America is not only one of the best countries in the world when it comes to music, she also raises a great question. That is the question of who? This is talking about who among the many stars that have featured on the American stage as Americans themselves can we regard as the most famous singer in America?
The United States’ multi-ethnic population is reflected through a diverse array of styles of music. Many of the country’s most internationally renowned genres much more than we can number but we shall try to list each and every kind of them right here traditional pop, jazz, blues, country, bluegrass, rock, rock and roll, R&B, pop, hip-hop/rap, soul, funk, religious, disco, house, techno, ragtime, doowop, folk, Americana, boogaloo, Tejano, reggaetón, surf, and salsa, amongst many others. American music is heard around the world.
Since the beginning of the 20th century, some forms of American popular music have gained a near global audience. Many American cities and towns have vibrant music scenes which, in turn, support a number of regional musical styles. Musical centers around the country have all have produced and contributed to the many distinctive styles of American music.
Who is the Most Famous Singer in America?
The many different genres and types of music that America has or is historically known for have birthed countless number of singers who by their uncommon talents have made Americans go crazy, oftentimes subjecting them to a show of psychedelic frenzy.
Among the excellent singers are Michael Jackson, Louis Armstring, Raymond Carlos Nakai, Cool LLJ, Lionel Richie, to name a few. However, in this content below, you shall be pointed to the list of some of the most famous singers in America who have snatched the hearts and stage of Americans including the foreigners’.
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Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston was born in Newark, New Jersey. Dubbed “the Voice,” she became known for her powerful and soulful vocals. Selling over 200 million records worldwide makes Houston one of the best-selling music artists of all time. And only recently, Rolling Stone ranked her the second-greatest singer of all time.
Her career began when she signed to Arista Records at the age of 19. Soon she released her self-titled album, which continues to be one of the top-selling records ever.
In 1992, Houston starred alongside Kevin Costner in the hit film The Bodyguard. The featured song “I Will Always Love You” won a Grammy Award, and it remains a beloved song to this day. Other hits by Houston include “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” “How Will I Know,” “Higher Love,” and “Where Do Broken Hearts Go.”
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Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is the King of Rock and Roll. His contribution to the music industry and American culture is far-reaching and even after his death, he is considered an iconic figure.
Presley rose to prominence in the mid-1950s, with a musical style incorporating gospel, country, and rock and roll. His self-titled debut album came out in 1956 and reached #1 on the charts. It produced several hit songs such as “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Blue Moon.”
In a career that spanned more than two decades, Presley proved he was a force to be reckoned with. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time with more than 500 million records sold. He received various accolades such as three Grammy wins. He was also inducted into multiple music halls of fame.\
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Stevie Wonder
Legendary Motown singer-songwriter, pianist, and activist Stevie Wonder was born six weeks premature in Saginaw, Michigan. Blind from birth, Wonder exhibited innate musical talent while still a child performing in his local church. As a result, Motown Records signed Wonder before he even reached puberty.
Wonder is best known for a string of albums in the 70s that are considered classics of soul music. Among these are Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life.
Outside of music, Wonder is an activist and played an integral role in making Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a national holiday. To this day, he uses his platform for social justice causes.
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Madonna
Madonna had also been a vocalist, drummer, and guitarist for some rock bands before eventually going on a solo career. Born in Bay City, Michigan, Madonna was one of the top female singers of the 1980s and is dubbed the “Queen of Pop.” Her debut self-titled album came out in 1983 and featured the hit songs “Borderline,” “Lucky Star,” and “Holiday.”
She followed this up a year later with her album Like a Virgin, which included the title track and “Material Girl.” Other Madonna hits include “Papa Don’t Preach,” “Vogue,” and “Express Yourself.” She has sold over 300 million records, making her the top-selling female artist ever. In 2008, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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Bob Dylan
Named Robert Zimmerman at birth, Bob Dylan was born in the coal-mining town of Duluth, Minnesota. Dylan began his career in the burgeoning folk scene of Greenwich Village in New York City. He fashioned his playing style after the famous American folk singer Woody Guthrie.
Dylan would compose several iconic message songs during the civil rights movement. Among the most famous of these was “Blowin’ in the Wind.” These songs signaled his change from a folk singer to a modern songwriter. Dylan’s songwriting is some of the most vital in history. His lyrical imagery and mercurial style influence music to this day.
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Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, he began as a child star in the late 1960s as a member of Jackson 5 with his brothers. In the 1970s, Jackson went solo, finding massive success in his 1982 album, Thriller. It produced seven hit singles, including “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller.” Aside from these, he also released equally successful singles such as “Smooth Criminal,” Black or White,” and “Rock with You.”
Jackson is known for his unique blend of rock, soul, and pop. He used the music video not just as a promotional tool but as an art form. In addition, he became famous for his dance techniques, particularly the moonwalk. Throughout his career, Jackson sold over 400 million records and was nicknamed the “King of Pop.”
He won 15 Grammy Awards and 39 Guinness World Records. Also, he was inducted into many halls of fame such as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame.
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Johnny Hendrix
Johnny Hendrix, better known as psychedelic guitar virtuoso Jimi Hendrix, was born fifty years before grunge in rainy Seattle, Washington. Hendrix would back several R&B acts in the early 60s with little success. Upon moving to England, Hendrix formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience. His raucous take on American R&B skyrocketed the group up the English charts.
Hendrix pioneered guitar sounds that were unfathomable before the 60s began. Utilizing feedback from his amplifier with heavy use of effects pedals, he revolutionized rock music. Hendrix’s death at the age of 27 added to the mythos of The 27 Club.
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Louis Armstrong
Jazz trumpeter and vocalist Louis “Satchmo” Armstrong was born in the jazz-rich soil of New Orleans, Louisiana. Here Armstrong began his professional career playing in brass bands on riverboats. In the 20s, Armstrong developed his unique style while fronting his Chicago group The Hot Five.
His approach to jazz took a more focused approach on individual improvisation, something rarely seen before. He also became known for scat singing during performances. Armstrong experienced great public appreciation, appearing in film, tv, and radio while becoming the public face of jazz. His influence over how jazz is composed, played, and sang is unmatched.
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Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift was born in the small town of West Reading, Pennsylvania. At fourteen years old, the singer-songwriter moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her music career. Most notably, by re-recording her previous work to obtain rights over master recordings. These re-recordings became hits in their own right.
Swift began her career as a country artist but has quickly become defined by her willingness to experiment with different genres and blend them into her confessional songwriting. She has used folk, indie-rock, pop, and dance elements in her writing. Known for her rabid fanbase and unwavering commitment to artistry, Swift has been able to navigate mainstream music on her terms.
