The “King of Rock and Roll” displays determination and an overwhelming passion for the wonderful notes of music. Elvis Presley had a dream, took it by the reins, and saw it through to the end! While the public knows him as Elvis, a rockstar with an electrifying voice and musical presence, he was once simply a young boy living in a poor neighborhood.
Elvis grew up in Tupelo, Mississippi, a neighborhood of poverty but cultural flare. His father was a part-time truck driver, and his mother was a housewife. The Presley’s may not have come from much, but their son’s talent eventually spoke for itself. Once Elvis was discovered, his reputation soared, and he became a timeless musical figure.
Who doesn’t know Dolly Parton? We still hear her songs everywhere, such as “Jolene” and “9 to 5.” The country singer has created a long-lasting reputation and name for herself. Remember in 2023 when she performed at the NFL halftime show? She was phenomenal and showed how relevant and talented she still is.
However, don’t let the version of Dolly today skew your impression of her. The singer came from a rather humble beginning. One of 12 children, she grew up in the Smokey Mountains of Tennessee, and her family lived in a minuscule cabin. Even though Parton and her family had almost nothing, she had her dreams, and lucky for us, she never stopped dreaming.
Lady Gaga is a versatile figure in the film and musical industries. In addition to her thriving pop music, she’s worked on various projects, such as A Star Is Born and Joker: Folie a Deux. You may also know her from her unique and colorful fashion choices on red carpets.
All of this talent and success had to start somewhere. When Gaga was 15 years old, she jumped from performances at clubs in New York City. At 19, she left her academic studies, moved out of her parents’ home, and started a band that eventually gained some traction. We can see how well her decision to start a band turned out for her!
Eminem isn’t considered one of the greatest rappers of all time for nothing. He has a poetic flare and affinity for words like no other rapper in the music industry. The guy can rap at seemingly breakneck speeds; it’s impressive if anyone can keep up with his words!
Eminem’s beginning started in St. Joseph, Missouri, and at 11 led him to Detroit, where him and his family settled. The rapper switched schools constantly, which made it hard to make friends. However, while friends were hard to keep, his love for rap wasn’t. Eminem began rapping at age 11, and his talent grew from there.
Considered one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Bob Dylan established an everlasting 60-year career. He’s also one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Recently, a biographical music film titled A Complete Unknown was made in his honor, detailing a young Bob Dylan on his rise to fame.
While his life in the music industry may seem like one anyone would want to live, his beginning is more humble than the media may have known. Dylan was born in Minnesota and composed mostly of the sights the iron-mining town of Hibbing had to offer. He was self-taught the piano and guitar, attended the University of Minnesota for one year, and realized academia wasn’t for him. Once he saw where his passions and talents lay, he took them to new heights in New York in 1961 and began a folk music career that is one for the history books!
It’s Britney, folks! We all know her hit single “Baby One More Time” and her gratifying presence on stage. We’re also aware of her unfortunate meltdowns in the early 2000s but with millions of peering eyes on her, can you blame the famous musician? Regardless, Britney has made quite a name for herself and devised a musical reputation that is sure to live on!
Britney’s beginning isn’t humble in the general sense, such as living in an impoverished home or neighborhood, but rather starting in the entertainment industry as a young kid. She grew up in a small town in Louisiana and started her long career at age 11 in the show The All-New Mickey Mouse Club. She received a lot of attention for her debut single at age 16!
Not just a girl, indeed. The title of the country singer's musical documentary exemplifies the hardships Twain endured and the resilience she possesses. The country superstar has sold millions of records and has garnered the title “Queen of Country Pop,” but her success started from a harsh and unfortunate beginning.
Born in Ontario, Shania was raised in poverty and violence. She grew up in a small house and often went hungry due to her family’s financial issues. Despite the struggles Twain faced, she was inspired by Dolly Parton and took her dreams and aspirations to the next level. Today, she’s created an outstanding reputation that exceeds the troubles she faced in her earlier life.
Etta James is a wonderful and talented musician, a powerhouse with a soulful voice and presence. She’s a testament to the blues genre and immortalized her voice through several of her hit songs, such as “At Last” and “A Sunday Kind of Love.” Etta’s voice can give you an out-of-body experience and take you to church!
It’s established that Etta James’s voice is full of soul, perhaps because of her humble beginning. When she was born, her mother was only 14 years old, and Etta didn’t know her father. Because her foster parents raised her, she was essentially an orphan. Despite some of her unfortunate circumstances, Etta was able to hone her beautiful voice into an undying force.
Celine Dion is a best-selling Canadian recording artist and French-language artist. Her powerful and skilled voice has earned her the title “Queen of Power Ballads.” She has also delved into several genres, including R&B, classical music, pop, and rock. The array of musical genres she’s experimented with is a feat of her talent!
Celine’s beginning is humble in modest terms. She grew up in a large family – she was the 14th child of her parents – and a music-loving one as well. She possessed hard work, determination, and overwhelming passion that eventually landed her a showstopping career in music.
Whitney Houston also had a modest beginning. She began her music career with small steps, singing in her hometown church in Newark, New Jersey. While in high school, she became a background vocalist. If you know Whitney as the star with the “voice of an angel,” you have her roots as a gospel singer to thank!
As Houston performed in New York City clubs, she was discovered by the Arista music executive Clive Davis, who saw her raw talent and signed her to a record deal on the spot. Today, Whitney Houston’s voice and reputation exceed her time on Earth and have immortalized her musical presence.
The infamous rock band started with some rocky, trial-and-error beginnings. It started with John Lennon playing in the Quarrymen band in 1961. Then, John met Paul McCartney, who auditioned to be in the band, and George Harrison watched the two young men perform. Like clockwork, George auditioned and relentlessly persevered to join the band.
After a college friend of John’s suggested the name Beatals, the band eventually became known as The Beatles. Today, the English band has dominated rock music and has created several hit songs, such as “Here Comes the Sun” and “Help!” The band may not be together anymore, but the members' collective talents are still alive today!
The first winner of American Idol in 2002, Kelly Clarkson had humble beginnings in a small town in Texas. Her parents divorced and she faced financial struggles as a kid, but despite a difficult childhood, she rose to fame quickly with her powerful voice. Now, she’s a superstar with several hit songs, such as “Breakaway” and “Since You’ve Been Gone.”
Clarkson has her own talk show, has been a judge on The Voice, and continues to illustrate why she was the winner of American Idol so many years ago. She’s known for her natural talent for effortlessly singing any genre of song by any artist. She’s truly a wonder to the music industry!
Reba McEntire’s humble beginning was less harsh and more enriching. At age five, Reba was a true cowgirl, working at her family’s 8,000-acre ranch in Chockie, Oklahoma. When she was 13, Reba and her sisters performed at beer joints and honky-tonks, with her mother’s encouragement fueling their passion.
Today, Reba is dubbed the “Queen of Country” and has sold millions of albums. Besides music, she even gave film a try. Her early 2000 show, Reba, was a fun sitcom centered around Reba Hart and her matriarchal life. Reba McEntire brought her wonderful voice to country music and made an eternal name for herself.
Known for her unfiltered lyrics and image, Cardi B is one of the most successful contemporary artists. The talented rapper has released hits, such as her single “Bodak Yellow” and “WAP” with fellow rapper Megan Thee Stallion.” Cardi B grew up in the Highbridge neighborhood of the South Bronx, New York City.
Cardi grew up in a largely Hispanic neighborhood, influencing the rapper’s music style and expression. She gained traction on social media, starred on the reality show Love & Hip Hop: New York, and then won a Grammy for best rap album in 2018. Cardi B’s musical reputation is at its precipice, and she solidifies her talent every day!
Willie Nelson is a significant figure in the outlaw country subgenre of the 1960s. The living legend has an eclectic voice that delivers his classic ballads with a country flare! Nelson grew up in central Texas, where he sang gospel music in the Baptist Church with his sister. His grandparents encouraged him to play around with music.
Nelson has been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 1988. Some of his hit songs are “On the Road Again” and “Stardust.” Nelson’s music journey is one of timelessness and great portrayals of country talent.
