1

The Supremes

Image: Namroud Gorguis

The ‘60s gave us The Supremes, which was not only one of the most successful girl groups ever but also had the iconic Diana Ross among its members.

Have you heard "Stop! In the name of love / Before you break my heart / Think it over / Think it over"? But that unforgettable 1965 hit was not the Supremes' only success. They created many other hits, such as the famous "You Can't Hurry Love" from 1966. In fact, the group had 12 number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100!

The influence of this successful group was so deep that it inspired and contributed to the flourishing and recognition of many other girl groups in the decades that followed, some of which are also on this list.

2

The Jackson 5

Image: Markus Spiske

The Supremes were not the only musical group that gave rise to an iconic solo star. The Jackson 5 appeared in 1964, featuring a very young Michael Jackson and his four brothers: Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, and Marlon.

In the late ‘60s and ‘70s, the Jackson brothers achieved great success. In fact, one of their first singles, "I Want You Back," from 1969, became a number-one hit. When that song was played all over America, Michael Jackson was only 11 years old! Tunes like "The Love You Save" and "I'll Be There" are just a few of the other hits that followed.

In addition, The Jackson 5 had their own TV show, "The Jacksons" (from 1976 to 1977), and they were even inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997!

3

The Monkees

Image: Austin Prock

If you hear, "I thought love was only true in fairy tales..." you know how the lyrics of that song go on, right?

The Beatles' film A Hard Day's Night inspired an American series called The Monkees , televised from 1966 to 1968. If you watched it, you probably remember the musical band of the same name, created specifically for the show. Originally composed of Micky Dolenz, Michael Nesmith, Peter Tork, and Davy Jones, The Monkees achieved great musical success, particularly with the hit we just mentioned, "I'm a Believer," which remains famous worldwide.

4

The Ronettes

Image: Gayatri Pandkar

The '60s were prolific in musical groups, and one of the most popular was The Ronettes, a girl group formed by sisters Veronica Bennett (later known as Ronnie Spector) and Estelle Bennett, along with their cousin Nedra Talley. Have you listened to some of their hits, such as "Be My Baby," "Baby, I Love You," and "Walking in the Rain"?

In addition to their catchy tunes, what distinguished The Ronettes was their style, characterized by dramatic makeup, beehive hairstyles , and iconic outfits.

Despite their influence, many years passed before they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 .

5

The Pointer Sisters

Image: Haley Lawrence

Pop, soul, R&B, jazz, country, and even dance music were some of the genres played by The Pointer Sisters, the girl group from Oakland, California, that rose to fame in the 70s. Their talent and versatility kept them going for several decades!

As their name suggests, The Pointer Sisters were a trio made up of sisters Anita, June, and Ruth Pointer. "I'm So Excited," "Jump (For My Love)," and "Fire" were some of the most famous hits of this three-time Grammy Award-winning group. Have you listened to them? You probably have!

6

New Kids on the Block

Image: Florian Schmetz

NKOTB was the coolest way to refer to the legendary New Kids on the Block (in fact, their fan base called themselves "NKOTB Nation"). Formed in 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts, this boy band triumphed in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s.

NKOTB paved the way for other boy bands that emerged in the '90s, reshaping our concept of pop music. "You Got It (The Right Stuff)," "Hangin' Tough," and "Step by Step" were just a few of their many hits, which made them winners of several American Music Awards during their peak years. They also sold more than 80 million records worldwide!

If you want to remember NKOTB, you can listen to their songs, of course, but you can also visit their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, where they've been honored since 2014.

7

Salt-N-Pepa

Image: Ben Wiens

In 1985, Queens , New York, saw the birth of Salt-N-Pepa, a legendary hip-hop group that became one of the first female groups in the genre.

Did you ever dream of forming a band when you were in college? We did! So did the members of Salt-N-Pepa. They not only made it happen, but they also became a huge success.

With hits like "Push It," "Shoop," "Whatta Man," and many others, these girls were everywhere. They had so much flow and rhythm that, in 2005, they were inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame!

8

Backstreet Boys

Image: Steve Johnson

If someone says, "Tell me why," many of us would probably respond with, "Ain't nothing but a heartache." And that's just one of the many ways the Backstreet Boys have left their mark across generations.

As one of the best-selling boy bands, Nick Carter, Howie Dorough, AJ McLean, Brian Littrell, and Kevin Richardson were a sensation in the late '90s and early 2000s . Their music was everywhere, and fans were desperate to meet them.

As you know, they had several hits that we still remember, such as "I Want It That Way," "Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)," and "As Long As You Love Me." You've probably danced to the beat of some of these hit songs, right? Did you have a favorite?

9

Destiny's Child

Image: Rob Sarmiento

Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland, and Michelle Williams were the final and best-known members of a girl group called Destiny's Child. Do any of these names ring a bell?

Big hits like "Say My Name" and "Bills, Bills, Bills"—which won them a couple of Grammy Awards, by the way—launched these women to total stardom. Destiny's Child was a constant presence on the charts during the late ‘90s and early 2000s, and had us all singing catchy lyrics like "Say my name, say my name / If no one is around you, say baby I love you."

In addition to several major hits that still live on in many people's minds and hearts, Destiny's Child gave us the incredible, iconic, record-breaking Beyoncé . What more could we ask for?

10

'N Sync

Image: Alphacolor

This list could never be complete without mentioning the unforgettable 'N Sync.

Not only was this one of pop's most legendary boy bands, but it also featured one member who eventually became a solo superstar. Yes, you guessed it— we're talking about Justin Timberlake! He, along with JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass, formed 'N Sync in 1995. Their first album, released in 1998, sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone and included hits like "I Want You Back."

The faces of the 'N Sync members were everywhere: on posters, T-shirts, dolls, and all sorts of merchandise, selling out not just in the U.S. but also in other parts of the world. Remember their performance at the 2001 Super Bowl ?

1

Sam and Ella’s

Image: Jason Leung

We get it—you and your significant other built a restaurant and decided to name it after yourselves. Good for you. But if, by any chance, your combined names sound like a food poisoning illness , that might not be the best choice for a restaurant.

The restaurant could have easily been named Ella and Sam’s, to avoid this issue. But maybe, and just maybe, the couple had a twisted sense of humor and decided to go with it and see how it would turn out.

2

ChubbyBrain

Image: Jakub Żerdzicki

What does this name bring to mind? The image of a chubby brain is probably not an appealing one, and it certainly doesn’t convey the idea of a venture capitalist database. Yet, that’s exactly what ChubbyBrain is.

If your business needs funding, this company will analyze its database of venture capitalists, grant providers, and investors and match you up with those who would be most sympathetic to your cause , thus maximizing your chance of successful fundraising. A valuable service, hidden behind a weird name, indeed.

3

Wesabe

Image: Andre Taissin

A word that sounds similar to a Japanese sushi condiment was chosen as the name for this company, founded in 2005 to help users track their spending habits. The idea was a noble one: assist people in getting out of debt and learning how to make wise financial decisions.

But, alas, the company was not able to attract an audience. The name Wesabe was likely intended as a play on "We Save," but it didn’t translate that easily and it ended up being a nonsensical name for a good idea.

4

Cuil

Image: Growtika

There was a time when search engines were more diverse and prevalent than they are today, at least for the general public. Before Google became the giant it is now, Altavista, AskJeeves, Lycos, Yahoo!, and others were the go-to sites for browsing the web.

Cuil was one of those search engines, it boasted the largest search index and the fastest queries . But, for some reason, it shut down in 2010. The name might have played a part in that, as it had no connection to searching and its pronunciation was unclear. Granted, many search engines had equally odd names and still made it. But it certainly didn’t help in Cuil’s case.

5

Boring Business Systems

Image: Rodeo Project Management Software

If your name is also a word, with a meaning attached to it, then it would be wise to consider if associating it with a product or service is a good idea, or not. Named after one of its original executives, Allan D. Boring, this network services and IT support company is unashamed of its namesake. In fact, it embraces it, assuring outsiders that there is "nothing boring" about its features and services.

6

Xobni

Image: Solen Feyissa

One would be hard-pressed to link this name to a product or service, that is, unless you were looking at it reflected in a mirror because Xobni is "Inbox" spelled backward. Yes, this company made email-related products , until it shut down in 2014.

Besides the unoriginal idea of simply spelling your product name backward, it doesn’t help if the resulting word sounds odd and unrelatable.

7

Lawdingo

Image: Tingey Injury Law Firm

The idea of having a Saul Goodman-type lawyer might be appealing to some, but for the most part, people believe that the law is serious business and should be treated as such. Lawdingo is a web service that provides affordable legal advice for both individuals and businesses.

While the idea behind it seems great, the word "dingo" can hardly be associated with the kind of characteristics one searches for in a law firm, like quality and professionalism.

8

Qwikster

Image: Phil Hearing

When choosing a literal brand name, it’s generally a good practice to select one that clearly associates with the product or service offered. Qwikster was a company launched by Netflix in 2011 to focus on the DVD-by-mail service branch of the business.

According to the people in charge, the name Qwikster was chosen because it referred to quick delivery. Or at least that is what they thought. While the name does have a rhythmic quality, it doesn’t really connect to the service it was meant to represent.

9

AmericInn Hotel

Image: Marten Bjork

Some brands thrive despite having less-than-ideal names. AmericInn Hotel is a mid-priced hotel franchise consisting of 240 locations across the U.S. While AmericInn has done arguably well for itself, one can only wonder how much better it might have performed with a different name.

The problem isn't the name itself, but its awkward spelling. Any brand thinking about purposefully misspelling common words, should proceed with extreme caution and only use this resource if it truly makes business sense.

10

Backrub

Image: Greg Bulla

As strange as Google might have sounded at first, BackRub would have sounded even weirder had it gained the same level of recognition. Founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin named their first search engine BackRub in 1996. A year later, BackRub became too large to operate on the Stanford University servers that hosted the website, prompting them to register the now-familiar domain name Google.com.

While using the expression "rub it" in the same way we use "google it" today might have been a possibility, it certainly does not have the same ring to it.

1

Elvis Presley

Born and raised in Tupelo, Mississippi, with early dreams of music stardom, Elvis lived a short life that was nothing short of a miracle for music . His first career breakthrough came in 1954 when he recorded the single "That's All Right," fusing country, blues, and gospel to create a revolutionary new sound . Elvis’s unique music and tremendous popularity led him to achieve his first No. 1 hit, "Heartbreak Hotel," in 1956.

Elvis’ catalog is packed with absolute classics known and loved worldwide, such as "Can't Help Falling in Love," "Burning Love," and "Jailhouse Rock," among many others. Elvis’ image remains one of the most recognizable symbols of Rock and Roll, and his music inspired countless artists.

2

Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan is one of those artists whose cultural influence is quite difficult to explain because of how much he has achieved. He’s been frequently credited as the creator of folk-rock and is a member of three different Halls of Fame: the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

His music is a defining element of American culture, with memorable classics such as "Blowin' in the Wind," "Like a Rolling Stone," "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," and "The Times They Are a-Changin'." And in 2016, he became the first songwriter to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature "for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition."

3

Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra is the quintessential male vocalist. Who hasn’t sung at the top of their lungs some of his legendary songs like "My Way," "Fly Me to the Moon" or "Strangers in the Night." Born in 1915, Sinatra rose to fame in the 1940s as the lead singer for Harry James and Tommy Dorsey. But he would reach stratospheric heights of fame when he launched his solo career.

Sinatra sold more than 150 million records worldwide, won 11 Grammy Awards, starred in over 50 films, and even nabbed an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for From Here to Eternity (1953) . But his greatest achievement goes beyond numbers and metrics; he shaped generations of singers through his unmistakable voice.

4

Chuck Berry

It’s impossible to talk about Rock and Roll without naming its father, Chuck Berry. With his music, he created the blueprint for the genre , delivering a number of all-time classic songs like "Johnny B. Goode," "Roll Over Beethoven" and "Sweet Little Sixteen."

Chuck Berry’s guitar riffs and his one-of-a-kind live performances went on to define some of the main elements of rock, and his signature "duck walk" became iconic and endlessly referenced in pop culture over the years. A fascinating detail about his music is that "Johnny B. Goode" was selected for the Voyager Golden Record music collection that was sent into space on NASA's Voyager spacecraft in 1977 to represent Earth's culture.

5

Dolly Parton

3,000 songs written, more than 100 million records sold, and 11 Grammy Awards are just some of the achievements Dolly Parton has racked up throughout her impressive career. Born in Sevierville, Tennessee, Parton went on to become one of country music’s greatest ambassadors .

Her music catalog is filled with gems like "Jolene," "9 to 5," "Coat of Many Colors" and "I Will Always Love You," which gained international recognition when Whitney Houston recorded it for The Bodyguard (1992). Parton famously wrote both "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You" in one day. She also had a successful Hollywood career and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

6

Bruce Springsteen

Famously hailing from New Jersey, "The Boss" rose to international fame with Born to Run in 1975 and became the voice of working-class America . Songs like "Born to Run," "Born in the U.S.A.," and "Dancing in the Dark" spoke to everyday people, their hopes, struggles, and the coveted American dream.

Springsteen has sold more than 140 million records worldwide and has won 20 Grammy Awards, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award. He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2016, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. To this day, Springsteen remains one of the most respected American songwriters.

7

Madonna

It’s impossible to make a list of the greatest artists in history without including the Queen of Pop . Madonna was (and is) a sensation. She took the world by storm with Like a Virgin (1984) and transformed pop music by constantly reinventing her image, her music, and her provocative performances.

We all remember her from the MTV era and how she redefined the role of music videos and used them as a platform for artistic expression and cultural commentary. Throughout her successful career, she has reinvented her musical style, transitioning between pop, dance, electronic, Latin, and R&B without losing relevance, selling over 400 million records worldwide.

8

Prince

Few artists in history could ever embody versatility quite like Prince did. An incredibly talented person, he not only revolutionized popular music but also created a whole new style that was his own .

He would write, produce, arrange, and perform much of his music himself, and though he’s best known for his guitar, piano, and vocals, Prince could play more than 20 instruments . An absolute music genius! His album Purple Rain (1984) is one of his greatest and best-selling creations, and it earned him several Grammy Awards and an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score.

9

Michael Jackson

A single white glove, a black fedora, military-inspired jackets, and the moonwalk: Michael Jackson’s visual identity is one of the most recognizable images in music history . From his beginnings as a child in The Jackson 5 to conquering the world as the "King of Pop," Michael’s career is marked by an unparalleled string of hits.

It’s no surprise that his most massive album was Thriller (1982), which still holds the record as the best-selling album of all time , with more than 70 million copies sold worldwide. And his total record sales are over 500 million worldwide.

10

Aretha Franklin

Often hailed as the greatest singer of all time, "The Queen of Soul" started singing gospel music in her father’s church before achieving international fame in 1967 with the release of "Respect," her signature song. Aretha’s powerful voice is unmistakable, and her energy on stage will forever be remembered .

Some of her most famous songs are "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "Chain of Fools," "Think," and "Freeway of Love." On top of her Grammy Awards and millions of records sold, Aretha became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.