The Famous Pop Artists Who Changed Music
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These are the stories of the famous pop artists who changed the course of music history.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band that became internationally famous in the 1960s. They are widely regarded as the most influential band of all time. The band members were John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. They are often credited with helping to shape the pop music genre and they were a huge influence on subsequent musicians.
Their early years
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. With members John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, they became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential band in history. Rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several musical styles, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements in innovative ways. In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication following their initial success, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they came to be perceived by many fans as pop culture ambassadors of the United Kingdom.
The Beatles built their reputation playing clubs in Liverpool and Hamburg over a three-year period from 1960, with Stuart Sutcliffe initially serving as bass player. The core lineup of Lennon, McCartney, Harrison and Starr appeared together for the last time on 22 August 1969 at a live performance directed by Paul McCartney who had decided that he wanted to leave the group due to personal differences with John Lennon.
Their influence on music
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group became widely regarded as the foremost and most influential music band in history. Rooted in skiffle, beat and 1950s rock and roll, the Beatles later experimented with several genres, ranging from pop ballads and Indian music to psychedelia and hard rock, often incorporating classical elements in innovative ways. In 1963 their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, the band were a major influence on popular culture of the time.
Their clothes, hairstyles, and statements sent young people a powerful message that they didn’t need to conform to society’s expectations; they could be themselves. The Beatles encouraged their fans to question authority, think for themselves, and stand up for what they believed in. The world is still feeling the effects of their cultural revolution today.
Their solo years
In 1970, the Beatles officially broke up and each member pursued solo careers. John Lennon released his first album, John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, in December 1970. The album was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of the greatest albums of all time. Paul McCartney released his first solo album, McCartney, in April 1970. The album was also a critical and commercial success, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart. George Harrison released his first solo album, All Things Must Pass, in November 1970. The album was a critical and commercial success, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard 200 chart. Ringo Starr released his first solo album, Sentimental Journey, in September 1970. The album was not as successful as the other three solo albums, but still managed to reach the top ten of the Billboard 200 chart.
Elvis Presley
Pop music would not be what is today without Elvis Presley. He brought a new sound and style that was unique and fresh. Elvis was able to cross racial barriers and his music was enjoyed by all. He is considered the King of Rock and Roll and his influence is still felt today.
His early years
Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi. He and his parents, Gladys and Vernon Presley, moved to Memphis, Tennessee when Elvis was 13 years old. There, he attended Humes High School, where he is remembered as a polite and well-liked student who helped out with the school annual.
Elvis’s musical talent was evident early on. He sang in church and even won a talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show in Tupelo in 1945. When he was just 18 years old, he signed his first recording contract with Sun Records. In 1956, his popularity exploded with the release of “Heartbreak Hotel,” which shot to the top of the music charts.
During his career, Elvis released dozens of chart-topping hits including “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Suspicious Minds.” He also appeared in 33 movies, most notably Love Me Tender (1956), Jailhouse Rock (1957), and King Creole (1958). In 1968, he returned to television with a special that came to be known as the “‘68 Comeback Special.”
On August 16, 1977, at the age of 42, Elvis Presley died at his Graceland home in Memphis from heart failure brought on by years of drug abuse. Though he had been increasingly absent from the public eye in his later years, Presley remained an iconic figure in American pop culture long after his death.
His influence on music
Elvis Presley is considered one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. He was a vital presence in music and culture for over three decades, first as a Southern rock and roll singer in the 1950s, then as a superstar solo artist in the 1960s, and finally as a leading actor in Hollywood movies during the 1970s. Presley’s influence extends well beyond music. In addition to his music, he also left a considerable mark on fashion,language,and popular culture.
His later years
Elvis Presley’s career had begun to flag by the early 1970s. Increasingly unhappy with his lot, he entered into a self-destructive period that lasted until his death in 1977.
During this time, he became addicted to prescription drugs, gained enormous amounts of weight, and became increasingly reclusive. His live performances were often sloppy, and he was no longer the powerhouse vocalist he once was. Nevertheless, he continued to record and tour throughout the 1970s, despite declining popularity and poor health.
In 1977, Elvis Presley died at the age of 42 from a drug-related heart attack. His death sent shockwaves through the music world and sparked an outpouring of grief from fans around the world. He was buried in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Dubbed the “King of Pop”, he was one of the most popular entertainers in the world, and was the best-selling music artist during the year of his death. Jackson’s contributions to music, dance, and fashion, along with his publicized personal life, made him a global figure in popular culture for over four decades.
His early years
Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana, and raised in the Chicago suburb of Hazel Crest. He was the eighth of ten children in the Jackson family, a working-class African-American family living in a two-bedroom house on Jackson Street. His mother, Katherine Esther (née Scruse), was a devout Jehovah’s Witness. His father, Joseph Walter “Joe” Jackson, a former boxer, was a steel mill worker who later became a successful talent manager. Joe recognized Michael’s singing talent early on and started training him when he was young. At the age of five he made his debut at his father’s nightclub The Jacksons 5.
His influence on music
Michael Jackson is often referred to as the “King of Pop”. He is one of the most commercially successful and influential artists of all time. His 1982 album “Thriller” is the best-selling album of all time and his other albums, “Off the Wall”, “Bad”, and “Dangerous” have all been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Jackson’s unique style, coupled with his incredible dancing and singing ability, helped him to become one of the most popular entertainers in the world. He has influenced a generation of musicians and his legacy continues to live on through his music.
His later years
Michael Jackson’s later years were marked by increasingly erratic behavior, public scandal, and accusations of child sexual abuse. In 2005, he was tried and acquitted of child sexual abuse charges. However, his reputation was badly damaged, and he increasingly retreated from the public eye. In 2009, Jackson died of a drug overdose at the age of 50.
