The Best 1960s Singers Of All Time Ranked
Popular music of the United States in the 1960s became innately tied up into causes, opposing certain ideas, influenced by the sexual revolution, feminism, Black Power and environmentalism. This trend took place in a tumultuous period of massive public, unrest in the United States which consisted of the Cold War, Vietnam War, and Civil Rights Movement. Central to this trend was a folk roots revival that inspired a wave of similar trends across Europe and the rest of the world. This stemmed from a revival of hillbilly music early in the decade, and drew on Appalachian folk-pop pioneers The Weavers. Singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez broke new ground in lyrical approach and personal style in composition, setting the stage for the next wave of lighter, country music and rhythm and blues-influenced singer-songwriters like James Taylor, Elton John, Carole King, and Cat Stevens, who began topping the charts in the very early 1970s. Here the best 1960’s singers ranked.
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20. Jim Morrison
“The Doors is an iconic band that is widely regarded as one of the best rock bands ever. And the band’s frontman Jim Morrison was certainly someone to remember. He was influenced by many poets and philosophers, but he was mostly famous for his raw ‘rockstar’ energy and controversial lifestyle. However, his music still lives on, and his impact on culture in general is undeniable.”
19. Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
“Brian Wilson is best known for his work with The Beach Boys. He is also regarded as one of the important figures to many movements and music genres such as California sound, sunshine pop, and art pop. All in all, his impact on popular music is huge, so it’s no wonder he’s a part of many ‘greatest singers of all time’ lists.”
18. Dusty Springfield
“Dusty Springfield was a key player in the development of modern pop and blue-eyed soul. Famous for her elaborate style, which included platinum blonde wigs and opulent evening gowns, she had a voice that was uniquely soft and powerful at the same time. In particular, Springfield helped fuse soul and mainstream music by singing songs usually intended for black musicians; her most famous song was 1969’s Son Of A Preacher Man.”
17. Louis Armstrong
“In a way, this is an honorable mention because Louis Armstrong is mostly associated with the 1950s and earlier music eras. By the early 1930s, Louis Armstrong had already changed the jazz genre – both as a singer and trumpeter. But he kept performing and touring during the 1960s, and that’s why he’s a part of this list. After all, he became the most influential musician in music’s history.”
16. Dionne Warwick
“Marie Dionne Warrick is an American singer, actress and TV-show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health.”
15. James Brown
“Godfather of Soul James Brown got his musical start in an R&B vocal group called the Famous Flames. Their demo tape impressed a talent scout for King Records, and their first song reached #6 on the R&B charts in 1956. They opened for legends like B.B. King and Ray Charles.”
14. Janis Joplin
“As one of the famed members of The 27 Club—celebrities and musicians who lost their lives at the age of 27—Janis Joplin accomplished a huge amount in her short career. She profoundly affected the development of genres such as psychedelic rock, soul, and blues rock. She became famous throughout the 1960s thanks to her flamboyant stage presence, signature style, and enormous musical talent. Joplin died in 1970 from a heroin overdose. She was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and is considered one of the best musicians in history. “
13. Smokey Robinson
“Smokey Robinson is another living legend with a successful musical career. He is best known for being the lead singer of the popular Motown group, the Miracles. Besides reaching international success with the Miracles, Robinson also contributed to the success of other musicians – he wrote and produced for Marvin Gaye, the Temptations, and so on.”
12. Marvin Gaye
“Prince of Soul Marvin Gaye singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist in the R&B, soul, gospel, funk, and jazz genres. He began singing in his father’s church and with a group called the New Moonglows in the 1950s. It was with this group that he caught the attention of Motown Records. He was also known as the Prince of Motown for helping create the 1960s Motown sound, and during the decade, he showcased his musical range with everything from dance hits to duets with singers like Diana Ross and Tammi Terrell.”
11. Levi Stubbs
“Levi Stubbs was an American baritone singer, best known as the lead vocalist of the R&B group the Four Tops, a band known for a variety of Motown hit records and other songs created in the 1960s and 1970s.”
10. Ray Charles
“A unique singer in his own right, Ray Charles was first discovered when he began performing in a band with friends after moving to Seattle at age 18. Although he was blind, he never saw it as a musical impairment. Charles was a pioneer of the soul music genre, and Quincy Jones called him “the Genius of Soul.” Charles was a crossover success in the 1960s, combining the sounds of country, R&B, and pop music. His two albums, Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, both went Gold in 1962.”
9. Mick Jagger
“Of course, one of the most iconic singers of the 1960s is Mick Jagger. He and Keith Richards are responsible for writing the majority of The Rolling Stones songs. And The Stones are regarded as one of the greatest rock bands of all time. That being said, it’s fun to wonder whether that would be the case if Mick Jagger wasn’t their frontman. He has a distinctive voice, unmatched energy, and brilliant live performances. There’s no doubt about it – he has been the band’s trademark for all these years.”
8. David Ruffin
“David Eli Ruffin was an American soul singer and musician most famous for his work as one of the lead singers of The Temptations during the group’s “Classic Five” period as it was later known.”
7. Paul McCartney
“Along with John Lennon, Paul McCartney is responsible for writing the majority of The Beatles greatest hits. In fact, his songwriting partnership with Lennon remains the most successful in history. But McCartney also had a successful solo career after The Beatles split up, and he has been writing and performing ever since.”
6. Art Garfunkel
“Art Garfunkel is mostly known for his partnership with Paul Simon and their folk rock group Simon & Garfunkel. The group split up in 1970, but they remain one of the most influential duos in pop history. But Art Garfunkel also achieved a lot with his solo career later on, including multiple chart-topping hits and singles. And his signature vocal remains appreciated and recognizable.”
5. Bob Dylan
“Ten-time Grammy Award winner Bob Dylan began performing folk and country songs at local cafés as a student at the University of Minnesota. In 1960, he dropped out of college and moved to New York, where he became a regular at the coffee shops and folk clubs of Greenwich Village. After one of these performances in 1961, he received a rave review in the New York Times. He released his first album in 1962 and was playing 200 concerts per year by 1964.”
4. John Lennon
“Few bands have had as much impact on the world as The Beatles. And the name that this legendary group is mostly associated with is John Lennon. He and his bandmate Paul McCartney wrote countless Beatles hits that became timeless classics. John Lennon had a truly unique creative mind, and he continued to make music even after the group parted ways in the 70s.”
3. Frank Sinatra
“Another name that will never be forgotten is Frank Sinatra. Although he had his most successful years in the 40s and the 50s, he also performed and made music in the 1960s. Therefore, it would only be fair to include him on this list of the best 60’s singers. Some of his biggest 60s hits include ‘Strangers In The Night’ and ‘That’s Life.’ But his most famous songs that are still very popular are ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ and ‘New York, New York.’”
2. Aretha Franklin
“Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin first toured with her father’s traveling revival show as a child prodigy gospel singer and pianist. While traveling, she befriended gospel greats like Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. Franklin was only 18 when she first signed a deal with Columbia Records, which released her first album Aretha in 1961. Her first two Grammy awards came in from her powerful cover of Otis Redding’s “Respect,” which hit #1 on both the pop and R&B charts.”
1. Elvis Presley
“Elvis Presley is without a doubt one of the most famous singers of the 60s. He will always be remembered for his stunning voice, provocative energy, and iconic dance moves. Elvis became popular in the 50s, and he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll.”
