30 Most Iconic Black Female Singers of the 1960s

30 Most Iconic Black Female Singers of the 1960s

The realm of music saw significant cultural and social change throughout this time, as well. A galaxy of talent erupted in the midst of this exciting decade, illuminating the pages of musical history.

Black female singers were among these greats, captivating audiences with their unmatched vocal power and using their craft to shatter stereotypes and pave the way for future generations.

These ladies made a lasting impact on the music industry across genres like rhythm soul and blues, gospel, and Motown such as Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Tina Turner just to mention a few. Join us as we go on a soul-stirring journey through the 30 most recognizable Black female vocalists of the 1960s, exploring their lives and legacies.

1.Aretha Franklin

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is unquestionably an icon of the 1960s music scene. She became a symbol of the time’s civil rights struggle and a legend in soul music thanks to her amazing vocal ability and strong emotional connection to the songs she sang.

Songs that hit the charts like Respect and Chain of Fools also had a strong message of empowerment. Aretha’s versatility as an artist was demonstrated by her ability to switch between gospel, R&B, and soul music with ease, and the sound of the 1960s was indelibly associated with her powerful voice.

2.Diana Ross

The Supremes’ lead singer Diana Ross became a major cultural and musical figure during this time. She became a cultural phenomenon thanks to her angelic voice and charismatic stage presence.

Throughout the decade, The Supremes recorded 12 number-one hits, including timeless songs like Upside Down and I’m coming out.” Ross’ solo career was successful, solidifying her place in music history as a famous icon. It is impossible to overestimate her enduring impact on pop and soul music, and she continues to be a cherished and acclaimed performer.

3.Etta James

Famously referred to Jameseta Hawkins, Etta James was an extremely talented American Singer. She became a significant figure in all genres thanks to her intense performances, exemplified by songs like At Last and A Sunday Kind of Love.

With her distinct, deep voice that was both raspy and soulful, Etta was able to express real, unadulterated feelings in her songs, gaining her a devoted fanbase and a permanent position among the greats. Her influence on blues and soul music is still felt today, and her reputation as a significant performer is still strong.

4.Tina Turner

Tina Turner is a legendary personality in rock ‘n’ roll, known for her explosive stage presence and incredible voice. Her rock n’ roll hegemony was cemented by hits like The Best, What’s Love Got To Do With It and Proud Mary, and she broke barriers for women in the rock genre with her electrifying live performances.

Turner has become an enduring and adored legend thanks to her tenacity in the 1960s’ male-dominated music industry and her enormous success. Generations of people are still inspired by her music and stories.

5.Gladys Knight

Gladys Knight, the lead vocalist of Gladys Knight & the Pips, is responsible for such timeless songs as If I Were Your Woman” and Midnight Train to Georgia with her velvet voice. Knight was a well-liked figure in the R&B and soul genres because of her grace and poise as well as the messages of love and desire that permeated her music.

She has been established as an iconic and significant musician with a voice that continues to captivate listeners all over the world thanks to her contributions to the 1960s music scene and her enduring legacy.

6.Patti LaBelle

Patti LaBelle, whose real name is Patricia Louise Holte, is a vocal dynamo renowned for her deep voice and spectacular performances. She initially rose to fame as the main vocalist of the band Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles, which eventually changed their name to Labelle.

They had a pioneering success with Lady Marmalade in 1975, and it has stood the test of time. Patti was a remarkable figure in R&B and soul music thanks to her singular ability to express intense emotion through her vocals and her dramatic stage presence.

7.Dionne Warwick

Dionne Warwick became one of the most well-known performers of the time thanks to her velvety, sweet voice. She produced a number of hit songs with Burt Bacharach and Hal David, including Walk On By and I Say a Little Prayer.

Warwick gained tremendous praise and countless accolades for her beautiful adaptations of their works, which eventually became her hallmark style. Whitney Houston, Cissy Houston, and Dionne Warwick are cousins. Dionne Warwick was born Marie Dionne Warrick. She had a significant impact on the music scene of the 1960s thanks to her unusual voice and exquisite appearance.

Burt Bacharach and Hal David, two of the most well-known songwriters in history, formed a special connection with her. They produced a number of successes together, including Walk On By and I Say a Little Prayer.

8.Mary Wells

One of the first female stars of Motown Records, Mary Wells was a pioneering artist. She was a vital part of Motown’s early success, earning her the moniker The Queen of Motown. Wells’ breakthrough came with the release of My Guy, which featured her enchanting, deep vocals and perfect ear for music.

9.Nina Simone

Nina Simone was a musician with classical training who also advocated for civil rights. As seen by songs like Feeling Good and Mississippi Goddam, her strong voice and provocative lyrics make her stand out as a singular and significant performer. Simone became a crucial voice for change by using her music as a platform to speak out against racial injustice and other social justice concerns.

10.Martha Reeves

Motown’s popularity in the 1960s was greatly influenced by Martha Reeves and the Vandellas. With numerous songs like Dancing in the Street and Heat Wave, they made a significant contribution to the Motown sound and were well-known for their upbeat, danceable music.

The trio became a crucial act on the Motown roster thanks to Martha Reeves’ alluring voice and the group’s tasteful compositions, which served as the backdrop to the period’s social and cultural shifts.

11.Tammi Terrell

Tammi Terrell’s legendary duets with Marvin Gaye and extraordinary talent made her a career standout. She began her career with Sceptre Records as a session singer before moving on to the renowned label. The musical chemistry between Tammi and Marvin Gaye was evident in songs like Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Your Precious Love.

She tragically passed out on stage in 1967, and it was later discovered that she had a brain tumor. She underwent several operations before passing died in 1970. Her brief but significant career, which was characterized by soulful and moving performances, has left a lasting impression on the music industry.

12.Irma Thomas

Irma Thomas, a native of New Orleans, was known as the Soul Queen of New Orleans. In the 1960s, when her career was just beginning, she published songs like Time Is on My Side, which The Rolling Stones subsequently made famous, and Wish Someone Would Care.

Irma’s music was a fusion of gospel, R&B, and soul, and her rich, expressive voice was renowned for being able to capture the true emotions of both happiness and adversity. She is honoured for her contributions to the R&B culture in New Orleans as well as her enduring influence on soul music.

13.Darlene Love

In the 1960s girl group and Phil Spector’s Wall of Sound era, Darlene Love played a significant role. Many hits featured her voice, although she was frequently given no credit.

She is well known for her voice on timeless songs like He’s a Rebel and for her yearly performance of Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) on The Late Show with David Letterman. Love’s rise from obscurity to fame and her strong, deep voice made her an inspiration and a symbol of the tenacity and talent of many unnoticed musicians.

14.Carla Thomas

The Queen of Memphis Soul, Carla Thomas, was a key player in the Southern soul music scene. Rufus Thomas, a well-known DJ and musician, was her father. Carla’s popular songs, such as Gee Whiz (Look at His Eyes) and B-A-B-Y, demonstrated how adaptable her voice was and how she could sing both upbeat R&B and tender ballads.

15.Roberta Flack

In the 1960s, Roberta Flack stood out as a distinctive performer due to her sultry, sophisticated vocals and aptitude at fusing folk, R&B, and pop influences. She started her career in the late 1960s and became well-known thanks to songs like The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with His Song.

These songs were renowned for their depth of passion and intimacy, qualities that came to define Flack’s music. For its ageless appeal and ability to evoke strong emotions in listeners, her music continues to be loved. Roberta Flack’s legacy includes her artistic talent as well as her capacity to arouse strong emotions through her music.

16.Mavis Staples

Legendary gospel and R&B performer Mavis Staples is best known for her work with The Staple Singers. Her voice, which was both strong and soulful, became a symbol of the civil rights fight. With songs like Freedom Highway, The Staple Singers’ music frequently conveyed social and political implications.

Mavis had a huge impact on the civil rights movement in the 1960s that went well beyond the stage. Her unique fusion of gospel, R&B, and soul endures as a testament to hope and perseverance.

17.Esther Phillips

Esther Phillips, also referred to as Little Esther, was an accomplished and well-known American vocalist. She was born Esther Mae Jones on December 23, 1935. She performed in many genres throughout her career, such as jazz, pop, rhythm and blues, and soul. Esther started her musical career at a young age by playing in church and community talent shows.

With the Johnny Otis Orchestra, she made her recording debut when she was barely 14 years old, launching a tremendous career. Esther became well-known in the rhythm and blues scene in the 1950s and early 1960s because to successes like Release Me which became a huge hit and peaked at the top of the R&B charts.

This song established her as a significant R&B performer and continues to be one of her signature songs. When Esther Phillips started include jazz in her repertoire in the 1970s, she underwent a transformation. She achieved a key career milestone with the release of her album in 1972, which is frequently regarded as her best work.

It demonstrated her skill at fusing jazz, blues, and soul without jarring the listener, winning her praise from critics and a Grammy nomination.

18.Dee Dee Warwick

Dee Dee Warwick was a gifted soul singer well-known for her familial ties she was Whitney Houston’s cousin and Dionne Warwick’s younger sister. Her songs, such as Foolish Fool and “She Didn’t Know (She Kept on Talking), demonstrated her strong voice and her capacity to express intense emotions.

Dee Dee’s work in the background of her more well-known relatives has recently received more notice, highlighting her substantial contributions to the 1960s music scene.

19.Barbara Lewis

A singer and songwriter, Barbara Lewis became well-known for her Motown-inspired classics including Baby, I’m Yours. Her career is noteworthy since she not only sang, but also penned her own songs, which was unusual for many performers at the time.

Lewis was a master at creating memorable melodies and sympathetic lyrics, and Baby, I’m Yours is just one example of his work that has endured in the realm of ’60s pop and soul music.

20.Maxine Brown

The renowned American soul and R&B singer Maxine Brown made an enduring impression on the music industry with her passionate and recognizable voice. She is well known for the songs All in My Mind and Oh No, Not My Baby.

Maxine Brown was an important player in the 1960s music scene thanks to these songs’ ability to capture the nuanced feelings of love and loss. She became known as one of the era’s most captivating performers thanks to her soulful renditions and dynamic vocal delivery.

21.Carla Cooke

Carla Cooke, the illustrious Sam Cooke’s daughter, not only inherited her father’s name but also his love of music. Carla experimented with numerous musical styles in the 1960s and rose to fame as a performer. Her own successes, including Make Up Your Mind” and “I’ll Take Romance, demonstrated her artistic flexibility.

Carla Cooke’s knack for fusing R&B, pop, and jazz elements with other genres was highlighted, and her family’s lineage established her as a distinctive figure in the history of Black female singers.

22.LaVern Baker

In the 1950s and 1960s, LaVern Baker was a well-known R&B and rock ‘n’ roll vocalist. Baker was well-known for her magnetic stage appearance and memorable performances. Her classics, such as Jim Dandy” and I Cried a Tear, were well-liked by the public.

Baker’s dominating vocal prowess was highlighted by her music, which was praised for its vivid, cheerful approach. She made a vital contribution to the era’s changing musical landscape by bridging the gap between rock ‘n’ roll and rhythm and blues.

23.Florence Ballard

One of the founding members of The Supremes, the legendary Motown girl group, was Florence Ballard. Her early contributions were crucial in shaping the band’s style, and she sang on several of their debut songs, including When the Lovelight Starts Shining Through His Eyes.

The difficulties and upheavals that many artists encounter in their careers are highlighted by Florence’s experience, which is both motivational and heartbreaking. Although her journey was filled with changes and obstacles, it serves as a reminder of how successful organizations changed as the century progressed.

24.Little Eva

Little Eva, real name Eva Narcissus Boyd, rose to stardom in 1962 with the single “The Loco-Motion.” The serendipity of her finding is what truly intrigues me about her narrative. She was nannying for Carole King and Gerry Goffin, a well-known songwriting team.

They were aware of her singing prowess and wrote The Loco-Motion for her, which went on to dominate the charts. The song’s memorable melody and the accompanying dance craze had a long-lasting effect on the music industry, and Little Eva’s rise to fame as a babysitter is a fascinating and endearing chapter in the history of 1960s pop music.

25.Bettye LaVette

A soul and R&B singer with a phenomenal career spanning more than 50 years, Bettye LaVette was born Betty Jo Haskins. Her first song, My Man (He’s a Lovin’ Man), from 1962 launched her into the public eye. Her tenacity and steadfast talent are what fascinate me about her narrative.

Bettye LaVette continues to perform and record music in spite of not experiencing quick and consistent economic success. In the twenty-first century, she saw a rise in popularity because to her soulful, moving performances, garnering Grammy nominations.

26.Fontella Bass

The fact that Fontella Bass was raised in a family of gospel singers had a profound impact on her career. Her soulful and R&B music benefited from a certain authenticity thanks to this background, and fans responded to her strong, gospel-influenced voice.

Her 1965 song Rescue Me is remembered as a classic of the time and is distinguished by its vivacious and contagious tone. By fusing gospel and popular music and infusing her performances with a feeling of spiritual fervor, Fontella Bass was able to give her music a distinctive and soul-stirring quality that earned her a special position in the annals of Black female singers.

27.Mary Wilson

Mary Wilson was an American vocalist best remembered for being a founding member of one of Motown’s most recognizable and popular female groups, The Supremes. She was born in Greenville, Mississippi, on March 6, 1944, and died there on February 8, 2021.The Supremes were established in the early 1960s by Mary Wilson, Florence Ballard, Diana Ross, and others.

With a streak of top-charting singles including Baby Love, Where Did Our Love Go, Stop! In the Name of Love, and many others, the group swiftly gained notoriety. They were one of the most well-known and influential bands of the 1960s thanks to their unified vocals, sophisticated aesthetic, and distinctive sound.

28.Ruby & the Romantics

With the release of Our Day Will Come in 1963, Ruby & the Romantics achieved prominence. This group’s ability to elicit feelings of longing and nostalgia through their music is intriguing. The classic love song Our Day Will Come is distinguished by its beautiful and dreamy ambiance.

The song has remained a fan favorite because it perfectly encapsulated both the spirit of new love and the hopeful anticipation of the future. The music of Ruby & the Romantics is proof of the ability to evoke feelings and memories from the time period, solidifying their status as writers of enduring, intensely felt ballads.

29.Inez Foxx

With their 1963 song Mockingbird, Inez Foxx and her brother Charlie Foxx left a lasting impression on the music industry. This song’s initial intent was for Inez to perform it alone, which is what makes it so fascinating. But when Charlie’s vocals were added, it became a successful duet. Its catchy, repeated chorus and their entrancing vocal connection became Mockingbird a fan favorite that was praised for its contagious enthusiasm.

The success of the song served as a testament to the value of cooperation and invention in the 1960s music business as it merged genres and vocal styles to produce an enduring classic. The contributions of Inez Foxx are still valued as a crucial component of the music scene of the 1960s.

30.Dusty Springfield

Dusty Springfield was a well-known and very influential British singer who was born Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O’Brien on April 16, 1939, in London, England. She is well known for her contributions to the soul, R&B, and pop genres of music. One of the most recognizable and significant female vocalists in the annals of popular music is Dusty Springfield.

In the 1960s, Dusty Springfield rose to prominence both as a solo performer and as a member of the folk-pop group The Springfields, which she co-founded with her brother Tom. Her solo career, however, really took off in the middle of the 1960s when she embraced a soulful style and produced a number of timeless singles.

These 30 legendary Black female vocalists were activists, trend-setters, and hopeful role models, not simply voices. They paved the road for a more inclusive and varied music industry while contributing their voices to the civil rights fight and cheering up many hearts during the turbulent times of the century.

Their legacies serve as a monument to the eternal ability of music to transcend time and unite people by inspiring and empowering people today. Even though the 1960s are now a distant memory, the melodies and words of these great women live on, serving as a constant reminder that their voices will never be forgotten.