Music has been found in all discovered cultures to date. Musicians are individuals who perform and create this music professionally. For most people, music is an important part of their lives and their ability to express themselves and relate to one another. Below is a list of top musicians of all time. They have been selected for their unique styles, innovation in music, historical impact, and popularity.

Famous Musicians

Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) Nationality: German Known For: Transition from the Classical to the Romantic era in music. Ludwig van Beethoven is one of the most revered composers in the history of Western music, known for his innovative compositions.	Bob Marley (1945-1981) Nationality: Jamaican Known For: Reggae music and social and political issues. Bob Marley was a reggae icon who used his music as a platform for social and political issues, inspiring generations.	Miles Davis (1926-1991) Nationality: American Known For: Revolutionary approach to jazz. Miles Davis was a jazz trumpeter and composer known for his innovative approach to jazz, playing a crucial role in the development of several styles.
Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) Nationality: Indian Known For: Popularizing Indian classical music in the West. Ravi Shankar was a virtuoso sitar player and composer who brought Indian classical music to global prominence.	Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996) Nationality: American Known For: Leading jazz vocalist with a pure tone and innovative scat singing. Ella Fitzgerald, known for her incredible vocal talent and scat singing, was a defining figure in jazz music.	Fela Kuti (1938-1997) Nationality: Nigerian Known For: Pioneering Afrobeat music and activism. Fela Kuti, a multi-instrumentalist, was renowned for his creation of Afrobeat and his strong political activism.
Celia Cruz (1925-2003) Nationality: Cuban Known For: Queen of Salsa. Celia Cruz was celebrated as the “Queen of Salsa”, known for her powerful voice and dynamic performances.	Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) Nationality: American Known For: Foundational figure in jazz music. Louis Armstrong was a foundational figure in jazz music, known for his charismatic stage presence and innovative skills as a trumpet player and vocalist.	Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) Nationality: South African Known For: Popularizing African music globally. Miriam Makeba, known as “Mama Africa,” was a pioneering figure in bringing African music to the world stage.
Freddie Mercury (1946-1991) Nationality: British Known For: Lead vocalist of Queen, flamboyant stage presence. Freddie Mercury, lead vocalist of Queen, was known for his powerful vocals and flamboyant stage persona, making him a rock icon.	Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Nationality: Russian Known For: Renowned for his symphonies, ballets, and operas. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is renowned for his symphonies, ballets, and operas, a leading figure in Romantic music.	Luciano Pavarotti (1935-2007) Nationality: Italian Known For: One of the most famous operatic tenors of all time. Luciano Pavarotti, an operatic tenor, was celebrated for his performances and recordings that made opera accessible to a wider audience.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Nationality: German Known For: Baroque period compositions, Brandenburg Concertos. Johann Sebastian Bach was a composer and musician of the Baroque period, known for masterpieces like the Brandenburg Concertos and his contributions to the development of harmony and counterpoint.	Elvis Presley (1935-1977) Nationality: American Known For: “The King of Rock and Roll”. Elvis Presley, known as “The King of Rock and Roll,” was a significant cultural icon of the 20th century, known for energizing the genre of rock music.	Maria Callas (1923-1977) Nationality: Greek-American Known For: Renowned opera singer with bel canto technique. Maria Callas was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century, remembered for her bel canto technique.