Featured are recording artist spotlights for the first week of January. These include singers, singer-songwriters, instruments and special songs. Some you will recognize right away perhaps because of their fame or simply because you don't forget the face. Others you may recognize the music but may be unable to place the recording artist or song-writer. Click each link for more information on each spotlight.
She Wrote the Songs... American singer and songwriter who has written or co-written over 400 songs that have been recorded by more than 1,000 artists
On January 1, 1972, this female American singer-songwriter started a three week run at No.1 on the US album chart with Music, her second US chart topper. Music is her third album staying on the Billboard pop album charts for 44 weeks and was eventually certified platinum. It is a continuation of the style laid down in Tapestry.
With so many recording artists from the 50s, 60s and 70s sharing the spotlight in 2014, it is a refreshing change to hone in on a performer from the 21st century who has skyrocketed his way to international stardom by way of his unique voice.The 26-year-old whose hits included 'You Raise Me Up' had the best-selling album January 2, 2008 with the Christmas compilation Noel, which sold close to 3.7 million copies.
Pop, Country, and Christian...
singer/songwriter of the 60s and 70s who owns one of the most distinctive voices in American pop music and whose hits appeared on the pop, country and Christian charts On January 3, 1970, he started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head'. The song was featured in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. This won the Oscar for Best Song From A Motion Picture at the 1970 awards, where this singer performed it. Bacharach also won for Best Score.
British singer, pianist and composer who was one of the most popular musicians of the 20th century. Along with selling more than 250 million records he has found success on Broadway
Christened Reginald Kenneth Dwight, this musician started playing the piano when he was 3 years old. On January 4, 1975, he started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with his version of The Beatles 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'. His third US No.1, the song featured John Lennon on guitar.
Hyper-ambitious Material Girl...Pop legend known for her constant reinvention as a performer and that puts it mildly!
On January 5, 1991, she went to No.1 on the US singles chart with 'Justify My Love', a song co-written with Lenny Kravitz. The song was a No.2 hit in the UK. She broke the cookie-cutter boundaries of pop stardom, integrating sexuality and controversy into her music with tracks like 'Like a Virgin,' 'Papa Don't Preach' and of course, 'Justify My Love'.
Guitarists who played this special guitar include, Albert Collins, Jimi Hendrix, Marc Bolan of T Rex and Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top.
This guitar was well ahead of its time when it was introduced January 6,1958. Its intense magnetic appeal, powerful sound, and unusually familiar shape have made it one of the most instantly recognizable guitars in the world.
The National Anthem of Rock ’n’ Roll...the earliest group of white musicians to bring rock and roll to the attention of white America and the rest of the world
This group entered the UK chart for the first time on January 7, 1955 with the song that remains one of the cornerstones of rock music. It was the first rock song used in a Hollywood film, Blackboard Jungle, and had teens dancing in the aisles.
Once a Mouseketeer...American singer-songwriter best known for the single "Genie In A Bottle" and the controversial, sexually charged album Stripped
She began her career as a cast member on The All New Mickey Mouse Club. Her fellow castmates were a collection of future stars, including Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling and Keri Russell. On January 8, 2000, she started a two week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with 'What A Girl Wants'. She ended Santana's 12- week run at No.1 with 'Smooth'.
On January 9, 2014, Rolling Stone magazine published their Readers Poll: The 10 Greatest Double Albums of All Time. The top 5 were:
"See" you on the 9th for the results!
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