Several performers received the greatest recognition and fame, but the greatest, true king of pop music was Michael Jackson. His compositions have been listened to for decades, they will probably sound forever. Even as a performer, he still has a large number of loyal fans.
During his not very long life, Michael Jackson became the owner of the most prestigious award 15 times. musical world Grammy Award, has sold approximately 1 billion albums and has been listed in the Guinness Book of World Records 13 times. He deservedly received the title of the best of all times.
On June 25, 2009, the pop idol left the stage forever. He died from an overdose of the drug propofol. After this, his albums began to be sold out with even greater fanaticism.
The best singers of all time
Michael Jackson became the most popular singer in the world and the best performer of pop music. But, as far as rock is concerned, one of the greatest musicians This direction is Freddie Mercury.
The lead singer of Queen had a rare gift - a unique voice that was in perfect harmony with his appearance. He was irresistible on stage, so the group quickly became famous throughout the world.
Freddie Mercury passed away on November 24, 1991. He died in London from bronchial pneumonia, which he developed due to AIDS. In 1992, a grand concert was held in his honor with the participation of many rock stars.
The British singer, musician, and producer Sir James Paul McCartney has also forever won the love and vocation of a huge number of people. He is one of the founders of The Beatles. Paul McCartney has been awarded a Grammy Award 16 times and has been included in the Guinness Book of Records more than once. His duet with John Lennon, another greatest singer of all time, became one of the most successful musical collaborations.
The Italian singer, composer, and comedian Adriano Celentano has become a legend of world music. He has his own unique style, special facial expressions and gait. His albums have always sold out in huge quantities. Now Adriano is near Milan and repairs watches.
Joe Cocker is considered one of the best blues and rock performers. His blues ballads are sung in a low, hoarse baritone, making them unique in their own way. Joe Cocker is also an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
Sir Elton John became one of the most successful singers, pianists and composers of British pop, rock, rock and glam rock. During his 40-year career as a musician, Elton John has sold more than 550 million copies of his albums. On the list of the 100 greatest musicians in history, he ranks 49th.
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Almost all music critics share modern musical styles into three main categories: rock, pop and rap. Each of them is divided into many substyles.
Popular music
Pop is music. An extremely broad term that covers many genres and subgenres. It includes such styles as disco (music with an abundance of effects, a clearly defined rhythm section, the addition of winds and strings), trance ( electronic music with an abundance of cosmic melodies), house (completely electronic music, the only instrument of which is a synthesizer, characteristic feature are repeated musical phrases), (large music, metallic sound, cold vocals, huge amount effects), funk (a dance genre with leading drummers, a broken rhythm and low melody). This musical direction is especially popular among domestic musicians.Rock music
Rock as a genre is rooted in the old, foreign, black blues, which appeared in America back in the twenties of the twentieth century. Any blues consists of twelve measures or segments of the composition, each of the measures consists of several notes, and the emphasis is always on the first. In the traditional instrumental set of blues music there is bass or double bass, drums, horns, keyboards and, of course, . Rock grew out of "guitar" blues, which does not have as many horns and keyboards as traditional blues.Rock and roll became popular among young people in the fifties of the twentieth century; it was a simplified variation on the blues theme. Over time, rock grew out of it, which became an art influenced by the Beatles.
The Beatles actually became the founders of half the subgenres of rock.
In essence, rock is the blues, but with a different semantic content. Rock is, first of all, protextual music. There are many subgenres in rock. For example, hard rock is a style with a heavy, harsh sound; the rhythm section occupies a dominant position in this style; it is in hard rock that you can hear the most interesting, “free” vocals. Pop rock is soft, rhythmic music with light arrangements, designed for a wide audience. Folk rock is now a trend trying to combine rock and folk music. Psychedelic rock is unconventional, complex music with an abundance of effects, usually having a serious impact on listeners. Heavy metal is harsh, heavy, inharmonious music, it is very far from the usual standards.
Very often in the modern world there is a mixture of genres, when it is quite difficult to accurately determine which style a particular composition belongs to.
Rap music
Rap most likely originated from the reggae dance style of Jamaica. These styles have a lot in common - uneven rhythm, repetitive musical fragments, difficult work rhythm section. In fact, rap lacks vocals as such. The text here is spoken in recitative. The main instruments are bass and drums; additional effects are often used.A survey of Russians on the popularity of TV presenters is conducted by leading entertainment publications every year. In the ranking of the most popular stars TV program hosts include well-known people who are famous for their wit and charm. Who are these people?
Tip 4: What are the most famous films with Adriano Celentano
Adriano Celentano is known to many fans of Italian cinema. This man has starred in several dozen films. Several of them have become real masterpieces of world cinema and are still of interest among film lovers from all over the world.
The comedy film “Bluff” provided the viewer with an acquaintance with one of the best cinematic duets: Quinn and Celentano. Two swindlers, having met while escaping from the train carrying them, joined forces. Having decided to deceive the owner and part-time head of the mafia, the beautiful Belle Duc, the heroes come up with a grandiose scam that resembles a game of poker (one of the terms is “bluff”). Against the backdrop of all this, a struggle for the right to be “the best” was visible. The red line is “trust,” which once again gives the viewer pause to think about human relationships.
In the film The Taming of the Shrew, Celentano appears to us as a rude man who does not respect women and is quite happy with his life as a lonely bachelor. The companion who appeared in his life tried to change not only his views on the world, but also him. Seeing that our hero (Ilia) is indifferent, she tries to “touch” his heart. The film is filled with many comedic situations, which gives the two characters the opportunity to bond. Both of them are from different “”: he is a farmer, she is a socialite. And at the moment when the heroine is tired of fighting, the climax comes: the rapprochement of two loving hearts.
“The Grumpy” is one of Celentano’s works, where the main character, lawyer Tito, is the “victim” of a fifteen billion fraud. Out of concern for the “neighbor”, giving up the ticket to a waitress who was flying on the same flight into unpredictable situations. Plus everything with treasures found by Mary’s husband (the waitress).
Also known are the films “Ace” (Celentano plays a gambler who dies at the beginning of the film, but returns as a ghost to his ex-wife), “Madly in Love” (a wonderful comedy, the plot of which is the duet Celentano - Mutti in “The Taming of the Shrew”).
Famous are the paintings in which Adriano together with his wife Claudia Mori. For example, “Rugantino” and “Emigrant”.
A short excursion into the comedic “elite” films of Celentano. In the film about two swindlers, his desire for the game is visible. He took on any role, with any “shade”. In addition, he is interested in photography, chess, tennis, and plays billiards, and all this contributes to a better perception of his personal roles.
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In principle, there cannot be a clear answer to this question. The fact is that in different eras they were popular different people. At one time they were Vladimir Vysotsky and Viktor Tsoi, at another - Napoleon, at the third - Peter the Great. However, not only these outstanding figures were at the zenith of fame.
Who is the most popular person in the world at all times?
As mentioned above, each era honors a specific person, but sometimes there are exceptions: some people pass through years, centuries, eras with some kind of invisible thread. Such personalities, of course, include Michael Jackson. This man showed the world the amazing depth of his own voice, combined with incredible virtuosity and flexible choreography.
Michael Jackson came from an African-American working-class family. After Jackson and his brothers moved to Los Angeles, he began working on music and choreography with a professional manager. As they say, the well-deserved fame did not take long to arrive: within a few months, Michael Jackson began giving record-breaking concert tours around the world, collecting sold-out audiences!
Unfortunately, Michael Jackson did not live to this day, but many people remember him as a man with an incredible and impressive ability to convey very complex and deep emotions to a large audience!
Other Most Popular People in the World
In 2013, Vladimir Putin topped the ranking of the most influential people in the world, conducted by Forbes magazine. The President of the Russian Federation displaced his American colleague, Barack Obama, from the first line of the rating.According to an international survey conducted at the beginning of 2014 by You Gov for the Times newspaper, the most popular person in the world was the founder of the American company Microsoft, Bill Gates. He took first place in the popularity ranking. The world community gave second place to American President Barack Obama, and third place to President Russian Federation Vladimir Putin. By the way, Vladimir Putin is ahead of Pope Francis himself in this rating.
Moreover, Bill Gates, according to the above survey, topped the ranking of the most popular people in China! It is curious that his rating in China turned out to be twice as high as that of the General Secretary of the Communist Party Central Committee, Xi Jinping. It is worth noting that about 14 thousand people from 13 countries took part in the above survey.
Michael Jackson takes an honorable seventh place in the top twenty search queries according to Google.The Google search engine recently published a ranking of the twenty most popular - relative to certain ones. Oddly enough, but this one is headed by an American of Canadian origin - Justin Bieber. Other celebrities included in this top twenty are actor Robert Patison, singer Kesha, Megan Fox, country singer Taylor Swift, singer and friend of Justin Bieber - Selena Gomez, Cristiano Ronaldo, singer Katy Perry, US Barack Obama and others.
Music is a happy component in our life. When we are under stress, music can help us heal our Bad mood. Beautiful music needs singers who have amazing voice to be a component. With their beautiful voices along with their fiery styles, they are becoming popular in the entertainment industry. Today, we present to you the top 10, most popular foreign singers in 2017. If you want to know who the most popular singer in the west, enjoy reading the list below.
Rihanna was born in St. Michael, Barbados in 1988 and she is a famous Barbadian singer, actress and fashion designer. She began her singing career in 2005, and her first debut album, “Sun,” was released the same year. By pursuing a singing career and with great effort, she has won 22 Billboard Music Awards, 6 Grammy Awards and many more. In 2012, she was ranked fourth as the most powerful celebrity by Forbes magazine. In the same year, she became the most popular singer.
Born in London, England in 1988, Adele is a singer and songwriter. She began her singing career in 2006 after a friend posted her demo on MySpace and brought her to the attention of XL Recordings. Two years after signing the contract, her first album comes out and makes her famous. Later, the second album sold over 26 million copies worldwide. Moreover, she was awarded 6 Grammy Awards because of her beautiful voice for the movie “007”. Coordinates: "Skyfall". Due to her many achievements as well as her talent in her singing career, she is the second most popular singer in 2015.
A charismatic and gentle singer, Taylor Swift was born in Pennsylvania, United States in 1989. At the age of 14, she began her singing career. She is best known for her country songs, which have earned her 11 Country Music Association awards. Her soft and beautiful voice reaches out to the public, making her debut album sell out quickly and be downloaded frequently. Due to all these reasons, she is known as the third most popular singer in 2015.
Lady Gaga is recognized as a crazy artist. Her clothes, makeup and dance style are so whimsical and colorful. However, she is one of the most popular singers in 2015. She has won many awards, including 5 Grammys. Her debut album “The Fame” made her famous as it sold millions of copies. She was born in New York, USA in 1986.
Shakira is not only famous singer, but she is also a choreographer, songwriter and model. She attracts the attention of the public with her very entertaining performance. No other singers can actually move the hip spiral beautifully just like her. She won countless awards with her debut album “Hips Don’t Lie.” Among the numerous awards: Grammy, Billboard Music Awards and others. She was born in Atlantico, Colombia in 1977.
Born in California, USA in 1984. Katy Perry became famous with her single "Ur So Gay", released in 2007. She has won numerous awards including Guinness World Records and is known as the highest paid woman in music according to Forbes magazine.
A popular American singer, songwriter and actress, Beyoncé was born in Texas, USA in 1981. She has been a very popular singer for at least one decade due to her cute and beautiful voice. She puts all her efforts into the entertainment industry and tries to find fashion, dance and hairstyles to keep fans attracted to her around the world. She ranks 7th in the TOP 10 list of the most popular singers in 2015.
Miley Cyrus began her career as a singer in 2006 when she appeared as Miley Stewart in the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana. She emerged to later become a teen idol. Although there is a lot of criticism about her nudity and seductive antics, while on stage, she tries her best and doesn't let those critics ruin her fame. And after all, she is still one of the most popular singers to this day. She was born in 1992, in Tennessee, USA
The penultimate most popular singer in 2015 is Jennifer Lopez, who was born in New York, USA in 1969. In 1980, she began singing professionally. She remains the most popular singer in the world and has one of the best-selling albums worldwide. She is not only a singer, but also an actress, fashion designer and songwriter.
The least, but not the most popular singer in 2015, Cheryl Cole was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England in 1983. She began her career in 1990 as a singer and later became a songwriter, dancer, entrepreneur, model and TV presenter. Her stunning body of work along with her unique voice has captured the hearts of fans all over the world.
In rock music, playing instruments plays a huge role, but there is another important part of any track - vocals. What gives you a million goosebumps while listening to a cool song? It is the powerful voice of the vocalist. In this article you can get acquainted with ten vocalists with the strongest voices in the history of rock music.
10. Rod Stewart
7 him solo albums rose to number 1 on the UK Albums Chart. And 22 of the 62 hit singles were in the top ten.
9. Noddy Holder
Noddy Holder is the former guitarist and vocalist of the rock band Slade.
Over 25 years of work in the group, they managed to release 40 singles and 20 albums. The song "Merry Xmas Everybody" immediately after its release took first place in the British charts. This track became one of the most popular Christmas songs and the best-selling in the history of the group.
After leaving for solo career In 2000, Holder was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his success in show business. In 2007, he was one of three celebrities who received their star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars.
8. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin is the vocalist of bands such as the Full Tilt Boogie Band, Big Brother and the Holding Company and the Kozmic Blues Band.
In 1995, Janice was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. For all her outstanding achievements, she was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005. In 2013 she received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
7. Steve Perry
Steve Perry is the lead singer of the band Journey.
The group's long play, entitled "Evolution", received triple platinum status and took 20th place on the Billboard chart. The next album, “Departure,” managed to climb to 8th place on the chart. And the group’s most successful album, “Frontiers,” sold 6 million copies and held second place on the chart for several months.
6. Sammy Hagar
Sammy Hagar is the guitarist and vocalist of the rock band Van Halen.
From 1997-1999, the famous Washburn company produced Sammy Hagar's signature guitars. March 12, 2007 performer as former member Van Halen was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
5. Ronnie James Dio
Throughout his long career as a musician, the performer has recorded about 50 albums. In 1988, the official opening of a street in Cortland took place, named in honor of Ronnie James Dio. In 2006, the musician received the Classic Rock Awards. In 2007, he was inducted into the Guitar Center Hall of Fame.
4. David Coverdale
In 1980, an album entitled “Ready An" Willing" was released, which brought Coverdale his first popularity. The track "Love Ain"t No Stranger" became a hit on the MTV channel and instantly gained enormous popularity in America. And the album “Slide It In” received gold status; more than 500 thousand records were sold.
3. Klaus Meine
Klaus Meine is a songwriter, vocalist and guitarist of the band Scorpions.
The album "Blackout" is one of the most successful records in the entire history of the group. And the album “Love at first Sting” received platinum status. The world-famous singles “Wind of change” and “Send me an angel” were awarded multi-platinum status.
2. Robert Plant
Robert Plant is the vocalist of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
The hit single “Whole Lotta Love” was able to reach number 4 on the US charts and later became the group’s anthem. The greatest album in the entire history of the group’s existence was “Physical Graffiti,” with the help of which interest in the group’s past records was revived.
1. Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury is the vocalist of the rock band Queen.
Fredi's song "Bohemian Rhapsody" was recognized as " Best song millennium" according to The Official Charts Company. And the single “We Are The Champions”, even after so many years, is the unofficial anthem of the winners of various competitions. On September 5, 2016, an asteroid from the main asteroid belt was named after Freddie Mercury.
At all times, musicians have earned fame in a variety of ways. But only true talents can earn truly long-term memory and fame.
There are many popular singers, they are loved, listened to, admired, but only a few of them become real idols of millions. Even after death, they are also popular and loved. Their performance has captivated more than one generation of fans. It is difficult to say which of the singers presented below is the most popular; it is also impossible to rank them. Each of them is talented in their own way, their fame has long crossed the borders of their countries of residence, they are world stars, and there is no point in assigning popularity numbers to them.
Among popular singers, even world-famous stars, the glory of the American king of pop music, composer, dancer, trendsetter, shines brighter than anyone else. And after his unexpected death, the demand and fame of his musical compositions only increased. He was not only a constant success with millions of fans from all countries, but was also awarded all sorts of numerous awards. Only the most prestigious music award, the Grammy, was awarded to him 15 times, not counting hundreds of other music awards. He was listed in the Guinness Book of Records 13 times, and in 2009, after his death, Michael Jackson was officially recognized as an American Legend and Music Icon. His compositions are still heard today, so many years after his departure, and for many decades the singer’s songs and musical compositions will delight, fascinate and enchant many generations of his fans.
Freddie Mercury
The mesmerizing voice and appearance of the Queen lead singer, which perfectly harmonizes with his voice, gained popularity not only for the singer himself, but also for his group. Freddie Mercury became the brightest representative of rock music culture; he was and remains one of the most popular performers in the whole world. His short life was cut short on a foggy November evening in 1991; he died in his hometown of London from bronchopneumonia, which developed as a result of AIDS. Freddie's incredible stage images and his eccentric behavior on stage are known even to people far from rock culture. In 1992, his group and many world stars of pop and rock music organized a concert in memory of Freddie at Wembley Stadium, the proceeds of which were donated to the AIDS Foundation.
Paul McCartney
Another famous British musician, singer, songwriter and composer, who was awarded the title of knight in England for outstanding services in the musical field. In the 60-70s, everyone simply went crazy about the songs and music of the “Fab Four,” or as they were called in Russia, the Beatles. The Beatles, one of the founders of which was Paul McCartney until 1971, when it broke up, was wildly successful; at its concerts, fans fell into real hysterics. The Guinness Book of Records names him as “the most successful composer and musician of all time.”
And he was awarded the prestigious Grammy Award 16 times, even more than the King of Pop Michael Jackson. His songs performed with fellow Beatles lead singer John Lennon gained worldwide fame. In 1971, the Beatles broke up, but Paul McCartney, despite his advanced age, still sometimes performs solo concerts.
John Lennon
Another singer from the famous “Fab Four” is John Lennon, who could rightfully be given the title “king of the hippies,” young people who dreamed of living according to the laws of love and peace. Agree, a little unusual for talented singer, leader of the most popular group in the 60-70s, the Beatles. This bright singing career and such a short life was cut short in 1980 by a bullet (oddly enough) from one of the Beatles fans.
For several decades, Charles Aznavour has been the most popular singer in France, but his songs sound and excite millions of his fans not only in France. This Frenchman of Armenian origin, singer, composer, actor, public figure was the creator and performer of more than a thousand songs, starred in sixty films, and sold more than 100 million records with his songs. Even at the beginning of his musical career, French President Charles de Gaulle said about him, “He will conquer the whole world, because he knows how to excite.” And this prediction came true. One of his songs, “Eternal Love,” which is still heard from stages all over the world, is on different languages, excites and fascinates any audience.
The melodic voice and expressive demeanor on stage of this Italian singer, composer, actor, director and TV presenter are familiar to many. Adriano was and remains one of the most popular singers and actors in Italy, but his fame has long crossed the borders of the country. During his creative career, Celentano released 41 studio albums, with a circulation of 150 million, and starred in more than forty films. This popular singer cannot be confused with anyone else, except for the mesmerizing timbre of his voice; he has his own unique style, special facial expressions and gait.
Joe Cocker
The peak of popularity of British singer Joe Cocker came in the 60s. But even today this performer of rock and blues excites the hearts of lovers of these styles of music. Cocker's blues ballads, sung in a low, husky baritone, are a constant success on any stage. He is the winner of several awards, including a Grammy Award, awarded to him in 1983. For his outstanding musical services, Joe Cocker was awarded the Order of the British Empire and is a Knight Commander of this Order.
Another popular British rock singer who has worldwide fame. Discs with recordings of his songs have always been at the top of the charts around the world. Many of his songs became soundtracks to famous films. Sting came to Russia with concerts several times, where he had unprecedented success, however, no matter where the singer performs, success does not leave him. Sting's popularity has not waned over the years, although he has already crossed the 60-year-old mark, the rock music legend continues to perform. Despite his age, the fit and energetic Sting is full of creative plans. For his 65th birthday, he released a new album, “57th and 9th.”
Apparently, the climate of Foggy Albion has some unusual features that contribute to the emergence of musical talents. Sir Elton John is another popular British singer who has gained worldwide fame as a light rock star. Rock singer, songwriter, composer, pianist, actor - Elton John has sold more than 550 copies of his music albums during his forty-year singing career. His musical compositions in the style of pop, rock, piano rock and glam rock have always occupied leading places in any charts. And although he was a world-class singer, the title of Sir, awarded to him in England in 1995, speaks of how highly his extraordinary talent was appreciated in his homeland. To this day, Elton John remains one of the most popular singers in the world.
American singer, author of more than 70 studio albums, sings in the styles of soul, jazz and rhythm and blues. According to version Rolling Stone Ray Charles was ranked tenth on the 100 list in 2004. greatest performers of all time", and in 2008 he took second place in the list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time".
At the beginning of Elvis Presley's musical career, nothing foreshadowed such unprecedented success for him. An unremarkable American boy, a truck driver, tried to make his way onto the big stage by performing his own compositions in country style. Everything changed in an instant, the composition “Heatbreak hotel”, recorded by him in 1956, made him famous overnight. He instantly became an American idol; tens of thousands of young Americans wanted to be, at least in appearance and behavior, similar to Elvis. And all the girls dreamed and dreamed about him. In the sixties, when famous singers dressed and behaved on stage rather conservatively, young Presley was among them, like a bright firebird who somehow ended up in an inconspicuous chicken coop. His unusual outfits, relaxed movements, and overt sexuality seemed provocative to the older generation, and the youth of America simply went crazy about him. To say that Elvis Presley was a popular singer is to say nothing. He was the idol and idol of millions of fans, and not only in America. This talented and bright singer very quickly gained worldwide fame. But not everyone passes the test of fame, and this happened with Presley. He died at 42, at the height of his popularity, from a drug overdose. But, despite the fact that the singer has not been in this world for a long time, his songs are still loved and listened to, and the house where he lived is a place of pilgrimage for fans of Elvis Presley’s talent.
Avis Presley has also been repeatedly recognized as one of the most beautiful men in the world!
Frank Sinatra
The greatest American singer Frank Sinatra had an amazing velvety timbre of his voice, and his natural elegance, white-toothed smile, and intelligent manners played no less effectively on the image of a talented soloist. In the 50-60s, at the height of his popularity, he was the real voice of America, and although he did not make musical tours to other countries, his songs were heard not only in home country. In addition to his singing career, Frank Sinatra starred in twenty films and even won an Oscar for his first role in the film “From Here to Eternity.” This unique singer lived a long life, and almost until its very end did not leave the musical Olympus, being creative until a very old age. He died in 1998, and on the day of his death, national mourning was declared in America, all entertainment programs were canceled, and flags were flown at half-staff.
Another popular British singer, songwriter, actor, and a favorite of fans of his talent is Robbie Williams, whose global album sales exceed 59 million. For his unusually velvety voice timbre and original manner of performance, Elton John called the singer “the Frank Sinatra of the 21st century.” In April 2015, Robbie Williams performed for the first time in Russia, in St. Petersburg. Apparently, the Russian audience did not disappoint the singer, and Russia seemed so attractive to him that, having visited our country again in 2017, he declared that he was ready to represent Russia with a song at Eurovision.
Joe Dassin
Anyone who has ever heard the songs and musical compositions of Joe Dassin will never forget the low, enchanting voice of this elegant singer, his soulful manner of performance, when it seems that in his song he is addressing you specifically. The popular American-born French singer lived a colorful but short life; he died of a heart attack at just 42 years old. But in less than 20 years of his singing career, he published 20 studio albums, traveled all over the world and his concerts were always sold out. Joe Dassin's songs are still popular, they are performed by various famous singers, and they have been translated into many languages. In Russia, his hits such as “Where are you” and “If you weren’t there” are well known; they are performed in both French and Russian.
This Russian bard did not become a world celebrity, but this is not his fault; his talent surpassed many famous foreign singers of that time. He just lived at the wrong time and in the wrong country, the system and the laws in Russia under which he was engaged in creativity are to blame. The songs of which he was the author, either sung or told in his hoarse, passionate voice, about love, fidelity, fear, courage, heroism, about war, are still listened to and sung, and not only in Russia. The singer, popular in his homeland, was also known in other countries.
So let's start from 10th place
Ray Charles ( full name Ray Charles Robinson)
Frank Sinatra named Ray"the only true genius in show business." Paul McCartney, Elton John, Stevie Wonder, Tom Cruise, Bruce Willis, Billy Preston, Van Morrison and many others admired his talent.
During one of his awards, Ray has been described as "one of the most respected singers of his generation... a pioneer who broke down the barriers between secular and spiritual styles, between white and black pop music." He himself said simply: “Music has been in the world for a very long time, and it will be after me. I was just trying to leave my mark, to do something good in music.” In August 2005, the United States Congress renamed the West Adams Station post office in Los Angeles the Ray Charles Station.
In 1976 he became one of the first musicians, inducted into the Georgia State Hall of Fame. In 1981, he received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1986, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was awarded the French Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and in 2004, he was inducted into the Jazz Hall of Fame. During his career, Ray won 17 Grammy Awards (5 posthumously), not counting the Lifetime Achievement Award he received in 1987.
Aretha Franklin takes 9th place
American singer in the styles of rhythm and blues, soul and gospel. It achieved its greatest success in the 2nd half of the 1960s and early 1970s. Thanks to her exceptionally flexible and powerful vocals, she is often called the Queen of Soul. On January 3, 1987, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Recorded over the years the “queen’s” duets with her goddaughter Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Annie Lennox, Mary J. Blige, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Estefan, Christina Aguilera and other performers were released in 2007 as a separate disc “Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen". Two years earlier, she was awarded the United States' highest honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
8th place. Little Richard
American singer, pianist and composer who was at the origins of rock and roll.
In 1986, in the wake of the success of the book about the life of Little Richard, his new album “Lifetime Friend” was released, combining spirituality and rock. That same year, the singer was one of the first to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Since then, the musician began to appear frequently V cameo roles films, at group concerts, recording duets with many performers (Elton John, Jon Bon Jovi, Jerry Lee Lewis, Solomon Burke, etc.), he stopped recording new material, although he still occasionally gives concerts.
At the same time, Little Richard continues to preach and perform the duties of a priest, more than once marrying celebrities (the weddings of Bruce Willis, Bruce Springsteen, etc.). In 2000, a feature television film was released about the life of Little Richard.
7th place. James Brown
American singer, recognized as one of the most influential figures in pop music of the 20th century. " Godfather soul,” “Mr. Please Please Please,” and “Mr. Dynamite,” as he called himself. He worked in such genres as gospel, rhythm and blues, funk.
Golden time in musical career Brown's popularity came in the mid-1960s, when his popularity crossed the borders of Georgia and neighboring states. The extravagant performer tirelessly performed in concerts throughout the country. His credo was: “Perform longer and show the audience more than what they expect when they buy tickets.” At concerts, he worked hard to such an extent that behind the scenes he fell to the floor from nervous exhaustion and had to take glucose injections.
Over time Brown's funk evolved into the uncompromisingly danceable disco style that took the world by storm in the late 1970s. In the new conditions, the records of the “godfather of funk” are no longer in demand among young people. Brown is increasingly perceived as a cult figure in music history, rather than a participant in the current musical process. He makes cameo appearances in many Hollywood films, and in 1986, when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was created, he was declared one of its founding fathers.
73-year-old musician died of pneumonia on Christmas Day 2006. Farewell to him took place in front of a large crowd of people, including such stars as Michael Jackson, and the subsequent Grammy ceremony was dedicated to the memory of the great musician.
6th place. Jimi Hendrix
American guitarist, singer and composer. In 2009, Time Magazine named Hendrix the greatest guitarist of all time. Widely recognized as one of the most daring and inventive virtuosos in rock history.
Hendrix Even during his lifetime he was called a phenomenon and a genius. He discovered an endless source of new sound possibilities in the electric guitar. Speaking about Hendrix's innovations, critics emphasize that he expanded his range and vocabulary electric guitar and changed the face of rock music.
In May 2010 This year, BBC News reported that an exhibition would open at Jimi Hendrix's London home to mark the 40th anniversary of his death. This exhibit featured handwritten lyrics, clothing, and other memorabilia.
September 6, on his last performance At the Isle of Fehmarn festival, Hendrix was received extremely unfriendly by the audience and soon left the stage.
Hendrix remained in England and on the morning of September 18, 1970, was found dead in a room at the Samarkand Hotel in London.
He spent the night with his then girlfriend, German Monika Charlotte Danemann, and died in bed, choking on vomit, after taking 9 sleeping pills. Daneman noticed that something was wrong with Jimmy, but was afraid to call an ambulance because of the drugs that were everywhere in the apartment. Several years later, Daneman claimed that Hendricks was still alive when he was transferred to the ambulance, but her comments on the case were very inconsistent and varied from interview to interview.
In the biography of Hendrix the doctor on duty at the ambulance said that by the time Jimmy was taken to the hospital, it was no longer possible to save him.
Jimi Hendrix was buried in Greenwood Memorial Park in Renton, Washington, USA, contrary to his wishes to be buried in England.
Jimi Hendrix's posthumous discography includes more than 351 recordings.
5th place. Chuck Berry
American singer, guitarist, songwriter. One of the founders of rock and roll.
In May 1955, Berry, on the advice of Muddy Waters, contacted Leonard Chess, owner of the blues label Chess Records. He became interested in the guitarist, and it was his experiments with country rather than his blues, to the surprise of Berry himself.
May 21 Chuck Berry's first single, “Maybellene,” was recorded in the company's studio, combining the pressure of rhythm and blues and country style. The single sold more than a million copies and took 1st place on the American rhythm and blues chart (Billboard's Rhythm and Blues chart), and in September reached number 5 on the main US national chart - Billboard Hot 100.
Having finally found his style, Berry began releasing hit singles one after another that became classics of rock music: “Thirty Days” (1955), “Roll Over Beethoven” (1956), “Brown Eyed Handsome Man” (1956), “Rock'n'Roll Music" (1957), "Sweet Little Sixteen" (1958), "Johnny B. Goode" (1958) and others. Berry, as an author, stood out among the figures of early rock and roll: the lyrics of his songs were a kind of small stories, full of unexpected turns and irony, it was not for nothing that he was called the “poet of rock and roll.”
Since 1958 they began to publish and the singer's long-playing records; the blues occupied the main place in them. Berry toured extensively and also took part in the filming of two rock and roll feature films, Rock, Rock, Rock (1956) and Go, Johnny, Go (1959).
The singer is still He performs weekly on Wednesdays at his club Blueberry Hill in St. Louis and occasionally tours.
4th place. The Rolling Stones
British rock band, formed in 1962 and for many years rivaled The Beatles in popularity. The Rolling Stones, an important part of the British Invasion, are considered one of the most influential and successful bands in rock history. The Rolling Stones, who manager Andrew Loog Oldham envisioned as a "rebellious" alternative to The Beatles, were touted as "the greatest rock 'n' roll band in the world" on their American tour in 1969 and (according to Allmusic) managed to maintain that status to this day.
The group released in the UK there are twenty-two studio and eight live albums (in the US, 24 and 9, respectively). Twenty-one singles entered the top ten of the UK Singles Chart, 8 of them reached the top of the chart; The Rolling Stones' corresponding numbers on the Billboard Hot 100 are 28 and 8.
Worldwide circulation Rolling Stones albums exceeded 250 million, 200 million of them were sold in the United States; by these indicators the group is one of the most successful in history. In 1989, the Rolling Stones were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Rolling Stone s were very different from The Beatles in sound and image, their music was louder, harsher and full of very explicit lyrics for that period.
The Rolling Stones influence on the formation and development of rock music cannot be overestimated - not only musically, but also in artistic, visual, image and mass media terms. The group remains absolutely original to this day, recognizable from the first chords.
Uncomplicated, it would seem at first, works, some of which create a feeling of noise chaos upon first listening, upon subsequent listenings they appear as a full-fledged highly artistic artifact.
Elvis Presley takes honorable 3rd place
American singer and actor, one of the most commercially successful popular music performers of the 20th century. His fame is so widespread that most people only call him by his first name, “Elvis.” The phrase “King of Rock and Roll” is also associated with Elvis Presley.
Elvis Presley's success in popular music opened his way to Hollywood, which Tom Parker immediately took advantage of, signing contracts with the studios 20th Century Fox and Paramount. Presley's first film was Love Me Tender, which premiered on November 15, 1956. Presley played minor role and performed only four short songs, but it was the one that brought millions of spectators to cinemas that week. Elvis's long-time dream of becoming an actor came true. Two more films were released in 1957, Loving You and Prison Rock, which brought instant commercial success.
March 24, 1958 Elvis Presley was drafted into the US Army. The news of Presley's departure to the army caused protests in the country among young people: letters were sent to the army and the president demanding that the singer cancel his service. Meanwhile, this was a mutually beneficial enterprise: for Presley - to increase his reputation among the wider population (although he himself was internally worried that his career would come to an end), for the army - to thus raise the prestige of the service and attract new soldiers. In the fall of 1958, Presley was sent to the 3rd Panzer Division, stationed in West Germany, at Friedberg near Frankfurt.
March 2, 1960 Elvis Presley returned to America and was discharged on March 5 with the rank of sergeant. Recordings in the studio immediately began - the singer had not recorded anything since June 1958. The result was the album “Elvis Is Back!”, released a month later, which took 2nd place and is considered one of Presley’s best works.
Elvis Presley for more than 30 years remains one of the most famous personalities world pop culture. In America it has long been a part of daily life ordinary people, along with presidents and athletes. Jokes, associations, allusions, open parodies, etc. have become an integral phenomenon of the American entertainment industry.
Many films and television films have been made, both biographical and only indirectly related to Presley’s life itself, an even larger number of books have been published (including encyclopedias and culinary books). There is a thriving industry of Presley impersonators around the world (usually using the most recognizable image of Presley from the 1970s). His Graceland estate is the second most visited place in the United States after the White House (600 thousand people per year).
Bob Dylan was one step away from victory
American singer-songwriter songwriter, poet, artist, film actor. He has been a cult figure in popular music for five decades. Many of his songs, such as "Blowin" in the Wind" and "The Times They Are a-Changin"", became anthems for the civil rights and anti-war movements in the United States.
Summer 1965 Dylan releases his first full-length rock album, Highway 61 Revisited. For several years, the world of rock music digested the revolutionary charge of this record. Articles began to appear in serious literary magazines analyzing the lyrics of Dylan's songs. It is estimated that from 1964 to 1966, more than a hundred different artists covered his new songs.
Exit "Highway 61 Revisited" was preceded by the single “Like a Rolling Stone” (listen to snippet) (#2 in the US), which was also revolutionary in many ways. In addition to its poignantly poetic lyrics and powerful rock 'n' roll beat, the six-minute single marked the end of an era when songs longer than three minutes were not released as singles. In 2004, this song topped Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 best songs of all time.
In 1973 Dylan made his film debut by playing in the film “Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid” and writing the anthem “Knockin' on Heaven's Door” for it (4th place in the USA). This song entered the golden fund of rock music and was subsequently performed by dozens of artists - from Bob Marley and Roger Waters to U2, Guns N'Roses and Avril Lavigne.
September 11, 2001 was marked not only by terrorist attacks in the United States, but also by the release of Bob Dylan's 31st studio album, “Love and Theft,” which was very warmly received by the public and critics. Dylan, known for his negative attitude towards modern studio gadgets, self-produced this album under the pseudonym "Jack Frost". Observers were pleased that over the years the musician has expanded his stylistic range: the influence of jazz is especially noticeable on this disc.
August 29, 2006 The album was released Modern Times", which completes the trilogy of albums that began with "Time Out of Mind" and continued with "Love and Theft". This album made history by debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. Thus, 65-year-old Bob Dylan became the oldest artist to conquer the American sales charts.
The musician's vocals have become even rougher(if not senile), however, this did not affect the assessment of this recording by music critics. For example, Rolling Stone magazine named “Modern Times” the best disc of the year, and the Recording Academy of America awarded Dylan a Grammy Award for Best Rock Solo Performance.
In April 2008 Bob Dylan received the Pulitzer Prize "for his extraordinary influence on popular music and American culture, marked by lyrical compositions of exceptional poetic power." In 2010, Newsweek voted Bob Dylan's Love and Theft second for Best Album of the Decade.
And finally, 1st place. The Beatles
The Beatles- British rock band from Liverpool: John Lennon (rhythm guitar, lead guitar, keyboards, tambourine, maracas, bass guitar, harmonica, vocals), Paul McCartney (bass, keyboards, drums, guitar, vocals), George Harrison (lead guitar, rhythm guitar, sitar, tambourine, keyboards, vocals), Ringo Starr (drums, rhythm guitar, tambourine , maracas, cowbell, bongos, keyboards, vocals). Also in different times The band consisted of Pete Best (drums, vocals), Stuart Sutcliffe (bass guitar, vocals) and Jimmy Nicol (drums). After the group disbanded in 1970, each of its members began a solo career.
Beatles style originates from the 1950s, the era of rock and roll, which shaped the worldview and musical tastes of the future members of the group. In the spring of 1956, John Lennon (1940-1980) first heard the song “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley, which, according to him, meant the end of his entire previous life (it is interesting to note that he had heard Bill Haley before - the most popular rock and roll performer before Presley - made less of an impression on him).
By that time John was playing harmonica and banjo. Now he began to master the guitar. Soon, together with his schoolmates, he founded the group “The Blackjacks”, a week later renamed The Quarrymen, named after their school, Quarry Bank. The Quarrymen played skiffle, a British form of amateur rock and roll, and tried to sound like teddy boys.
In the summer of 1957 Lennon During one of the first concerts, Quarryman met 15-year-old Paul McCartney, who impressed John with his knowledge of the chords and words of the latest rock and roll (in particular the song “Twenty Flight Rock” by Eddie Cochran) and the fact that he was clearly better developed musically (Paul also played trumpet and piano).
In the spring of 1958 for occasional performances, and in the fall, Paul's friend, George Harrison (1943-2001), joined them permanently. It was these three who became the main backbone of the group; for the remaining members of Quarryman, rock and roll was a temporary hobby, and they soon fell away from the group.
At the end of 1959 The group included aspiring artist Stuart Sutcliffe, whom Lennon met at his art college. Sutcliffe's playing was not distinguished by great skill, which repeatedly irritated the demanding McCartney. In this form, the composition of the ensemble was almost complete: John Lennon (vocals, rhythm guitar), Paul McCartney (vocals, piano, rhythm guitar), George Harrison (lead guitar), Stuart Sutcliffe (bass guitar). However, there was a problem - the lack of a permanent drummer, which prompted the musicians to even organize comic competitions, inviting spectators to the stage as drummers.
In April 1960 The Beatles embarked on their first small tour of Scotland as a backing band. Their prowess as musicians grew steadily, although they continued to be one of Liverpool's many obscure rock 'n' roll bands.
Summer 1960 The Beatles were invited to play in Hamburg, where club owners were interested in genuine English-language rock and roll ensembles; The fact that several Liverpool bands were already playing in Hamburg turned out to be to the advantage of The Beatles. However, this also forced them to urgently look for a drummer in order to comply with a professional contract.
So Pete Best was recruited by them, who was the drummer in the Liverpool rock band The Blackjacks, who played at the Casbah club. On August 16, The Beatles left England, and the very next day their first concert took place at the Hamburg club Indra, where the group played until October. From October until the end of November, The Beatles played at the Kaiserkeller club.
Over time Brian Epstein met with producer George Martin from the Parlophone label, which belonged to EMI. George showed interest in the group and wanted to see them perform in the studio; he invited the quartet to audition at London's Abbey Road Studios on June 6.
It should be noted that in the end George Martin wasn’t particularly impressed by the group’s first demo recordings, but the Beatles, as a human being, immediately really liked him. Admitting that they had talent, Martin later said in interviews that it was not the Beatles' talent that impressed him that day, but that they themselves were attractive, cheerful and slightly cheeky young people
In November 1961 The first manager of The Beatles was Brian Epstein (Allan Williams, who had previously helped the group, was not a manager, he only performed the duties of a concert promoter and tour agent, in no way bound by obligations with the group). Over time, Brian Epstein met with producer George Martin from the Parlophone label, which belonged to EMI.
George showed interest in the group and wanted to see her perform in the studio; he invited the quartet to audition at London's Abbey Road Studios on June 6. It should be noted that in the end, George Martin was not particularly impressed with the group's first demo recordings, but the Beatles, as a human being, immediately really liked him. Admitting that they had talent, Martin later said in interviews that it was not the Beatles' talent that impressed him that day, but that they themselves were attractive, cheerful and slightly cheeky young people.
When Martin asked if there was anything in the studio, that they didn't like it, Harrison responded, "I don't like your tie." Fortunately for The Beatles, George Martin appreciated the joke: the group was invited to sign a long-awaited recording contract, and direct and witty answers to questions became the Beatles' signature style of conversation at various press conferences and interviews.
June 25, 1967“The Beatles” became the first ensemble whose performance was broadcast throughout the world - almost 400 million people in all countries could see them. Their performance became part of the world's first global television program, Our World. The performance was broadcast live from The Beatles' main studio on Abbey Road in London, and included a video version of the song "All You Need Is Love".
But after this triumph, the group's affairs began to decline, and the tragic death of The Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who died on August 27, 1967 as a result of an overdose of sleeping pills, played a significant role in this. “The Fifth Beatle,” as the group members themselves called him, who was in charge of all financial affairs and devoted all his time to the group, passed away, he was only 32 years old.
November 22, 1968 The band released their new record, the double album The Beatles, known among the masses simply as the "white album", due to its stark white cover, which only had the band's name printed on it. Critics gave the album mixed reviews. Many reviewers were of the opinion that the musicians should have been more demanding and compiled one disc.
However, the audience was delighted- Everyone liked the album. Well, in the biography of The Beatles, it occupies a special place, since it is the first clear evidence of the impending collapse of The Beatles. The days of working on the “white album” showed the barriers that arose between the group members, their relationships deteriorated, and Ringo Starr even left the ensemble for a while. As a result, in the songs "Martha My Dear", "Wild Honey Pie", "Dear Prudence" and "Back in the U.S.S.R." Drum parts performed by McCartney were recorded. However, the same album featured a song written by Ringo, "Don't Pass Me By".
The atmosphere in the group became tense and because of new wife Lennon - Yoko Ono, who was present at every sound session of the group and very annoyed all its members (except, of course, Lennon). In addition, Lennon and Harrison began to release solo records, which also did not greatly improve the group’s fortunes. All these nuances inexorably led to disintegration. From that day on, the rapid disintegration of the quartet began, since McCartney, who believed that a more worthy candidate for this post should be the father of his future wife Linda, Lee Eastman, was against it, and eventually began legal proceedings against his own group (which, however, began after the breakup of The Beatles in December 1970).
Work on the album “Get Back” was abandoned (only a few singles with the most successful songs were released), but the group was still able to find the strength to create the album Abbey Road - a masterpiece that became the last creation of the group (the album “Let It Be”, although released later, consisted of records created back in early 1969). The last song that The Beatles recorded together (this was on August 20) was "I Want You".
December 8, 1980 John Lennon was killed in New York by a mentally unstable US citizen, Mark Chapman. On the day of his death, Lennon gave his last interview to American journalists, and at 22:50, when John and Yoko were entering the arch of their house, returning from the Hit Factory recording studio, Chapman, who had earlier that day taken Lennon’s autograph for the cover of the new album “Double Fantasy,” fired five shots in his back.
Police car called by the gatekeeper of the Dakota, Lennon was taken to Roosevelt Hospital in just a few minutes. But the doctors’ attempts to save Lennon were in vain - due to heavy loss of blood, he died, the official time of death was 23 hours 15 minutes. Lennon was cremated in New York and his ashes were given to Yoko Ono.
Paul McCartney was planning a reunion The Beatles a year before John Lennon was killed. In his 1979 contract with CBS Records, McCartney stated that he would be able to record again with Lennon, Harrison and Starr under the name "The Beatles."
Achievements of The Beatles
Essay "The Beatles""A Day In The Life" has been voted the best British song of all time. This decision of the expert council of Q magazine arrived at the right moment - the collection “HELP: A Day In The Life”, quoting the titles of two Beatles tracks at once, had just begun to storm the top of the charts. The original lyrics of this song, written by John Lennon, sold for $1.2 million at Sothebase's auction in the United States.In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine published the 500 best songs of all time. The list has the most songs by The Beatles - 23.
The largest American music television company VH-1 published a ranking of the 100 best albums in the history of rock and roll. The album “Revolver” (1966) took first place. legendary group"The Beatles," reports The Washington Post.
List of one hundred best positions compiled based on a survey of more than 500 journalists, workers music industry and performers. Four more albums by the Fab Four: “Rubber Soul” (1965), “Abbey Road” (1969), “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) and The Beatles (also known as the White Album, 1968) were among the next ten positions, occupying 6th, 8th, 10th and 11th respectively -th places.
Yesterday (1965)- According to the Guinness Book of Records, this song has been covered more than any other ever written, and the recording corporation EMI claims that it was performed over seven million times in the 20th century alone.
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is the eighth album by the British rock group The Beatles. Many critics have called "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is among the most influential rock albums of all time. In particular, it was named best album in history according to Rolling Stone magazine in 2003.
In 1964 Three songs by The Beatles made it into the top ten of the American charts.
TV show Ed Sullivan with "The Beatles" (1964) attracted 73,000,000 viewers.
The Beatles received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her achievements and contributions to music.
In 2009 The Beatlemania Museum was opened in Hamburg.
R.S
The following musicians also made the list:Bob Marley - 11th place
U2-22 place
Michael Jackson-35th place
Madonna-36th place
Dr. Dre-54 place
The Sex Pistols - 58th place
AC/DC-72 place
Eminem - 82nd place