Any "Best Whatever of All Time" list is certain to — perhaps is actually designed to — rile people up. Why is so-and-so ranked above such-and-such? How could you leave off [INSERT PERSONAL FAVORITE]? What idiots would pick so-and-so as the No. 1 of all-time? Rolling Stone’s greatest 100 singers is no different, of course, though given that initial caveat that these lists are all impossible to do without receiving criticism, really, they did a pretty solid job.
First off, the list was compiled based on votes from artists, journalists, and "industry insiders," so the Stone staff has sort of passed the buck on any gripes. But methodology aside, it’s hard to argue with Aretha Franklin at No. 1. (You really want to tussle with the Queen of Soul?) Also, merely defining the "Greatest Singers" is from the outset a subject of great debate (even here at EW.com). Do you mean vocal ability? If so, Mariah Carey (No. 79) should be up higher and Bob Dylan (No. 7) much lower. Are we talking about emotion and lyrical interpretation? If so, the Dylan-Carey ranking is pretty spot on. Performance? Then Prince (No. 30) and Michael Jackson (No. 25) need to be up higher. (Somewhere, John Lennon is smiling that he was placed above Paul McCartney.)
All that said, off the top of my head, I think leaving off Paul Simon is a mistake, and I would’ve liked to have seen Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, or Eddie Vedder join Kurt Cobain (No. 45) in representing the fine vocal work from Seattle’s early-1990s hard rock scene. Women also seem to be underrepresented. Yes, Aretha was No. 1, but Tina Turner is the only other female in the top 20. And where’s Sarah McLaughlin? P.J. Harvey? Ann Wilson? Joan Jett? Given that votes determined the outcome here, perhaps that is indicative of an unfortunate male-centric prevailing attitude in today’s music biz.
What do you think of the list, PopWatchers? Who was left off? And what are the criteria that make a "great singer?"
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This must be my mistake…maybe I missed it, but did they really leave off Ella Fitzgerald?
I’m sorry, but Mary J. at 100? Seriously, 100? Are you f-ing kiddding me? Have you never heard the woman sing? Why are she, Patti, Gladys and Whitney so low on the list? These are women who could sing the phone book and move you to tears. I’ll be one of the first to say this list is crap.
Holy cow you are right, they DID leave off Ella. It was also very past centric. Kelly Clarkson can sing ANYTHING incredibly, and Beyonce has more control, better phrasing, and a more unique way with a melody than anyone. While she’s been out a few more years than either of them, both should be above Christina Aguilera in every category – style, tone, emotion, control. And again…no Ella?
AND no Ella, whom I totally forgot!!! Seriously, Rolling Stone, you need to find a better pool of experts.
Nat King Cole?
I just don’t get Bjork. I’m glad she isn’t on that list.
Sorry, Roger, but Bjork made it.
Haven’t read the whole thing, but glanced and saw Freddie Mercury at number 18 and the entire thing was discredited, as far as I am concerned. It is all relative so these lists often don’t really work.
(he should have been higher, in case that wasn’t obvious.)
I know its country, but Vince Gill, Tricia Yearwood, and Martina McBride.
Both Ella Fitzgerald and Billie Holiday should be here, as should Frank sinatra but it looks like they only included rock/soul singers not jazz/standards
To the Ella lovers (of which I am one…) Rolling Stone did the same thing with their ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time.’ In that by “all time” they mean pop and rock songs since the 1950s. No Cole Porter, no Duke Ellington, not to mention Beethoven, Mozart, etc. So unfortunately we have to take their lists with a gigantic grain of salt. I just wish they’d, you know, clarify the specific (and tiny) segment of music history they’re polling from.
Tori Amos? Madonna? Pat Benatar?
Axl Rose?…Morrissey? Bob “all I do in mumble” Dylan? Unbelievable!! Where are Ella, Frank, Dean? If you want more modern how about Pat Benatar? Also Meatloaf…. no one can has the chops to sing Jim Steinman’s songs but him.
What music are you listening to??? Beyonce may be gorgeous, but she’s FAR from a controlled singer. Go find the disaster that was the 2005 Oscars. Perfect example of a mediocre singer singing live and showing the world what amazing things technology in a studio can do. Maybe by “unique way with a melody” you mean off-pitch…