Aretha Franklin. Her solo act took off successfully with numerous top 10 hits on theBillboardcharts. But the blockbusters came soon after that, with Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad, My Elusive Dreams (a duet with David Houston), and the Grammy-winning I Don't Wanna Play House.. 1/10 SLIDES Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a June was also a well-known philanthropist. Apart from her entertainment career, Moore is a known philanthropist who endorses the philosophy of effective altruism. Dusty Springfield 4. The oldest daughter of Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra established herself as a popular singer and actress during the 1960s and 1970s. 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). His peace-focused tunes melded aspects of classic pop with contemporary folk music, distinguishing him from his contemporaries. 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. 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. Loretta Lynn is one of the talented, old female singers still alive. ], Carmel by the Sea / The Man I Used to Know, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkiJgm6MWA8, When Two Worlds Collide / I Want to Be Where You're Gonna Be, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rww6Sqqzi4g, I Still Believe in Love / Life's That Way, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRnli0d-Gas, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQkm3I2BNgo, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vlZjLUkd9s, Keeping Up With the Joneses / No Thanks, I Just Had One, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSphfySIfKw, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9iLt8sXbu4, My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy / 'Til Death Do Us Part, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDcoKbX_zBM, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o02f4ArNcWA, The French Song (Quand le soleil) / Sit Down and Write a Letter to Me, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35WLFvVL2Sg. Fitzgeralds legacy lives on through collections of media and memorabilia in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress. Here are the 21 best 50s female singers: Patsy Cline dominated the country music scene as one of the best female vocalists of the 1950s. 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. 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. Born as Clara Ann Fowler in Oklahoma in 1927, Patti Page was known as the top-charting and best-selling female singer in the 50s, selling at least 100 million records 44. Listen to CMT's new music playlist The Roundup in this story. 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. The academy also inducted the songs Unforgettable, Teach Me Tonight, and What A Diffrence A Day Makes! into the Grammy Hall of Fame. However, despite gender equality still being a major issue, many female vocalists of the 1950s rose to fame and made their mark in history. 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.). Georgia Holt is a retired American actress, singer-songwriter, and former model. His first major hit, I Walk The Line, which was recorded in 1956, bridged the gap between the two genres, suggesting at his widespread appeal in the decades to follow. the Window. | One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. She became widely renowned for her performances of Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, When Love Goes Wrong (Nothin Goes Right), and Bye Bye Baby in a film adaptation of the Broadway musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.. She signed with King Records, releasing a few hits, including Kiki and Youre All I See.. In the 1950s, she made regular appearances in movie musicals. Her songs Am I Asking Too Much? and Baby Get Lost peaked at no. 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 He's received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Alliance and continues to tour nationwide. 100 Best Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s and '70s - Groovy 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. The electrified panache of rockabilly artists like Elvis Presley drew criticism among purists. Unlike her father, who belted elegant opera, Arden sang more traditional pop music. WebTop 100 Artists of the 50's based on sales, Billboard charts and airplay. 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. 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. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. Web Accessibility. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. 1 that Wynette and Sherrill co-wrote, won a Grammy for best female vocal and was later installed into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Etta James 2. As musicians began to write their own tunes and lyrics,female songwriters rose to the challenge as well. Loretta Lynn (b. Leonard Cohen is one of the most distinguished songwriters in contemporary folk music. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he spent five years living at the Mount Baldy Zen Center in Los Angeles. Here's a look at the best singers, songwriters, artists, and bands in the history of American folk music. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers. During the mid-1960s, the Supremes achieved mainstream success with Ross as lead singer, backed by the Motown hit-making HollandDozierHolland as its songwriting and production team throughout the mid-60s. The Bryants were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1991. She has also worked in several movies and is a prolific songwriter. 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. Typically made up of trio or quartet of young women, they sang in harmony about the perfect guy, the one that got away or did them wrong. Well known as the First Lady of Rock and Roll, Connie Francis was a pop singer, actress, and one of the best female singers in the 1950s. She performed primarily as a jazz artist, incorporating blues, R&B, and pop styles into her music. If 1960s country music has now largely faded from the public memory, then 1960 country music by female performers is even more obscure. Many have credited the Weavers with helping to fuel the folk revival that followed their success and subsequent blacklisting during the McCarthy era. It reached no. She has also been a board member of an organization called Center To Prevent Youth Violence, which works towards preventing gun violence. 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. Her first chart song and only No. 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. A list of the most famous country singers of the 1950s would be remiss not to include Patsy Cline. After winning a talent contest when she was only 15, she began to perform in clubs. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. Music! The chatter surrounding the song -- including Riley being forced to wear a miniskirt when accepting her CMA award for single of the year -- dimmed the fact that she scored several Top 10s after her glittery debut. Joan Baez is one of the most remarkable forces in American folk music. 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. 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.. 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. First discovered as a calypso artist, Harry Belafonte became most popular for his "Banana Boat Song." 1. In 1994, The Shirelles were honored with a Pioneer Award by theRhythm and Blues Foundation, which was accepted by Owens, Lee, and Coley. Discover our 2022 Class of Country's Rising Sound. 1 on the charts for 10 weeks. She even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 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. 1 on the U.S. John Prine is often hailed as one of the best narrative songwriters of his generationand has been compared to fellow great songwriters Paul Simon, Loudon Wainwright, and James Taylor. Joni Mitchell 11. Her organization MuttNation Foundation works for rehabilitation of rescue animals. Among them were love songs, songs of praise, silly children's songs, songs about nature, and topical protest songs. Who is the greatest female country singer of all time?Carrie Underwood. Born in March 1983, Carrie Underwood claims the first spot for the best country female singers of all time.Dolly Parton.Shania Twain.Patsy Cline.Martina McBride.Taylor Swift.Miranda Lambert.Reba McEntire. He proceeded to write her debut single, Once a Day, that went No. Debby Boone is an American singer, actress, and author. Brenda Lee is a singer best-known for performing country music and pop. She is known for her best-selling platinum-certified album, (The First Canadian Female Solo Singer to Reach No. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. Over the years, Crow has contributed to several film soundtracks, including the iconic theme song for the popular James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. Also known for her philanthropic activitiesTrisha Yearwood has been supporting Habitat for Humanity, a charity home building group, for many years now. She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revivaland started her own record company, Wildflower Records. Opry House In 2006, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Log In. It's hard to imagine that we'd still be talking about American folk music had there never been a Carter Family. 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. 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. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973. Americanpopandcountry musicsinger-songwriter, Taylor Swift is a multiple Grammy award winning artist who has inspired a number of hopeful musicians. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. If Dolly Parton (b. Brenda Holloway 13. 1955; 1956; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 60s; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 70s; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 80s; TOP 40 HOT COUNTRY SONGS OF THE 90s; Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, first generation of female country artists. Cline's singles continued to chart intermittently until 1999. Earle's brand of country-folk protest music sets him apart from his peers. Also a humanitarian, Cash supports many charitable organizations like Children, Incorporated, which supports young adults and children. Rosanne Cash is an American singer-songwriter. They worked with fellow Canadian Gordon Lightfoot, and also recorded several original and traditional folk songs. Singer/songwriter Tom Waits is probably one of the contemporary folk artists most well-respected outside of contemporary folk music. But in the 70s, together with Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr., Jennings started the Outlaw Country Movement as an attempt to break away from the more traditional Nashville Sound. For the latest songwriting tips, reviews, podcasts, and more. 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. Ian & Sylvia were one of the most successful folk duos of the 1960s and '70s. Skeeter Davis: Davis (1931-2004) first came to public notice in 1953 as half of the Davis Sisters (although she and Betty Jack Davis were not related). In the 1950s, country music continued to benefit from commercial success thanks to post-war prosperity. She gained fame with her first hit, Sentimental Journey, which became a sort of anthem during World War II. 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. Her debut albumJulie Is Her Namecame out later that year. 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.". Jana Kramer is an American singer and actress who was adjudged Top New Female Artist at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards. Hank Williams & Drifting Cowboys - Honky Tonkin' 3. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. Born out of Washington Heights, New York, Veronica Bennett(Ronnie Spector), her older sisterEstelle Bennett, and their cousinNedra Talley made up The Ronettes. Its 1957 in Detroit and two years before Motown would emerge, friends Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard, Gloria Williams, and Martha Reeves, who would move up as lead singer following Williams departure were finding their voice. After winning a 1949 contest on Arthur Godfreys radio program, the quartet became a regular fixture on the show and recorded their debut album Harmony Time in 1950. 1 hit in 1950 and 1951. In the Name of Love, Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, I Hear a Symphony, You Cant Hurry Love, You Keep Me Hangin On, Love Child, Someday Well Be Together. Already a member? Eventually, she would gravitate more toward country tunes, finding better success in that genre. Hits: Mr. 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. She was placed third in the singing contest Nashville Star. It almost seems like every folk artist of note came up listening to the Carter Family and learning their songs. There are some exceptions- the work of WebHer and Bob Regan made good music together. Although they started out as more of a bluegrass group, Nickel Creek evolved, over the course of their 20 years, into more of a generalized folk group. Emmylou Harris is often considered a country singer, but her roots really lie in contemporary folk. Her life was depicted in the 1985 movie, Sweet Dreams. Next: Top female singers of all time list (our choices). Most might gravitate towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation for rock and roll during that time. 1 on the R&B chart. Hits: Be My Baby, Baby, I Love You, Walking in the Rain. Although both Art Garfunkel and Paul Simon have had careers since the duo split up, and although Paul Simon has become a rather influential, prolific songwriter, it's hard to deny the level of artistry they were able to achieve as a pair. She also performed in Annie Get Your Gun, Woman Of The Year, and The Unmistakable Molly Brown.. 1946) isn't already designated as country music's official ambassador to the universe, something is terribly amiss. Barbra Streisand 15. 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. Her songs have been used in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" 1 country single with her 1952 breakout hit It Wasnt God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Controversial and searing, the Charts), Canadian singer Anne Murray became the first Canadian female solo artist with No. Become a member. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Hits: Dedicated to the One I Love, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Mama Said, Baby Its You, Soldier Boy, Foolish Little Girl. The portrayal of the title character of television series, Hannah Montana, made her a teen idol. Patsy Cline. 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. Vote for Your Favourite Female Country Singers, (Pop Icon & One of the Best-Selling Musicians of All Time), (Singer-Songwriter and Actress, Primarily Known for Her Work in Country Music), (Singer Known for Her Album 'Come On Over'), (Country Singer-Songwriter Known for Her Hits You Ain't Woman Enough' and 'Fist City'), (One of the Most Popular Female Country Vocal Artists of the Late 20th Century), (Country Singer-Songwriter Best Known for Her Albums: Kerosene, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and 'Platinum), (One of the Most Influential Vocalists of the 20th Century), (American Music Artist Who is Known as the First Lady of Country Music), (Filmmaker, Podcaster and Former Actress Best Known for Her Role as Sam Puckett in the Nickelodeon Sitcom iCarly), (One of the Best-selling Artists, Who Starred in the Musical 'Grease'), (Country Singer, Five-Time Grammy Award-Winner), (Pop Artist who Has the Most US Billboard 200 Top-5 Albums in the 21st Century by a Female), (Country Music Singer Who Topped the Charts at age 13 for Her Single Blue), Country singer Kacey Musgraves has won six, (American Singer-Songwriter & Multi-Instrumentalist), (One of the Best Selling Pop, Rock Singer-Songwriter with Nine Grammy Awards), (One of the Most Successful Country Music Artists of All Time), Country music legend Faith Hill is best known for her hits, (Actress and Singer Best Known for Her Song 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'), (Country Pop Singer Known for Her Single 'Love Me Like You Mean It'), (Country Singer Best Known for Her Hit single She's in Love with the Boy), (Country Singer and Actress Known for Her Role as 'Alex Dupre' on the Television Series 'One Tree Hill'), (Country Singer-Songwriter Best Known for Her 1977 Hit Single 'Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue'), Country-pop crossover singer Crystal Gayle is best known for her, (One of the Best-Selling Country Artists of All Time), (Country Singer-Songwriter Known for Her Breakout Single 'Seven Year Ache'), Model Barbi Benton is best known for her stint with, (Singer-Songwriter Known for Her 1960 Hit 'Im Sorry' and 1958s 'Rockin around the Christmas Tree'), Loretta Morgan, daughter of country singer George Morgan, began her career as a singer at age 13. After Washington left Hamptons band, she embarked on a successful solo career. Old time banjo player Charlie Poole was one of the earliest stars of the old-time scene back in the 1920s. Menu. It's kind of funny that the Weavers and Woody Guthrie come up last in this alphabetical listing, as they're probably two of the most important artists in the history of the contemporary folk movement in this country. This is a professional review website. She blended country music with pop. During her peak, she gained recognition worldwide as the most successful female singer. The Marvelettes were the first all-female group on the Motown label. Despite a number of songs in her repertoire prior, Clines first big hit was Walkin After Midnight, which peaked at No. 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 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. She also helped define the Nashville Sound style associated with country music. WebIf 1960s country music has now largely faded from the public memory, then 1960 country music by female performers is even more obscure. Through his haunting, intuitive songwriting skills, Harper has certainly earned his place among the best folk artists of all time. Like Kitty Wells' It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, A Dear John Letter topped the charts for six weeks. 600 Opry Mills Drive In 1967, Berry Gordy changed the group name toDiana Ross & the Supremes and in the years that would follow, the Supremes underwent more lineup changes before parting ways in 1977. One year later, after auditioning for WDAY in Fargo, radio personality Ken Kennedy gave her the stage name Peggy Lee. 1 hit Leader of the Pack, along with songs like Give Him a Great Big Kiss and Remember (Walking in the Sand)., Hits: Leader of the Pack, Remember (Walking in the Sand), I Can Never Go Home Anymore. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances Shore made her debut as a singer on a Nashville radio station. Emmylou Harris 14. When she was 15, Rosemary Clooney decided to remain in her hometown in Kentucky with her father and sister while her mom and brother moved to California after their parents divorce. Kelsea Ballerini Announces Third Leg of Heartfirst Tour. Sign-Up For Our Newsletter. Her singing style helped influence several artists and musical genres. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto. 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 3 on theBillboard charts and impressed studio executives. As a writer, she has contributed immensely to publications like The Huffington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Seventeen. WebThis is a list of American female country singers . 2 in 1958. 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 She was another one of the female vocalists of the 1950s to get a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One of the most decorated female country singers of her generation, Judd was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame for her contribution to music. Woody Guthrie's "This Land is Your Land" melody was taken from an old Carter Family tune. 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.