Number Ones & Legends

The Beatles explored a wide range of recording techniques and musical styles across their albums.

Madonna, the Queen of Pop, built her career on repeatedly reinventing her image across decades.

The Rolling Stones, nicknamed the world's greatest rock and roll band, have performed together for over sixty years.

Queen, fronted by Freddie Mercury, blended rock with operatic theatrics on songs like Bohemian Rhapsody.

Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, began her career singing gospel before recording Respect.

ABBA, one of history's best-selling acts, first gained fame representing Sweden at Eurovision.

Fleetwood Mac's best-selling Rumours album was written largely amid breakups within the band itself.

Nirvana, fronted by Kurt Cobain, brought grunge into the mainstream with Smells Like Teen Spirit.

Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, helped push the genre into the cultural mainstream.

Michael Jackson's Thriller remains one of the best-selling albums ever released, cementing his King of Pop title.

Whitney Houston's powerful vocals on hits like I Will Always Love You made her one of history's best-selling artists.

Beyoncé, who holds the record for most Grammy wins, first rose to fame with the group Destiny's Child.

Taylor Swift, four-time Grammy Album of the Year winner, began her career in country music.

Bob Dylan won the Nobel Prize in Literature after becoming a defining voice of 1960s protest music.

Prince often played nearly every instrument himself, blending funk, rock, and pop into a signature sound.

David Bowie reinvented himself repeatedly across his career, most famously as the alter ego Ziggy Stardust.

Stevie Wonder, blind since shortly after birth, plays multiple instruments and has won numerous Grammys.

Bob Marley brought reggae to a global audience and remains the genre's most internationally recognized figure.

Adele's album 21, powered by songs like Rolling in the Deep, became one of the century's best-selling albums.

Frank Sinatra, nicknamed Ol' Blue Eyes, paired music hits like My Way with a successful film acting career.

Elton John, one of music's best-selling artists, built a career on flamboyant costumes and showmanship.

Rihanna, one of music's best-selling artists, later built a major beauty and fashion business.

Ed Sheeran often loops his own vocals live, a skill built up busking and playing small solo shows.

Bruno Mars blends retro soul and funk on hits like Uptown Funk, backed by energetic live shows.

Kanye West began as a record producer before winning Grammys across multiple genres as a performer.

Jay-Z, one of hip-hop's best-selling artists, also built a major business career beyond music.

Eminem's rapid, technical rapping style on songs like Lose Yourself made him one of the best-selling artists ever.

Drake, who holds the record for most Billboard Hot 100 entries, started out as an actor before turning to music.

Lady Gaga, known for boundary-pushing costumes on songs like Poker Face, has also built a film acting career.

Britney Spears's debut single became a best-selling teen hit, defining late-1990s pop stardom.

U2, one of the world's best-selling acts, formed among four schoolmates in Dublin, Ireland.

Coldplay, known for elaborate stadium light shows, formed while its members were at university together.

The Weeknd began releasing music anonymously before Blinding Lights became one of history's most streamed songs.

Billie Eilish swept all four major Grammy categories in one night while recording much of her music at home.

Johnny Cash, the Man in Black, blended country, rock, and folk across a career including Ring of Fire.

Dolly Parton, beyond performing Jolene, is also a prolific songwriter, actress, and philanthropist.