Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Singers of All Time"

[Vandal]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972

Here's the list, in case you don't want to go page-by-page:

1. Aretha Franklin
2. Ray Charles
3. Elvis Presley
4. Sam Cooke
5. John Lennon
6. Marvin Gaye
7. Bob Dylan
8. Otis Redding
9. Stevie Wonder
10. James Brown
11. Paul McCartney
12. Little Richard
13. Roy Orbison
14. Al Green
15. Robert Plant
16. Mick Jagger
17. Tina Turner
18. Freddie Mercury
19. Bob Marley
20. Smokey Robinson
21. Johnny Cash
22. Etta James
23. David Bowie
24. Van Morrison
25. Michael Jackson
26. Jackie Wilson
27. Hank Williams
28. Janis Joplin
29. Nina Simone
30. Prince
31. Howlin' Wolf
32. Bono
33. Steve Winwood
34. Whitney Houston
35. Dusty Springfield
36. Bruce Springsteen
37. Neil Young
38. Elton John
39. Jeff Buckley
40. Curtis Mayfield
41. Chuck Berry
42. Joni Mitchell
43. George Jones
44. Bobby "Blue" Bland
45. Kurt Cobain
46. Patsy Cline
47. Jim Morrison
48. Buddy Holly
49. Donny Hathaway
50. Bonnie Raitt
51. Gladys Knight
52. Brian Wilson
53. Muddy Waters
54. Luther Vandross
55. Paul Rodgers
56. Mavis Staples
57. Eric Bourdon
58. Christina Aguilera
59. Rod Stewart
60. Björk
61. Roger Daltrey
62. Lou Reed
63. Dion
64. Axl Rose
65. David Ruffin
66. Thom Yorke
67. Jerry Lee Lewis
68. Wilson Pickett
69. Ronnie Spector
70. Gregg Allman
71. Toots Hibbert
72. John Fogerty
73. Dolly Parton
74. James Taylor
75. Iggy Pop
76. Steve Perry
77. Merle Haggard
78. Sly Stone
79. Mariah Carey
80. Frankie Valli
81. John Lee Hooker
82. Tom Waits
83. Patti Smith
84. Darlene Love
85. Sam Moore
86. Art Garfunkel
87. Don Henley
88. Willie Nelson
89. Solomon Burke
90. The Everly Brothers
91. Levon Helm
92. Morrissey
93. Annie Lennox
94. Karen Carpenter
95. Patti LaBelle
96. B.B. King
97. Joe Cocker
98. Stevie Nicks
99. Steven Tyler
100. Mary J. Blige

[Cybernaught]

There are some questionable names both on and off this list. From the discussions I've heard on it, it seems to focus on a singer's impact and importance to music as oppossed to technical vocal skill.

I mean, Frank Sinatra didn't even make this list, and I'd consider him a better singer than Bob Dylan. Dylan as a songwriter? He deserves to be in the top ten. But as a singer? And above Frankie Valli not to mention, who is only number 80? Ridiculous. Frankie Valli is an all-time top tener in regards to vocal ability.

[Popo Agie Flow]

Thanks for the list, Vandal. Not likely I'd have found it without your post.

Isn't Valli a tenor?

[III]

The link to the list is actually more interesting than the list itself. It has commentary from other famous singers about the singer. I loved Robert Plant on Elvis Presley.

But if we're noting who's missing from the list: Tom Jones! One of the biggest voices of all times. And for Jenna - Celine Dion.

[Vandal]

The list is bogus without Linda Ronstadt.

[III]

I like the diversity of people they polled to compile the list. It's not just music writers and magazine execs. They actually polled .... musicians too (http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/101)!

Bill Adler Journalist

Ian Astbury The Cult

Irving Azoff Azoff Music Management

Sebastian Bach

Ginger Baker Cream

James Bernard Co-founder, The Source and XXL

Dickey Betts Dickey Betts and Great Southern

James Blunt

Bob Bogle The Ventures

Steve Boone The Lovin' Spoonful

Nathan Brackett Deputy managing editor, Rolling Stone

Jerome "Bigfoot" Brailey Parliament-Funkadelic

Brandy

Eric Burdon The Animals

Clem Burke Blondie

Solomon Burke

Brian "Danger Mouse" Burton Gnarls Barkley

Mike Campbell Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Jon Caramanica Journalist

Felix Cavaliere The Rascals

Rob Cavallo Producer

Martin Chambers The Pretenders

Dave Clark The Dave Clark Five

Lyor Cohen Warner Music Group

Alice Cooper

Chris Cornell

Steve Cropper Booker T. and the MG's

David Crosby

Cameron Crowe Filmmaker-writer

Will Dana Managing editor, Rolling Stone

Clive Davis Chief creative officer, Sony BMG

Anthony DeCurtis Contributing editor, Rolling Stone

Reginald C. Dennis Co-founder, XXL

Jimmy Destri Blondie

Dion DiMucci

Ronnie James Dio

Dr. John

Steve Earle

Jenny Eliscu Contributing editor, Rolling Stone

Michael Endelman Senior editor, Rolling Stone

Melissa Etheridge

Jason Fine Executive editor, Rolling Stone

Bill Flanagan Editorial director, MTV Networks

Mick Fleetwood

Chris Frantz Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club

David Fricke Senior writer, Rolling Stone

Richie Furay The Buffalo Springfield

Liam Gallagher Oasis

Caryn Ganz Deputy editor, Rollingstone.com

Elysa Gardner USA Today

Art Garfunkel

Gregg Geller Producer

Nelson George Journalist

Beth Gibbons Portishead

Billy Gibbons ZZ Top

Danny Goldberg Gold Village Entertainment

Sam Gooden The Impressions

Andy Greene Assistant editor, Rolling Stone

Sammy Hagar

Merle Haggard

Daryl Hall

Albert Hammond Jr. The Strokes

James Henke VP of exhibitions, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Will Hermes Senior critic, Rolling Stone

James Hetfield Metallica

Brian Hiatt Associate editor, Rolling Stone

Toots Hibbert

Robert Hilburn Los Angeles Times

Christian Hoard Contributing editor, Rolling Stone

Bruce Hornsby

Ian Hunter Mott the Hoople

James Hunter R&B singer

Tony Iommi Black Sabbath

Jimmy Iovine CEO, Interscope Records

Chris Isaak

Yusuf Islam

Etta James

Jim James My Morning Jacket

Al Jardine The Beach Boys

Chris Jasper The Isley Brothers

Billy Joel

Norah Jones

Rickie Lee Jones

Booker T. Jones Booker T. and the MG's

Craig Kallman Chairman and CEO, Atlantic Records

Lenny Kaye Patti Smith Group

Maynard James Keenan Tool

Brian Keizer Author

Alicia Keys

B.B. King

Ben E. King

Carole King

Howard Kramer Curatorial director, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Lenny Kravitz

Robby Krieger The Doors

Rick Krim Executive VP of music, VH1

Jon Landau Jon Landau Management

Simon Le Bon Duran Duran

Amy Lee Evanescence

Brenda Lee

Geddy Lee Rush

Jerry Leiber Songwriter-producer

Arthur Levy Music historian

Alan Light Journalist

Rob Light Head of music, Creative Artists Agency

Kurt Loder Correspondent, MTV

Courtney Love

Darlene Love

Mike Love The Beach Boys

Stan Lynch Formerly of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Loretta Lynn

Shelby Lynne

Melissa Maerz Senior editor, Rolling Stone

Ray Manzarek The Doors

Chris Martin Coldplay

Dave Mason Traffic

Joe McEwen VP of A&R, Concord Music Group

Paul McGuinness Principle Management

Roger McGuinn The Byrds

John Mellencamp

Peter Mensch Q Prime Management

James Mercer The Shins

Bob Merlis Music publicist

George Michael

Bette Midler

Mike Mills R.E.M.

Tom Moon Journalist

Sam Moore Sam and Dave

Scotty Moore Guitarist for Elvis Presley

James Murphy LCD Soundsystem

Graham Nash

Sinéad O'Connor

Yoko Ono

Ozzy Osbourne

Claudia Perry Journalist

Michelle Phillips The Mamas and the Papas

Iggy Pop

Marky Ramone The Ramones

Martha Reeves Martha and the Vandellas

Keith Richards

Jonathan Ringen Assistant managing editor, Rolling Stone

Robbie Robertson

Chris Robinson The Black Crowes

Mark Ronson Producer

Jody Rosen Senior critic, Rolling Stone

Carlos Santana

Austin Scaggs Associate editor, Rolling Stone

Boz Scaggs

Jill Scott

Bob Seger

Evan Serpick Former editor, Rolling Stone

Paul Shaffer Late Show With David Letterman

Patti Smith

Ronnie Spector The Ronettes

Bruce Springsteen

Mavis Staples

Ringo Starr

Chris Stein Blondie

Seymour Stein Co-founder, Sire Records

Rod Stewart

Terry Stewart President and CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Stephen Stills

John Sykes Co-founder, MTV and VH1

Benmont Tench Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Justin Timberlake

Butch Trucks The Allman Brothers Band

Carrie Underwood

Steven Van Zandt

Roger Waters

Scott Weiland

Mary Weiss The Shangri-Las

Jann S. Wenner Founder and editor, Rolling Stone

Craig Werner Author, professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Paul Westerberg The Replacements

Ann Wilson Heart

Brian Wilson

Mary Wilson The Supremes

Nancy Wilson Heart

Peter Wolf

[Shadow_Ferret]

That list is for shit.

As someone else pointed out, no Frank Sinatra? And what about Bing Crosby, simply one of the best voices ever. Dean Martin, too. No Keith Relf of the Yardbirds. No Lonesome Dave Peverett of Foghat who might not have had good range, but he put a lot of emotion into his singing. No Paul Young? He's got a great voice. And maybe this reflects my own styles, but no Ozzy, no Rob Zombie, no Sammy Hagar, no David Lee Roth, no Bon Scott, no Ian Gillian, no David Coverdale, no Dio, no Loreena McKennitt, no Nancy Wilson! No Rob Halford. To name just a few.

[aka eraser]

Rolling Stone stopped being about the music a helluva long time ago. This list is proof. What a dog's breakfast.

[Cybernaught]

I also can't believe Sting didn't make this list. What a crock.

[Devil Ledbetter]

Just the fact that they missed Eddie Vedder makes the list a farce.

I got a kick out of Jim James's write-in ballot. (http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/24160218/the_100_greatest_singers_inside_t/photo/11)

[Clio]

I'd consider him a better singer than Bob Dylan. Dylan as a songwriter? He deserves to be in the top ten. But as a singer?

I have always been of the opinion that there should be a law against allowing Dylan to sing his own songs!

[robeiae]

Neil Young?

:ROFL:

I mean, I love him. But great singer? Come on...

And yes, Linda Ronstadt should be there, in the top ten. So should Martha Reeves, imo.

ETA: And am I mising it, or is Barbra Streisand also a no show?

[poetinahat]

Needs Tracey Thorne.

They coulda spelled "Eric Burdon" right...

[III]

Anyone wanna bet this (http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/24160218/the_100_greatest_singers_inside_t/photo/5) is exactly how Courtney Love's hand-written presidential election ballot looked?

[III]

Oh, speaking of tools (http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/24160218/the_100_greatest_singers_inside_t/photo/12). Sorry Maynard, you just dropped a few notches in my book.

[Devil Ledbetter]

I agree about Dylan and Young. Great song writer's both. They could be on many "100 Greatest" lists. But singing? Come on!

[poetinahat]

That list is for shit.

As someone else pointed out, no Frank Sinatra? And what about Bing Crosby, simply one of the best voices ever. Dean Martin, too. No Keith Relf of the Yardbirds. No Lonesome Dave Peverett of Foghat who might not have had good range, but he put a lot of emotion into his singing. No Paul Young? He's got a great voice. And maybe this reflects my own styles, but no Ozzy, no Rob Zombie, no Sammy Hagar, no David Lee Roth, no Bon Scott, no Ian Gillian, no David Coverdale, no Dio, no Loreena McKennitt, no Nancy Wilson! No Rob Halford. To name just a few.
Not to mention Billlie or Ella. Or Enrico Caruso.

[Devil Ledbetter]

Not to mention Billlie or Ella. Or Enrico Caruso.You would like B.B. King's ballot (http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/24160218/the_100_greatest_singers_inside_t/photo/3).

[Ken]

glad to see Morrison on the list.
He should be higher up, imo.

[Cybernaught]

I think Paul McCartney is a much better singer than John Lennon was.

[gypsyscarlett]

That list is for shit.

As someone else pointed out, no Frank Sinatra? And what about Bing Crosby, simply one of the best voices ever. Dean Martin, too. No Keith Relf of the Yardbirds. No Lonesome Dave Peverett of Foghat who might not have had good range, but he put a lot of emotion into his singing. No Paul Young? He's got a great voice. And maybe this reflects my own styles, but no Ozzy, no Rob Zombie, no Sammy Hagar, no David Lee Roth, no Bon Scott, no Ian Gillian, no David Coverdale, no Dio, no Loreena McKennitt, no Nancy Wilson! No Rob Halford. To name just a few.

Not to mention Billlie or Ella. Or Enrico Caruso.

This list is painful.

It's a joke that Sinatra, Crosby, Martin, Billie, Ella, and Caruso were left off.

And uh- what about Callas and Pavarotti?

Oh- and what about Judy Collins? Her voice is pure gorgeous.

Unfortunately, Loreena McKennitt isn't a big enough name to make the list. I'd certainly have her on mine, though.

And hell yes for Rob Zombie!

[BenPanced]

Rolling Stone stopped being about the music a helluva long time ago. This list is proof. What a dog's breakfast.
Amen, daddyo. They shouldn't have asked any of their staff members. Probably would've been a "purer" sample. I mean, Missy Elliot and Britney Spears featured in their special "Women of ROCK" issue?!

I...I...can't continue. NO DORIS DAY?! NO ROSEMARY CLOONEY?! Pack of animals.

[Inkdaub]

My man Ed Vedder doesn't make the list? Absurd.

John Lennon...as usual...is WAY too overrated on this list.

Neil Young has no business on a singers list.

Old Blue Eyes is rolling in his grave.

Mercury should be higher.

Johnette Napolitano...is where?

Ozzy is missing.

Etc...etc...etc...

[Don Allen]

I'm not sure this list is right for the likes of crooners such as Sinatra, Martin, and such.. I think they fall in the class of "Standards" not rock and roll, huge distinction..
I disagree with Inkdaub about Lennon being overrated,,, In actuality is voice may be one of the top 5 most distinct sounds in all of rock and roll along with Elvis, Dylan, Aretha, Stevie Wonder.

[III]

Okay AW, time to put your money where your mouth is. Vote in the AW Top 100 Singers poll (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2972293#post2972293).

[KTC]

I'm happy to see Jeff on that list. Buckley's passionate voice should live forever. My brain tells me they are right not to include Leonard Cohen, but my heart tells me to hate them for it.

[gypsyscarlett]

I'm not sure this list is right for the likes of crooners such as Sinatra, Martin, and such.. I think they fall in the class of "Standards" not rock and roll, huge distinction..
I disagree with Inkdaub about Lennon being overrated,,, In actuality is voice may be one of the top 5 most distinct sounds in all of rock and roll along with Elvis, Dylan, Aretha, Stevie Wonder.

There is certainly a distinction. Agreed. But the list says, "Greatest Singers of all Time". Not "Greatest Rock and Roll Singers". Ah well, maybe Rolling Stones thinks due to the nature of their mag that their aim was apparent.