Tommaso Boddi/WireImage. She was a very versatile artist, creating music in various styles including folk, gospel, jazz, pop, and classical. Speaking of timeless classics, Dusty Springfields Son Of A Preacher Man is one of the most iconic songs from the 60s. Gail Davies 29 29. Stay up-to-date with the latest music news, new releases, special offers and other discounts! 1.2K likes. And she was only 14 at the time, which made her the youngest female musician to have a no. Partons hard work has paid off. Jim Reeves' smooth country stylings make him a trademark example of the Nashville sound. Chet Atkins was a highly influential producer, musicexec,and guitar player. Related: Check out our list of the greatest country singers of all time here. Still, the decade gave us Outlaw country as well as the Nashville and Bakersfield sounds, creating several subgenres that filled out its colorful spectrum. By The Time I Get To Phoenix - Glen Campbell, 99. Although she wasnt very popular later on, she will always be remembered for her impact on the 60s music scene. Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! With June Carter, his wife, and musical partner, Cash sold upwards of 90 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. She was known for her powerful voice and distinctive vocal style. Many classic artists on this list, like Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, and the late June Carter Cash, are established icons of Country/Western's old guard. Singing alongside Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty and Michelles husband, John, Cass flawless voice established a strong female presence that Michelle would not have been able to create alone. [List319426] | +19 | Log in to suggest an addition, fine songwriter. Since then, Streisand achieved great success and international fame, both as a musician and an actress. Today, she is one of the most successful country music singers of all time, with over 40 million records sold worldwide. Walk Through This World With Me - George Jones, 43. Born to an Irish father and an African-American/Cherokee mother, Ronnie Spectors appearance complimented her distinct vocals. This 1965 hit for Roger Miller spent 5 weeks at #1 and won a grammy. Some of the best songs came from the 1950's and the 1970's as well. Garth recognized Martina McBrides talent and eagerness and agreed to let her open shows for him on the condition that she get signed by a record label. It is their first collaborative album together, though they have been going strong together since the 90s. Successfully crossing genres from country to rockabilly and pop music, Lee paved the way for other artists like Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt, forever ensuring her place among the best female 60s singers. In just five years, Ballerini released four studio albums. Welcome to Hello Music Theory! He was a multiple Grammy award winner and also received honors from the Country Music Association. It's Such A Pretty World Today - Wynn Stewart, 44. Select More options to see additional information, including details about managing your privacy settings. She was a member of the singing group the Mamas & the Papas, and after the group broke up, she embarked on a solo career. Known as the Queen of Country, Reba McEntire has earned this title after releasing an astonishing 34 studio albums since her career started in 1977. They became one of the best-selling artists of all time, and their music wouldnt be the same without Karen. She was a leading figure in the New York folk revival, and she is also responsible for helping famous musicians get their start (Bob Dylan, for example.). Weba soulful singer, a bit of pop and country. During her rich and durable career, she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award. With a unique formula for creating hits, Gordys label produced top acts that offered the complete package style, etiquette and elocution at the forefront of whom were Diana Ross And The Supremes. Robert Silva is an electronics and audiophile hobbyist who writes about entertainment technology and films for more than 20 years. During her career, Turner won countless awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Willie Nelson's idiosyncratic phrasing and jazz-influenced fretwork set him apart from his contemporaries. In 1968, she received the first of many gold certifications for the single I Say A Little Prayer. Her music mostly contains elements of folk, pop, rock, and jazz, but its often hard to categorize it its simply Joni Mitchell. Swifts music is unique, ranging from country to pop to folk. As a young girl, Franklin grew up in the church choir, learning the trade secrets of gospel performance in both singing and playing the piano while her dad was preaching. She has chosen to keep her career at a reasonable level, not frequently touring to raise her children. His most famous songs from the decade included Sorrow on the Rocks, Green, Green Grass of Home, The Cold Hard Facts of Life, and Misery Loves Company., Wagoners status as a fixture in the country music industry earned him the nickname Mr. She released her debut album Hello, Im Dolly in 1967 but had already seen success within that decade as a songwriter for other artists. His career was overshadowed by the deaths of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, who were on a plane that crashed in 1959. Jennings had given up his seat on the plane and always felt guilty about his survival. Country music often gets associated with male singers, but female country singers should not be overlooked. But she also released other popular songs during her career, including Angel Of The Morning.. Morris is also a successful songwriter, with credits on songs for country music stars like Tim McGraw and Kelly Clarkson. In 1967 the singer earned his own show on NBC, which ran for 13 weeks. Martha Reeves was one of the most popular female singers in the 1960s. Web38 Rose Maddox 37 Roy Drusky & Priscilla Mitchell 36 Carl Butler & Pearl favorite song: Don't let me cross over 35 The Browns favorite song: The Three Bells 34 Johnny and Jimmie Rodgers was the first country music star, providing the blueprint for solo artists to come. Best known in her native UK, Billie Davis was a true star in the 60s. In 1960, she gained unprecedented success in the pop charts with Im Sorry, for which she was backed by the typical Nashville sound arrangements of orchestra and intricate background vocals, making her voice synonymous with ballads. Dusty Springfields individuality made her one of the decades most influential songstresses, whose impact can be felt decades later. Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me - Ray Price, 59. A survivor at heart, Dottie lived through a childhood of savage beatings and sexual Louise Mandrell 1,798 listeners Haggard helped it go mainstream in the 1960s. Her embattled marriage with George Jones made her life as much of a soap opera as her music did. You Needed Me[00:03:28] - 02. Mary Wells began her career as a teenager, singing in church and later in nightclubs. While some American Idol winners fizzle out with time, Underwood has maintained her chart-topping success. McEntires singing and acting careers have seen huge success and recognition. Here are our ten best 60s female singers. With his simple, folksy imagery and tunes inspired by his Midwest hometown, Greg Brown has become one of the most inimitable songwriters around these days. At the age of 12, Nina Simone (then using her birth name, Eunice Waymon) was due to perform in her first piano recital, when her parents were removed from their seats in the front row to accommodate a white couple. Sin City - The Flying Burrito Brothers, 82. Cass incredibly warm, inviting voice uplifted a generation and continues to inspire us to be ourselves. Lets get started. Just Someone I Used to Know - Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, 84. That act alone set Simone on the path to becoming one of the most influential women in music. Manyhave even crossed over finding audiences in the pop and rock worlds, including women country singers Carrie Underwood, Faith Hill, and top selling female singer of all time Shania Twain. She won 18 Grammy Awards, and she was also the first woman to be listed in the Rock and roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Nearly two decades after the death of Cash and her husband, their musical abilities and relationship are still iconic. Her career is rapidly growing, with each album topping the charts and winning Ballerini awards. Honky Tonk Heroine is a great cd. Her fusion of rock and blues influenced both male and female artists. She was a singer of soul, pop, and jazz, and she was one of the earliest R&B singers in the UK. It was truly a foundational era that brought us some of the most iconic country songs to exist and inspired hundreds of covers that continue in our current day of touring artists. Country women like Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, and Lynn Anderson are responsible for early hits that made lasting impacts for other girl country singers. 18 Best Online Music Lessons: Learn To Play Music Today. She had a voice much larger than her tiny frame suggested, and was able to produce strong growls and deep vibrato. He was also a notable songwriter and music industry figure who played a significant role in the careers of Hank Williams and Roy Orbison, among others. Quickly making a name for herself, Franklin saw the potential to branch out. For more of the best of country from across the decades, check out. The Carroll Country Accident - Porter Wagoner, 25. Her career first took off in the 1960s, particularly after her albums You Aint Woman Enough and Fist City, making her one of the most recognizable country voices of the decade. She started her career in the 60s, and reached peak success in the 70s. Wynettes career included 20 number singles on the Billboard country chart during this era. In the 1960s, Glen Campbell brought a pop sheen to country music. While many more names could be added to this list, it's been narrowed down based on longevity, commercial success, and enduring influence. Willie Nelson) Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson 3:22 2 Coal Miner's Daughter - Single Version Loretta Lynn 3:00 3 Golden Ring George Jones, Tammy Wynette 3:04 4 Delta Dawn Tanya Tucker 2:55 5 L.A. Freeway Guy Clark 4:56 6 Y'all Come Back Saloon The Oak Ridge Boys 2:55 7 Let Your Love Flow The Bellamy Brothers 3:18 8 Honky Thanks for stopping by and if you have any questions get in touch! Non-personalized content and ads are influenced by things like the content youre currently viewing and your location (ad serving is based on general location). Aretha Franklin She started out as a big band singer in 1939, and achieved commercial success in the 40s. She signed her first record deal in 1962, and the rest is history. Lefty Frizzell's honky-tonk classics "Look What Thoughts Will Do," "I Love You a Thousand Ways," and "The Long Black Veil" rival those of his contemporary, Hank Williams. She started her career in the 1940s, and maintained her popularity and relevance well into the 1960s. 15. Waylon Jennings recorded several successful albums with RCA Victor in the 1960s. Her voice, dripping with eroticism and know-how, created her own musical narrative within the song. Bobbie did everything. Some of the biggest selling and most popular singers in country music are women. Brown Eyed Handsome Man - Waylon Jennings, 78. ", Essential Album: "The Buck Owens Collection 1959-1990", The epitome of the singing cowboy, Gene Autry was a star on records andon screen. Essential Album: "Look What Thoughts Will Do", Buck Owens was the ambassador of the Bakersfield Sound and a co-host for the TV show "Hee Haw." After all, her biggest hit was These Boots Are Made For Walkin., She is also responsible for all-time classics Summer Wine and Bang Bang.. She famously wrote the song Ring of Fire about their relationship, which he subsequently sang and released. Barry Gordys Motown Records, based in Detroit, Michigan, ran like the standardised assembly lines of the Ford Motor Company that also called Detroit home. She now resides in California where she works as a session and live performer. But soon enough, he broke through the boundaries and achieved acclaim for both sounds. Chers solo success came in 1966, with the hit single Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down), on which she developed her singing styles haunting resonance. Hollywood, too, had a disappointing lack of brunette stars, so Audrey Hepburn became Chers main idol. This song became #1 on the Billboard Country Music Chart and became well-known in any country music-loving household. 1. Though they sang sugary songs of love and romance, Ronnie Spector and The Ronettes became known as one of the bad girl groups. In the 1970s, the flinty singer courted controversy with the songs "Rated X" and "The Pill." Below is a list of notable country performers alphabetically by period, with each listing followed by a description of the artists' work. At only 14, she became the youngest artist signed by Sony Music Publishing. At 19 years old, Kelsea Ballerini was signed with Black River Entertainment. Though today she is a country and pop-crossover superstar, Dolly Parton was just getting started in the 1960s. In the meantime, he kept churning out massive musical hits, cementing his status as one of the decades most foundational country music artists. Summing Up Our List Of Great Female Country Singers, 21 Of The Best Songs About Grandmas, Grandmothers And Nanas, 12 Types Of Traditional Thai Musical Instruments, 11 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Japanese Rock Bands, 16 Amazing Gift Ideas That Guitar Players Will Love. Merle Haggard had one of the most distinctive voices and wasone ofmusic'smost gifted songwriters. When it comes to the best songs from the 60s, does it get more iconic than Be My Baby? Best known for "Stand by Your Man," Tammy Wynette was one of country's biggest female stars in the '60s and '70s. Girl from the North Country - Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash. Janis Joplin never truly felt like she fit in when she was a young girl in Port Arthur, Texas. As a young girl in a preparatory magnet school in Detroit, Michigan, Ross aspired to become a fashion designer, taking classes in pattern-making and clothing design. Porter Wagoner did more than help introduce Dolly Parton to the world ("I Will Always Love You" was dedicated to him). But she built her own success and became one of the most prominent music artists. Laura has over 12 years experience teaching both classical and jazz saxophone and clarinet. Still I wish someone would put her 60's material on cd. You will find the most famous legends like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Jim Reeves and Kris Kristofferson but also the most popular singers from this moment like George Strait, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Her TV appearances only built on her musical popularity, boosting her solo career when she famously did strike out on her own. While Ballerini continues her music career, she is also branching into other paths. Her work is highly recognized, even outside of the country music scene, with 11 Grammy Awards, 3 American Music Awards, and nominations for Academy, Tony, and Emmy Awards. Life Has Its Little Ups and Downs - Charlie Rich, 87. Sign up Log in For Artists Developers Advertising Investors Vendors Spotify for Work. Laura Nyro was an American songwriter, singer, and pianist. 3. At a time of racial discrimination, Warwick was able to blur the lines of segregation through her soothing performances. An icon of the Swinging 60s, Dusty Springfield donned elegant gowns and a bright-blonde bouffant, which gave her a polished, glamorous look, leaving listeners unprepared for her hoarse, soulful renditions of songs like I Only Want To Be With You and Wishin And Hopin. Kris Kristofferson's gem-cut lyrics earned him a reputation as a songwriter's songwriter, country music's answer to Bob Dylan. Mr. Walker it's all over is a great song. Best known for her timeless Christmas hit Santa Baby, Eartha Kitt is widely regarded as one of the best female singers of the 1960s. McEntire has created a career around songs about love, heartbreak, and family. Williams Jr. sometimes uses nicknames given to him by his father, such as Bocephus and Rockin Randall. Six decades of performing later, Lynn is the most awarded female country recording artist of all time. Bass showed talent for music at an early age, and she started singing R&B songs while she was a teenager. In fact, many artists achieved success with her songs, The 5th Dimension had a hit with Wedding Bell Blues, for example.