Elton John is an English singer-songwriter, composer and pianist. In his four-decade career, John has sold more than 250 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. His single "Candle in the Wind 1997" has sold over 37 million copies, becoming the best selling single of all time. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits, including seven consecutive No. 1 U.S. albums, 56 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No. 2 hits, and nine No. 1 hits. He has won five Grammy awards, an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Tony Award. His success has had a profound impact on popular music and has contributed to the continued popularity of the piano in rock and roll. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him Number 49 on its list of the 100 greatest artists of all time.
Steve Winwood is an English singer-songwriter who performs and writes rock, blues-rock, and jazz. He sings with a tenor voice and is a multi-instrumentalist who plays Hammond organ, guitar, bass, and other string instruments. In addition to his solo career, he was a member of the bands the Spencer Davis Group, Traffic, Blind Faith, and Go. He has won multiple Grammy Awards. In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked Winwood #33 in its 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. A new studio album, Nine Lives, was released 29 April 2008 on Columbia Records. The album opened at #12 on the Billboard 200 album chart, his highest US debut ever. Also in 2008, Winwood received an honorary doctorate from the Berklee College of Music....
Eric Clapton is an English blues-rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, and composer. Clapton has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Yardbirds, of Cream, and as a solo performer, being the only person ever to be inducted three times. Often viewed by critics and fans alike as one of the most important and influential guitarists of all time, Clapton was ranked fourth in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" and #53 on their list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time....
Jay-Z is an American rapper and businessman. He is one of the most financially successful hip hop artists and entrepreneurs in America, having a net worth of over USD$150 million, selling over 30 million copies of his albums in the United States alone and receiving several Grammy Awards for his musical work. Jay-Z co-owns The 40/40 Club and the NBA's New Jersey Nets and is also the creator of the clothing line Rocawear. He is the former CEO of Def Jam Recordings, one of the three founders of Roc-A-Fella Records and recently, the founder of his new venture Roc Nation. As an artist he holds the record for most number one albums by a solo artist on the Billboard 200. Jay-Z also has had 4 number ones on the Billboard Hot 100, one as lead artist. ("Heartbreaker" with Mariah Carey, "Crazy in Love" with Beyonce, "Umbrella" with Rihanna and "Empire State of Mind" featuring Alicia Keys.)...
Nickelback is a Grammy award nominated Canadian rock band from Hanna, Alberta, formed in 1995. Founded by members Chad Kroeger, Mike Kroeger, Ryan Peake and then-drummer Brandon Kroeger. Nickelback is one of the most commercially successful Canadian groups, having sold 30 million records worldwide. Nickelback ranks as the 11th best selling music act of the 2000s, and places as the 2nd best selling foreign act in the US behind The Beatles for the 2000s. Nickelback band is now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Its name originates from the nickel in change that band member Mike Kroeger gave customers at his Starbucks job, he would frequently say, "Here's your nickel back." Nickelback band is signed to EMI in Canada and Roadrunner Records for the rest of the world. In July 2008, the band signed with Live Nation for three touring and album cycles, with an option for a fourth cycle. The contract includes recordings, touring, merchandise and other rights....
Carrie Underwood is an American country singer and songwriter from Checotah, Oklahoma. She rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol. She has since become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, a multiple Grammy Award winner, was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry, is a two-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist winner, and was the entertainer of the year....
Jason Aldean is an American country music singer, known professionally as Jason Aldean. He has recorded three albums on the independent Broken Bow Records label: Jason Aldean, Relentless, and Wide Open, in 2005, 2007, and 2009 respectively. These albums have accounted for nine singles on the Billboard country singles charts, including the Number One hits "Why", "She's Country", and "Big Green Tractor". His first album, Jason Aldean, is certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, his second album, Relentless, is certified gold, and his third album Wide Open is certified platinum....
Kid Rock is an American singer-songwriter with five Grammy Award nominations. Kid Rock is known for music that incorporates elements of hip hop, rap metal, blues rock, southern rock, funk and country music. Kid Rock released several studio albums that mostly went unnoticed before his 1998 record Devil Without a Cause, released with Atlantic Records, sold 11 million albums behind the hits, "Bawitdaba","Cowboy," and "Only God Knows Why". In 2000, he released The History of Rock which was a compilation of remixed and remastered versions of songs from his previous albums as well as the single, "American Bad Ass". He has sold 22 million albums to date in the United States, which currently ranks him as the 99th best selling music artist of all time in the U.S....
REO Speedwagon is an American rock band from Champaign-Urbana, Illinois United States. Formed in 1967, the band grew in popularity during the 1970s and peaked in the early 1980s. REO Speedwagon has charted two number one songs, "Keep On Loving You" and "Can't Fight This Feeling", both power ballads. Their 1980 album Hi Infidelity is the group's most commercially successful album, selling over 10 million copies and charting four Top 40 hits in the US. Over the course of its career, the band has sold more than 40 million records and has charted 13 Top 40 hits including "Take It on the Run" and "Keep the Fire Burnin'". REO Speedwagon's popularity has declined over the years but the band still tours regularly and remains popular on the fair and casino circuits and teams up with other acts to play larger venues....
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1974. The band consists of members Robin Zander (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Rick Nielsen (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tom Petersson (electric bass, backing vocals), and Bun E. Carlos (drums, percussion). As of 2009, Cheap Trick continues to tour with the original lineup. They have often been referred to in the Japanese press as the "American Beatles". The Illinois State Senate has declared April 1 to be "Cheap Trick Day" in the State. The band was also ranked #25 in VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Artists of Hard Rock....
