Missouri’s music scene shows impressive, iconics and talented musicians in American history, with a rich legacy of artists spanning a diverse range of genres.
From the rock and roll pioneers Chuck Berry and Ike & Tina Turner, to the jazz legends Count Basie and Coleman Hawkins, these artists have not only made a name for themselves but have also helped shape the course of music history.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the famous musicians that Missouri has to offer:
Contents
- 1. Chuck Berry
- 2. Sara Evans
- 3. Nelly
- 4. Eminem
- 5. Sheryl Crow
- 6. Nathaniel Rateliff
- 7. Ike & Tina Turner
- 8. Tech N9ne
- 9. Count Basie
- 10. Akon
- 11. Samantha Fish
- 12. Michael McDonald
- 13. SZA
- 14. Gene Clark
- 15. Chris Janson
- 16. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
- 17. Chingy
- 18. Dallon Weekes
- 19. Coleman Hawkins
- 20. Puddle of Mudd
- Conclusion
1. Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry was a pioneering figure in rock and roll music. He is best known for his guitar work and his ability to blend blues and country music styles with rock and roll.
Some of his most famous songs include “Johnny B. Goode,” “Roll Over Beethoven,” and “Maybellene.” Berry was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and his music has had a lasting impact on popular music.
2. Sara Evans
Sara Evans is a country music singer-songwriter who has had several chart-topping hits, including “No Place That Far,” “Suds in the Bucket,” and “A Real Fine Place to Start.”
Evans has won awards for her music and also appeared in several television shows and movies, such as ‘Nashville’ and ‘CMT Crossroads.’
3. Nelly
Nelly, whose real name is Cornell Iral Haynes Jr., is a rapper, singer, and actor from St. Louis, Missouri. He first gained fame in 2000 with his debut album, “Country Grammar,” which featured the hit singles “Ride wit Me” and “Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t).”
Nelly has sold over 20 million albums in the United States and has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards.
4. Eminem
Known for his intricate rhymes and controversial subject matter, Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is one of the most successful rappers of all time, with over 100 million records sold worldwide.
Eminem’s music often explores themes such as addiction, mental health, and personal struggles, and he is known for his candid and autobiographical approach to songwriting.
Eminem’s hit songs include “Rap God,” “Lose Yourself,” “Stan,” and “The Real Slim Shady.” He has won numerous awards, including 15 Grammy Awards, and is considered one of the greatest rappers of all time.
5. Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow is a singer-songwriter who has won nine Grammy Awards and sold over 50 million albums worldwide. Crow’s hit songs include “All I Wanna Do,” “If It Makes You Happy,” and “Soak Up the Sun.”
She has collaborated with several other famous musicians, including the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Sting, and her music has been featured in several movies and TV shows.
6. Nathaniel Rateliff
Nathaniel Rateliff is a singer-songwriter from Hermann, Missouri. He gained fame for his folk-rock side project band Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.
The album’s hit single, “S.O.B.,” was a breakout success and propelled the band to international fame. Rateliff has since released several solo albums and has collaborated with several other artists.
7. Ike & Tina Turner
Ike & Tina Turner were a husband-and-wife musical duo who rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s. Ike Turner was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi, but the couple was based in St. Louis, Missouri for much of their career.
They are known for their high-energy live performances and hits such as “Proud Mary,” “Nutbush City Limits,” and “River Deep – Mountain High.” Ike & Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
8. Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne, whose real name is Aaron Dontez Yates, is a rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. He has released over 16 studio albums and has collaborated with a wide range of other artists.
Tech N9ne is known for his unique style and fast-paced rapping, and his music often deals with themes of mental health and personal struggles.
9. Count Basie
Count Basie was a jazz pianist, bandleader, and composer who was born in Red Bank, New Jersey, but moved to Kansas City, Missouri in the 1930s. He is best known for his work with the Count Basie Orchestra, which he led from 1935 until his death in 1984.
Basie’s music had a significant impact on the development of jazz, and his hits include “One O’Clock Jump,” “April in Paris,” and “Jumpin’ at the Blues.” He won nine Grammy Awards and was inducted into numerous halls of fame.
10. Akon
Akon is a singer-songwriter and producer who rose to fame in the mid-2000s with hits such as “Locked Up,” “Lonely,” and “Smack That.”
Akon has sold over 35 million albums worldwide and has collaborated with a wide range of other artists such as Snoop Dogg and Eminem. He has won multiple awards for his music and also appeared in several movies and television shows.
11. Samantha Fish
Samantha Fish is a blues guitarist and singer-songwriter from Kansas City, Missouri. She has released several albums and has won multiple awards for her work, including a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist in 2012.
Fish is known for her powerful vocals and guitar skills, and her albums include “Black Wind Howlin’,” “Wild Heart,” and “Kill or Be Kind.”
12. Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald is a singer and songwriter from St. Louis, Missouri. He first gained recognition as a member of the rock bands The Doobie Brothers and Steely Dan before embarking on an equally successful career as a solo artist.
McDonald has won five Grammy Awards and other accolades. His hits include “What a Fool Believes,” “I Keep Forgettin’,” and “Sweet Freedom.”
13. SZA
SZA, whose real name is Solána Imani Rowe, is a singer- and songwriter who rose to fame in 2017 with her debut studio album “Ctrl,” which received critical acclaim and was nominated for several awards.
SZA’s music is known for its blend of R&B and neo-soul, and her famous songs include “Love Galore,” “Kill Bill,” “The Weekend,” and “Broken Clocks.”
14. Gene Clark
Gene Clark was a singer-songwriter and founding member of the band The Byrds. He was born in Tipton, Missouri, and grew up in Kansas City. Clark’s contributions to The Byrds helped to define the folk rock sound of the 1960s, and he went on to release several solo albums as well.
In his time with The Byrds, their hits include “Eight Miles High,” “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better,” and “Set You Free This Time.”
15. Chris Janson
Chris Janson is a country singer and songwriter who has released several albums and is known for his energetic performances and hits such as “Buy Me a Boat,” “Drunk Girl,” and “Good Vibes.”
He is also a skilled harmonica player and has performed with several other country artists such as Tim McGraw and Hank Williams Jr.
16. The Ozark Mountain Daredevils
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils are a country rock band from Springfield, Missouri. They rose to fame in the 1970s with hits such as “Jackie Blue,” “If You Wanna Get to Heaven,” and “Country Girl.”
The band’s unique blend of rock, country, and bluegrass has earned them a dedicated following and critical acclaim.
17. Chingy
Chingy, whose real name is Howard Bailey Jr., is a rapper from St. Louis, Missouri. He first gained fame in 2003 with his debut album “Jackpot,” which featured the hits “Right Thurr” and “Holidae In.”
Chingy has released several albums and has collaborated with other notable artists such as Ludacris and Snoop Dogg.
18. Dallon Weekes
Dallon Weekes is a musician and songwriter who is best known as the former keyboardist, bassist, and backing vocalist for the band Panic! at the Disco, and as the lead vocalist and guitarist for the band The Brobecks. Weekes has also released solo music, including his album “Xmas Jambz.”
19. Coleman Hawkins
Coleman Hawkins was a jazz saxophonist who is widely considered to be one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, and his innovative style influenced generations of jazz musicians.
Hawkins was a pioneer of the tenor saxophone and is known for his classic recordings such as “Body and Soul” and “Under Paris Skies.”
20. Puddle of Mudd
Puddle of Mudd is a rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. They rose to fame with hits such as “Blurry,” “She Hates Me,” and “Control.”
The band’s music is known for its hard rock sound and emotional lyrics, and they have sold millions of records worldwide. Puddle of Mudd has released several albums and continues to tour and perform.
Conclusion
Missouri has produced some of the most influential and innovative musicians in various genres, from rock to country and jazz to rap. Nelly and Eminem put Missouri on the map in the world of rap, while new artists like SZA and Samantha Fish are making waves with their unique and fresh sounds.
The musical talent from Missouri has left a lasting legacy, and their influence can be heard by musicians and music lovers alike.
Eminem Featured Image (Top-Left) by: Snowdrop Productions, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Sheryl Crow Featured Image (Top-Right) by: Mingle Media TV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Ike & Tina Turner Featured Image (Bottom-Left) by: Heinrich Klaffs, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
SZA Featured Image (Bottom-Right) by: The Come Up Show, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
