Ohio, also known as the Buckeye State, ranks seventh in population. Although it is on the smaller side, this state has many excellent qualities that make it unique, whether you are eating skyline chili for the first time or walking along the Ohio River in Cincinnati.
Ohio is also known for being the home to numerous great musicians, from Jazz vocalists to R&B legends. (Speaking of legends, click to read about collaborations between legendary musicians and new artists.)
To compile this detailed list, 24/7 Tempo reviewed various sources including IMDB and Biography.com. Let’s take a look below at 10 of the biggest musicians from Ohio.
1. John Legend
One of the biggest musicians from Ohio is, without a doubt, John Legend. Born John Roger Stephens in Springfield, Legend’s grandma taught him to play the piano. The genres he sings include R&B, Soul and Pop, Gospel, and Jazz. In 2004, John Legend’s debut album “Get Lifted” skyrocketed his career with the hit single “Ordinary People.”
Since 2004, John Legend has taken the music and television scenes by storm. He has released many hits, including “Shine,” “All of Me,” and “Made to Love.” John Legend is a singer-songwriter and Grammy and Academy Award winner. He has also been a coach on “The Voice.”
2. The Black Keys
Akron saw the formation of the rock duo group The Black Keys. This group was initially formed in 2001 with Dan Auerbach and Patrick Carney. The Black Keys began in basements, recording their music and doing their self-promotion.
Dan Auerbach is the guitarist and vocalist, while Patrick Carney tears it up on drums. The Black Keys are an American rock garage band. Their popular songs include “Lonely Boy,” “Gold on the Ceiling,” “Little Black Submarines,” and “Howlin’ For You.”
3. Dean Martin
One of the biggest musicians from Ohio in the 20th century was Dean Martin. Known as “The King of Cool,” Dean Martin was an actor, singer, and comedian. He was born in 1917 in Steubenville. Dean Martin’s original name was Dino Paul Crocetti. His success began when he paired up with Jerry Lewis, who was also trying to make it big as a star.
Many believed that Martin wouldn’t make it on his own. However, he proved that opinion wrong and created a successful career for himself. Dean starred in movies with Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra, and Marlon Brando. Additionally, movies that propelled him to success include “Rio Bravo” and “Ocean’s Eleven.” He also hosted the Dean Martin Show from 1965 until 1973. While one may think of movies when they hear Dean Martin, he was also a singer. Some of his more popular songs are “Mambo Italiano,” “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” and “Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”
4. Chrissie Hynde
Chrissie Hynde was another musician born in Akron. She is a rock singer, songwriter, and the Pretenders lead singer. Her presence is often described as spirited and rebellious.
Chrissie was the lead singer of the Pretenders for four decades. Afterwards, she ventured out on her solo career. While as a child she was rebellious against the “golden child” persona her parents desired, it was during the British Invasion of 1964 and 1965 that she fell in love with rock & roll. Her popular songs include “I’ll Stand by You,” “Middle of the Road,” “Message of Love,” and “Tattooed Love Boys.”
5. Doris Day
In the 1950s and 1960s, Doris Day was one of the most popular singers and actresses. Popular films of hers include “Calamity Jane” and “The Pajama Game.” She also starred in the sitcom “The Doris Day Show.”
Doris Day dreamed of being a dancer and studied ballet and tap as a child. However, in the 1930s, she was in a car accident that broke her leg. From there, Doris turned to music. She first sang on the local radio and with Barney Rapp and his band. In 1940, Doris began singing with Bob Crosby and his band. Then, she went on to join Les Brown and his band. Her popular songs include “Whatever Will Be,” “Secret Love,” “It’s Magic,” and “Sentimental Journey.”
6. Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi was born in Cleveland in 1984. His given name was Scott Ramon Seguro Mescudi. Kid Cudi’s hit “Day n’ Night” propelled him toward stardom. Cudi has had a diverse career since then, mixing different genres such as hip-hop and rock. Many call Kid Cudi an ingenious rapper because of the diversity of his music.
Along with music, Kid Cudi is also a producer and actor. He voices Clay in “Trolls Band Together” (2023). He also starred in “Entergalactic,” “Don’t Look Up,” and “House Party.” However, music is Kid Cudi’s passion; his popular songs are “Pursuit of Happiness,” “Cudi Zone,” “Mr. Rager,” and “Just What I Am.”
7. Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman is a singer-songwriter born in 1964 in Cleveland. She first began recording music in Boston and, in 1986, was introduced to an Elektra Records manager. From there, she saw success with her 1988 album, which was self-titled. “Fast Car” was one of her more popular singles on the album.
In the 1990s, Tracy Chapman released another album with the song “Give Me One Reason.” In April 2023, Luke Combs released a version of the song “Fast Car.” This version renewed interest in Tracy Chapman’s music and earned her sole songwriting credit for a song on the country music charts. Apart from being a singer-songwriter, Chapman is an activist supporting several nonprofit organizations.
8. Al Jardine
It was in 1942 in Lima that Al Jardine was born. He became friends with Brian Wilson in College, who recruited Jardine to join the band he and his brothers were starting. This band became known as The Beach Boys. After receiving his first royalty check that was less than $1,000, Jardine quit the band. However, this only lasted a short time when he returned in 1963.
He was often called the “lost Beach Boy” because he was the only one who was not a Wilson relative. Some of the most popular songs written or co-written by Al Jardine include “Almost Summer,” “It’s a Beautiful Day,” “Lady Lynda,” and “California Saga.”
9. Bobby Womack
1972: Guitarist and singer Bobby Womack poses for a 1972 portrait. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
One of the biggest musicians from Ohio is Bobby Womack. Bobby was born in 1944 in Cleveland. He first began his singing career in a gospel vocal group that his dad started. It consisted of Bobby and his brothers named The Womack Brothers. Also, during this time, Womack met Same Cooke, who later convinced the Womacks to switch to singing secular pop. From there, the band changed its name to the Valentinos, and Bobby was the lead vocalist.
The Valentinos sang R&B and Soul, and some of their more popular music includes “It’s All Over Now,” “Somewhere There’s a Girl,” “Lookin’ For a Love,” and “Everybody Wants to Fall in Love.” Following Cooke’s death, a scandal broke out when Bobby Womack married Sam Cooke’s widow. The Valentino band dispersed, and it wasn’t until 2012 that Bobby made a comeback with his album “The Bravest Man in the Universe.”
10. Dave Grohl
Finally, in 1969, Dave Grohl was born in Warren. Even as a child, he was interested in music and reportedly started a band at ten. After dropping out of high school, he auditioned for Nirvana and became their drummer. Additionally, Nirvana had hits like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” which took MTV by storm with the iconic music video. (Click to read about some other iconic music videos.) Dave Grohl remained the drummer until Cobain’s death.
After the death of Cobain, Dave Grohl started Foo Fighters. In the beginning, the Foo Fighters was a one-person band. For the tour, Grohl added to the band. Dave Grohl can only be described as rock and punk, and the way he plays the drums has been credited with giving the edge that alternative rock didn’t know it needed.