5 most recognizable voices in American music?

Wmcmanus: "Interesting" is right - "American" most certainly does *not* include Bob Marley (Jamaican) or any of The Beatles (British). No matter where they eventually came to live after their careers and importance were already assured, they were the artistic products of not only their times, but of their formative surroundings, and America cannot rightfully claim them, despite being the birthplace of rock & roll.

Hi, Craig:

Interesting idea behind your post. I think that, as already noted, the choice of the 5 most recognizable (not the same thing as most famous) singers in American music will have a strong generational bias. Having said that, I think the 5 singers you listed are sufficiently well known to almost all Americans that they constitute the "foundation".

I'll nominate the following additional singers for consideration as among the "most recognizable" (again, not the same thing as famous):
1. Billie Holiday (certainly recognized by all jazz enthusiasts)
2. Ella Fitzgerald
3. Willie Nelson
4. Frank Sinatra
5. Bing Crosby

There are some other names that might also qualify, although some are not Americans, such as Mick Jagger. I can't help think of singers with very recognizable voices such as Roy Orbison, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, etc., although they probably don't qualify as among the "top 5". There are other people with very distinctive voices who, three decades or so ago, might have been included on this list, such as Mahalia Jackson, Sarah Vaughn, Little Richard, and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Get rid of Barbra and put in Willie Nelson. Still Enjoying your 5s Craig? I just recently sold the 3s and bought ML Prodigys. there was just something about panel speakers that i missed. I did make sure that the 3s went to a good home.

Is recognizable the only criteria? To who? Just about anyone? Then how about Elvis, Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Louis Armstrong.

Bob Dylan has to be one of the top five. Depending on ones age, I agree with Michael Jackson - probably replaces Ray Charles. In the pop world (at least if the song is White Christmas)Bing Crosby probably replaces Streisand.