Songs like Your Cheatin Heart and Im So Lonesome I Could Cry earned Williams the nickname of Hillbilly Shakespeare. Decades after his untimely passing at the height of his fame in 1953, Williams remains as one of the most fabled icons the genre has ever known. 1 on the U.S. She averaged about an album a year of her own workand has managed to also slide in several collaborations and benefit albums, not to mention an endlessly rigorous tour schedule. Tim McGraw Teases New Music, "Standing Room Only", Tim McGraw: "New single 'Standing Room Only' coming March 10th. His peace-focused tunes melded aspects of classic pop with contemporary folk music, distinguishing him from his contemporaries. She also happens to be a beloved old country music star. Holly Near's staunch activism and feminist political protest songs have earned her a place among the greatest American folk singers of all time. Emmylou Harris is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. Some of her most famous hits include You Belong to Me, Make Love to Me, and A-Round the Corner.. Country Singers Music! Singer/songwriter Tom Waits is probably one of the contemporary folk artists most well-respected outside of contemporary folk music. She has won more Academy of Country Music Awards than any artist. Motowns famous act received 12 no. Lynn was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1988. Gillian Welch is definitely one of the most respected songwriters on the scene these days. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. Certainly, her early records were very folky. She has been a major influence on artists, such as Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Linda Ronstadt, and Dottie West. After winning a talent contest when she was only 15, she began to perform in clubs. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images). Formed in 1946 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, The Chordettes initially started out singing more folk-driven songs until they tapped into their harmony. Trisha Yearwood is an American recording artist, television personality, actress, author, and celebrity chef. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976. Due to his innovative blend of hard rock guitars with folky, rootsy lyrics and themes, Young has become one of the most influential artists in contemporary folk-rock. 7. Emmylou Harris is often considered a country singer, but her roots really lie in contemporary folk. WebHer and Bob Regan made good music together. Well, no -- but was there a male Aretha Franklin? Older female singers still alive in 2023. 116 Rep. John Lewis Way North She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998. Joan Baez 7. Judy Garland. Though shes more famously known as an actress, Marilyn Monroe gained popularity through movie musicals and singing films. The chatter surrounding the song -- including Riley being forced to wear a miniskirt when accepting her CMA award for single of the year -- dimmed the fact that she scored several Top 10s after her glittery debut. Born as Clara Ann Fowler in Oklahoma in 1927, Patti Page was known as the top-charting and best-selling female singer in the 50s, selling at least 100 million records A rather talented trio of artists, Peter, Paul & Mary also became vocal advocates in the peace movement, and continue to be a force to be reckoned with in contemporary folk music. One year later, after auditioning for WDAY in Fargo, radio personality Ken Kennedy gave her the stage name Peggy Lee. Her first chart song and only No. Right IconThis ranking is based on an algorithm that combines various factors, including the votes of our users and search trends on the internet. She started off singing gospel and playing piano in church. 2 in 1958. Joni Mitchell 11. A multi-talented personality, Kramer is also known for her skills as a dancer; she finished fourth after competing in the popular dance competition television series Dancing with the Stars in 2016. After the show went off the air, Francis signed up with a record company to no immediate avail. There was no template. Her life was depicted in the 1985 movie, Sweet Dreams. The Marvelettes were the first all-female group on the Motown label. Their songs captured a moment in time, of naivete and love and loss and remain classics today. WebThis is a list of American female country singers . There are some exceptions- the work of Patsy Cline, Bobby Gentrie, and Loretta Lynn have achieved lasting renown- but overall the women on this list receive few plaudits these days. Pop hits, country ballads, punk bangers and jazz standards, the best female singers' work is essential listening. Her album Della and song You Gave Me Love received Grammy Award nominations, and she was honored with a Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame Award in 2017. Nashville, Tennessee 37214, Ryman Auditorium Her chart debut came in 1958 with Lost to a Geisha Girl. She would chart 40 more singles, including her 1962 crossover hit, The End of the World. as well as Gonna Get Along Without You Now and I Can't Stay Mad at You. She was married to disc jockey Ralph Emery from 1960 to 1964 and to Joey Spampinato of the rock band NRBQ from 1983 to 1996. Singers Her songs have been used in "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" There were plenty of issues, to be sure. She blended country music with pop. Additional no. After their split, Jim Ed went on to a long and successful solo career, and Maxine recorded one album. His gritty voice and dark, dirty songs have almost a punk-rock sensibility. Her 2014 single Ex's & Oh's became one of the top songs in US. Originally the group was formed with Gladys Horton, Katherine Anderson, Georgeanna Tillman, Juanita Cowart, and Georgia Dobbins, who was later replaced by Wanda Young. Garland also left a legacy and continues her fame through her films. Norma Deloris Egstrom began singing professionally at the young age of 16 in 1936. She led the fund drive for building the original Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, was instrumental in creating the annual CMA Awards Show, which launched in 1967, and oversaw Fan Fair, which started in 1972 and has since morphed into the CMA Music Festival. and her frequent collaboration with David Rawlings is one of the most appreciated musical partnerships these days. She sang mostly pop and country songs. The Mamas and the Papas were one of the most successful folk-pop groups of the '60s, and Mama Cass was one of the most notable female presences of the folk revival. That's a shame as there are some outstanding performers here who deserve more attention. In 1959, she presented her first pop single, What A Diffrence A Day Makes! to make the top 10, peaking atno. Hits: One Fine Day, Hes So Fine, Sweet-Talking Guy. What list of folk music greats would be complete without a nod to Mr. Bob Dylan? With a career spanning nearly 70 years, Debbie Reynolds was a singer, actress, and businesswoman. Dave Carter was inarguably one of the best songwriters the contemporary folk scene as known in some time. Although he's not a traditionalist folk singer, his music blends the tenets of folk with a more mainstream folk-pop style. In the 1950s, country music continued to benefit from commercial success thanks to post-war prosperity. Next: The best female singers of the 1960s (our picks). She gained fame with her 1957 release And That Reminds Me, which sold millions and made the Top 20 pop hits chart. A frequent performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Atkins got to know many fellow artists, who he would handpick for recording sessions. 4 on the U.S. charts. A hardcore country traditionalist, Jean Shepard (1933-2016) played bass in an all-woman band called The Melody Ranch Girls before setting out on a solo career. Circa 1955: American singer and actor Rosemary Clooney (1928 - 2002) sings and dances in a ballroom or on a stage, accompanied by a pianist and a band. The music of the Carter Family helped inspire folks like Bob Dylan. Women were judged on their appearance much more than their male counterparts. The daughter of musician Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash followed in the footsteps of her father. After beginning her career as a child singer, Holt started appearing on popular TV shows which increased her popularity. Her first chart record under her own name came in 1949 via Baby, It's Cold Outside, which paired her with the comic duo Homer & Jethro. This is a professional review website. American singer, Elle King, made her mark in showbiz when her debut single Good To Be A Man was released in March 2012 as a digital download. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto. Together, they created Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Cole Porter Song Book, the first of eight songbooks Fitzgerald recorded at Verve from 1956 to 1964. Among them were love songs, songs of praise, silly children's songs, songs about nature, and topical protest songs. 1 hits. Become a member. Doris Day. Skeeter Davis: Davis (1931-2004) first came to public notice in 1953 as half of the Davis Sisters (although she and Betty Jack Davis were not related). The Glories - I Stand Accused (Of Loving You) The Simon Sisters - Winkin', Blinkin' and Nod. Her first no. So what we've done is list them chronologically according to their first appearance on the Billboard chart. Web101 Female Rock 'n Roll Girls of the '50s - Compilation by Various Artists | Spotify Home Search Your Library Create Playlist Privacy Center Cookies Preview of Spotify Sign up to She's managed to influence an enormous crop of folksingers, including Gillian Welch and Janis Ian. Kitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. See his full schedule! Parton was determined to be an entertainer from childhood and was performing on a Knoxville television show before she reached her teens. Sign-Up For Our Newsletter. Probably the most prolific female songwriter of them all, Felice Bryant (1925-2003) and her fiddle-playing husband, Boudleaux, moved to Nashville in 1950 to work as full-time composers. After finishing first multiple times in a contest, Starr received a 15-minute radio show. Emmylou Harris 14. Though their roots began in the San Francisco Bay area bluegrass scene, the Grateful Dead soon became one of the most prolific, popular, successful folk-rock bands. Much like Odetta, often when you hear talk of Paul Robeson, you'll hear about his incredible voice. His classic, "What Did You Learn in School Today?" List of older women in pop, soul and country with black female vocalists from the 50s, 60s and 70s who are still alive in 2023. In 2014, she was named on Time magazine's list of100 most influential people in the world. The electrified panache of rockabilly artists like Elvis Presley drew criticism among purists. She recorded her first single (which did not chart) when she was 12. Thanks, and welcome! Regardless, Ochs is considered one of the more gifted songwriters of his generation. Two-time Grammy-winning country singer Miranda Lambert is known for her hit album Platinum and the track Automatic. Patty Griffin is a songwriter's songwriter and has become highly respected across all musical genres for her numerous compositions. The scene was shifting and the female voice was getting more airplay and beginning to dominate the charts. Next: Top female singers of all time list (our choices). She was one of the most popular female folk singers in the '60s folk revivaland started her own record company, Wildflower Records. One part old-school country, one part gospel spirituals, the Carter Family's influence on contemporary folk music is certainly felt. Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, Malcolm Lubliner/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, John Shearer/Getty Images for Essential Broadcast Media, Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images, Columbia Records/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images, 10 Influential Political and Protest Folk Music Artists. 44. Seeger and Hays went on to form The Weavers. 1s, including her duets with Jones, before tapering off, chartwise, in the mid-1970s. WebSheffield Utd X Tottenham - Ao Vivo Grtis HD Sem Travar | Futebol Grtis HD. 10 and won a Grammy, making her the first female Grammy winner in country music history. [Please note, duets which involve one male and one female performer have been included. Aside from being a master flat-picker, Doc Watson has helped inspire a number of other influential folk artists, including Bob Dylan. She charmed generations of movie viewers in the blockbuster film Grease. Kelsea Ballerini is the recipient of several prestigious awards, such as CMT Music Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. Peggy Lee. She was killed in a plane crash in 1963, along with fellow stars Hawkshaw Hawkins and Cowboy Copas, while returning to Nashville from a benefit concert. 1's in a chart history that extended into 1979. She won audiences over with songs like Buttons And Bows, The Gypsy, and The Anniversary Song, which were all no. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973. It's hard to imagine that we'd still be talking about American folk music had there never been a Carter Family. 1 came in 1953 with A Dear John Letter, a duet with Ferlin Huskey. Heartache, thy name is Tammy Wynette (1942-1998). Female Country Singers: The Top 45 Singers of All Time - Wide Her first hit, Walking After Midnight, came in 1957 and was followed by such standards-in-embryo as I Fall to Pieces, Crazy and She's Got You.. Although country music was dominated by men when Billboard began ranking country songs in 1944, the landscape changed for female artists in the 1950s and 1960s, as the genre claimed Nashville as a recording center and the Country Music Association was formed to create new and larger audiences. Kelsea Ballerini is an American singer and songwriter. She had three more no. Multifaceted personality, Dolly Parton is a singer, songwriter, record producer, actress, author and businesswoman and is known mainly for her work in country music. Townes Van Zandt could be considered one of the best songwriters of all time. Singing seemed to be a family talent. Music!" In a long career that terminated tragically in a car accident in 1991, West charted 63 singles. By the time Berry Gordy Jr.sMotown Records was in full swing, Martha & The Vandellas signed on releasing hit after hit with songs like Dancing in the Street, Heat Wave, Come and Get These Memories, Jimmy Mack, Nowhere to Run, Im Ready for Love, and Bless You. The Chiffons were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Staffords legacy in music, television, and radio is acknowledged by three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If 1960s country music has now largely faded from the public memory, then 1960 country music by female performers is even more obscure. Cline's singles continued to chart intermittently until 1999. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live) 2. Her first million-selling single was With My Eyes Wide Open, Im Dreaming. Page followed this up with Tennessee Waltz in 1950, which spent 13 weeks as a no. Pictured (L-R): Patsy Cline, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton. Yusuf Islam) was one of the most influential folk singer/songwriters of the 1970s. Olivia Newton-John's breathy voice and stunning beauty made her one of the biggest pop stars of the 1970s. One of the earliest pop singers to enjoy a contemporary international following, Lee was among the most-charted singers during the 1960s. She is also one of the best-selling music artists ever. Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. The Chiffons, originating in Bronx, New York, released their first single, Hes So Fine, which was written by Ronnie Mack and produced byThe Tokens(The Lion Sleeps Tonight) and hit No. 5. 1 single Somebody Else Is Taking My Place was released in 1942, quickly followed by Why Dont You Do Right? a year later, which sold over a million copies, spurring her to stardom. Kay Starrs aunt launched the singers career when she was only seven by making arrangements for her to sing on the radio after hearing her voice. In the last 40 years, he's released more than 50 recordsand has become a rather respected songwriter in the realm of protest song. The Beatles were arguably the greatest group of the period -- but many would say that their biggest chart rival wasn't the Rolling Stones or the Beach Boys, but the Supremes. She became widely renowned for her performances of Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend, When Love Goes Wrong (Nothin Goes Right), and Bye Bye Baby in a film adaptation of the Broadway musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.. 2 on theBillboardHot Country and Western Charts. 2023 Opry. 1945) sang Tom T. Hall's Harper Valley P.T.A. to No. He traveled with Guthrie for a half-decadeand has since recorded 50 albums. 1 on the charts for 10 weeks. Shirley Bassey 3. He hired them both, and they hit the road, appearing in a movie short with the Pastor Orchestra and recording numerous songs, such as The Secretary Song and If I Had a Million Dollars., When Rosemary went to record Come On-A My House, Betty returned home. With gospel roots, she embarked on a soul-singing career at the age of 18. She also performed at the infamous sixth and twelfth Cavalcade of Jazz concerts at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Fitzgeralds legacy lives on through collections of media and memorabilia in the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Library of Congress. Many of the best Black female singers have reached the top of the charts with their catchy tunes. The list includes many familiar and great female country singers such as Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Dolly Parton, Carrie Underwood, Shania Twain.The women country singers featured in this list are from United States, United Kingdom, Canada & Australia and many more countries. Her biggest hits include Over the Rainbow, The Man That Got Away, and The Trolley Song, all of which were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. With a career enduring more than 40 years, Julie London was a well-known torch singer and actress. Oldest Female Singers She began her solo career in 1949, recording for a major label, Columbia Records. He was an activist and a songwriter, a Merchant Marine, and a former member of a barbershop quartet. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team, first generation of female country artists. After winning the radio spot together, they received recognition from bandleader Tony Pastor. Barbara Lynn 19. The Bryants were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1991. She caught jazz musician Barney Rapps eye after she earned her first singing gig on the radio program Carlins Carnival. She sang a notable rendition of Day After Day, leading Rapp to suggest using the last name Day as her stage name. Sign up to receive our communications, please fill in the following fields and hit submit. The film The Ballad of Ramblin' Jack was made about his life. If Dolly Parton (b. Patsy Cline - Walkin' After Midnight (Live), Get Happy Judy Garland | Summer Stock | Warner Archive, Teresa Brewer "Music! She also recorded the infamous holiday song Baby, Its Cold Outside alongside Buddy Clark in 1949. Her top hits were My Heart Cries For You and Sweet Violets, both reaching no. Her recording debut came later that year, and both that record and its successor made theBillboardHarlem Hit Parade in 1944. Along with her late husband in the 1950s and 1960s, she was known as "Mrs. Country Music." 10 on the R&B rankings. 1940) won a Grammy for her very first single, Don't Touch Me, released in 1966 and written by Hank Cochran, whom she would later marry. One thing you always hear when people talk about Odetta is the exceptional power of her voice. Wells may have been countrys first queen, but Patsy Cline was soon to follow and emerged as an indelible part of the Nashville sound, a polished subgenre that dominated radio airwaves in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He's written some of the most covered tunes in folk history. Kelsea Ballerini will appear on Saturday Night Live this Saturday. You have successfully subscribed to our newsletter. A list of the most famous country singers of the 1950s would be remiss not to include Patsy Cline. Her songs were (and are) deep, compassionate and insightful. She won a Grammy for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1962 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997, more than 25 years after her death. Janis Ian was a different kind of teen queen, hitting the national scene at the age of 15 with a self-penned tune about an inter-racial relationship. Johnny Cash is another one of those artists who's often looked at as a country singer, although his earliest influences were folk artists like the Carter family. Lees career as a singer, songwriter, and actress spanned six decades. She kicked off her career on NBCs Startime Kids variety show in 1953. The top 50 folk artists of all time, in alphabetical order. 1 singles on theBillboardHot 100 as a solo artist, half of a duet, a member of a trio, and a member of an ensemble. If any songwriter could be called "prolific" or "influential," those terms would certainly apply to Woody Guthrie. She was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. One of the most decorated female country singers of her generation, Judd was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame for her contribution to music. He's easily one of the most influential artists in the genre, and one of the most gifted instrumentalists. The Kendall Sisters - Yea, Yea. The evolution of the genre in the 1950s was perhaps best captured at the Opry, where it wasnt uncommon to see honky-tonk, bluegrass, and rockabilly artists perform in succession of each other. However, Carsons career didnt make a splash until a few years later when she collaborated with Guy Mitchell on the song Cause I Love You Thats-A-Why, which made it to the top 25 on the charts. Here are 11 of the top girl groups of the 1950s and 1960s, who all left a mark with their eternal hits. WebThe Bermudas - Donnie. 1 on the R&B chart. 27. of 50. After Washington left Hamptons band, she embarked on a successful solo career. Miley Cyrus, the American singer-songwriter and actress, is known for her wide range in music, spanning from pop and country pop to hip hop. Was there a male Joni Mitchell, or a male Stevie Nicks? Little Miss Dynamite, as she was early known, was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997. In his collaboration with Portland fiddle player Tracy Grammer, the duo managed to sing and play their way into the hearts of folk fans, even in the short time before Carter's death in 2002. Her performance of the song Aba Daba Honeymoon in the 1950 film Two Weeks with Love peaked at no. The Best Female Country Singers Of 2020 1. Lindsay Ell. Lindsay Ell's debut official single 'Trippin on Us' became the most added song on country music radio in 2. Miranda Lambert. Miranda Lambert became the first female artist to win the 'Album of the Year' award twice at the 3. Gabby Top 10 Female Singers Of The '50s, '60s, And '70s. She created her biggest-selling record there, which reached no. She began performing when she was 19and rose to fame through singing classic African-American spirituals. She has also been a board member of an organization called Center To Prevent Youth Violence, which works towards preventing gun violence. Old time banjo player Charlie Poole was one of the earliest stars of the old-time scene back in the 1920s. As a result, Franti has inspired and motivated fans, critics and fellow songwriters to action through his work. The group later connected with young songwriter Carole King, who wrote their next hit One Fine Day with Gerry Goffin in 1963. Wynonna Judd is an American country music singer. Country by the Decade: 1950s | Opry Here's a look at the best singers, songwriters, artists, and bands in the history of American folk music. Other hits include Crazy and I Fall to Pieces.. Music! Surprisingly, the B-side was a smash hit, selling over a million copies and becoming Brewers signature song. Identified with Country Sunshine, the No. Speaking of proteges, Steve Earle was somewhat of a Townes Van Zandt protegeand has been known to call Townes a better songwriter than Bob Dylan. Subscribe for updates, events, offers and more. Thank you! Her personal life has often sparked controversy, especially when she came out as pansexual and talked about use of cannabis. 1 singles between 1950 and 1953. Betty Jack was killed in a car wreck that same year, after which Skeeter moved on as a solo act. Georgia Holt is a retired American actress, singer-songwriter, and former model. She came to light as a solo singer in the early 1950s with her first hit song, Come On-A My House. Some additional hits include This Ole House, Hey There, and Half As Much.. In 1949, she recorded Copenhagen with a B-side track titled, Music! Two years passed before she hit the charts, peaking at 93 on theBillboardHot 100. She's also an award-winning artist in her own rightand has recorded album after album of incredible folk, gospel, and blues songs. Menu. Last but certainly not least, we added probably one of the most famous 1950s female singers. An American actress, singer, songwriter, filmmaker, writer, and YouTuber, Jennette McCurdy is truly an inspiration to several young girls and women; despite suffering from conditions like obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, and bulimia, McCurdy has managed to establish herself as a successful entertainer. Next: The top Soprano singers of all time. 3 on theBillboard charts and impressed studio executives. Discovered by fellow gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, Della Reese had her breakthrough upon winning a contest allowing her to perform at a popular Detroit bar for a week straight. Under the Influence, America's Sweetheart, Good Girls, Different for Girls, Wild Love are some of her other popular songs. John Gorka's literary, poetic folk songs are among some of the most well-written around these days. Debby Boone is an American singer, actress, and author. The academy also inducted the songs Unforgettable, Teach Me Tonight, and What A Diffrence A Day Makes! into the Grammy Hall of Fame. 1 songs include Endless Love, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, and When You Tell Me That You Love Me.. The remaining members took an offer from Tommy Dorsey to perform with his orchestra. Even though he'd been playing music his whole life, Shindell didn't start making waves in the folk world until Joan Baez picked up three of his songs for her 1997 album. It's still remarkable that Ben Harper hasn't blown up any bigger than he is. 13 Of The Most Famous Country Singers Of The 50s - Hello Music Shores legacy was honored with a dedicated street name in her hometown as well as a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. It's kind of funny that the Weavers and Woody Guthrie come up last in this alphabetical listing, as they're probably two of the most important artists in the history of the contemporary folk movement in this country. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers. Her most famous singles are Right or Wrong and In the Middle of a Heartache.. Born and raised in Tennessee, Frances Shore made her debut as a singer on a Nashville radio station. Lynn also had many successful duet hits, first with Ernest Tubb, and later with Conway Twitty. Charts), Canadian singer Anne Murray became the first Canadian female solo artist with No. Get up close to where country music stars and legendsmake history every week,live on the Opry. WebKitty Wells made history as the first woman to have a No. 3. 1 on the R&B chart. When she settled into life as a solo artist, she popped out hits like Side by Side, The Man Upstairs, Rock and Roll Waltz, and Wheel of Fortune, which was her biggest hit, reaching no. During her peak, she gained recognition worldwide as the most successful female singer. The day after graduating from high school, she moved to Nashville. Womens History Month: These Artists Thrived in the '50s and After having performed in the shadow of her husband Johnny Wright and his singing partner Jack Anglin, Kitty Wells (1919-2012) blew that duo out of the water in 1952 with her massive hit, It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels. It was her first record to chart and an answer song to Hank Thompson's Wild Side of Life, which lamented I didn't know God made honky tonky angels/I might have known you'd never make a wife., To this, Wells' tune responded, It wasn't God who made honky tonk angels/as you said in the words of your song/Too many times married men think they're still single/That has caused many a good girl to go wrong. Wells (real name: Muriel Deason) became known as the Queen of Country Music and would score two more No. Since then, he's become a highly influential songwriter. She has charted 25 No. However, Days breakthrough hit didnt come until 1955, when she starred as singer Ruth Etting in Love Me Or Leave Me., She also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards for Sentimental Journey, Secret Love, and Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera).. Nashville, Tennessee 37219. Below is a list (in no particular order) of popular and talented female rock 'n roll, pop, country, R&B, jazz and soul music solo artists who forged their own way in the music world and are considered to be among the greats of the '50s, '60s, and '70s.