Discover the people behind the sound

Big Mama Thornton

Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Blues • Rhythm and Blues • Rock and Roll • Electric Blues • Gospel

Big Mama Thornton, born Willie Mae Thornton, was a pioneering blues and R&B vocalist whose powerful voice and commanding stage presence influenced generations of rock and blues artists. She originated two of rock and roll's most iconic songs: 'Hound Dog' (1952), which she co-wrote and topped R&B charts for seven weeks, and 'Ball and Chain' (1961), later popularized by Janis Joplin. Thornton's raw, uncompromising vocal style challenged gender norms in the music industry and established a template for female rock and blues singers. Despite limited commercial success compared to her later interpreters, she earned critical recognition including Grammy nominations and induction into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Billie Holiday

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Jazz • Blues • Swing • Traditional Pop • Vocal Jazz

Billie Holiday, born Eleanora Fagan and known as 'Lady Day,' revolutionized jazz singing through her emotional intensity, innovative phrasing, and deeply personal interpretation. Her distinctive voice and improvisational approach transformed popular songs into deeply emotional experiences, influencing generations of singers across jazz, pop, and soul. Holiday's artistry transcended technical perfection, prioritizing emotional truth and storytelling. Beyond music, she became an early civil rights activist through her recording of 'Strange Fruit' (1939), one of the first significant protest songs of the civil rights movement. Despite a troubled personal life, her artistic legacy remains unmatched among vocalists.

Brenda Lee

Lithonia, Georgia, USA

Rock and Roll • Pop • Country • Rockabilly • Christmas Music

Brenda Lee, known as 'Little Miss Dynamite,' was a child prodigy who became one of the most successful female vocalists of the 1960s. Despite standing only 4'9" (145 cm), she possessed a powerful, mature voice that commanded attention. Lee recorded her first songs at age 11 and achieved two consecutive number-one hits in 1960 with 'I'm Sorry' and 'I Want to Be Wanted.' Her career spans over 65 years, transitioning from rock and roll and pop to country music. Her enduring holiday classic 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' (1958) remains one of the most-played Christmas songs decades later. Lee received induction into both Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, solidifying her legacy across multiple genres.

Charles Mingus

Nogales, Arizona, USA

Jazz • Bebop • Post-Bop • Third Stream • Avant-Garde Jazz • Classical Jazz

Charles Mingus, known as 'The Architect of Jazz,' was an innovative bassist, composer, and bandleader who revolutionized jazz through his sophisticated compositions. His works combined complex structures with blues, gospel, and jazz elements, creating a distinctive sound that bridged bop, post-bop, and third stream jazz. Mingus collaborated with jazz legends including Duke Ellington, Charlie Parker, and Dizzy Gillespie. Beyond music, he was a passionate civil rights advocate, evidenced by 'Fables of Faubus' (1962) protesting racism. He composed over 300 works and left an enduring legacy as one of jazz's most important figures.

Chuck Berry

St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Rock and Roll • Rhythm and Blues • Rockabilly • Blues • Country

Chuck Berry pioneered rock and roll by fusing rhythm and blues with country guitar phrasing, creating a songwriting blueprint that defined the genre. His innovative guitar work, duckwalking stage persona, and storytelling lyrics about teenage life became foundational elements of rock music. Berry's influence extends across generations, establishing him as one of the most important and influential figures in rock history. He was among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1984.

Ella Fitzgerald

Newport News, Virginia, USA

Jazz • Swing • Vocal Jazz • Traditional Pop • Scat Singing

Ella Fitzgerald, known as 'The First Lady of Song' and 'Queen of Jazz,' revolutionized jazz through her innovative scat singing, perfect intonation, and unparalleled vocal range. Her voice spanned three octaves with remarkable flexibility across tempos and genres. Fitzgerald's legendary songbook series (1956-1958) for Verve Records remains one of music's most ambitious recording projects. She collaborated with jazz legends including Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. With 18 Grammy Awards and 59 career years, she is widely regarded as the greatest female vocalist in jazz history.

Elvis Presley

Tupelo, Mississippi, USA

Rock and Roll • Rockabilly • Blues • Country • Pop • R&B • Gospel

Elvis Presley, known as 'The King of Rock and Roll,' revolutionized popular music by fusing country, rhythm and blues, and gospel into a distinctive sound that defined the rock and roll era. His charismatic stage presence, controversial performance style, and unprecedented commercial success transformed youth culture, racial boundaries in music, and the global music industry. With over 1 billion records sold worldwide, more than 600 recorded songs, and 18 number-one singles, Presley became one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century.

Frank Sinatra

Hoboken, New Jersey, USA

Jazz • Swing • Traditional Pop • Vocal Jazz • Easy Listening • Pop

Frank Sinatra, known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes' and 'The Voice,' revolutionized popular music through his intimate vocal style, perfect intonation, and unparalleled interpretive skills. His six-decade career spanned multiple genres including swing, jazz, traditional pop, and easy listening. Sinatra founded Reprise Records (1960), giving artists unprecedented creative control. He won 11 Grammy Awards and received Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. With over 1,000 recorded songs, he remains one of the most influential entertainers of the 20th century.

Hank Williams

Mount Olive, Alabama, USA

Country • Honky Tonk • Western Swing • Blues Country • Folk • Gospel • Rockabilly

Hank Williams, born Hiram King Williams, was one of the most influential American singer-songwriters and musicians of the 20th century. A pioneer of honky tonk music, Williams recorded 55 singles that reached the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 12 number-one hits. His songs combined elements of country, blues, and gospel to create a distinctive style that bridged traditional folk and modern country music. Despite a career cut short by his death at age 29, Williams' songwriting and vocal delivery influenced countless artists across multiple genres and continues to define modern country music.

Howlin' Wolf

West Point, Mississippi, USA

Chicago Blues • Electric Blues • Blues • Blues Rock • R&B • Delta Blues • Urban Blues

Howlin' Wolf, born Chester Arthur Burnett, was one of the most influential Chicago blues singers and guitarists of the 20th century. Known for his imposing physical presence (6'6" and 300 lbs), thunderous voice that ranged from growls to falsettos, and dynamic stage performances, Wolf recorded some of the most enduring blues classics for Chess Records from 1951 to 1962. His songs became staples for countless rock, blues, and R&B artists, with 'Spoonful' and 'Smokestack Lightnin'' becoming genre-defining tracks. A Grammy Hall of Fame inductee and member of both the Blues Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Howlin' Wolf's raw emotional delivery and innovative arrangements shaped the development of modern blues and rock music.

LaVern Baker

Chicago, Illinois, USA

R&B • Rock and Roll • Soul • Gospel • Jump Blues • Doo Wop • Blues

LaVern Baker, born Delores LaVern Baker, was an American R&B and rock and roll singer known for her powerful voice, dynamic stage presence, and string of hits in the 1950s and 1960s. Nicknamed 'Little Miss Sharecropper' early in her career, Baker recorded for Atlantic Records from 1953 to 1966, releasing over 20 R&B chart hits including 6 number-one singles: 'Tweedle Dee,' 'Jim Dandy,' 'I Cried a Tear,' 'I Can't Love You Enough,' 'Saved,' and 'See See Rider.' Her songs bridged the gap between R&B and early rock and roll, making her one of the most successful female artists of the era. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Baker influenced generations of singers with her bold style and energetic performances.

Lefty Frizzell

Corsicana, Texas, USA

Honky Tonk • Country • Western Swing • Country Pop • Outlaw Country • Country Ballads

Lefty Frizzell, born William Orville Frizzell, was an American country music singer-songwriter and honky tonk pioneer who created one of the most distinctive vocal styles in country music history. Known for his smooth, laid-back delivery, innovative phrasing, and ability to sing about heartbreak with remarkable emotion, Frizzell recorded over 100 singles during his career, with 37 reaching the Billboard country charts and 8 hitting number one. His signature songs like 'If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)' and 'I Love You a Thousand Ways' became country classics, while his vocal phrasing influenced countless artists including Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and George Jones. A member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Frizzell is widely regarded as one of the most important honky tonk singers of all time.

Little Richard

Macon, Georgia, USA

Rock and Roll • Rhythm and Blues • Boogie-Woogie • Piano Blues • Gospel • Soul

Little Richard, often called 'The Architect of Rock and Roll,' pioneered the high-energy sound and flamboyant performance style that became synonymous with rock music. His explosive vocals, pounding piano playing, and wild stage antics shattered racial barriers and redefined live performance. Songs like 'Tutti Frutti' and 'Long Tall Sally' created the template for rock and roll's raw energy. His influence spans generations, inspiring artists from James Brown and The Beatles to Prince and David Bowie. Richard was among the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.

Miles Davis

Alton, Illinois, USA

Jazz • Bebop • Cool Jazz • Hard Bop • Modal Jazz • Jazz Fusion • Third Stream

Miles Davis was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer who ranks among the most influential and innovative musicians in jazz history. A master of reinvention, Davis pioneered or revolutionized multiple jazz styles: bebop, cool jazz, hard bop, modal jazz, and jazz fusion. His 1959 album 'Kind of Blue' remains the best-selling jazz album of all time with over 5 million copies sold. Known for his distinctive muted trumpet sound, sparse melodic playing, and ability to discover and nurture extraordinary talent, Davis shaped five decades of jazz evolution. An 8-time Grammy winner and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Davis's musical innovations continue to influence jazz, rock, funk, and electronic music worldwide.

Muddy Waters

Rolling Fork, Mississippi, USA

Chicago Blues • Electric Blues • Delta Blues • Blues • Blues Rock • R&B • Urban Blues

Muddy Waters, born McKinley Morganfield, was an American blues musician widely considered the father of modern Chicago blues. A guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Waters transformed the rural Delta blues of his Mississippi youth into the amplified urban sound that defined the Chicago blues style from the late 1940s through the 1960s. His recordings for Chess Records from 1947 to 1975, including classic tracks like 'Hoochie Coochie Man,' 'Mannish Boy,' and 'I Just Want to Make Love to You,' became essential repertoire for blues and rock musicians. A Grammy Hall of Fame inductee and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Waters influenced countless artists including The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix, making him one of the most important figures in American music history.

Nat King Cole

Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Jazz • Pop • Vocal Jazz • Traditional Pop • Swing • R&B • Christmas Music

Nat King Cole, born Nathaniel Adams Coles, was an American singer and jazz pianist who became one of the most popular and influential entertainers of the 20th century. Beginning as a jazz pianist leading the King Cole Trio from 1937 to 1955, Cole transitioned to solo singing career, releasing over 100 singles including chart-topping hits like 'Mona Lisa,' 'Unforgettable,' and 'The Christmas Song.' His smooth baritone voice, sophisticated arrangements, and television presence as first African American to host a network variety show (1956-1957) broke racial barriers in entertainment. A Grammy Hall of Fame inductee and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Cole recorded over 1,500 songs and sold over 50 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.

Peggy Lee

Jamestown, North Dakota, USA

Jazz • Pop • Traditional Pop • Vocal Jazz • Swing • Country • Cabaret

Peggy Lee, born Norma Deloris Egstrom, was an American singer, songwriter, and actress whose sophisticated vocal style and versatility made her one of the most influential performers of 20th century. Known for hits like 'Fever,' 'Why Don't You Do Right,' and 'Is That All There Is?', Lee recorded over 1,100 songs across jazz, pop, and country genres. Her songwriting credits included 'He's a Tramp' and contributions to Disney's 'Lady and the Tramp.' A 13-time Grammy nominee with 3 wins, plus Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations, Lee pioneered vocal jazz technique and influenced countless singers including Diana Krall and Norah Jones. Her smooth, intimate delivery and interpretive skills defined popular music for five decades.

Ray Charles

Albany, Georgia, USA

Soul • R&B • Blues • Jazz • Gospel • Country • Rock and Roll

Ray Charles, born Ray Charles Robinson, was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer who pioneered soul music and became one of the most influential musicians in American history. Blending gospel, blues, jazz, and R&B, Charles created signature sound that defined modern popular music. Known as 'The Genius' and 'Father of Soul,' his hits like 'I Got a Woman,' 'What'd I Say,' and 'Georgia on My Mind' became timeless classics. A 17-time Grammy winner from 37 nominations, Charles was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, and Country Music Hall of Fame. Over 17 million copies of his final album 'Genius Loves Company' (2004) sold, making him one of best-selling music artists of all time with over 100 million records sold worldwide.

Ruth Brown

Portsmouth, Virginia, USA

R&B • Blues • Jump Blues • Rock and Roll • Doo Wop • Soul • Pop

Ruth Brown, born Ruth Alston Weston, was an American singer-songwriter and actress known as 'Miss R&B' and 'Queen of R&B.' A pioneering R&B vocalist, Brown recorded for Atlantic Records from 1949 to 1962, releasing over 20 R&B chart hits including 8 number-one singles: 'Teardrops from My Eyes,' 'So Long,' 'I'll Wait for You,' and '(Mama) He Treats Your Daughter Mean.' Her powerful voice and dynamic stage presence influenced countless singers including Etta James, Aretha Franklin, and LaVern Baker. A Grammy Award winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Brown also pioneered R&B radio and successfully transitioned to Broadway and film acting, appearing in 'Hairspray' and 'The Blues Brothers.' Her songs have sold over 10 million copies worldwide.

Sam Cooke

Clarksdale, Mississippi, USA

Soul • Gospel • R&B • Pop • Doo Wop

Sam Cooke, born Samuel Cook, was an American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist who pioneered soul music and became one of most influential vocalists in American history. Beginning as gospel singer with The Soul Stirrers from 1950 to 1957, Cooke transitioned to secular music, recording 29 Top 40 hits including 19 Top 10 singles like 'You Send Me,' 'A Change Is Gonna Come,' and 'Bring It On Home to Me.' Known as 'King of Soul,' Cooke's smooth baritone and emotional delivery defined modern pop and R&B. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy Hall of Fame honoree, Cooke founded SAR Records and wrote socially conscious anthems like 'A Change Is Gonna Come,' which became civil rights movement standard. His songs have sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Cotton Plant, Arkansas, USA

Gospel • Rock and Roll • Blues • R&B • Spirituals • Gospel Blues

Sister Rosetta Tharpe, born Rosetta Nubin, was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who pioneered gospel music and influenced development of rock and roll. A trailblazing performer, Tharpe combined spiritual lyrics with electric guitar virtuosity, creating distinctive sound that bridged gospel, blues, and rock. Known for hits like 'This Train,' 'Strange Things Happening Every Day,' and 'Up Above My Head,' Tharpe recorded over 200 songs from 1938 to 1970 and performed at landmark venues including Carnegie Hall and the Apollo Theater. A Grammy Hall of Fame inductee and Blues Hall of Fame member, Tharpe influenced Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and countless rock and roll pioneers. Her recordings have sold over 5 million copies worldwide.

Thelonious Monk

Rocky Mount, North Carolina, USA

Jazz • Bebop • Hard Bop • Avant-Garde Jazz • Piano Jazz • Modern Jazz

Thelonious Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer who pioneered bebop and modern jazz, creating distinctive angular melodies and dissonant harmonies that became his signature style. A founder of bebop alongside Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie, Monk composed over 70 jazz standards including 'Round Midnight,' 'Blue Monk,' and 'Epistrophy.' Known for unconventional technique, abrupt chord changes, and unique improvisational approach, Monk influenced generations of jazz musicians including John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Herbie Hancock. A 5-time Grammy winner and National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, Monk was inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame for 'Round Midnight' and received posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1993.

Wanda Jackson

Maud, Oklahoma, USA

Rockabilly • Rock and Roll • Country • Honky Tonk • Rock and Rollabilly • Country Rock

Wanda Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known as 'The Queen of Rockabilly' who pioneered rockabilly music for women artists. Beginning as country singer in 1954, Jackson transitioned to rock and roll and rockabilly, releasing hits like 'Fujiyama Mama,' 'Let's Have a Party,' and 'Right or Wrong.' Her energetic vocals and aggressive guitar style influenced generations of female rock and country artists including Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, and Sheryl Crow. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy-nominated performer, Jackson continued performing and recording into 2010s. Her songs have sold over 5 million copies worldwide, making her one of most successful female rockabilly artists of all time.