Mavis Staples is best known for her extensive gospel career with the Staples Singers.

• Civil Rights Activist, Singer
  (1939–)

Ed Sheeran, who skipped the Grammy Awards ceremony, won two Grammys for best pop vocal album for “Divide” and best pop solo performance for “Shape of You.”

• Singer, Musician
  (1991–)

Virgin Group founder Richard Branson announced Virgin Voyages, the company's new cruise line, laid down the keel for its first ship. The line has three ships costing $2.55 billion and holding 2,800 guests and 1,150 crew. Cruises begin in 2020.

• Entrepreneur
  (1950–)

Scarlett Johansson is an actress best known for her work in films like 'Lost in Translation,' 'The Nanny Diaries,' 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona,' 'The Avengers' and 'Hitchcock.'

• Film Actress
  (1984–)

RuPaul has become the first drag queen to be awarded a Hollywood star. Jane Fonda, who RuPaul emulated as a child, made the introduction. “This is absolutely the most important moment in my professional career,” he said in his acceptance speech.

• Actor, Television Personality, Singer
  (1960–)

Luke Bryan is a country music singer-songwriter known for such hits as "Drink a Beer" and "That's My Kind of Night."

• Musician, Singer
  (1976–)

Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Taylor Swift made a splash in the country music world in 2006 and has gone on to become one of the top acts in popular music.

• Songwriter, Singer
  (1989–)

Paul Robeson was an acclaimed 20th-century performer known for productions like "The Emperor Jones" and "Othello." He was also an international activist.

• Lawyer, Athlete, Actor, Civil Rights Activist, Singer, Football Player
  (1898–1976)

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."

• Singer
  (1942–)

Grammy-winning R&B singer and performer the Weeknd has created such hits as 'Can't Feel My Face,' 'The Hills' and 'Starboy.'

• Songwriter, Singer
  (1990–)

Janelle Monáe has come out as pansexual, or attracted to all gender identities, in an interview with ‘Rolling Stone.’ The singer told ‘The Guardian’ in February that she felt "sexually liberated" following the release of her Make Me Feel music video, considered by some a bisexual anthem.

• Songwriter, Singer
  (1985–)

Tony Bennett is an American jazz vocalist, best known for performing standards and his signature song, "I Left My Heart in San Francisco."

• Singer
  (1926–)

Kendrick Lamar is an award-winning rapper and songwriter best known for his innovative take on life in Southern California as well as for his affiliation with rap star and super-producer Dr. Dre.

• Rapper, Songwriter
  (1987–)

The trailer for Bradley Cooper’s "A Star is Born,” in theaters this October, has come out. The film stars Cooper as a country singer who discovers an unknown singer, played by Lady Gaga and is his directorial debut as well as Lady Gaga’s first role as a leading lady in a major film.

• Television Actress, Singer, Songwriter
  (1986–)

American composer and conductor John Williams has scored more than 100 films, including 'Jaws,' six 'Star Wars' movies, 'E.T.' and the first three 'Harry Potter' films.

• Conductor, Musician, Composer
  (1932–)

Neil Diamond announced he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and will cancel the third leg of his 50th anniversary tour. The legendary singer-songwriter will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Grammys this Sunday.

• Songwriter, Singer
  (1941–)

Dorothy Dandridge was an American actress and popular singer. She is the first African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for best actress.

• Film Actress, Classic Pin-Ups, Singer
  (1922–1965)

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 multi-generational hit songs include "My Cherie Amour," "You Are the Sunshine of My Life," "Superstition," "Living in the City," "Boogie on Reggae Woman," "Sir Duke," "That Girl" and "Part-Time Lover."

• Singer, Songwriter, Music Producer, Pianist, Musician
  (1950–)

James West is a U.S. inventor and professor who, in 1962, developed the electret transducer technology later used in 90 percent of contemporary microphones.

• Scientist, Inventor
  (1931–)

Zac Efron is a Hollywood heartthrob who appears in films and on television, most notably in the High School Musical films.

• Film Actor
  (1987–)

Selena Gomez, who became sick due to complications from lupus, shared details of the life-saving kidney transplant she received from a friend. “I had arthritis. My kidneys were shutting down. My mentality was just to keep going,” she said on the NBC's Today Show.

• Philanthropist, Television Actress, Film Actress, Singer
  (1992–)

Jamaican singer, musician and songwriter Bob Marley served as a world ambassador for reggae music and sold more than 20 million records throughout his career.

• Songwriter, Singer
  (1945–1981)

Actor, singer and activist Harry Belafonte has achieved lasting fame for such songs as "The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)," and for his humanitarian work.

• Actor, Civil Rights Activist, Singer
  (1927–)

A highly versatile artist, Cher is an American singer and actress who got her start as half of Sonny and Cher in the 1960s. She has since amassed international fame with an array of top 10 hits and screen roles, winning an Oscar for her role in 'Moonstruck.'

• Singer, Film Actress
  (1946–)