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- Freddie Mercury. Pop music, Rock music, Rockabilly. 1,200 votes. A captivating frontman and a genre-defining vocalist, this legendary lead singer of a British rock band is known for his flamboyant stage presence and incredible vocal range.
- Elton John. Pop music, Rock music, Piano rock. 1,018 votes. With a career spanning over five decades, this iconic pianist, singer-songwriter has sold more than 300 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
- David Bowie. Rock music, Psychedelic pop, Electronic music. 981 votes. An ever-evolving musical chameleon, this late British singer-songwriter was renowned for his distinctive voice, eclectic style, and groundbreaking exploration of gender fluidity through his alter egos like Ziggy Stardust.
- Lady Gaga. Pop, Dance, Electronic. 1,043 votes. This powerhouse pop diva is not only known for her chart-topping hits but also her unwavering support for LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity.
- Ma Rainey (1886-1939) If there has to be some genesis of the LGBTQ+ icon, Ma Rainey is likely the best choice. Prove It On Me Blues alone is a startlingly open portrayal of Rainey’s comfort with cross-dressing and her preference for women: “Went out last night with a crowd of my friends/They must’ve been women, ’cause I don’t like no men.”
- Marlene Dietrich (1901-1992) A Renaissance woman, Marlene Dietrich did it all: boxer, lover, singer, drag-ball punter, film star, radio personality and fashionista.
- Little Richard (1932-2020) One of the most influential Black musicians of all time, Little Richard helped invent rock’n’roll music. From his humble beginnings in Macon, Georgia, where he was born Richard Wayne Penniman, to commanding crowds of thousands in theatres and music venues across the US, Little Richard paved the way for rock- and blues-structured music to become the dominant form of pop for the next half century.
- Bessie Smith (1894-1937) Closely mentored by Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith honed her craft well, and her brooding recording of Down Hearted Blues sold over one million copies.
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- Benjamin Britten. This late, great composer and pianist penned the score for several classical works, including 1945 opera, Peter Grimes, and ‘The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra’ (1946) – a playful piece that was recently adapted for the 100 young musicians in National Orchestra for All.
- SOPHIE. Scottish singer-songwriter and DJ, SOPHIE, is best known for releasing the avant-garde pop tracks ‘Bipp’, ‘Lemonade’ and ‘Faceshopping’, and producing new music for a number of high-profile artists – from Madonna and Kim Petras, to Charli XCX and Lady Gaga.
- Jamie Barton. Quirky mezzo-soprano, Jamie Barton, has established herself as one of opera’s most exciting young artists, with her velvety rich tone and commanding presence.
- Sir Elton John. Legendary English singer, songwriter and composer, Sir Elton John, first started playing the piano at the early age of four. Since then, he has achieved record sales of over 300 million worldwide.
Adam Lambert is an American singer and actor and considered to be one of the best known and influential LGBTQ+ artists in the industry. Lambert rose in popularity in 2009 when he debuted as a singer on season 8 of American Idol, and performed “We Are The Champions” live with members of Queen for the show’s finale.
- Lady Gaga. Gaga came out publicly as bisexual back in 2010 after a 20/20 interview with Barbara Walters. Even if she had decided to keep her sexuality a secret, we know she would still have the humongous LGBTQ+ following she has today.
- Freddie Mercury. Perhaps the most powerful rock singer of the 20th century, Freddie Mercury's voice had the power to move mountains... and draw 72,000 people into Wembley Stadium in 1985 for Queen's Live Aid set.
- Troye Sivan. This Australian-South African singer-songwriter is nothing short of star material. Sivan is currently one of music's biggest pop acts, and he openly identifies as gay.
- Elton John. We feel lucky to know that Sir Elton John is still thriving, still making music, and still being the awesome LGBTQ+ icon he is. John came out as bisexual (and later gay) in the 70s, and has been an advocate for queer rights and queer youth ever since then.
Jun 18, 2018 · LGBTQ+ people have always been at pop’s vanguard, as performers and audiences; the history of pop music is queer history. Blues originators like Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, both openly bisexual ...
Jun 23, 2023 · Rock’s most distinctive showman could spellbind an audience like no other, and Queen’s performance at 1985’s Live Aid is the stuff of legend. Freddie’s sexuality certainly influenced Queen ...
