Which music legend was the most influential?
Click an image or button below to vote!
Tina TurnerTina Turner is was known as “The Queen of Rock ‘N Roll” and was a music legend and icon. Her career lasted over 60 years and her style was truly unique. She was born in 1939 in Tennessee and had a challenging childhood. During the 1960’s she gained fame as part of the team of Ike & Tina Turner, who were known for their powerful and electric live performances. They had several big hits, including “Proud Mary” and “River Deep – Mountain High”. Turner’s powerful voice and dynamic stage presence made her the focus of the duo’s act. Behind the scenes, she faced a difficult marriage, with Ike’s abusive behavior. In 1976 she courageously left the relationship to make a fresh start in her life and career. She re-emerged on the music scene in the 1980’s with her hugely successful album “Private Dancer”, which earned her several Grammy Awards including Record of the Year. The album had several big hits including the title track and “What’s Love Got To Do With It”. She would continue to release music and had several other big hits throughout the years. A movie about her life was released in 2021, with Angela Basset starring in the lead role, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. Tina Turner died in 2023 at the age of 83, leaving behind a lasting legacy and influence on the music scene.
Aretha FranklinAretha Franklin was an American singer and musician. Franklin was born on March 25th, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. With music, Franklin was mostly self taught, and earned the title of "child prodigy" by many. She taught herself to play piano, and had a strong singing voice at a very young age. At age 14, Franklin recorded songs at her fathers church, and released the album Songs of Faith in 1956 with a label. At the age of 12, Franklin had her first son, and had another two years later (had two more later in life). In the 60s, Franklin traveled to New York, where she signed with Columbia Records, and released her album Aretha, in 1961. Two songs from that album made the R&B Top 10 charts. Aretha moved and signed to Atlantic Records in 1966. In 1967, Franklin released the album I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You). The song "Respect" on that album hit number 1 on both the Pop and R&B charts, winning her her first 2 Grammys. Franklin had many more number 1 hit songs, earning her the title, the "Queen of Soul''. Franklin later switched studios, and signed with Arista Records in the 80's. In 1986, Franklin released a later version of Aretha, which went gold. In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Also in 1987, Franklin released her album One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which won Best Soul Gospel Performance at the Grammys. In 1994, Franklin won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and a Kennedy Center Honors Award. In 2003, Franklin released her last album with Arista records, where she then founded her own label, Aretha Records. In 2005, Franklin was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was the second woman ever to be inducted into the United Kingdom Music Hall of Fame. In 2008, Franklin won her 18th Grammy. On August 16th, 2018, Franklin passed away in Detroit from pancreatic cancer. A movie about Franklin was released in 2021, where Franklin is played by Jennifer Hudson.
