There's scarcely a person alive in the 1980s who doesn't know the name Michael Jackson. Connect your Spotify account to your Last.fm account and scrobble everything you listen to, from any Spotify app on any device or platform. These soul singers are just a tip of the iceberg as there are so many amazing soul music artists that it's impossible to just name a few. Though not strictly a duet because it's performed by a group, this 1985 song perfectly encapsulates the prototypical male-female duet format. Marvin Gaye Mick Jagger Bruce Springsteen Michael Jackson Robert Plant Bob Marley Black Male Singers of the 70s The industry owes big time to these black male singers of the 70s mentioned below. was very popular in the 80s and released many singles which topped number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, including "Careless Whisper" and "Wake Me Up Before You . 2. 100+ Best Black Singers of the 80s (Ultimate List) Genobia Jeter 679 listeners b. Washington, Washington State, U.S.A. In doing so, he crafted a syrupy but highly melodic minor classic that mines the universally affecting subjects of love, loss and longing. And although this one remains squarely in the shadow of more prominent silver screen duets of the period like "Up Where We Belong" and "Endless Love," it holds its own quite well as pleasant romantic balladry for when the credits roll. No.of hits: 11. George Michael was born June 25, 1963. During the early '80s, Kenny Rogers was the duet partner du jour for a number of female performers thanks to his massive country-pop crossover success. Bands are listed by the first letter in their name (not including the words "a", "an", or "the"), and individuals are listed by last name. But so many men of Soul have fallen by the wayside to drink, drugs, bankruptcy, ill health, some have even died. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. Why have so many male soul singers of the 80s suffered financially, mentally and health-wise decades later? And now you can hear it too, with our Spotify player below. Billy Squier. But in the 1980s, a new breed of country singer emerged from the Black community. We wanted to celebrate the music of the 80s, so over the course of several weeks, thousands of SoulTrackers nominated and then voted on the Greatest Soul Songs of the 1980s. As I mentioned Alexander O'Neal, he still tours around Europe to excited white audiences and he looks awful always carrying a handkerchief to mask his "medication" to perform. That aside, the best soul singers have dominated the charts and their importance has spanned across multiple generations and has led to multiple soul music subgenres. Music producer Jacques. Then when the relationships broke down, the men walked away with all of their money. Co-written by '80s soft rock extraordinaire Richard Marx, the tune offers serviceable enough handholding background music while also benefiting strongly from the well-matched vocal presence of Heart's Wilson and Cheap Trick's Zander. He's talked about coke addiction throughout the 80s and it has wrecked him. Michael Jackson. Male vulnerability never had it as good as this gentle acoustic ballad from 1981, which showcased two of the finest rock singers of the '70s in an inspired combination. I think he was doing cocaine and drinking well into the 00s. The 50 greatest male R&b singers of all time - IMDb Band (Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens Band) was an American funk and soul band formed in 1981 in New York City. Though there have been periods where soul has thrived more so than others, the best soul singers are widely regarded as some of the most popular figures in music history. 1 on the pop charts in 1986, Amy Grant was a big star only in Christian music circles, but her partnership with former Chicago bassist and singer Cetera produced musical ambrosia as sweet as fruit from the Garden of Eden. Album Cover Image Courtesy of Atlantic Records, Top '80s Songs of Self-Pity and Self-Absorption, 20 Best Hair Metal Ballads of the '80s and '90s, Top '80s Songs of Fleetwood Mac Singer Stevie Nicks, Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes - "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer", Lita Ford and Ozzy Osbourne - "Close My Eyes Forever", Stevie Nicks and Don Henley - "Leather and Lace", Ann Wilson and Robin Zander - "Surrender to Me", Peter Cetera and Amy Grant - "The Next Time I Fall", Phil Collins and Marilyn Martin - "Separate Lives", Patti Austin and James Ingram - "Baby Come to Me", Olivia Newton-John and Cliff Richard - "Suddenly". A pretty respectable late-'80s hair metal moment. He helped to shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, first as an in-house session player and later as a solo artist with a string of successes, earning him the nicknames . Consequently, there are a number of duets featuring that grey-bearded wonder that could easily crack this list. Here are the results of our big reader poll of the Greatest Male Soul Singers of All-Time. Their influence can't be stated enough and even today, their songs are radio staples and some the easiest identifiable songs in music history. The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 1980s | SoulTracks - Soul Music Top 80s Pop Stars: The True Artists And Their Biggest Pop Songs Nonetheless, this is doubtless an emblematic tune of the '80s, ripe for parody but also patently irresistible when it comes to a sing-along opportunity. That said, it's up to you to determine whothe best soul singers of all time are. The results were a great selection ofessential songs for Soul Music lovers. Album Cover Image Courtesy of Rhino/Warner Bros. It's since become a key source of inspiration for artists and has birthed a number of offshoot styles. 100+ Best Male Singers of the 70s ( Ultimate List ) As the result of enthusiastic fan response and serendipity, the song received a second look on the charts, climbing to No. Combining elements of jazz, R&B, and traditional gospel music, soul is a genre that became popular in the 1950s and hasn't looked back since. Keep reading as we dive into 21 of the most famous singers of the 1980s. Go to Music r/Music by [deleted] View community ranking #4 in Largest Communities. Perhaps, not many fans of this lovely, achingly slow ballad know that its songwriter is '70s pop singer-songwriter, Stephen Bishop. Here's a look, in no particular order, at some of the finest singles of the '80s featuring both-gender singing partnerships. 15 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Male Soul Singers - Hello Music Theory 1. In fact, soul singers are considered by many to be the backbone of the modern music movement. The 1980s was a great decade for soul music. During the early '80s, Kenny Rogers was the duet partner du jour for a number of female performers thanks to his massive country-pop crossover success. Combining elements of jazz, R&B, and traditional gospel music, soul is a genre that became popular in the 1950s and hasn't looked back since. Throughout the beginning of his career, Terry landed backup singing jobs for the, B. One of the greatest male singers of the 80s, Michael Jackson, is known as one of the leading cultural figures of the twentieth century. As a Black man, I know how hard the Entertainment industry can be on minorities. When this song shot to No. It sets up a dramatic scene and introduces listeners to two characters in a conflict-ridden situation. AND CLICK HERE TO SEE THE RESULTS OF OUR OTHER POLLS. Sung in generic anonymity by Joe Pizzulo (who sounds like a poor man's James Ingram) and Leza Miller the song manages to stand out in spite of its unremarkability. Want to follow this great list on Spotify? The 100+ Best Soul Singers and Groups of All Time - Ranker Dave Hogan/Getty Images. The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 1980s || Best Soul Songs of The 80's || Soul Music 80's PlaylistThe 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 1980s || Best Soul Song. Richard Jon Smith is a musician born in Cape Town, South Africa who had seven top 20 hits in South Africa between 1973 and 1980. 2 behind Prince's monolithic . Final Results! Greatest Male Soul Singers of All Time But many of them have managed to come back and work on their mind and health and perform into the 90s, 2000s and onwards. Weeks charted: 118. Cetera had already built a reputation as balladeer during the past decade with his former band, but on his first major solo release he certainly left behind all remaining vestiges of his rock and roll past. and "who is the greatest soul music musician ever?". Robert Smith & Co. quite simply produced some of the most enduring tunes of the era, a . As sung by pop superstar Phil Collins and relative unknown Marilyn Martin, the tune rises to the best of its potential precisely because it's presented in duet form, which allows for emotionally charged give-and-take between the two performers. 15 Of The Greatest And Most Famous Male Soul Singers Of All Time By Dan Farrant Last updated 19th May 2022 Soul music was born in the African American community in the mid-20th century. As such, this hit from 1980 displays far more genuine passion and compelling heartache than it has any business having - given its glossy, highly mainstream pop style. The Greatest Female Vocalists of the Past 10 Years. But more than anything else Bishop has captured a timeless melody whose permanence extends out from its solid structural qualities. Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes - "Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer". Joining with Richard, a British pop legend with plenty of pedigree himself, Newton-John delivers a silky smooth if not challenging brand of romantic pop. Naturally, it's impossible to get through a top 10 list of male-female duets without considering at least a few movie soundtrack entries. Perhaps fewer still realize just how fine a songwriter Bishop is, but this song illustrates that fact clearly. Top '80s Bands, Duos and Solo Artists From England - LiveAbout Though it may not seem obvious on the surface, soul music came from influential labels like Stax, Motown, and Atlantic Records, all of which played an important role in shaping the music business. & Q. The Best Male Artists Of The 1980s - Ranker Among the most successful Black country singers of the 1980s were Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, and Tina Turner. They have helped shape R&B, Funk, and Soul into what it is today. The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 1980s || Best Soul Songs of The 80's Contents: Top 0-9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V Wiki Shouts 80s Soul Artists Richard Jon Smith 1,857 listeners Richard Jon Smith is a musician born in Cape Town, South Africa who had seven top 20 hits in South Africa between 1973 and 1980. And yes I've seen lots of TV One's Unsung, but there are some great singers who still carry on, who just look strung out. The male-female duet works as a highly dramatic form, and perhaps that's why it's so often linked with filmed entertainment, particularly cinematic releases. The album also stuck at No. Why have so many male soul singers of the 80s suffered - Reddit While the film's title track and "Magic" are more well-known, this mid-tempo ballad arguably represents just as pleasurable a melodic experience. Though his career spanned over four decades, it was in the 1980s when Jackson achieved global fame as a solo pop artist. The emergence of now legendary solo singers like Luther and Anita, and the decade dominance by Michael and Whitney, among others, created years of fantastic new music in adult soul, funk and dance -- music that still resonates today. Jackson began at a young age as part of the popular . It's definitely one of the sexiest tunes on this list, communicating a sense of romantic longing and anticipation with the aid of a sultry groove. Top 80s soul artists | Last.fm Christopher Williams is another. Any list of soul music artists has to include names like Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Al Green, James Brown and Marvin Gaye. The appeal of pop music duets with both male and female singers has never been particularly susceptible to the rise-and-fall trends of decades or musical eras, thriving quite consistently across genres. 15)Rock me tonite 17)The stroke 32)Everybody wants you 35)In the dark 45)My kinda lover 58)Dont say you love me 68)Emotions in motion 71)Eye on you 75)All night long 75)She's a runner 80)Love is the her. B. Michael Jackson Michael Jackson - Thriller (Official 4K Video) Born in 1958, "the King of Pop" became the voice of the 80s with hit singles and popular MTV videos. Wrapping Up Top Best Male Singers of the 80s There are many great singers out there but these 10 mentioned below are considered the best of the best from the 80s. 100 Greatest Male R&B/Soul Vocalists - DigitalDreamDoor.com Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of .more A Timeline Of Michael Jackson's Relationship To The Robson Family #26 of 100 No matter how you slice it, soul music artists are widely important and their rollicking, soulful songs are part of the great American songbook. All rights reserved. Only soul singers and groups. 's" in the U.K.) is a male Japanese rock band formed in Tokyo in 1982. Though there have been periods where soul has thrived more so than others, the best soul singers are widely regarded as some of the most popular figures in music history. The emergence of now legendary solo singers like Luther and Anita, and the decade dominance by Michael and Whitney, among others, created years of fantastic new music in adult soul, funk and dance -- music that still resonates today. If an artist is known for their brand of soul music, then they can be added. 1 in early 1983. Stevie Wonder Soundtrack | The Woman in Red He still does various performances but the voice is not the same and looks older than he is. His 30-plus platinum Thriller album hit shelves in 1982 and included the classics "Beat It," "Billie Jean," and, of course, "Thriller." 15 Of The Most Famous Male Singers Of The 1980s - Hello Music Theory This makes up quite nicely for the relatively vapid lyrics that don't really say much, as the main attraction clearly turns out to be the pleasing way hard rock legends Ford (worlds away from her '70s stint in The Runaways) and Ozzy Osbourne actually sound together. List of soul musicians - Wikipedia Top '80s Pop Singles Featuring Male-Female Duets - LiveAbout This list answers the questions "who are the best soul music bands of all time?" Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. (known professionally as Marvin Gaye; April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. Genobia Jeter is the niece of legendary gospel performer Reverend Julius Cheeks and cousin of disco diva, AB'S (often written "A.B. It's difficult to remember this once the slick and almost soul-free production kicks in, but this is decidedly adult material even if most of the starch is taken out of it. Still, '80s music contains some particularly memorable examples of this phenomenon. The first was called, American studio/disco group Hi-Gloss, formed as studio project by Prelude Records producer Giuliano Salerni. Album Cover Image Courtesy of RCA Records, Album Cover Image Courtesy of Reprise Records, Album Cover Image Courtesy of A&M Records, Album Cover Image Courtesy of Capitol Records. 100+ Best Male Singers of the 80s ( Ultimate List ) After scarcely scraping the lower edge of the Top 40 in 1982, the tune was resurrected as love scene accompaniment for the ABC soap opera General Hospital. George Michael. So, who are the best soul singers? He was originally part of his own group called Wham!, which included Andrew Ridgeley, who is also known as Ridge. I know that the women of Soul in the 80s were often in marriages or serious relationships where their partners managed all of their record deals, concerts and general finances. List of soul musicians This is a list of soul musicians who have either been influential within the genre, or have had a considerable amount of fame. Consequently, there are a number of duets featuring that grey-bearded wonder that could easily crack this list. A consummate musician, dancer, and entertainer, he dominated the decade with his style and onstage charisma. The song's haunting, arpeggiated acoustic guitar opening may be the key to its success, as it allows both singers to display a gift for balladry they're not really known for. If you can get past the sappy lyrics and the annoying fact that the artist name obscures the actual singers of the song, this 1983 smash hit ballad brings back the '80s memories in a gush of sticky sweetness. 21 Of The Most Famous Singers Of The 1980s - Hello Music Theory Although best known for contributions to a narrow '80s perception of Goth rock music and fashion, this highly versatile group unfortunately and too often escapes proper accolades for its devotion to songcraft. Wham! The Cure circa 1987. 21 Best 80s Male Singers - Music Grotto Men like Luther Vandross, Christopher Williams, Alexander O'Neal, etc. Edited By: Sampson Last Updated: 2016-07-16 Newly added names are in Red However, we choose this onebecause Rogers' chemistry with the previously all-pop Kim Carnes (who also co-wrote the song) is surprisingly engaging. . 1. If you like soul music and know soul music artists, then feel free to cast your vote on this list. In this case, the rather disastrous 1980 film provided an appropriate arena for a number of hit songs by its star, Newton-John. If you want to see the results of our other polls, just click here. 1 Michael Jackson 53 votes Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. Bruce Springsteen. And although overwrought love songs and sickly sweet ballads tend to be the order of the day for such star pairings, sometimes the combination of voices and memorable melodies helps transform the occasion into something more. The 100 Greatest Soul Songs of the 1980s Share this article The 1980s was a great decade for soul music. 100 Greatest Male R&B/Soul Vocalists Home Music Lists Male R&B/Soul Vocalists Criteria: Male R&B/Soul Vocalists are rated by their ability, in their prime, for their vocal range, vocal power, ability to convey emotion in their songs, vocal versatility, and uniqueness. The saving grace must be the memorable melodic rush of the verse and the payoff of the chorus, which some years back earned official semi-immortality through an appearance in a GEICO television commercial. Is this just the music industry or more on the personal lives of the singers?