New entertainers come into the forefront of popular culture every year, some only lasting in the limelight for a couple of years, while others remain popular for many, many years.
These days, there are many pop singers that are very popular and well-known throughout the world. If you ask any of your peers, or even you parents, chances are that they’ve heard of Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera and can possibly even hum a line or two from their latest album. But these young entertainers are relatively new and were not around when your parents and grandparents were growing up. So who were the famous entertainers in the years before Britney Spears?
Here’s a sampling of some of her predecessors:
The 1930s: Shirley Temple
You may think that Hillary Duff and the Olsen twins are young stars, but back in the 1930s there was a child star that was even younger and more well-known than the young stars of today. Born in 1928, Shirley Temple became an international star by the age of six. Recognized for her blond curly hair and sweet high-pitched voice, Shirley was praised for her singing, dancing, and acting abilities and was even awarded an Academy Award in 1935 “in grateful recognition of her outstanding contribution to screen entertainment.” She starred in over 40 movies as a child and was the top box office star from 1935-38. If you’ve never seen one of her movies, ask your parents if you can watch a Shirley Temple classic such asBright EyesorThe Little Princess– she may even tap dance her way into your heart the way she did for people over 60 years ago.
The 1940s: Judy Garland
Judy Garland (birth name was Frances Ethel Gumm) was born in 1922, the youngest of three girls in the Gumm family. The three young sisters took singing, dancing, and acting lessons at a young age and were performing in front of an audience by the late 1920s. Judy made her film acting debut in 1936 and went on to star in over 40 films during her career. Similar to Shirley Temple, Judy was famous for her acting, singing, and dancing abilities and was awarded a special Academy Award for “Best Juvenile Performance of the Year” in 1939. If you haven’t seen her films or heard her famous deep singing voice, ask your parents if you watch one of her classic films such asThe Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis,orA Star is Born.
The 1950s: Elvis Presley
You’ve most likely heard of this next entertainer even though he first became famous over 40 years ago. He has one of the most recognized names of the 20th century and although you may have never heard his music you’ve certainly heard his name–Elvis. Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Mississippi in 1935, moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and was an international star by 1956. Famous for his songs (Don’t be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Hound Dog), films(Jailhouse Rock, Viva Las Vegas) and television and concert appearances, Elvis has been a household name around the world for decades. He is one of the very first “rock n’ roll” musicians and thousands of musicians today mention him as an important influence on their music.
The 1960s: The Beatles
These four famous lads accomplished the unique feat of being enormously famous and well-known entertainers while at the same time being respected and admired for their pure musical talent, song-writing skills, and the innovations they contributed to the music industry. They helped to move rock n’ roll music from its blues and R&B forms into more eclectic and experimental forms. Incidentally, they cite Elvis Presley as one of their influences and got the chance to meet the star in 1965. If you’ve never heard any of their famous songs (although chances are you have), try listening to some of their early hits (”I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Help,” “Yesterday”) or later songs (”I Am the Walrus,” “Strawberry Fields,” “Let it Be”) — you might discover that you have something in common with older generations and find that you love these classic rock n’ roll oldies!
These days, there are many pop singers that are very popular and well-known throughout the world. If you ask any of your peers, or even you parents, chances are that they’ve heard of Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera and can possibly even hum a line or two from their latest album. But these young entertainers are relatively new and were not around when your parents and grandparents were growing up. So who were the famous entertainers in the years before Britney Spears?
Here’s a sampling of some of her predecessors:
The 1930s: Shirley Temple
You may think that Hillary Duff and the Olsen twins are young stars, but back in the 1930s there was a child star that was even younger and more well-known than the young stars of today. Born in 1928, Shirley Temple became an international star by the age of six. Recognized for her blond curly hair and sweet high-pitched voice, Shirley was praised for her singing, dancing, and acting abilities and was even awarded an Academy Award in 1935 “in grateful recognition of her outstanding contribution to screen entertainment.” She starred in over 40 movies as a child and was the top box office star from 1935-38. If you’ve never seen one of her movies, ask your parents if you can watch a Shirley Temple classic such asBright EyesorThe Little Princess– she may even tap dance her way into your heart the way she did for people over 60 years ago.
The 1940s: Judy Garland
Judy Garland (birth name was Frances Ethel Gumm) was born in 1922, the youngest of three girls in the Gumm family. The three young sisters took singing, dancing, and acting lessons at a young age and were performing in front of an audience by the late 1920s. Judy made her film acting debut in 1936 and went on to star in over 40 films during her career. Similar to Shirley Temple, Judy was famous for her acting, singing, and dancing abilities and was awarded a special Academy Award for “Best Juvenile Performance of the Year” in 1939. If you haven’t seen her films or heard her famous deep singing voice, ask your parents if you watch one of her classic films such asThe Wizard of Oz, Meet Me in St. Louis,orA Star is Born.
The 1950s: Elvis Presley
You’ve most likely heard of this next entertainer even though he first became famous over 40 years ago. He has one of the most recognized names of the 20th century and although you may have never heard his music you’ve certainly heard his name–Elvis. Elvis Aaron Presley was born in Mississippi in 1935, moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1948, and was an international star by 1956. Famous for his songs (Don’t be Cruel, Love Me Tender, Hound Dog), films(Jailhouse Rock, Viva Las Vegas) and television and concert appearances, Elvis has been a household name around the world for decades. He is one of the very first “rock n’ roll” musicians and thousands of musicians today mention him as an important influence on their music.
The 1960s: The Beatles
These four famous lads accomplished the unique feat of being enormously famous and well-known entertainers while at the same time being respected and admired for their pure musical talent, song-writing skills, and the innovations they contributed to the music industry. They helped to move rock n’ roll music from its blues and R&B forms into more eclectic and experimental forms. Incidentally, they cite Elvis Presley as one of their influences and got the chance to meet the star in 1965. If you’ve never heard any of their famous songs (although chances are you have), try listening to some of their early hits (”I Want to Hold Your Hand,” “Help,” “Yesterday”) or later songs (”I Am the Walrus,” “Strawberry Fields,” “Let it Be”) — you might discover that you have something in common with older generations and find that you love these classic rock n’ roll oldies!
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