Elton John One of the greatest stars of the rock & roll era, Elton John exploded like a supernova in the early 1970s and sustained a career that kept him at the top of the charts for the next five decades. He had a Billboard Top 40 hit single every year between 1970 and 1996, a sign that he knew how to both change with the times and mold the times to fit him. John's earliest records were part of the moody, introspective post-'60s singer/songwriter movement, but once he had a hit with "Your Song," the pianist revealed he could also craft Beatles-like pop and pound out rockers with equal aplomb. As "Rocket Man," "Crocodile Rock," "Daniel," "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road," and "Bennie and the Jets" – songs John wrote with his lifelong collaborator Bernie Taupin – climbed into the Top Ten on either side of the Atlantic, John was inescapable during the first half of the '70s. His versatility, combined with his effortless melodic skills, and flamboyant stage shows, became his calling cards, sustaining him through shifts in fame and fortune.

Don Williams (born Donald Ray Williams; May 27, 1939 – September 8, 2017) was an American country singer, songwriter, and 2010 inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He began his solo career in 1971, singing popular ballads and amassing 17 number one country hits. His straightforward yet smooth bass-baritone voice, soft tones, and imposing build earned him the nickname: "Gentle Giant" of country music.

Rick Astley's 1991 album 'FREE' marked a significant departure from his previous pop-driven sound, showcasing a more mature and introspective side. The album, which featured a blend of pop, soul, and R&B influences, and a star-studded list of collaborators, including Elton John, Michael McDonald and Mark King, presented Rick in a new light, exploring themes of love, loss, and personal growth. Singles like 'Cry for Help' and 'Move Right Out' displayed Astley's emotive vocals and soulful delivery.

Born : June 8, 1951 in Skewen, Wales.Tyler came to prominence with the release of her 1977 album The World Starts Tonight and its singles "Lost in France" and "More Than a Lover". Her 1978 single "It's a Heartache" was a hit on both sides of the Atlantic, reaching number 4 in the UK and number 3 in the US. After winning the 10th World Popular Song Festival for the UK in 1979, Tyler converted from country music to rock music.

Bonnie Tyler (born Gaynor Hopkins, 8 June 1951) is a Welsh singer who is known for her distinctive husky voice. Tyler came to prominence with the release of her 1977 album The World Starts Tonight and its singles "Lost in France" and "More Than a Lover". Her 1978 single "It's a Heartache" reached number four on the UK Singles Chart, and number three on the US Billboard Hot 100.

An engaging crooner, TV personality, and entrepreneur, Andy Williams was one of the most bankable and popular singers of his era. With his laid-back delivery, supple voice, and amiable charm, Williams rode a wave of success that took him from a childhood vocal act with his brothers to worldwide fame as a solo artist, eventually finding latter-day success as a theater impresario in Branson, Missouri. He started out as a crooner in the post-Frank Sinatra style, and scored his most recognizable hit with his version of Henry Mancini's Breakfast at Tiffany's theme "Moon River" off 1962's Moon River & Other Great Movie Themes. However, his wide-ranging taste in music (as evidenced by the guests on his '60s variety show) found him embracing artists and songs across generational and stylistic boundaries; and he can be heard on record interpreting songs that range from traditional pop to rock to bossa nova, country, and more. From the pre-rock & roll era onward, Williams was one of the most recognizable singers of his day. Born in Wall Lake, Iowa, Williams sang in his church choir and later formed a quartet with his three brothers. The group performed on radio throughout the Midwest, then moved to Los Angeles to make it in show business.

Usually the name Gold: Greatest Hits means "avoid this album." Many times small labels will buy the rights to some obscure songs by a big-name artist and then release it under that very title. But despite the name, this collection keeps the crap in the middle of the album, buried between the good stuff. In fact, this is a really good retrospective of this band. The dark and lonely ballads that Karen Carpenter sang take center stage, pushing brother Richard's pop contributions to the background. The album starts strong enough, featuring several of their biggest hits, including "Superstar," "Rainy Days and Mondays," "Goodbye to Love," and "It's Going to Take Some Time." And the album ends with more big hits, such as "Top of the World," "(They Long to Be) Close to You," and "We've Only Just Begun"; even their Klaatu cover, "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft," makes it. But the middle is a danger zone of filler, featuring forgettable tracks like "Please Mr. Postman" and its ilk. But this collection has the requisite amount of good Carpenters songs to make it worthwhile, and anyone who does not have these songs on album should give this a listen.

English singer-songwriter, composer and pianist, born March 25, 1947, Pinner, Middlesex.
Elton John has been one of the dominant forces in rock and popular music, especially during the 1970s. He has sold over 200 million records, making him one of the most successful artists of all time. He has more than 50 Top 40 hits including seven consecutive No. 1 U.S. albums, 59 Top 40 singles, 16 Top 10, four No. 2 hits, and nine No. 1 hits. He has won five Grammy awards and two Academy Awards. His success has had a profound impact on popular music and has contributed to the continued popularity of the piano in rock and roll

Virgin 3CD compilation album featuring Rock Ballad classics from the 60's - 90's, featues artists include Queen, Gerry Rafferty, The Doobie Brothers, David Bowie, Paul McCartney & Wings, Genesis, The Faces & many more 57 Classic Rock Ballads.

Yvonne Elliman is remembered for her hit from Saturday Night Fever, the luminous "If I Can't Have You," and that's about it. That's too bad because she was a pretty nice soft rock/easy disco singer who released some fine records in the '70s. 20th Century Masters: The Best of Yvonne Elliman shows her gentle way with a ballad on the lovely cover of the Eagles' "Best of My Love," her breathy take on the Neil Sedaka-penned "Baby Don't Let It Mess With Your Mind," and her first hit, "I Don't Know How to Love Him," from the cast album of Jesus Christ Superstar. It also shows she could handle a sexy groove on her sly cover of Barbara Lewis' "Hello Stranger" and the Barry and Robin Gibb-written "Love Me." She wasn't always handed the best of material to work with as the cheesy "Love Pains" and "Everything Must Change" show, but even on these tracks her winning charms rule the day.

Ronnie Hilton was one of the most successful British ballad singers of the 1950s and, unlike many of his contemporaries, he continued to have hits after the arrival of rock'n'roll. He was so popular that when the BBC wanted a host for their 1990s radio series Sounds Of The Fifties Ronnie was the obvious choice. Ronnie Hilton was an important part of 1950s Britain - as the NME noted at the end of that decade, 'Right from the start, he has given us a string of captivating and easily memorised songs, which have had the entire nation whistling and singing'. A well deserved epitaph for one of the great British balladeers. This fine collection features all of his 'Magic Moments' on one CD.

A well-sequenced set of nine ballads done by various incarnations of Miles Davis groups for Columbia Records between 1956 and 1984, this compilation is a wonderful listen but pieces like "Flamenco Sketches" and "I Loves You, Porgy," for instance, really need to be heard in their original settings to be truly appreciated…

Lindsey Buckingham hadn't recorded a studio album with Fleetwood Mac in 16 years when Say You Will was released in April 2003. His partner, Stevie Nicks, had been missing in action from the group since 1990, and while both joined the reunited group in 1997 for a tour and live album (The Dance), not to mention Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration, it had been a long, long time since the two made new music for the Mac…

One of Italy's best-loved artists, Adriano Celentano has been equally successful in film and music. Whether singing Elvis Presley-inspired rock, as he did as a member of the Rock Boys in 1957, or romantic balladry, Celentano found a dedicated market for his music…

Pure Instinct is the thirteenth studio album by the German hard rock band Scorpions, released in 1996. Reviewers criticized the album for having too many ballads and not enough hard rock or even rock…