The group released hits Baby, I Love You, (The Best Part of) Breakin Up, Walking in the Rain, and Be My Baby, all christened by Ronnie Spectors tender and tough vibrato. She began her singing career at a radio station in Oklahoma, where she embraced the name, Patti Page. 1 solo single). Notoriously known for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was one of the most famous 1950s female singers and actresses. Hits: Be My Baby, Baby, I Love You, Walking in the Rain. 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. Born out of Washington Heights, New York, Veronica Bennett(Ronnie Spector), her older sisterEstelle Bennett, and their cousinNedra Talley made up The Ronettes. Hits: Please Mr. Postman, Beechwood 4-5789, Dont Mess With Bill, Playboy. Admired for her powerful, intense vocals, Connie Smith (b. Her first hit, Walking After Midnight, came in 1957 and was followed by such standards-in-embryo as I Fall to Pieces, Crazy and She's Got You.. After winning a talent contest when she was only 15, she began to perform in clubs. Many have credited the Weavers with helping to fuel the folk revival that followed their success and subsequent blacklisting during the McCarthy era. 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. 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.. She recorded nearly 600 songs and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. 10 on the R&B rankings. 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. Tina Turner 10. Old time banjo player Charlie Poole was one of the earliest stars of the old-time scene back in the 1920s. Dave Van Ronk was one of the most important figures in the Greenwich Village folk-music scene of the 1960s. 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. 2 single and Clio-winning Coca-Cola jingle she co-wrote, Dottie West (1932-1991) broke into the country charts in 1963 with Let Me Off at the Corner. Her third single, Here Comes My Baby, also a co-write, went to No. The Mamas and the Papas were one of the most successful folk-pop groups of the '60s, and Mama Cass was one of the most notable female presences of the folk revival. Her performance of the song Aba Daba Honeymoon in the 1950 film Two Weeks with Love peaked at no. June was also a well-known philanthropist. One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. 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. 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 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. Many of the best Black female singers have reached the top of the charts with their catchy tunes. In 1945, she and her sister won a spot on a radio station as singers. He's also quite the accomplished actor, having appeared in several films, including "A Star is Born" with Barbra Streisand. A frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Atkins got to know many fellow artists, who he would handpick for recording sessions. Terms & Conditions | Their tune "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down" became a country-folk standard in the late '20s. Stand By Your Man, the 1968 No. 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. Staffords legacy in music, television, and radio is acknowledged by three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. 1 hit singles on the U.S. Baby Jane and the Rockabyes - How Much is That Doggie in. In 1993, she joined Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton for the album Honky Tonk Angels. Womens History Month: These Artists Thrived in the '50s and After being diagnosed with intraductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer, Sheryl Crow opened the Sheryl Crow Imaging Center by joining hands with her surgeon Kristi Funk. She recorded her first single (which did not chart) when she was 12. Stafford signed to a label as a solo artist in 1944. 1932) told her life story in her 1970 hit, Coal Miner's Daughter, which, in turn, became a bestselling autobiography in 1976 and a critically-acclaimed movie in 1980. You can't really argue with a folksinger so good that his song managed to get him out of jail for murder. It hasn't been an easy journey for female country musicians, who have faced the same and sometimes more difficult inequalities as Doris Day. He proceeded to write her debut single, Once a Day, that went No. 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. 1 on the U.S. Jeannie Seely: A gifted singer and songwriter, Seely (b. American singer, Elle King, made her mark in showbiz when her debut single Good To Be A Man was released in March 2012 as a digital download. Their I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know reached No. Dave Carter was inarguably one of the best songwriters the contemporary folk scene as known in some time. With their prodigious instrumental skills, the trio blended jazz, folk, rock, and bluegrass on originals and covers alike. 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. The Jewels - Opportunity. Female Country Singers: The Top 45 Singers of All Time - Wide 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.. What list of folk music greats would be complete without a nod to Mr. Bob Dylan? Notable artists include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bill Haley. Jackson went on to release one of her biggest songs, Dont You Know, peaking at no. Women were judged on their appearance much more than their male counterparts. Since then, the Fearless star has not looked back and also made her acting debut in 2009. She also performed in Annie Get Your Gun, Woman Of The Year, and The Unmistakable Molly Brown.. Her debut albumJulie Is Her Namecame out later that year. Somewhere in the middle of mostly male-dominated doo-wop groups, Elvis Presley swiveling his hips and the emergence of rock and roll with the likes of Little Richard, Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, and Jerry Lee Lewis, and a burgeoning British invasion of the 1960s, there were the women of girl groups. Hits: One Fine Day, Hes So Fine, Sweet-Talking Guy. Dusty Springfield 4. Seeger and Hays went on to form The Weavers. In a long career that terminated tragically in a car accident in 1991, West charted 63 singles. Two-time Grammy-winning country singer Miranda Lambert is known for her hit album Platinum and the track Automatic. Even though he'd been playing music his whole life, Shindell didn't start making waves in the folk world until Joan Baez picked up three of his songs for her 1997 album. Picture this: Youre back in the 1950s, grabbing a bite to eat at the local diner, and theres a jukebox sitting in the corner waiting for you to insert your coin and pick a song. Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. As a result, Franti has inspired and motivated fans, critics and fellow songwriters to action through his work. Shore rose to fame during the big band era but gained even more success as a solo artist. She has received various accolades and awards in her very successful singing career spanning several decades and has composed over 3,000 songs. Here are the 21 best 50s female singers: Patsy Cline dominated the country music scene as one of the best female vocalists of the 1950s. A woman of many talents, June Carter Cash was an American singer-songwriter, author, comedian, actress, and dancer. Americanpopandcountry musicsinger-songwriter, Taylor Swift is a multiple Grammy award winning artist who has inspired a number of hopeful musicians. Certainly, her early records were very folky. Shepard was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. Her relationship with Johnny Cash inspired the 2005 film Walk the Line, where she was portrayed by Reese Witherspoon. In the 1950s, she made regular appearances in movie musicals. She developed 27 R&B top 10 hits within seven years. 4 on the U.S Pop chart. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. WebHere's a playlist of Holler's Best Country Songs of the 1950s. The Beatles were arguably the greatest group of the period -- but many would say that their biggest chart rival wasn't the Rolling Stones or the Beach Boys, but the Supremes. Among Shepard's Top 5 hits were Satisfied Mind and Second Fiddle (To an Old Guitar). In 1960 she married singer Hawkshaw Hawkins, who, three years later, was killed in the plane crash that took Patsy Cline's life. In 1958, Frances Preston (1934-2012) was hired to head the Nashville office of BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.), a major performance rights organization that collects and distributes to songwriters and publishers royalties earned from the public use of BMI-registered songs. 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. Such was her wide vocal appeal and heart-melting songs that Patsy Cline (1932-1963) achieved legendary status in the relatively short six-year period she recorded. A hardcore country traditionalist, Jean Shepard (1933-2016) played bass in an all-woman band called The Melody Ranch Girls before setting out on a solo career. By the time Berry Gordy Jr.sMotown Records was in full swing, Martha & The Vandellas signed on releasing hit after hit with songs like Dancing in the Street, Heat Wave, Come and Get These Memories, Jimmy Mack, Nowhere to Run, Im Ready for Love, and Bless You. The Chiffons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Phil Ochs is known for writing exceptional protest songs, and he spared nobody with his sharp tongue. Her songs Am I Asking Too Much? and Baby Get Lost peaked at no. Behind the scenes in this era, producers like Chet Atkins played an important part in putting Nashville on the map by striving for a compromise between traditional country sounds and commercially-appealing pop. After winning the radio spot together, they received recognition from bandleader Tony Pastor. She's also been a constant voice for peace and social justice. In the '50s, '60s, and '70s, female solo singers were ever-present on radio, TV and the pop charts -- as they should have been! Joan Baez is one of the most remarkable forces in American folk music. Read about the first generation of female country artists, including Maybelle Carter, Minnie Pearl, and songwriter Cindy Walker. A multi-talented personality, Kramer is also known for her skills as a dancer; she finished fourth after competing in the popular dance competition television series Dancing with the Stars in 2016. This would also be the period when the music was battered by the advent of rock 'n' roll but would ultimately find renewed vigor through outlets as disparate as bluegrass festivals and crowd-appealing network TV shows. He's managed to maintain a sort of cult following, bringing his soulful folk stylings to rather biting protest songs and incantations about justice and the human experience. Ella Fitzgerald. Her embattled marriage with George Jones made Jana Kramer is an American singer and actress who was adjudged Top New Female Artist at the 2013 Academy of Country Music Awards. Subscribe for updates, events, offers and more. Another Motown-era hit, The Marvelettes first became friends in their high-school glee club coming up in Inkster, Michigan. During the mid-1960s, the Supremes achieved mainstream success with Ross as lead singer, backed by the Motown hit-making HollandDozierHolland as its songwriting and production team throughout the mid-60s. Lynn also had many successful duet hits, first with Ernest Tubb, and later with Conway Twitty. Check out the full track listing below: 1. The daughter of musician Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash followed in the footsteps of her father. Nashville, Tennessee 37219. Motowns famous act received 12 no. 1 on theBillboardHot 100. Was there a female Elvis or Bob Dylan? Kelsea Ballerini is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as CMT Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. 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. 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; Hits: Mr. 1 in 1955, and a follow-up chart topper Lollipop which peaked at No. Navigation. Another hit, Choon Gum, made the top 20 in 1950. 1 hits. Here are 11 of the top girl groups of the 1950s and 1960s, who all left a mark with their eternal hits. After a falling out with Dorsey, everyone seemed to go their own way. Joan Baez 7. The oldest daughter of Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra established herself as a popular singer and actress during the 1960s and 1970s. Because of this, she debuted in the film industry while still in high school in 1944s Nabonga.. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. Already a member? Since then, he's become a highly influential songwriter. Who is the greatest female country singer of all time?Carrie Underwood. Born in March 1983, Carrie Underwood claims the first spot for the best country female singers of all time.Dolly Parton.Shania Twain.Patsy Cline.Martina McBride.Taylor Swift.Miranda Lambert.Reba McEntire. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. Pete Seeger is, undeniably, one of the most prolific and influential artists in the history of American music. 1 songs include Endless Love, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, and When You Tell Me That You Love Me.. With the ensembles lineup rounded out by Bonnie Brown (1938-2016), their songs reached into the Top 10s and Top 20s until 1959 when they exploded with The Three Bells. It crowned the country charts for 10 weeks, the pop charts for four and even rose to No. 600 Opry Mills Drive Eventually, she would gravitate more toward country tunes, finding better success in that genre. Kelsea Ballerini will appear on Saturday Night Live this Saturday. 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. Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance in 1959. That year,Billboardvoted her The Most Promising Singer. She first got the chance to sing in a movie in 1953. 21 Best 50s Female Singers. 1950s. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. Her 1977 cover of You Light Up My Life peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and stayed there for ten weeks. 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. Her hits include I Can Dream, Cant I?, Too Young, and Kiss of Fire.. 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. Her first chart song and only No. She was killed in a plane crash in 1963, along with fellow stars Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas, while returning to Nashville from a benefit concert. Aretha Franklin was one of the most talented and influential singers not just in the 60s but the 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. Aretha Franklin. 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. 1 in 1964, sold more than one million copies, and led the way for the groups continued hits throughout the 60s like People Say, You Should Have Seen the Way He Looked at Me, Little Bell, and Iko Iko., Hits: Chapel of Love, People Say, Iko Iko, Addressing all the teen drama and more tragic scenarios of youth, the New York City-bred pop group The Shangri-Las had more edge but still embodied the youthful strains of love and heartbreak with No. Ian & Sylvia were one of the most successful folk duos of the 1960s and '70s. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers. However, despite gender equality still being a major issue, many female vocalists of the 1950s rose to fame and made their mark in history. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. 2023 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved. Sign-Up For Our Newsletter. 9 on the U.S. singles chart and got inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. But she would not return to the country rankings again until 1969, after which many hits would follow into the 1980s, such as her rendition of Kris Kristofferson's "Nobody Wins.". 1 and stayed there for a remarkable eight weeks. A list of the most famous country singers of the 1950s would be remiss not to include Patsy Cline. She also performed at the infamous sixth and twelfth Cavalcade of Jazz concerts at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. While gender equality was an elusive dream in many fields, women were well represented in popular music, and the best female singers are legends. Arden transferred to Decca Records in the mid-1950s. Well, no -- but was there a male Aretha Franklin? In 1938, the remaining members of The Stafford Sisters joined The Four Esquires and The Three Rhythm Kings to create an eight-piece ensemble called The Pied Pipers.