Chuck Berry was an American singer, songwriter, and is widely recognized as one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. With songs like “Maybellene,” “Roll Over Beethoven” and “Johnny B. Goode,” Berry refined and developed rhythm and blues into the major elements that made rock and roll distinctive. Writing lyrics that focused on teen life and consumerism, and developing a music style that included guitar solos and showmanship, Berry was a major influence on subsequent rock music.
Antoine “Fats” Domino Jr. was an American pianist and singer-songwriter. One of the pioneers of rock and roll music, Domino sold more than 65 million records. One of his most famous songs is “Blueberry Hill.” Between 1955 and 1960, he had eleven Top 10 hits. Domino had 35 records in the U.S. Billboard Top 40, and five of his pre-1955 records sold more than a million copies, being certified gold. His 1949 release “The Fat Man” is widely regarded as the first million-selling Rock ‘n Roll record. Domino’s musical style was based on traditional rhythm and blues, accompanied by saxophones, bass, piano, electric guitar, and drums.
Michael Johnson was an American pop, country, and folk singer-songwriter and guitarist. He is best known for his hit songs “Bluer Than Blue” and “Almost Like Being In Love.” He charted four hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and nine more on Hot Country Songs.
Chuck Loeb was an American jazz guitarist. He performed and recorded with many. In addition to leading his own band for many years, Loeb was also a member of the groups Steps Ahead and Fourplay.
Gregg Allman was an American singer-songwriter and musician. He is known for performing in the Allman Brothers Band, a group he formed with his brother Duane in 1969. Allman performed on Hammond organ and guitar, and was recognized for his soulful voice. He grew up with an interest in rhythm and blues music, and the Allman Brothers Band fused it with rock, jazz and country music at times. For his work in music, Allman received one Grammy Award and was inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Al Jarreau was an American singer and musician. He received a total of seven Grammy Awards and was nominated for over a dozen more. Jarreau is perhaps best known for his 1981 album Breakin’ Away. Among other things, he was treasured for his extensive use of scat singing and vocal percussion.
Mark Selby was an American blues rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. Selby is perhaps best known for the number of songs that he co-wrote with blues rock artist Kenny Wayne Shepherd, which includes their #1 single “Blue on Black.”
Don Williams was an American country singer and songwriter. He began his solo career in 1971. He recorded seventeen #1 country hits. His straightforward and smooth bass-baritone voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned Williams the nickname of “Gentle Giant” in country music.
Walter Becker was an American musician, songwriter and record producer. He is perhaps best known as the co-founder, guitarist, bassist, and co-songwriter of the critically-acclaimed rock band Steely Dan. Becker met future songwriting partner Donald Fagen while they were both students at Bard College.
Valerie Carter was an American R&B, Rock and Pop singer-songwriter. In addition to a short solo career, Carter worked as an A-list backup vocalist for a number of famous recording artists, including Linda Ronstadt, Don Henley, Christopher Cross, Little Feat, Jackson Browne and, most notably, James Taylor.