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 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,...
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...