50 American Music Icons at the BBC

As America celebrates 250 years of Independence, we celebrate 50 of the biggest names in modern American music and their performances over the years at the BBC. It’s a playlist of acts covering 70 years of classic hits, including the most influential and successful artists, bands and songwriters who made the journey from the US charts to international superstardom and also took time to appear on a UK audience's TV screens on their way.

Featuring artists ranging from Beyonce to Bruce Springsteen, Ella Fitzgerald to Nirvana, Liberace to Johnny Cash, Louis Armstrong to Lady Gaga, and Carole King to Bruno Mars, this collection highlights the incredible range of genres and songs that US artists have given the world, and why so many of them are – to quote Tina Turner – simply the best.