Is You. In 1980, she went No. He was an activist and a songwriter, a Merchant Marine, and a former member of a barbershop quartet. WebThe list includes many familiar and great female country singers such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain.The women country singers featured in this list are from United States, United Kingdom, Canada & Australia and many more countries. With his simple, folksy imagery and tunes inspired by his Midwest hometown, Greg Brown has become one of the most inimitable songwriters around these days. Jana Kramer is an American singer and actress who was adjudged Top New Female Artist at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards. Female Country Singers Here are 11 of the top girl groups of the 1950s and 1960s, who all left a mark with their eternal hits. WebThis is a list of American female country singers . Multifaceted personality, Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, author and businesswoman and is known mainly for her work in country music. After winning the radio spot together, they received recognition from bandleader Tony Pastor. Followinga string of country and soft-rock hits, Newton-John starredoppositeJohn Travoltain the 1978 blockbuster Grease, considered as one the most popular movie musicals of all time. With their prodigious instrumental skills, the trio blended jazz, folk, rock, and bluegrass on originals and covers alike. Singing songs targeted toward the teen or pre-teen young women of the times, the girl groups of the 50s and 1960s covered mostly innocent subject matter like The Angels My Boyfriends Back, Then He Kissed Me by The Crystals or The Dixie Cups dream of marriage on Chapel of Love.. The group later connected with young songwriter Carole King, who wrote their next hit One Fine Day with Gerry Goffin in 1963. She also performed in Annie Get Your Gun, Woman Of The Year, and The Unmistakable Molly Brown.. A new era of female songwriters like Carole King, who penned The Chiffons 1963 hit One Fine Day and The Shirelles 1960 hit Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow when she was just 18, and Ellie Greenwich, who wrote hits Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Then He Kissed Me, Chapel of Love, Leader of the Pack, were also coming to the forefront. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. She has also been a board member of an organization called Center To Prevent Youth Violence, which works towards preventing gun violence. Female Singers of the '60s: Top 20 Greatest Artists We Love Aretha Franklin. Sitting at the top of our list of the greatest female singers of the '60s, Aretha Franklin was the real "Queen of Soul." Nina Simone. Although the nickname "The High Priestess of Soul," Nina Simone wasn't tied down by any musical genres. Etta James. Shirley Bassey. Dusty Springfield. Janis Joplin. Dionne Warwick. Joan Baez. Cass Elliot. More items Picture this: Youre back in the 1950s, grabbing a bite to eat at the local diner, and theres a jukebox sitting in the corner waiting for you to insert your coin and pick a song. 600 Opry Mills Drive Her life was depicted in the 1985 movie, Sweet Dreams. This success ended up being too late for her label, which doubted her contract renewal until the debut of Whos Sorry Now? on Dick Clarks American Bandstand. This song became Francis breakthrough hit. In fact, any set that offers Bob Wills' "New San Antonio Rose," Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You," Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line," Hank Williams' "Jambalaya Discover our 2022 Class of Country's Rising Sound. He's also become a star of the big screen, lending his talents to more than 50 films. Behind the scenes in this era, producers like Chet Atkins played an important part in putting Nashville on the map by striving for a compromise between traditional country sounds and commercially-appealing pop. He almost doesn't warrant an explanation as to how and why he deserves to be on this list, but I'll give one, anyway. In many ways, what happened in this decade would set the stage for some of country musics biggest moments. All came from different backgrounds but had one thing in common: much like their male counterparts their group name typically started with TheThe Ronettes, The Shirelles, The Shangri-Las, The Crystals, The Marvelettes, and dozens of other all-female groups of the era. Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance in 1959. He became so popular and influential that he managed to get his own U.S. postal stampnot something with which many folksingers have been honored. First discovered as a calypso artist, Harry Belafonte became most popular for his "Banana Boat Song." Like Kitty Wells' It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, A Dear John Letter topped the charts for six weeks. She influenced the future of country music. 1 single Somebody Else Is Taking My Place was released in 1942, quickly followed by Why Dont You Do Right? a year later, which sold over a million copies, spurring her to stardom. Carrie Underwood welcomed Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean and Jimmie Allen on stage for duets. Web101 Female Rock 'n Roll Girls of the '50s - Compilation by Various Artists | Spotify Home Search Your Library Create Playlist Privacy Center Cookies Preview of Spotify Sign up to 13 on the Top Pop Singles chart. Her 1938 rendition of the nursery rhyme A-Tisket, A-Tasket brought them into the spotlight. Hank Williams & Drifting Cowboys - Honky Tonkin' 3. Over the years, Crow has contributed to several film soundtracks, including the iconic theme song for the popular James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. Karen Dalton 16. Other hits include Crazy and I Fall to Pieces.. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto. is one of the best topical tunes about the American educational system. CMT and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. Stafford signed to a label as a solo artist in 1944. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. 1 hit in 1950 and 1951. This is a professional review website. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. His peace-focused tunes melded aspects of classic pop with contemporary folk music, distinguishing him from his contemporaries. Dubbed Country Music's reigning Queen, Underwood has influenced several other singers, such as Kelsea Ballerini, Lucy Hale, Lauren Alaina, Mollie King, and Danielle Bradbery. 100 Best Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s and '70s - Groovy The Jewels - Opportunity. A multi-talented personality, Kramer is also known for her skills as a dancer; she finished fourth after competing in the popular dance competition television series Dancing with the Stars in 2016. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. In the last 40 years, he's released more than 50 recordsand has become a rather respected songwriter in the realm of protest song. Old time banjo player Charlie Poole was one of the earliest stars of the old-time scene back in the 1920s. Rose Lee Maphis just may be the oldest country singer still alive. Speaking of proteges, Steve Earle was somewhat of a Townes Van Zandt protegeand has been known to call Townes a better songwriter than Bob Dylan. She came to light as a solo singer in the early 1950s with her first hit song, Come On-A My House. Some additional hits include This Ole House, Hey There, and Half As Much.. Her singing style helped influence several artists and musical genres. She has also worked in several movies and is a prolific songwriter. Dierks Bentley's 28-city musical journey will run from June through August. Her most famous singles are Right or Wrong and In the Middle of a Heartache.. She was initially heard by agent Richie Lisella, who soon had her signed with London Records. As the frontman of the North Carolina Ramblers, Poole became an influence on the founding fathers of American bluegrass. Earle's brand of country-folk protest music sets him apart from his peers. Another hit, Choon Gum, made the top 20 in 1950. In the '50s, '60s, and '70s, female solo singers were ever-present on radio, TV and the pop charts -- as they should have been! She recorded her first single (which did not chart) when she was 12. Privacy Policy | It hasn't been an easy journey for female country musicians, who have faced the same and sometimes more difficult inequalities as Utah Phillips has made it his life's work to sing the songs of the working class. WebThe Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is not only one of the most prolific Black singers from the 60s but one of the worlds best-selling artists of all time. Little Miss Dynamite, as she was early known, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Laura Nyro 17. Hits: Heat Wave, Dancing in the Street, Quicksand, Nowhere to Run, Produced by Phil Spector, The Crystals has a steady run of hits from 1961 through 1964 with Hes a Rebel, Uptown, Da Doo Ron Ron, Theres No Other (Like My Baby), Then He Kissed Me, andHes Sure the Boy I Love., Hits: Da Doo Ron Ron, Then He Kissed Me, Hes a Rebel, Ellie Greenwichhad originally written Chapel of Love forThe Ronettes, but the song was ultimately recorded by The Dixie Cups and produced by Phil Spector. 10 and won a Grammy, making her the first female Grammy winner in country music history. The oldest daughter of Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra established herself as a popular singer and actress during the 1960s and 1970s. Also known for her philanthropic activitiesTrisha Yearwood has been supporting Habitat for Humanity, a charity home building group, for many years now. Since the release of her self-titled debut in 1990, DiFranco has built an excessively loyal fanbase around the world, as well as a rather successful independent record label out of her hometown in Buffalo, NY. Her first million-selling single was With My Eyes Wide Open, Im Dreaming. Page followed this up with Tennessee Waltz in 1950, which spent 13 weeks as a no. Pete Seeger is, undeniably, one of the most prolific and influential artists in the history of American music. Tim McGraw Teases New Music, "Standing Room Only", Tim McGraw: "New single 'Standing Room Only' coming March 10th. Chelsea X Leeds - Ao Vivo Grtis HD Sem Travar | Futebol Grtis HD Johnny Cash is another one of those artists who's often looked at as a country singer, although his earliest influences were folk artists like the Carter family. A vivid and forceful songwriter, Lynn composed many of her best-known songs, beginning with I'm a Honky Tonk Girl, her first chart record, in 1960. Her personal life has often sparked controversy, especially when she came out as pansexual and talked about use of cannabis. They worked with fellow Canadian Gordon Lightfoot, and also recorded several original and traditional folk songs. Here are some more great female folk singers from the 1970s: Joan Baez Judy Collins Sandy Denny Janis Ian Emmylou Harris Odetta Vashti Bunyan Buffy Sainte-Marie Linda Ronstadt Judee Sill Female Disco Singers of the 70s People often mistake disco for a mans world, but that couldnt be further from the truth. The group released their first and only album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica in 1964. List of American female country singers In the Ken Burns PBS series on country music, producer Billy Sherrill recalls how he gave Virginia Wynette Pugh the name Tammy and how, later on, she and her former husband and singing partner George Jones interacted like wounded animals. She did not, as Sherrill promised her, make history with her first single, Apartment #9, which was released in late 1966 and rose only to No. Although country music was dominated by men when Billboard began ranking country songs in 1944, the landscape changed for female artists in the 1950s and 1960s, as the genre claimed Nashville as a recording center and the Country Music Association was formed to create new and larger audiences. He's easily one of the most influential artists in the genre, and one of the most gifted instrumentalists. She appeared prominently on The Johnny Cash Show from 1969 to 1971. After beginning her career as a child singer, Holt started appearing on popular TV shows which increased her popularity. The Weavers spun off from the earlier group the Almanac Singers, in which Pete Seeger and Lee Hays were core members. Two years passed before she hit the charts, peaking at 93 on theBillboardHot 100. Leonard Cohen is one of the most distinguished songwriters in contemporary folk music. Aretha Franklin was one of the most talented and influential singers not just in the 60s but the 1 until 1973 when she began duetting with Kenny Rogers. Joan Baez 7. Kitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. In the 1950s, country music continued to benefit from commercial success thanks to post-war prosperity. Doris Day. During her peak, she gained recognition worldwide as the most successful female singer. Her elegant voice was only part of her legacy. She is also one of the best-selling music artists ever. Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, Chryssie Hynde, Siouxsie Sioux -- these women were creating the role of rock and roll frontwoman as they went along. The scene was shifting and the female voice was getting more airplay and beginning to dominate the charts. A talented artist since a young age, she achieved success with her first single and debut album in 2006. She also has the distinction of having been the first Grand Ole Opry member to wear a miniskirt on stage -- although not without some grumbling from Opry management. Indeed, there aren't a lot of songwriters working these days who don't feel some reverence towards his work. First lionized as a teen rock 'n' roll star, Brenda Lee (b. Listen live to the station that made us famous: WSM, broadcasting since 1925! The Primettes formed in 1959 and signed to Motown by 1961 as The Supremes. 100 Top Male Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s Who Changed After Washington left Hamptons band, she embarked on a successful solo career. Cher 18. If we get 1,000 pre-saves on this today, I'll share a little bit of the song with you", Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles To Appear In New Version of "The Exorcist". She also recorded the infamous holiday song Baby, Its Cold Outside alongside Buddy Clark in 1949. Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a ballroom or on a stage, accompanied by a pianist and a band. One thing you always hear when people talk about Odetta is the exceptional power of her voice. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart and no. Wynonna Judd is an American country music singer. While the 50s were generally regarded as a feel-good era in America, country music was ironically dominated by tear-in-my-beer honky-tonk songs in the first portion of the decade. WebHer and Bob Regan made good music together. Motowns famous act received 12 no. A talent agent discovered her while she worked as an elevator operator in a clothing store on Hollywood Boulevard. Bessie Lee Mauldin: Mauldin (1920-1983) was Bill Monroe's bass player from 1953 to 1964 and co-wrote with him the bluegrass classic, A Voice from on High., Wanda Jackson: Often dubbed the Queen of Rockabilly, Jackson (b. 2 single and Clio-winning Coca-Cola jingle she co-wrote, Dottie West (1932-1991) broke into the country charts in 1963 with Let Me Off at the Corner. Her third single, Here Comes My Baby, also a co-write, went to No. She kept the stage name after performing the song Dinah for many of her auditions. She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revival and started her own record company, Wildflower Records. If 1960s country music has now largely faded from the public memory, then 1960 country music by female performers is even more obscure. As a writer, she has contributed immensely to publications like The Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Seventeen. Dave Carter was inarguably one of the best songwriters the contemporary folk scene as known in some time. The four-time, (Platinum-selling country music singer who is known for albums like 1996's Ten Thousand Angels), (Singer-songwriter, Musician, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer), (Country Singer-songwriter Known for Her Album 'Jessie James'), Country and pop singer Jessica James Decker is known for her singles such as, (Singer Best Known or Her Hit Song You Light Up My Life). They were encouraged by the success Little Jimmy Dickens had a year earlier with their song Country Boy, which rocketed to No. The portrayal of the title character of television series, Hannah Montana, made her a teen idol. Singers The Almanacs were really the first folk music supergroup and spun off into rather successful careers for Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Lee Hays, Josh White, Burl Ives, and various other folks who made up the core of the group or who joined them on occasion. 1 hit singles on the U.S. Tina Turner 10. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. favorites: Heartaches by the Number, Lonely Street 28 Billie Jo Spears Mr. Walker it's all over is a great song. 5 piano tour de force Down Yonder in 1951. The Beatles were arguably the greatest group of the period -- but many would say that their biggest chart rival wasn't the Rolling Stones or the Beach Boys, but the Supremes. List of country performers by era - Wikipedia 4. The group later had their breakout hit Mr. Sandman in 1954, which hit No. She has won more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist. He also became an active force in the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s. Music! Born and raised in New York City, Mindy Carson started performing in her teens for the radio show Stairway To The Stars. She and Harry Cool made a chart hit called Rumors Are Flying.. 3 on the charts. Due to his innovative blend of hard rock guitars with folky, rootsy lyrics and themes, Young has become one of the most influential artists in contemporary folk-rock. 1944) is most famous for writing two quirky hits, the puzzling Ode to Billy Joe, her recording of which now resides in the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the explicit Fancy (Just be nice to the gentlemen, Fancy/and they'll be nice to you.). In 2014, she was named on Time magazine's list of100 most influential people in the world. 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Among Shepard's Top 5 hits were Satisfied Mind and Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar). In 1960 she married singer Hawkshaw Hawkins, who, three years later, was killed in the plane crash that took Patsy Cline's life. Her songs have been used in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Notable artists include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bill Haley. She was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. She performed there for eight weeks and earned herself a record label. Sheryl Crow is an American musician, actress, and singer-songwriter. Groups of the '50s and '60s Shirley Bassey 3. You can't really argue with a folksinger so good that his song managed to get him out of jail for murder. As a result, Franti has inspired and motivated fans, critics and fellow songwriters to action through his work. Her voice is an extraordinary soprano, and she's played everything from classic traditional songs to the work of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs. In 1955, despite music trends moving toward rock and roll and Carson being a pop singer, she managed a no. In 1938, the remaining members of The Stafford Sisters joined The Four Esquires and The Three Rhythm Kings to create an eight-piece ensemble called The Pied Pipers. Charts), Canadian singer Anne Murray became the first Canadian female solo artist with No. Teresa Brewer incorporated a mixture of genres into her singing style to become one of the best female singers of the 1950s. With gospel roots, she embarked on a soul-singing career at the age of 18. Some of her most famous hits include You Belong to Me, Make Love to Me, and A-Round the Corner.. The day after graduating from high school, she moved to Nashville. Formed in 1957 by schoolmatesShirley Owens,Doris Coley, Addie Micki Harris, and Beverly Lee in Passaic, New Jersey, The Shirelles released their first single I Met Him on a Sunday in 1958. Her 1977 cover of You Light Up My Life peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for ten weeks. Older female singers still alive in 2023. His dark, spiritual love songs have been frequently covered by artists of all sorts. One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. Wells may have been countrys first queen, but Patsy Cline was soon to follow and emerged as an indelible part of the Nashville sound, a polished subgenre that dominated radio airwaves in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Brenda Lee is a singer best-known for performing country music and pop.