female country singers of the '50s and '60s
Richard Shindell started working in music with the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band (with fellow incredible songwriter John Gorka). Many of them have become as much a part of the Great American Songbook as those written by Ira Gershwin or Johnny Mercer -- classics such as Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, Jolene and 9 to 5, the theme from her 1980 movie of the same name. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. Country music gave us memorable traditionalists like Ray Price and Faron Young, then saw an outlaw rebellion, with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings leading the Already a member? But, it was his involvement in the scene that put him on the map; literally, there's a street in the West Village of New York named after him. Who is the singer you choose? However, Days breakthrough hit didnt come until 1955, when she starred as singer Ruth Etting in Love Me Or Leave Me., She also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards for Sentimental Journey, Secret Love, and Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera).. Stand By Your Man, the 1968 No. Laura Nyro 17. Her first no. He's received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Alliance and continues to tour nationwide. 1 on her own with A Lesson in Leavin' and did it again that same year with Are You Happy Baby? Paired again with Rogers, she topped the charts in 1981 with What Are We Doin' in Love. Her daughter Shelly West followed in her mother's footsteps as a country artist. She also recorded the infamous holiday song Baby, Its Cold Outside alongside Buddy Clark in 1949. In 1960, the girls auditioned for Berry Gordy who told them they needed to write an original song. Last but certainly not least, we added probably one of the most famous 1950s female singers. His songs are deeply personal narratives about life, and they've been performed by countless other artists. Kelsea Ballerini is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as CMT Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. WebKitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. Kelsea Ballerini is an American singer and songwriter. The group released hits Baby, I Love You, (The Best Part of) Breakin Up, Walking in the Rain, and Be My Baby, all christened by Ronnie Spectors tender and tough vibrato. The two sang as a duo for most of Clooneys early career. Pop hits, country ballads, punk bangers and jazz standards, the best female singers' work is essential listening. There are some exceptions- the work of Patsy Cline, Bobby Gentrie, and Loretta Lynn have achieved lasting renown- but overall the women on this list receive few plaudits these days. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live), Get Happy Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive, Teresa Brewer "Music! Kris Kristofferson may be best known for writing Janis Joplin's huge hit "Me and Bobbie McGhee," but he's a favorite among fellow songwriters. She's possibly one of the most impressive vocalists in contemporary folk music. His gritty voice and dark, dirty songs have almost a punk-rock sensibility. Probably the most prolific female songwriter of them all, Felice Bryant (1925-2003) and her fiddle-playing husband, Boudleaux, moved to Nashville in 1950 to work as full-time composers. WebThe Bermudas - Donnie. The 2023 version of "The Exorcist" is a fresh interpretation of the horror classic that will be released in theaters on Oct. 13. Older female singers still alive in 2023. She is also an ardent supporter of animal rights organizations, such as PETA. However, this isn't just about country music. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. Pictured (L-R): Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton. Their tune "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" became a country-folk standard in the late '20s. 1 on the R&B chart. The group later had their breakout hit Mr. Sandman in 1954, which hit No. Subscribe for updates, events, offers and more. Liams lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. In 1955, despite music trends moving toward rock and roll and Carson being a pop singer, she managed a no. The Marvelettes were the first all-female group on the Motown label. It hasn't been an easy journey for female country musicians, who have faced the same and sometimes more difficult inequalities as Fitzgeralds legacy lives on through collections of media and memorabilia in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress. Their manner of incorporating bluegrass and jazz-like solo jams has inspired countless jam bands since their inception. She remains the only woman to be a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 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. In 2013, Georgia Holt became the subject of a documentary titled Dear Mom, Love Cher, which also featured her famous daughter Cher. 1 came in 1953 with A Dear John Letter, a duet with Ferlin Huskey. 1946) isn't already designated as country music's official ambassador to the universe, something is terribly amiss. Billboardawarded her the most popular female vocalist in 1955, 1956, and 1957. Charts), Canadian singer Anne Murray became the first Canadian female solo artist with No. Aside from being a master flat-picker, Doc Watson has helped inspire a number of other influential folk artists, including Bob Dylan. 100 Best Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s and '70s - Groovy 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. 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Shore rose to fame during the big band era but gained even more success as a solo artist. WebHere's a playlist of Holler's Best Country Songs of the 1950s. Her life was depicted in the 1985 movie, Sweet Dreams. Her album Della and song You Gave Me Love received Grammy Award nominations, and she was honored with a Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Award in 2017. During the late 1950s, she performed in nightclubs with him and sang two duets on The Ed Sullivan Show., Next: Greatest opera singers of all time list, Jo Stafford began singing with her sisters when she was young. Presley certainly wasn't the first to sing what's now considered rock 'n' roll; other notable artists James Taylor is often considered one of the most successful of the "sensitive singer/songwriters." Londons biggest hit was the blues-style jazz ballad, Cry Me A River, written by former classmate Arthur Hamilton. In the '50s, '60s, and '70s, female solo singers were ever-present on radio, TV and the pop charts -- as they should have been! Bobbie Gentry: Smoky-voiced Gentry (b. Uncommonly witty, ambitious and market-savvy despite having been born dirt poor, she has built an empire that embraces performing, music publishing, recording, conventional and television movies, the Dollywood theme park in her native east Tennessee and a worldwide books-to-children charity. Peggy Lee. Kitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. Hits: Come See About Me, Stop! In 2006, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Stafford signed to a label as a solo artist in 1944. Her 2014 single Ex's & Oh's became one of the top songs in US. is one of the best topical tunes about the American educational system. At the age of 54, she posed for Playboy magazine, becoming one of the oldest women to do so. Jo Walker-Meador (1924-2017) guided the fortunes of the Country Music Association (which was established in 1958) from 1962 until 1991. Rose Lee Maphis just may be the oldest country singer still alive. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like Eliza Gilkyson and others. As the frontman of the North Carolina Ramblers, Poole became an influence on the founding fathers of American bluegrass. Garland also left a legacy and continues her fame through her films. WebThis is a list of American female country singers . Patsy Cline. The Best Female Country Singers Of 2020 1. Lindsay Ell. Lindsay Ell's debut official single 'Trippin on Us' became the most added song on country music radio in 2. Miranda Lambert. Miranda Lambert became the first female artist to win the 'Album of the Year' award twice at the 3. Gabby In many ways, the Nashville sound was the traditionalists answer against rockabilly, a fusion of rhythm-and-blues music and hillbilly music that was gaining traction, particularly among younger audiences. Yusuf Islam) was one of the most influential folk singer/songwriters of the 1970s. 1 hit singles on the U.S. The Glories - I Stand Accused (Of Loving You) The Simon Sisters - Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod. Townes Van Zandt could be considered one of the best songwriters of all time. The Jewels - Opportunity. Apart from being the most decorated female country singer, Loretta is also the only female Academy of Country Music (ACM) Artist of the Decade (the 1970s). After finishing first multiple times in a contest, Starr received a 15-minute radio show. Ballerini became the first female artist since Carrie Underwood in 2006 to have her debut single top the Country Airplay chart. Lynn also had many successful duet hits, first with Ernest Tubb, and later with Conway Twitty. The group dwindled to four members by the following year. 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. Her songs Am I Asking Too Much? and Baby Get Lost peaked at no. The academy inducted her version of You Belong to Me and The Pied Pipers Ill Never Smile Again into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Brenda Lee is a singer best-known for performing country music and pop. While the man who would later become known as The King had a hard time catching a break in Nashville, one rockabilly artist signed under the same record label would capture the hearts of country enthusiasts and rock n roll fans alike: Johnny Cash. She's also been a constant voice for peace and social justice. Originally called The Starlets, The New Jersey trio of The Angels first formed in 1958 and became best known for their 1963 hit My Boyfriends Back., Hits: My Boyfriends Back, I Adore Him, Til. Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. Through his haunting, intuitive songwriting skills, Harper has certainly earned his place among the best folk artists of all time. 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. With their prodigious instrumental skills, the trio blended jazz, folk, rock, and bluegrass on originals and covers alike. 1 until 1973 when she began duetting with Kenny Rogers. 4. 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. 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. The group later connected with young songwriter Carole King, who wrote their next hit One Fine Day with Gerry Goffin in 1963. Next: Our picks for the best black female singers of all time. The Chiffons, originating in Bronx, New York, released their first single, Hes So Fine, which was written by Ronnie Mack and produced byThe Tokens(The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and hit No. Wynonna Judd is an American country music singer. Shepard was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. 13 hit, Wake The Town and Tell The People., Diana Ross gained glory as the lead vocalist for the best-selling girl group, The Supremes. Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, Malcolm Lubliner/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, John Shearer/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media, Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images, Columbia Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, 10 Influential Political and Protest Folk Music Artists. The remaining members took an offer from Tommy Dorsey to perform with his orchestra. 27. of 50. Patti Page: Best known for her 1950 crossover hit, The Tennessee Waltz, Page (1927-2013) charted various other country singles through 1982, including the 1972 Top 20 duet with Tom T. Hall, Hello We're Lonely. Her recording of The Tennessee Waltz was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The Blossoms - Son-In-Law. 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. She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revivaland started her own record company, Wildflower Records. Miley Cyrus, the American singer-songwriter and actress, is known for her wide range in music, spanning from pop and country pop to hip hop. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. 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. Rosanne Cash is an American singer-songwriter. Sandman, Lollipop, Born to Be With You. After Washington left Hamptons band, she embarked on a successful solo career. CMT and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. Much progress had been made by the late '70s -- while punk rock was in some ways a throwback to rebellious '50s music and garage rock, this time around there was a place for women that didn't exist before. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. Brenda Lee 9. Hits: Mr. She led the fund drive for building the original Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, was instrumental in creating the annual CMA Awards Show, which launched in 1967, and oversaw Fan Fair, which started in 1972 and has since morphed into the CMA Music Festival. 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. They were encouraged by the success Little Jimmy Dickens had a year earlier with their song Country Boy, which rocketed to No. She won audiences over with songs like Buttons And Bows, The Gypsy, and The Anniversary Song, which were all no. Apart from being a bandleader, a solo artist, and an interpreter of other artists' works, Harris is also an activist; since 1999, she has been conducting Concerts for a Landmine Free World, an annual benefit tour. 7. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live) 2. Gillian Welch is definitely one of the most respected songwriters on the scene these days. The Browns were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. The Poppies - Lullaby of Love. Judy Garland. Her first chart record under her own name came in 1949 via Baby, It's Cold Outside, which paired her with the comic duo Homer & Jethro. Even though he'd been playing music his whole life, Shindell didn't start making waves in the folk world until Joan Baez picked up three of his songs for her 1997 album. Jana Kramer is an American singer and actress who was adjudged Top New Female Artist at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards. But it was sufficient to earn her Grand Ole Opry membership in 1953, a niche she occupied until her death. Below is a list (in no particular order) of popular and talented female rock 'n roll, pop, country, R&B, jazz and soul music solo artists who forged their own way in the music world and are considered to be among the greats of the '50s, '60s, and '70s. She is known for her best-selling platinum-certified album, (The First Canadian Female Solo Singer to Reach No. LaVern BakerConnie FrancisBrenda LeeDinah WashingtonDella ReeseAretha FranklinEtta JamesKaren CarpenterDusty SpringfieldPatti LabelleMore items As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. Next: The best female singers of the 1960s (our picks). Heartache, thy name is Tammy Wynette (1942-1998). 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. 1 in 1955, and a follow-up chart topper Lollipop which peaked at No. Formed in 1946 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, The Chordettes initially started out singing more folk-driven songs until they tapped into their harmony. Though their roots began in the San Francisco Bay area bluegrass scene, the Grateful Dead soon became one of the most prolific, popular, successful folk-rock bands. 1 songs include Endless Love, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, and When You Tell Me That You Love Me.. After a tough experience during adolescence and a rough start to her career, she took comfort in performing with Chick Webb And His Orchestra. Loretta Lynn (b. Joan Baez is one of the most remarkable forces in American folk music. She has charted 25 No. Emmylou Harris 14. Women were judged on their appearance much more than their male counterparts. However, despite gender equality still being a major issue, many female vocalists of the 1950s rose to fame and made their mark in history. An American actress, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, writer, and YouTuber, Jennette McCurdy is truly an inspiration to several young girls and women; despite suffering from conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, and bulimia, McCurdy has managed to establish herself as a successful entertainer. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. She averaged about an album a year of her own workand has managed to also slide in several collaborations and benefit albums, not to mention an endlessly rigorous tour schedule. Seely scored a hit Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You with fellow Opry member Jack Greene in 1969 and a solo hit Can I Sleep in Your Arms in 1973. 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. Hear New Tracks from Macklemore, Boygenius, Jeff Goldblum, and More, American Songwriter: a Savage Ventures Brand. 1932) told her life story in her 1970 hit, Coal Miner's Daughter, which, in turn, became a bestselling autobiography in 1976 and a critically-acclaimed movie in 1980. 1 on the U.S. From his early 60s topical tunes to his heartbreak songs of today, Dylan is easily one of the greatest American folk artists. The music industry, like most occupational fields in history, had its own harmful gender roles, and the gist of it was that women were pretty singers and men were serious musicians. Singer/songwriter Tom Waits is probably one of the contemporary folk artists most well-respected outside of contemporary folk music. 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.. Joni Mitchell is revered for her poetic imagery and her lovely, soaring soprano. He proceeded to write her debut single, Once a Day, that went No. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 4 on the U.S. charts. The electrified panache of rockabilly artists like Elvis Presley drew criticism among purists. Dionne Warwick 6. A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Lee is the only female performer to be inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. Her biggest hits include Over the Rainbow, The Man That Got Away, and The Trolley Song, all of which were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Music!" One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. 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. Cass Elliot 8. Although she really wanted to be a painter, Mitchell managed to pen some of the most memorable folk songs of the past 40 years, including the preservationist tune "Big Yellow Taxi.". Emmylou has long been an advocate of social justice and has counted Joan Baez and Bob Dylan among her many influences. She recorded her first single (which did not chart) when she was 12. John Gorka's literary, poetic folk songs are among some of the most well-written around these days. The 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. As musicians began to write their own tunes and lyrics,female songwriters rose to the challenge as well. Many of her songs chronicled the travails of marriage and motherhood and the problems of a straying husband (all true to Lynn's life). In both art and life, no other artist could hit on heartache and tragedy in quite the same way thatHank Williamsdid. But dwarfing these early successes were the hits they wrote for the Everly Brothers, among these Bye Bye Love, Wake Up Little Susie and All I Have to Do Is Dream. Then in 1968 came their insanely infectious Rocky Top, first a hit for the Osborne Brothers and, in time, a staple for every bluegrass banjo player who ever lived. She has also worked in several movies and is a prolific songwriter. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances Shore made her debut as a singer on a Nashville radio station. Lynn was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988. Guthrie wrote thousands of songs in his lifetime, many of which are still being found. Page attained a unique sound that most pop singers didnt adapt to in the 1950s. Her tear-stained voice carried so much emotional weight that three of her songs were featured in the soundtrack of the 1970 film, Five Easy Pieces.
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female country singers of the '50s and '60s