Aretha Franklin (The Queen of Soul)

"There are certain murical notes that can be played on a saxophone that are chilling; similarly, there are sounds above the twelfth fret on guitar that are orgasmic. Aretha Franklin is better than any instrumen, as she can hit notes that do not exist in industrumental terms." Lycos Music

:-P The quote above, indeed, is only one of the many high praises addressed to this big and beautiful lady, Aretha Franklin. When she was a little girl, Aretha often sang with her sisters, Carolyn and Erma, at the Detroit church where her father, Reverend C.L.Franklin, preached. She became a featured solo vocalist in her church choir when she was 12 and made her first recording as a gospel artist two years after. John Hammond, the famous talent scout, was one of the people who brought Aretha to popularity.

Many hits by Aretha, especially those made in the early '70s, were huge successes, for example, "Spanish Harlem," Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "Day Dreaming," etc. She was even more triumphant after producing the admirable albums live at Fillmore West and Amazing Grace.

With her songs claiming the first place in R'nB lists twenty times and the Grammy Awards that she, the first artists ever, won every year between 1960 and 1975, it was no wonder that Aretha was crowned "The Queen of Soul" in th 60's, a title that she till proudly wears now. She was the first woman in Rock and Roll hall of fame. She got a lifetime award in 1995. She is the inspiration for Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige.;-D:-q

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U2 (A school band that never ends)

"They are the only band that's been around for twenty years with no member changes and no big splits". Chris Martin (Coldplay)

What would have happend if no one had answered Larry Mullen Jr.'s advertisement for establishing a rock band, back in 1976? Great songs like "With or With out You," "When the Streets Have No Name" and "Beautiful Day" would never have existed. Initially named FEEDBACK, Paul Hewson a.k.a Bono (vocal), Adam Clayton (bass), David Evans a.k.a the Edge (guitars, keyboards), Larry Mullen (drums), and Dick Evans played the ROLLING STONES's and BEATLES songs. Before they took the name U2, this band used the name HYPE in 1977. Soon after, Dick Evans left the band to set up the VIRGIN PRUNES and the foursome changed the name into U2.

Though U2 is very famous and successful now, their journey to get to the top wasn't that smooth. They won a talent contest in 1978 but they failed in an audition with CBS Records. But when they released their debut EP "U2:3" in 1979, the record topped the lrish charts. In early 1980, they signed a contract with Universal and released their debut, "Boy". But it was "Joshua Tree," that made them become one of the most successful rock bands ever. Within 28 hours since its release, the album went platinum! What a milestone! They are the only band that has four different songs on one album win several categories in the 2000 and 2001 Grammy Awards! They have been together for more than 20 years and they still show no sign of quitting.B-);-)

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MetamorphDONNA

"i'm sorry, but i'd rather meet Madonna than the president of the United States. Madonna has this thing about her that you can't explain-the thing that makes somebody a star." Britney Spears

Madonna is an undeniable existence in showbiz. She's always been the dazzling sparkle in the industry. With her album Like a Virgin, she started her fame with the naughty girl look in her shredded wedding dress and veil, just when other female singers were trying to look cutie nice. And when every girl imiatated her style by wearing big shiny cross pendants, she movem on and set another trend in True Blue: displaying a fress look with her short blond hair, wearing a pointy bustier (Jean Paul Gaultier specially designed for her) to show off her muscle.

She's a real style inventor! That way, she's successfully enlightened society, that a beautiful voice alone is not enough to guarantee fame. Not everybody thinks Madonna's voice is extraordinary, but she has her style. Her voice is so Madonna. But which artist can stand a whole 2 hour concert singing various kinds of songs, mostly those with a fast beat, while dancing energetically, and managing to change outfits for almost every song?

Only Madonna can do that, and she did it in her True Blue concert. Other female singers would end up being out of breath and they wouldn't even bother to change their custome that frequently. Stamina has always been Madonna's nick name, as her muscular body testifies, despite her very feminine look.

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The story of Jimi Hendrix

"Are you experienced." "When i think of Hendrix, i thinh of some of the most placid, lovely guitar sound on songs like little wing"- John Mayer

Born as John Allen Hendrix at King Country Hospital, Seattle on November 27, 1942, this guitar player was renamed James Marshal by his father, shortly after his mother abandoned him. As a child he loved to listen to his father's R&B and blues record. That was how he learned music, by listening, since he could neither read or write music. Not long after his father gave him a small guitar when he was five, jimi could already play the songs he heard from the radio and records.

During his teens jimi played with local bands in Seattle. Jimi joined the army 1961 but quit the next year. After quitting, he played guitar for little Richard, Sam Cooke ame the Isley Brothers. In 1966, he met Chas Chandler, the former bass player for the Animals, and was invited to london. After he moved to London, his success came quickly. Chas Chandler became Jimi's manager and Jimi formed The Jimi Hendrix Experience and recorded 'Hey Joe', which was released at the end of the year. The rest was history.

The way the left-handed guitar player performed in front of live audience has changed the rock scene in particular. But with his unpredictable talent and style, Jimi has influenced every genre of music, ranging from rock to soul, blues to pop, jazz to rap and modern music in countless aspect. Jimi died at the age of 27 from an overdose of sleeping pills and alcohol but his songs are still played by many musicians. "Little Wing" was played by Skid Row, Metallica, The Corrs and many other artists from various music scenes on album and live

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Michael Jackson "THE KING OF POP"

Tell me who was the first black artist whose music video played on MTV. There's only one name. It was Michael Joseph Jackson with his transatlantic hit, "Beat It." However, it wasn't the first time he made a name for himself. At the age of four, as the front man of the Jackson Five, he sold many hits such as "I want You Back," "ABC," and "I'll Be There" (remade by Mariah Carey). At 13, he released his first solo album, Got To Be There, with the hit single, "Ben" (later resung by Boyzone). He was brilliant in making music, creating a stunning mix of pop music with R'nB, rock, dance, or rock 'n roll. That was how he earned the title of the king of pop and sold millions of records.

One of his albums, Thriller, containing 7 top 10 hits, had a remarkable short film of 14 minutes duration, and earned 26 platinum awards! He got many awards. His clear voice, outstanding stage performance, distinguished dance style, musicality, music video making breakthroughs, and humanitarian side have captured millions of music lovers' hearts. You remember his Moonwalk steps, don't you? On stage he can portray an absolute self-confidence despite his shy and introvert personality.

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