There’s no shortage of talented American singers out there. From pop to country to rock and beyond, these singers have made a name for themselves both in the United States and internationally. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at some of the most successful best American singers of all time. Both past and present, and see what it is about their voices that have made them so successful.
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20 Best Famous American Singers Of All Time
1 – Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was a topmost American singer & dancer, born on August 29, 1958 – died on June 25, 2009. Considered one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century. He is the most-awarded musician in history. Jackson is one of the best-selling theme artists of all time, with estimated sales of over 400 million records worldwide.
In 1971, Jackson started his solo profession while at Motown Records. He became a solo star with his 1979 album Off the Wall. His music videos, include those for “Beat It”, “Billie Jean”, and “Thriller” from his 1982 album Thriller.
2 – Prince
Prince Rogers Nelson also known as Prince was one of the famous American singers & record producers, born on June 7, 1958 – died on April 21, 2016. Widely considered one of the most prominent performers of his generation. His melody included a wide variety of tones, including funk, R&B, rock, new wave, soul, synth-pop, pop, jazz, and hip-hop.
Prince sold over 100 million records worldwide, ranking him among the best-selling music artists of all time. He won awards including the Grammy President’s Merit Award, the American Music Awards for Achievement and of Merit, the Billboard Icon Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award.
3 – Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley Aka Elvis was a famous American singer and actor, born on January 8, 1935 – died on August 16, 1977. Believed as one of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century. His music profession started in 1954.
Also, In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. He sold over 500 million records worldwide, and Presley is determined as the best-selling solo tune artist of all time by Guinness World Records. Presley won three Grammy Awards, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.
4 – Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin was one of the popular American singers, and pianists, born on March 25, 1942 – died on August 16, 2018. Referred to as the “Queen of Soul”. Franklin is one of the world’s best-selling music artists.
She released many Hit songs such as “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)”, “Respect”, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, “Chain of Fools”, “Think”, and “I Say a Little Prayer”, propelled Franklin past her musical peers.
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5 – Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert Sinatra aka Chairman of the Board was a popular American singer and actor, born on December 12, 1915 – died on May 14, 1998. Sinatra was one of the most popular performers of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. He is among the world’s best-selling music artists with an estimated 150 million record sales.
Sinatra was extremely influenced by the intimate, easy-listening vocal style of Bing Crosby and started his musical profession in the swing era with bandleaders Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. Also, He received eleven Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Trustees Award, Grammy Legend Award, and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
6 – Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston Nicknamed “The Voice”, was a popular American singer and actress, born on August 9, 1963 – died on February 11, 2012. One of the bestselling melody artists of all time, with sales of over 200 million records worldwide. Houston has influenced numerous singers in popular music and is known for her emphatic, soulful vocals and vocal improv skills.
Houston started singing in church as a child and became a background vocalist while in high school. She has won many awards including two Emmy Awards, six Grammy Awards, 16 Billboard Music Awards, and 28 Guinness World Records, as well as induction into the Grammy, Rhythm and Blues Music, and Rock and Roll halls of fame.
7 – Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera(“Voice of a Generation”) is one of the most famous American singers, born on December 18, 1980. Known for her four-octave vocal range and capability to sustain high notes. Aguilera is believed a pop culture icon and is commonly described as a triple-threat entertainer. Aguilera is regarded as one of the most significant Latin artists in the entertainment industry in 2013.
8 – Tina Turner
Tina Turner(“Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”) is one of a popular American-born Swiss retired singers and actresses, born on November 26, 1939. She gained popularity as the lead singer of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue before establishing a successful profession as a solo performer.
In 1960, she debuted as Tina Turner with the hit duet single “A Fool in Love”. The duo Ike & Tina Turner became “one of the most formidable live acts in history”. She has received 12 Grammy Awards, which include eight competitive awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
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9 – Beyoncé
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter is a famous American singer, songwriter, and actress, born on September 4, 1981. Her victory has led to her becoming a cultural icon and gaining her the nickname “Queen Bey“. She gained popularity in the late 1990s as a member of the R&B girl group Destiny’s Child, one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. It spawned the successful singles “If I Were a Boy“, “Single Ladies“, and “Halo“.
Beyoncé’s accolades include 28 Grammy Awards, 26 MTV Video Music Awards, 24 NAACP Image Awards, 31 BET Awards, and 17 Soul Train Music Awards; all of which are more than any other singer.
10 – Taylor Swift
Taylor Alison Swift is an American singer-songwriter, born on December 13, 1989. Her 2006 self-titled debut album made her the first female country singer to write or co-write a US platinum-certified album entirely.
She has won many awards including 11 Grammy Awards, three Album of the Year, wins; an Emmy Award; 40 American Music Awards; 29 Billboard Music Awards; and 84 Guinness World Records. Her music is credited with influencing a generation of singer-songwriters.
11 – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer and songwriter, Born on May 24, 1941. Regarded as one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Dylan has been a major figure in popular culture during a career spanning more than 60 years. Dylan has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
He has won many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom, ten Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and an Academy Award.
12 – Madonna
Madonna Louise Ciccone referred to as the “Queen of Pop”, is one of the popular American singers, and actresses, born on August 16, 1958. Madonna has been awarded seven Grammy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, five Billboard Music Awards, and twenty MTV Video Music Awards.
She released a series of successful albums, including all-time bestsellers Like a Virgin (1984), True Blue (1986), and The Immaculate Collection (1990) as well as Grammy Award winners Ray of Light (1998) and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005).
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13 – Katy Perry
Katy Perry (real name Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson) is one of an American singers, and television personalities, born on October 25, 1984. Recognized for her influence on modern pop melody and her campy style. She gained popularity with One of the Boys (2008), a pop-rock record including her debut single “I Kissed a Girl” and follow-up single “Hot n Cold”, which reached number one and three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 respectively.
She has nine U.S. number-one singles, and three U.S. number-one albums and has received various accolades, including four Guinness World Records, five Billboard Music Awards, five American Music Awards, a Brit Award, and a Juno Award.
14 – Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen Nicknamed “The Boss,” is one of the most popular American singers and songwriters, born on September 23, 1949. He has released 21 studio albums, most of which feature his backing band, the E Street Band.
He has earned numerous awards for his work, including 20 Grammy Awards, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award, and a Special Tony Award (for Springsteen on Broadway).
15 – Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is one of the most popular American singers and songwriters, born on January 19, 1946. Especially known for her work in country music. She has 44 professional Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she has had 110 career-charted tracks over the past 40 years. She achieved commercial success again in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000, including her own label, Dolly Records.
16 – Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga(real name Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta) is an American singer, and actress, born on March 28, 1986. Known for her image reinventions and musical versatility. Gaga started portraying as a teenager, singing at open mic nights, and acting in school plays.
In addition, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2010 and 2019 and placed her on their All-Time 100 Fashion Icons list.
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17 – Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer, songwriter, and actress, born on June 26, 1993. Grande started her music profession at age 15 in the 2008 Broadway musical 13. She gained popularity for playing Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon television series Victorious (2010–2013) and Sam & Cat (2013–2014). Often regarded as a pop icon and triple-threat entertainer.
She has received innumerable awards throughout her profession, including two Grammy Awards, one Brit Award, one Bambi Award, two Billboard Music Awards, three American Music Awards, nine MTV Video Music Awards, and 30 Guinness World Records.
18 – Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is one of the most prominent American singers & songwriters, born on March 27, 1969. Directed to as the “Songbird Supreme” and “Queen of Christmas.” She was the first artist to have her first five singles reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100, from “Vision of Love” to “Emotions”. Carey has won five Grammy Awards, 19 World Music Awards, 10 American Music Awards, eight Guinness World Records, and 15 Billboard Music Awards.
19 – Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was the most prominent American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Nirvana, born on February 20, 1967 – died on April 5, 1994. Regarded as one of the most significant performers in the history of alternative rock.
Cobain penned many other memorable songs for Nirvana, including “Come as You Are”, “Lithium”, “In Bloom”, “Something in the Way”, “Heart-Shaped Box”, “All Apologies”, “About a Girl”, “Aneurysm”, and “You Know You’re Right”.
20 – James Brown
James Joseph Brown was one of the famous American singers, and bandleaders, born on May 3, 1933 – died on December 25, 2006. He is usually referred to by honorific nicknames like “the Hardest Working Man in Show Business”, “Godfather of Soul”, “Mr. Dynamite”, and “Soul Brother No. 1”. He started his profession as a gospel singer in Toccoa, Georgia.
Brown recorded 17 singles that reached No. 1 on the Billboard R&B charts. He was one of the first 10 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural induction in New York on January 23, 1986.
