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5 most recognizable voices in American music?

While watching CNNs Larry King interview Johnny Cash a few days ago, I commented to my wife that Johnny Cash probably has one of the five most recognizable voices in American music today. My wife agreed and then asked "Well who are the other four?" After some discussion, we came up with our nominations (in no particular order):

Johnny Cash
Elvis Presley
Ray Charles
Barbra Streisand
Louie Armstrong

This question probably assumes that the singer is quite famous and that their music has been around quite awhile-- or they became really famous really fast. We'd be interested in knowing what other A'Gon members think about these five, or others you would nominate instead for this "top five"? Thanks. Craig
garfish
tok20000's avatar
tok20000
608 posts
 
I hate saying this, but I would toss of Babs and put Michael Jackson up there. I think just about everyone on the planet bought his Thriller album, and people can recongnize his voice extremely readily.

KF
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
Your list is definitely many famous voices, but of American music today? Maybe American music yesterday. I'll still agree with 'The King', however I may modernize the list just a tad.
(No particular order)

Elvis Presley
Bob Dylan
Bruce Springsteen
James Taylor
Paul McCartney

I'm not saying these are better voices, or even top favorites of mine (some are), but I think if you're talking about most recognizable voices in music TODAY, I feel these voices would be more recognizable to a larger portion of the general public today.

Regards,
John
swampwalker's avatar
swampwalker
5,138 posts
 
Bob Dylan has gotta be on that list. And I wouldn't be surprised if coast to coast, Reba McIntire or Shania Twain were on that list. There's a whole lotta ground between east and west.
wmcmanus's avatar
wmcmanus
171 posts
 
The word "today" has me hung up a bit. Recognizable today? Many of today's ears have never heard the King, the Boss, JT or even MJ! The good news is that some of them were fortunate enough to have missed Madonna and Cyndi Lauper (for years, I thought they were the same person - no, just kidding).

At age 40, my ears are slightly older than the average ears that are tuning into the FM waves these days, so I'd keep Elvis, and add Frank Sinatra, Bob Marley, Britany and the "Beatles" - yes, lots of young folks recognize the Beatles but cannot name the individuals... sad!!! Interesting how 'American music' includes Bob Marley and Paul McCartney.
garfish OP
1,840 posts
 
I thought this could be be a "generational" thing to some extent-- and my wife and I are pushing the 6th decade. As for the word "today"-- maybe a bad choice-- what I'm trying to get at are the most recognizable singing voices by the general public in America. They could be foreign singers that are popular here.

But even as an old codger, I heartily agree w/Tok2000 that M. Jackson is a strong contender, also Bob Dylan, and how could I forget "Old Blue Eyes" Frank Sinatra. Craig
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