How Adele Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Adele—a timeline of influence.

Adele Laurie Blue Adkins is a highly acclaimed English singer-songwriter, widely regarded as a British icon. Known for her powerful mezzo-soprano vocals and emotionally resonant songwriting, she has achieved significant critical and commercial success. Her numerous awards include 16 Grammy Awards, 12 Brit Awards, an Academy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award, solidifying her status as one of the most successful and influential artists of her generation.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1964: Comparisons to The Beatles

Following Adele's performance at the Brit Awards in February, Adele became the first living artist to achieve the feat of two top-five hits in both the Official Singles Chart and the Official Albums Chart simultaneously since the Beatles in 1964.

1967: "The Look of Love" Nominated at the Oscars

In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". Prior to this, the James Bond song "The Look of Love" was nominated for an Oscar in 1967.

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1973: "Live and Let Die" Nominated at the Oscars

In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". Prior to this, the James Bond song "Live and Let Die" was nominated for an Oscar in 1973.

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1977: "Nobody Does It Better" Nominated at the Oscars

In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". Prior to this, the James Bond song "Nobody Does It Better" was nominated for an Oscar in 1977.

1979: Kate Bush's Only Tour

In 2017, Adele stated that the release of 25 and her own comeback were inspired by Kate Bush's return to the stage in 2014, 35 years after her last live shows from her only tour in 1979.

1981: "For Your Eyes Only" Nominated at the Oscars

In 2013, Adele won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the James Bond theme "Skyfall". Prior to this, the James Bond song "For Your Eyes Only" was nominated for an Oscar in 1981.

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1998: Inspiration from Madonna's Ray of Light Album

In 2017, Adele cited Madonna's 1998 album Ray of Light as a "chief inspiration" for her album 25, highlighting its significant influence on her work.

2002: Discovery of Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald

In 2002, 14-year-old Adele discovered Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald while browsing the jazz section of a local music store, sparking her interest in their music and leading to her developing her own voice.

2003: Inspiration from Amy Winehouse's Album Frank

In 2003, Adele was inspired by Amy Winehouse and her album Frank to take up the guitar, influencing her songwriting for songs like 'Daydreamer,' 'Hometown [Glory],' and 'Someone like You'.

November 2008: Move to Notting Hill and Giving Up Drinking

In November 2008, Adele moved to Notting Hill, London, after leaving her mother's house, which prompted her to give up drinking.

2008: Recognition of Adele's Singing Voice

In 2008, Sylvia Patterson of The Guardian highlighted Adele's 'bewitching singing voice', noting its enigmatic quality and ability to evoke strong emotions, similar to Eva Cassidy's influence.

May 2011: "Team Adele" ranked number one on The Guardian's "Music Power 100" list

In May 2011, "Team Adele" was ranked number one on The Guardian's "Music Power 100" list, recognizing the most influential people in the music industry.

2011: Adele credited with reviving the music industry

Billboard credited Adele for reviving the music industry in 2011, the year of '21's release, highlighting her unique presence and relatable personality.

2011: Alter Ego "Sasha Carter"

In 2011, Adele created the alter ego "Sasha Carter" to deal with onstage anxiety, inspired by Beyoncé's "Sasha Fierce".

2011: Adele names The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as her favorite album

In 2011, Adele deemed Hill's record The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill as her favourite album, while also stating "I was analyzing the record for about a month at the age of 8, I was constantly wondering when I would be that passionate about something, to write a record about it, even though I didn't know I was going to make a record when I was older"; while also thanking Hill "for existing" in a penned letter, that she dedicated in honour of the 20th anniversary of Hill's album.

February 2012: Adele Listed Among VH1's Greatest Women in Music

In February 2012, Adele was listed at number five on VH1's 100 Greatest Women in Music, solidifying her status as a prominent female artist.

April 2012: Adele Named One of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People

In April 2012, Time magazine named Adele one of the 100 most influential people in the world, acknowledging her impact beyond the music industry. People named her one of 2012 Most Beautiful at Every Age.

February 2013: Adele Named One of the UK's Most Powerful Women

In February 2013, Adele was named one of the 100 most powerful women in the UK by Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4.

2014: Adele regarded as a British cultural icon

In 2014, Adele was already being regarded as a British cultural icon, associated with UK culture by young adults from abroad.

2014: Inspiration from Kate Bush's Comeback

In 2017, Adele stated that the release of 25 and her own comeback were inspired by Kate Bush's return to the stage in 2014, 35 years after her last live shows from her only tour in 1979.

April 2016: Adele Appears on Time 100 List for Second Time

In April 2016, Adele appeared for the second time on the Time 100 list of the world's most influential people, reaffirming her global impact.

2016: Vanity Fair Cover Story

In 2016, Vanity Fair magazine published a cover story which referred to Adele as the "Queen of Hearts".

2017: Beyoncé as 'Artist of My Life'

In 2017, Adele described Beyoncé as a significant inspiration, calling her "[the] artist of my life," highlighting her profound impact on Adele's musical journey.

2018: Adele Inducted into Royal Albert Hall's Walk of Fame

In 2018, Adele was inducted into the Royal Albert Hall's Walk of Fame, becoming one of the first eleven recipients of a star on the walk.

December 2019: Adele Named Singer of the 2010s by Israeli Media

In December 2019, Israel's largest TV and radio stations named Adele singer of the 2010s, recognizing her significant contributions to music during the decade.

2019: Adele listed among the top artists of the decade

In 2019, Insider Inc. listed Adele among the top artists of the decade, noting her impact on pop music.

2021: Adele's album described as a global cultural event

In a 2021 article from The Daily Telegraph, James Hall wrote that "a new Adele album isn't just a release − it's a global cultural event".

May 2022: Adele Named Among Time's 100 Most Influential People for the Third Time

In May 2022, Time magazine recognized Adele for the third time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, placing her in the "icons" category.

October 2023: Adele reveals struggles with alcoholism and sobriety

On 14 October 2023, during a concert of her Weekends with Adele residency, Adele revealed that she had suffered from "borderline alcoholism" since her 20s and that she had been sober for three months.

December 2023: Adele Receives Sherry Lansing Leadership Award

In December 2023, Adele was listed in The Hollywood Reporter's 2023 Women in Entertainment Power 100 and received the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award, recognizing her influence and leadership.

2023: Adele Ranked Among Rolling Stone's Best Singers of All Time

In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Adele no. 22 on their list of 200 Best Singers of All Time, further cementing her legacy as one of the greatest vocalists.

2023: Adele listed among the greatest singers of all time

Rolling Stone listed Adele at 22nd in their 2023 list of 200 Greatest Singers of All Time while The Times named her as 2nd best singer of the 21st century in their list of 20 best solo singers.