1. Paul Robeson, who showed that any kind of music can be sung with dignity, beauty and grace, and that Black songs are high art as much as any other.

2. Muddy Waters, who yea, was influenced by Leroy Carr, but who wrote the model for the singer who balances smooth and roaring with aplomb and utter command. Any blues, rhythm n blues, rock and roll or rock singer since who's yearned for both popular appeal and critical authenticity has attempted to duplicate Muddy's sheer magnetism in this regard.