The Legacy. Elvis Presley is one of the most important representatives of 20th century rock and pop culture. With over one billion records sold, he is considered the most successful solo artist of all time. By 1978, Elvis had been nominated 14 times for the Grammy, which he won three times for his gospel interpretations. At the age of 36, he became the youngest artist ever to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. He reached first place in the American Billboard charts with 15 albums and 16...
The Man In Black. Johnny Cash was one of the most influential figures in the history of country music. With his unmistakable deep voice and rebellious image, he not only left a lasting mark on the music world, but also on pop culture in general. With over 90 million records sold worldwide, Cash is one of the best-selling artists of all time. His cross-genre music encompassed country, rock and roll, rockabilly, blues, folk and gospel. This crossover appeal earned him the rare honor of being...
The Ladies. The world of jazz is characterized by fascinating and unique voices that have not only written music history, but have also shaped and changed the genre itself. Female jazz singers in particular have made a decisive contribution to giving the genre emotional depth, versatility and an unmistakable personality. Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan, Etta James, Dinah Washington, Abbey Lincoln, Anita O'Day, Carmen McRae, Peggy Lee, Blossom Dearie, Helen Humes,...
Maestro of Swing. Count Basie is considered an outstanding figure in the world of jazz. Born William James Basie in New Jersey in 1904, he rose to become a titan of the genre. His legendary Count Basie Orchestra, with its incisive rhythm section and minimalist piano style, set new standards. He led the group for almost 50 years and created innovations such as the use of two "split" tenor saxophones, the emphasis on the rhythm section, riffing with a big band, the use of arrangers, always to...
The Duke. Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington, one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz, transcended the boundaries of time with his incomparable contributions to music. His career spanned more than five decades, during which he not only left a lasting mark on jazz, but also became a cultural icon. As a pianist, he was one of the most important inventors of the stride piano. As a composer, he wrote almost 2000 compositions (songs and suites), 100 of which soon became jazz...
The Hitmaker. The band Chic, founded in 1976 by Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards, has established itself as one of the most influential formations in music history. Their first album marked their breakthrough in 1977 with the hit "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)", which marked the beginning of Rodgers and Chic's influence on dance and pop music. This was followed by "Le Freak", probably Chic's biggest success. In addition to their own success, Rodgers and Chic also contributed...
Mister Rock 'n' Roll. Chuck Berry is considered a pioneer of Rock 'n' Roll and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. In 1955, he achieved his first hit with "Maybellene." The mix of blues guitar riffs, rhythmic energy, and youthful rebellion in Berry's lyrics made the song a trailblazer for the emerging Rock 'n' Roll. It was one of the first songs to transcend racial boundaries in music, reaching both black and white audiences. His theatrical performance, including the...
The Day The Music Died. In early 1959, the "Winter Dance Party" tour featured Buddy Holly, the emerging artist Ritchie Valens, "The Big Bopper" J. P. Richardson, and the vocal group Dion and the Belmonts touring several cities in the Midwest of the USA. The entire group of musicians traveled together on a bus, although the buses used for the tour were completely inadequate, often breaking down and needing replacement. They were repurposed school buses, mostly with faulty heaters, navigating...
Queen Of Soul. Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. With her powerful voice and gospel roots, she gained early recognition. In the 1960s, she moved to Atlantic Records and became a legend under the direction of Jerry Wexler. In 1967, the hit ”Respect“ brought her worldwide fame and became an anthem for civil rights and women‘s movements. Aretha was known for her emotional depth and incomparable live performances. Her...
Prince Of Soul. Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. born April 2, 1939 in Washington, D.C., was more than just a musician; he was a pioneer who left an indelible mark on the world of music. With a career that spanned decades, Marvin Gaye is celebrated as one of the greatest soul singers and songwriters of all time. His contributions to the Motown sound, his social consciousness, and his timeless music inspire audiences around the world. In the 1960s, he became a soulful crooner on Tamla-Motown Records, where...