If you ask a baby boomer – that is, someone born between the end of World War II and the early ’60s – what they’re most proud of their generation for, odds are they’ll tell you it’s the music. And they’re not wrong: the music that they grew up on, and created once they came of age, represents a true golden age of American popular music, and for a period in the late ’60s it exerted more cultural influence than just about anything else. But who do boomers consider to be their favorite artists of all time? The answer might surprise you.
The baby boomer generation has had a truly enviable relationship with popular music. Someone born in 1948, for example, was born at the tail end of the Big Band era, had a childhood set to a soundtrack of Elvis and early rock ’n’ roll, was an impressionable teenager when the Beatles and Bob Dylan burst onto the scene, was in college during the late ‘60s psychedelic era, was starting to settle down just in time for the gentler singer-songwriter era of the early ‘70s, and had a massive smorgasbord of popular music – from Led Zeppelin to Fleetwood Mac to the Bee Gees – to choose from over the rest of the decade. It’s become cliché for boomers to call this music “the soundtrack of their lives,” but in many ways it really was.
In the 1950s, popular music – and pop culture in general – experienced an important cultural shift that really exploded in the ’60s: it became geared to kids instead of their parents. During the turbulent ’60s, music became a powerful means of rebellion and self-expression for the younger generation, and technological advancements in music and an unprecedented amount of musical experimentation opened the door for a true musical revolution. The ’60s also introduced folks to a wide variety of musical genres, with something for everyone and plenty of cross-pollination across those genres, and the rise of music festivals like Woodstock were cultural events that brought millions of people together to experience music not just as music, but as a cultural touchstone. The ’60s gave us a massive amount of bands and musicians who remain household names to this day.
All these years later, though, who do they prefer? That’s what YouGov set out to discover by surveying thousands of boomers about their musical preferences. They run the gamut from jazz to country to soul to pop to Motown, but good old pop and rock remain center stage. (If you’re in the mood for another musical trip down memory lane, check out the most successful rock stars of the 1960s.)
20. Creedence Clearwater Revival
Led by John Fogerty’s powerful singing voice, Creedence Clearwater Revival (usually shortened to CCR) was one of the ’60s most legendary bands, renowned for its unique “swamp rock” sound, which blended rock ’n’ roll, blues, and Southern rock influences. They released a string of hit singles in the late ’60s and early ’70s including “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain” before internal tensions led to the group’s dissolution in 1972.
19. The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were an iconic American folk rock group formed in Los Angeles in 1965. Made up of the foursome of John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, Denny Doherty, and “Mama” Cass Elliot, the band became instantly famous for their lush harmonies, distinctive melodies, and seamless blend of folk, rock, and pop. Mega-hits like “California Dreamin’” and “Monday, Monday” became anthems of the era.
18. Louis Armstrong
Nicknamed “Satchmo,” Armstrong was a world-renowned American jazz trumpeter, composer, and vocalist whose career spanned from the 1920s to the 1960s. Born in New Orleans in 1901, his innovative playing style and on-stage charisma helped take jazz from its humble beginnings on the streets of New Orleans to a true American art form. Also known for his distinctive gravelly voice, he released a huge amount of classic songs like “What a Wonderful World,” “Hello, Dolly!” and “Stardust.” He was also a beloved cultural ambassador who broke racial barriers.
17. Diana Ross
Ross first rose to fame in the early 1960s as the lead singer of The Supremes, widely regarded as the best and most influential female group of the Motown Era. But once she struck out on her own in 1970, she completely reinvented her career. “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” was her first solo U.S. No. 1 hit, and other ’70s hits including “Love Hangover,” “I’m Coming Out,” and “Upside Down,” proved that she could be a disco diva, as well.
16. Marvin Gaye
Gaye was one of the most influential figures in the history of Motown and soul music. His career began with classic hits like “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (earning him the nickname “The Prince of Motown”), but he truly revolutionized the music scene with his socially conscious album “What’s Going On” in 1971, which addressed social issues including poverty, environmentalism, and civil rights. He released later hits including “Let’s Get It On” and “Sexual Healing” before being tragically shot and killed by his father in 1984.
15. Gladys Knight & the Pips
Formed in Atlanta in 1952, Gladys Knight & the Pips was led by Gladys Knight, often dubbed the “Empress of Soul.” They achieved significant success in the 1960s and 1970s with hits like “Midnight Train to Georgia,” and their music earned them multiple Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.
14. Stevie Wonder
A blind child prodigy born Stevland Hardaway Morris, Wonder was signed to Motown at just 11 years old and quickly became known for early hits including “Uptight (Everything’s Alright),” “For Once in My Life,” and “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours.” In the ’70s, he released seminal albums including “Songs in the Key of Life,” and hits like “Superstition,” “You Are the Sunshine of My Life,” and “Isn’t She Lovely” solidified his status as one of the greatest and most innovative singers and songwriters of all time.
13. Nat King Cole
Cole, born Nathaniel Adams Coles in 1919, was one of the most beloved singers and jazz pianists of the 20th century. His warm baritone singing voice gave us timeless classics such as “Unforgettable,” “Mona Lisa,” and “The Christmas Song,” and in 1956 he became the first African American to host a national television variety show, “The Nat King Cole Show.”
12. The Beatles
Perhaps the most iconic, influential, and legendary band in the history of popular music (and we’re honestly surprised they’re not ranked higher), The Beatles – Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr – exploded onto the scene in 1964 with hits including “I Saw Her Standing There,” sparking the wave of intense fandom known as Beatlemania and changing music as we knew it. Over the course of the next six years, they evolved with every album, changing – or reflecting the changes in – pop culture throughout the decade. They also famously quit touring to focus on experimenting in the studio, which yielded stunning sonic results.
11. Eagles
Formed in 1971, the Eagles quickly became known for their unique blend of rock, country, and folk influences. The founding members – Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner – created a signature sound characterized by tight vocal harmonies and intricate guitar work. They achieved massive success in the 1970s with hits like “Take It Easy,” “Hotel California,” and “Desperado,” which have become staples of classic rock radio. Their 1976 album, “Hotel California,” is considered one of the greatest rock albums of all time, helped by the virtuosic guitar playing of Joe Walsh, who replaced Leadon in 1975.
10. Paul McCartney
McCartney rose to fame in The Beatles, but he also achieved massive success on his own after the band broke up in 1970, both solo and with his next band, Wings, which became one of the most successful bands of the ’70s, with hits including My Love,” “Band on the Run,” “Listen to What the Man Said,” “Silly Love Songs,” and “Mull of Kintyre.” McCartney has been regularly touring for the past 50-plus years, remaining a vital musical icon into his 80s.
9. Simon & Garfunkel
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel first started singing together as schoolboys in Queens, New York, and rose to become perhaps the most successful musical duo of the 1960s, finding fame with their tight harmonies, Simon’s poetic lyrics, and socially conscious themes. They became massively successful with albums like “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” with that album’s title track becoming one of their biggest hits. Songs such as “The Sound of Silence,” “Mrs. Robinson,” and “Scarborough Fair” have also become timeless classics.
8. Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac was actually formed as a blues-rock band in 1967, but it wasn’t until a major lineup change that incorporated Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham in the mid-’70s that they became the iconic band that’s known and loved today. Their 1977 album “Rumours” became one of the bestselling albums of all time with hits like “Go Your Own Way,” “Dreams,” and “Don’t Stop,” and they were able to foray the personal romantic relationships and turmoil within the band to write some of the most beloved pop songs of all time.
7. Aretha Franklin
Hailed as the “Queen of Soul,” Franklin was one of the most influential singers ever. Renowned for her powerful voice, her breakthrough came in the late 1960s with hits like “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” which showcased her extraordinary vocal talent and also became anthems of the civil rights and feminist movements. In 1987, Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
6. Earth, Wind & Fire
Renowned for their eclectic mix of R&B, funk, soul, jazz, and disco, Earth, Wind & Fire produced a string of timeless hits that defined the sound of the 1970s including “September,” “Shining Star,” “Boogie Wonderland,” and “Fantasy.” Led by Maurice White’s falsetto vocals, the band has an instantly recognizable sound and remains a major draw to this day.
5. The Temptations
Formed in Detroit in 1960, The Temptations were one of Motown’s biggest acts and one of the ’60s most legendary groups. During their “Classic Five” lineup from 1964 to 1968 (Otis Williams, Melvin Franklin, Paul Williams, Eddie Kendricks, and David Ruffin), they released a string of timeless hits including “My Girl,” “The Way You Do the Thing You Do,” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg,” and their sound also changed with the times, embracing a deeper, funkier brand of soul with later hits like “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone.” The Temptations also played a significant role in breaking racial barriers in the music industry.
4. Tina Turner
Turner’s electrifying performances and powerful voice have made her a legend in the world of rock ‘n’ roll and R&B, earning her the nickname “The Queen of Rock & Roll.” She rose to fame as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in the 1960s, with hits like “Proud Mary” and “River Deep – Mountain High” showcasing her serious vocal talent and unstoppable energy. After a tumultuous marriage to Ike Turner, Tina launched a solo career in the 1980s, achieving worldwide success with albums like “Private Dancer” and hit singles like “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
3. Ray Charles
Blind from childhood, singer, songwriter, composer, and pianist Ray Charles became one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. With his distinctive blend of rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz, and country, he created a groundbreaking sound that transcended genres and earned legions of fans with hits like “Georgia on My Mind,” “Hit the Road Jack,” and “I Got a Woman.” He was also a trailblazer for civil rights, using his platform to advocate for equality and social justice.
2. Dolly Parton
An iconic American singer, songwriter, actress, author, and philanthropist whose career has spanned over six decades, Parton is renowned for her distinctive voice, larger-than-life personality, and incredible songwriting. With hits like “Jolene,” “9 to 5,” and “I Will Always Love You,” she’s one of the most beloved and enduring figures in country music history. She’s also admired for her philanthropic efforts like the Imagination Library, which provides free books to children.
1. The Supremes
Founded in Detroit in 1959, The Supremes were the most successful female vocal group of the 1960s and a defining act of the Motown sound. Led by the incomparable Diana Ross, with Mary Wilson and Florence Ballard completing the original lineup, The Supremes notched an unparalleled string of 12 No. 1 singles on the Billboard charts, including “Where Did Our Love Go,” “Baby Love,” and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Their harmonies and glamorous image made them worldwide superstars, earning them the title of “America’s Sweethearts.” It’s no surprise that they’re easily one of the biggest music icons of the 1960s.