American hip hop, pop, and R&B, and dance ensemble Pussycat Dolls are as much performance art as they are music. Past and present US members include: Ashley Roberts, Carmit Bachar, Jessica Sutta, Kimberly Wyatt, Melody Thornton, Nicole Scherzinger, Carmen Electra, Chelsea Rafanan...

John Lennon once famously said, "before Elvis there was nothing." While not strictly true (Frank Sinatra inspired similar fan hysteria in the 1940s), Elvis was the figurehead of a new, sexually charged music which would change the world - rock and roll.

Alesha is one of seven children born to an English mother and Jamaican father. She has five half brothers and one half sister. Educated at Monks Walk school in Welwyn Garden City, Alesha had planned to become a PE teacher after leaving college, but fate intervened in the form of a record producer who approached her on a train and asked if she could sing. Alesha put her degree on hold and the rest, as they say, is history.

Led Zeppelin possibly the greatest rock band ever? Some would say they are rock. No doubt the same people who have been paying thousands of pounds to lay claim to tickets to their first concerts in years.

Some might say Amy is the female Liam Gallagher given her appetite for partying and no lack of tabloid coverage. In 2007 things went into overdrive as Amy scored accolades and headlines in all the right (and wrong?) places. 

Having  watched Britney meltdown in 2007 - shaved head, relationship problems, drink/drug issues, child custody battles it is polar to the Britney who was on American TV screens from 1993 as a member of The Mickey Mouse Club, alongside Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera.

Paul McCartney is still going strong on the music circuit playing around the globe and winning over the fourth generation of fans to discover the Beatles and McCartney in a solo capacity.

Like Will Young before her Leona Lewis is tipped to have a credible music career having won the XFactor (Pop Idol in Young's case). To start with Lewis's debut singles have charted at number one....watch this space.

As celebrity couples go, Jay Z and Beyonce are an a-list couple who look great, dress sharp and have no shortage of top 10 hits between them.  

Shock rocker Manson is a household name for his style, not to mention his antics (dressing up as the Pope - in Rome - got him some jail time). Manson has legions of groupies and is admits to being quite the party animal.

Diminutive singer Furtado radically transformed from Canadian skate styled chick, to raunchy Bronx like babe when she made her new style a success in 2006 with the release of the single Maneater.

Columbian Shakira might be described as the Latin Britney Spears. She is a massive star in Latino territories and wracks up chart hits like few.

It is over 20 years since the greatest Irish act of all time released a their most highly regarded album: Joshua Tree. These days front man Bono is a highly influential campaigner when not touring the world with the band.   

Usher, real name, Usher Raymond IV was brought up  in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. He started out singing in the local church choir. Then in 1994 usher tasted his first success when got a record deal. See our photos of Usher.

Like fellow New Yorker, Madonna; Jennifer Lopez started out as a dancer before moving into music.

Anger Management has been a feature of Eminem's career with his last Tour named after it. Get backstage photos of Eminem's throughout his music career - from Marshall Mathers II, to the Real Slim Shady all three incarnations the protégés of Dr Dre .

Three record breaking album The Duthess is the name of Black Eyes Peas front women Fergie's first solo release - it's a neat play on her name connection with the Duchess of York aka: Sarah Fergusson, (but no connection with Manchester United boss Alex 'Fergie' Fergusson!).

Astonishing to think that No Doubt's Gwen Stefani is almost 40 years of age - she has been a star for the past 20 years. See how her career in pictures with a photos of Gwen Stefani.

See our gallery of Janet Jackson photos, including show the infamous nipple episode at the Superbowl performance with Justin Timberlake. Janet Jackson is touring in 2008.