It feels comprehensive, but there are plenty of gaps (it’s a list). Still, it’s interesting, mostly because for some of the folks listed other vocalists wrote the accompanying blurbs, offering insights in both directions. Like Iggy Pop (#75) on James Brown (#10):
And there was that scream. It was like an inner voice. It sounded like an assertion of rights of primitive man: “I am alive, and I can do things.” He used to describe his dancing as “African nerve control.” He had a point … He was a terrific editor. The one that flipped me out — I still remember being in the car, hearing it — is “I Can’t Stand It.” He was down to fuck the chorus, fuck the melody. This is barely a riff. But he pushes the group along like the coxswain on a Roman galley: Stroke, motherfucker, uh!
And a hearty, etc. Michael Jackson (#25) might be less than excited — his text was written by Fall Out Boy’s Patrick Stump. Chris Martin weighs in on Björk (#60). One thing to note: Besides Axl Rose (and, if you want to get classic, Robert Plant and Steven Tyler), RS isn’t that into heavy metal singers. Rob Halford should be pissed. Ozzy and Dio are weeping. Dion is not. Also: No Joey Ramone? Fleet Foxes aren’t #1, so don’t get your hopes up.
100 Mary J. Blige
99 Steven Tyler
98 Stevie Nicks
97 Joe Cocker
96 B.B. King
95 Patti LaBelle
94 Karen Carpenter
93 Annie Lennox
92 Morrissey
91 Levon Helm
90 The Everly Brothers
89 Solomon Burke
88 Willie Nelson
87 Don Henley
86 Art Garfunkel
85 Sam Moore
84 Darlene Love
83 Patti Smith
82 Tom Waits
81 John Lee Hooker
80 Frankie Valli
79 Mariah Carey
78 Sly Stone
77 Merle Haggard
76 Steve Perry
75 Iggy Pop
74 James Taylor
73 Dolly Parton
72 John Fogerty
71 Toots Hibbert
70 Gregg Allman
69 Ronnie Spector
68 Wilson Pickett
67 Jerry Lee Lewis
66 Thom Yorke
65 David Ruffin
64 Axl Rose
63 Dion
62 Lou Reed
61 Roger Daltrey
60 Björk
59 Rod Stewart
58 Christina Aguilera
57 Eric Bourdon
56 Mavis Staples
55 Paul Rodgers
54 Luther Vandross
53 Muddy Waters
52 Brian Wilson
51 Gladys Knight
50 Bonnie Raitt
49 Donny Hathaway
48 Buddy Holly
47 Jim Morrison
46 Patsy Cline
45 Kurt Cobain
44 Bobby “Blue” Bland
43 George Jones
42 Joni Mitchell
41 Chuck Berry
40 Curtis Mayfield
39 Jeff Buckley
38 Elton John
37 Neil Young
36 Bruce Springsteen
35 Dusty Sprinfield
34 Whitney Houston
33 Steve Winwood
32 Bono
31 Howlin’ Wolf
30 Prince
29 Nina Simone
28 Janis Joplin
27 Hank Williams
26 Jackie Wilson
25 Michael Jackson
24 Van Morrison
23 David Bowie
22 Etta James
21 Johnny Cash
20 Smokey Robinson
19 Bob Marley
18 Freddie Mercury
17 Tina Turner
16 Mick Jagger
15 Robert Plant
14 Al Green
13 Roy Orbison
12 Little Richard
11 Paul McCartney
10 James Brown
09 Stevie Wonder
08 Otis Redding
07 Bob Dylan
06 Marvin Gaye
05 John Lennon
04 Sam Cooke
03 Elvis Presley
02 Ray Charles
01 Aretha Franklin
You can read the texts and listen to sound samples at Rolling Stone. The voters were journalists and a bunch of people who can sing. You’ll see them listed over there, too.
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Wow, they put chris martin as one of thom yorke’s influnlences. What the fuck is this shit?
ok nevermind, read it wrong. I feel like an asshole. But he still isn’t 66
agrees with the chris cornell. I just can’t get over Bob Dylan on this list. Whatever, subscribed to rollingstone today for 4$. I guess its worth it for the bathroom visits. I can skip all the “republicans=death” comments from hack journalist. Freddy Mercury could be number 1 imo but i’m not gonna disagree with the most powerful voice ever.
what about frank sinatra and nat king cole. Sam Cooke is great but NAT KING COLE is simply amazing.
The problem with these awful lists is that they try to please everyone, which of course always fails miserably. You can’t have your cake and eat it too. And including people whose “talent” lies in technical ability alone (i.e. Mariah Carey and such) and then putting Bob Dylan at #7 is a heinous example of having your cake and eating it too.
I’d love to know what criteria they actually use to make these things. If we’re talking pure vocal ability, Dylan should obviously be nowhere near the list. If it’s about influence and contribution to a certain sound, then I can agree with Dylan in the top 10. But then why is someone like Whitney Houston ahead of people like Neil Young, Roger Daltrey and Thom Yorke — singers who may not have the absolute best voices technically speaking (though in the case of the latter two even that’s debatable, IMO), but have been hugely influential and perfect for the music they create?
And honestly, how many people who listen to something other than top 40 radio really think that Whitney Houston is a better singer than, say, Jeff Buckley?
Most of my complaints regarding omissions have been covered by other comments, but saying that leaving Eddie Vedder off is ridiculous bears repeating. And putting Kurt Cobain on the list at all while forgetting Black Francis and Michael Stipe, two of his biggest influences, is also ridiculous. I’ll just stop because I could go on forever.
list is pretty damn good. these comments, on the other hand, are absolutely hilarious.
“60s guy
60s guy
60s guy
Kurt Cobain
60s guy
60s guy”
shut the fuck up and listen to half these artists before whining about how you’d bend over for thom yorke.
Chill out maaaaaan. You’re totally killing my buzz.
And yes, I’ve listened to all those artists. Anyone who’s ever cared remotely about popular music has been inundated with those artists through every possible medium from discovering those albums as a child to FM radio to car commercials. My post was more about Rollingstone’s unbudging canonical reverence — and how every list they make is identically built on that reverence. I guess that’s fine if all you’re looking for are panagyrics to the pop-rock-music canon. Hey, the Beatles were a pretty good band. Bob Dylan was a good singer-songwriter. You know who else was good too? The Rollingstones. Be sure to tell your friends.
Frank Sinatra and Connie Francis…also Barbra Streisand.
Axl Rose?! Jesus Christ… He should top the bottom list
GAH! #79 Mariah Carey while Christina’s on #58 WTF is wrong with this list.
Scott Walker is glaringly obvious exclusion imo.
where is fiona apple?? come on!! that girl can sing her ass off!!! pj harvey???, jeff buckley has an amazing voice he should be at least nº 10. Leonard cohen?? tori amos?? jefferson airplane’s grace slick??!??! and no matter what you say christina aguilera can sing any kind of music, come on if you don’t like her music, fine, but she can sing better than any of her contemporaries
Rolling Stone may have started out as some hip, alternative publication focusing on music but 40 years down the line it is the epitome of mediocrity and this list is proof…are these 100 of the most popular singers or musicians that sing good? of all time? well, let’s start with the most glaring omission: the most recorded human of all time, Frank Sinatra…and add his buddy Dean Martin…there’s be no Elvis without these 2 guys…John & Paul make it but no George? where is Mick Hucknall of Simply Red? Brian Wilson’s brother, Carl, was, arguably, the better singer…how ’bout Micky Dolenz…don’t laugh; go back and listen to ‘Pleasant Valley Sunday’…how ’bout Tom Petty? where’s Burton Cummings from The Guess Who? where’s Daryl Hall? Raul Malo, Dwight Yoakam, Lucinda Williams, Bob Campanell…geez, I could go on & on but let’s mention some on the list that don’t belong there…Lou Reed sucks…worst musician to ever luck into a career in music…Iggy Pop sucks…sorry Ig, I just don’t get it…Donny Hathaway? I must’ve missed his best work…Patti Smith sucks…stick to writing poetry no one reads…but I digress…to quote Louis Armstrong, another glaring omission from this lame-ass list “there are 2 kinds of music: good & bad”…I guess it’s up to you to decide what’s what. peace from the city of brotherly love; home of the world champion Phillies
No Chris Cornell?
No Robin Zander?
WTF?
And Bob Dylan on a list of “good singers”? Dylan may be the greatest American Songwriter of all time but fuck me if Ailce Cooper doesn’t “sing” better than Bob Dylan.
I totally agree. Dylan probably has the WORST singing voice ever. Seriously. Joe Cocker is another bloke who doesn’t deserve to be on this list.
No Leonard Cohen OR Nick Cave? What the fuck? I know it’s just a matter of personal taste or whatever, but I would think that at least ONE of them would be a shoe-in for this list.
maybe rs should just post a version of whatever list they have coming up next here, and then fix it accordingly.
then everyone would be happy.
also, rs 60s jokes aren’t funny.
Okay why is christina aguilera higher than mariah carey and celine dion ummmm christina can sing in all but she is not better than them… She does not even have a signature song… Rolling stone is smoking crack
Let’s all agree that the list isn’t exactly how we like it and then go back to not caring about what others think of stuff we like or don’t like.
Elvis Costello absolutely belongs on this list! And what about Donovan . . .?
Where’s Beyonce?
this sucks!
I can’t believe that Layne Staley isn’t on the list. He should at least be in the top 20!
Where is Dan Deacon? but on a serious note, I think Dylan is a genius writer, but not one of the top singers. Where are some of the modern artists.
On a completely unserious note, if we are considering the greatest “anything” of all time, shouldn’t we list artists who don’t exist yet? Shouldn’t “all” time include parallel time zones?
i consider frank sinatra to be the greatest singer of all time, if anyone took the time to
read the list is the 100 greatest singers of the rock era, i`d bet 99% of these musicians were influenced by mr. sinatra & his fellow singers . aretha ,bono .dylan .mr. cash i know for a fact knew mr.s so i am glad to see a list that is just for the rock & rollers. how about a list of the 50 greatest groups off all time. i`ll start off w/ 3/ the 4seasons – the duprees & the beach boys. thank you & take care
I think I need to read RS’s criteria for a great “singer”. I see on the list a lot of mediocre singers who are tremendous song-writers/recording artists/frontmen/performers. On a positive note, nice to see some love for Toots Hibbert and Solomon Burke.
And despite all the problems with this list, Sam Cooke is right where he should be, in the top 5, and I can not argue at all about the top 2
Bob Dylan can’t sing! (period)
Yes, he can write lyrics, but the music itself is just as awful as his voice. I couldn’t care less if Dylan was the “voice of a generation”. I don’t need a bunch of liberal hippies to tell me what good music is or what I should be listening to, and that’s why ROLLING STONE SUCKS!!
I don’t care about what kind of socio-political message is in the music. First and foremost I want my music to be good music. The fact that the editors of Rolling Stone are putting Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury behind Bob Dylan shows you that they’ve been smoking way too much dope.
where’s frank sinatra? kurt cobain? celine dion?
The voters were journalists and a bunch of people who can sing….
there’s your reason for everything, and who said the bunch of people could sing? – the journalists.
Congratulations Eric Burdon who should be way up near the top, eh tigger??
Honestly, Siouxsie Sioux should be on here. Nina Simone and Patti Smith should be much higher on the list too.
BOB DYLAN?!?!?! #7?!?!?! HAHAHA that’s a joke right. He’s known as a weak vocalist even by self admission. This is retarded.
I’m surprised more people aren’t upset about Rolling Stone pile driving Rod Stewart; the best rock and roll singer of all time.
Prince, Kurt Cobain, Bono ahead of PAUL RODGERS are you F$&*#$@ kidding me ? Ten people ahead of RODGERS is a crime. Where is Ronnie James Dio, Brad Delp, Jimmy Hall (Wet Willie) James Dewar (Robin Trower, Stone The Crows). Rolling Stone better get some people there who know music, Rolling Stone has lost everything they usrd to stand for. Bjork ahead of Stevie Nicks,Christina F@%$#&* Aguleria ahead of Axl Rose and James Taylor. Get some people at Rolling Stone older than 26.
WOW…JUST WOW. ok i knew bob dylan would be in the top 30 because its ROLLING STONE MAGAZINE, people. but no buddy holly? 100 greatest singers of all time and they’re not mentioning Buddy Holly? That’s just ridiculous. I guess Bob Dylan replaces the ‘voice that came from you and me’ with an even shittier one lol. I actually like Bob Dylan’s voice, unlike a huge majority of people, but I can’t believe they had the nerve to leave out someone with ridiculous vocal relevance in pop music history.
How dare people to said that Bjork should be off the list? She should be into the top 20. People who say that don’t know anithing about good music. Some opera singers should also be into the list, especially Maria Callas.
Even if you do not like Bjork’s music you have to accept that she has an incredible voice. Her music is quiet strange (I can stand it, but I would not buy an album), but what can we do if her singing is outstanding? She diserve that place in the list.
First of all, where the hell is JOE STRUMMER? He possesses one of the most unique, recognizable voice of all time. And, Layne Staley missing from this list? Of course, Cobain’s going to be listed, sigh. I agree with the aforementioned comment about Freddie Mercury NOT being listed in the top ten – I am at a loss for words. Quite absurd, really.
And to agree w/ Becker and some others, how did John end up higher on this list than Paul?
…
How can this list exist without some of the greates vocalists on it. frank Sinatra is the most glaring omission, and Streisand, but we also have the great vocalists such as Connie Francis who not only had 56 chart hits but also was able to sing beautifully the standards and who really internationalized American music by introducing it to various countris in English and in their native languages. Then we have Perry Como, and Dean Martin.
emmm wheres bon scott!! hes an icon
he should at least be included in the last ten
and if bon scott was there brian johnson would be just behind
his highs are awesome
christina aguilera is a bi…..
freddy mercury!!where!! wtf
ozzy where the fuck!!
the mary j blige bitch makes it but the father of metal doesnt!!
what a piece of bullshit
next year they will be putting a fucking jonas brother just for the magazine to be attractive for girls
Luther Vandross 54? This list has lost all credibility, he is top 10 at least, what a joke
These lists are BS, anyway. I was so pissed off by the Top 100 guitarists (EVH at #73? FFS!!!) I felt compelled to complain to RS directly, just to get it off my chest.
But you do have to wonder about the anti-hardrock bias. You don’t have to be a metalhead to agree that some of the grestest voices of the last 40 years came from hard rock and metal. When Tenacious D feature Dio in their movie, it might come off as tongue in cheek but it’s also from the heart! RONNIE F***IN JAMES DIO should be on this list! And so should be Rob Halford, Ian GIllan, Eddie Vedder and CHRIS CORNELL!!! CHRIS CORNELL!!!! COME ON, CHRIS CORNELL CANNOT not be on this list! I know he’s gone troppo in the last few years but he’d deserve mention even if “Outshined” was the only song he’d ever sung on…
wheres Mike Patton, Layne Staley, Chris Cornell? Maynard James Keenan? I mean seriously these 4 guys have amazing voices & are great lyricists
this list sucks, rolling stone is such a joke
Dylan at seven??, that blows my mind…. While i enjoy dylan immensely, i wouldnt necessarily consider him amongst a list of people with the best voices…. maybe that wasnt what they were getting ai
No Bruce Dickenson? Rob Halford? Layne Staley? Dio? Ozzy? Paul Simon? David Byrne? Eddie Vedder? Michael Stipe? Jackson Browne? Tom Petty? Warrren Zevon? Geoff Tate? Joey Ramone? Prob make just as an impressive 100 best list not using any of the singers they have…
Levon Helm wasn’t even the best singer in the Band. Where’s Richard Manuel?
What happened to Jerry Garcia’s almost pitch perfect singing. Especially when he was on the s#@t.!
This list doesn’t make much sense no matter how you measure it. I love Dylan, but he wasn’t a particularly gifted vocalist. Conversely, I sincerely dislike Bono, but he clearly has a very strong one with a very impressive range [annoying as the timbre is].
Anyway, the human voice is such a wild instrument, without specific criterium laid out, any list is pretty functionless. Like if this were most innovative vocalists Meredith Monk, Beefheart, and David Thomas of Pere Ubu should be up top. If it were best on technical merit, Tim Buckley [who boasted slightly more range than his also talented son], Joni Mitchell and yes, sadly, Mariah Carey [who squandered a five-octave-plus range on terrible pop] would be at the very top.
Now I know why I dont read Rolling Stone! Aretha Franklin? a rock singer? Ray Charles? Granted both great performers , but soul/blues singers… now if you are going to incldue all tehse various genres, where is Wilie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Johnny Cash, etc. This list is an insult. No Paul Simon, Steve marriott, Don Henley,Jerry Garcia, John Fogerty, Bon Scott, Chuck Berry, Linda Rondstadt, Billy Joel, Elton John, Ian Anderson, Ozzy, Joey ramone
there are many more,,, rolling stone is a disgrace
Perfect. No Ronstadt. This list is moronic retarded anti-thought.
This list is shit, where is Rob Halford, Bruce Dickinson, or Ozzy Osbourne, (Three of the best frontmen of all time) come on seriously listen to some real music
i am just glad they didn’t put Chris Martin on this list.
I only became of aware of Freddie Mercury this year. That is the tragedy!! He was pure genious. Fans the world over on votenumber1.com chose Mercury as the greatest rock singer of all time.
Dear readers,
No Steve Marriott, Johnny Rotten,Linda Perry,Alison Krauss, or Dave Vanian? BUT, we Do get Karen (eat something) Carpenter? Kurt (kaboom) Cobain? Paul (watered-down,blues belter) Rogers? Don ( the big lebowski: NOT THE FUCKIN’ EAGLES,MAN!)Henley. We just LOVE Rolling Stone’s relevance!
Freddy should ATLEAST be in the top ten if not 3
Move morrisey up, he may be a twat now, but he has a great voice
agreed with moving up robert smith
No Layne Staley, yet there’s Kurt Cobain?
What is this world coming to?
Layne was severly underestimated.
you got to be joking luther at 54 if hes not in the top ten then the list doesnt even mean a thing kurt cobain amd Bruce Springsteen you got to be joking
PAVAROTTI #1
OBVIOUSLY
I liked this list and agreed with it for the most part. it’s a really good issue and the little write-ups they have on each artist are great.
anybody? just me? ok.
Harry Nilsson…
I can name others but Fiona Apple and Chris Cornell should be at least in the top 50.
no dr john… seriously???
no dr. john… seriously???
where is joe strummer????????i can’t believe he’s not on this list..the man was a legend..and stil is
No list like this would be complete without JIMMY GNECCO of the criminally overlooked band OURS. Best part is he’s on tour, so you can see for yourself.
Both the Rolling Stone list and every post thus far here has neglected to mention Ray Davies. God Save The Kinks! Waterloo Sunset, people.
Bob Dyan should be off this list, Bono should be up higher, Patti Smith, wtf? Eddie Veder has a better voice then Kurt Cobain. Where is Frank Sinatra? Aretha used to have a great voice. Stevie Wonder should be higher. Remove Mariah Carey and Patti Labelle They only scream when they sing. Lennon was a better songwriter but Paul McCartney had the better voice.
Freddie Mercury at 18? Bob Dylan and Ray Charles sang better than he? Sorry, I say no!
Connie Francis!
Why in the hell is Christina Aguleria above Mary J Blige and Mariah how and why in the hell!
call me crazy, but I think Zach Condon should be on there.
In twenty years, even Rolling Stone will have to put him on one of their goddamn lists.
Elvis no. 3? Me and everybody I know. HATES HIS VOICE! Aretha is sooooooooooooooo OVERRATED.
such a joke… wehre is richard ashcroft on this list?!
Who voted for this list anyways… I foind it hard to believe that dolly parton came befor mariah carey… And Patti Labbelle is #95, Seriously??? And where’s Celine Dion??? And I think Steve Perry should’ve been at least in the Top 40′s
NO ART GARFUNKEL ? NO PAUL SIMON ? JUST A MAD STUFF FROM ROLLIGSTONE !!!!
Elvis Presley had the most versatile voice ever in popular music. That’s why Q magazine voted him number 1. He’s always at the top of Polls or very near. Discerning listeners know why.
Back in his early RCA days his exciting and very beautiful voice often stopped people in their tracks! By any measure he is number 1.
I love arguing about lists. Bono ahead of Buckley? And as much as I dislike Mariah, if we’re talking voices, she should be higher up. But are we even talking voices? Dylan and Lennon seem strange ones to be so high.
Anyway, I love to hate lists. They breed good discussion. I wrote more about it here:
http://www.zoom-in.com/blog/2008/11/100-greatest-singers-all-time
xx
Where the hell is SINATRA!?!? Sriously, he should be in the top 10.
I think this list is not about the top 100 people with the best vocal technique, it is about who gives you goose-bumps when they open their mouth. though dylan an lennon did not have the most pleasant voices, that is part of the genius behind them, they could convey pure emotion in their singing, wich most singers simply cannot do, no matter how good their technique gets.
that being said……J-Buck should be in the top 20
Where the hell is SINATRA!?!? Sriously, he should be in the top 10.
I think this list is not about the top 100 people with the best vocal technique, it is about who gives you goose-bumps when they open their mouth. though dylan an lennon did not have the most pleasant voices, that is part of the genius behind them, they could convey pure emotion in their singing, wich most singers simply cannot do, no matter how good their technique gets.
that being said……J-Buck should be in the top 20
Seriously, if you’re bashing Bob Dylan then you have no idea what you’re talking about. you’re ignorance amazes me. Do you not realize that Dylan was one of the greats? His music led the anti war movement. His music is riddled with passion and truth. His voice is unlike anyother and he deserves his spot on this list.
And if you’re complaining about the oldschool heroes on this list then let me educate you with a little quote by my hero John Lennon,”the world is living off the scraps of the sixties” and this is true because the sixties and seventies were the best. There are very few artists today that are artists. Todays music sucks. Its a disgrace to the greats of the sixties and seventies, it truly is. Music was life then, it was truth, it cultivated the world. I feel truly sorry for future generations that will not be able to experience that. Im only fifteen but im able to understand the vast difference of these eras and their music. You’re ignorant and shouldnt be talking if you dont, because you dont know music.
But we’re missing some of the greats here like Eric Clapton Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and Michael Pinder of the Moody Blues and of course Elvis Costello, the early days.
Thats just what i have to say. But this list is great for the most part. Great Job!
I don’t believe anybody’s bashing Bob Dylan. But if you think he deserves to be in the top ten of EVERY single list like this, then you’re insane. Nobody can discern what Bob Dylan has done for the world… musically, politically, socially… But he is NOT one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Beautiful lyrics, beautiful music, but frankly… a mediocre voice. That goes to show how talented he is though. He earned the reputation he has with a less than perfect voice.
The list is missing Frank Sinatra (obviously, this can’t be said enough times), Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Louis Miguel, Bing Crosby, Eddie Vedder, Layne Staley, etc. Back to Maggie, I think it’s even MORE disrespectful to NOT acknowledge the amazing singers that were pre-60s and beyond.
Oh, and another take… Axl Rose is a big hell no. And Chinese Democracy backs that up better than any other album featuring his voice. Replace him with Bon Scott if you really want a voice of that genre included on the list. I’m getting way too underground on the matter saying this… But for the sake of including legit metal vocalists: Mikael Akerfeldt of Opeth (acoustic and death grunt) and Lord Worm of Cryptopsy should be included. The list should simply be scrapped and remade. Pfft. You wanna talk about disrespecting the 60s…. Needs more Grace Slick. Ope, and I’m on the same boat as most others: Where’s Ella Fitzgerald?
My top 10:
10. Grace Slick
9. Thom Yorke
8. Mikael Akerfeldt
7. Bing Crosby
6. Freddie Mercury
5. Janis Joplin
4. Aretha Franklin
3. Nat King Cole
2. Ella Fitzgerald
1. Frank Sinatra
Extremely rough, but c’mon, better than this nonsense.
To maggie…
Alright. Let’s just look at the list within the 60′s and 70′s. Please tell me how John Lennon is a better singer than Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury. Freddie Mercury has an incredible range and voice yet hes at 18. Furthermore you seem to believe that this list is oriented very much towards the 60′s and 70′s and that we’re just whining over the fact that there’s less recent singers. Then please tell me why Christina Aguilera, Bjork and Kurt Cobain are higher than Roger Daltrey. There simply is no logic in this list, they’re just really just finding random names and sticking them in random places.
Who the fuck made this list???…..where’s Jon Bon Jovi???….were u on crack????
I was very surprised that Stevie Nicks was so low on this list. Her voice is incredibly powerful and rich … she can wrap those vocals around a set of lyrics like no other.
Her velvety vibrato is one of the most distinctive and alluring voices in rock and roll. There is a reason that her career has last longer than 3/4 of the people on this list.
Shame on you.
I love Lou Reed but…
He’s been ruining his own songs for the past 20 years..He made the Velvets reunion unlistenable and has done the same for Berlin.
Wiilie Nelson on the other hand can sing anything.He makes reggae, Fleetwood Mac covers, and even Ryan Adams songs sound good.
They guy that’s missing though is David Lee Roth. His vocal take alone on Running With The Devil should give him a spot on the list.
Also.. Daryl Hall’s songs are mostly shit but he turns them into good shit when he sings.
I want Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen, Beth Gibbons, PJ Harvey, Billy Corgan, Fiona Apple, Robert Smith, Donavan…Debra Harry, Cyndi Lauper…jeesh. I am glad Dylan is on here, a little pissed though…Tom Waits should be in at least the top 30, same with Nina Simone. A lot of people are on here that I don’t think should be and a lot of people AREN’T on here that deserve to be. Meh, just a stupid Rolling Stones list anyway.
Where the hell are Joey Ramone, Glenn Danzig, and Billie Joe Armstrong. If Kurt Cobain is on there Joey amone should definately be on there. Peope may not like Danzigs music but he’s stillgot a voice. Way better than Bob fucking Dylan. And every person who’s ever listened to a radio can tell whenBillie Joe is singing. And When they started up Sweet Children Billie Joes voice was so-so. He’s come a long way.
My mom would be issed off is she saw Merle Haggerd was up there and not Loretta Lynn or Reba McIntyre.
I don’t think you can possibly have a real list of the 100 best singers. you’ll argue for years to come.
And Britney?
Sinatra, Connie Francis, Barbra Streisand, ella Fitzgerald…where are these great singers? each one should be at the very top of the list. There is no one more versatile than Ms. Francis who has recorded successfully in every genre of music.
I find it funny that the likes of Axl Rose, Steve Perry, and Steven Tyler are on the list but not Sammy Hagar… But considering that Rolling Stone is such a heavily biased publication I’m sure this is due not to his level of talent but to his being an outspoken Republican. If he weren’t, he’d probably be somewhere in there between Axl and Steven Tyler. (Hey… It’s Rolling Stone. I’m sure that if Aretha Franklin were an outspoken Republican as well, she wouldn’t even be on the list… or if she were, she’d be somewhere way at the back).
What about Grace Slick…White Rabbit, Somebody to Love, …
No man-o-war? lol
Where’s the Kelly Clarkson? If America’s done anything well in the last five years, hasn’t it been picking one appropriate and talented idol?
That’s all I’m saying. I can quibble over any of the numbers here, and that’s my personal taste, but no Kelly Clarkson on the list at all … well that’s just flagrant indecency on the part of RS.
It’s just unAmerican.
Why Morrissey is 92?? I can’t believe that John Lennon and other people have a better number than Bowie and Freedie Mercury….
Janis Joplin at #28? Freddy Mercury not cracking the top 10? No Crosby, Stills, OR Nash? Is this a joke? Look, I love Bob Dylan! When it comes to lyrics, he’s the master! But for “singing” I don’t place him in the top 10! I think Rolling Stones, once again, picked “their” favorite artists and not think about the overall picture.
I also have to agree about Steve Tyler! His voice was the templet for 70′s and 80′s hard rock. Get a clue RS!
How in the hell did johnny cash beat david bowie and michael jackson he shouldn’t even be on the list considering that billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Brad Delps aren’t even on the list
They missed Britney Spears , where is she ???????????????????
wow! absolutely terrible!! steve perry 76?! Freddie Mercury 18!? these are two of the greatest vocalists of our time. Mick Jagger is a better singer than mercury and perry!!? i highly doubt it!! and any love for meatloaf?? i mean he can’t be worse than joe cocker can he? the makers of this list need to seriously reconsider their order.
Where’s Frankie Lyman.Levi Stubbs(lead 4 tops),Fred Parris(lead 5 satins)Brenda Reid(lead the Exciters), Shirley Alston(lead the shirelles), Ritchie Valens, Norman Fox(lead the rob roys), Dionne Warwick, FRANKIE LYMAN is the most glaring missing singer..
Bryan Fucking Ferry
Great names in the list, but a lot of people missed. Steve Perry, George Michael (yes, not loved by many but few voices like his) The wonderful thing of music is that there have been so many great singers that 100 is a small number to count them… but having said that, I would like to make a case for Freddie Mercury… how in the world can anyone say that Ray Charles, John Lennon, Marvin Gaye, (and for God sake Bob Dylan !!), James Brown, Little Richard, Mick Jagger, Tina Turner can be better singers than FREDDIE MERCURY!!?? they are all incredible, great musicians, and most of them have influenced so many other singers… they have even changed the world of music without no doubt… but they are no better SINGERS than Freddie Mercury… this list is about singers!!!! Maybe if we would be discussing most influential artists…
Some people ask for Sinatra on the list… I absolutely agree if the list goes beyond Rock, Blues, and their branches, then we also need to add Streisand (granted, she’s unbearable as a perosn but one of the greatest voices ever).
Okay so I actually sat and read through all the comments. I have to say for the most part, I think they picked great singers, but I don’t know about the order, and they did leave some out. To me, a a great singer is someone who has the ability to make people stop and listen and they have the ability to move people. I think thats why Bob Dylan was on the list. Having said that, I think they should have put Barry Manilow on the list, and Raine Maida (from Our Lady Peace) and even…. I know I’ll be getting critiqued for this…. Elliot Smith!
I’m also re-starting a blog that was deleted, and I’ve got two blogs so far, and in the process of writing my third entry… please check it out and comment, leave your thoughts, or anything!!! its http://dalitspleaseandthankyou.blogspot.com/
This list blows. If you were seeking controversy you got it.
What’s with all the bitching about Axl Rose? Are you fucking kidding me? I’d like to see any one of you try and sing his songs. You may not like his voice, but too say he doesn’t deserve to be on this list completely ignores his technical ability.
Freddie Mercury had the best voice and put so much emotion into every song. Love of my life, Somebody to love, he always sang his songs with perfection. Listen to his songs on Youtube. Live Aid Concert 1985. He is awesome! Don’t go your whole life not knowing how great he was. Take a look at his videos and you’ll see.
i agree with u on this more than anyone. rent the DVD Queen Live Rock in Montreal 1981. it will blow ur mind. Freddy Mercury is truly the greatest singer to have ever lived on this earth and Queen is also the best band. there are so many masterpieces that they wrote that barely anyone’s seemed to have heard of.