She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. 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. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976. Her songs have been used in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" Loretta Lynn is one of the talented, old female singers still alive. 1 on the charts for 10 weeks. Notable artists include Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bill Haley. Typically made up of trio or quartet of young women, they sang in harmony about the perfect guy, the one that got away or did them wrong. Much progress had been made by the late '70s -- while punk rock was in some ways a throwback to rebellious '50s music and garage rock, this time around there was a place for women that didn't exist before. His peace-focused tunes melded aspects of classic pop with contemporary folk music, distinguishing him from his contemporaries. Regardless, Ochs is considered one of the more gifted songwriters of his generation. 1950s. Rose Lee Maphis just may be the oldest country singer still alive. Brenda Lee 9. 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.. 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. When she was 19, she toured the U.S. with a band led by Jimmy Joy. Her success also sky-rocketed with songs like Stupid Cupid, Dont Break the Heart That Loves You, and Everybodys Somebodys Fool.Francis turned into an international star, becoming the first non-European to earn the title of Europes most popular artist. He's also become a star of the big screen, lending his talents to more than 50 films. Here are some more great female folk singers from the 1970s: Joan Baez Judy Collins Sandy Denny Janis Ian Emmylou Harris Odetta Vashti Bunyan Buffy Sainte-Marie Linda Ronstadt Judee Sill Female Disco Singers of the 70s People often mistake disco for a mans world, but that couldnt be further from the truth. The Marvelettes were the first all-female group on the Motown label. 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. You can't really argue with a folksinger so good that his song managed to get him out of jail for murder. 1 on theBillboardHot 100. After a falling out with Dorsey, everyone seemed to go their own way. Was there a female Elvis or Bob Dylan? Carrie Underwood welcomed Brad Paisley, Jason Aldean and Jimmie Allen on stage for duets. Yusuf Islam) was one of the most influential folk singer/songwriters of the 1970s. Phil Ochs is known for writing exceptional protest songs, and he spared nobody with his sharp tongue. Debby Boone is an American singer, actress, and author. Unfortunately, her career was cut short after only eight years. List of older women in pop, soul and country with black female vocalists from the 50s, 60s and 70s who are still alive in 2023. Hits: One Fine Day, Hes So Fine, Sweet-Talking Guy. 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. Mainly known for her pop and country music, Patti Page topped the charts as one of the best 1950s female singers. She moved around a lot from one gig to another. Judy Collins was one of the artists instrumental in the peace movement of the 1960s. She even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Betty Jack was killed in a car wreck that same year, after which Skeeter moved on as a solo act. During her peak, she gained recognition worldwide as the most successful female singer. 1944) put one single, One Step at a Time, on the country chart in 1957. Sign up to receive our communications, please fill in the following fields and hit submit. Most might gravitate towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation for rock and roll during that time. Old time banjo player Charlie Poole was one of the earliest stars of the old-time scene back in the 1920s. He's written some of the most covered tunes in folk history. The music industry, like most occupational fields in history, had its own harmful gender roles, and the gist of it was that women were pretty singers and men were serious musicians. Check out the full track listing below: 1. 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. Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance in 1959. She has received various accolades and awards in her very successful singing career spanning several decades and has composed over 3,000 songs. She was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. Fitzgeralds legacy lives on through collections of media and memorabilia in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress. Singer and pianist Dinah Washington was noted as the most famous black female recording artist of the 1950s. 2 on the pop charts. Besides her father, Ardens brother, Jan, was a singer. Although they never again reached The Three Bells stature, they continued recording and touring until 1967. Her debut albumJulie Is Her Namecame out later that year. The remaining members took an offer from Tommy Dorsey to perform with his orchestra. Page attained a unique sound that most pop singers didnt adapt to in the 1950s. Staffords legacy in music, television, and radio is acknowledged by three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Uncommonly witty, ambitious and market-savvy despite having been born dirt poor, she has built an empire that embraces performing, music publishing, recording, conventional and television movies, the Dollywood theme park in her native east Tennessee and a worldwide books-to-children charity. 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 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. She recorded nearly 600 songs and was honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star. In fact, any set that offers Bob Wills' "New San Antonio Rose," Ernest Tubb's "Walking the Floor Over You," Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line," Hank Williams' "Jambalaya She hasn't stopped pushing the envelope sinceand is still releasing excellent records. First discovered as a calypso artist, Harry Belafonte became most popular for his "Banana Boat Song." [Please note, duets which involve one male and one female performer have been included. They were encouraged by the success Little Jimmy Dickens had a year earlier with their song Country Boy, which rocketed to No. Although she passed away in 1962, Monroes stardom lives on. The two sang as a duo for most of Clooneys early career. The Best Female Country Singers Of 2020 1. Lindsay Ell. Lindsay Ell's debut official single 'Trippin on Us' became the most added song on country music radio in 2. Miranda Lambert. Miranda Lambert became the first female artist to win the 'Album of the Year' award twice at the 3. Gabby Often referred to as the Queen of Jazz or First Lady of Song, Ella Fitzgerald was a jazz singer from Virginia. She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revivaland started her own record company, Wildflower Records. Barbara Lynn 19. 7. Originally called The Starlets, The New Jersey trio of The Angels first formed in 1958 and became best known for their 1963 hit My Boyfriends Back., Hits: My Boyfriends Back, I Adore Him, Til. In both art and life, no other artist could hit on heartache and tragedy in quite the same way thatHank Williamsdid. Her chart debut came in 1958 with Lost to a Geisha Girl. She would chart 40 more singles, including her 1962 crossover hit, The End of the World. as well as Gonna Get Along Without You Now and I Can't Stay Mad at You. She was married to disc jockey Ralph Emery from 1960 to 1964 and to Joey Spampinato of the rock band NRBQ from 1983 to 1996. Johnny Cash is another one of those artists who's often looked at as a country singer, although his earliest influences were folk artists like the Carter family. The Browns were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers. Born out of Washington Heights, New York, Veronica Bennett(Ronnie Spector), her older sisterEstelle Bennett, and their cousinNedra Talley made up The Ronettes. Apart from being the most decorated female country singer, Loretta is also the only female Academy of Country Music (ACM) Artist of the Decade (the 1970s). 100 Best Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s and '70s - Groovy 13 hit, Wake The Town and Tell The People., Diana Ross gained glory as the lead vocalist for the best-selling girl group, The Supremes. Under the Influence, America's Sweetheart, Good Girls, Different for Girls, Wild Love are some of her other popular songs. 1 in 1955, and a follow-up chart topper Lollipop which peaked at No. June was also a well-known philanthropist. These songbooks became her most significant and successful pieces. Apart from recording songs and appearing in musical theater productions, Boone also co-authors children's books. His song "Wild World" has frequently been covered by artists of various genres. 10 on the R&B rankings. First lionized as a teen rock 'n' roll star, Brenda Lee (b. Teresa Brewer incorporated a mixture of genres into her singing style to become one of the best female singers of the 1950s. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973. Their manner of incorporating bluegrass and jazz-like solo jams has inspired countless jam bands since their inception. BillboardHot 100, including songs such as Come See About Me and Love Child., After leaving the group to pursue a solo career, Ross debuted an album in 1970 featuring her legendary songs, Reach Out And Touch (Somebodys Hand) and Aint No Mountain High Enough (her first no. 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. Also a humanitarian, Cash supports many charitable organizations like Children, Incorporated, which supports young adults and children. He almost doesn't warrant an explanation as to how and why he deserves to be on this list, but I'll give one, anyway. Womens History Month: These Artists Thrived in the '50s and Admired for her powerful, intense vocals, Connie Smith (b. Miley Cyrus, the American singer-songwriter and actress, is known for her wide range in music, spanning from pop and country pop to hip hop. Any purchase that a visitor makes for a product mentioned or directed to by Music Grotto, may result in us receiving a commission.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 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. They were a close duo that sang together. She kept the stage name after performing the song Dinah for many of her auditions. Next: The top Soprano singers of all time. Music! It's a fool's game to try to rank these groundbreaking women in order of their importance or influence. Next: The best blues singers of all time (most famous picks), Born in New York City, Toni Arden started singing in a big band in the 1940s. 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. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. In 1949, she recorded Copenhagen with a B-side track titled, Music! With melodies like Crazy and Sweet Dreams, Cline remains as one of the genres most recognizable voices, even today. 1/10 SLIDES Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a Leadbelly's influence has been felt across the musical spectrum, and his tunes spanned the old folk-blues and contemporary folk music. Since then, the Fearless star has not looked back and also made her acting debut in 2009. She began her solo career in 1949, recording for a major label, Columbia Records. She has won more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist. Country music gave us memorable traditionalists like Ray Price and Faron Young, then saw an outlaw rebellion, with Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings leading the She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Emmylou has long been an advocate of social justice and has counted Joan Baez and Bob Dylan among her many influences. Was there a male Joni Mitchell, or a male Stevie Nicks? favorites: Heartaches by the Number, Lonely Street 28 Billie Jo Spears Mr. Walker it's all over is a great song. 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. Frank Sinatra soon joined the band and led them all to the top of theBillboardcharts for 12 weeks in 1940 with their version of Ill Never Smile Again., The group toured across the U.S. for three years, with Stafford making a solo recording on the side in 1941. Jo Walker-Meador (1924-2017) guided the fortunes of the Country Music Association (which was established in 1958) from 1962 until 1991. The day after graduating from high school, she moved to Nashville. Townes Van Zandt could be considered one of the best songwriters of all time. She also happens to be a beloved old country music star. Another Motown-era hit, The Marvelettes first became friends in their high-school glee club coming up in Inkster, Michigan. Bobbie Gentry: Smoky-voiced Gentry (b. 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. Along with her late husband in the 1950s and 1960s, she was known as "Mrs. Country Music." WebSeven artists appear twice: Bing Crosby, as the "friend" of Gary Crosby (#28) and with Grace Kelly (#50); Perry Como, with Eddie Fisher (#52) and Betty Hutton (#77); Tony Martin, with Dinah Shore (#53) and Fran Warren (#83); Red Foley, with Kitty Wells (#36) and Ernest Tubb (#44); Marvin Phillips, with Johnny Perry (#64) and Jesse Belvin (#100); Shepard was welcomed into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011. Since then, he's become a highly influential songwriter. Sandman, Lollipop, Born to Be With You. Since the release of her self-titled debut in 1990, DiFranco has built an excessively loyal fanbase around the world, as well as a rather successful independent record label out of her hometown in Buffalo, NY. The chatter surrounding the song -- including Riley being forced to wear a miniskirt when accepting her CMA award for single of the year -- dimmed the fact that she scored several Top 10s after her glittery debut. Richard Shindell started working in music with the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band (with fellow incredible songwriter John Gorka). Cline suddenly passed away during a plane crash in 1963, but she left a legacy behind, earning herself a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Shirley Bassey 3. Vote for Your Favourite Female Country Singers, (Pop Icon & One of the Best-Selling Musicians of All Time), (Singer-Songwriter and Actress, Primarily Known for Her Work in Country Music), (Singer Known for Her Album 'Come On Over'), (Country Singer-Songwriter Known for Her Hits You Ain't Woman Enough' and 'Fist City'), (One of the Most Popular Female Country Vocal Artists of the Late 20th Century), (Country Singer-Songwriter Best Known for Her Albums: Kerosene, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and 'Platinum), (One of the Most Influential Vocalists of the 20th Century), (American Music Artist Who is Known as the First Lady of Country Music), (Filmmaker, Podcaster and Former Actress Best Known for Her Role as Sam Puckett in the Nickelodeon Sitcom iCarly), (One of the Best-selling Artists, Who Starred in the Musical 'Grease'), (Country Singer, Five-Time Grammy Award-Winner), (Pop Artist who Has the Most US Billboard 200 Top-5 Albums in the 21st Century by a Female), (Country Music Singer Who Topped the Charts at age 13 for Her Single Blue), Country singer Kacey Musgraves has won six, (American Singer-Songwriter & Multi-Instrumentalist), (One of the Best Selling Pop, Rock Singer-Songwriter with Nine Grammy Awards), (One of the Most Successful Country Music Artists of All Time), Country music legend Faith Hill is best known for her hits, (Actress and Singer Best Known for Her Song 'These Boots Are Made for Walkin'), (Country Pop Singer Known for Her Single 'Love Me Like You Mean It'), (Country Singer Best Known for Her Hit single She's in Love with the Boy), (Country Singer and Actress Known for Her Role as 'Alex Dupre' on the Television Series 'One Tree Hill'), (Country Singer-Songwriter Best Known for Her 1977 Hit Single 'Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue'), Country-pop crossover singer Crystal Gayle is best known for her, (One of the Best-Selling Country Artists of All Time), (Country Singer-Songwriter Known for Her Breakout Single 'Seven Year Ache'), Model Barbi Benton is best known for her stint with, (Singer-Songwriter Known for Her 1960 Hit 'Im Sorry' and 1958s 'Rockin around the Christmas Tree'), Loretta Morgan, daughter of country singer George Morgan, began her career as a singer at age 13. As prominent as women were during this fruiful period, better days were still to come. After winning a 1949 contest on Arthur Godfreys radio program, the quartet became a regular fixture on the show and recorded their debut album Harmony Time in 1950. Her first chart song and only No. Shore rose to fame during the big band era but gained even more success as a solo artist. She has also been a board member of an organization called Center To Prevent Youth Violence, which works towards preventing gun violence. Jeannie Seely: A gifted singer and songwriter, Seely (b. There were plenty of issues, to be sure. Apart from being a bandleader, a solo artist, and an interpreter of other artists' works, Harris is also an activist; since 1999, she has been conducting Concerts for a Landmine Free World, an annual benefit tour. It almost seems like every folk artist of note came up listening to the Carter Family and learning their songs. Female Country Singers: The Top 45 Singers of All Time - Wide After their split, Jim Ed went on to a long and successful solo career, and Maxine recorded one album. 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. A new era of female songwriters like Carole King, who penned The Chiffons 1963 hit One Fine Day and The Shirelles 1960 hit Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow when she was just 18, and Ellie Greenwich, who wrote hits Da Doo Ron Ron, Be My Baby, Then He Kissed Me, Chapel of Love, Leader of the Pack, were also coming to the forefront. After finishing first multiple times in a contest, Starr received a 15-minute radio show. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. The brother-and-sisters act The Browns first charted in 1954 with Looking Back to See, a song Jim Ed Brown (1934-2015) and Maxine Brown (1931-2019) wrote. Joni Mitchell is revered for her poetic imagery and her lovely, soaring soprano. He's easily one of the most influential artists in the genre, and one of the most gifted instrumentalists. The Primettes formed in 1959 and signed to Motown by 1961 as The Supremes. 1946) isn't already designated as country music's official ambassador to the universe, something is terribly amiss. That year,Billboardvoted her The Most Promising Singer. Patty Griffin is a songwriter's songwriter and has become highly respected across all musical genres for her numerous compositions. Though their roots began in the San Francisco Bay area bluegrass scene, the Grateful Dead soon became one of the most prolific, popular, successful folk-rock bands. June Carter Cash: As the daughter of Maybelle Carter, one of country music's founding mothers, the former wife of country star Carl Smith and later the wife and singing partner of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash (1929-2003) was as close as it comes to being country music royalty. The top 50 folk artists of all time, in alphabetical order. She has also worked in several movies and is a prolific songwriter. 1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. 1 that Wynette and Sherrill co-wrote, won a Grammy for best female vocal and was later installed into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Seely scored a hit Wish I Didn't Have to Miss You with fellow Opry member Jack Greene in 1969 and a solo hit Can I Sleep in Your Arms in 1973. 2. on The Ed Sullivan Show, 25 Best 50s Musicians (Top Artists From The 1950s), 15 Best Female Metal Bands (Or Female Fronted), The best female singers of the 1960s (our picks), The best female singers from the 1970s (70s female singers), Top female singers of all time list (our choices), Our picks for the best black female singers of all time, highest weekly gross of any other musical, The best blues singers of all time (most famous picks). Meanwhile, women began to carve out a space for themselves in the genre, too. Kim Ruehl is a folk music writer whose writing has appeared in Billboard, West Coast Performer, and NPR. In 2014, she was named on Time magazine's list of100 most influential people in the world. She began her singing career at a radio station in Oklahoma, where she embraced the name, Patti Page. She became the first woman to hit no. Bessie Lee Mauldin: Mauldin (1920-1983) was Bill Monroe's bass player from 1953 to 1964 and co-wrote with him the bluegrass classic, A Voice from on High., Wanda Jackson: Often dubbed the Queen of Rockabilly, Jackson (b. By 1996, The Shirelles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Kitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. In the 1950s, she made regular appearances in movie musicals. WebThe Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is not only one of the most prolific Black singers from the 60s but one of the worlds best-selling artists of all time. Next: The best female singers of the 1960s (our picks). But there was a lot to celebrate as music evolved from the clean-cut '50s to the free-and-easy '70s. WebSheffield Utd X Tottenham - Ao Vivo Grtis HD Sem Travar | Futebol Grtis HD. Emmylou Harris is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Thanks, and welcome! The academy inducted her version of You Belong to Me and The Pied Pipers Ill Never Smile Again into the Grammy Hall of Fame. The group released their first and only album Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica in 1964. Kelsea Ballerini Announces Third Leg of Heartfirst Tour. Certainly, her early records were very folky. Their first recording was titled Lets Get Together and Swing in 1936. Two years passed before she hit the charts, peaking at 93 on theBillboardHot 100. Cher 18. Her first no. She performed there for eight weeks and earned herself a record label. His own Red House Records has produced a number of successful artists like Eliza Gilkyson and others. With gospel roots, she embarked on a soul-singing career at the age of 18. Betty Clooney briefly touched stardom alongside her sister, Rosemary. Only members can comment. In the Name of Love, Where Did Our Love Go, Baby Love, I Hear a Symphony, You Cant Hurry Love, You Keep Me Hangin On, Love Child, Someday Well Be Together. She first got the chance to sing in a movie in 1953. 1s, including her duets with Jones, before tapering off, chartwise, in the mid-1970s. She also has the distinction of having been the first Grand Ole Opry member to wear a miniskirt on stage -- although not without some grumbling from Opry management. She was another one of the female vocalists of the 1950s to get a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1945, she and her sister won a spot on a radio station as singers. 4 on the U.S Pop chart. Its 1957 in Detroit and two years before Motown would emerge, friends Rosalind Ashford, Annette Beard, Gloria Williams, and Martha Reeves, who would move up as lead singer following Williams departure were finding their voice. Over the years, Crow has contributed to several film soundtracks, including the iconic theme song for the popular James Bond movie Tomorrow Never Dies. However, despite gender equality still being a major issue, many female vocalists of the 1950s rose to fame and made their mark in history. Her 1938 rendition of the nursery rhyme A-Tisket, A-Tasket brought them into the spotlight. Older female singers still alive in 2023. Her voice is an extraordinary soprano, and she's played everything from classic traditional songs to the work of Bob Dylan and Phil Ochs. Kelsea Ballerini will appear on Saturday Night Live this Saturday. Cass Elliot 8. Born as Clara Ann Fowler in Oklahoma in 1927, Patti Page was known as the top-charting and best-selling female singer in the 50s, selling at least 100 million records 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. 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. 1 solo single). One of the most decorated female country singers of her generation, Judd was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame for her contribution to music. This is a professional review website. Aretha Franklin - Respect Official Video Winner. An American actress, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, writer, and YouTuber, Jennette McCurdy is truly an inspiration to several young girls and women; despite suffering from conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, and bulimia, McCurdy has managed to establish herself as a successful entertainer. 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. Her hits include I Can Dream, Cant I?, Too Young, and Kiss of Fire.. In 2003, she was named in Country Music Television's 40 Greatest Women of Country Music list. One of Woody Guthrie's most dedicated proteges, Ramblin' Jack earned his reputation as a tall tale teller and folk singer. WebTop 100 Artists of the 50's based on sales, Billboard charts and airplay. The music of the Carter Family helped inspire folks like Bob Dylan. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. From his early 60s topical tunes to his heartbreak songs of today, Dylan is easily one of the greatest American folk artists. Opry House His first major hit, I Walk The Line, which was recorded in 1956, bridged the gap between the two genres, suggesting at his widespread appeal in the decades to follow. Joan Baez 7. 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. Much like Odetta, often when you hear talk of Paul Robeson, you'll hear about his incredible voice. Many of her songs chronicled the travails of marriage and motherhood and the problems of a straying husband (all true to Lynn's life).