Search results
Explore the iconic R&B artists who defined the 1970s with their soulful sounds, from Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder to Aretha Franklin and more.
- Michael Jackson. Motown Sound, Rock music, Electronic music. 1,450 votes. The undisputed King of Pop, he began his career as a member of the iconic group The Jackson 5 before skyrocketing to solo superstardom.
- Stevie Wonder. Motown Sound, Psychedelic soul, Pop music. 1,060 votes. Blind since birth, this multi-instrumentalist prodigy defied all odds by becoming one of the most successful and beloved musicians in history.
- Marvin Gaye. Doo-wop, Motown Sound, Rock music. 1,033 votes. A soulful crooner who revolutionized R&B with his distinctive voice and emotive lyrics, he also played a crucial role in the evolution of Motown Records.
- Aretha Franklin. Pop music, Rock music, Rhythm and blues. 804 votes. Dubbed the Queen of Soul, her powerful voice and emotive delivery made her an unstoppable force in the world of R&B and beyond.
People also ask
Who made the Best Music in the 70s?
What are the best '70s R&B duets?
What are the Best R&B Songs of all time?
What was the most famous song in the 70s?
Curated by Amazon's Music Experts. Check out the best R&B songs of the '70s. 100 SONGS • 7 HOURS AND 24 MINUTES. 1. Let's Get It On. Marvin Gaye. 04:51. 2. Ain't No Sunshine.
May 15, 2024 · Fact-checked by: Coley Reed. Ranking the greatest R&B artists, songs, and subgenres from the late ‘70s up to today. Over 100 music fans have voted on the 40+ Best '70s R&B Duets. Current Top 3: Ain't No Stopping Us Now, Closer I Get To You, Reunited.
- Aretha Franklin
- Whitney Houston
- Michael Jackson
- Usher
- Donna Summer
- Mariah Carey
- Diana Ross
- Ray Charles
- Tina Turner
- Barry White
The “Queen of Soul” knew how to belt it better than anyone else. She has been referred to many times as one of the greatest musical artists. She not only sang but also wrote and played the piano. Aretha Franklin sold more than 75 million albumsin her lifetime, solidifying her as one of the best-selling musicians in history. Next: The most powerful ...
Coming from a musical background helped those around Whitney Houston to recognize her abilities at an early age. After her debut in the 80s, it didn’t take long for her to be dubbed “The Voice” due to her amazing vocal range and exceptional talent. Not only is she one of the top-selling R&B artists of all time, with over 200 million albums sold, bu...
The “King of Pop” started performing as a young kid after watching his dad work on turning his brothers into a singing group. Michael Jackson was known for more than his voice. He was also a dancer, songwriter, and philanthropist. After having 47 songs on the top 100 list and selling 750 million albums, he is one of the most significant cultural ic...
When Usher first hit the scene in the mid-90s, he had already been singing for years. His mother entered him into a singing contest as a preteen. That smooth voice caught the attention of major record executives and the rest was history. To date, he’s sold over 100 million albums, making him one of the most successful recording artists. Next: Best ...
The “Queen of Disco” became a hit in the 70s when disco was just starting out. Donna Summer helped catapult the genre above and beyond everyone’s expectations. However, she also dominated R&B charts with her songs. Fans all over the world fell in love with the dance music, which helped her have 14 albums go gold or multi-platinum. Donna also won fi...
The “Songbird Supreme” has reigned over the R&B and pop charts since her first hit in 1990. Even though she’s had one monster hit after another, Mariah Carey might have reached immortality with the most popular holiday song of all time, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.” The “Queen of Christmas” has gone on to make 15 albums and has sold 220 millio...
Diana Ross started her career as the lead singer of the most successful act for Motown Records, The Supremes. After amassing a following, she went on to a solo music career as well as acting. Diana has long been considered one of the 20 greatest R&B artists for her contributions as part of The Supremes and in her own name. Next: The greatest Motown...
Not everyone can dabble in various genres and still be a success. Ray Charles pushed back not only on his own music but also on the racial barriers of his time. Once, when performing in Georgia, he canceled a concert because of the treatment of him and his band members. Ray wasn’t one to back down. His talent gave him the nickname, The Genius, whic...
Starting with the group Kings of Rhythm in the late 50s, it didn’t take long for audiences to notice the real star behind the music. Tina Turner helped them find fans across the globe before breaking out on her own years later. The “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” became one of the most influential women in music. Next: The best black female singers in mus...
The deepness of Barry White’s voice helped boost him to superstar status in the 70s. He had one hit after another during the peak of the disco era but continued recording new music for four decades. Barry influenced R&B with the topics he wrote about and his smooth style. He sold over 100 million albums.
- 4 min
- 3
Jan 31, 2024 · Rod Stewart – Maggie May. Derek & The Dominos – Layla. Eric Clapton – Cocaine. The Rolling Stones – Brown Sugar. Three Dog Night – Joy to the World. Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young – Ohio. Bruce...
Apr 9, 2024 · Our inaugural list focused on the Classic Hip-Hop and R&B Albums of the Streaming Era and featured timeless bodies of work like Beyoncé’s Lemonade, Frank Ocean’s Blonde, SZA’s Ctrl, Rihanna’s ANTI, and Jazmine Sullivan’s Heaux Tales, to name a few.
