Meet the 10 Biggest Musicians From Missouri

While Missouri is one of many landlocked states in the southern Midwest, it is also the home to incredible innovations in American music including Ragtime, Kansas City Jazz, and the St. Louis Blues. It’s not surprising, then, that the Show Me State has also produced a diverse array of talented and successful musicians. Let’s meet 10 of the biggest musicians from Missouri.

To compile a list of the 10 biggest musicians from Missouri, 24/7 Tempo consulted a range of music and celebrity sources including HelloMusicTheory, Singersroom, and Missouri Legends. Next, we selected musicians from different eras and genres that have had the biggest cultural impact. After that, we consulted sites like Biography and Britannica for specific biographical information.

Chuck Berry

• Hometown: St. Louis

One of the biggest musicians from Missouri is unquestionably singer, songwriter, and guitarist Chuck Berry. Born Charles Edward Anderson Berry, Berry first rose to prominence after signing with Chess Records and releasing “Maybellene,” which reached number one on the Billboard Rhythm and Blues chart.

After that, Berry became a certified star and released several classic songs including “Roll Over Beethoven,” “Rock and Roll Music,” and “Johnny B. Goode.” Due to his early guitar showmanship, he became considered the “Father of Rock and Roll.” Berry was one of the first musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his success. He also received a Kennedy Center Honors and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Michael McDonald

• Hometown: St. Louis

Another one of the biggest musicians to hail from Missouri is singer, songwriter, and keyboardist Michael McDonald. Born Michael H. McDonald, he first rose to prominence as an itinerant musician, playing as part of bands Steely Dan and The Doobie Brothers. With the Doobie Brothers, he wrote and sang some prominent singles including “What a Fool Believes,” “Minute By Minute,” and “Takin’ It to the Streets.”

After that, McDonald embarked on a solo career, bringing him even more success. His 1982 single “I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) peaked at number four on the Billboard Charts. Since then, McDonald has collaborated with many top musicians including Van Halen, Aretha Franklin, and Joni Mitchell. For his musical success, McDonald has won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Doobie Brothers.

(For other musicians from this era still churning out hits, discover baby boomers still making hit albums.)

Sheryl Crow

• Hometown: Kennett

Another one of the biggest musicians from Missouri is singer and songwriter Sheryl Crow. Born Sheryl Suzanne Crow, she first rose to prominence with the release of her debut album “Tuesday Night Music Club.” This album sold nearly five million copies and spawned the number-one hit “All I Wanna Do.”

Since then, Crow has become one of the biggest names in American popular music. She has sold over 50 million records worldwide and won nine Grammy Awards. In recent years, Crow has taken to acting, appearing in shows like “30 Rock,” “One Tree Hill,” and “NCIS: New Orleans.” For her musical success, Crow was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

Nelly

• Hometown: St. Louis

Though award-winning musician Nelly was born in Austin, Texas, he spent his formative years in St. Louis, Missouri. He first rose to prominence as a member of the hip-hop group St. Lunatics. His breakout, however, would come with the release of his first solo debut album, “Country Grammar.” This album spawned two singles that broke the top 10 of the Billboard Charts.

After that, Nelly continued to put out hit records including “Nellyville,” “Sweatsuit,” and “Brass Knuckles.” Throughout his career, Nelly has sold over 21 million records and received numerous accolades. These include three Grammy Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards. He also took to acting, appearing in the film “The Longest Yard,” as well as television shows “CSI: NY,” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood.”

Sara Evans

• Hometown: Boonville

Another one of the biggest musicians from Missouri is country music singer and songwriter Sarah Evans. Born Sarah Lynn Evans, she first rose to prominence with the release of her debut album “Three Chords and the Truth.” From there, Evans released the series of albums “Born to Fly,” “Restless,” and “Real Fine Place,” each of which sold over a million copies.

What’s more, a few of the singles that came from these albums reached number one on the charts including “Born to Fly,” “Suds in the Bucket,” and “A Real Fine Place to Start.” For her musical success, Evans has received many accolades. These include an Academy of Country Music Award, a Billboard Award, a BMI Country Award, and a Country Music Association Award.

Tech N9ne

• Hometown: Kansas City

Though decidedly underground, another one of the biggest musicians from Missouri is rapper and musician Tech N9ne. Born Aaron Dontez Yates, N9ne first rose to prominence with his second album, “Absolute Power,” which charted on the Billboard Charts. Since then, N9ne has released a steady stream of music and earned a reputation as an underground hip-hop powerhouse.

Throughout his career, N9ne has collaborated with many other top artists including E-40, Ice Cube, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, T-Pain, and Snoop Dogg. In the process, he has sold over two million albums and had his music featured in countless television shows, movies, and video games. For his musical success, N9ne received an MTVU Music Award.

SZA

• Hometown: St. Louis

Another one of the biggest musicians from Missouri is singer-songwriter and rapper SZA. Born Solána Imani Rowe, SZA first rose to prominence with the release of EPs “See.SZA.Run,” and “S.” After that, she released her third EP, “Z,” which reached the top ten on the US Independent Albums Chart.

Since then, SZA has become a staple of popular music, most notably with her album “SOS,” which spent ten consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200. It also spawned the hit single “Kill Bill,” which reached number one on the Billboard Singles Chart. Though arguably a newer musician, SZA has already won numerous accolades for her work. These include five BET Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, six Soul Train Music Awards, three MTV Music Video Awards, and a Grammy Award.

Charlie Parker

• Hometown: Kansas City

Another one of the biggest musicians from Missouri is famed jazz saxophonist, band leader, and composer Charlie Parker. Born Charles Parker Jr., he first rose to prominence in New York City playing with jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie as well as developing the unique jazz subgenre of Bebop.

Though his music never reached the popular music charts and he died at the age of 34, Parker was considered one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time. He was also an icon of the hipster movement and the later Beat Generation. For his musical success, Parker received a Grammy Award, a commemorative U.S. Postage stamp bearing his likeness, as well as countless tributes by other musicians.

(For other critically acclaimed but commercially underrepresented artists, meet the most popular artists who’ve never had a no.1 hit.)

Puddle of Mudd

• Hometown: Kansas City

Some of the biggest musicians to come from Missouri are found in the band Puddle of Mudd. Though formed by members Wes Scantlin, Matt Fuller, Dave Moreno, and Michael John Adams in 1992, the band first rose to prominence nearly a decade later with the release of their album “Come Clean.”

“Come Clean” sold over five million copies and spawned the singles “Control,” and “Blurry,” which reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Since then, Puddle of Mudd has released several albums. For their musical success, Puddle of Mudd has won four Billboard Music Awards, a Kerrang! Award, an ASCAP Pop Music Award, and a BDS Spin Award.

Ike & Tina Turner

• Hometown: St. Louis

No doubt, some of the biggest musicians to come from Missouri were a musical duo and married couple, Ike & Tina Turner. Performing under the name the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, the duo rose to prominence with a series of hit singles including “A Fool in Love,” “Poor Fool,” and “Tra La La La La.” After that, the duo found further success with soulful reinterpretations of songs like “Come Together” and “Honky Tonk Woman.”

Despite their success, Ike & Tina Turner had a tumultuous, if not abusive marriage, and split in 1976. Nevertheless, Tina Turner would go on to have an incredibly successful solo career. For their musical success, the duo won a Grammy Award and a Living Blues Award. In 1991, the duo was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

(If you’re interested in music artists from a more northern state, discover the biggest musicians from Washington.)