Celebrating Its 60th Anniversary: The Shure SM58 Remains the "Synonym for Live Sound"

Olivia Dean performs with a custom chrome-finished SM58.

Over the past 60 years, the Shure SM58 microphone has played a central role in numerous defining moments in music and culture. From emerging artists to today's top acts and performers who have profoundly impacted the industry, the SM58 continues to define how the live voice connects with audiences around the world.

Since its introduction in 1966, the continuously produced SM58 has delivered consistently high performance in live houses, clubs, theaters, arenas, and festivals of all sizes. As a result, it has established itself as the most recognized live vocal microphone. Beyond its track record of supporting countless legendary performances, it continues to be chosen by contemporary artists pursuing innovative expression across all genres.

British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean, winner of 'Best New Artist' at the 68th Grammy Awards, is one of the new generation of artists who rely on the SM58 as the core of their live sound.

Dean stated:
"The SM58 has been an essential part of my live shows for years. Choosing a microphone is so important; it needs to have the clear, warm, classic sound I'm looking for, not to mention reliability and durability. The SM58 delivers exactly that. For 'The Art of Loving Tour', we used a custom chrome-finished model, and it perfectly matched the stage design."

The enduring popularity of the SM58 lies in its outstanding fundamental design. It has earned trust over the decades due to its excellent durability and its ability to reproduce a clear, natural vocal sound in various environments. The cardioid polar pattern effectively suppresses feedback and background noise, while the internal shock mount and rugged construction withstand harsh touring environments. This basic design has been refined over time to continue meeting the needs of modern performers and production teams.

Chris Schyvinck, President and CEO of Shure, commented:
"Very few products maintain their high reputation for 60 years, and it's even rarer for one to become an industry standard. The reason the SM58 continues to be trusted across generations is not because of trends, but because it consistently delivers reliable performance on every stage."

The SM58 has been used in every conceivable setting, from U.S. presidential speeches and international broadcasts to prominent concert stages worldwide. Its distinctive spherical grille is widely recognized as a symbol of live performance, capturing countless voices during historic moments and continuously connecting audiences with artists.

SM58 – A presence continuously chosen by iconic artists across generations.

Patti Smith performing on 'Saturday Night Live'.

Tina Turner performing live at the Hammersmith Odeon in London, April 1982.

DMC of Run DMC performing in front of a massive crowd at the Live Aid concert held at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 1985.

Sir Paul McCartney—singer-songwriter, poet, composer, and multi-instrumentalist—performing on stage during a live concert on December 12, 1989.

Shania Twain performing at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, on June 18, 1998.

Bjork performing using the SM58 during her Cornucopia tour.

Phoebe Bridgers of boygenius performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in Indio, California, on April 22, 2023.