Steve Jennings/Wire Image
The Queen frontman born Farrokh Bulsara chose a stage name in perfect harmony with his voice. He could move from an earthy baritone to a wild but heavenly tenor, and he connected with huge stadium audiences.
As a classically-trained musician, I never developed much interest in popular or rock music, with one exception . . . Queen. Freddie Mercury is one of my all-time favorite singers in any genre. — Lynn G (Lynn22)
courtesy of Arab Film
Her legendary concerts were broadcast live from Cairo, on the first Thursday of each month from the 1930s to the early '70s. The Arab world's buzz and bustle stopped, from Medina to Marrakesh, from Jeddah to Jerusalem. Shops closed. Families gathered to listen for four, five, even six hours of rapture.
Her songs are nothing short of epic in scale, with durations measured in hours rather than minutes. — Isabel Soffer, Director of Programming, World Institute, Panelist
Frank Driggs Collection
His name was Chester Arthur Burnett, but everyone called him Howlin' Wolf. He played harmonica, but some say he was the greatest blues singer of all time. His unique voice mesmerized audiences and hugely influenced rock 'n' roll.
Howlin' Wolf got me through the sticky, clammy, clabbering heart and gut sojourn of a bicultural divorce deep in the summertime blackjack oak wilderness of Oklahoma... — Rebecca Whetstine (RebeccaWhetstine)
Once the poet laureate of his Alberta hometown, Rollie Pemberton is three albums into a rap career.
Ralph Peterson, Neneh Cherry, the Library of Congress archives and a generous Metallica bassist.
The most famous classical pianist in the world gives a recital of introspective solo works.
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