Famous American Vocalists

Singer, songwriter, and musician Chris Cornell rose to fame as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. One of the key figures of the 1990s grunge movement, he also had a successful solo career. Unfortunately, he suffered from depression and died of suicide at the peak of his career.

Considered the prototypical rock star, Jim Morrison remains one of the most influential singer-songwriters, almost five decades after his death. Jim influenced the counterculture of the 1960s as he embodied the hippie counterculture rebellion. Due to his erratic performances and wild personality, he is regarded as one of the most iconic frontmen in rock history.

A rock icon and creator of sprit-lifting songs, Thomas Earl Petty was one of the defining musicians of the 1970s and the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Writing songs and creating music up till his last breath, Petty is noted for positivity and self- liberation themed songs, a rarity in rock music.

Louis Armstrong was an American trumpeter and singer who played an important role in the development of jazz. Thanks to his playing, trumpet became known as a solo instrument and jazz, which was previously known as a collectively improvised folk music, became a soloist's art form. Not surprisingly, Louis Armstrong is widely accepted as the embodiment of jazz. 

Elizabeth Gillies is a popular American actress and singer who started her acting career at the age of 15 when she was cast to play the character of Lucy in the Broadway musical 13. She then went on to establish herself as an actress in the American film and TV industry, thanks to her hard work and skills.

Vince Neil, lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Mötley Crüe, had a successful solo career too, with albums such as Tattoos & Tequila. He owns several businesses, including a tattoo parlor and a vineyard. He was imprisoned for vehicular manslaughter in the death of Hanoi Rocks drummer Razzle.

Bonnie Raitt is a singer-songwriter, guitarist, and activist. Despite little commercial success at the beginning of her career, Raitt remained persistent until she had her first major hit in 1989. She has been named in Rolling Stone magazine's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time and 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time lists. She also supports organizations like Little Kids Rock.

Maria von Trapp was the matriarch of the Austrian singing family, Trapp Family Singers. As a young woman, she married widowed naval commander Georg von Trapp. He already had seven children from his first wife, and the couple had three more. The family began singing together at events and became a popular touring act called the Trapp Family Singers. 

Chet Baker was an American vocalist and jazz trumpeter. He achieved recognition during the 1950s and his innovations within cool jazz, a style of modern jazz music, earned him the nickname prince of cool. However, his drug addiction overshadowed much of his professional achievements. His life and work inspired the 2015 drama film Born to Be Blue.

Julian Casablancas is an American record producer, singer, and songwriter. He is credited with co-founding the rock band The Strokes. Thanks to his success as a singer and songwriter, Casablancas has inspired many other musicians, such as Alex Turner. In 2004, Courtney Love released a song about Julian Casablancas titled But Julian, I'm a Little Bit Older Than You.

Normani Hamilton is an American dancer and singer. Hamilton, who was part of the popular girl group Fifth Harmony, has won several awards, such as BMI Awards and iHeartRadio Music Awards. Also a philanthropist, Hamilton has been involved with charities like the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. Since 2017, she has been serving as a global ambassador for the American Cancer Society.

Lita Ford is an English-born American vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. She is best known as the lead guitarist for The Runaways, a now-defunct rock band. Also a humanitarian, Ford took part in a cooking television game show titled Chopped in an attempt to raise $10,000 for her charity. In the 2010 film The Runaways, Ford was played by Scout Taylor-Compton.

Kali Uchis is an American singer who sings in English and Spanish languages. Uchis achieved international recognition after the release of her hit debut studio album Isolation. Over the course of her career, Kali Uchis has received several prestigious awards such as the Grammy Award, Billboard Music Award, and American Music Award.

Ethel Rosenberg was an American citizen who was convicted along with Julius Rosenberg of spying in favor of the Soviet Union. Ethel and Julius were convicted of passing top-secret information about sonar, radar, valuable nuclear weapon designs, and jet propulsion engines to the Soviet Union. Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were executed by the American government in 1953.

Wes Borland is a rock musician best known for his association with the popular rock band, Limp Bizkit. Borland is also credited with co-founding an experimental metal band named Big Dumb Face. Known for his elaborate visual appearance, Borland often wears a mask while performing. He was named in the Top 100 Guitarists of All Time list by the magazine Total Guitar.