35 on Rolling Stones list of the greatest singers of all time, 60s pop icon Dusty Springfield is often described as the Queen of Blue-Eyed Soul. Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Before her tragic and untimely death at the age of 48, Houston had already become the only artist to ever chart seven consecutive No. Winning 13 Grammy awards and selling over 40 million albums, Fitzgerald possessed a flexible and ageless voice that could be turned to any style of song. As both the first Black and the first female artist to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone, and with her high-energy performances and mighty vocals paving the way for the likes of Beyonc in the modern era, Tina Turner remains one of the most powerful figures in music history. The 50 Best Female Vocalists Of All Time - Magnetic Magazine The US singer, who graduated from Duke Ellington School of the Arts, got her stage name from Mary Lennox, a character in the film adaptation of The Secret Garden. Her 1997 album release Come On Over became the biggest-selling studio album of all time by a female artist, the biggest-selling country music album ever and one of the biggest-selling albums in history. There's a reason Shirley Bassey is the only artist to record three James Bond themes - there's simply no-one quite like her who could command such a powerful, if a bit cheeky, presence. At the height of her powers, no-one could match her effortless ability. The late, great Amy Winehouse, who tragically joined the 27 club in 2011, poured her troubled soul into every note she sang. Kelly Clarkson - Higher Love (Live at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards). Stephen Baldwin has a Hannah Montana tattoo because a 15-year-old Miley Cyrus said that he could guest star on her show if he got one. The recent success of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical cements Kings status as a true musical icon. Donna Summer was someone who proved time and again how much range she had. From his time as the frontman of Led Zeppelin to his acclaimed duets with country singer Alison Krauss, Robert's Plant's vocals are reliably great and undeniably distinct. The lead singer of Nothing but Thieves has the ability to combine soul and rock in a brilliant and captivating way. Enter your email below to be the first to hear about new releases, upcoming events, and more from Dig! One of the earliest entrants in musics notorious 27 Club, Joplins legacy as one of the best female singers of all time will live on forever. And in 2019, Insider named her the artist of the decade, with writer Kevin OKeeffe saying her powerhouse voice and ability to skillfully navigate complex emotional terrain make her music nearly universal in its appeal.. 10 of the Most Distinctive (and Bizarre) Voices in Music - Flavorwire Gladys Knight was one of the greatest soul singers of her generation, and if anything her vocal talent has just got better with age. His gravelly baritone heard on songs like Folsom Prison Blues and I Walk The Line, endured throughout Cashs life, evidenced by his stunning final album, "American IV: The Man Comes Around," released in 2002. Billie Holiday - "Strange Fruit" Live 1959 [Reelin' In The Years Archives]. Regarded as one of the greatest, most influential rappers of all time, Hill broke boundaries in the traditionally male-dominated hip-hop and R&B worlds. Her calming velvety voice feels so nurturing, especially combined with her uplifting lyrics, infused with wisdom. In 2016, Streisand released the album Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway, which paid tribute to Broadway and Hollywood and paired her with some of Hollywoods biggest stars, including Hugh Jackman, Jamie Foxx, Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin and Antonio Banderas. I never in my life saw a woman so powerful, so fearless.. Be the first to hear about new releases, upcoming events, and more from Dig! Christina Aguilera - Beautiful [Live] (CNN Heroes) High Definition. During both her time in Fleetwood Mac and as a solo artist, Stevie Nicks has cultivated a vocal sound all her own. With a discography that ranges from folk to disco, dance and rock music, the Goddess Of Pop has made comebacks in varying forms in just about every decade shes been in the business. Gladys Knight - "Midnight Train to Georgia" | LIVE at The Kennedy Center. Aretha Franklin - I Say A Little Prayer: her very best performance! Janet Jackson is one of the worlds best-selling music artists of all time, but her impact goes way beyond the numbers. Louis Armstrong Such is the undeniable character, embodied through a Bayou-wide Queen of Americana music (a mashup of blues, folk, rock and country), Bonnie Raitt is ranked as one of Rolling Stones 100 Greatest Singers of All Time as well as the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. Springfield was inducted into the U.S. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999. And though Jimmy Fallon's impression of Young's voice may inspire laughs, it's still the backbone of some of folk's finest tunes. 1 hits, sold more than 200 albums, and continues to release albums, including 2018s "Caution.". And indeed, her music is tasty and incredibly soul-satiating. After originally finding success in the early 1960s with songs like All I Could Do Is Cry and Id Rather Go Blind, James staged a musical comeback in the late 1980s, releasing multiple albums and finding a new audience for her most memorable songs. Despite her voice changing tone with age, Joni Mitchell remains one of the best female singers or all time, instantly recognisable thanks in part to the skilful control she has over her triumphant range. Forever effortless, always powerful. Lovely is arguably the best adjective to describe Stevie Wonders voice, which rings out over his impeccable piano playing on songs like Superstition and Isnt She Lovely, the latter of which was written about Wonders daughter, Aisha. With his father (a blues gospel singer) introducing him to B.B. Raitt has bagged 10 Grammy Awards to date and is still going strong, with a North American tour planned for 2021. Five-time Grammy Award winner Shania Twain is one of the best-selling musicians of all time, with 48 million certified album units sold in the U.S., according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Always free! If anything, she's only got better with age. The Smooth Sanctuary with Gary Vincent One half of 80s rock duo Heart, Ann Wilson best exemplifies her soaring vocals on songs like Barracuda and Crazy on You.. All rights reserved. Greatest Female Music Artists Of All Time - The Delite album) to alternative rock (2013s Paramore) and holographic indie-pop (2017s After Laughter), Paramores sound has changed over the years, but Williams breathtaking voice has always remained first class. When she began uploading her music on the internet in 2009, her talent was noticed by J. Cole. And while names like Lana Del Rey, Lady Gaga, Florence Welch (Florence + The Machine), Adele, Rihanna, John Legend, Billie Eilish, Risn Murphy (Moloko), etc., etc., have already received a lot of praise for their talent, we'll try to meet you with artists who haven't (yet) been that much in the spotlight. An activist and unparalleled soul singer, Sam Cooke has often been called the King of Soul, and for good reason. Amy McCarthy is a Texas-based journalist. Tom Waits. After re-centring herself with the help of Buddhist practices, Turner made one of the greatest comebacks in music history, with her 1984 solo album, Private Dancer, going multi-platinum, and her signature song, The Best, becoming an all-conquering rock anthem. Theres something strong yet nostalgic in the UK singers voice, which so beautifully fits alt-Js whole aesthetics adding that special dimension to each composition. When it comes to underrated singers, we'd argue that Karen Carpenter is overlooked the most. One of the most leftfield-thinking artists in modern pop music, Lady Gaga has made a name for herself beyond her music thanks to her unforgettable avant-garde live performances and eye-catching outfits (we all remember the meat dress). She can sing five - yes, five - octaves, and she almost sounds operatic at times. A songwriter from the age of 13, Kate Bush was still a teenager when she released her debut single, Wuthering Heights, which made her the first woman to score a No.1 in the UK with a self-penned song. After the immense success of her seventh single, New Rules, from her self-titled debut album, Dua Lipa catapulted into stardom and became a household name in Britain. As the frontman of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger has earned as much of a reputation for his energetic performance style as he has for his distinctive voice. Starting to release music in 2015, Sevdaliza (Sevda Alizadeh) was a basketball player before becoming the singer, songwriter, record producer, visual artist and director that we know today. Her powerful soulful vocals are usually accompanied by a strong message and provide the meat to the track, piercing through all the noise to reach ones heart. Boasting the most recognizable contralto voice in popular music, Cher has been blazing her own trail as a vocalist, performer, and actress since the 1960s. She's got an incredible ability to convey emotion in both her lyrics and vocal tone, evidenced in songs like "A Case of You.". Shes also one of the best-selling artists, having moved more than 170 million records worldwide. Working with some of the jazz greats, including Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra and Louis Armstrong, Fitzgerald has created some of the most iconic jazz songs of all time, helping to establish a songbook that has become the bedrock for all jazz artists. While other singers may go for tricks and wails, Adele prefers to keep things simple and let her bluesy vocals showcase her amazing talent. The track above has a gorgeous video, but the COLORS session hits different. Renowned the world over as an LGBTQ+ icon, Kylie Minogue has been a sparkly pop presence since the 80s. One of the best country voices of all time, Dolly's strong use of vibrato and her Tennessee accent is unique, but always provides a unique and sensual quality to her songs. With a similar upbringing to many of the worlds best female soul singers, Warwick was raised in a deeply religious and musical household, and her first steps as a performer were through singing in her churchs choir. In 2007, Plant teamed up with fellow bluegrass singer Alison Krauss for " Raising Sand," a gorgeous Americana album that won the duo a Grammy Award. Aretha Franklin is the quintessential Arias stage name refers to her love of green tea and the London slang word 'peng', which means attractive or tasty. With each new release, either with her band or as a solo artist, Annie keeps showing how powerful and strong her voice is, whether it's an upbeat pop song or a heartfelt ballad. You know a force from heaven. Thankfully, we are lucky enough to have an incredible record of female She wrote her first songs when she was nine years old and was keeping music a private affair but things took quite a different turn and she realized that sharing her songs with the world, for those who need to hear them, might be the right thing to do. Despite a tumultuous life and inspiring plenty of controversy, Sinatras influence can still be seen today in artists like Michael Buble. Aretha Franklin. Is it their voice, their songwriting ability or their stage presence? With a powerful, soulful timbre and uncanny ability to infuse emotion into the songs that shes written for herself, Adele has become modern musics finest purveyor of breakup tunes like Someone Like You and Rumor Has It.. There have been so many incredibly talented singers over the years, all with different types of voices, ranges and styles. Dubbed the First Lady Of Song, Ella Fitzgerald almost singlehandedly popularised scat singing, and had a way with improvisation that could run rings around even the best jazz musicians. She has one of the largest ranges - four octaves - and you've got to love the distinctive Christina 'growl'. In keeping with the gender-questioning nature of his music, perhaps, Female Singers with Distinct Voices - Rate Your Music Must hear: What The World Needs Now (Is Love). Using her gospel background to her advantage, Aretha had such an incredibly powerful and passionate voice. Though there were plenty great crooners in the 1950s and 1960s, few have reached the cultural ubiquity of Frank Sinatra, whose voice soundtracks many of the American songbook's most recognizable songs, from "Come Fly With Me" to "New York, New York.". Her creativity has captivated audiences ever since, with her legendary soprano vocals and near-mystical literary lyricism inspiring successive generations, among them disciples such as Florence Welch, Bjrk and St Vincent. On a mission to empower her audience, she fits perfectly in the shoes of a role model. Since the Stones stormed onto the scene in the early 1960s, Jaggers vocals have turned songs like (I Cant Get No) Satisfaction and Start Me Up into massive global hits. Although her life was tragically cut short at the age of 27 after a heroin overdose, Janis Joplins raw and emotive vocals are a hallmark of 70s rock. Inspired in part by his love of soul, r&b and jazz, Ama grew up listening to Gil Scott-Heron, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald. Top 10 Most Iconic Female Singer Voices In 2008, it ranked No. It wasnt until 1981 that Nicks embarked on her solo career, with the Bella Donna album kickstarting an era of greater creative fluidity while proving that her powerhouse vocals could be just as effective without the Fleetwood Mac engine room behind her. Who is the greatest female singer of all time? When I started singing, Houston once said, it was almost like speaking.. It was even more clear to see in the Oscar-winning A Star is Born that showcased how powerful and rich her voice is. r&b/neo-soul female singers who write and produce their music. When guitar was still considered a mans game by many, Raitt busted down that barrier through sheer verve and skill, wrote the magazine. Beyonc - If I Were A Boy (GRAMMYs on CBS). He blew up in 2012 as Chet Faker with his EP Thinking in Textures and theres hardly a person who hasnt heard of his cover of Blackstreet's "No Diggity". Having long stood for female independence (her iconic Mom, I am a rich man quote has even been referenced by Taylor Swift), Cher has entertained audiences far and wide with her enviable jet-black hair, outrageous costumes, contralto voice and seeming inability to age. But what makes a voice unique? Arguably the best-known singer of her generation, there will never be another voice like Whitney Houstons. Wolf Alice frontwoman Ellie Rowsell is a remarkable, sometimes overlooked, voice in alternative rock. With her second album, 21, ranking below only The Beatles legendary Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band in official counts of the UKs biggest-selling albums of all time, Adeles status as one of the best female singers in history seems set in stone. If you want musicals, Julie's your person. He's a prolific artist, having recorded more than 15 full-length pop and classical albums, and has collaborated with everyone from Celine Dion to country star Alison Krauss. Ross received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2007, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. Having sold over 300 million records worldwide to date, Guinness World Record holder Madonna is the most successful female recording artist of all time. Best known as the red-haired frontwoman of the rock band Paramore, Hayley Williams has evolved monumentally since the formation of her group, way back in 2004. Before Dylan hit the scene in the early Sixties, great singers had to have Topping our list of the best female singers of all time, Aretha Franklin also stands as the most-charting female singer in history. Copyright 2023 YB Media, LLC. When paired with stunning compositions and expert instrumentation, an iconic voice helps create iconic songs. Her global album sales of more than 250 million makes her one of the best-selling artists of all time, and her accolades include nine Grammy Awards, 13 American Music Awards, 12 Billboard Music Awards and six Guinness World Records. Some of her decisions are more bafflingly off-the-wall than others, but her music is indisputably versatile and is bolstered by a sumptuous voice that can be put to almost any genre she chooses. In many ways Amy Winehouse is an heir to the throne of Billie Holiday, but, as a naturally gifted singer with her own a tragic personal life, there was and never will be anyone quite like this London-born icon. Unlike our previous articles, dedicated to soul or hip hop artists, this one is much more diverse both genre-wise and gender-wise. She dominated the singles charts in the 70s (both in the U.S. and the U.K.), and was named Female Entertainer of the Century by Billboard in 1976. You know something that God made. Follow her on twitter at @aemccarthy. The only person to arguably beat Aretha to the top spot in this list is Whitney Houston. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits, No. Colombian singer Shakira has a sound like no other, influenced by both her home country and her Lebanese heritage. First breaking through in the 60s with her then husband Ike Turner, as part of the Ike And Tina Turner Revue hailed as one of the most formidable live acts in history she made her name with cuts such as River Deep Mountain High and the US Top 5 hit Proud Mary before leaving her abusive husband and striking out on her own. Lady Gaga - Million Reasons (Live At Royal Variety Performance). Her charisma as a performer makes her look not only appealing but also inspiring. The reigning champion of electro-pop, Gaga revealed a stripped-back version of herself on 2016s Joanne, delving into folk and soft-rock territory, and has even flirted with jazz and swing music, releasing two collaborative albums with legendary crooner Tony Bennett. WebFemale Singers with Distinct Voices. And all the top artists in history also have that indefinable je ne sais quoi that makes them magical. She summed up the sound and style of the soul pop of the '60s era, and her rich and sensual take is simply gorgeous. As well as her spectacular songwriting and soulful voice, Keys is a classically trained pianist. Exceptionally versatile, she can soar to spine-tingling soprano peaks (Lipstick On The Glass) but also skip to gravelly spoken-word deliveries and climatic roars (Formidable Cool), earning her guest spots on records by the likes of Mura Masa and alt-J. One of the biggest-selling artists in music history, Linda Ronstadt has sold more than 100 million records spanning rock, country, and pop music. To date, Nicks remains the only woman to have two Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductions: one for her role in the band that brought her fame, and the other for the solo career that saw her cement her position among the best female singers of all time. There is perhaps no male voice in soul thats richer or more recognizable than Al Greens. In The New Yorker, music critic Jody Rosen described her as the most important and compelling popular musician of the twenty-first century.. Stay up-to-date with the latest music news, new releases, special offers and other discounts! Weve looked at album sales, chart positions, cultural impact and music industry rankings to create a list of the greatest female music artists of all time. Although she started her career with pop-dance anthems, it was always clear from the start that Lady Gaga possessed an incredible voice. Donna Summer - Last Dance (from VH1 Presents Live & More Encore!). After winning a number of awards, in 2016, Murphy dropped the Chet Faker moniker to start performing and releasing material under his birth name. Since the beginnings of the Beatles, McCartney has been a major fixture in music, writing iconic tracks like Hey Jude, and he continues to delight audiences with music from his solo career, including songs like Live and Let Die and Maybe Im Amazed.. The Queen frontman dabbled in rock, pop, and opera throughout his career, and in doing so, pulled off some truly timeless vocal performances. It is Billie Holiday who was, and still remains, the greatest single musical influence on me, he said. That moment when an unknown track starts playing on the radio and you hear a familiar voice whose owner you can immediately name! In an interview with Alexa Chung during Vogue Festival 2015, Balmain designer Olivier Rousteing compared Rihanna to some of the biggest fashion icons in music history, such as Madonna, David Bowie, Michael Jackson and Prince. Late Soundgarden frontman Chris Cornell is widely considered to be one of rock music's most legendary vocalists, with a vocal range spanning more than four octaves. After winning the first season of "American Idol," Kelly Clarkson has gone on to become one of the most powerful voices in popular music. While she might not have the wide vocal range of other singers, it was her delivery and passion that made her a standout, even 60 years since her death. We only got to appreciate Amy Winehouse's fantastic voice for a short period of time. Even from a young age in her Sonny & Cher days, Cher had a naturally dark and smoky tone to her voice. During her long and hugely successful career, she collaborated with fellow legends like Louis Armstrong and The Ink Spots, and was awarded 14 Grammys, a National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. As soon as you heard the first chord and her voice I thought, I want to do that.'. Being the first female artist signed to his record label (Dreamville Records), Lennox made her debut appearance on the Billboard Hot 100 with the single "Pressure" (2021) and continues to gain recognition for her talent. Lipas credibility continues to grow: in recent years shes collaborated with Miley Cyrus, had Future Nostalgia reimagined by US DJ The Blessed Madonna, and even duetted with Elton John. If you liked this article, feel free to check out our other lists with female rappers and r&b/neo-soul female singers who write and produce their music. She took home the Best Original Song at the Golden Globes, Best Actress (tied with Glenn Close) at the Critics Choice Awards, three Grammys, Best Film Music at the BAFTAs and Best Original Song at the Academy Awards. Theres something for everyone. The iconic Man In Black, Johnny Cash is still recognized as one of country musics most noteworthy voices. One of the best female singers of the 80s, Madonna has lost none of her relevance or influence as a pop-cultural icon and, with her flair for controversy and reinvention, she shows now signs of stopping any time soon.

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