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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.
Considered one of the greatest rock stars, Bruce Springsteen’s catalogue of songs over many decades is unparalleled. His fame skyrocketed in 1975 after the release of his third album, Born to Run, and it reached dizzying heights with his seventh album, Born in the USA, in 1984. He was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999.
The co-founder of the popular band No Doubt, Gwen Stefani is a famous singer, songwriter, and record producer. One of the most decorated singer-songwriters, Stefani was ranked 13th in VH1's list of 100 Greatest Women in Music in 2012. Having sold over 30 million albums worldwide, she is also one of the most successful female artists.
Sting is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. Credited with co-founding the popular rock band, The Police, Sting played an important role in the band's success from 1977 to 1984 during which he served as the band's bassist, lead singer, and principal songwriter. Also known for his work as an activist, Sting has shown interest in political and social issues.
John Lennon was part of the hugely successful and popular music band, Beatles. It became the first British band to break out big in the US. However, they eventually broke up. Subsequently, Lennon went solo, with 1971 album, Imagine, being his most successful and acclaimed post-Beatles efforts. Sadly he was shot dead by a deranged fan in New York.
Born Marvin Lee Aday, rock singer Meat Loaf was best known for his Bat Out of Hell trilogy. Famous for his wide-ranging voice and theatrical live shows, this Grammy-winning performer also appeared in over 50 movies and television shows.
One half of the popular musical duo Simon & Garfunkel, Paul Simon is a singer-songwriter, musician, and actor. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters of all time. His career, which has spanned more than 60 years, has been so influential that Time named him among the 100 People Who Shaped the World in 2006.
Chuck Berry was an American singer-songwriter. Referred to as the Father of Rock and Roll, Berry is credited with pioneering rock and roll music. He is also credited with influencing the attitude with which the rock music lifestyle is usually associated. Also revered for his guitaring skills, Berry is often included in lists like the Greatest Artists of All Time.
Brian Johnson is an English singer and songwriter. Johnson is credited with founding the popular rock band Geordie. Famous for his strong North East England accent and distinctive singing voice, he also played a major role in the success of the band AC/DC over the course of his career. Apart from music, Johnson supports the Yorkshire Dementia Charity.
John Mellencamp, also known as Johnny Cougar and John Cougar, has earned 13 Grammy nominations, winning one. He co-founded Farm Aid and helped raise funds for farmers through concerts. With 22 Top 40 hits in his kitty, he has also held painting exhibitions and acted in and directed movies.
English musician, Thom Yorke, is the main vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Radiohead. He is a multi-instrumentalist as well. Active in the music industry for over 35 years, he performs both as part of his band and as a solo artist. He is a human rights activist and also supports animal rights, environmental and anti-war causes.
Nico was a German musician, singer, and songwriter. Her work continues to serve as an inspiration to several musicians like Björk, Morrissey, and the English rock band The Cure. In 2017, Susanna Nicchiarelli directed Nico's biographical film titled Nico, 1988. Also an actress, Nico appeared in many films, including Andy Warhol's experimental underground film Chelsea Girls.
Mark Farner is a singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known as the frontman and lead guitarist for the band Grand Funk Railroad. He has also collaborated with numerous prominent musicians, including Terry Knight, Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, and Dave Mason. Later in his career, he reinvented himself as a contemporary Christian musician.
Apart from being a popular post-punk musician who soared to fame with the band The Teardrop Explodes, Julian Cope has also been a self-styled occultist and a cosmic shaman. Apart from penning volumes on musicology and archaeology, he has also written a fiction novel and a 2-volume memoir.
Maja Ivarsson is a Swedish singer best known as the lead vocalist of the popular indie rock band The Sounds. She achieved international recognition in 2006 when she was featured in Cobra Starship's single Snakes on a Plane (Bring It), which was used in the popular American action film Snakes on a Plane.
Slavi Trifonov is a Bulgarian musician, TV host, and politician. An exponent of folklore music, Trifonov is credited with popularizing the traditional Bulgarian folk. He is also credited with founding a music band called Ku-Ku where he has performed as the frontman. Slavi Trifonov is also known for hosting a TV show called Late Night Show with Slavi Trifonov.
Mariusz Duda is a Polish composer and musician best known for co-founding the popular progressive rock band Riverside where he performs as a vocalist and bassist. Mariusz Duda is also credited with founding a progressive rock side-project called Lunatic Soul, which has released successful albums like Fractured, Under the Fragmented Sky, and Through Shaded Woods.
Jordan Luck is a Canadian-born New Zealand singer and songwriter. He is best known as the former lead singer of the popular rock band, The Exponents. After the disbandment of The Exponents, Jordan Luck went on to form his own eponymous band. In 2007, he became the first person to be inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.
A cultural icon of the new wave movement in Yugoslav music, Serbian musician Srđan Šaper started as a founder member of the iconic rock band Idoli. He also appeared in the hit movie Davitelj protiv davitelja and originated the series BESA. He later established the successful advertising agency McCann Beograd.
Serbian singer-songwriter and composer Slađana Milošević was once a leading figure of the new wave movement in Yugoslavia. Initially a bass guitarist, she also played the violin and piano and performed as a theater artist. She later succeeded as a solo artist and also performed for several movies.
Haitian-Canadian actor-singer Luck Mervil initially experimented with reggae and rap and later appeared on stage, on TV, and in films. His best-known role was that of Clopin in Notre-Dame de Paris. He was later accused of sexually exploiting a minor, pleaded guilty, and served a 6-month sentence.
