1

Jimi Hendrix

Image: Aditya Wardhana

We’ll start with what many believe to be the very best guitarist of all time. James Marshall Hendrix , better known as "Jimi", truly redefined rock music during his tragically short career. Born in Seattle, Jimi’s fascination with music started at an early age: His school teachers recall that he would often carry around a broom, on which he would pretend to play the guitar.

The four albums recorded by Hendrix are still regarded as masterworks, known for their innovation, technique, and amazing design. If we have the difficult task of summing up this amazing musician’s legacy in one moment, we would definitively choose his rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock.

2

B.B. King

Image: Thomas Kelley

If you are looking for an undisputed king of the blues, look no further: After all, this man has the word "King" as his surname. Born as Riley B. King in 1925, B.B. King’s career was filled with amazing performances, timeless records, and an undying love for the blues.

However, the influence of "The King of the Blues" is definitely not limited to only one genre: Many iconic musicians and bands owe a lot to B.B. King. Not only that, in 1987, King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a spot well earned by one of the most groundbreaking guitar players in history.

3

Chuck Berry

Image: Rachel Bramlett

Chuck Berry’s contributions to rock and roll can’t be overlooked: After all, there’s a reason people know him as "the Father of Rock N’ Roll". Berry’s legacy truly befits a pioneer such as himself: He redefined the concept of rhythm and blues into the most defining elements of what we now know as rock and roll, creating the basis of history’s most popular music genre in the process.

Chuck wrote such legendary songs as "Johnny B. Goode", "Maybellene", and "Roll Over Beethoven". His charisma and raw talent quickly made him one of the most famous music stars in the 50s, but his legacy still lives on to this day.

4

Carlos Santana

Image: Simon Weisser

We mentioned Jimi Hendrix’s unforgettable performance at Woodstock, but it’s also necessary to talk about Carlos Santana and his amazing breakthrough in this legendary music festival. For many Americans, Woodstock was the very first time hearing Santana’s music, but it certainly wouldn’t be the last.

Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán began playing music at an early age: His father, a musician, taught him how to play the violin and the guitar when he was 5. Nowadays, at the young age of 77, he happily continues to tour around the world.

5

Slash

Image: Cathy Mü

Some guitar players are so iconic that they don’t even need a full name, but Slash takes it to the next level: After all, he only needed a punctuation mark for the whole world to remember him. Known worldwide as the guitarist of the 80s hard rock band Guns N’ Roses, Slash is instantly recognizable by his insane riffs and solos, as well as his wild hair and elegant top hat.

Slash has been named one of the best rock guitarists in history by several magazines and publications, including Rolling Stone and Time Magazine. Should you want to hear some of his most amazing melodies, we recommend the guitar riff in "Sweet Child of Mine" as well as the insane guitar solo in "November Rain".

6

Stevie Ray Vaughan

Image: Dominik Scythe

Although his career was cut abruptly short, Stevie Ray Vaughan is considered to this day one of the most influential and groundbreaking guitar players in music history. Vaughan’s seven years in the public eye left an indelible mark on rock and roll that still continues to influence young musicians around the world.

Born in Dallas, Stevie began playing the guitar at the age of 7, inspired by his older brother, guitarist Jimmie Vaughan. By the time he made it on his own as the frontman of the "Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble" trio, Vaughan was already an accomplished studio guitarist, even recording the instrumentals on David Bowie’s iconic 1983 album Let’s Dance.

7

Frank Zappa

Image: Dominik Scythe

As you would expect, this article includes its fair share of talented and groundbreaking musicians, but we can certainly state that Frank Zappa has a quality we haven’t seen in our previous entries: His sense of humor. Zappa’s raw talent playing the guitar can only be compared to his incredible sense of irony and parody, often reflected in the lyrics of his band "The Mothers of Invention".

However, don’t let his ability for satire make you think that Zappa was anything less of a virtuoso: Even detractors who consider his experimental and eclectic style off-putting also admit that his talent can’t be denied.

8

Wes Montgomery

Image: Adrian Ordonez

For any casual observer, the guitar often seems overlooked by jazz orchestras, falling in the shadows of other instruments like the piano, the trumpet, or the saxophone. However, we can almost guarantee that any jazz aficionado will agree that Wes Montgomery ’s contributions to this genre have no equal.

You might not know that Wes was not the only musician in his family: Both his brothers, Monk and Buddy, were accomplished jazz players in their own right. However, Wes is probably the most influential of the three; many of his songs have become jazz standards, while his unique style of playing was instrumental in the creation of smooth and fusion jazz.

9

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Image: Samuel Ramos

Many regard Rosetta Tharpe as the "original soul sister," and with good reason, as she performed under the stage name " Sister Rosetta Tharpe " throughout her entire career. However, there’s another title that shouldn’t be overlooked: Since she has influenced music legends like Elvis Presley, Eric Clapton, and Chuck Berry, she is also known as "The Godmother of Rock n’ Roll".

Born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, by the age of 6, Tharpe had joined her mother in a traveling evangelical group, advertised as a "singing and guitar-playing miracle". By 1938, her amazing guitar skills, often showcased in guitar battles at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York, had already earned her a name as one of the best guitar players around.

10

Robert Johnson

Image: Ahmed Rizkhaan

We’ll end this article with a man that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes as perhaps "the first ever rock star". Born in Mississippi in 1911, Robert Johnson is recognized as a pioneer in the "Delta Blues" style and one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century.

What’s interesting is that Johnson’s career spanned only seven months: He recorded 29 songs in only 2 sessions. However, his amazing skills even spawned a supernatural legend. Many believed that Johnson’s talent came from an agreement with a supernatural entity at a crossroads.

1

Texas barbecue

Image: Andrik Langfield

Texas barbecue is heavily influenced by central European traditions . German and Czech immigrants settled in the state in the mid-nineteenth century introducing new ingredients. That is the main reason we find pork products like sausages in Texas-style barbecue, in addition to the classic beef brisket. In order to preserve fresh meat longer, they used to smoke it and cook it for a very long time. Over the years, this traditional barbecued meat, which originated in central Texas, spread throughout the state, so today we can enjoy not one but four different styles !

Central Texas BBQ is generally very straightforward, the meat is smoked over pecan, mesquite, or oak wood with just a salt and pepper dry rub. South Texas BBQ has Mexican influences and uses a molasses-based sweet sauce. East Texas BBQ is marinated in a sweet tomato-based sauce and slowly cooked via indirect heat. Finally, West Texas BBQ is prepared over an open flame using mesquite wood.

2

Memphis barbecue

Image: Philipp Kämmerer

No doubt about it, Memphis is one of the BBQ capitals of America . Unlike barbecue styles in other states, in Memphis, the meat is cooked using charcoal instead of hardwood logs. Pork ribs and pork shoulder are the signature cuts prepared with a tangy and sweet sauce based on molasses and tomato. Classic sides for the Memphis barbecue are sweet baked beans and slaw.

Barbecue originated in Memphis at the beginning of the 20th century , when African Americans began to populate the state. Often found in lunchtime pork sandwiches and late-night treats in nightclubs, Memphis BBQ style soon became a staple in the area. Many entrepreneurs opened new restaurants during this time, including John H. Mills, considered Memphis’s First Barbecue King. Rumor has it that even the great Bing Crosby was a regular at Mills’s place whenever he was in town.

3

Kansas City barbecue

Image: fstop314.com

According to the Visit KC website, "Barbecue in Kansas City is more than a menu item or a method of preparation. It’s an institution." The fact is that Kansas barbecue has a long history and is central to the city's culinary culture . Not for nothing is it called the "BBQ Capital of the World". With more than 100 restaurants, there’s even a Kansas City Barbeque Society in charge of promoting this style of cooking around the world.

Kansas City’s love for barbecue started in the early 1900s when a man called Henry Perry began selling slices of hickory smoked meat wrapped in newspaper. Soon after, others followed and started developing their own barbecue recipes. Nowadays, the Kansas City barbecue style involves grilling or smoking different kinds of meat seasoned with a dry rub, then finished with a tomato-based barbeque sauce. Sides include bread, pickles, baked beans, and slaw.

4

North Carolina barbecue

Image: Peter Bravo de los Rios

Whether at a backyard grill, or a traditional wood fire pit at a local restaurant, North Carolina has a proud barbecue tradition. This particular method of smoking and cooking meat has its roots in the emergence of hog cultivation . In the 1500s, Spanish settlers brought pigs to the region and natives on Roanoke Island contributed with their wood-fired slow-cooking method. Over the years, barbecue in North Carolina became a special feature in every celebration and special occasion.

Although recipes may vary between different regions in the state, pork is always the main ingredient . While in the East people cook the whole hog, western Carolinians prioritize the pork shoulder. The sauce is a matter of controversy too. The Eastern tradition calls for a thin vinegar and pepper sauce, whereas Western recipes add tomato or ketchup. Geographical customs aside, if you happen to visit North Carolina, order a local barbecue in one of the many great restaurants and you won’t be disappointed!

5

South Carolina barbecue

Image: @felipepelaquim

Some argue that South Carolina is "The Birthplace of Barbecue" . We won’t be able to settle this debate here and now, but what is certain is that the Palmetto State's barbecue tradition goes back at least five centuries. As with North Carolina, South Carolina barbecue also has its origins in the cultural exchange between Spanish settlers and American Indians . Europeans brought and raised pigs on the islands off the Atlantic coast and the natives knew exactly how to cook them.

The South Carolina barbecue style means cooking and smoking meat —preferably pork— low and slow over hardwood coals. Sometimes pulled from a whole hog, sometimes chopped from a shoulder or ham, South Carolina barbecue comes with a signature sauce depending on the region . You can find a blend of vinegar, salt, and some red pepper to spice things up or a yellow sauce made of cider vinegar, brown sugar or honey, and mustard. No matter which one you get, be prepared for an exceptionally tender and flavorful dish!

6

St. Louis barbecue

Image: Rachel Bramlett

Did you know St. Louis is said to consume more BBQ sauce per person than anywhere else in the country? St. Louisans are big on spare ribs, which may have been introduced in the local culinary tradition more than a century ago. As the legend goes, a steamboat cook named Henry Perry used to slow smoke discarded slabs of ribs from the Kansas City stockyards using locally harvested hardwood trees.

Nowadays, the St. Louis barbecue style includes a variety of seasonings and cooking methods . From grilling to slow smoking, ribs, pulled pork, burnt ends, and pork steaks are smeared with a sauce made from ingredients such as salt, vinegar, black pepper, brown sugar, tomato, and even apricots. Unlike other types of barbecue, St Louis style does not require a dry rub and it cooks a lot faster. White bread is the side of choice, especially if you want to make the most out of all that BBQ sauce!

7

Hawaiian barbecue

Image: Tirza van Dijk

Yes, they have barbecues in Hawaii. Although you won’t get the traditional ribs, pulled pork, and brisket, the Aloha State is home to a delicious kind of barbecue. Influenced by its many immigration waves —primarily from China, Korea, Japan, Portugal, and the Philippines—, it has labor origins dating back to the late 19th century . While modern Hawaiian barbecue includes various cooking techniques, such as roasting, smoking, and grilling, the traditional way requires an imu , an underground oven lined with hot rocks, and banana and ti leaves.

Barbecues from the Paradise of the Pacific are often sweet, tangy, and tropical . You can find chicken, beef, pork, and even seafood. Marinades and sauces incorporate Asian flavors and ingredients like soy sauce, garlic, ginger, and brown sugar. Side dishes range from sticky rice to macaroni salad, complementing and balancing the bold flavors of the meats.

8

Alabama barbecue

Image: Rachel Bramlett

In the South, barbecue is synonymous with any meat that's cooked over the fire. Although pork is often the protein of choice, some restaurants in Alabama also feature brisket, chicken, and beef ribs. Barbecue became popular in Alabama during the early 19th century when difficult economic times required a clever way for the working class to bring flavor and tenderness to cheap cuts of meat.

Sauces involved in the Alabama barbecue style are as diverse as they come . Influenced by the neighboring states of the so-called "barbecue belt", you can find variations of tomato-based sauces, spicy marinades, mustard dressings, and even a white sauce made with mayonnaise, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, and black pepper. Across Alabama, these mouth-watering smoked meats are often served on hamburger buns filled with dill pickles and topped with coleslaw.

9

Kentucky barbecue

Image: Luis Santoyo

Barbecues in Kentucky have been popular for a long time. In the Bluegrass State pork shoulders are a popular cut cooked on concrete block masonry pits for at least half a day. However, Kentucky is most famous for smoking mutton over hickory coals . Kentuckians also barbecue other meats like chicken, pork tenderloins, cured hams, and turkey breasts for sandwiches.

Kentucky is home to a diverse array of barbecue sauces with almost every county having its own take. For example, Hickman County uses mostly vinegar and cayenne pepper, while McCracken County sauces taste strongly of vinegar and chili powder. Others prefer an allspice Worcestershire-based dip. The signature sides for Kentucky barbecue are toast, vinegar slaw, and pickled eggs.

10

Florida barbecue

Image: Dim Hou

Florida may be best known for its fresh seafood but the Sunshine State also has its own barbecue style . And a soft spot for pork too! A testament to the important place pig meat has in Floridian cuisine is the Cuban twist on the classic BBQ sandwich found at many local joints.

What sets Florida barbecue apart from others is its Caribbean and Latin American influences. Florida BBQ often blends techniques of the Southern United States style barbecues —like the use of sweet tomato sauce or mustard sauce— with Caribbean flavors such as vinegar, fruits, peppers, and spices. It may not be the most traditional barbecue in the country but it is certainly worth a try!

1

George and Martha Washington

Image: Matt Briney

As the first presidential couple of the United States, the union of George and Martha Washington is undoubtedly one of the most important in our history.

George met Martha in 1758. At the time, she was a recent widow with two children, and he was a young officer who soon fell in love with her. Their connection was so strong that they got engaged after just a few months of knowing each other.

George and Martha married on January 6, 1759, and moved to the iconic Mount Vernon, to which they returned in 1797, after George's presidency.

To this day, some of his love letters to her have been preserved, proof of the deep love they had for each other.

2

Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King

Image: Neal Sweeney

We all have that cupid friend who finds the perfect match for each of their buddies. The great Martin Luther King Jr. also had a friend who introduced him to the woman who would become the love of his life, Coretta Scott.

Martin and Coretta met in Boston in 1952. They went on a date and quickly discovered many shared values and interests. United by their ideals, they fell in love and were married the following year in Alabama.

Together, they drew strength from one another, building a partnership that led to transformative and lasting changes for our country.

3

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy

Image: Jeremy Wong Weddings

A congressman and a journalist working for the Washington Times-Herald. The two were John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier, who met in 1952 at a dinner party in Washington, D.C.

Just like MLK and Coretta, JFK and Jackie quickly discovered many shared interests and ideals, and the crush was immediate.

John proposed to Jackie, and their engagement was announced in June 1953. They were married in September of that year. Their wedding, celebrated in Rhode Island, was attended by over 700 guests!

In 1960, JFK was elected President of the United States, and Jackie became the iconic First Lady we all came to know .

4

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash

Image: Ahmed Rizkhaan

Love often arrives when least expected, and that's what happened to Johnny Cash and June Carter while touring together in the late 1950s. Both were married to other people when they met. Their connection was immediate and undeniable, but it took several years before they decided to be together.

Johnny was anything but reserved with his marriage proposal: he proposed to June during a live show in Ontario, Canada, in 1968! Fortunately, she said yes, and they married in March of that same year.

Their deep love was reflected in several duets they performed together, such as "Far Side Banks of Jordan," "Jackson," and "The Loving Gift."

This country love story remains one of the most iconic in U.S. music history, and they are both fondly remembered.

5

Amelia Earhart and George Putnam

Image: Tomas Martinez

Love, respect, and admiration were among the pillars of the relationship between pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart and George Putnam.

Amelia Earhart was already an experienced aviator when she met Putnam, a publisher and promoter. In 1928, Putnam offered her an investment to help her become the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. This professional relationship evolved into a personal one, which eventually became a love story.

Amelia and George married on February 7, 1931 , in an intimate ceremony. However, the journey to that moment was far from easy: George had to ask Amelia to marry him several times before she finally said yes!

6

Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt

Image: freestocks

Eleanor Roosevelt was 17 years old when she met her future husband in the summer of 1902 . We're talking about Franklin Delano Roosevelt , who was Eleanor's fifth cousin once removed and the future president of our nation.

From the moment they met, they began to secretly correspond and became engaged the following year. Some people opposed this union, such as Franklin's mother, Sara Ann Delano. However, love was stronger, and they ended up making their relationship public and getting married on March 17, 1905.

As it is known, the one who gave the bride away was none other than Theodore Roosevelt, president at the time and Eleanor's uncle.

7

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean

Image: israel palacio

Maintaining a love story under the scrutiny of the public eye is not easy.

However, Dolly Parton and Carl Dean achieved this and much more for more than 50 years! An example of patience, commitment, and resilience, this couple met in 1964, shortly after Dolly moved to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her music career.

Dean, a businessman, preferred to keep a low profile despite Dolly's fame, but this did not stop them from marrying on May 30, 1966, in a private ceremony.

To this day, they continue to accompany and support each other.

8

John and Abigail Adams

Image: Sandy Millar

John Adams , our country's second president, met Abigail Smith in 1759 . She was a cultured and intelligent young woman who aroused John's interest. They married in 1764 and had five children. In November of 1800, they became the first presidential couple to live in the Executive Mansion, later known as The White House.

To this day, more than 1,100 of John and Abigail's letters are preserved, displaying the deep love, respect, and complicity they shared. In these letters, John referred to his wife as "Miss Adorable," isn't it the cutest detail?

9

Bonnie and Clyde

Image: Tengyart

The names Bonnie and Clyde are so intertwined that it's hard to think of one without the other.

During the Great Depression era, these two outlaws captured the attention of the press and public due to their unbreakable bond, which survived despite their criminal lives.

The two met in Texas in 1930, and, as the story goes, they quickly fell in love. They and their gang committed various types of crimes in several states across our country for a couple of years, managing to evade the law.

However, their luck ran out in 1934 when they were ambushed and fatally wounded by the police in the state of Louisiana.

10

Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco

Image: Hisu lee

Next time you're invited to a fancy event, make sure to go! You might meet the love of your life. This was the case for the iconic actress Grace Kelly , who met Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1955 at the glamorous Cannes Film Festival.

The two exchanged letters over a period before making their relationship official. The prince would visit Grace in the United States, and she would also travel to Monaco.

He proposed to her in December 1955. The union became a global sensation, captivating the press worldwide due to her fame and his royal position. The event that became known as the "Wedding of the Century" took place in April of the next year. She retired from her acting career, and the couple had three children: Princess Caroline, Prince Albert, and Princess Stéphanie.