Genre: Vocal-Easy Listening
Decades Active: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
The only vocalist in history to net Grammy awards in three different categories (jazz, pop, and R&B, respectively), Al Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, WI, on April 12, 1940. The son of a vicar, he earned his first performing experience singing in the church choir. After receiving his master's degree in psychology, Jarreau pursued a career as a... [+] Read More
Genre: Rock/Pop
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
In terms of both record sales and career longevity, Barry Manilow is one of the most successful adult contemporary singers ever. That success hasn't necessarily translated to respect (or even ironic hipster appreciation) in most quarters; Manilow's music has been much maligned by critics and listeners alike, particularly the romantic ballads... [+] Read More
Genre: Vocal-Easy Listening
Decades Active: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s
Every era needs its crooner, and in the early '60s, it was Bobby Vinton. Vinton's sentimental balladeering and orchestral, middle-of-the-road arrangements were a throwback to a decade earlier, before rock & roll had found its mass market. If Vinton is sometimes identified with a rock & roll audience, it's only because his music was bought by... [+] Read More
Genre: Vocal-Easy Listening
Decades Active: 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s
A two-time Grammy winner in the early '60s, Jack Jones has made a fine living since, blending vocal standards from traditional pop with swinging renditions of contemporary pop and rock hits. Born in Los Angeles in 1938, Jones was the son of the romantic lead actor and recording artist Allan Jones (who had a hit with "The Donkey Serenade") and... [+] Read More
Genre: Vocal-Easy Listening
Decades Active: 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Julio Iglesias was the most popular Latin singer of the '70s and '80s, selling over 100 million albums around the world. Iglesias was a smooth, romantic crooner and his appeal translated to many different countries in many different languages.
Initially, Iglesias planned to be a lawyer. As he studied, he was a goalkeeper for the Real...
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Genre: Vocal-Easy Listening
Decades Active: 80s, 90s, 00s
Michael Feinstein was born in Columbus, OH, and developed an interest in the piano and in show music at an early age. After moving with his family to Los Angeles in 1976, he met Oscar Levant's widow, who in turn introduced him to Ira Gershwin. He was hired by Gershwin in 1977 to help organize The Gershwin archives, and continued to work with the... [+] Read More
Genre: Vocal-Easy Listening
Decades Active: 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s
Tony Bennett's career has enjoyed three distinct phases, each of them very successful. In the early '50s, he scored a series of major hits that made him one of the most popular recording artists of the time. In the early '60s, he mounted a comeback as more of an adult-album seller. And from the mid-'80s on, he achieved renewed popularity with... [+] Read More