Eventually, she would gravitate more toward country tunes, finding better success in that genre. On top of Music!" Pete Seeger is, undeniably, one of the most prolific and influential artists in the history of American music. Jenningss career as a country singer started in the 1950s and 60s. With melodies like Crazy and Sweet Dreams, Cline remains as one of the genres most recognizable voices, even today. Dave Carter was inarguably one of the best songwriters the contemporary folk scene as known in some time. Legends of Country: Classic Hits from the '50s, '60s & '70s Her first chart song and only No. Her life was depicted in the 1985 movie, Sweet Dreams. 1 on the U.S. Singer/songwriter Tom Waits is probably one of the contemporary folk artists most well-respected outside of contemporary folk music. She also happens to be a beloved old country music star. Doris Day was an established singer and actress. 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. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. 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. Along with her late husband in the 1950s and 1960s, she was known as "Mrs. Country Music." Her top hits were My Heart Cries For You and Sweet Violets, both reaching no. Her songs have been used in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" After Webbs death, Fitzgerald took over as band leader while performing with the Benny Goodman orchestra and working on her own side project. Female Singers of the '60s: Top 20 Greatest Artists We Love Aretha Franklin. Sitting at the top of our list of the greatest female singers of the '60s, Aretha Franklin was the real "Queen of Soul." Nina Simone. Although the nickname "The High Priestess of Soul," Nina Simone wasn't tied down by any musical genres. Etta James. Shirley Bassey. Dusty Springfield. Janis Joplin. Dionne Warwick. Joan Baez. Cass Elliot. More items Singing seemed to be a family talent. Cuts by Carl Smith would follow. CMT and all related titles, logos and characters are trademarks of Viacom International Inc. 44. 100 Best Country Singles of the 1960s by Female Performers Was there a male Joni Mitchell, or a male Stevie Nicks? [Please note, duets which involve one male and one female performer have been included. Throughout history, there have been many women country singers who have made significant contribution to the field. In many ways, what happened in this decade would set the stage for some of country musics biggest moments. 1 and stayed there for a remarkable eight weeks. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. 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. As prominent as women were during this fruiful period, better days were still to come. 3. 1. The Glories - I Stand Accused (Of Loving You) The Simon Sisters - Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod. 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.. Somewhere in the middle of mostly male-dominated doo-wop groups, Elvis Presley swiveling his hips and the emergence of rock and roll with the likes of Little Richard, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and a burgeoning British invasion of the 1960s, there were the women of girl groups. Her 1938 rendition of the nursery rhyme A-Tisket, A-Tasket brought them into the spotlight. Teresa Brewer incorporated a mixture of genres into her singing style to become one of the best female singers of the 1950s. His classic, "What Did You Learn in School Today?" and her frequent collaboration with David Rawlings is one of the most appreciated musical partnerships these days. Her solo act took off successfully with numerous top 10 hits on theBillboardcharts. 2 single and Clio-winning Coca-Cola jingle she co-wrote, Dottie West (1932-1991) broke into the country charts in 1963 with Let Me Off at the Corner. Her third single, Here Comes My Baby, also a co-write, went to No. Her organization MuttNation Foundation works for rehabilitation of rescue animals. Michael Franti has become known for his electrifying live performances that can feel more like a peace rally than a standard music concert. Hits: Heat Wave, Dancing in the Street, Quicksand, Nowhere to Run, Produced by Phil Spector, The Crystals has a steady run of hits from 1961 through 1964 with Hes a Rebel, Uptown, Da Doo Ron Ron, Theres No Other (Like My Baby), Then He Kissed Me, andHes Sure the Boy I Love., Hits: Da Doo Ron Ron, Then He Kissed Me, Hes a Rebel, Ellie Greenwichhad originally written Chapel of Love forThe Ronettes, but the song was ultimately recorded by The Dixie Cups and produced by Phil Spector. Top 100 Artists Of The 20 Best Female Singers of the 60s 20. Trisha Yearwood is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, author, and celebrity chef. Georgia Holt is a retired American actress, singer-songwriter, and former model. She came to light as a solo singer in the early 1950s with her first hit song, Come On-A My House. Some additional hits include This Ole House, Hey There, and Half As Much.. John Gorka's literary, poetic folk songs are among some of the most well-written around these days. Next: The top Soprano singers of all time. But there was a lot to celebrate as music evolved from the clean-cut '50s to the free-and-easy '70s. 10 on the R&B rankings. Discover our 2022 Class of Country's Rising Sound. Jeannie C. Riley: Riley (b. The artistry of their music tells another story and speaks -- or sings -- for itself. She kicked off her career on NBCs Startime Kids variety show in 1953. Privacy Policy | Such was her wide vocal appeal and heart-melting songs that Patsy Cline (1932-1963) achieved legendary status in the relatively short six-year period she recorded. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. Loretta Lynn is one of the talented, old female singers still alive. Multifaceted personality, Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, author and businesswoman and is known mainly for her work in country music. favorites: Heartaches by the Number, Lonely Street 28 Billie Jo Spears Mr. Walker it's all over is a great song. In fact, the only musicians who have outsold Elvis are the Beatles. 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. There were plenty of issues, to be sure. Success would come more Ross embarked on her acting and solo career, and Wilson also released two solo albums throughout her career, including an expanded version of her 1978 self-titled debut prior to her death in 2021. A list of the most famous country singers of the 1950s would be remiss not to include Patsy Cline. She won audiences over with songs like Buttons And Bows, The Gypsy, and The Anniversary Song, which were all no. 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. Her most famous singles are Right or Wrong and In the Middle of a Heartache.. Originally from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he spent five years living at the Mount Baldy Zen Center in Los Angeles. Also a humanitarian, Cash supports many charitable organizations like Children, Incorporated, which supports young adults and children. She also has the distinction of having been the first Grand Ole Opry member to wear a miniskirt on stage -- although not without some grumbling from Opry management. She gained fame with her first hit, Sentimental Journey, which became a sort of anthem during World War II. Top 100 Country Female Artists - List Challenges 1 on the charts for 10 weeks. The Browns were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. 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. Emmylou Harris 14. 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. She is also an ardent supporter of animal rights organizations, such as PETA. Debby Boone is an American singer, actress, and author. One year later, after auditioning for WDAY in Fargo, radio personality Ken Kennedy gave her the stage name Peggy Lee. She has also been a board member of an organization called Center To Prevent Youth Violence, which works towards preventing gun violence. Baby Jane and the Rockabyes - How Much is That Doggie in. 1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. They worked with fellow Canadian Gordon Lightfoot, and also recorded several original and traditional folk songs. 1 country single with her 1952 breakout hit It Wasnt God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. Controversial and searing, the song was a response to Hank Thompsons Wild Side of Life and set the trend for answer songs. 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The group released their first and only album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica in 1964. One of the earliest pop singers to enjoy a contemporary international following, Lee was among the most-charted singers during the 1960s. The Top Female Country Singers - Ranker 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. 1946) isn't already designated as country music's official ambassador to the universe, something is terribly amiss. Old time banjo player Charlie Poole was one of the earliest stars of the old-time scene back in the 1920s. Leonard Cohen is one of the most distinguished songwriters in contemporary folk music.