Musicians Who Topped the Charts a to z

Signed to a recording contract at the age of 12, Aaliyah became an overnight R&B sensation. At the height of her stardom, a fatal plane crash ended her life.

American singer-songwriter Christina Aguilera is best known for the single "Genie In A Bottle" and the controversial, sexually charged album Stripped.

Benny Andersson is a musician who played keyboard for 1970s pop super-group ABBA.

André 3000 is an American rapper, singer-songwriter and actor known for his work as part of the hip-hop duo OutKast.

A world-famous singer with a big voice and a glamorous reputation, Shirley Bassey has recorded numerous hits, including three James Bond theme songs.

Victoria Beckham is a fashion designer and singer chiefly known for her work with the Spice Girls and for being the wife of soccer star David Beckham.

Irving Berlin was one of the most prolific and popular songwriters of the 20th century, counting among his many hits "White Christmas" and "Cheek to Cheek."

Justin Bieber is a Canadian pop star who was discovered via YouTube. His debut album, My World, went platinum in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

"Queen of Hip-Hop Soul" Mary J. Blige has influenced a generation of artists with hits like "Real Love" and "Be Without You." She has also had a successful acting career, including playing Betty Shabazz in the TV movie Betty & Coretta.

Michael Bolton is a singer-songwriter known for his soft-rock ballads in the adult contemporary genre.

Bono is the frontman of the Irish rock band U2. He's also known for participating in global charity efforts.

David Bowie is an English rock star known for dramatic musical transformations, including his character Ziggy Stardust. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Singer Bobby Brown, known for hits including "Don't Be Cruel" and "Humpin' Around," is also famous for his troubled marriage to Whitney Houston.

Chris Brown is a Grammy Award-winning R&B and dance music entertainer who has pleaded guilty to assaulting former girlfriend Rihanna.

James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," was a prolific singer, songwriter and bandleader, as well as one of the most iconic figures in funk and soul music from 1956 to 2006.

Melanie Brown, also known as "Mel B," was previously known as "Scary Spice," a member of the all-girl, British pop group the Spice Girls.

With hits such as "Vision of Love" and "I Don't Wanna Cry," pop diva Mariah Carey holds the record for most No. 1 debuts in Billboard Hot 100 history.

Folk singer-songwriter Harry Chapin, famous in the 1970s for hits like "Cat's in the Cradle," was also a philanthropist dedicated to fighting world hunger.

Ray Charles was a pioneer of soul music, integrating R&B, gospel, pop and country to creat hits like "Unchain My Heart," "Hit the Road Jack" and "Georgia on My Mind." A blind genius, he is considered one of the greatest artists of all time.

Joshua Scott ("JC") Chasez performed in the mega-popular boy band N'Sync before becoming a solo artist, songwriter and reality-show judge.

Chubby Checker was an early rock 'n' roller who had a hit with the song and dance sensation, "The Twist."

Melanie Chisholm, also known as "Sporty Spice" and "Mel C," became famous in the mid-1990s with the all-girl British pop group the Spice Girls.

Kelly Clarkson is an American Idol winner who went on to record several top ten hits including "Breakaway," "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and "Because of You."

Phil Collins was one of the most successful musicians in the world during the 1980s, releasing thirteen U.S. Top Ten hits between 1984 and 1990.

David Coverdale founded Whitesnake, a rock band that achieved wide fame in the late 1980s, with the No. 1 song "Here I Go Again."

Jim Croce was an American folk singer and songwriter. He released five studio albums between 1966 and 1973, before his untimely death in 1973.

Gotye is a Belgian-Australian pop-music sensation. His eclectic music, which draws from a variety of sources, has topped charts and won awards worldwide.

John Deacon is a bassist and songwriter who played with the band Queen. He penned the hits "You're My Best Friend" and "Another One Bites the Dust."

Singer and songwriter Neil Diamond wrote "I'm A Believer" for The Monkees, and peformed his own pop hits, including "Heartlight" and "Sweet Caroline."

French-Canadian singer Celine Dion dominated the pop charts in the 1990s. She remains a popular entertainer and is the second-highest earning musician in history.

Denny Doherty was an original member of the 1960s harmonizing rock group the Mamas and the Papas.

TV and rap star Drake is best known in Canada for playing wheelchair-bound Jimmy Brooks on Degrassi: The Next Generation, and for hit songs like "Best I Ever Had" and "Take Care."

As lead singer of the grunge rock band Pearl Jam, Eddie Vedder belted out hits like "Evenflow," "Alive" and "Jeremy."

Joe Elliott is known for his singing career with metal band Def Leppard, made popular by such songs as "Pour Some Sugar on Me" and "Love Bites."

Irish singer Enya performed with her family's band Clannad before making it big with her solo album Watermark in 1988.

Musician Emilio Estefan founded the Miami Sound Machine, won multiple Grammy Awards and produced Latino superstars like Ricky Martin and Marc Antony.

American Country music singer-songwriter Sara Evan made the hit albums Real Fine Place and Stronger. Her song "Born to Fly," won a 2001 Country Music Award.

Fergie is the lead singer of The Black Eyed Peas. Her solo album The Dutchess was also a hit. Her eclectic work ranges from ballads to dance tracks.

Multiple Grammy winner and "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin is known for such hits as "Respect," "Freeway of Love" and "I Say a Little Prayer."

Lyricist and movie producer Arthur Freed brought us Singin' in the Rain (1952), An American in Paris (1952) and Gigi (1958).

Canadian singer Nelly Furtado topped the charts with songs like "I'm Like a Bird" (2000), "Promiscuous" (2006) and "Say it Right" (2007).

Bob Geldof is best known as the singer of the band the Boomtown Rats and for his political activism, particularly anti-poverty efforts in Africa.

Maximillian Alberto George, commonly known as Max George, is a British singer best known as a member of the successful boy band the Wanted.

A successful singer and songwriter, Barry Gibb has sold millions of records as a member of the Bee Gees.

As a member of the Bee Gees, Maurice Gibb scored numerous hits during the 1970s.

Singing with two of his brothers as the Bee Gees, Robin Gibb scored numerous hits in the 1970s, including "Stayin' Alive" and "How Deep Is Your Love."

Ellie Greenwich is best known as the writer of hit songs from the 1960's through the 1980's.

Originally a troubled youngster who served time in San Quentin prison, Merle Haggard grew to become a country music legend.

Geri Halliwell was known as "Ginger Spice" in the all-girl, British pop group the Spice Girls. Halliwell has the most No. 1 singles of any female musician in U.K. history.

George Harrison was lead guitarist of The Beatles as well as a singer-songwriter on many of their most memorable tracks.

Debbie Harry is a singer and actress who became famous for leading the new wave band Blondie. Her blond hair and cool sexuality made her an instant music icon.

Don Henley is a musician who was a founding member of the Eagles and later went on to great solo success with such songs as "Boys of Summer."

Faith Hill is a Grammy award-winning singer with numerous hits on the country and pop charts. She's married to Tim McGraw.

British singer Engelbert Humperdinck made it big in 1967 with hit song "Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)."

The younger sister of Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson is one of the best-selling artists in contemporary history. Her albums include Control and Rhythym Nation.

Jermaine Jackson was a member of the Jackson 5 music group and brother to Michael Jackson.

Singer-songwriter Michael Jackson's award-winning career as the King of Pop transformed the face of pop music and popular culture. He released the best-selling album in history, Thriller, in 1982. He died unexpectedly in 2009.

Musician Tito Jackson was lead guitarist for The Jackson 5 and later the Jacksons. He has since reinvented himself as blues musician.

Etta James is a Grammy Award-winning singer known for hit songs like "I'd Rather Go Blind" and "At Last."

Singer Billy Joel topped the charts in the 1970s and '80s with hits like "Piano Man," "Uptown Girl" and "We Didn't Start the Fire."

Davy Jones is a singer and actor who found fame as the singer for the band the Monkees on the TV show by the same name.

Country singer and songwriter George Jones was born into poverty, but became a successful musician later in life. His first hit was the 1955 song "Why Baby Why."

Tom Jones is a Welsh rock, pop, blues and soul singing legend best known as a hit maker over the last five decades in the U.S. and U.K.

Country star Naomi Judd formed The Judds with her daughter Wynonna in the 1970s. Her other daughter, Ashley, became a film actress.

Wynonna Judd is a country music superstar, famous for her solo hits and alongside her mother, Naomi Judd.

Siva Kaneswaran is a young Irish model and singer best known for his movie-star looks and as a member of the British boy band the Wanted.

Chris Kelly is best known for making up one half of the rap duo Kris Kross, who had a No. 1 hit with their 1992 song "Jump."

Alicia Keys is a multiple Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter whose debut album, Songs in A Minor, went platinum five times over.

"King of the Blues" B.B. King began as a disc jockey in Memphis before finding fame as an R&B guitarist, with hits like "The Thrill Is Gone."

Singer and actress Eartha Kitt is best known for her holiday song "Santa Baby," and for playing Catwoman in the 1960's TV show Batman.

Jonathan Knight is best known for singing in the boy band New Kids on the Block in the late '80s and early '90s, as well as coming out publicly in 2011.

Jordan Knight is best known for performing in New Kids on the Block, a boy band that produced many hit songs in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

Beyoncé Knowles is a multi-platinum, Grammy Award-winning recording artist who's acclaimed for her thrilling vocals, videos and live shows.

Grammy Award-winning rock musician Lenny Kravitz made the albums Let Love Rule, Mama Said and Are You Gonna Go My Way. He's also acted in such films as Precious and The Hunger Games.

Drew Lachey first made it big as part of the 1990s boy band 98 Degrees. He won the second season of Dancing With the Stars in 2006.