female country singers of the '50s and '60s female country singers of the '50s and '60s

1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. He's also quite the accomplished actor, having appeared in several films, including "A Star is Born" with Barbra Streisand. 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. The artistry of their music tells another story and speaks -- or sings -- for itself. It almost seems like every folk artist of note came up listening to the Carter Family and learning their songs. Hits: Dedicated to the One I Love, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Mama Said, Baby Its You, Soldier Boy, Foolish Little Girl. 3 on theBillboard charts and impressed studio executives. WebThe Bermudas - Donnie. 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 ], 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. This success ended up being too late for her label, which doubted her contract renewal until the debut of Whos Sorry Now? on Dick Clarks American Bandstand. This song became Francis breakthrough hit. Along with her late husband in the 1950s and 1960s, she was known as "Mrs. Country Music." Jeannie Seely: A gifted singer and songwriter, Seely (b. Ella Fitzgerald. Kelsea Ballerini is an American singer and songwriter. STREAM THE SHOWTIME ORIGINAL SERIES GEORGE AND TAMMY, Read About Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Kitty Wells, Tammy Wynette, and More, Dierks Bentley Announces Summer Gravel & Gold Tour with Jordan Davis, Elle King and More. He's written some of the most covered tunes in folk history. During the late 1950s, she performed in nightclubs with him and sang two duets on The Ed Sullivan Show., Next: Greatest opera singers of all time list, Jo Stafford began singing with her sisters when she was young. She won audiences over with songs like Buttons And Bows, The Gypsy, and The Anniversary Song, which were all no. Aside from being a master flat-picker, Doc Watson has helped inspire a number of other influential folk artists, including Bob Dylan. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). 4 on the U.S Pop chart. 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. She recorded nearly 600 songs and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Dusty Springfield 4. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976. He almost doesn't warrant an explanation as to how and why he deserves to be on this list, but I'll give one, anyway. 13 hit, Wake The Town and Tell The People., Diana Ross gained glory as the lead vocalist for the best-selling girl group, The Supremes. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. Cat Stevens (a.k.a. Little Miss Dynamite, as she was early known, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. 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. Aretha Franklin - Respect Official Video Winner. 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. If Dolly Parton (b. 1 tracks on the American charts and the first to get a gold certification. Kelsea Ballerini is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as CMT Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. The Chiffons, originating in Bronx, New York, released their first single, Hes So Fine, which was written by Ronnie Mack and produced byThe Tokens(The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and hit No. Nina Simone 1. 1/10 SLIDES Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a | 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. Kitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. Barbra Streisand 15. If any songwriter could be called "prolific" or "influential," those terms would certainly apply to Woody Guthrie. The Kendall Sisters - Yea, Yea. But there was a lot to celebrate as music evolved from the clean-cut '50s to the free-and-easy '70s. Her personal life has often sparked controversy, especially when she came out as pansexual and talked about use of cannabis. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. 1 on the U.S. Teresa Brewer incorporated a mixture of genres into her singing style to become one of the best female singers of the 1950s. In many ways, what happened in this decade would set the stage for some of country musics biggest moments. Log In. Even though they were pieced together with the intention of being an ideal folk-pop money-making supergroup, there's not a lot about Peter, Paul & Mary that was contrived. Among these were The Girl Most Likely, There Never Was a Time, Country Girl, Oh, Singer and Good Enough to Be Your Wife.. This position brought her a visit from Lionel Hampton, who provided Washington with the opportunity to be the female vocalist in his band and perform at the Chicago Regal Theater. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. Wynonna Judd is an American country music singer. Just as Patsy Cline had mentored her career, Lynn did the same for her younger sister, who achieved fame as Crystal Gayle. Pictured (L-R): Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances Shore made her debut as a singer on a Nashville radio station. A new era of female songwriters like Carole King, who penned The Chiffons 1963 hit One Fine Day and The Shirelles 1960 hit Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow when she was just 18, and Ellie Greenwich, who wrote hits Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Then He Kissed Me, Chapel of Love, Leader of the Pack, were also coming to the forefront. Lees rise to fame took several years. She has charted 25 No. Top 10 Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s. Next: Top female singers of all time list (our choices). Her most famous singles are Right or Wrong and In the Middle of a Heartache.. Her songs Am I Asking Too Much? and Baby Get Lost peaked at no. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like Eliza Gilkyson and others. 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Web101 Female Rock 'n Roll Girls of the '50s - Compilation by Various Artists | Spotify Home Search Your Library Create Playlist Privacy Center Cookies Preview of Spotify Sign up to In the 1950s, country music continued to benefit from commercial success thanks to post-war prosperity. In response, Dobbins wrote the groups biggest hit Please Mr. Postman, which reached No. Though her solo career was phenomenal, her collaborations with trumpeter Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and The Ink Spots formed some of her most famous hits, including Dream a Little Dream of Me, Cheek To Cheek, and Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall. The singer won 13 Grammy Awards along with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. The song was the groups first single and their biggest hit. Mandy Moore is a popular singer, songwriter, and actress who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His classic, "What Did You Learn in School Today?" Johnny Cash grew up listening to them on the radio. With his simple, folksy imagery and tunes inspired by his Midwest hometown, Greg Brown has become one of the most inimitable songwriters around these days. He was an activist and a songwriter, a Merchant Marine, and a former member of a barbershop quartet. Singer/songwriter Tom Waits is probably one of the contemporary folk artists most well-respected outside of contemporary folk music. Hits: One Fine Day, Hes So Fine, Sweet-Talking Guy. In 1945, her career took flight with a scat recording of Flying Home. When she reached a point of stagnation with her music, she turned to a new manager, Norman Ganz, who developed Verve records around her. While the 50s were generally regarded as a feel-good era in America, country music was ironically dominated by tear-in-my-beer honky-tonk songs in the first portion of the decade. She won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1962 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, more than 25 years after her death. Garland also left a legacy and continues her fame through her films. Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. Followinga string of country and soft-rock hits, Newton-John starredoppositeJohn Travoltain the 1978 blockbuster Grease, considered as one the most popular movie musicals of all time. So what we've done is list them chronologically according to their first appearance on the Billboard chart. Richard Shindell started working in music with the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band (with fellow incredible songwriter John Gorka). An American actress, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, writer, and YouTuber, Jennette McCurdy is truly an inspiration to several young girls and women; despite suffering from conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, and bulimia, McCurdy has managed to establish herself as a successful entertainer. Multifaceted personality, Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, author and businesswoman and is known mainly for her work in country music. Kelsea Ballerini Announces Third Leg of Heartfirst Tour. She caught jazz musician Barney Rapps eye after she earned her first singing gig on the radio program Carlins Carnival. She sang a notable rendition of Day After Day, leading Rapp to suggest using the last name Day as her stage name. In 2006, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, first generation of female country artists. Her recording debut came later that year, and both that record and its successor made theBillboardHarlem Hit Parade in 1944. 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; She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revivaland started her own record company, Wildflower Records. Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999. She's also an award-winning artist in her own rightand has recorded album after album of incredible folk, gospel, and blues songs. 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. 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. Thanks, and welcome! 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. Shepard was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. 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. After beginning her career as a child singer, Holt started appearing on popular TV shows which increased her popularity. She influenced the future of country music. A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner, Lee is the only female performer to be inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. 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Fitzgeralds legacy lives on through collections of media and memorabilia in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress. Speaking of proteges, Steve Earle was somewhat of a Townes Van Zandt protegeand has been known to call Townes a better songwriter than Bob Dylan. 2. 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). Loretta Lynn is an American singer known for her groundbreaking contribution to country music. In 1949, she recorded Copenhagen with a B-side track titled, Music! Singing songs targeted toward the teen or pre-teen young women of the times, the girl groups of the 50s and 1960s covered mostly innocent subject matter like The Angels My Boyfriends Back, Then He Kissed Me by The Crystals or The Dixie Cups dream of marriage on Chapel of Love.. Was there a female Elvis or Bob Dylan? In 1993, she joined Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton for the album Honky Tonk Angels. 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. Under the Influence, America's Sweetheart, Good Girls, Different for Girls, Wild Love are some of her other popular songs. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. 10 on the R&B rankings. Although this quartet only enjoyed a few years of success, those few years managed to help inspire a generation to turn their eyes and ears toward traditional American folk music. Her embattled marriage with George Jones made 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. 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". Leadbelly's influence has been felt across the musical spectrum, and his tunes spanned the old folk-blues and contemporary folk music. 1 came in 1953 with A Dear John Letter, a duet with Ferlin Huskey. A frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Atkins got to know many fellow artists, who he would handpick for recording sessions. Since then, the Fearless star has not looked back and also made her acting debut in 2009. One thing you always hear when people talk about Odetta is the exceptional power of her voice. Many of them have become as much a part of the Great American Songbook as those written by Ira Gershwin or Johnny Mercer -- classics such as Coat of Many Colors, I Will Always Love You, Jolene and 9 to 5, the theme from her 1980 movie of the same name. After a tough experience during adolescence and a rough start to her career, she took comfort in performing with Chick Webb And His Orchestra. First discovered as a calypso artist, Harry Belafonte became most popular for his "Banana Boat Song." She also performed in Annie Get Your Gun, Woman Of The Year, and The Unmistakable Molly Brown.. In 1945, she and her sister won a spot on a radio station as singers. 1937) charted country songs from 1964 to 1974, generally in the lower regions. Shores legacy was honored with a dedicated street name in her hometown as well as a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. Doris Day. A talent agent discovered her while she worked as an elevator operator in a clothing store on Hollywood Boulevard. One of Woody Guthrie's most dedicated proteges, Ramblin' Jack earned his reputation as a tall tale teller and folk singer. Loretta Lynn is one of the talented, old female singers still alive. She hasn't stopped pushing the envelope sinceand is still releasing excellent records. She kicked off her career on NBCs Startime Kids variety show in 1953. Lynn was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988. Discover our 2022 Class of Country's Rising Sound. 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. The song also earned her a Grammy Award the following year. After a falling out with Dorsey, everyone seemed to go their own way. Opry House Jeannie C. Riley: Riley (b. The music industry, like most occupational fields in history, had its own harmful gender roles, and the gist of it was that women were pretty singers and men were serious musicians. Her hits include I Can Dream, Cant I?, Too Young, and Kiss of Fire.. 1 on the R&B chart. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. Her organization MuttNation Foundation works for rehabilitation of rescue animals. Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995. Lees career as a singer, songwriter, and actress spanned six decades. Although she constructed her image around her often-elaborate blonde wigs and ample bosom, she has never used sexiness to sell her performances or grab headlines. Next: The best female singers from the 1970s (70s female singers). Uncommonly witty, ambitious and market-savvy despite having been born dirt poor, she has built an empire that embraces performing, music publishing, recording, conventional and television movies, the Dollywood theme park in her native east Tennessee and a worldwide books-to-children charity. After winning the radio spot together, they received recognition from bandleader Tony Pastor. 1 on both the country and pop charts in 1968 and won a Grammy in the process. His early songs were brief and sharp topical songs like "I Ain't Marching Anymore" and "Draft Dodger Rag." BillboardHot 100, including songs such as Come See About Me and Love Child., After leaving the group to pursue a solo career, Ross debuted an album in 1970 featuring her legendary songs, Reach Out And Touch (Somebodys Hand) and Aint No Mountain High Enough (her first no. The Blossoms - Son-In-Law. He proceeded to write her debut single, Once a Day, that went No. 1 single Somebody Else Is Taking My Place was released in 1942, quickly followed by Why Dont You Do Right? a year later, which sold over a million copies, spurring her to stardom. Her first chart song and only No. 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 The group released their first and only album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica in 1964. Only members can comment. There are some exceptions- the work of Her debut albumJulie Is Her Namecame out later that year. She has also been a board member of an organization called Center To Prevent Youth Violence, which works towards preventing gun violence. Bobbie Gentry: Smoky-voiced Gentry (b. When she settled into life as a solo artist, she popped out hits like Side by Side, The Man Upstairs, Rock and Roll Waltz, and Wheel of Fortune, which was her biggest hit, reaching no. Emmylou Harris 14. Guthrie wrote thousands of songs in his lifetime, many of which are still being found. Born and raised in New York City, Mindy Carson started performing in her teens for the radio show Stairway To The Stars. She and Harry Cool made a chart hit called Rumors Are Flying.. 1 on her own with A Lesson in Leavin' and did it again that same year with Are You Happy Baby? Paired again with Rogers, she topped the charts in 1981 with What Are We Doin' in Love. Her daughter Shelly West followed in her mother's footsteps as a country artist. James Taylor is often considered one of the most successful of the "sensitive singer/songwriters." Get up close to where country music stars and legendsmake history every week,live on the Opry. In 2017, she was an active participant at the Los Angeles Women's March. The music of the Carter Family helped inspire folks like Bob Dylan. In the 1950s, she made regular appearances in movie musicals. A vivid and forceful songwriter, Lynn composed many of her best-known songs, beginning with I'm a Honky Tonk Girl, her first chart record, in 1960. Kim Ruehl is a folk music writer whose writing has appeared in Billboard, West Coast Performer, and NPR. the Window. Who is the singer you choose? Jackson went on to release one of her biggest songs, Dont You Know, peaking at no. In 1994, The Shirelles were honored with a Pioneer Award by theRhythm and Blues Foundation, which was accepted by Owens, Lee, and Coley. 7. favorites: Heartaches by the Number, Lonely Street 28 Billie Jo Spears Mr. Walker it's all over is a great song. 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.