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- Marvin Gaye. This legendary artist's smooth, sultry voice and innovative blend of gospel, R&B, and jazz created a unique sound that resonated with audiences worldwide.
- Sam Cooke. Often referred to as the "King of Soul," this groundbreaking musician's silky-smooth vocals and innovative songwriting played a pivotal role in shaping the soul genre.
- Aretha Franklin. Dubbed the "Queen of Soul," this powerhouse vocalist's incredible range and technical prowess set her apart from other artists in the genre.
- Stevie Wonder. Blind since birth, this multi-talented musician's extraordinary ability to convey emotions through his soulful voice and innovative compositions have earned him worldwide acclaim.
- Jeanette Leech
- Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) Lady Soul. The “Queen Of Soul”. Simply Aretha, or even ’Retha… Aretha Franklin’s sheer talent and pure soul power puts her at the top of this list of the best soul singers – untouchable, even when her release rate slowed.
- Otis Redding (1941-1967) A giant of Southern soul, the success of Otis Redding took Stax Records into the big league, and he was the Memphis label’s musical figurehead.
- Wilson Pickett (1941-2006) Soul’s force of nature, The Wicked Pickett screamed and roared his way through hit after hit in the 60s, seemingly a superstar by birthright.
- Sam Cooke (1931-1964) The romantic sound of Sam Cooke, coupled with his intense good looks, made him soul music’s first teen idol. But he had to fight.
- Nina Simone
- James Brown
- Roberta Flack
- Luther Vandross
- Barry White
- Bobby Womack
- Ben E. King
- Jackie Wilson
- Wilson Pickett
- Erykah Badu
Being turned down for admission to a music school for the color of her skin changed Nina Simone. Little did she know that after her first album was released in 1957, she would go on to record 39 more over the next 16 years. The High Priestess of Soul had a lot to say, which was why being inducted into the Grammysmade sense. Her lyrics spoke beyond ...
It’s probably unsurprising that James Brown started his career in music as a gospel singer. That kind of soul comes from somewhere, and he belted it. Getting picked to head up an R&B group was the natural next step, and it was in the mid-50s when he started getting known across the US due to his innate ability to scream on key. You probably have he...
In 1968, Roberta Flack got the break she had been hoping for in the music industry. Pretty soon, she was making albums and had three songs hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100list. The content she made throughout nine albums also resulted in thirteen award nominations and four wins. She is a graduate of Howard University and the first black woma...
In 1981, Luther Vandross’ first album sold more than a million copies. That was just the first toe-dip in the water of success for this soulful singer. It was probably a pleasant surprise for someone who had found R&B music in high school after his father passed away. But it wasn’t shocking for us because his talents were evident as early as 1972 a...
In the early 70s, Barry White decided to bless us with his unmistakable voice. The public has been obsessed ever since. He wasn’t only a singer, though. In addition to the Grammy-winning songs, he also wrote, produced, and arranged music. After 106 gold albums—41 of which were platinum—he earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Next: Greatest ...
The smooth sounds of Bobby Womack graced the airwaves after the release of his first solo album in 1968. It wasn’t the first time the audiences had heard him, though. In the early 50s, he stood out as the leader of his family group, The Valentinos. He went on to have 45 top singles and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The reason he...
Not every major hit is timeless. However, Ben E. King’s release of “Stand By Me” in 1961 not only put him on the soul map but placed him firmly in the hearts of music lovers everywhere. Following that success, he went on to have four more occasions where his music landed the number-one spot. Another long-time favorite of his is “Save The Last Dance...
The year was 1957, and Jackie Wilson had finally arrived on the music scene. The following year, his song landed the number-one spot for the first of many. In total, he accumulated 14 top hits. Once a prominent boxer, it was clear that when he had his sights set on something and gave it his all. In fact, it was while performing that he had a heart ...
Could there be a better way to introduce your sound to the world than to name an album The Exciting Wilson Pickett? That’s exactly what this soul singer did in 1966. Wilson Pickett is labeled as one of the major players involved in the creation of soul music. Thanks to 50 chart-topping songs, he helped bring legitimacy to an entire genre. He even g...
The country was going through some sort of mood when Erykah Badu made herself known in the late 90s. It’s not often that even critics laud your work, but that’s exactly what happened. When her debut album was released, it was at number two on the charts. Since then, she’s amassed 59 award nominations and has won 16 so far. Originally known as MC Ap...
- Ray Charles. One of the greatest soul singers of all time, Ray Charles was born in 1930, in Greenville, Florida. At age four, Charles began to lose his sight and by 7, he was entirely blind as a result of glaucoma.
- Marvin Gaye. Next up we have the legend Marvin Gaye who was an American soul singer and songwriter. Born in Washington, D.C., in 1939, his passion for music emerged when he started singing for his father’s church at age four.
- Stevie Wonder. A pioneer of soul, Stevland Hardaway Morris, more commonly known as Stevie Wonder, was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1950. Unfortunately, he was rendered blind shortly after birth due to a birth defect.
- James Brown. James Brown is an American soul, funk, and R&B singer from Barnwell, South Carolina who was a prominent education and civil rights activist in the 1960s.
- Al Green. Watch this video on YouTube. Video: YouTube. Al Green, the famous American soul vocalist, has had an incredible vocation that has made a permanent imprint on the class.
- Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin, frequently hailed as the “Queen of Soul,” made a permanent imprint on the music business with her notable soul music collections.
- Bill Withers. Watch this video on YouTube. Video: YouTube. Bill Withers, the amazing American vocalist, and lyricist, had a permanent effect on the spirit music sort with his ardent and contemplative arrangements.
- Bobby Womack. Bobby Womack, the compelling American artist lyricist, guitarist made significant commitments to the spirit music type all through his vocation.
Apr 16, 2024 · Any list of soul music artists has to include names like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Al Green, James Brown and Marvin Gaye. These soul singers are just a tip of the iceberg as there are so many amazing soul music artists that it's impossible to just name a few.
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1 / 26. Soul Legends. From Stevie Wonder to Marvin Gaye, here are 25 legendary soul artists who have kept us in the groove for years. Photo by Redferns. SHARE. Stevie Wonder. A child prodigy...
