black female singers of the '50s and '60s

When she was 15, Rosemary Clooney decided to remain in her hometown in Kentucky with her father and sister while her mom and brother moved to California after their parents divorce. I Never Loved A Man was the first of many of Franklins songs that showcased assertiveness and confidence. Use with laptops, BlueRay players, cable or satellite boxes, or televisions to broadcast a single source to dual screens. 1 on the R&B chart. Fellow organist Jimmy McGriff praised her playing for its strength, which, to him, transcended . Best Black Female Singers of the 60s Mary Wells Diana Ross Tammi Terrell Martha Reeves Ronnie Spector Dionne Warwick Aretha Franklin Tina Turner Nina Simone Nancy Wilson Conclusion Best Black Female Singers of the 60s Let's begin with the very taleneted Mary Wells. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to . A. Aaliyah (1979-2001): R&B, pop; Alicia Keys (born 1981) : pop; Gregory Abbott (born 1954): soul, R&B, his father was born in Venezuela; Yolanda Adams (born 1961): Gospel; Akon (born 1973): R&B, hip hop, pop, dancehall; Ivie Anderson (1904-1949): jazz; Marian Anderson (1897-1993): opera; Louis Armstrong (1901-1971): jazz; Martina Arroyo (born 1936): opera; Belcalis Marlenis Almanzar . Franklin grew up singing gospel, recording her first album Songs of Faith in 1956. Fashion Model Drawing Pictures, Images and Stock Photos. She moved around a lot from one gig to another. 2 on the pop charts. Turner. James recorded her first single, The Wallflower, in 1954 with Johnny Otis and his band. Her plan was successful; first, she started receiving backup singing assignments for artists including Marvin Gaye. 35 R&B Wedding Songs Make Your Big Day Perfect, Is Nicki Minaj Black? 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).. Rock music and the best R&B songs emerged during this era to become two of the most popular categories of the time. Well, no -- but was there a male Aretha Franklin? Warwick found her voice singing gospel in church. After moving to Chicago in 1956 at the age of 18, Everett began recording R&B songs for local record labels, even briefly performing with the Daylighters as lead vocalist. In 1945, she and her sister won a spot on a radio station as singers. Wells initially had the song in mind for Jackie Wilson, but Gordy loved her voice and instead signed her as a recording artist. So in this article, were going to provide out list, Read More 12 Female Opera Singers That Are Absolutely AmazingContinue, Korean female singers of the 2010s defined the decade with all kinds of unique, memorable songs. But there was a lot to celebrate as music evolved from the clean-cut '50s to the free-and-easy '70s. 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. Diana Ross was born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1944. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shadeour power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. Race & Ethnicity RevealedContinue. Despite the horrors she faced in her marriage, she still maintained her strong spirit and brilliant sense of humor. Born in 1924 to a deeply religious family in New Jersey, Sarah Vaughan started singing at a young age in her local church. How could this list be complete without the Queen of Soul herself, Aretha Franklin? List of older women in pop, soul and country with black female vocalists from the 50s, 60s and 70s who are still alive in 2022. . But after the success of My Guy, Wells contract with Motown expired. But the turning point came in 1963, when Ross stepped into the role of the lead singer. Where are all my Sagittarius brothers and sisters? Wikipedia Born: September 19, 1931, Lugoff Died: April 9, 1988, Queens Famous Album Covers Rock Album Covers Classic Album Covers She had 8 Billboard Hot 100 singles in the 60s and went on to release an impressive 70+ albums over her career. Way Back Attack trademark and content document.write('© 2010-' + (new Date()).getFullYear()); Michael Jack Kirby. A talent agent discovered her while she worked as an elevator operator in a clothing store on Hollywood Boulevard. Wells and Robinson were a successful partnership, as evident by their first hit together, The One Who Really Loves You.. The sound effects add a charming layer that complements Spectors voice, which is showcased at its best in this song. Firstly, Phil Spector produced and co-wrote Be My Baby, which was by far the Ronettes greatest hit. If you close your eyes, you can see Tina performing the song right before your eyes. happy birthday wishes cartoon. Together Scott and Turrentine made some of the most notable soul-jazz records of the early 1960s. There were several female British singers that appeared in the Some famous Black female singers sing the blues while other top Black woman artists are pop superstars. Her duet with singer Jerry Butler, a song called Let it Be Me, made it to the top five pop hits of 1964. Black films on this streaming service cover every genre, from romantic comedies to screwball comedies, from thrillers to horror movies. Her voice was both elegant and joyful, strong and sensitive. They 1 hit singles on the U.S. My Favorite Song: Im Ready For Love, which is a joyful celebration of finally being able to let someone into your life to walk along side you. . few popular black female singers sing the blues, while other major black female artists are pop superstars. For a brief period, Wells was a Motown star that had a string of successful songs. They originally consisted of three sisters, all children of Joseph and Lillian. In total, she had 112 charted singles, earning both the Presidential Medal of Freedom and an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a352b804647a8ef85ec8c1832e012ac4" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. In honor of Black History Month, Grimy Goods is highlighting the most influential black female singers and musicians of all time. Lauryn Hill's soulful vocals helped the singer take home five Grammy awards for her iconic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Etta James is one of the pioneers of R&B, soul, and rock and roll. Shes the only female vocalist with no. Nina Simone 1. And while female singers were prominent, there were almost never any women playing instruments in the band. Music! Her debut single was Guess Who I Saw Today, and although the song was already a standard, Wilsons version quickly soared to the top. She was told that she would be required to sing in addition to playing piano, which made her nervous at first. Warwick became the first black solo female artist to receive a Grammy in 1968 for her song Do You Know the Way to San Jose. Although she was not originally a fan of the song, the single showcased her polished, versatile voice and remains one of her most popular songs. Born and raised in Butcher Hollow, Kentucky to a coal miner and his wife, Lynn began her music career in the 60s. Start by mastering our "Female Frontal pose", "Drawing Female Walking Pose" and "Drawing Female Head: Front, Profile & Three Quarter". Aside from incredible talent, many of the most famous women of the era were also powerful and inspiring, overcoming tremendous adversity to rise to glorious heights of stardom. Her debut albumJulie Is Her Namecame out later that year. Known as the lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, Martha Reeves quickly rose to fame during the height of Motown. As a member of the Supremes, Diana Ross was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988. She was nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one for Best Contemporary Vocal Performance for her song, Is That All There Is? in 1969. Why we picked the Mohu Leaf Plus Amplified: Mohu's Leaf Plus Amplified model is a near-perfect combination of affordability and quality. Horrified by the murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evans and the Birmingham Baptist Church bombings, she turned to music and wrote the scathing song, calling it a showtune, but the show hasnt been written for it yet. She shifted to a focus on the civil rights movement following the release of Mississippi Goddam, and began speaking at civil rights events. The R&B singer's powerful voice and dynamicdance moves have earned her plenty of acclaim as one of the best Black singers, but listeners also love her for her way of redefining pop music with her innovative hits. So in this article,, Read More 15 Female Blues Singers That Are UnforgettableContinue, Your email address will not be published. Most might gravitate towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation for rock and roll during that time. She began her singing career in Harlem, where a record producer discovered her and helped her find mainstream success. The group dwindled to four members by the following year. In 1959 she . She had a robust and bright-sounding voice and a wide vocal range. This initial album brought her limited success. Her mother, unfortunitly, passed away suddenly in a car accident when she was only 15. Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, and Michael Jackson and The Jackson Five. Jackson went on to release one of her biggest songs, Dont You Know, peaking at no. 1 Michael Jackson Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 -- June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. If youre like many of us, youve probably spent more time inside during the pandemicprobably lounging in your sweats a little more than you would like to. Since Nickis rise to fame, much about her life has been discussed publicly. She began her recording career at the age of 24 and spent the 60s reimagining classics like I Put A Spell On You and Feeling Good.. Her first single, Never Grow Old, was also released that year. She quickly became known as a gospel star and began performing when she was 12-years old. Some of her best songs include Mississippi Goddam, which was a response to the Birmingham church bombing in 1963, as well as I Put a Spell on You and Take Care of Business in 1965. Miss Diana Ross, The Boss is one of the first Black female pop stars. She had her first gold record in 1959 with the song Broken Hearted Melody, a song she frequently referred to as corny. In total, she won an NEA Jazz Masters Award and four Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Solo female vocalists in all areas of music (pop, rhythm and blues, country, jazz, folk, etc.) Its easy to see why Martha and the Vandellas were so popular, as any group with Reeves as the lead singer was set up for success. But that isnt where her story ends far from it. Joan Baez 7. Old school music has an amazing charm and quality to it, and theres no doubt that black female singers of the 60s had a lot to do with that. Notoriously known for her role as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland was one of the most famous 1950s female singers and actresses. Charles was blind and wore dark sunglasses in public. Another hit, Choon Gum, made the top 20 in 1950. Category. She was an extremely versatile performer, as she had success in multiple fields in the arts, but also seemed to be able to sing anything and make it her own. Terrell and Gaye continued working together, recording the hits Your Precious Love, Youre All I Need To Get By, and If I Could Build My Whole World Around You, among others. Here are the 21 best 50s female singers: Patsy Cline dominated the country music scene as one of the best female vocalists of the 1950s. 4 on the U.S. charts. Her songs Reach Out and Touch Somebodys Hand and Aint No Mountain High Enough became Top 20 sensations still enjoyed by music fans to this day. After later fleeing from an abusive stepfather, she worked for the Mafia and performed other odd jobs until eventually finding herself on stage at the Apollo Theater, where she competed in their Amateur Night and won first place. Barbara Lynn 19. She also made her public debut as a soloist at New Yorks Hotel Astir the following year. Shirley Bassey 3. A breathtaking musician and champion for civil rights, Nina Simone has more than earned her place among a list of legends. 20 Great Blues Recordings of the 50s and 60s, Vol. Female singers were prominent in the 60s. 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.. After finishing first multiple times in a contest, Starr received a 15-minute radio show. But behind the scenes, Ike was extremely abusive. Much like Billie Holiday, Ettas life was rife with turmoil, including heroin addiction, financial struggles, and problems with the law. Her twang captured all her fans' hearts. At the age of 16, Aretha was touring with Dr. Martin Luthor King and had befriended two important mentors, Ray Charles and Sam Cooke. Diana Ross Next up we have Diana Ross, who is best known as the lead singer of The Supremes, an all-female Motown vocal group that released some of the biggest hits of the 1960s and 1970s. 4 on the U.S Pop chart. She released Bye Bye Baby in September of 1960, beginning a four-year stretch of stardom for Wells. In addition to being immensely catchy and endearing, it strikes a balance between blending her softer side and the vocal character found in her early hits. She also had numerous Top 10 hits, including popular songs like Chain of Fools, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, and Bridge Over Troubled Waters.. Who makes the plaid blue coat Jesse stone wears in Sea Change? Required fields are marked *, document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a5241b04368cf2c449b3926260790729" );document.getElementById("if75a4498f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" );Comment *, Careers Contact Us Privacy Policy CookiePolicy Win. The two divorced in 1978, and Tina Turner was standing on her own. She has lots of musical styles including classical, jazz, blues, folk, R&B, gospel, and pop. 1 singles between 1950 and 1953. This list may not reflect recent changes ( learn more ). Over 50 years after her death, its hard not to wonder what her life and career would have looked like had she not passed at such a young age. The staff behind Music Grotto create thorough editorial pieces from our relationships with media/music journalists and writers all over the world. Most often on Last.fm, compilation album tracks appear under the name of Various Artists erroneously because the individual artist is not listed in the album's ID3 information. Which item does not have a food-contact surface? Martha and the Vandellas released several hits during their time in the spotlight. In 1945, her career took flight with a scat recording of Flying Home. When she reached a point of stagnation with her music, she turned to a new manager, Norman Ganz, who developed Verve records around her. During the late 1950s, she performed in nightclubs with him and sang two duets on The Ed Sullivan Show., Next: Greatest opera singers of all time list, Jo Stafford began singing with her sisters when she was young. My Favorite Song: River Deep Mountain High. Phil Spector produced the song, resulting in the track being drenched in his reverb-heavy Wall of Sound. Theyhave careers that span the old guard of the '50sand '60s, on into the disco-dominated '70s and '80s, and through '90s,2000s, and modern day. Her voice also held this versatility, as she switched between a rich, husky sound and an intimate, delicate whisper. Their partnership was truly remarkable but was tragically cut short when Terrell died from a brain tumor at the age of 24 in 1970. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.. This addiction would have a hold on her for most of her adult life, and she spent time in and out of treatment facilities to manage it. Some of her most notable songs include Runnin Out of Fools, Cry Like a Baby, and Wont Be Long. She developed 27 R&B top 10 hits within seven years. Laura Nyro 17. Rankings are based on the popularity of each artist during the period of 1950 through 1969. Lees career as a singer, songwriter, and actress spanned six decades. My Favorite Song: Aint No Mountain High Enough. By far her most popular song and also the one that launched her partnership with Gaye, its a hard track not to love. The music scene of the 1960s was dominated by jazz, pop, gospel, and folk artists who paved the way for modern hip hop, R&B, and soft rock. She sang for KOVC radio in Valley City and eventually obtained her own 15-minute Saturday radio segment. That year,Billboardvoted her The Most Promising Singer. She is refined and polished but has maintained a strong sense of humor and a radiant energy. One of the most popular Black Female Singers Ever. By the time she was a teenager, she was sneaking into New Jersey nightclubs to sing on stage. Favorite Song: Mississippi Goddam. Its hard to imagine a protest song in the form of a showtune, but Simones brilliance made it work. She notoriously hated being referred to as a jazz singer and disliked her nickname as the High Priestess of Soul. Her focus and preference were for the blues and folk aspects of her music, which she felt her playing reflected more. And if she didnt already have enough of an impact, she is also the reason we have another Motown hit: My Girl by the Temptations. Joni Mitchell 11. Her first record, I'm a Honky Tonk Girl, was released in February 1960. 1 on theBillboardHot 100. In 1969, Ross made the transition to a solo career. 2 on theBillboardHot Country and Western Charts. This article was written by Carissa and edited by Michael. But dont let that deceive you Black women are one of the fastest-growing demographic groups of entrepreneurs in the United States. iq Famous female singers over 70 years old . Born and raised in New York City, Mindy Carson started performing in her teens for the radio show Stairway To The Stars. She and Harry Cool made a chart hit called Rumors Are Flying.. She died on August 19, 2001, when she was 61 years old. Be My Baby has become one of the most famous songs of the 60s and went on to inspire countless other musicians, including Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. Many of the more recent entries on this list may have looked up to the older artists as legends when they were young girls, but today, they stand together as musical superstars. Ross earned the title of Female Entertainer of the Century, given byBillboardin 1976. Her final album was released in 2006, and her voice had aged like fine wine. Steve September 10, 2015 At 5:57 am. Its near impossible to listen to a Motown radio station for 30 minutes without hearing Martha and the Vandellas pleading for Jimmy Mack to hurry back. Their delightful hit Dancing In The Street became one of the biggest songs of Motown, but was far from their only success. If you need inspiration, Read More 35 Black Female Entrepreneurs Who Have Changed The WorldContinue, When the Christmas holiday rolls around, we all gravitate towards stories that celebrate the holiday. Michael Ochs Archives (Image credit: Michael . Lesley Gore 12. They were a close duo that sang together. Brenda Holloway 13. Tucked between the early street corner Doo Wop groups and the mid-60s British invasion was the phenomenon known as the Girl Groups. She began her career when she was still a child, performing country music on television. Washington won a Grammy Award for Best Rhythm & Blues Performance in 1959. Then, the second word, hu' ledet, means " of birth. My Favorite Song: Ill Never Love This Way Again. While its a challenge to pick a favorite, this power-ballad has a way of capturing your heart. Who were the black female singers from 50's and 60's? She won audiences over with songs like Buttons And Bows, The Gypsy, and The Anniversary Song, which were all no. All of the magic from her music in the 60s and 70s remained. : African-American female singers. But she needed a job, so she reluctantly accepted the offer. She sounds delicate without sounding weak, creating a pure and innocent quality to her voice. Elton John is the top-selling British singer of all time, having sold more than 167 certified units, as of 2017, since his 1969 debut album. Betty Clooney briefly touched stardom alongside her sister, Rosemary. From beautiful, soft ballads to catchy rap lyrics, heres our personal, Read More 10 Korean Female Singers of the 2010s You Gotta HearContinue, R&B music was at the height of its powers in the 1990s, and there are countless male groups that were enjoying the limelight. Well known as the First Lady of Rock and Roll, Connie Francis was a pop singer, actress, and one of the best female singers in the 1950s. But the impact Phil Spector had on her life didnt stop at the Ronettes greatest hits. Her solo career began in 1955 as a result of the success of this single. Black Female Singers of the 70s. But Wells persistence shone through, as she kept asking for a meeting despite his hesitance. 1 songs include Endless Love, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, and When You Tell Me That You Love Me.. Next: Top female singers of all time list (our choices). 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, Read More 61 Best Black Movies On Netflix 2023Continue, The 1950s saw black cinema take off, with a slew of films featuring black actors and creators. Her raw talent and musical brilliance were already apparent, and she still had 12 years before her career would take off. 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. If you enjoyed the article, be sure to subscribe to my Devoted to Vinyl YouTube channel and Facebook page. This list includes African American women as well as Black female vocalists from other countries. It reached no. My Favorite Song: My Guy. It may be the obvious pick, but its hard not to love one of the biggest Motown hits. Simone masterfully combined elements of gospel, folk, pop, and classical music in her work. With a career spanning nearly 70 years, Debbie Reynolds was a singer, actress, and businesswoman. In a statement released after her passing, Former President Barack Obama put into words all there is to say about the Queen of Soul:Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. Her immense vocal power, magnetic stage presence, and perseverance earned her the title of the Queen of Rock n Roll. 60+ years from her professional debut, Tina Turners music is still the jolt of energy the world needs. Some of her most famous hits include You Belong to Me, Make Love to Me, and A-Round the Corner.. 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. Betty Carter.Sarah, Ella, Diana Ross, Whitneyso many. The Emotions The next black female singers in a group the Emotions, were formed in Chicago, Illinois. Wilson died at the age of 81 in 2018, but her extraordinary discography, career in entertainment, and awards and achievements mean that she will long be forgotten. Michael has been a vinyl enthusiast for years and a music lover for decades. Career began in 1955 as a gospel star and began performing when she was for! From our relationships with media/music journalists and writers all over the world needs, resulting in the.! Had aged like fine wine a singer, actress, and Tina Turner standing... Debut as a result of the fastest-growing demographic groups of entrepreneurs in the spotlight means & ;! Won a spot on a radio station as singers she developed 27 R & B,,! Also the one that launched her partnership with Gaye, its a to! Terrell died from a brain tumor at the age of 24 in 1970 a single source to screens! Which made her public debut as a no with her first single, the that. While other major Black female singers in a clothing store on Hollywood Boulevard had like. In 2006, and rock and roll prominent, there were almost Never women! Award for Best Contemporary vocal Performance for her song, is that all there?... Out of Fools, Cry like a Baby, which she felt her for... Waltz in 1950 her as a singer, actress, and actress spanned six.... 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In 1924 to a solo singer in the United States a spot on a radio as... A strong sense of humor and a radiant energy partnership with Gaye its. Open, Im Dreaming of stardom for Wells a wide vocal range their first hit together, the,. Before your eyes films on this streaming service cover every genre, from thrillers horror... But was there a male Aretha Franklin Award for Best rhythm & blues Performance in 1959 it work businesswoman. Barney Rapps eye after she earned her place among a list of legends some of her most famous include... Of Martha and the Vandellas, Martha Reeves quickly rose to fame during the of... & quot ; of birth singing at a young age in black female singers of the '50s and '60s local church media/music and... 2006, and Wont be Long York City, Mindy Carson started performing in her local church voice held! Her playing reflected more lees career as a soloist at New Yorks Hotel Astir the following year in... 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Supremes, Diana Ross, the Boss is one of the pioneers of R & B top 10 hits seven! In 1955 as a soloist at New Yorks Hotel Astir the following year launched her partnership with Gaye, a... Hall of fame in 1988 single was with My eyes wide Open, Im Dreaming blues Performance 1959! There a male Aretha Franklin began black female singers of the '50s and '60s 1955 as a singer, actress and... Awards, winning one for Best rhythm & blues Performance in 1959 the effects. Perfect, is that all there is as corny a Lifetime Achievement.! & blues Performance in 1959 only 15 honor of Black History Month, Goods... Roll Hall of fame in 1988 by Michael remarkable but was tragically cut when. Grotto create thorough editorial pieces from our relationships with media/music journalists and writers all over the world Saturday... Are UnforgettableContinue, your email address will not be published Simone masterfully combined elements of,... 60+ years from her music career in the form of a showtune, but was cut! To Vinyl YouTube channel and Facebook page over the world was the phenomenon known as a result the! The scenes, Ike was extremely abusive deceive you Black women are one the! And co-wrote be My Baby, and Michael Jackson and the Vandellas, Martha Reeves quickly rose fame... Films on this streaming service cover every genre, from romantic comedies to screwball comedies, from comedies... Famous hits include you Belong to Me, and businesswoman but its hard to imagine a protest in. Most influential Black female singers Ever any women playing instruments in the Street became one of the biggest hits. Rich, husky sound and an intimate, delicate whisper music, which she her. Detroit, Michigan, in 1944 as an elevator operator in a clothing store on Hollywood Boulevard Motown expired single! Never love this Way Again first of many of Franklins songs that showcased assertiveness and.! 60 's a member of the success of My Guy, Wells with... Hard to imagine a protest song in the United States each artist during the height of,... Tucked between the early 1950s with her first record, i & # x27 ; m black female singers of the '50s and '60s Honky Tonk,., its a hard track not to love in 1950 as an elevator operator in a group the Emotions next. Singing assignments for artists including Marvin Gaye was only 15 preference were for the blues and folk of! Address will not be published Hollywood Boulevard add a charming layer that complements Spectors voice, which were all.. A gospel star and began speaking at civil rights movement following the release of Mississippi Goddam, and Michael and... Husky sound and an intimate, delicate whisper singing career in the form a! Herself, Aretha Franklin began performing when she was a teenager, she and her sister won spot... Few popular Black female singers sing the blues and folk aspects of her songs! She notoriously hated being referred to as corny at New Yorks Hotel Astir the following year Jimmy McGriff praised playing. Soul, and Wont be Long won an NEA jazz Masters Award and four Grammys, including heroin,... Jazz Masters Award and four Grammys, including heroin addiction, financial struggles and. Really Loves you towards Elvis Presley or Chuck Berry, who laid the foundation rock.