Made in USA

10 American bands & musicians became icons

Before the Internet blew up, they had already conquered the world. These artists didn’t just make music; they rewrote culture. Elvis, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and more changed the music scene around the globe, becoming before-and-after sensations in entertainment history. Discover 10 Americans who not only made us sing and dance, but changed the way we experience music forever.

Elvis Presley, A.K.A The King of Rock and Roll, was an iconic American singer and songwriter. Born in 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi, and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Elvis grew up surrounded by music from the American South. This later influenced his style and turned him into a revolutionary artist who blended rock with gospel, country music, and R&B, giving rise to a new style known as rockabilly.

Not only that, his story represented the birth of modern global stardom. His career began in 1954, before influencers and algorithms. During that time, he became the first international star, having sold over a billion records globally, thanks to the combination of his talent, good looks, and charisma.

Bob Dylan, born Robert Allen Zimmerman, was a legendary American singer, songwriter, poet, and cultural star. His talent was so impactful that he was the first and only musician to have ever won the Nobel Prize in literature, cited for having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition.

During the 1960s, Dylan revolutionized songwriting by introducing poetic, intellectual, and socially charged issues into his songs. He also shocked many when he began incorporating electronic instruments, forever changing the landscape of traditional rock and roll.

Bruce Springsteen, also known as The Boss, was born in 1949 in Freehold, New Jersey, and became a ground-breaking American singer, songwriter, and rock star. He was raised in a working-class family, which led him to develop a blend of cinematic narratives about ordinary day-to-day Americans, with roaring rock and roll soundtracks.

More specifically, his mother was known for being the breadwinner of the household, while his father struggled to maintain a job and with depression. Against all odds, in 1975, he skyrocketed to fame with his landmark album Born to Run.

With over 140 million records sold throughout his career, 20 Grammy awards, and an Oscar, this mythical performer has impacted the lives of many and influenced the music industry like very few others.

Also known as The King of Pop, Michael Jackson remains one of the most successful entertainers of all time, known for his incredible abilities in singing, songwriting, and dancing.

He is greatly admired for transforming popular music, shattering social barriers, and elevating music videos into cinematic art, with complex production and incredible choreographies; like ‘Thriller’, which is also the best-selling album in the history of the world.

Jackson was born in 1958 in Gary, Indiana, in a strict, working-class African-American family with strong roots tied to the industrial Midwest. He began his artistic career at the young age of five as the lead singer of The Jackson 5, alongside his siblings.

She is the undisputed Queen of Pop. Born Madonna Louise Ciccone in 1958 in Bay City, Michigan, she later became the best-selling female artist in the world, with over 305 million albums sold worldwide.

She brought all sorts of taboo subjects into mainstream media and developed a continuous chameleon-like image, refusing to be stuck in one specific look; she consistently evolved into different looks and sounds, turning reinvention into a form of personal super-power.

Brian Wilson is known as the main creative mastermind behind The Beach Boys. Famously known for being afraid of the ocean and rarely going to the beach, Wilson co-created The California Myth, painting a vibrant picture of Southern California and co-crafting with his cousin, Mike Love, the West Coast Sunny Utopia, which coincided with its tourism boom in the 1960s.

He was also a vocal and sound genius, dedicating hours to teaching his cousins complex harmonic music. Pet Sounds is considered a revolutionary rock album, released in 1966, cited by Paul McCartney as an inspiration for The Beatles.

Formed in 1987 by Kurt Cobain (lead vocals & guitar) and Krist Novoselic (bass), with Dave Grohl (drums), Nirvana became an iconic American band. Their unique sound, characterized as raw and grunge, led to punk rock reaching the mainstream music scene.

Kurt Cobain had a crucial role in all this as he was the frontman, lead singer, songwriter, and main architect of the ensemble. Not only that, but he came from a small town called Aberdeen in Washington, where he felt alienated and often alone, heavily influencing his worldview and music. In 1991, the song Smells Like Teen Spirit was released and managed to knock off Michael Jacon from the top of the charts!

Johnny Cash was born in Kingsland, Arkansas, in 1932. Just like Elvis, he rose to fame later on with Sun Records in Memphis, universally known as The Man in Black. This is because when country music was strongly associated with stars and rhinestones, Cash wore all black in protest of the poor, the prisoners, and the outlaws.

His authenticity and cultural impact turned him into a towering American singer and songwriter who blended myth with genuine rebellion, alongside his deep bass-baritone voice, with which he unapologetically advocated for those forgotten in society.

Although he never served hard prison time, he was arrested a few times for substance abuse problems, amongst other issues, magnifying his renegade persona.

Aretha Franklin, the irreplaceable Queen of Soul, was born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a legendary American singer, especially known for her unparalleled vocal power and her emotional intensity, as well as her commitment and impact on giving a voice to African American and women's rights movements of the 1960s.

In 1987, she made history by becoming the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, having had incredibly successful hits such as (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman, Think, and I Never Loved a Man (the way I love you).

In Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1958, the musical mastermind, multi-instrumentalist, and cultural icon, Prince Rogers Nelson, was born. Some referred to him as The One Band Man, since on many of his seminal records, such as Purple Rain, he wrote, arranged, produced, and performed every single instrument himself.

In parallel to his mysterious persona and incredible talent, he had an impeccable work ethic, which led him to pioneer what then became known as the Minneapolis Sound, while having written some of the most famous songs ever, including Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O’Connor) and Manic Monday (The Bangles).

What does the thermometer say?

Perfect weather? These American destinations have it

Are you the type of person who decides on a vacation based on the weather? While some look into the cultural scene or the tourist attractions of a destination, others just want to spend a few days without worrying about the rain or the cold. With its varied landscapes, the U.S. offers all types of nice weather, be it sunny, hot, temperate, breezy, or just mild. If perfect weather conditions are a key element for you, these 10 destinations might be just what you are looking for.

Yuma holds the title of ‘Sunniest city in the U.S’ for a reason, as it has an average of over 300 days a year with sunny weather. It is also one of the driest places in the country, with sweltering and hot summers, but the mild and pleasant winters make it a perfect place to visit between November and March, with average temperatures of 60° to 70°F during the day, and 40° to 50° at night.

Many consider San Diego to have the best weather in America, with a mild Mediterranean climate and comfortable temperatures. With short summers and long but mild winters, the average temperature is between 50-77°F year-round. Coastal fog might cloud the city during May and June, but it typically clears by the afternoon, and San Diego residents boast about having around 300 days of sun a year.

Charleston has a sub-tropical climate, characterized by hot and humid summers and shorter winters. While it might not be the first choice that comes to mind for a summer vacation, it is an excellent destination if you are traveling during spring and fall. From March to May, the weather is sunny and warm (mid-70s° to 80°F), without being unbearably hot. During fall, the temperatures slightly drop to around the 70s°F, with some probabilities of wind and rain.

If mild winter escapes are your thing, St. George in Utah might be the perfect place for you. Though summers are long and hot due to its desert climate, winters at St. George are mild and dry, and quite different from the snowy landscapes of other parts of the state. With sunny weather for most of the year, temperatures from December to February go from the mid-50s to mid-60s°F during the day. Nighttime temperatures drop to the 30s°F, so make sure to pack some warm layers.

Unlike many other American cities with more than 300 days of sun a year, Santa Fe and Albuquerque can say that they have four very distinct seasons. With mild summers between 80°F and 90°F and colder winters around 20°F to 30°F, everyone can enjoy these cities, no matter the type of weather they prefer. Something to keep in mind: due to its higher elevation, Santa Fe is typically drier and cooler than Albuquerque.

The yearly average temperatures in Asheville don’t vary widely, but seasonal changes are distinct. While the weather is pleasant year-round, some might find summers in Asheville humid, and winters on the colder side, especially at night. Fall time, however, is the perfect time to visit Asheville: the temperatures of around 60°F, coupled with the sunny but breezy days, make it ideal for hikes and outdoor activities, with the stunning fall foliage as a backdrop.

If you like hot, dry weather, but want something slightly less extreme than Yuma, Phoenix might be worth a visit. With a similar amount of sunshine but a slightly higher yearly rainfall, Phoenix is still quite hot during summer, but less arid than Yuma. Winter temperatures are around the low 40°s, making that time of the year the perfect moment to visit.

If you want a warm winter but can’t deal with dry weather, the Florida Keys are the way to go. Although Florida, in general, is known for its humidity, the Floridian winter is warm, sunny, and drier than the rest of the year. With daily temperatures averaging mid-70s to low 80s°F during the day, and around 60°F at night, the Florida Keys are the ideal tropical spot to escape the cold during winter. One thing to consider: winter is the windiest season, so make sure to pack accordingly.

We all know that Honolulu is a tropical paradise, but what does this mean exactly when it comes to weather? Due to Hawaii’s tropical climate, the average temperature in Honolulu doesn’t vary much, with highs in the 80s°F and lows in the high 60s to mid-70s°F. Summers tend to be drier, while rain is more common during winter. Still, Honolulu experiences an average of 280 days of sun a year, making it the perfect destination for all seasons.

Aspen is a famous winter spot for snow sports enthusiasts, but did you know that it’s a year-round perfect destination for nature lovers? Its alpine climate makes summers warm and dry, with cooler nights, while spring and fall temperatures remain between 40°F and 60°F. Even if snow is not your cup of tea, Aspen is the perfect spot to connect with nature, no matter the season.