Gaye, Marvin Pentz Jr.

Wonder, Stevie (Stevland Hardaway Morris)

1950-present

A blind child prodigy signed to Motown at age 11, became one of the most decorated recording artists in history with 25 Grammy Awards, the most ever won by a male solo artist, and produced a run of 1970s albums including Innervisions and Songs in the Key of Life widely regarded among the greatest in popular music

Charles, Ray (Ray Charles Robinson)

1930-2004

Pioneered soul music by fusing gospel, rhythm and blues, and jazz, earning the nickname “The Genius” and becoming one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, with signature hits including “I've Got a Woman,” “What'd I Say,” and “Georgia on My Mind”

Cooke, Sam (Samuel Cook)

1931-1964

Became known as the “King of Soul” and “inventor of soul music,” crossing over from gospel stardom with the Soul Stirrers to a thirteen-year run of pop hits including “You Send Me” and “Chain Gang,” and composed “A Change Is Gonna Come,” later ranked the No. 1 protest song of all time by Rolling Stone

Franklin, Aretha Louise

1942-2018

Became known as the “Queen of Soul” and, in 1987, the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, winning 18 Grammy Awards and recording enduring anthems including “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Think” that became touchstones of the civil rights and women's movements