Inactive Solo Artists
The following is alist of inactive solo artists, songwriters, and bandleaders with original music who were based in Oklahoma or had strong Oklahoma ties.
For a list of active solo artists, visitSolo. For a list of active solo cover artists, visitSolo Cover Artists. For a list of solo cover artists on hiatus or no longer performing, visitDefunct Solo Cover Artists.
This is an incomplete list. You can assist by adding more information to this page. Need help? VisitTutorial - Adding Artists.
Founded 1840s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wallace Willis | Gospel •African-American Spiritual | Doaksville, Indian Territory | 1840-1883 |
Founded 1860s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henry C. Gilliland | Folk •Bluegrass •Country | Weatherford, TX | 1861-1924 |
Founded 1900s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hart Wand | Blues | Oklahoma City, OK | est. 1909-? |
Founded 1920s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kay Starr | Jazz •Pop •Country •Swing | Dallas, TX | 1926-1937 •1946-? |
| Lee Wiley | Jazz •Swing | Tulsa, OK | 1923-1966 •1971-1972 |
Founded 1930s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Don Byas | New York City, NY | 1939-1972 | |
| Ernie Fields | Tulsa, OK | 1930-1966 | |
| Jay McShann | Kansas City, MO | 1936-2006 | |
| Woody Guthrie | Folk | Pampa, TX | 1930-1956 |
Founded 1940s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earl Bostic | New York City, NY | 1945-1965 | |
| Hal Singer | New York City, NY | 1948-2014 | |
| Howard McGhee | Los Angeles, CA | 1946-1987 | |
| Jimmy Liggins | |||
| Joe Liggins | Los Angeles, CA | 1944-1987 | |
| Lowell Fulson | -1999 | ||
| Oscar Pettiford | Okmulgee, OK | 1942-1960 | |
| Patti Page | Tulsa, OK | 1946-2012 | |
| Roy Milton |
Founded 1950s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anita Bryant | Pop •Christian •Gospel •Military •Marches | Tulsa, OK | 1956-1980 •1985-2001 •2005 •2007 |
| Barney Kessel | Los Angeles, CA | 1953-1992 | |
| Cal Smith | 1955-1957 •1966-2013 | ||
| Chet Baker | 1953-1966 •1974-1988 | ||
| Flash Terry | |||
| Jamie Horton | Oklahoma City, OK | 1953-1962 | |
| Jean Shepard | 1952-2015 | ||
| Jimmy Rushing | 1955-1972 | ||
| J. J. Cale | Blues •Americana •Tulsa Sound | Tulsa, OK | 1958-2013 |
| Pee Wee Russell | 1937- | ||
| Roger Miller | 1957-1981 •1983-1992 | ||
| Ted Taylor | Los Angeles, CA | 1956-1987 | |
| Wanda Jackson | Rock •Rockabilly | Oklahoma City, OK | 1952-2016 |
Founded 1960s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bob Markley | Los Angeles, CA | 1960-1962 | |
| Del Ashley | - | ||
| Don Cherry | |||
| Harlow Wilcox | |||
| Henson Cargill | Oklahoma City, OK | 1962-1981 | |
| Joe Lee Wilson | |||
| Lee Hazlewood | 1963-2006 | ||
| Wayne Bennett | Blues | Sulphur, OK | 1967-1992 |
Founded 1970s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Betsy Smittle | 1971-2013 | ||
| Billy Parker | |||
| Bob Childers | 1979- | ||
| Cecil McBee | |||
| Claude Williams | Kansas City, MO | ||
| David Gates | 1973-2006 | ||
| Delia Bell | - | ||
| Frank Mantooth | |||
| Jesse Ed Davis | 1971-1973 | ||
| Leon Russell | 1970- | ||
| Marshal Royal | |||
| Mary Kay Place | Tulsa, OK | ||
| Maxine Weldon | 1970- | ||
| Mel McDaniel | Tulsa, OK | 1975- | |
| Phil Seymour | 1978- | ||
| Roger Tillison | - |
Founded 1980s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stephen Wiley | Muskogee, OK | 1982- |
Founded 1990s
Founded 2000s
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| 900X | Electronic •Synthpop | Tulsa, OK | ?-? |
| Baby Daggers | |||
| Clay Withrow | Oklahoma City, OK | ?-2008 | |
| El Paso Hot Button | Norman, OK | 2003-2010 | |
| Honky Mofo | |||
| Jamie Oldaker | |||
| Kellie Coffey | Country | Moore, OK | 2002-2016 |
| KRLL | |||
| P.D.A. | Rap •Hip Hop | Tulsa, OK | 2002-2013 |
| Penny Hill | Folk | Norman, OK | 2009-2012 |
| Ryan Lindsey | Rock •Alternative Rock | Norman, OK | ?-? |
| Shannon Thomas | Tulsa, OK | ?-? | |
| Zac Maloy | - |
Founded 2010s
Unknown
| Name | Genre | Origin | Years Active |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bedlam Emotion | Moore, OK | -2014 | |
| Bill Pitcock IV | |||
| D.C. Minner | |||
| Dead Language | |||
| Denver Duncan | Oklahoma City, OK | ?-2012 | |
| The Manchesters | - | ||
| Matt Taylor | Tulsa, OK | - | |
| Noel Bolte | |||
| Terminal |
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