Bob Dylan (b. Robert Zimmerman, 1941):

Urban folk singer and songwriter; he took his stage name from his favorite poet, Dylan Thomas. His songs include hits such as “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Mr. Tambourine Man,” and “Like a Rolling Stone.”

Jimi Hendrix (1942–70):

The most original, inventive, and influential guitarist of the rock era, and the most prominent African American rock musician of the late 1960s.

Patsy Cline (1932–63):

Country vocalist who scored crossover hits with songs such as “I Fall to Pieces,” and  “Crazy,” both recorded in 1961.

Ray Charles (Ray Charles Robinson, 1930–2004):

Known as the “Genius of Soul”; songwriter, arranger, keyboard player, and vocalist fluent in R&B, jazz, and mainstream pop.

Grateful Dead:

Band that originated in the 1960s San Francisco rock scene. Their career spanned more than three decades.

James Brown (1933–2006):

The “Godfather of Soul.” He was known for his acrobatic physicality and remarkable charisma on stage. No other single musician has proven to be as influential on the sound and style of black music as James Brown.

Aretha Franklin (b. 1942):

“The Queen of Soul,” she began singing gospel music at an early age and had several hit records with Atlantic, including “Respect” in 1967 and “Think” in 1968.

Janis Joplin (1943–70)

The most successful white blues singer of the 1960s. Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Joplin came to San Francisco in the mid-1960s and joined a band called Big Brother and the Holding Company.

Grace Slick (b. 1939):

Vocalist for Jefferson Airplane. One of the most important female musicians on the San Francisco scene during the 1960s.

Jerry Garcia (1942–95):

Guitarist, banjoist, and singer who had played in various urban folk groups during the early 1960s before forming the Grateful Dead in 1967.