Famous Folk Music Artists You Need to Know

Here are five famous folk music artists you need to know. These artists have made a significant impact on the genre and are worth your time to check out.

Woody Guthrie

Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Guthrie was an American singer-songwriter, one of the most significant figures in American folk music; his compositions include “This Land Is Your Land”. Many of his recorded songs are archived in the Library of Congress. His melody for “This Land Is Your Land” is recognized as one of the most original and distinctive melodies in twentieth century popular music.

Lead Belly

Huddie William Ledbetter, better known as Lead Belly, was a folk and blues musician notable for his strong vocal delivery and the use of his twelve-string guitar. He is credited with popularizing many songs, including “Midnight Special” and “Goodnight, Irene”. He also wrote songs about injustice, folklore, and religion. His recordings were later released by Folkways Records, becoming an important part of the American folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s.

The Weavers

Formed in 1948, The Weavers were one of the first Folk groups to have mainstream appeal. The group’s sound was based on traditional Folk songs, but they also included elements of Gospel and Jazz. The Weavers had a string of hits in the early 1950s, including “Goodnight Irene” and “On Top of Old Smokey.” The group’s popularity began to decline in the late 1950s, but they reformed in the early 1960s and continued to perform and record until 1963.

Joan Baez

Joan Baez is a folk music legend. She has been influential in both the folk music and protest movements. Her music is known for its simple yet powerful lyrics. Baez is also a skilled guitarist and has a clear, beautiful singing voice. She has released over 30 albums and has toured extensively throughout her career.

Simon and Garfunkel

Simon and Garfunkel were an American folk rock duo consisting of singer-songwriter Paul Simon and singer Art Garfunkel. They were one of the most popular groups of the 1960s and are best known for their hits “The Sound of Silence”, “Bridge over Troubled Water” and “The Boxer”. Their career ended abruptly due to personal differences and they never worked together again.

Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young

Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young was a vocal folk rock supergroup made up of American singer-songwriters David Crosby and Stephen Stills, and English singer-songwriters Graham Nash and Neil Young. They were known for their intricate vocal harmonies, often tumultuous interpersonal relationships, political activism, and lasting influence on American music and culture.

Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is a Canadian singer-songwriter who is widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Her unique and distinctive voice has influenced countless other artists, and her songwriting has earned her both critical acclaim and commercial success. Born in Fort Macleod, Alberta, in 1943, Mitchell began playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager. She moved to Toronto in 1964 to pursue a career in music, and her first album, Song to a Seagull, was released in 1968.

Mitchell’s subsequent albums, including Clouds (1969), Ladies of the Canyon (1970), Blue (1971), and For the Roses (1972), cemented her reputation as one of the most significant songwriters of her generation. Over the course of her career, Mitchell has explored a wide range of musical styles, from folk to jazz to pop. Her experiments with different genres and sounds have helped to expand the possibilities of what can be achieved with the acoustic guitar, and she is now recognized as one of the instrument’s most accomplished players. In 1997, Mitchell was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; in 2002, she was awarded the Polar Music Prize; and in 2007, she was presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

James Taylor

James Taylor is a popular American singer-songwriter and guitarist. Born in 1948, he started his musical career in the 1960s and has since released more than 20 albums. He is best known for his songs “Fire and Rain,” “How Sweet It Is,” and “Carolina in My Mind.” Taylor has won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, author, artist, and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. He has been nominated for Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe Awards. His song “Blowin’ in the Wind” has been covered by over 600 artists, making it one of the most popular songs of all time. Dylan’s other hits include “Like a Rolling Stone,” “Forever Young,” and “A Hard Rain’s a-Gonna Fall.”