Massachusetts boasts a rich music scene that is home to some of the most renowned and talented musicians in the industry. From pop sensation Meghan Trainor to the versatile band Aerosmith, the state has produced timeless music that has left a lasting impact and continues to inspire new artists.
Here is a list of the best musicians in the state of Massachusetts that music-lovers adore:
Contents
- 1. Aerosmith
- 2. James Taylor
- 3. Boston
- 4. Donna Summer
- 5. The Cars
- 6. Bo Burnham
- 7. Pixies
- 8. Leonard Bernstein
- 9. Dropkick Murphys
- 10. Joyner Lucas
- 11. New Kids on the Block
- 12. Meghan Trainor
- 13. JoJo
- 14. Ricky Bell
- 15. Linda Perry
- 16. Donnie Wahlberg
- 17. Amerie
- 18. Jonathan Richman
- 19. Susan Tedeschi
- 20. Joey McIntyre
- Conclusion
1. Aerosmith
Aerosmith is a rock band that is known for their heartfelt ballads and hard rock music. They are considered one of the greatest hard rock bands of all time and have sold over 150 million units worldwide.
Their unique blend of blues-based rock, pop hooks, and electrifying stage presence have made them a staple of rock and roll for decades. Aerosmith is famous for hits such as “Dream On,” “Sweet Emotion,” and “Walk This Way.”
2. James Taylor
As a multi-award winner, James Taylor is a singer-songwriter and guitarist who rose to prominence with his soft rock and folk-influenced sound, and has since become one of the most successful and influential musicians of his generation.
He is famous for hits such as “Fire and Rain,” “Carolina in My Mind,” and his rendition of “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You).”
3. Boston
Boston is an American rock band that are best known for smooth and well-executed guitar riffs and arrangements and chart-topping songs. The band is famous for hits such as “More Than a Feeling,” “Long Time,” and “Peace of Mind.”
4. Donna Summer
Donna Summer was a famous singer-songwriter, known as a pioneer of disco music and was dubbed the “Queen of Disco.” Summer’s unique blend of R&B, funk, and electronic music made her one of the most successful female artists of the 1970s and 1980s. She is famous for hits such as “I Feel Love,” “Last Dance,” and “Bad Girls.”
5. The Cars
As one of the most successful rock bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s, The Cars were an American rock band known for their hook-laden pop rock sound, synthesizer-based arrangements, and the distinctive voice of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek. They are famous for hits such as “Tonight She Comes,” “You Might Think,” and “Drive.”
6. Bo Burnham
Bo Burnham is a comedian, singer-songwriter, and musician who rose to fame on YouTube with his clever and irreverent comedic songs and has since become one of the most innovative and respected comedians of his generation. Burnham is famous for his unique brand of comedy that combines music, poetry, and satire to address topics such as race, gender, and politics.
The film “Inside,” which was produced, written, filmed, and performed by him, received widespread recognition for its outstanding musical and audiovisual content. It was honored with the prestigious Peabody Award, Emmy Award, and Grammy Award.
7. Pixies
Pixies are an alternative rock band formed in Boston, Massachusetts. They are considered one of the most influential bands of the 1990s and are often credited with helping to lay the groundwork for the alternative rock and grunge movements.
Pixies are famous for their unique sound, which blends elements of punk, surf rock, and psychedelic rock, and for their use of dynamic contrasts and surreal, often cryptic lyrics. They are famous for hits such as “Where Is My Mind?,” “Gigantic,” and “Debaser.”
8. Leonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein was an American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator from Lawrence, Massachusetts. He was one of the most influential musicians and is widely regarded as one of the greatest conductors of all time.
Bernstein was a pioneer in the field of music education and is famous for his innovative and entertaining Young People’s Concerts, which brought classical music to a wide audience. He is also famous for his contributions to the world of musical theater, including the classic ‘West Side Story.’
9. Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an American Celtic punk band that are known for their high-energy live shows and their mix of punk, folk, and traditional Irish music.
Dropkick Murphys have been credited with helping to popularize Celtic punk and are famous for their hit songs “I’m Shipping Up to Boston” and “The State of Massachusetts.” They also popularized the song “Tessie” which became the anthem of the Boston Red Sox.
10. Joyner Lucas
Joyner Lucas is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter that first gained recognition for his fast-paced, socially conscious lyrics and has since become one of the most respected and innovative rappers in the industry. Joyner Lucas is famous for his hit songs “Ross Capicchoni,” “I’m Not Racist,” and “Will.”
11. New Kids on the Block
New Kids on the Block (NKOTB) is an American boy band and are widely regarded as one of the first modern boy bands. Having sold over 80 million units worldwide, NKOTB is famous for their hit songs “Hangin’ Tough,” “Tonight,” and “You Got It (The Right Stuff).” They have received awards and recognition, including the American Music Awards.
12. Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor, the vocalist behind the renowned tracks “Your Lips Are Moving,” “Made You Look,” and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” initially gained fame with her chart-topping single “All About That Bass” in 2014.
She has since become a prominent figure in the pop music scene, known for her distinctive, R&B pop sound that draws inspiration from the classic era of pop music.
13. JoJo
JoJo is an American pop and R&B singer who first gained recognition as a child star in the early 2000s and has since become one of the most respected and versatile vocalists in the industry.
JoJo is famous for her powerful voice, her innovative pop sound, and her hit songs “Leave (Get Out),” “Too Little Too Late,” and “Say Love.”
14. Ricky Bell
Ricky Bell is an American singer and actor who rose to prominence as a member of the R&B group New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe.
Bell is famous for his smooth, velvety voice and his contributions to the world of R&B and pop music. He is famous for his involvement in the New Edition tracks “When Will I See You Smile Again?” and “Hit Me Off.”
15. Linda Perry
Linda Perry is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and former lead singer of the alternative rock band 4 Non Blondes. Perry is renowned for her songwriting and production skills, having written and produced hit songs for a variety of artists including Pink, Christina Aguilera, and Gwen Stefani.
Her versatility and creativity have made her one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry.
16. Donnie Wahlberg
Donnie Wahlberg is an actor, film producer, and singer who rose to fame as a member of the boy band New Kids on the Block and has since become a successful actor, appearing in hit movies and television shows such as ‘Saw,’ ‘Blue Bloods,’ and ‘The Sixth Sense.’
17. Amerie
Amerie is an American singer who first gained recognition with her hit single “Why Don’t We Fall in Love” and has since become known for her unique blend of R&B, hip-hop, and pop. Amerie is famous for her involvement in the song “Rule” by Nas and her other hits such as “1 Thing” and “Talkin’ to Me.”
18. Jonathan Richman
Jonathan Richman is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist who is best known as the founding member of the influential proto-punk band The Modern Lovers.
Richman is famous for his simple, warm sound, his quirky lyrics, and his offbeat humor. He has been praised for his influence on the punk and alternative rock scenes.
19. Susan Tedeschi
Susan Tedeschi is a blues and Americana singer and guitarist from. She has become one of the most respected and talented blues artists of her generation and is widely known for being a member of the Tedeschi Trucks Band.
Tedeschi is famous for her soulful voice, her virtuosic guitar playing, and her ability to infuse traditional blues with elements of soul and rock.
20. Joey McIntyre
Joey McIntyre is an American singer, songwriter, and actor who rose to fame as a member of the boy band New Kids on the Block and has since become a successful solo artist and actor. He has released several solo albums and has appeared in hit television shows and movies such as ‘The Fantasticks.’
Conclusion
Massachusetts is a place that produces a vast array of great musicians from different generations and genres, who have all contributed significantly to the music industry.
From proto-punk, R&B, country, and pop, these artists are evidence that Massachusetts has been a major influence in the music industry that everybody can enjoy.
Aerosmith Featured Image (Top-Left) by: David W. Baker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Donna Summer Featured Image (Bottom-Right) by: Szyszka2812, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
