p
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Tom Petty
Songwriter / 1950 -
Tom Petty is best known as the front man for the well-known band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. He pursued a solo career in 1989, recording hit songs like "Free Fallin'" and "Runnin' Down a Dream."
See full bio
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(1950-)
Songwriter
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John Phillips
Singer / 1935 - 2001
Singer John Phillips was a member of the popular 1960s folk rock band The Mamas and the Papas, along with Cass Elliot, Denny Doherty and Michelle Phillips.
See full bio
(1935-2001)
Singer
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Michelle Phillips
Television Actress, Singer / 1944 -
Michelle Phillips performed with 1960s folk group The Mamas and the Papas. After the group disbanded, Philips became known for her work as a television actress.
See full bio
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(1944-)
Television Actress, Singer
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Astor Piazzolla
Songwriter / 1921 - 1992
Argentine musician Astor Piazzolla composed and performed music for the bandoneón, and fused tango music with jazz and classical for a whole new sound.
See full bio
(1921-1992)
Songwriter
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Wilson Pickett
Songwriter, Singer / 1941 - 2006
Wilson Pickett was an American singer-songwriter, whose explosive style helped define the soul music of the 1960s.
See full bio
(1941-2006)
Songwriter, Singer
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Gene Pitney
Songwriter, Singer / 1941 - 2006
Singer and songwriter Gene Pitney wrote and recorded popular music in the 1960s, including Ricky Nelson's 1961 hit "Hello Mary Lou."
See full bio
(1941-2006)
Songwriter, Singer
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Robert Plant
Songwriter, Singer / 1948 -
Robert Plant is a British rock singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
See full bio
(1948-)
Songwriter, Singer
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Elvis Presley
Film Actor, Singer / 1935 - 1977
Musician and actor Elvis Presley endured rapid fame in the mid-1950s—on the radio, TV and the silver screen—and continues to be one of the biggest names in rock 'n' roll.
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(1935-1977)
Film Actor, Singer
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Prince
Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer / 1958 -
American musician Prince achieved wide fame in the 1980s with 1999 and Purple Rain, the latter album sharing a title with a film starring the musician.
See full bio
(1958-)
Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer
r
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Bonnie Raitt
Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1949 -
Bonnie Raitt is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist whose musical range encompasses blues, folk, rhythm and blues, pop, and country rock.
See full bio
(1949-)
Activist, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Jimmy Reed
Guitarist, Singer / 1925 - 1976
Jimmy Reed was an American singer, harmonica player, and guitarist who was one of the most popular blues musicians of the post-World War II era.
See full bio
(1925-1976)
Guitarist, Singer
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Lou Reed
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1942 -
Lou Reed is a singer and guitarist best known as a co-founder of the influential rock group the Velvet Underground and as solo artist.
See full bio
(1942-)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Little Richard
Singer / 1932 -
Little Richard is a flamboyant American singer and pianist whose hit songs in the mid 1950s were defining moments in the development of rock ‘n’ roll.
See full bio
(1932-)
Singer
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Smokey Robinson
Singer / 1940 -
Known as the "King of Motown," Smokey Robinson founded the R&B group The Miracles, which delivered 37 Top 40 hits for Motown Records.
See full bio
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(1940-)
Singer
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Sugar Ray Robinson
Boxer / 1921 - 1989
Sugar Ray Robinson was an American professional boxer who is frequently cited as the greatest boxer in history.
See full bio
(1921-1989)
Boxer
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Roy Rogers
Film Actor, Television Actor, Guitarist, Singer, Television Personality / 1911 - 1998
Roy Rogers was an American actor and singer best known as the “King of the Cowboys” for his heroic roles in musical westerns. His sidekick palomino, Trigger, and dog, Bullet often appeared with him.
See full bio
(1911-1998)
Film Actor, Television Actor, Guitarist, Singer, Television Personality
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Diana Ross
Actress, Singer / 1944 -
Singer and actress Diana Ross was part of the 1960s trio the Supremes as well as a solo artist, and starred in such films as Lady Sings the Blues and The Wiz.
See full bio
(1944-)
Actress, Singer
s
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Sherwood Schwartz
Musician, Television Producer, Screenwriter / 1916 - 2001
Sherwood Schwartz created two of television's most enduring comedies: Gilligan's Island and The Brady Bunch.
See full bio
(1916-2001)
Musician, Television Producer, Screenwriter
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Neil Sedaka
Songwriter, Singer / 1939 -
Neil Sedaka is an American singer-songwriter known for writing hits like "Love Will Keep Us Together" and "Laughter in the Rain."
See full bio
(1939-)
Songwriter, Singer
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Bob Seger
Guitarist, Singer / 1945 -
Bob Seger is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who achieved great popularity in the 1970s and 1980s.
See full bio
(1945-)
Guitarist, Singer
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Shel Silverstein
Illustrator, Songwriter, Author, Poet / 1930 - 1999
Shel Silverstein was a poet and musician known for children’s books such as The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends.
See full bio
(1930-1999)
Illustrator, Songwriter, Author, Poet
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Paul Simonon
Painter, Bassist / 1955 -
English musician Paul Simonon was bass player for the punk rock band The Clash.
See full bio
(1955-)
Painter, Bassist
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Ricky Skaggs
Songwriter, Guitarist, Music Producer, Singer / 1954 -
Ricky Skaggs is a legendary country and bluegrass singer and mandolin player.
See full bio
(1954-)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Music Producer, Singer
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Grace Slick
Songwriter, Singer / 1939 -
Singer-songwriter Grace Slick was one of the lead singers for the band Jefferson Airplane. She wrote the songs "White Rabbit" and "Somebody to Love".
See full bio
| Watch video
(1939-)
Songwriter, Singer
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Patti Smith
Songwriter, Singer, Journalist, Poet / 1946 -
Patti Smith is a highly influential figure in the New York City punk rock scene, starting with her 1975 album Horses. Her biggest hit is the single "Because the Night."
See full bio
| Watch video
(1946-)
Songwriter, Singer, Journalist, Poet
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Phil Spector
Murderer, Musician / 1940 -
Phil Spector is best known for writing several No. 1 hit songs, and for being convicted of the murder of Lana Clarkson.
See full bio
| Watch video
(1940-)
Murderer, Musician
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Ronnie Spector
Singer / 1943 -
Ronnie Spector became famous in the 1960s as the lead singer of the Ronettes, whose hits include "Be My Baby" and "Walking in the Rain".
See full bio
(1943-)
Singer
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Dusty Springfield
Singer / 1939 - 1999
Hailed as Britain's "best ever pop singer" by Rolling Stone, the English-born Dusty Springfield charted several 1960s hits, including "Son of a Preacher Man."
See full bio
| Watch video
(1939-1999)
Singer
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Cat Stevens
Songwriter, Singer, Philanthropist / 1948 -
Folk singer Cat Stevens wrote the song "The First Cut is the Deepest" in the '60s. Since then it has become a hit for four different artists.
See full bio
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(1948-)
Songwriter, Singer, Philanthropist
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Michael Stipe
Activist, Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer / 1960 -
Michael Stipe is the frontman and lead singer of the influential alternative rock band R.E.M.
See full bio
(1960-)
Activist, Songwriter, Music Producer, Singer
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Joe Strummer
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1952 - 2002
Joe Strummer was a British singer, songwriter and guitarist best known as the co-founder and member of the punk rock band The Clash.
See full bio
(1952-2002)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
t
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James Taylor
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1948 -
James Taylor is one of the most popular American folk singers of the 1970s. His album Sweet Baby James is a classic.
See full bio
(1948-)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Singer / 1915 - 1973
American singer Rosetta Tharpe is credited with popularizing gospel music among secular audiences during the 1930s and '40s.
See full bio
(1915-1973)
Singer
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Pete Townshend
Songwriter, Drummer, Guitarist, Pianist / 1945 -
Pete Townshend is best known as the guitarist and songwriter for the band the Who as it grew to be one of the most influential bands of the 1960 and '70s.
See full bio
(1945-)
Songwriter, Drummer, Guitarist, Pianist
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Ernest Tubb
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer, Disc Jockey / 1914 - 1984
Country music songwriter and performer Ernest Tubb’s radio program, Midnight Jamboree, helped launch the careers of the Everly Brothers and Elvis Presley.
See full bio
(1914-1984)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer, Disc Jockey
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Conway Twitty
Songwriter, Singer / 1933 - 1993
Conway Twitty was a country singer who scored 55 No. 1 hits over the long expanse of his career.
See full bio
(1933-1993)
Songwriter, Singer
u
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Björn Ulvaeus
Guitarist / 1945 -
Björn Ulvaeusis best known as one of four members of 1970s Swedish pop sensation ABBA.
See full bio
(1945-)
Guitarist
v
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Ritchie Valens
Songwriter, Singer / 1941 - 1959
Mexican-American musician Ritchie Valens is best known for his hit "La Bamba." His successful career was cut short when he died in a plane crash at age 17.
See full bio
(1941-1959)
Songwriter, Singer
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Stevie Ray Vaughan
Songwriter, Guitarist / 1954 - 1990
A preeminent bluesman, award-winning guitarist and singer Stevie Ray Vaughan earned critical and commercial success during the 1980s.
See full bio
(1954-1990)
Songwriter, Guitarist
w
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Tom Waits
Actor, Songwriter, Drummer, Guitarist, Singer / 1949 -
Tom Waits is an American singer-songwriter whose distinctively gritty voice has put a signature sound on the blues, jazz and avant-garde rock that he performs.
See full bio
(1949-)
Actor, Songwriter, Drummer, Guitarist, Singer
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T-Bone Walker
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1910 - 1975
Blues guitarist and singer-songwriter T-Bone Walker is best known for his hit song "Stormy Monday" and has been called the Charlie Parker of Blues guitar.
See full bio
(1910-1975)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Fats Waller
Songwriter, Pianist, Singer / 1904 - 1943
American pianist and composer Fats Waller was one of the few outstanding jazz musicians to win wide commercial fame.
See full bio
(1904-1943)
Songwriter, Pianist, Singer
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Muddy Waters
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer / 1915 - 1983
American singer and guitarist Muddy Waters may have been born in Mississippi, but he defined Chicago blues with songs like "I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man."
See full bio
(1915-1983)
Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer
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Bob Weir
Environmental Activist, Guitarist / 1947 -
Bob Weir was a rhythm guitarist for the legendary rock band the Grateful Dead from 1964 to 1995 and later reunited to tour with former members as The Other Ones.
See full bio
(1947-)
Environmental Activist, Guitarist
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Barry White
Music Producer, Singer / 1944 - 2003
Grammy Award–winning singer Barry White's smooth, deep voice produced sexy soul hits like "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe."
See full bio
(1944-2003)
Music Producer, Singer
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Brian Wilson
Songwriter, Singer / 1942 -
Brian Wilson is one of the most influential songwriters in rock and roll history and the front man for the Beach Boys.
See full bio
(1942-)
Songwriter, Singer
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Jackie Wilson
Singer / 1934 - 1984
Jackie Wilson was a dynamic and powerful soul performer during 1960s who successfully crossed over from the rhythm-and-blues charts to pop music.
See full bio
(1934-1984)
Singer
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Mary Wilson
Singer / 1944 -
Singer Mary Wilson, along with friends Diana Ross and Florence Ballard, formed The Supremes in 1961 and soon became a Motown legend.
See full bio
(1944-)
Singer
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Stevie Wonder
Songwriter, Pianist, Singer / 1950 -
Stevie Wonder is an American musician and a former child prodigy who became one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century. His hit songs include "Living in the City," "Boogie on a Reggae Woman" and "Isn't She Lovely."
See full bio
| Watch video
(1950-)
Songwriter, Pianist, Singer
y
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Neil Young
Environmental Activist, Engineer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer, Philanthropist / 1945 -
Neil Young is one of the most influential songwriters and guitarists of his generation, known for writing and recording such time-transcending songs as "Old Man," "Harvest Moon" and "Heart of Gold."
See full bio
| Watch video
(1945-)
Environmental Activist, Engineer, Songwriter, Guitarist, Singer, Philanthropist
z
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Frank Zappa
Director, Songwriter, Guitarist, Music Producer / 1940 - 1993
Musician Frank Zappa made more than 60 albums during his career. Flouting convention and fusing musical genres, Zappa's music was often politically charged and intentionally shocking.
See full bio
(1940-1993)
Director, Songwriter, Guitarist, Music Producer