I have to believe that the student I mentioned in my last blog post said what she said because she just wasn't aware.  

If she had made the connection that The Beatles and the Jackson 5 and Aretha Franklin made their mark in the 60s … 

And events like the Woodstock and the Harlem Cultural Festival and Monterey Pop Festival were the pre-cursors to Coachella, Bonnaroo, and Lollapalooza, then maybe she wouldn't have said the crazy statement "There's no good music from the 60s"!"  

But alas, that's what she said.  

And although it hurt my soul in so many ways, I realized that she JUST DIDN'T KNOW.  

So, I'm on a mission to change that.  

It's impossible to know every single artist and musician out there, I get it.  But as a singer and teacher of singers, I feel confident in saying that there are some artists that every single singer should at least be aware of.

You don't have to like them.  

You don't have to sing their music - you don't even have to like their music

But You should know who they are, a little bit about their contribution to the music industry, and a song or two of theirs.  

These musical artists deserve our respect - there's no other way to say it.  If it weren't for them and the groundwork they laid in so many areas, the music industry would be completely different, and not necessarily in the best way (in my humble opinion)  

Ok - jumping down off my soap box…

So…Here are ten musical artists that I think every singer should know.  These are in no particular order of significance or importance, nor is this a list of the “best singers”.  I just think that singers should be familiar with their artistic contribution to the music industry and have an appreciation for who they are and their music

1. Aretha Franklin, known as the "Queen of Soul," was a legendary soul singer and pianist known for her powerful vocals and ability to convey emotion through her music. Her incredible range and control, coupled with her soulful delivery, have made her an inspiration to generations of singers and performers, and listeners.  Her legacy as a performer, musician, and activist serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of music. Aretha Franklin's contributions to the music industry are an important part of the history and evolution of popular music, and her influence can still be felt in the work of many singers and vocalists today.
2. Whitney Houston was a pop and R&B icon whose powerful voice and dynamic stage presence made her one of the best-selling female artists of all time.  Houston, a powerhouse vocalist with incredible vocal range and control, combined with her emotive delivery and stage presence, was a formidable force in the music industry leading to enormous commercial success in the 1980s and 1990s.  Her legacy has made a lasting impact on the world of popular music.
3. Adele is a British singer-songwriter who has become one of the biggest pop stars in the world with her powerful voice and emotional ballads. Known for her soulful, powerful vocals and confessional songwriting style, Adele has mastered the ability to convey emotion through her music and connect with listeners on a deep level and it has made her one of the most popular artists of the 21st century. 
4. Freddie Mercury was the lead vocalist of the iconic British rock band Queen and is considered one of the greatest frontmen in rock music history.  His dynamic stage presence and incredible vocal range helped to define the sound of rock music in the 1970s and 1980s. His ability to captivate audiences with his performance style and powerful vocals is a masterclass in stage presence and performance
5. Ella Fitzgerald was a jazz vocalist known for her impeccable phrasing and stunning range, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest jazz singers of all time. Also known for her incredible scatting ability, improvisational skills, and soulful delivery, Ella Fitzgerald's ability to interpret and reimagine classic standards has had a lasting impact on the world of jazz and popular music. 
6. Barbra Streisand is a legendary singer, actress, and filmmaker who has achieved enormous success in a career spanning several decades. Her powerful, emotive vocals and ability to interpret a wide range of musical styles and genres have made her one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. Known for her versatility and vocal control, she has also won numerous awards for her music, including Grammy Awards and Academy Awards.
7. Elvis Presley was known as the "King of Rock and Roll," and is widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Long regarded as a rock and roll icon, Elvis' unique vocal style and stage presence helped to define the sound of popular music in the 1950s and 1960s. His ability to blend different musical genres along with his impressive vocal range and control have had a lasting impact on popular music. 
8. Michael Jackson was a pop icon who transformed the music industry with his innovative dance moves, powerful voice, and electrifying performances. The self-proclaimed “King of Pop” really was a pop superstar whose incredible vocal range and dance moves helped to define the sound and style of popular music in the 1980s and 1990s. His impact as a singer, performer, and creative has had and will continue to have a lasting impact on the world of popular music.
9. Stevie Wonder is a blind singer-songwriter and musician who is widely regarded as one of the most talented musicians of all time.  This singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist has achieved enormous success with a career that spans several decades. His soulful vocals, impressive musicianship, and ability to blend different musical genres have made him one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. 
10. Mariah Carey is a pop and R&B singer who is known for her powerful voice, soaring range, and emotional ballads. Her soulful delivery and songwriting skills have made her one of the most successful and influential female artists of the 1990s and 2000s. Additionally, her ability to convey emotion and vulnerability through her music has had a great impact on the popular music field. 
     

How many are you familiar with?   1? 5? All 10?

As much as I may want to resort to judging anyone who isn't familiar with all 10, I'm focusing on my purpose here which is to expose and educate!  

These ten musical artists represent a diverse range of styles and genres, and each one has had more than a significant impact on the music industry. By being familiar with their music, performances, and careers, singers can gain valuable insight into the art of singing and how to connect with audiences.

So, if you're not familiar with any of these musical icons… or *cough cough* ANY  of them…then I want to invite you to check out their music on this Spotify playlist!   

Just turn it on and enjoy!

P.S. - Next time we'll talk about 10 more - so stay tunes!