A Tribe Called Quest

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:03:20 -0500

Without question the most intelligent, artistic rap group during the 1990s, A Tribe Called Quest jump-started and perfected the hip-hop alternative to hardcore and gangsta rap. In essence, they abandoned the macho posturing rap music had been constructed upon, and focused instead on abstract philosophy and message tracks. The "sucka MC" theme had never been completely ignored in hip-hop, but Tribe confronted numerous black issues -- date rape, use of the word nigger, the trials and tribulations of the rap industry -- all of which overpowered the occasional game of the dozens.

Aaliyah

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 13:37:22 -0500

A star in the R&B world before she was even out of her teens, Aaliyah's promising career was tragically cut short by her death in a plane crash at age 22. Even with only three albums under her belt, she'd already earned a place as a talented trendsetter among the R&B elite. Following a successful transition to a more mature image, Aaliyah played a major role in popularizing the stuttering, futuristic production style that consumed hip-hop and urban soul in the late '90s.

Aaron Carter

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 13:52:32 -0600

Rising from the shadow of older brother Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, Aaron Carter forged his own career beginning at the age of seven and resulting in multiple gold and platinum selling albums. In addition to countless TV appearances on everything from “The Today Show” and “Good Morning America” to The Disney Channel and MTV, Aaron Carter has also appeared on Broadway and been featured in every magazine from People and Rolling Stone to USA Today and TV Guide.

Aberdeen City

Wed, 17 Jan 2007 09:27:23 -0600

Boston's Aberdeen City features Christopher McLaughlin (vocals/guitar), Robert McCaffrey (drums), Bradley Parker (vocals/bass), and J. Ryan Heller (guitar). The alternative rock foursome met in 2001, and together they create a swirling, hypnotic rock sound. In 2003, the band self-released the We Learned by Watching EP. Two years later, Aberdeen City issued The Freezing Atlantic, their first album for Dovecote. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide

Above The Law

Thu, 13 Mar 2008 13:38:13 -0500

Adele

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:27:42 -0500

Air Supply

Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:36:34 -0500

Aussie pop duo Air Supply owned Adult Contemporary radio in the early ’80s. The soft rockers ushered in the “decade of decadence” by bringing all things deliciously over-the-top to the power ballad: infectious hooks, gigantic, lush orchestrations, and of course the infamous, final-chorus key change. Add Graham Russell’s sensitive vocals and Russell Hitchcock’s soaring tenor to the mix and there you have a formula for massive worldwide success.

Alabama

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 17:03:51 -0500

After more than two decades in the spotlight, virtually all of that time at the top of their game and the top of the charts, you’d think Alabama had done it all. After all, they were country music’s first supergroup…they’ve sold millions of albums…and they’ve received nearly every award and accolade. But there was one thing that remained—one thing Alabama had to yet to attempt…and it was the one thing no one ever thought they would do—say “goodbye.”

Alan Jackson

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

After Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson was the most popular male country singer of the '90s. An heir to the new traditionalist movement of the '80s, Jackson's approach was rooted in classic honky tonk yet remained comfortably within the contemporary mainstream. Jackson's hallmark was consistency -- he wrote many of his own hits, and his way with a hook was part of the reason he never really hit a commercial dry spell, even into the new millennium. He also projected a modest, wholesome, down-to-earth image that made him one of the best-liked stars of his era even apart from his music.

Albita Rodriguez

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:38:04 -0600

Aldo Nova

Tue, 09 Jan 2007 13:37:25 -0600

Inspired by the guitar artistry of Jimi Hendrix, Aldo Nova helped define the ’80s arena rock sound and influenced countless players to come with his bravado style. From metal-flavored hard rock anthems to lush, pop savvy power ballads, the Canadian-born singer and virtuoso musician was a natural on both guitar and keyboards. His 1981 self-titled debut album—which he also wrote and produced—delivered the monster hit “Fantasy” and rocketed Nova to stardom.

Alejandro Fernandez

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 16:01:25 -0600

Alexis & Fido

Thu, 28 Feb 2008 17:12:06 -0600

Alice Cooper

Tue, 08 May 2007 11:39:52 -0500

Originally, there was a band called Alice Cooper led by a singer named Vincent Damon Furnier. Under his direction, Alice Cooper pioneered a grandly theatrical and violent brand of heavy metal that was designed to shock. Drawing equally from horror movies, vaudeville, heavy metal, and garage rock, the group created a stage show that featured electric chairs, guillotines, fake blood, and huge boa constrictors, all coordinated by the heavily made-up Furnier. By that time, Furnier had adopted the name for his androgynous on-stage personality.

Alice In Chains

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Combining equal parts heavy riffs and delicate acoustic sounds, Alice In Chains forged a unique angry, tortured sound that put them at the forefront of Seattle's early-'90's grunge bands.

Alice Smith

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:29:14 -0500

Alice Smith is in Los Angeles, staying high above Sunset Boulevard at that most iconic hotel of ripened Hollywood sensuality, the Chateau Marmont. Someone asks Smith if she likes it there. "Oh yeah," Smith answers with zero hesitation, "I do."

Alicia Keys

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Her official website says she possesses an "old soul," and the hard facts seem to back up the implied claim of wisdom and experience that transcend Alicia Keys' youth. Barely in her twenties, Keys was responsible for an extremely hot debut, Songs in A Minor. The release, which she wrote and produced for Clive Davis' J Records, blends diverse influences, including R&B, hip-hop, classical, and jazz. The day the album went on the market, it sold more than 50,000 copies. Label executives confidently predicted similarly favorable numbers for the first week's tally.

Allison

Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:08:50 -0600

Amen

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Amerie

Thu, 02 Nov 2006 01:14:23 -0600

Singer Amerie is the daughter of a Korean mother and an African-American father who was a career military member. She grew up on bases from Alaska to Germany, meanwhile gaining an appreciation of the classical arts from her mother and of R&B music from her father. She studied dance from an early age and performed in talent contests throughout her youth. After her high school graduation, her family finally settled down in Virginia, while she began to attend Georgetown University, from which she later graduated with a degree in English and Fine Arts.

Anastacia

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Andy Griggs

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 13:42:33 -0500

Angie Stone

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:29:37 -0500

Her music is raw, honest, always real. Just as straight ahead is her attitude to that music. A lyrical poetess of the first order and leader in the neo-soul movement, Angie Stone lays it on the line, no-holds-barred: "I don't go for the trendy commercial approach. What I do is basic soul music - no frills added."

Anjani Thomas

Wed, 24 Jan 2007 10:41:23 -0600

Anna Nalick

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Her love of the Cranberries, John Mayer, and Fiona Apple is easy to hear when one listens to the poignant music of singer/songwriter Anna Nalick, but it's her beloved Blind Melon that had the most impact on her career. The California native had been recording demos on a cheap cassette recorder when one of her tapes ended up in the hands of former Blind Melon members Christopher Thorn and Brad Smith. The two were now a production team and with Eric Rosse -- a producer who had worked with another Nalick fave, Tori Amos -- they re-recorded her home demos in a professional studio.

Annie Lennox

Thu, 23 Aug 2007 14:14:28 -0500

Following the disbandment of Eurythmics in 1991, vocalist Annie Lennox began a solo career that rivaled Eurythmics' in terms of crossover popularity.

Annuals

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:11:07 -0500

Anthony Hamilton

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

A soul singer who has drawn comparisons to such classic R&B vocalists as Bill Withers and Bobby Womack, Anthony Hamilton struggled for the better part of the 1990s as two of his albums went unreleased. Getting his start at age ten singing in his church choir, the Charlotte, NC, native also performed as a teenager at various nightclubs and talent shows. Always with an eye to move on to bigger things, Hamilton made the move to New York City in 1993, eventually signing with Uptown Records, epicenter for the new jack swing sound and home to artists such as Jodeci and Mary J. Blige.

Anti-Flag

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Making their debut at a local Pittsburgh radio station in 1993, Anti-Flag got together for the sake of responding to their disgust at religion, nationalism, and fascism. Justin Sane (vocals/guitar), Andy Flag (bass/vocals), and Pat Thetic (drums) bopped around their hometown much to the dismay of skinheads while recruiting a following who proudly wore torn-up upside-down flags as patches. In 1997, after releasing a handful of singles, opening for their idols the U.K.

Anything Box

Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:06:25 -0600

Apocalyptica

Thu, 31 May 2007 14:05:03 -0500

The Helsinki, Finland, quartet Apocalyptica comprised classically trained cellists Eicca Toppinen, Max Lilja, Antero Manninen, and Paavo Lotjonen; formed in 1993, the group made waves internationally in 1996 with Plays Metallica by Four Cellos, which combined their formal background with their love of heavy metal. The album found favor with both classical buffs and metal heads alike, and two years later Apocalyptica resurfaced with Inquisition Symphony, which featured covers of material by Faith No More and Pantera.

Aqualung

Thu, 18 Jan 2007 15:12:40 -0600

London-based Matt Hales, aka Aqualung, started getting involved in music at a young age while listening to different tracks played at his parents' Southampton record store. He began writing songs at age four on his family's piano. At the age of 16, after achieving a scholarship, the enthusiastic young man began attending composition classes. A year later a symphony called Life Cycle became his debut in the classical field, performed by a 60-piece orchestra. His brother Ben joined him in a band to cover the Police's classic songs.

Aretha Franklin

Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:40:42 -0600

Aretha Franklin is one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as a whole. More than any other performer, she epitomized soul at its most gospel-charged. Her astonishing run of late-'60s hits with Atlantic Records -- "Respect," "I Never Loved a Man," "Chain of Fools," "Baby I Love You," "I Say a Little Prayer," "Think," "The House That Jack Built," and several others -- earned her the title "Lady Soul," which she has worn uncontested ever since.

Ari Hest

Tue, 22 May 2007 15:30:43 -0500

Ari Hest became interested in music while still a teenager growing up in the Bronx. Though he'd taken piano lessons as a child, he taught himself how to play the guitar, mostly by listening to records from his parents' collection (Paul Simon) and alternative radio (Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews). While studying at NYU, Hest hit the East Coast college circuit, performing a mix of covers and his own material. The exposure built him a respectable regional following, which he nurtured with self-released albums in 2001 and 2002 (Coming Home and Story After Story, respectively).

Asia Cruise

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:44:45 -0600

ATL

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

The four members of ATL -- vocalists Tre, Will, L-Rock, and rapper Danger-- came together after being chosen though an Atlanta-area talent search. Where previous R&B/vocal groups (112, Jagged Edge) had crossed over into hip-hop, by either featuring a guest rapper, or appearing on someone else's album, ATL were a self-contained R&B/hip-hop/fusion band. The quartet enlisted R. Kelly to produce their debut single, "Calling All Girls," which was released in 2003. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide

Audioslave

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Augie March

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:39:01 -0500

Augie March formed in 1996 in Melbourne, Australia, where guitarist/singer/songwriter Glenn Richards, guitarist Adam Donovan, and drummer David E. Williams were attending college. The three grew up together in Shepparton, Victoria, Australia, but it wasn't until they reunited as friends during their college days that Richards, an English major, began writing songs and invited the other two to accompany him. Both Donovan and Williams were studying music and the two sought out bassist Edmond Ammendola, with whom they'd worked in the music school, to complete the lineup.

Augustana

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Mellow piano rockers Augustana are a heartland equivalent to Coldplay or Keane, with a little bit of mid-'90s adult alternative throwback (think Counting Crows or the Wallflowers) as well. The band formed in Greenville, IL, in 2002, while singer and keyboardist Dan Layus and guitarist Josiah Rosen were attending a small evangelical college there. The original lineup of the band was completed by bassist Simeon Lohrmann, second keyboardist David Lamoureaux, and drummer Kyle Baker.

Aventura

Thu, 06 Mar 2008 13:49:09 -0600

Avril Lavigne

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 00:45:35 -0500

Wild child Avril Lavigne hit big in summer 2002 with her spiky-fun debut song, "Complicated," shifting pop music into a different direction. Lavigne, who was 17 at the time, didn't seem concerned with the glamour of the TRL-dominated pop world and such confidence allowed her star power to soar. The middle of three children in small-town Napanee, Ontario, Lavigne's rock ambitions were noticeable around age two. By her early teens, she was already writing songs and playing guitar.

Avril Lavigne - Make 5 Wishes

Tue, 20 Mar 2007 12:46:05 -0500