Who Was the Iconic Female Voice of the 60s?

If you’re looking for a voice that screams 60s, look no further. The 60s featured some truly iconic female voices. These include Dionne Warwick, Brenda Holloway, Billie Davis, and Leslie Gore. These women had the power to change the course of pop music and were among the most popular figures of the decade.

Dionne Warwick

After attending Hartt College of Music in Connecticut, Warwick began working in recording studios in New York. Her alto voice made an immediate impression on Burt Bacharach, who hired her to sing demos. She also caught the attention of Florence Greenberg, the head of small independent Scepter Records, and the two soon signed her to a recording contract.

Warwick’s success in music industry made her one of the most popular black female singers of the 60s. She achieved worldwide recognition by recording over 75 hit singles and placing them in the top 10 of the charts. Her music transcended national, racial, and cultural boundaries. Her songs were a blend of gospel, R&B, and pop. She was also an actress and TV host.

Brenda Holloway

One of the most iconic female voices of the 60s is Brenda Holloway. Born in 1942 in New York City, Holloway began her career when she was only 18 years old, singing “My Guy” by Mary Wells at a disc jockey convention. A recording scout for Motown, Hal Davis, spotted Holloway. He then contacted Motown founder Berry Gordy, who was impressed by Holloway’s voice. The Motown founder signed Holloway to his Tamla imprint and she soon began to chart hits like “You’ve Made Me So Very Happy” and “Love a Little Bit at a Time.” Holloway’s beauty and voice helped propel her career.

Brenda Holloway became known as the “Queen of Motown” in the early 1960s. Her gospel influences were evident in her singing, making her sound more Southern than Motown polish. She had several hits as a Motown vocalist, including the 1964 hit “Every Little Bit Hurts.” Brenda Holloway’s distinctive voice was later covered by artists like Alicia Keys, Petula Clark, and The Jam.

Billie Davis

Billie Holiday is one of the most famous singers of the 60s and has a new album out on RPM Records, which features a selection of her early recordings. Holiday has also been a popular presence in the world of fashion, being one of the first to wear leather miniskirts and bobbed hair. She has also toured the UK with other Sixties legends, including P.J. Proby and The Searchers. She is also working with a heritage foundation to promote the music of the 60s.

Billie Davis was an American singer and songwriter. She gained popularity during the swing era, and achieved success as a bandleader and singer. She was a powerful voice, and her songs became anthems for soldiers waiting for return from Vietnam. She was nominated for the Grammy Award for her “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” and she later won five more Grammys.

Leslie Gore

As a student at Sarah Lawrence College, Leslie Gore was a successful singer and songwriter. Her song, “It’s My Party,” hit the Top 20 and helped pave the way for female empowerment. She also had follow-up hits including “You Don’t Own Me,” which she later adapted as a feminist campaign anthem. She died of lung cancer in February 2015.

Gore sought female mentors in the 1960s record industry and drew inspiration from feminist lawyer and politician Bella Abzug. Her song “You Don’t Own Me” was also covered by Bette Midler and Diane Keaton in the 1996 comedy The First Wives Club, about a wife’s revenge on a cheating ex-husband.

Eartha Kitt

While she was most famous as a singer, Kitt also enjoyed a successful career as a movie actress. Her most notable films include the classic The Wizard of Oz and The King and I, and she even made appearances on the TV show “The Simpsons.” In the 1960s, Kitt had an impressive resume, having starred in films like Anna Lucasta (1958) and St. Louis Blues (1959). She also went on to play Catwoman in Batman, appearing in the late 1960s. However, her career took a hit when she gave an anti-Vietnam War speech. Her career suffered, but she recovered from the publicity and continued to perform.

The enduring appeal of Kitt’s voice made her one of the most popular stars of the sixties. Her career spanned various mediums and she remained as relevant in her later years as she was at the height of her popularity. While she was an icon in the movie industry, she also became a major voice actor and was a major influence on film and music. Her unique voice was used for a wide range of roles from animated movies to Broadway shows.