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- Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Morris, is an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Blind since birth, Wonder started his music career at a young age and quickly became a sensation in the Motown era.
- Marvin Gaye. Marvin Gaye was an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. Known for his smooth and sensual vocal style, Gaye was an influential figure in soul and R&B music.
- Michael Jackson. Michael Jackson, often referred to as the “King of Pop,” was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. With a career that spanned over four decades, Jackson achieved unprecedented success and became one of the most iconic and influential figures in popular music.
- Prince. Prince, whose real name was Prince Rogers Nelson, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. Known for his eclectic musical style that blended funk, rock, R&B, and pop, Prince was a true musical genius.
- Marvin Gaye
- Stevie Wonder
- Michael Jackson
- Ronald Isley
- Teddy Pendergrass
- Al Green
- Keith Sweat
- Ray Charles
- Usher
- Luther Vandross
Achieving success in the 60s with a run of hits and albums, Marvin Gaye went on to revolutionize R&B and soul with his magnum opus What’s Going Onin 1971. This politically-charged album spent five weeks at #1 on the R&B Charts. Marvin Gaye left us with a wonderful legacy, and his music transcended R&B and garnered pop success. Many famous artists h...
With no sign of stopping, Stevie Wonder has blessed us with his amazing singer/songwriter skills since the 1960s. Winning over 25 Grammy awards and selling over 100 million records worldwide, Wonder has been one of the most successful black R&B singers of all time. During his classical period of the 1970s, Stevie Wonder hit #1 on the Billboard Char...
The King of Pop is also a prolific R&B singer. Begging his career with the Jackson Five in the 1960s, Michael Jackson become a pop and R&B icon as a child. He and his brothers found instant success when Jacksonmania took over the US. They had a string of hits, including I Want You Back, ABC, and I’ll Be There. But once Micahel went solo with his ca...
As the lead singer of the Isley Brothers, Ronald Isley’s voice is iconic. With a mix of gospel, R&B, soul, and pop, the Isley Brothers took the R&B world by storm in the late 1950s. By the mid-60s, teens and parents around the US were busy singing along toTwist & Shout, It’s Our Thing, and This Old Heart of Mine. Their music and sounds saw a huge r...
Deep, sultry, and soulful are three appropriate adjectives to describe the sound of Teddy Pendergrass. If you’re looking for the perfect music for a romantic evening at home, don’t hesitate to load up any of Pendergrass’ solo albums. Starting his solo career in the late ’70s, Pendergrass’ first three outings garnered critical acclaim, and his album...
With 11 Grammy Awards and entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Al Green is an incredibly accomplished R&B singer. His smooth and relaxing voice is unmistakable, and his songs are timeless. The 1970s belonged to Al Green. From 1972 to 1975, Green released six studios that all reached #1 on the US R&B charts. Let’s Stay Together was his first #...
Keith Sweat found commercial success with his signature voice during the late ’80s and throughout the ’90s. His mix of R&B, new jack swing, and hip hop fueled a resurgence of R&B throughout nightclubs and radio stations in the United States. Nothing was stopping Keith Sweat in the ’80s. His debut solo album, Make It Last Forever, peaked at #1 on th...
Whether it was rock & roll, country, or R&B, Ray Charles could sing it. His voice is instantly recognizable and has had an incredible influence on the entire music industry. As one of the most successful musicians in history, Ray Charles is a must addition to any best-of R&B singer list. Beginning in the 1940s, Ray Charles was a mainstay in the mus...
As one of the most successful artists of the past few decades, Usher is still wowing crowds around the world. Selling over 65 million records, Usher has been at the forefront of pop and R&B music for years. From Grammys to American Music Awards, Usher has seen massive critical success over the years. Winning 316 awards, he has eight Grammy wins, in...
Starting his career backing some heavy-hitting artists in the ’70s like Diana Ross and David Bowie, Luther Vandross saw success as a solo artist in 1981. Throughout the ’80s, Luther Vandross received critical acclaim and won his first Grammy award in 1991 for Best Male R&B Performance. He continued his success in 1992 with two more Grammy awards in...
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- Aretha Franklin. After a ground-shaking career of musical achievements, Aretha Franklin became known as the Queen of Soul. She started performing in front of her church at an early age.
- Prince. America’s most dazzling R&B icon arguably belongs to Prince Rogers Nelson, better known as Prince. His father was a jazz pianist, and his mother a vocalist, which introduced him to the music lifestyle at an early age.
- Whitney Houston. Sometimes called The Voice, Whitney Houston’s career had many record-breaking accomplishments, including several chart-topping singles, multi-Platinum albums, and Grammy awards.
- Michael Jackson. Like many other singers on this list, Michael Jackson’s deliverance of top hits and signature performances landed him the title of royalty: the King of Pop.
But in the 1980s, a new breed of country singer emerged from the Black community. These artists brought a new sound and a new perspective to the genre, which all together helped it become more mainstream. Among the most successful Black country singers of the 1980s were Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, and Tina Turner.
- Little Richard (1932-2020) Little Richard’s 1955 single Tutti Frutti was one of the very first tracks by a Black artist to break through racial barriers and succeed with white American audiences, as well as being successful in the UK.
- Chuck Berry (1926-2017) Hits like Johnny B Goode, Maybellene and Roll Over Beethoven practically invented rock’n’roll, ensuring Chuck Berry would be forever remembered as one of the most influential Black musicians of all time.
- James Brown (1933-2006) The Godfather Of Soul, aka Soul Brother No.1 and The Minister Of The New New Super Heavy Funk – if you listen to hit songs like Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine and Get Up Offa That Thing, the energy, excitement and passion within James Brown’s vocals is spectacular, and the music world has a lot to thank him for.
- Ray Charles (1930-2004) Brother Ray was a giant. Blind from childhood, the singer and piano player cut a swathe through rhythm’n’blues music in the 50s, was a founding father of soul and a pioneer as an African-American musician singing country music.
The 1970s was a golden era for R&B music, a genre deeply rooted in the rich cultural tapestry of African American life and experience. This transformative decade witnessed the rise of several influential artists who left an indelible mark on the industry, shaping the sound, style, and cultural significance of R&B for generations to come.
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Oct 25, 2023 · Aaliyah influenced a generation of musicians with her music, which featured a distinctive fusion of R&B and hip-hop. Popular songs like Try Again and Rock the Boat are still treasured for their easy-going attitudes. Aaliyah’s legacy is evidence of her innovative artistry, and her influence on R&B and pop music is still felt today. 25.Natalie Cole
