Rock is a very broad term that encompasses different styles of popular music. The genre was born in the middle of the last century in the United States with what is called rock and roll.
From that moment, the music went through a big change and all the rock singers who are famous all over the world today and whom we are going to review in this article, became stars.
The 7 most famous rock singers in the world
Shortly after the emergence of this genre, the concept of rock star appeared along with the phenomenon of fans. Musicians who practiced rock and roll and similar styles were elevated to an inaccessible podium and their figures were shrouded in myths of excess, hedonism and even delinquency.
Now let’s see who were and are the most famous rock singers in the world. You might miss the portrayal of famous bands like the Ramones or ACDC, but here we’re going to look at the singers’ popularity as individual artists, even if they’re part of a band.
In addition, the diversity of views on the rock has been taken into account in compiling this list. In other words, the goal is not only to show the most famous rock singers, but also the different interpretations that have been made of this genre, as well as the contributions and innovations that have been made to it.
1.Elvis Presley
The aptly named King of Rock is one of the most famous rock singers in the world. This star is one of the most influential figures of the 20th century, and was a total pioneer of what we know today as Rock. He developed his musical career from the mid-1950s until the late 1970s, when he died.
One of his greatest contributions was popularizing rock and roll as a mass hit, as well as merging many other genres such as country, rhythm and blues, and rockabilly. Both his music and his charismatic aesthetic have made him one of the most influential people of the contemporary era.
2. Mick Jagger
Mick Jagger is one of the most famous rock singers in the world and the lead singer of the Rolling Stones. He is one of the most beloved artists in the world of rock and roll. Jagger began his musical career in the late 1960s after dropping out of college and has since become known for his distinctive voice and unstoppable stage presence.
Similarly, Mick Jagger reinforced the myth of the “Rock star” because throughout his career he was embroiled in drug scandals and his controversial personal relationships made headlines around the world, to the point to become a counter-cultural figure.
3.Freddy Mercury
The singer of the group Queen, pianist, composer and guitarist, is known all over the world. His revolutionary aesthetic and innovative musical style propelled him to stardom.
From the start, he dared to merge musical genres such as rock and roll, ballads and opera with the rest of the group, making the latter one of his trademarks in the world of rock.
In the 1980s, Mercury also developed his career as a solo artist. His life was also shrouded in controversy and speculation. His homosexuality was finally confirmed and he became an LGTB+ reference. He died of HIV shortly before a cure was found.
4.David Bowie
David Bowie, also known as the Chameleon or the White Duke, is one of the most famous rock singers in the world. He rose to fame in the early 1970s, during the height of glam rock. He is nicknamed the chameleon because of his almost constant changes in look.
The singer of Starman and Heroes brought a breath of fresh air to the world of rock and gave a very personal musical twist to this famous compendium of styles. Bowie, in addition to his surprisingly androgynous style, modern even for that time, was committed throughout his career to innovations, performances and visual presentations of all kinds.
5. Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin is one of the most famous rock singers. She had a short but very successful career in the 1960s. This American singer was one of the first women to become a rock star.
By fusing rock and roll and blues, calling for free love with her characteristic hoarse voice, Janis Joplin has become a true icon of the hippie movement that has gathered so many followers.
Joplin died of an overdose at the age of 27, thus joining the 27 club, known as such because many artists, such as Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse, also died at this age.
6. Marilyn Manson
One of rock’s most personal visions is that of Marilyn Manson. He rose to fame in the early 1990s exploring the genre of music known as heavy metal. In addition to his music, Manson has also expressed his art in other disciplines such as painting and film.
This character has also occupied many magazine covers for his repeated and controversial provocations. Even his own stage name is provocative, as he admitted to having formed it from the names of actress Marilyn Monroe and late cult criminal Charles Manson.
7. Kurt Cobain
We end this review of the most famous rock singers in the world with Kurt Cobain. The composer of some of his songs and singer of the group Nirvana is considered an icon of Generation X, if not the most prominent musician of the 80s and 90s.
Along with his band, Cobain was one of the main driving forces behind the grunge movement that was so successful at the end of the last century and garnered thousands of hits. It also sparked one of the biggest fan phenomena of its time.
The entertainer was also known for his relationship with Courtney Love, which was criticized and idolized in equal measure.
