The Most Popular Pop Music Artists of All Time
Contents
A look at the most popular pop music artists of all time, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, and the Beatles.
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band that became wildly popular in the 1960s. They are widely regarded as the most influential band of all time. The Beatles were a cultural phenomenon, and their popularity led to them being referred to as “the Fab Four”.
Their early years
The Beatles were an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The group, whose best-known line-up comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr, are regarded as the most influential band of all time. With a sound rooted in skiffle and 1950s rock and roll, they later utilised several genres, ranging from pop ballads to psychedelic rock, often incorporating classical and other elements in innovative ways. They also became known for their elaborate stage shows and film roles.
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 trio of Lennon, McCartney and Harrison, together since 1958, went through a succession of drummers until 1962 when Starr joined them for good. By early 1964 they had become international stars due to the immense popularity of their first LP record, Please Please Me. They acquired the nickname “the Fab Four” as Beatlemania grew in Britain the next year; by early 1964 it had spread across the Atlantic to America where their first film A Hard Day’s Night (1964) and second album Beatles for Sale (1964) also became commercial successes. From 1965 onwards recording demands plus frequent concert tours meant that they had little time to devote to writing songs during 1965–66; as a result they began sourcing songs from professional songwriters beyond their personal circle of friends Me Please (1963), With the Beatles (1963), AHard Day’s Night (1964), Beatles for Sale (1964), Help! (1965), Rubber Soul (1965), Revolver(1966), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band(1967), The Beatles(1968) – soon became better known as pop artists rather than just a rock band. As performers they were much more effective on stage than on screen; director Richard Lester said that he used them “like actors” each playing tightly defined characters.”
Their popularity
The Beatles became popular because they wrote great songs that connected with a wide audience. They also had a unique sound that was different from anything else that was being produced at the time. In addition, they were very good at promoting themselves and making sure that their music was heard by as many people as possible.
Their influence
The Beatles were an English rock band that became arguably the most successful act of the 20th century. They contributed to music, film, literature, fashion and art. Their influence on popular culture and the wider world has been extensive. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr were variously known as the Fab Four, the Beatles and just “the Beatles”, by fans and the general public.
In 1963, their enormous popularity first emerged as “Beatlemania”; as the group’s music grew in sophistication in subsequent years, led by primary songwriters Lennon and McCartney, they came to be perceived as an embodiment of the ideals shared by the era’s sociocultural revolutions.
Michael Jackson
You would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Jackson’s career spanned four decades, and he released some of the best-selling and most iconic pop albums of all time. From his early days with the Jackson 5 to his solo work, Jackson was a force to be reckoned with in the world of pop music.
His early years
Michael Jackson was born on August 29, 1958, in Gary, Indiana. 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 father, Joseph Jackson, had been a guitarist but was forced to give up his musical ambitions following his marriage to Katherine Esther Scruse.
Katherine had eight children from her previous marriage before she met Joseph and she gave birth to two more children after they wed – Michael and Janet. Joseph worked hard at a number of jobs to support his large family but he also had a temper and he often physically and emotionally abused his wife and children. Michael later said that his father instilled a fear of God in him and that he would often tell him, “You’re not going to amount to anything.”
Despite the abuse, Michael credits his father for his success, saying that he was the one who drove him to be the best. “If it wasn’t for my dad,” he said, “I’d probably be with my mom at home watching television.”
When he was five years old, Michael made his debut with his brothers Jackie, Tito, and Jermaine as part of The Jackson 5 on the local TV talent show “Star Seekers.” The group went on to tour the Midwest throughout the late 1960s and they began releasing records in 1969. Their first album, “Diana Ross Presents The Jackson 5,” included their hit single “I Want You Back.”
The group became increasingly successful throughout the early 1970s with hits like “ABC,” “The Love You Save,” and “Never Can Say Goodbye.” Their popularity continued to grow when they signed with CBS Records in 1975 and released their fourth album, “Destiny,” which included the hits “Enjoy Yourself” and ” Shake Your Body (Down To The Ground).”
His popularity
Michael Jackson’s Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. Michael Joseph Jackson was an American professional singer, songwriter, and dancer. He was referred to as the “King of Pop” and was one of the most influential entertainers of his time. His 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 influence
Jackson’s album Thriller is the best-selling album of all time. Off the Wall, Bad, Dangerous, and HIStory: Past, Present and Future, Book I also rank among the world’s best-selling albums. He is one of the few artists to have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice and was also inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Dance Hall of Fame as the only pop artist. His other achievements include multiple Guinness World Records, 13 Grammy Awards (26 nominations), 26 American Music Awards (more than any other artist, including the “Artist of the Century” and “Artist of the 1980s”), 24 Billboard Music Awards (more than any other artist), and received a gold record from the Recording Industry Association of America for 100 million units shipped. Jackson is one of only two artists in history to receive five diamond awards for albums with sales over 100 million copies each—the other is Mariah Carey. Jackson has won hundreds of awards throughout his lifetime, making him the most awarded recording artist in music history.
Madonna
Madonna is one of the most popular pop music artists of all time. She has achieved massive success with her unique blend of dance, pop, and rock music. Madonna has sold over 300 million records and has won numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.
Her early years
Madonna Louise Ciccone was born on August 16, 1958, in Bay City, Michigan. The third child of eight, she was raised in a close-knit Catholic family. Her mother died when Madonna was six years old, and her father later remarried. Madonna began taking dance and piano lessons at an early age. As a teenager, she moved to New York City to pursue a career in modern dance.
In 1977, Madonna signed with Sire Records and released her first single, “Everybody.” The following year she released her self-titled debut album, which included the hits “Holiday” and “Lucky Star.” Over the next few years, Madonna became one of the most successful pop music artists of all time. She released a series of groundbreaking albums, including Like a Virgin (1984), True Blue (1986), Ray of Light (1998), and Confessions on a Dance Floor (2005). Madonna also starred in several successful films, including Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Dick Tracy (1990), A League of Their Own (1992), and Evita (1996).
Her popularity
Madonna is one of the most popular pop music artists of all time. She has released numerous hit songs and albums over the course of her career, and has been praised by both fans and critics alike.
Madonna first gained popularity in the 1980s with her debut album, Madonna. The album spawned several hit singles, including “Like a Virgin” and “Material Girl.” Madonna’s follow-up album, Like a Prayer, was even more successful, selling over seven million copies worldwide. The album included the hit title track as well as other popular singles such as “Express Yourself” and “Cherish.”
In the 1990s, Madonna released a number of other successful albums, including Erotica, Bedtime Stories, and Ray of Light. These albumscontained many hits songs, such as “Erotica,” “Bedtime Story,” and “Frozen.” Madonna also ventured into acting during this decade, appearing in films such as Evita and Dick Tracy.
Since the turn of the millennium, Madonna has continued to release successful albums, including Music, American Life, Confessions on a Dance Floor, Hard Candy, MDNA, Rebel Heart, and Madame X. Her most recent album Madame X debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, making it her ninth album to reach the top spot on this chart. Madonna has also embarked on several world tours throughout her career, including the highly successful Sticky & Sweet Tour and MDNA Tour.
Her influence
Madonna is often cited as an influence by other artists. In particular, she has been credited as a major influence on the development of the pop music genre. Rolling Stone magazine wrote that “Madonna changed popular culture in a way that no artist since Elvis Presley, the Beatles or Mick Jagger has done.” Time magazine stated that “after two decades, she is still the closest thing pop music has to a sure thing.” In 2012, Billboard magazine ranked Madonna at number three on their list of the Top 100 Greatest Pop Artists of All-Time.
Elvis Presley
Popular music is constantly changing, but there are some artists who have transcended time and remained popular for decades. One of these artists is Elvis Presley. Elvis Presley was one of the most popular singers of his time and is still one of the most popular singers today.
His early years
Elvis Presley was born on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys Presley (née Smith) and Vernon Presley (Vernon Elvis Presley). In 1948, Elvis and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee. His music career began there in 1954, when he recorded a song with producer Sam Phillips at Sun Records.
His popularity
There is no doubt that Elvis Presley was and still is the most popular pop music artist of all time. His career started in 1954 when he signed his first record contract with Sun Records. It was there that he recorded his first hit song, “That’s All Right.” From there, he went on to have a string of hits including “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog,” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” He appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1956 and was an instant sensation.
Elvis’s popularity continued to grow throughout the 1960s. He starred in a number of successful movies including “Love Me Tender,” ” GI Blues,” and “Viva Las Vegas.” In 1968, he made a comeback with his television special, “Elvis.” The special featured him singing a mix of old and new songs and was a huge success. It is often credited with helping to boost his career.
Elvis continued to tour and perform throughout the 1970s. Sadly, he died in 1977 at the age of 42. However, his legacy continues on. His music is still popular today and he is considered one of the most influential musicians of all time.
His influence
Elvis Presley is often considered the most important figure in 20th century popular culture. He had a versatility and appeal that crossed class, racial, and cultural lines, and his music came to be an international language that bridged the gap between generations. His influence was so vast that he has been referred to as the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” or simply “The King”.
Elvis’ success in the 1950s was a major factor in breaking down racial barriers in the entertainment industry across the United States. One of his most famous concerts was held in 1957 at New York’s sucked Madison Square Garden, where he was accompanied by African American musicians Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on bass. This concert helped Elvis break down the color barrier for future artists like Little Richard, Chuck Berry, James Brown, and Aretha Franklin.
Elvis also had an enormous impact on fashion. His style was a perfect mix of rebelliousness and sex appeal, which teenagers all over America gravitated towards. His signature look – tight jeans, slicked-back hair, and a flashy shirt – would go on to inspire future generations of rock stars like Mick Jagger, David Bowie, and Freddie Mercury.
Even though Elvis passed away in 1977, his influence is still felt today. He continues to be one of the best-selling music artists of all time, and his image is still instantly recognizable around the world.
