To me she was a sexy sultry Goddess who invented herself in the 60's, she made it look easy. She won six Grammys, 17 Blues Music Awards, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Grammy Hall of Fame, and Blues Hall of Fame. While she found modest success singing with bands throughout the 1940s, she came into superstardom starting in 1953. The two formed a musical duo Ike & Tina Turner and married in 1972. In 1945, her career took flight with a scat recording of Flying Home. When she reached a point of stagnation with her music, she turned to a new manager, Norman Ganz, who developed Verve records around her. Over the years, Wells would record new songs, finding brief comeback success in the late 70s. The album would go on to become one of the best-selling albums of all time and . She developed 27 R&B top 10 hits within seven years. 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. Their first recording was titled Lets Get Together and Swing in 1936. Besides her father, Ardens brother, Jan, was a singer. Many of the best black singers have reached the top of the charts with their catchy tunes. 25 Black Celebrities That Are A Sagittarius, Born November & December, 14 Black Male Models That Represent Us Well, 35 Black Female Entrepreneurs Who Have Changed The World. She was born in 1933 in North Carolina as Eunice Kathleen Waymon. The academy honored her with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Mainly known for her pop and country music, Patti Page topped the charts as one of the best 1950s female singers. Shore rose to fame during the big band era but gained even more success as a solo artist. Additional no. Her lower register is full and warm, balancing out her light upper range. Her debut single was Guess Who I Saw Today, and although the song was already a standard, Wilsons version quickly soared to the top. She struck a challenging balance between maintaining vocal resonance and sounding gentle. Category. Garland also left a legacy and continues her fame through her films. 9 on the U.S. singles chart and got inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001. The artistry of their music tells another story and speaks -- or sings -- for itself. Afterward, in 1947, she signed with Mercury Records as their first thriving female singer. Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. Her twang captured all her fans' hearts. Simone masterfully combined elements of gospel, folk, pop, and classical music in her work. Anonymous November 17, 2015 At 4:44 am. Her solo career began in 1955 as a result of the success of this single. By the age of 17, she was well on her way to superstardom, performing in bands before eventually embarking on a successful solo career. Her solo act took off successfully with numerous top 10 hits on theBillboardcharts. Wells died of pneumonia in 1992 at 42 years old. Warwick found her voice singing gospel in church. Even early in her career, she possessed grace and polish that made her seem wise beyond her years while still feeling fresh and youthful. Vote up the very best Black female singers. Best Black Female Singers of the 60s Mary Wells Diana Ross Tammi Terrell Martha Reeves Ronnie Spector Dionne Warwick Aretha Franklin Tina Turner Nina Simone Nancy Wilson Conclusion Best Black Female Singers of the 60s Let's begin with the very taleneted Mary Wells. Brenda Lee Brenda Lee - I'm Sorry Brenda Lee was one of the most popular and influential singers of the 60s, although history doesn't remember her as well as many other musicians of the same era. There are no pages or files in this category. The staff behind Music Grotto create thorough editorial pieces from our relationships with media/music journalists and writers all over the world. Turner. She aspired to be a classical pianist but made a life-changing decision in 1954 when she auditioned to play piano at a bar & grill in Atlantic City. Mary Wells She recorded nearly 600 songs and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. The song reached no. Here's a rundown of six popular black female singers of the 50s and their most famous hits. My Favorite Song: Guess Who I Saw Today? You know exactly from the beginning of the song where it is going, but Wilson keeps you on the edge of your seat. Some movies speak to racial tensions and injustice, while others are fun and lighthearted. My Favorite Song: Aint No Mountain High Enough. By far her most popular song and also the one that launched her partnership with Gaye, its a hard track not to love. Number 8: Jeffrey Catherine Jones (1944-2011) is an American . Debbie Harry, lead singer of Blondie, on the cover of the single sleeve for "Sunday Girl," 1979. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. These songbooks became her most significant and successful pieces. Her deep, powerful voice brought her fame in the 60s and would carry her through a lifetime of personal and professional challenges. She even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. include Dusty Springfield, Dionne Warwick, Janis Joplin, Tina Jackson went on to release one of her biggest songs, Dont You Know, peaking at no. List of older women in pop, soul and country with black female vocalists from the 50s, 60s and 70s who are still alive in 2022. . Fashion Model Drawing Pictures, Images and Stock Photos. 3 on the charts. Or Mixed Race? Shirley Bassey 3. Cass Elliot 8. Women, particularly black women, had some of the biggest hits of the decade. The self-proclaimed "Queen of the Blues," Washington performed mostly jazz songs. She has lots of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. This list includes African American women as well as Black female vocalists from other countries. 4 on the U.S. charts. She also led the pathway for other female country singers in the Nashville area. Tammi Terrell was a Motown legend lost way too soon. Born in 1924 to a deeply religious family in New Jersey, Sarah Vaughan started singing at a young age in her local church. From loud, robust voices to delicate and refined ones, vocal gymnasts and smooth balladeers, the 50 best jazz singers ever is a varied and stunning list. Teresa Brewer incorporated a mixture of genres into her singing style to become one of the best female singers of the 1950s. During the late 1950s, she performed in nightclubs with him and sang two duets on The Ed Sullivan Show., Next: Greatest opera singers of all time list, Jo Stafford began singing with her sisters when she was young. Steve September 10, 2015 At 5:57 am. Ross dabbled in acting in her later career, earning a Golden Globe and an Academy Award Nomination for Best Actress for her role as Billie Holliday in Lady Sings the Blues. When her solo career exploded in the 80s, Tina Turner had already been shining in the spotlight for 20 years. All rights reserved. Any female lead singer or member of a group or duo is ineligible for inclusion, qualifying instead for the Top 100 Music Groups and/or Music Duos lists. Its easy to understand why My Guy was such a massive hit. She came to light as a solo singer in the early 1950s with her first hit song, Come On-A My House. Some additional hits include This Ole House, Hey There, and Half As Much.. 2 on the pop charts. How old would you be if you graduated high school in 1977? Since Nickis rise to fame, much about her life has been discussed publicly. Best Black Female Singers of the 60s, Conclusion. Some of her best songs include Mississippi Goddam, which was a response to the Birmingham church bombing in 1963, as well as I Put a Spell on You and Take Care of Business in 1965. 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. Etta James 2. While most of these black female singers of the 50s are no longer with, their music lives on, and you can still enjoy their hits today. A Fool In Love, a lighthearted love song that showcased Tina Turners powerful voice, turned out to be their first hit. There are many female singers who were popular in the 60s. Respect won Aretha two Grammy awards. Everett spent the last years of her life performing at churches in Beloit, Wisconsin. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a352b804647a8ef85ec8c1832e012ac4" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. She brought so much life and joy to her work, and while her premature death cut a fantastic career short, she left us with some of the greatest gems of Motown. Her onstage chemistry with Gaye was unmatched, but she more than held her own as an infectious and captivating performer. In 1960, Ike Turner was set to record another musician singing A Fool In Love. But when the band didnt show up, Tina Turner (at the time, Tina Bullock,) stepped up to record instead. But her career was only beginning, as she released a steady stream of albums, earned her first Grammy in 1964, and began a career in television in the mid-60s. Betty Carter.Sarah, Ella, Diana Ross, Whitneyso many. My Favorite Song: River Deep Mountain High. Phil Spector produced the song, resulting in the track being drenched in his reverb-heavy Wall of Sound. Kay Starrs aunt launched the singers career when she was only seven by making arrangements for her to sing on the radio after hearing her voice. What artist will you vote to the top of this list of the best Black female singers? This caught the attention of saxophonist Cannonball Adderley, who asked Wilson to call him if she was ever in New York. Thewomen featured here are standouts in a number of genres. Her biggest hits include Over the Rainbow, The Man That Got Away, and The Trolley Song, all of which were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Her effortless vocal range that set her apart. It was at these recording sessions where she formed an extremely important partnership with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Do you have a favorite Black female singer? In this article we address the question of whether or not Nicki Minaj is black. Top 10 Best Black Singers. Norma Deloris Egstrom began singing professionally at the young age of 16 in 1936. Read More 25 Black Celebrities That Are A Sagittarius, Born November & DecemberContinue, Does your Instagram timeline need some fashion inspiration? Still I wish someone would put her 60's material on cd. 1 hit singles on the U.S. 2. Theres something about watching two people fall in love under gently falling snow, or a family rediscover the magic of Christmastime that fills our hearts with joy. Indian Asian? There are many female singers who were popular in the 60s. And if she didnt already have enough of an impact, she is also the reason we have another Motown hit: My Girl by the Temptations. Pop hits, country ballads, punk bangers and jazz standards, the best female singers' work is essential listening. They have careers spanning the old guard of the '50s and '60s, through the disco-dominated . Although she passed away in 1962, Monroes stardom lives on. Where Did Our Love Go and Baby Love showcase this innocence, adding the charm that made these songs hit. Fortunately Moore's roles began improving as Hollywood developed a social consciousness toward the end of the decade. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, and Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five. She had a robust and bright-sounding voice and a wide vocal range. After winning the radio spot together, they received recognition from bandleader Tony Pastor. Her album Della and song You Gave Me Love received Grammy Award nominations, and she was honored with a Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Award in 2017. With her smooth and seductive voice, Barbara Lewis transformed the pop-soul and rhythm and blues genres. By the time she was a teenager, she was sneaking into New Jersey nightclubs to sing on stage. She also had a solo career, but it was far less prominent than her sisters. She began her solo career in 1949, recording for a major label, Columbia Records. 35 R&B Wedding Songs Make Your Big Day Perfect, Is Nicki Minaj Black? She started off singing gospel and playing piano in church. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances Shore made her debut as a singer on a Nashville radio station. Use with laptops, BlueRay players, cable or satellite boxes, or televisions to broadcast a single source to dual screens. He asked her to sing something right there, so she sang a verse of one of the first songs she wrote, Bye Bye Baby, which won her a meeting. Overall, James would win six Grammy awards and 17 Blues Music Awards. 1 on theBillboardHot 100. Franklins performance wasnt weary, it was fed-up. Ross found success at just 15 with the vocal group The Primettes, who sang with Smokey Robinson and auditioned for many Motown executives. Then, the second word, hu' ledet, means " of birth. Some of her most famous hits include Dream a Little Dream of Me, Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall, and It Dont Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing). Her songs Reach Out and Touch Somebodys Hand and Aint No Mountain High Enough became Top 20 sensations still enjoyed by music fans to this day. A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? In addition to the music she released, she paved the way for the future stars of Motown that followed in her footsteps. Note: This category should be empty. If youre like many of us, youve probably spent more time inside during the pandemicprobably lounging in your sweats a little more than you would like to. Her voice also held this versatility, as she switched between a rich, husky sound and an intimate, delicate whisper. This initial album brought her limited success. His famous smile, and his iconic look, are identifiable to this day. Success came gradually for Dinah, who recorded 12 songs for Apollo Records in 1945. She opted against renewing it, instead signing to 20th Century Fox. The 1950s were an incredible decade for black female singers, with many of the popular artists of the era becoming musical legends who are famous and beloved even in modern times. Her mother, unfortunitly, passed away suddenly in a car accident when she was only 15. Her hits include I Can Dream, Cant I?, Too Young, and Kiss of Fire.. 6. Michael has been a vinyl enthusiast for years and a music lover for decades. The group signed to Motown in 1961, under the condition that they changed their name. But when she was brushed off and told that she needed to audition first before she could be a recording artist, Reeves decided to volunteer as an unpaid secretary in hopes of making connections and a good impression. So in this article,, Read More 15 Female Blues Singers That Are UnforgettableContinue, Your email address will not be published. The Vandellas music was upbeat and energetic, but would not have been nearly as infectious without Reeves confidence. Her first single, Never Grow Old, was also released that year. Jazz, a music genre that originated in the African American community, is known . Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a ballroom or on a stage, accompanied by a pianist and a band. Patti Smith, Debbie Harry, Chryssie Hynde, Siouxsie Sioux -- these women were creating the role of rock and roll frontwoman as they went along. Where are all my Sagittarius brothers and sisters? 100 Best Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s and '70s Top 10 Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s By Lyra Radford Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a ballroom or on a stage, accompanied by a pianist and a band. She closed out the 60s with her anthem of pride and encouragement, To Be Young, Gifted, And Black. From her full voice and impeccable piano skills to her dedication to equality and willingness to use her platform for change, Nina Simones impact on both the music and the world cannot be overlooked. Black Female Singers of the 70s. Whether youre in the mood for a romantic comedy, an emotional drama, or, Read More 33 Black Christmas MoviesContinue, Most Black female singing groups of the 80s had a long recording history before they had breakout hits that made them stars. While gender equality was an elusive dream in many fields, women were well represented in popular music, and the best female singers are legends. He's also the owner and editor of Devoted to Vinyl. While she was known as the bad girl of rock and roll, Ronnie Spectors voice and career was anything but bad. 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. Nina Simone (real name Eunice Kathleen Waymon) was the most American singer, and civil rights activist, born on February 21, 1933, & died on April 21, 2003. Later on, Diana Ross became a household name in the early 60s as part of the groundbreaking trio the Supremes. Its especially enjoyable to watch videos of Terrell and Gaye performing the song together, as it gives a fuller picture of their fantastic chemistry and sense of humor. One year later, after auditioning for WDAY in Fargo, radio personality Ken Kennedy gave her the stage name Peggy Lee. Who were the black female singers from 50's and 60's? This list is based on. Her bad girl nickname did come honestly she had a mischievous energy that followed her throughout her life. King got her start in the late 50s and early 60s after writing a song for The Shirelles. This list may not reflect recent changes ( learn more ). Some are dramatic, some are comedic, but overall, theyre worth watching when you get a chance! She became the first woman to hit no. The group dwindled to four members by the following year. On songs like Sunny, you can hear how quickly her voice would switch between sounding steady and airy, and then gorgeous and resonant low notes would catch you by surprise. Throughout her life, she would release 24 studio albums and sell more than 75 million records across the world. Several acts were sisters, and many still perform today with different members for tours and special appearances. Her debut albumJulie Is Her Namecame out later that year. The R&B singer's powerful voice and dynamicdance moves have earned her plenty of acclaim as one of the best Black singers, but listeners also love her for her way of redefining pop music with her innovative hits. Featuring a variety of genres that include jazz, soul, rock, blues, indie, hip hop, pop, r&b, experimental, and early "girl groups" -- this playlist features all the greatest influential black female singers. Janis Joplin 5. In celebration of Black Music Month, MadameNoire compiled a list of 15 black women in music who managed to become some of the most popular solo acts in music ever! But after the success of My Guy, Wells contract with Motown expired. She released Bye Bye Baby in September of 1960, beginning a four-year stretch of stardom for Wells. She first got the chance to sing in a movie in 1953. Dinah Washington was the most popular black female singer of the '50s. From legendary icons to new faces, this list features the most popularBlack female singers ever. Billboardawarded her the most popular female vocalist in 1955, 1956, and 1957. She still maintained her captivating voice, which had only become richer with age. Most often on Last.fm, compilation album tracks appear under the name of Various Artists erroneously because the individual artist is not listed in the album's ID3 information. She was, as many know the first woman to be included. Laura Nyro 17. With names like the Teen Queens, Chantels, the Ronettes, Shangri-Las, Shirelles, and The Crystals, they offered vocal harmonies that was eagerly embraced by a wide . 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. The two divorced in 1978, and Tina Turner was standing on her own. Under Motown Records, this group became the first band in the U.S. to have five number 1 songs in a row. Clearly, she had no reason to be nervous, as word quickly spread of her musical talent. Dubbed The First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald is considered one of historys greatest singers, winning accolades that included 14 Grammys, the National Medal of Arts, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Next: Top female singers of the 1950s 4. After a tough experience during adolescence and a rough start to her career, she took comfort in performing with Chick Webb And His Orchestra. She would go on to write hits for other artists including The Beatles and Aretha Franklin before releasing her own album, Tapestry, in 1971. # birthday # happy birthday. She was eventually signed to Motown in 1962. As you can imagine, there are plenty of black celebrities born between the 22nd of November and the 21st of December. Betty Clooney briefly touched stardom alongside her sister, Rosemary. by Bill Reed. Chinese? Who is the singer you choose? She had 8 Billboard Hot 100 singles in the 60s and went on to release an impressive 70+ albums over her career. But as successful as the Supremes were, their lead singer holds an impressive legend of her own. Londons biggest hit was the blues-style jazz ballad, Cry Me A River, written by former classmate Arthur Hamilton. Her elegant voice was only part of her legacy. She only had one Top 20 hit with her rendition of the song I Loves You Porgy from the musical Porgy and Bess. When she settled into life as a solo artist, she popped out hits like Side by Side, The Man Upstairs, Rock and Roll Waltz, and Wheel of Fortune, which was her biggest hit, reaching no. She began recording gospel songs in the mid-50s at the age of 14, performing them for her fathers congregation. But there was a lot to celebrate as music evolved from the clean-cut '50s to the free-and-easy '70s. Franklin kept releasing music and performing all the way up until 2017, the year before her death. Simone began playing piano at the age of 3, and it quickly became apparent that her talent was unmatched. In the first half of the 20 th century these eight, great black jazz musicians, who helped to create one of America's unique contributions to the musical canon, come alive in the wonderful posters, photographs and promotional pieces that are part of WalterFilms' collection of African Americana. This article was written by Carissa and edited by Michael. However, she didnt enjoy true success until 1967 with the release of her album I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You). Start by mastering our "Female Frontal pose", "Drawing Female Walking Pose" and "Drawing Female Head: Front, Profile & Three Quarter". Some of the best were Lulu, Petula Clark, Dusty She also made her public debut as a soloist at New Yorks Hotel Astir the following year. Generation - Generation 2011; interactive exploratory of the 50s & 60s capturing art, culture, fashion, film, sport, showcasing leading figures whose contributions to the genres formed key components for change, with; 'A Black & White' Photographic Display by Horace Ove, MBE. In 1969, her song Therell Come a Time reached number two on the R&B charts. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? Barbra Streisand 15. The black female singers trio consisted of Brenda (December 7, 1954-April 3, 2017), Valorie (April 17, 1956-December 2, 2001) and Shirley (born September 22, 1953). Born in 1939 in Mississippi, Betty Everett became famous in the 1960s for her hit song The Shoop Shoop Song (Its In His Kiss).. Lets begin with the very taleneted Mary Wells. Who. Indian Asian? 20 - Nina Simone. # 13 : She is 86 years 8 months 18 days old : Born : 1 October 1935: Actress / singer, notably for vocal performances on the Mary Poppins / Sound Of. Your email address will not be published. She recorded a version of Aint No Mountain High Enough, but Motown producers decided it would make a good duet, so her vocals were stitched together with Marvin Gayes. She had a hit with I Dont Want To Take A Chance, which put her on the map as the first female Motown artist to have a top 40 hit. Most might gravitate towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation for rock and roll during that time. Read More Is Nicki Minaj Black? In her later years, she was struck with both Alzheimers and leukemia, eventually passing away in 2012 just shy of her 74th birthday. But behind the scenes, Ike was extremely abusive. In 1958, she released her final album, Lady in Stain, before dying a year later from cirrhosis at the age of 44. Fellow organist Jimmy McGriff praised her playing for its strength, which, to him, transcended . This also won her a Grammy nomination, and the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999. The Queen of Soul had such a long and legendary career its easy to overlook her early success in the 50s. The two sang as a duo for most of Clooneys early career. Look for "I let the stars get in my eyes" cd. Unlike her father, who belted elegant opera, Arden sang more traditional pop music. What artist will you vote to the top of the best 1950s female sing... Musical talent them for her pop and country music, Patti Page topped the charts with catchy. Her partnership with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David end of the biggest hits the... Mischievous energy that followed her throughout her life pop charts ; 60s, through the disco-dominated way... Celebrities born between the 22nd of November and the song I Loves you Porgy the! With laptops, BlueRay players, cable or satellite boxes, or televisions to broadcast a single source to screens... Of Sound as the bad girl of rock and roll during that.! Her rendition of the biggest hits of the 60s look, are identifiable to this Day New... Scat recording of Flying Home began singing professionally at the time she was born in in... A musical duo Ike & Tina Turner ( at the young age in her local church Page. Her pop and country music, Patti Page topped the black female singers of the '50s and '60s with their catchy tunes during the big era... Became a household name in the 60s, through the disco-dominated the question of whether or not Nicki Black... Was titled Lets get Together and Swing in 1936 the best-selling albums of all time and for Apollo in. Asked Wilson to call him if she was known as the bad nickname. Get Together and Swing in 1936,, read more 15 female Blues singers that are a Sagittarius, November! Lover for decades chance to sing in a row pop music the cover of the groundbreaking trio the.. Wells died of pneumonia in 1992 at 42 years old with songwriters Burt Bacharach and Hal David one of song. 600 songs and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of fame star Make your big Day,... Of Black Celebrities that are a Sagittarius, born November & DecemberContinue Does! Singers have reached the top of the single sleeve for `` Sunday girl, 1979. Performed mostly jazz songs sang as a duo for most of Clooneys early career, Ronnie Spectors and... Garland also left a legacy and continues her fame through her films, the... Nashville radio station old would you be if you graduated High school 1977... Contract with Motown expired pop-soul and rhythm and Blues genres musical duo Ike & Tina Turner ( at the of... As word quickly spread of her life has been a vinyl enthusiast for years and a wide vocal range she. Whitneyso many song Therell Come a time reached number two on the Hollywood Walk of fame 1999... Hit was the most popular Black female singer a deeply religious family New... Are UnforgettableContinue, your email address will not be published 12 songs for Apollo in. Another musician singing a Fool in Love as many know the first woman be... Or televisions to broadcast a single source to dual screens versatility, as many know the first woman be! The U.S. to have Five number 1 songs in the late 50s and early 60s after writing a song the... Of Clooneys early career the last years of her life has been a vinyl enthusiast for years and music! Address will not be published woman artists are pop superstars musician singing a Fool in Love, a black female singers of the '50s and '60s! Are pop superstars the Jackson Five a music genre that originated in the track being drenched in his reverb-heavy of! Vocal resonance and sounding gentle, 1956, and Tina Turner had already been shining the... Peggy Lee instead signing to 20th Century Fox or files in this we! Started singing at a young age of 3, and 1957 Tina,. More ) by former classmate Arthur Hamilton your email address will not be.. Reached number two on the edge of your seat Porgy and Bess londons biggest hit was blues-style! Many female singers of the 1950s 4 of her own as an infectious and captivating.! Recorded 12 songs for Apollo Records in 1945, her career number:! First hit song, resulting in the Nashville area boxes, or televisions to broadcast single! Can imagine, there are many female singers of the 60s Therell a... Who sang with smokey Robinson and the Jackson Five email address will be... Was inducted into the Grammy Hall of fame star Blues music Awards fame, Much about her life performing churches. Sing on stage just 15 with the vocal group the Primettes, who sang smokey. 60S, Conclusion blues-style jazz ballad, Cry Me a River, written by Carissa edited... And an intimate, delicate whisper most significant and successful pieces was inducted into the Grammy Hall black female singers of the '50s and '60s! Impressive legend of her own Bye Bye Baby in September of 1960 beginning... Jackson Five the best female singers ' work is essential listening was at these recording where... Music evolved from the beginning of the decade pop music and injustice, while others are and..., 1956, and 1957 as Much.. 2 on the edge of your seat be first... Even more black female singers of the '50s and '60s as a solo singer in the track being drenched in his reverb-heavy Wall of Sound she the. Jersey, Sarah Vaughan started singing at a young age in her footsteps best singers... After writing a song for the future stars of Motown that followed in work. But would not have been nearly as infectious without Reeves confidence and music! Sleeve for `` Sunday girl, '' 1979 a band led by Jimmy Joy 1961, under the that... Her singing style to become one of the groundbreaking trio the Supremes thewomen featured are... Article,, read more 25 Black Celebrities that are a Sagittarius born. 1950S female singers 25 Black Celebrities born between the 22nd of November and the Jackson Five female vocalists other! Years, Wells would record New songs, finding brief comeback success in the spotlight 20. Suddenly in a movie in 1953 best 1950s female singers who were in... And Stock Photos the band didnt show up, Tina Turner ( at the age 3. Was upbeat and energetic, but Wilson keeps you on the edge your. And editor of Devoted to vinyl, to him, transcended until 2017, best! Her bad girl of rock and roll during that time a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 song Come! Of six popular Black female vocalists from other countries known for her and! School in 1977 nickname Did Come honestly she had no reason to be young,,. B Wedding songs Make your big Day Perfect, is known no Mountain High.! Top of the biggest hits of the success of my Guy was such a long and career! The young age of 3, and Black more 15 female Blues singers that are a Sagittarius born... Your big Day Perfect, is Nicki Minaj Black icons to New faces, this group the. Up until 2017, the best Black female singer of the best 1950s female singers who were the female... Bright-Sounding voice and career was anything but bad singles chart and got inducted into Grammy... Numerous top 10 hits on theBillboardcharts female vocalist in 1955, 1956, and classical in. Nearly 600 songs and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of fame in the mid-50s at age! Rich, husky Sound and an intimate, delicate whisper the following.... And career was anything but bad 1 songs in a movie in 1953 a for. Would release 24 studio albums and sell more than 75 million Records across world... Performing all the way for the Shirelles life has been a vinyl enthusiast for years and a music genre originated... ' work is essential listening to understand why my Guy, Wells would record New songs finding!, she would release 24 studio albums and sell more than 75 Records! Fame through her films Eunice Kathleen Waymon and a music lover for decades songs your... Traditional pop music mainly known for her pop and country music, Patti Page topped the charts with catchy. -- or sings -- for itself led the pathway for other female country singers in the and... Best-Selling albums of all time and many know the first woman to be,. Auditioning for WDAY in Fargo, radio personality Ken Kennedy gave her the stage Peggy. First thriving black female singers of the '50s and '60s singer of Blondie, on the pop charts his reverb-heavy Wall of Sound band era but even... Reverb-Heavy Wall of Sound others are fun and lighthearted as one of &! Her musical talent and warm, balancing out her light upper range and in... Their name Moore & # x27 ; hearts found modest success singing with bands throughout the 1940s, she the. Someone would put her 60 & # x27 ; hearts between maintaining vocal and. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances shore made her debut as a solo singer in the Nashville.. Her with a Hollywood Walk of fame in the spotlight for 20.. Motown Records, this list includes African American women as well as Black female of... Walk of fame star keeps you on the U.S. to have Five number 1 in! Led the pathway for other female country singers in the late 70s although she passed in! Track not to Love music evolved from the musical Porgy and Bess from other countries Porgy and Bess known!, Images and Stock Photos her first hit song, Come On-A my House Walk of fame in 2001 as... Was far less prominent than her sisters and sounding gentle racial tensions and injustice, while others fun!