1

Chuck Berry

Image: Provincial Archives of Alberta

Let’s begin with the man known as the "Father of Rock and Roll." To label Chuck Berry as a pioneer would definitively misrepresent the legacy of this amazing musician; Berry was almost solely responsible for introducing the key elements that would eventually define rock music.

Songs like "Maybellene," "Roll Over Beethoven," and "Johnny B. Goode" influenced countless musicians through the ages. Legendary artists like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones famously covered some of his songs, while Bob Dylan once defined Berry as "the Shakespeare of Rock n’ Roll."

2

Bruce Springsteen

Image: Jose Antonio Gallego Vázquez

Up next, we have a boss that anyone would love to have in their office. Bruce Springsteen is undoubtedly one of New Jersey’s favorite sons. Known as "The Boss," Springsteen has dazzled the American public since his first album in 1973, earning a myriad of awards and recognitions in the process, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Known for his insane charisma and distinctive voice, Springsteen has performed with his iconic "E Street" band since 1972. Rolling Stone magazine has described him as "the embodiment of rock and roll" and included him in its list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time."

3

Jimi Hendrix

Image: Aditya Wardhana

Can the ‘60s be summarized by one musician? Many believe they can even summarized by one performance: Jimi Hendrix’s jaw-dropping rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner" at Woodstock. In a way, this legendary guitarist embodies the innovation and freedom that characterize this era, but make no mistake: Hendrix’s contributions to rock and roll can’t be limited to a single decade. Suffice it to say that the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame considers him to be "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music."

Born in Seattle, Hendrix showed interest in music from an early age. He bought his first guitar at age 15 and practiced daily, imitating the styles of blues musicians like B.B. King and Howlin’ Wolf. While he sadly passed away at age 27, his legacy continues to live on in every single one of his amazing songs.

4

Elvis Presley

Image: Clem Onojeghuo

Chuck Berry might have been the "Father of Rock and Roll," but Elvis Presley was this genre’s undisputed "King." This musician’s legacy is as timeless and eternal as his songs are, earning him a well-deserved spot among America’s most beloved pop culture icons. Just think of all the countless Elvis impersonators around the world to realize how iconic Elvis’s music and style were.

Elvis received his first guitar at the age of 7. Little did anyone know that this birthday gift would be the first step in a meteoric musical career. From his amazing dance moves to his unbelievable charisma, Elvis will forever be remembered as an American icon.

5

Tom Petty

Image: Samuel Ramos

In the 1980s, when Tom Petty joined the musical supergroup "The Traveling Wilburys," he stood shoulder to shoulder with juggernauts like Bob Dylan, George Harrison, and Roy Orbison. While Petty was relatively a newcomer when he joined what many believe to be the biggest supergroup in history, time would prove that he had what it takes to become one of the most memorable rock stars in history.

According to the man himself, Petty’s love for rock 'n' roll first started when he met Elvis Presley at age 10. This love for music would eventually lead him to form his most iconic band, "Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers," with which he performed for almost 40 years.

6

Jon Bon Jovi

Image: Simon Weisser

It takes talent to make your last name synonymous with rock 'n' roll, but John Francis Bongiovi Jr., better known as Jon Bon Jovi , was able to turn his last name into the name of one of the most groundbreaking bands of the ‘80s.

Born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, Jon formed Bon Jovi when he was still in his teens, quickly rising to fame and becoming an undisputed rock star. While he is still very much active in music, he has also built a very successful acting career, appearing in TV shows like Sex and the City and The West Wing .

7

Jim Morrison

Image: Markus Spiske

Take it to the world of rock 'n' roll to produce a nickname like "the Lizard King" to describe one of the most emblematic vocalists of the '70s. Regardless of whether there was someone who could pull off such a strange nickname, it was Jim Morrison . In fact, this singer chose the nickname himself, as it perfectly described both his fascination with reptiles and Native American culture.

Morrison’s deep voice and magnetic persona were among the main reasons behind The Doors' rise to prominence, quickly making them the first American band to achieve eight consecutive Gold LPs. While his life was unfortunately cut short at the age of 27, his songs, poetry, and journals will forever celebrate the Lizard King’s legacy.

8

Prince

Image: DJ Johnson

Prince's first live band was called "The Revolution," and we believe that this is one of the most aptly named bands in history. After all, this Minneapolis-born musician brought forward a revolutionary and fresh take on music, fashion, and art in general. Known for his amazing falsetto voice and flamboyant persona, Prince is considered to this day one of the very best musicians in history.

You would think that such a flashy and daring musician would take a more ostentatious stage name, but Prince Rogers Nelson performed under his first name throughout his entire career. Actually, that’s not entirely true: while in the midst of a contractual dispute, he performed as " The Artist Formerly Known as Prince " for approximately a decade.

9

Steven Tyler

Image: Matt Botsford

Steven Tyler might have the nickname that every rock singer probably covets: known as "the Demon of Screamin’," Aerosmith’s frontman is recognized for his powerful voice and vast vocal range.

Tyler has been at the helm of Aerosmith since its beginning in Boston in the early ‘70s, producing such hits as "Dream On" and "Walk This Way." While the band is currently on hiatus due to Steven injuring his vocal cords, Aerosmith still hopes to return to performing soon.

10

Kurt Cobain

Image: Panos Sakalakis

The '90s introduced the world to a new take on rock music: for many, grunge was the quintessential sound of this decade, characterized by its raw and angry tone. In that sense, there’s no band that represents the '90s better than Nirvana, and this legacy is in no small part due to Kurt Cobain.

Known for his scruffy yet powerful voice, Cobain led this iconic trio since its inception in 1987. While his untimely death deprived the world of his incredible talent, his legacy still lives on in amazing songs like "Smells like Teen Spirit" and "Come as You Are."

1

Don’t question the author

Image: Amaan Ali

In his usual sarcastic style, Mark Twain wrote in the opening "Notice" of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn : "Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot." It’s an unforgettable way to open a classic.

2

What you don’t know…

Image: Markus Spiske

In the book This Boy’s Life, Tobias Wolff wrote: "My first stepfather used to say that what I didn’t know would fill a book. Well, here it is."

It’s a dark but funny recounting of his turbulent youth in this memoir, so the line is a perfect setup for what’s to come.

3

About loyalty

Image: Niranjan V S

In her book Dark Places , thriller writer Gillian Flynn wrote: "What can I say about a man who knows how I think and still sleeps next to me with the lights off?"

The author of Gone Girl tipped her hat to her husband, Brett Nolan, here. Who doesn’t want a partner who accepts us fully—even if we spend our days writing about murky crimes?

4

Cosmic love

Image: Jayshree Sharma

If you’re a romantic, try not to swoon over Carl Sagan’s dedication in Cosmos : "In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it is my joy to share a planet and an epoch with Annie."

This beautiful line of cosmic love was dedicated to his wife and collaborator, Ann Druyan. And the book that follows is a science classic.

5

A touch of fantasy

Image: Ali Müftüoğulları

Ken Kesey’s famous book One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest , set in a psychiatric ward, wouldn’t be cataloged as fantasy at all. And yet, its memorable dedication reads: "To Vik Lovell, who told me dragons did not exist, then led me to their lairs."

6

The inclusive take

Image: Andrew Neel

John Cheever had a good idea in his dedication of The Wapshot Chronicle : "To M with love, and with best wishes to practically everybody else I know." A playful and inclusive way to make sure you leave out no one who matters! It was his debut novel, and it won the National Book Award.

7

The vengeful one

Image: Gaspar Uhas

This one is dark but packs a memorable punch. The dedication of No Thanks , by E. E. Cummings, is simply a list of names—the 14 publishers who turned his work down. But here’s the unforgettable bit: the words are arranged on the page in the shape of an urn.

8

Thanking the parents

Image: Lucas George Wendt

Comedian Judd Apatow dedicated his book Sick in the Head to his loving parents: "For Mom and Dad. Your support—and the mental health issues you gave me—made all of this possible." Tongue in cheek, just as fans would expect from him.

9

Chilling and sobering

Image: Isaac N.

Powerful: Toni Morrison’s dedication in Beloved is simply the phrase "Sixty million and more," referring to the victims of the transatlantic slave trade. No verbs, no explanations—just five heavy, sobering words to leave readers thinking.

10

About undying love

Image: Girl with red hat

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is, after all, a story steeped in undying love. His dedication was fitting: "Once again, to Zelda." It’s a brief but heartfelt nod to his wife and muse.

11

An offering

Image: Jouwen Wang

John Steinbeck’s East of Eden opens with a sort of letter. It’s longer than this, but it begins with an anecdote in which "Pat" asked him to give him a box to fill with things. The dedication reads:

"Dear Pat… Well, here’s your box… Nearly everything I have is in it… all the gratitude and love I have for you. And still the box is not full. JOHN."

1

Coca-Cola vs. Pepsi

The "Cola Wars" have been going on for decades, but it seems that there’s no resolution in sight. In the late 1970s, both companies started directing their marketing campaigns against each other, with mixed results , though Coca-Cola always seems to be half a step ahead of Pepsi. They have both gained a loyal following, but the war remains as strong as ever.

2

Hamilton vs. Burr

Political rivalries are not uncommon in America, but few include a deadly duel involving a sitting vice president. The animosity between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr intensified after Burr won a Senate seat from Hamilton’s father-in-law, Philip Schuyler. During the presidential election of 1800 and the New York gubernatorial election of 1804, Hamilton actively supported candidates opposing Burr. Deeply angered by Hamilton’s continued opposition and public criticism, Burr challenged him to a duel, and the rest is history.

3

Yankees vs. Red Sox

Sports fans are dedicated, but few rivalries match the intensity of those who support the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. They have been rivals since their first meeting more than 120 years ago, with the Yankees often being perceived as a dominant team, while the Red Sox filled the role of the underdog . Their enmity deepened dramatically in 1920, when Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees. What followed was an 86-year championship drought for Boston, popularly known as the "Curse of the Bambino," which the Red Sox finally broke in 2004.

4

Miami vs. Tampa

Can a sandwich cause a rift between two cities? It sure can. Cuban sandwiches are a Floridian staple , and their construction is often considered set in stone: ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread, served pressed. Unless you live in Tampa. There, a strong Italian influence has translated into the addition of Genoa salami to the Cuban sandwich, much to the outrage of their Miami neighbors.

5

Mark Twain vs. USPS

Renowned writer Mark Twain had no qualms about criticizing the things he disliked, and he surely disliked the United States Postal Service . He thought it costly, inefficient, and overregulated, and he made sure to let everyone know in articles, complaint letters, and conversations with influential figures. In a poetic turn of events, the USPS released a Mark Twain commemorative stamp in 2011.

6

Hatfields vs. McCoys

One of the most infamous feuds in American history, the rivalry between the Hatfield and McCoy families shook the West Virginia-Kentucky area for three decades . Starting with the murder of a McCoy who was returning home from war, the hostilities and deaths escalated to a point where the Supreme Court was forced to intervene.

7

Edison vs. Tesla

Many inventors were involved in the so-called "War of the Currents," waged on electric power systems, but Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla are the most remembered. Edison championed direct current (DC) electrical systems, which operated at relatively low voltages and were suited to short-distance distribution. Tesla, working with George Westinghouse, promoted alternating current (AC), which could be transmitted over long distances more efficiently. Despite Edison’s strong campaign to discredit AC and its proponents, it ultimately became the standard power system.

8

Joan Crawford vs. Bette Davis

Rivalries are everywhere in the film industry, but some become the stuff of legends. Allegedly, the feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis was never as intense as portrayed. While the two actresses did clash at times over personality differences, professional competition, and rumored romantic entanglements, much of the rivalry’s enduring reputation was fueled by gossip columns and sensational press coverage. And their respective film studios took advantage of it.

9

Burger King vs. McDonald’s

The fast-food industry has always had McDonald’s as one of its key players, but other companies have given their all to take that position. Burger King is one of McDonald’s oldest challengers , and has repeatedly tried to influence their customer base through a series of aggressive and often tongue-in-cheek marketing campaigns. While other brands, such as Wendy’s or Five Guys, have dipped their toes in the "Burger Wars," McDonald’s and Burger King remain two of the biggest names in the industry.

10

Edgar Allan Poe vs. Rufus Wilmot Griswold

While Poe looms far larger than Griswold in the modern American mind, much of what the public believes about the "Nevermore" poet was influenced by his rival . Their feud began with the publication of a poetry anthology by Griswold, which displeased Poe due to its contents and criticism of his own poetry. The animosity intensified when they both vied for the same editorial position and, reportedly, the affections of the same woman. After Poe’s death, Griswold wrote an obituary and a biography filled with attacks and slander, which contributed to the idea of Poe as a drunkard and a madman.