Rolling Stone's Ranks Best Singers of All Time

Sorry for the spacing problem

Top 10

1. Aretha Franklin

2. Whitney Houston

3. Sam Cooke

4. Billie Holiday

5. Mariah Carey

6. Ray Charles

7. Stevie Wonder

8. Beyonce

9. Otis Redding

10. Al Green

Beyonce is not a great singer. Mediocre at best.

Fucking Beyonce in the top 10?

[quote]8. Beyonce

Ridiculous.

I think Aretha is a fair choice for number one.

Quite the non-diverse list, never mind its being balderdash, as though singing began mid-20th Century.

The only thing that gets DLers angrier than Beyonce is modern slang.

The fact they left out Barbra and Celine...

Where's Annie Lennox? Roy Orbison? Enya? Anne Wilson? Elvis? This is a list for the autistic, millenial generation.

r7 Beyonce is a product of brilliant marketing and talented but the eighth greatest singer? Her vocals are thin, her range is limited and she is a result of production more than talent.

R9 I don't agree with their list, but yours isn't that great either. I'd agree with Roy and Anne - but Enya and Annie do have pretty voices, but 'best singers?'

Luther Vandross should be in the Top 10. I really think he had one of the most beautiful voices ever in pop music.

I love Stevie Wonder, and think he's a great talent, but one of the top 10 best singers of ALL TIME?

And yeh Beyonce is hilarious

Rolling Stone needs to quit making lists. No one cares.

[quote]Celine Dion was COMPLETELY left out of the list

[quote]The fact they left out Barbra and Celine...

[quote]Where's Annie Lennox? Roy Orbison? Enya? Anne Wilson? Elvis?

Hello? None of them are black. That’s why they’re not on racist Rolling Stone’s list.

So Beyonce is no 8, and Patti, Dionne, Gladys, Anita, Tina, Nancy, Dinah, Ella, Chaka, Phyllis Hyman, Jennifer Holiday are nowhere to be found.

They ranked Taylor Swift above Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. What a fucking joke.

And excluding Celine is just idiotic and I'm not even a fan.

[quote] The fact they left out Barbra and Celine...

Streisand at 147

Karen Carpenter at 123

Diana Ross at 87

This is such a joke. Streisand is number #147 and Beyonce is #8? I'm not a fan of Celine but that woman can sing. A hell of lot better than most on the list.

Why isn't Ella Fitzgerald in the top ten?! GTFOH

I love Luther too r12, what number is he?

Pleasantly surprised to see Françoise Hardy included at all.

These kind of lists are highly subjective. I won’t even bother reading the list avoiding being upset by someone’s musical ignorance or blatantly patronizing specific artists.

Patty Labelle did not make top 10? Blashpemy

R20, Luther is at #31 on the list.

I hate these lists. First, my phone has a problem with loading them, then there are always people I've never heard of ranking higher than they should, or people I have heard of doing same (Billie Fucking Eilish!) But always my favorites are way lower than they should be. Karen Carpenter at 123!? Not saying she should be in the top ten but definitely higher. I'm kind of surprised they included her at all.

fuck that list. fuck it dead.

What is this virtual rag now trying to prove?

Shit.

No Nina Simone?

I was fine with the top 4, however the list as a whole had a lot of weird placing. Roy Orbison is ranked way too low at 71; FYI Patti is at 74 r23. You have the likes of Karen Carpenter at 123?! Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, and Freddie Mercury could all have been in the top 10 - their placings felt off. Dusty Springfield is ranked too low, as is Ella. Celine not being present is a huge miss. Neither Mariah or Beyonce should have made the top ten. Both Thom Yorke and Van Morrison seem over-ranked.

Nina Simone is #21 R28.

[quote]Streisand at 147 Karen Carpenter at 123 Diana Ross at 87—I would put them each higher up

Heterosexuals are taking over this board. MAKE IT STOP!

no Wilson sisters

no Sinead

These lists are worthless author-opinionated garbage.

Rating someone’s talent over another….this madness should stop.

8. Beyonce. FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL FAIL

Rihanna over Janis Joplin, Ronnie Spector, Roy Orbison…

What a joke.

“In Beyoncé’s voice lies the entire history of Black music. She is one of pop’s great historians, an artist so in love with the heroes who shape her that she can’t help but find opportunities to pay homage to them in her music, performance and, of course, her singing.”

Rihanna above Darlene Love? I have called the police.

"Diversity" = All-black.

Linda Ronstadt?

This list was by the staff, not professionals. So, it's like Ginny from Billing putting in her two cents.

And Little Richard should have been #1

Might be controversial, but I much prefer Sarah Vaughan to Billie Holiday.

Did I miss Laura Nyro on the list? If so, she should really have been included.

“He can approach a ballad so tenderly he brings so-so lyrics to brilliant life”

they have to throw in a lame jab at McCartney, but then also say the ENTIRE history of black music lies within Beyoncé’s voice.

The internet is panning Rolling Stone for releasing yet another click-bait list. And they are always in this cumbersome format so you can't see all 200 artists on page. Total internet junk.

And as a 90s kid Im so over 90s artists getting the shaft; CeCe Peniston, Tevin Campbell, Faith Evans, etc never get recognition despite being hugely talented vocalists and singers. I love Aaliyah but I don't think she should rank on this list in the top 100 at all.

A couple things are obvious:

1. The list---at least as far as Top 10---is over-compensating, IYKWIMAITYD.

2. Rolling Stone has remarkably maintained over decades its pretentiousness.

3. The list was compiled by a person proud of a little learning, a dangerous thing.

Yeah r41, and the article does not identify who any of its' staff or key contributors are; so, we don't know why their opinions should matter. It really does come of as an exercise in 'de-centering whiteness and Western culture.' Quotes from the second paragraph in the article:

[quote]When Rolling Stone first published its list of the 100 Greatest Singers in 2008, we used an elaborate voting process that included input from well-known musicians. The results skewed toward classic rock and singers from the Sixties and Seventies. [bold]This new list was compiled our staff and key contributors, and it encompasses 100 years of pop music as an ongoing global conversation, where iconic Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar lands between Amy Winehouse and Johnny Cash,[/bold] and salsa queen Celia Cruz is up there in the rankings with Prince and Marvin Gaye. You might notice that, say, there isn’t any opera on our list — that’s because our purview is pop music

Beyonce - over Streisand ?

Then again, RS never was a fan of Streisand's in her 60 year career.

Wait a second …. Is Robert Plant not on this list?

Whitney Houston should be number one if they were gna go with a pop/soul singer. Her voice, tone, Melissa was absolutely perfect. Yay for Queen Bey for being in top 10. She is underrated as a vocalist by the general public. She does things with her voice on dance tracks I've never seen someone do. And she can sing something straight to like a Streisand ballad. My personal choice for #1 would be Freddy Mercury.

[quote]the ENTIRE history of black music lies within Beyoncé’s voice.

They should just publish photos of the Rolling Stone staff eating out Beyonce's asshole. It would be less embarrassing than making statements like this.

Well, aren't they special, including an Indian singer heard of only by Indians!

When I saw that list, I've been waiting for this thread. I knew DL would have "issues". 😜😁🤣

As for Beyonce. I think DL is only the gay space that doesn't worship her. I'm not commenting any further, because the Beyhive has spies everywhere.

R51 it's true. I'm guessing you aren't a musician. Many black people realize this. She can sing like Whitney, do the rock/pop soul like Tina. The motown sound like Ross.The spirit of Michael performing. The black pride like James Brown. Do hip hop cadence like contemporary black stars. She is not the greatest singer of all time but she's dam good, and embodies all these black personnas.

R11 - you just [bold]can't[/bold] be serious. Annie Lennox has a "pretty" voice???

Lennox is a gifted vocalist and musician- one of the best and most enduring female voices of the late 21st century. She was also a trailblazer for women. She is the recipient of all sorts of awards including 4 Grammy awards and for good reason.

Dame Annie Lennox should be on this list no doubt about it.

R53, I notice the OLDER gay white men tend to like divas that have some tragic element or are messy as fuck. That's not Bey.

[quote]She (Beyonce) can sing like Whitney, do the rock/pop soul like Tina.

Um... No. She absolutely can't R54. Stop making up crap.

I believe they purposely come up with these ridiculous placings in an attempt to get clickbait views.

If the list seemed reasonable it wouldn't cause as much controversy and they would get less clicks to their website.

Next RS list: "Best Comic Actors of All Time."

1. Dane Cook. He encompasses the history of comedy in his movies.

2. Florence Henderson. The mother of "Marcia, Marcia, Marcia!" That's all ye know on Earth, and all ye need to know.

Ariana Grande at #43?

WTF.

Beyonce - over Donna Summer ?

And RS loved Donna Summer !

Robert Plant is on the list at #63 R49.

R57 I would post videos bur I'm tired. As someone who thought Queen Beys first album was trash I saw her perform at the Oscar's with Josh Groban. She then also performed two other songs in different languages and everything. I knew she would be more than just the flavor the moment. She already proved she was a great live performer but her vocal skills took her over the edge. She was truly brilliant.

Actually I'm going to post this.

You're spot on R58. That's exactly the psychology behind these sorts of clickbait lists.

Absolutely nobody cares R63. Sorry to break it to you.

R61 The hate yall have for this woman is making you unable to see her vocal prowess. Celine has said it, Aretha Franklin acknowledged it. This girl can sang. Just because you don't like hiphop or think she's too perfect she can goddam sing. You should check her cover of Etta James I'd rather go blind.

[quote]She can sing like Whitney, do the rock/pop soul like Tina. The motown sound like Ross.The spirit of Michael performing. The black pride like James Brown. Do hip hop cadence like contemporary black stars. She is not the greatest singer of all time but she's dam good, and embodies all these black personnas.

She literally can't do any of that.

Ok so now I understand why all Beyonce albums always get 5 star reviews. The staff is filled with Beyhives.

R54, I am a musician, but I’m guessing you’re not….or a troll. Everything you said is false.

R67 youve ever never been to one of her shows then.

Before this article, I'm guessing that Rolling Stone never before mentioned many of the names on this list in any issue they've ever published; e.g., "...iconic Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar..."

If these people were all so iconic, why weren't all of them covered by RS before? Why now?

This.

No Art Garfunkel? Not a rock singer, I know . . .

If you’re included on this list, you should be able to record without auto tune.

^Because diversity

R71 > see R58.

R65, I didnt ask if anyone did. Happy new year cunt.

Honestly why didn’t they just include Britney?

Who the hell put Lana del Ray on the list? That bitch can't sing

Happy New Year to you too you festering cunt flap R76. Hope you have a great year!

R68 Beyonce's first couple albums did not get 5 stars or even outstanding reviews from Rolling. Bday is her only great album until Lemonade came out, in my opinion.

R79, cheers bitch. Did the senior home let you stay up late tonight?

Okay R63, listen to that shitty low-energy Beyonce performance of New York New York you posted, then watch what Liza does with that song...

R78, I get what your saying. But I think she has a gift for singing the songs in a certain way. It's almost like a wink, that this is postmodern, I'm pretty, I can embody a sexy voice but can't really sing sing. She is a brilliant songwriter, and it works that she can't sing like Mariah.

They referred to Rihanna as the "Frank Sinatra of her generation"

I'm pleasantly surprised that Mariah is in the top 10 because Rolling Stone has historically hated her since her debut. Over the past 15 years, it seems they've softened their views on her and recognized that she is one of the greats.

I agree with Aretha and Whitney being number one and two on the list. Beyonce shouldn't be in the top 10, sorry. Her voice is no different than Kelly Rowland's, same range and similar tone. There's nothing distinctive about her voice. Christina Aguilera has a more unique voice than Beyonce.

So the Rolling Stone staff is comprised of retards? Good to know.

Stupid American Hyperbole

"Best Singers of All Time" ≠ "Well-produced microphone-users of the last 40 years".

She almost made Stevie see, he was so blown away.

R85, Kelly doesn't sound much like Beyonce at all. I do think Bey has a unique voice, but I wouldn't put her anywhere near the top ten

R85 Mariah hasn't been able to sing in about 20 yrs but when she could do that whistle register. Lawd hammercy. She was dam good.

How is Taylor Swift ranked above Kelly Clarkson?!!!

I'm Gen-X R81.

Wtf, I totally overlooked Mariah Carey being top 5. This list is trash.

Does she smoke I wonder R90? Something ruined her voice. Alcohol?

R92, apologies then.

R45 "The internet" is, huh?

R94 It could be a multitude if things. Gifted vocalist half to understand the vocal is 50% genetic. The other half is technique and training. The letter most certainly becomes important as the voice matures. And training include lifestyle habits as you pointed. She certainly didn't smoke crack like Whitney Houston, but you also can't use head voice so much as you age. And you should let your voice rest and not perform so much.

The fact that they listed Jeff Buckley as #131 instead of top 20 is absurd.

R85, Christina has a fabulous voice that can sing rings around Bey's AND put a ring on it.

Beyonce is the Black Eve of Marketing.

[quote]She is underrated as a vocalist by the general public.

r66 Beyonce is very overrated as a vocalist. She IS a technically gifted singer and performer. She does NOT have soul like most of those singers in the top 10 do, that is something she always strived for but lacked. She made up for it by using that melisma and her range. And I say this as a fan of Beyonce since The Writing's on the Wall.

r89 Kelly and Beyonce do sound very much alike, they have similar style and tone from singing together for so long.

I also think Marvin Gaye belongs in the top 10, if the not the top 5. Amazing amazing amazing singer. Chaka Khan too. Chaka is one of the very few artists from the 70s/80s that's actually still alive and singing.

This was such a biased list versus reality.

True, R90. Mariah's voice has been shot for about twenty years now, but back in the 90s (specifically 1990-1996), her voice was insane. I noticed things going bad for her voice around 1997 with Butterfly. While the album is widely regarded as her best, her live performances around that time were so hit-and-miss, with her mostly being raspy and struggling with her upper chest voice.

But it's known that she's an alcoholic and refused to remove her nodules (because some voice doctor told her that her nodules give her the whistle register). Such a tragedy.

Aaliyah being ranked seven spots above Linda Ronstadt makes me want to commit a crime.

R99. Christina Aguilera cannot sing circles around Queen Bey because she never learned technique. Yes she has a powerful soulful voice but if you have to scream to avoid gasping for air you are not a great vocalist. She is really really good, but hell Bey's voice is even more powerful than her now in 2023.

Beyonce can sing but the 8th best singer of ALL TIME????

Really?

Mariah's voice is all better now that the bitch learned to add honey to her booze.

This isn't soulful. Hell people accused Diana of not having soul because she had a pretty voice and wasn't a vocal powerhouse. Even though Beys voice is much more powerful than Diana, power does not equal soul. Ross was innovative in inflecting a pop sensibility to soul.

Ariana Grande is like 120 places higher than Barbra Streisand. I don't like Barbra's music but she's a fucking great singer, definitely better than Grande. Aretha Franklin even had respect for her and she had respect for only a handful of female singers.

R10o my comment above was for you but I completely agree with you about Marvin Gaye, that's another oversight.

Beyonce can sing but she does not belong anywhere near the top 20. Her tone is ugly compared to every other singer in that top 10. She has a harshness to her voice.

R100*

[quote]IYKWIMAITYD.

That's very cute R46.

[quote] The hate yall have for this woman is making you unable to see her vocal prowess. Celine has said it, Aretha Franklin acknowledged it.

Oh well, then... if Celine said it, and Aretha 'acknowledged' it - then it must be true.

It hurts to be excluded....I feel I should have been in consideration.

I probably missed it in some earlier post, but where are the Madonna stans? I'm surprised they're not posting about Mariah vs Madonna or Madonna vs Beyonce?

Dionne is a much better singer with a beautiful voice and greater range than her niece Whitney

Madonna can't fucking sing. She is (or was) a self-marketing genius.

Dionne is very underrated.

R115 well maybe because no matter how fanatical they are they aren't smocking crack. They wouldnt even assert that Madge is a better vocalist than those girls or that she even belongs in the top 100.

[quote] I probably missed it in some earlier post, but where are the Madonna stans? I'm surprised they're not posting about Mariah vs Madonna or Madonna vs Beyonce?

I'm surprised by that too. Vadgestan is probably busy in some Janet Jackson thread screaming "Jabba" a hundred times at Janbot. He'll be here soon enough to rant about how Mariah and Beyonce aren't real singers and how Mariah achieved all of her commercial success through payola.

I'm surprised Janbot hasn't cited the fact that Janet should have been in the top 10 because she had the number 1 selling album on the 15th week of 1989.

It's 100% right that Madonna shouldn't be on this list R115. And I say that as a long-term fan.

Madonna isn't a renowned singer. But as an entertainment package, she is in the top 10 of most successful musical artists of all time and deservedly so. But not for her vocal abilities.

R121 Janbot is trying it on at R120... Cue the made up "unbeatable achievement" which will be posted to DL's mirth in 30 seconds...

If Madonna isn't on the list, then Rihanna REALLY should not be on this list.

Neither should be on the list R124.

No Billy Joel ?

And putting Rihanna opens the door for the Britney, Janet and Madonna's of the world too. None of them can sing but for some reason Rihanna is the 68th best singer of all time.

I will say that I actually enjoyed Madge's smooth vocals on her 90s r&b ballads. They had a restraint and folksyness to them. I'm too young to have seen many Madges live performances in her prime. Could she at least execute decent vocals live? I know Jjanet couldn't without whispercooing.

R125, I agree but Rihanna is. Which is odd. Nobody has ever described Rihanna as a singer. Not even Rihanna herself.

Minnie Riperton, listed at #65??????

Frankly Corey Taylor not being included is ridiculous too if it's 'of all time'.

Sweetie, R123, I am not Janbot. You can put me on Ignore and see my posting history that shows I rarely post in those Janet Jackson threads. The stan wars between Janbot and Vadgebot were cute ten years ago, but they're no longer entertaining.

Nice try, though.

R126 Nah Rihanna is actually a solid vocalist. Those women could never execute a "Stay" or "Diamonds". If they did it in studio their vocals would be produced within an inch with some autotune, and they could never sing that shit live.

Stop lying R131. We recognize your writing style.

exactly r107, "Me Myself and I" is one of Beyonce's most soulful, if not most soulful R&B song. Hearing her sing it live there just makes you wonder how it would sound if it went to another artist with more grit. But the song is still one of my favorites anyway, the bass-line mixed with her harmonies is like silk.

R132 Diamond is literally just Sia, who sang it better

LOL. You're insane, R133. My writing style is nothing like Janbot's. But again, nice try, dear.

Get over yourself. You're upset because I called out one of your fellow Vadgestans and how you two troll all the other famous singer's threads at Datalounge over the years.

R129 Probably because she's Maya Rudolph's mommy.

For fuck's sake R136. Listen to yourself...

I swear to fucking god if this thread becomes a circle jerk for beyonce, janet and madonna I am going to take my toys and go home

The list is laughable. Beyonce does not belong in the top 10. The placement of dozens of others is dubious at best. Rolling Stone is a joke.

[quote]Minnie Riperton, listed at #65??????

The universe has a way of working these things out

Courtney Love 2 slots above Loretta Lynn?

Love higher than Barbra, Bonnie Raitt, Debbie Harry????

Usher 3 slots higher than Elton????

D'Angelo (no, not Bevs) over Janis Joplin & Springsteen???

Why is Lady Fuckface on this list and above Kate Bush???

Sade above Tina Turner?

Ariana Grande over Ella and Mavis???

Aaliyah over Etta?

Clearly missing the following outstanding vocalists:

PAULA ABDUL

Hilary Duff

Paris Hilton

Haylee Duff

Paris Hilton

ASHLEE SIMPSON

Lists are stupid and Rolling Stone lists are particularly stupid.Was Patti Smith on the list? If Courtney Love was, then surely she was. They both can't sing worth fuck.

Some of the singers are stylized or suit their music very well, so I get them being included. But on no planet should Beyonce be listed higher than Mavis Staple.

R142 Usher is higher than Elton John. Oh yea their wyling. And Usher is a really good r&b singer but has never produce anything outside of contemporary pop/r&b stylings. This list is fraudulent.

R142 I actually agree with Sade being above Tina Turner. Jazz singers are always overlooked.

Where is Adele? She has a fantastic voice.

Adele is on the list at #22 R148.

[quote]Why is Lady Fuckface on this list

She panders to the right people.

Some of yall letting yall personal convictions of people bias you on their talents. Ladoverwinter. really good singer who is versatile. I would assert that she's even better than Christina because Chris she can only do contemporary pop or that 60s flavored Motown soul. She has no restraint and oversings in such an awful way. Her vocal chords will be damaged by the time she is Mariahs age. Actually maybe they won't be; Patti Labelle can still sing and she also was another notorious oversinger. Josh Stone is a better singer than Christina.

Omg I typed Lady gaga*

[quote] Actually maybe they won't be; Patti Labelle can still sing and she also was another notorious oversinger.

Patti no longer has her upper chest voice. That's been gone for about a decade or so now.

Beyonce ranks #1 on the list of most overrated singers of all time.

My comment in r107 should read ,This isn't soulful? Posed as a question.

R55 late 21st century?? For crissakes you're a terrible music critic.

R156 so an obvious typo makes him a bad critic. You are insufferable, you know what the fuck he meant.

Annie Lennox belongs on the list,

Freddy Mercury should be in the top 10 if not for the list to be more versatile. They included all male soul singers in the top 10. I know people like Sam Cooke and Otis Redding are sometimes considered rock under the umbrella rock n roll which is permanently linked to soul music but come one they could have included some classic rock or modern rock singer in there.

Anyways Mercury is #1 in my book.

It's essentially a list of who's cool, and who the cool people think are and should be cool.

For instance, it's not cool to like Celine Dion. You can argue about Dion's choice of material, and argue about her being over-produced, but you really can't argue about her voice. The woman has an incredible voice and range and she knows how to use it. There are people on that list that can't ever approach her power and vocal ability.

I'm guessing that no one in the music business takes this list at all seriously regarding vocal ability and quality, but they may see it as some type of ranking if considering marketing and business.

R160, very true. That explains putting Barbra at like number 150. Barbra has never been cool so of course Rolling Stone would rank her that low.

R 39

Yup.

Truth takes a backseat to somebody’s agenda.

A silly clickbait list. Ella Fitzgerald should be top 10 not Beyoncé. Is there some a reason we have to worship Beyoncé while the better female singers get ignored. Is it because she’s “beautiful?”

R160 you aren't wrong. Celine Dion is a much better singer than Mariah Carey and should have her spot But she never did hiphop or contemporary r&b so she isn't cool. She is a beautiful, powerful vocalist. It's funny she is a classic example of a phenomenal singer who lacks soul. Her voice isn't soulful sounding and that's not bad. The Titanic theme song is one of the best vocal performances of all time.

Yes I meant the 20th century - not 21st century obviously - because it hasn't happened. What's your fucking damage R156? Get a grip.

Thank you R157.

Surprising omission: George Michael

Even more surprising omission (because all he had to do was fart and he wins another Grammy) : Tony Bennett.

[quote]It's essentially a list of who's cool, and who the cool people think are and should be cool.

I think you've hit on it. I also don't think that anyone compiling best of lists is over 40. So a lot of the folks that you guys think should be on the list or higher on the list, just don't register with the people who are compiling the list in the same way they do with you. I'm not trying to call anybody old, but this happens all the time. Plus, as has been mentioned, most of this shit is highly subjective.

r166, GM was listed

"Surprising omission: George Michael"

George Michael was on the list

Where is Levi Stubbs?

And LaVern Baker

Ranking Beyonce in the top 10 destroys any credibility this list has when you don't have Ella Fitzgerald anywhere hear.

Also, John Lennon as the first white person at #12 is absurd. John Lennon ranked that high is laughable.

Freddie Mercury ranked so far above Bowie is also a joke.

Where is Miss Jenny Lind? How can we take the list seriously when the Swedish Nightingale isn't somewhere in the top five?

Freddie Mercury was a better singer than Bowie though.

My favorite vocalist is Sarah Vaughan. I wouldn’t expect to see her on here. But that woman’s voice could calm a storm.

Anyways, I forget what list they recently did before this but Rolling Stone is so irrelevant today. They only make these lists for stan groups on Twitter.

[quote] It's funny she is a classic example of a phenomenal singer who lacks soul. Her voice isn't soulful sounding and that's not bad.

I think Dion can be soulful sometimes, especially on songs like Because You Loved Me. Originally, Toni Braxton was going to sing Because You Loved Me, and Celine Unbreak My Heart, but Diana Warren and David Foster decided to do the reverse. It's interesting because Because You Loved Me sounds more like a Toni Braxton song, and Unbreak My Heart could have fit in perfectly on Dion's Falling Into You album.

Freddie's voice was just as powerful and melodic as Whitney's. Elvis had an extremely pleasing voice. The selections were made by tone deaf people.

Why isn’t Dionne Warwick on the top ten? Just proves what a crock the RS is.

R172, Go ahead, mock the singers of yore! But I, Yma Sumac, the Peruvian Songbird, could sing your Freddie Mercury into the ground at Machu Picchu! Your Beyonce into the Atlantic Ocean!

R178, Try not to disrespect Queen Bey, one of the greatest live singers of all time.

Total clickbait. But I still enjoy the list and the ensuing debate/outrage. It's such a "check all the boxes" list - covering multiple genres, genders, races, generations. There's nothing wrong with that and there are great singers across the spectrum. But, it all feels so forced and studied (or not studied I guess)

I'd honestly rather read individual people's personal hot takes on the Top 200 with massive blind spots and clear prejudices and/or lack of exposure.

Also, I feel like they're conflating a bunch of stuff - including vocal quality and simple popularity. Rihanna could be Top 200 Greatest Artists (in the broad sense) - hugely popular, influential within music and beyond. But, IMO, her nasal, no-range drone shouldn't even be sniffing Top 200 Greatest Singers.

Granted, I don't think it's an "honest" list - and they know that. Again, clickbait - knowing it will get everyone hot and bothered - which it was.

Lots of head shaking over this list, but I was pleased to see Mercedes Sosa included. I got to see her final concert in Buenos Aires and was simply blown away.

"Elvis had an extremely pleasing voice."

When did they say he didn't? He's in the top 20.

Phoeba Now is not on the list? She had one of the greatest voices of all time. Her voice was so much more exceptional than many, many of the fucks on that list.

The whole list makes much more sense as "most unique" or "most identifiable" singers - regardless of how good or bad they are. There's still big omissions though.

R182 He should have been in the top 10,

They should have titled it "Best Performers" not "Best Singers." There would still be controversy about various rankings and omissions, but at least it wouldn't be so laughably inaccurate. Singing is a technical skill that can be objectively rated in many ways. That's why even untrained people can know that Ella Fitzgerald is a remarkably better singer than Beyonce, or that Celine Dion may lack taste and restraint but she's got a phenomenal set of pipes.

R186 in what ways can singing be ranked non subjectively. Characteristics of fine singing like octave range, pitch, non screechy melisma, and tone can objectively be rated, but even the last two they are highly subjective.

Your argument lacks any scientific or philosophical basis. Try again.

I don’t think this article is based on vocal ability. Cause why is Billie Holiday #4? She didn’t have much range.

It's not based on anything. It's a discussion generator and click bait. There are many wonderful singers on the list, but the goal isn't to be totally accurate - not that you could trying to rate the top 200 singers as there's a lot of subjective preference in choosing such a list - even if all singers are objectively good singers (which here doesn't seem to be the case - though, again, many are).

Pat Benatar, Sarah MacLachlan, Belinda Carlisle, Art Garfunkel, Billy Joel, etc. aren’t on this “list”, but Ozzy Ozbourne is? I would have included Meatloaf over Ozzy.

Hell, even Barry Manilow was better than at least a quarter of the list.

For the few people who will know this truth with me: Chad Mitchell should be included.

I don't feel like looking at the rest of this list. If Gene Pitney, kd lang, Dean Martin, Mama Cass, Jimmie Rodgers, Dusty, Steve Perry, and, arguably one of the most perfect Pop-Rock voices, Mike Smith of the Dave Clark aren't on it, then I say phooey!

"If Gene Pitney, kd lang, Dean Martin, Mama Cass, Jimmie Rodgers, Dusty, Steve Perry, and, arguably one of the most perfect Pop-Rock voices, Mike Smith of the Dave Clark aren't on it, then I say phooey!"

Jimmie, Steve, and Dusty are on the list but I don't think the others are. (Btw, I'm a Mike Smith fan, too. He's so underrated, he never makes lists like this)

Thank you for that info, r192! (I left off the "5.")

I'm actually surprised RS, being RS, included Jimmie Rodgers, though he possessed such a pure and lovely voice. [Digression: Hank Snow named his son after him.]

So they put people on the list who can't sing and leave out people who can sing? LOL

Cass Elliott isn't even on the list?! The list really is bullshit!

BTW, man I love that song @ R193 !

John Lennon is the best white singer of all time. Not Sinatra, Mercury, Lennox, Clarkson, Dion, Orbison, Cline. He’s not even the best singer in his own band.

Beyoncé? Hahahahhaha no.

Courtney Love doesn't sing, she screams.

Stevie Wonder absolutely deserves to be in the top ten. Y’all need to listen to the depth and breadth of his work - his voice can be strong, soft, raspy, smooth. He’s a genius.

Wait. Art Garfunkel isn’t on the list?! Feh!

Where's Ruben & Uva? That duo could sing, sing, sing!

I can't be bothered to look at the list, but I think Judy should be in the top ten.

Clownish ultra-woke virtue signaling. If you’re not black and not American, you’re not in the top ten - period!

So no

Bjork

Dolores O’Riordan

Celine Dion

Frank Sinatra

Elvis Presley

Freddie Mercury

Roy Orbison

Elton John

Black people are also the best at basketball, fried chicken, and dancing.

In fact, is there anything that black people can’t do better than white people?

Apparently Ozzie Osborne, Axl Rose and Joe Strummee are all significantly better singers than Barbra Streisand and Céline Dion!

Strummer

Brian Wilson belongs in the top 10

Stupid list. The editorial staff at RS doesn't have a real inventory of actual singers. They recycle old lists and add in the new, modestly talented artists they know.

Shingersh.

Rolling Stone magazine is irrelevant and they know it.

I hope all of the music critics and lackeys who compiled this list get Zika virus and their babies are born with deformed heads.

Get Beyoncé the fuck off of the list.

You mean you don’t hear the entire recorded history of black music In Beyoncé’s voice whenever she sings?

Ummm….no.

It feels like we're being collectively gaslit with the Beyonce worship.

I know that a handful of brain-damaged gay men are into her but honestly there's no soul to her music. Critics were creaming their maxipads when Lemonade was released but her stuff just doesn't connect.

Sure, there are some gay men in LA who play her shit non-stop at their house parties but they're just trying to impress their friends. Nobody, puts her music on when they're alone. Nobody.

And it's the same with Lizzo. The only reason she's being celebrated is because she's a woman of size and did a pretty good job on American Horror Story that one season about the witches.

R224, it's the media and Beyhive that won't STFU about her. If you need the media and others to constantly tell you how great an artist is, that artist is probably mostly hype. As is the case for 99% pop stars.

Lists like these always seem to leave out more deserving names and put in overhyped ones for publicity purposes.

[quote] He should have been in the top 10,

Come on--Elvis wasn't THAT great of a singer, not even close. There were countless blues/jazz/rock singers from that time who destroy him.

R227, Yes, Elvis was THAT great. Please don't pretend you've listened to his 50s output, never mind all that followed.

And of those "countless" others "who destroy him," name some. And even if they are objectively better, so what? Singing isn't a zero sum game; put THEM on the list, too!

[quote] And even if they are objectively better, so what?

If the name of the list is "best singers of all time", any singers who are objectively better than Elvis should be higher than Elvis. Otherwise, the list should be called something like "most iconic singers of all time".

To R215, you forgot being 90% of Worldstar videos, shootings, looting,,armed robberies, getting free stuff from charities. My son Zach emailed me from Philadelphia suburbs what a stupid list from RS. We agree Aretha is #1 of course, but Bitchany& fat deaf Mariah, I don't think so...Homey don't play dat!!

Adele and Mary J Blige ahead of Mahalia Jackson? Aaliyah at number 40? Ariana Grande at number 43? Mick Jagger at 52? Lady Gaga at 58? Rihanna at 68?

Should be higher: Freddie Mercury (top 3), Frank Sinatra (top 5), Luther Vandross, David Bowie, Roy Orbison, Michael Jackson, Johnny Cash, Bob Marley, Donna Summer, Karen Carpenter, Tammy Wynette, Jeff Buckley, Loretta Lynn, Wanda Jackson, Marc Anthony, Debbie Harry, Juan Gabriel, Kelly Clarkson, Rosalia

Should be lower: Billie Holiday, Beyonce, John Lennon, Bob Dylan, Dolly Parton (love her songwriting, but her voice doesn't beat Loretta or Tammy), Van Morrison, Aaliyah, Ariana Grande, Sade, Umm Kulthum, Dennis Brown, Chris Cornell, Lata Mangeshkar (or replaced by Asha Bhosle), Diana Ross, Taylor Swift, Ozzy Osbourne, Florence Welch, Carrie Underwood, Brenda Lee,

Shouldn't be there: Rihanna (love her as a performer, but not a great singer), Vicente Fernandez (replace with Juan Gabriel), Chet Baker (playing yes, singing no), Patti Smith, Courtney Love, IU (pandering), Toni Braxton (replace with Phyllis Hyman), El Debarge, Rocio Durcal, Levon Helm, Corin Tucker, Ronnie James Dio, Marianne Faithfull, Lana Del Rey, SZA, Bob Seger, Jazmine Sullivan, Jung Kook, Brandy

Should be there: Celine Dion, Edith Piaf, Boy George, Dionne Warwick, Irma Brown, Ann Wilson, Asha Bhosle, Teena Marie, Phyllis Hyman

R232, great choices. I don't think Aaliyah should be anywhere near this list. I love some of her music but her voice wasn't that great.

Adele...sucks,Aaliyah...#40 seriously!! She's known for marrying R Kelly as a minor and getting toasted in a plane crash because they had too much stuff. Lady Gagda...fucking blows.!!

I like a lot of these Latin artists on this list but it’s obvious to anyone sensible that they’re being purposely over represented.

Françoise Hardy, whom I adore, seems to be the only francophone singer on this list. No Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Mireille Mathieu, or even Dalida, all of which should be on here.

Stephanie Mills, Johnny Mathis, Deniece Williams…ignoring some pretty impressive voices here.

r232 Toni Braxton should definitely be on the list. I agree that Kelly Clarkson should be ranked way higher

Remember when Rolling Stone cared about talent, and not just commercial appeal?

Beyonce and Lady Gaga sell out arenas. But it doesn't make them great singers. It just makes them good saleswomen.

[quote]Nobody, puts her music on when they're alone. Nobody.

Agree 100%

The whole point is to seem woke and stir debate for clicks. Mission accomplished. Rolling Stone is the music version of clickbait Newsweek.

Steve Perry of Journey sings rings around Freddie Mercury. I do not understand why Mercury is so highly rated his voice is not impressive to me.

And it’s not just the choices themselves but the absurd write ups they give everyone. Like they had to throw in a jab at McCartney or they include Robert Plant but not without disparaging Led Zeppelin slightly

I like “Gaga’s early classics play like variations on the great Madonna hits”. Eh, those “early Gaga classics” ARE her only classics….unless Shallow counts

[quote] Beyonce and Lady Gaga sell out arenas. But it doesn't make them great singers. It just makes them good saleswomen.

Beyonce and Gaga certainly have a place in the Top 200 just not as highly ranked.

I’d say that Beyoncé was #250.

[quote] Many black people realize this. She can sing like Whitney, do the rock/pop soul like Tina.

Umm...she CANNOT sing like Whitney. Even she would admit that, and she thinks she is slaying every bitch in the game.

Whitney was better than Aretha. Aretha is grating and wails all over her songs.

I can’t believe that Janet is not on the list…

Is it true that Dionne is not on the list?! Dionne Warwick INVENTED pop singing -- Dusty, Karen, ONJ and Whitney all cited her as a principal influence. Coupled with the omission of Celine Dion it destroys the credibility of the list. As for Celine, you don't have to enjoy her music to recognize she has one of the most glorious voices in popular music.

They were so shady to MJ in his blurb

Of course Dionne’s omission is offensive…RS is the People Magazine of music magazines.

Aretha Franklin described her mission as a singer like this: “Me with my hand outstretched, hoping someone will take it.” That kind of deep, empathetic bond between artist and listener is the most elemental connection in music. And you can think of our list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time as a celebration of that bond. These are the vocalists that have shaped history and defined our lives — from smooth operators to raw shouters, from gospel to punk, from Sinatra to Selena to SZA.

When Rolling Stone first published its list of the 100 Greatest Singers in 2008, we used an elaborate voting process that included input from well-known musicians. The results skewed toward classic rock and singers from the Sixties and Seventies. This new list was compiled our staff and key contributors, and it encompasses 100 years of pop music as an ongoing global conversation, where iconic Indian playback singer Lata Mangeshkar lands between Amy Winehouse and Johnny Cash, and salsa queen Celia Cruz is up there in the rankings with Prince and Marvin Gaye. You might notice that, say, there isn’t any opera on our list — that’s because our purview is pop music writ large, meaning that almost all the artists on this list had significant careers as crossover stars making popular music for the masses.

Before you start scrolling (and commenting), keep in mind that this is the Greatest Singers list, not the Greatest Voices List. Talent is impressive; genius is transcendent. Sure, many of the people here were born with massive pipes, perfect pitch, and boundless range. Others have rougher, stranger, or more delicate instruments. As our write-up for the man who ended up at Number 112 notes, “Ozzy Osbourne doesn’t have what most people would call a good voice, but boy does he have a great one.” That could apply to more than a few people here.

In all cases, what mattered most to us was originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy. A voice can be gorgeous like Mariah Carey’s, rugged like Toots Hibbert’s, understated like Willie Nelson’s, slippery and sumptuous like D’Angelo’s, or bracing like Bob Dylan’s. But in the end, the singers behind it are here for one reason: They can remake the world just by opening their mouths.

SZA. Really?

I was about to be outraged then remembered it's Rolling Stone so I'll lmfao instead.

A tragic backstory doesn't make you the greatest singer. Great, yes. Distinctive, yes. Able to work in many genres, yes. Powerful vocalist, yes.

But other than those acknowledged abilities that are matched or surpassed by many others, the historical aura around her and the fact that she's always been listed as number one is simply the reason she's continually listed as number one.

The more the media keeps pushing Beyonce as some "genius" and the "greatest" singer ever... the more repulsive I find her.

R212, and yet they elevated a bunch of white people who didn't deserve it. Like Taylor Swift, Lana Del Ray, and Lady Gaga. But that ruins your "white people are victims" narrative.

They also left off acclaimed black singers like Levi Stubbs and Dionne Warwick

R220, if they're so "irrelevant" then why are you getting so worked up about the list?

Tony Williams from The Platters could wail. He definitely deserved to be on the list

Randy Crawford…Rosemary Clooney…Patti Austin…whaaat?

I cannot take a list of greatest singers seriously if it doesn't include Lisa Gerrard.

Bob Dylan's voice is "bracing". Lol - it sure is.

Jackie Wilson?

Maria McKee?

Boy George?

Wait, is Ann Wilson not on the list at all?

so GREAT!

But what about me?

no r263 and neither is Annie Lennox.

R262, Jackie Wilson is on the list.

But I think he should have been higher

I vote for this woman.

She sings live.

And higher!

I love how pissed off people get over these Rolling Stone lists.

It's the subjective opinions of a handful of music dweebs, correlated into a ranking.

It's meant to grab people's attention and get them talking, and obviously it works, or they wouldn't keep doing it.

In any case, my two cents:

I wouldn't put either Lou Reed or Leonard Cohen on a list of top 2000 singers, let alone place them in the top 200. They may be great writers and groundbreaking artists, but great singers? In what universe?

I try not to get too caught up in the actual ranking, and who should be higher than who on the list, but Barbra Streisand being ranked near the bottom seems like a real slap in the face.

Levi Stubbs is a glaring omission, and I agree with whoever mentioned Tony Williams of the Platters. I hadn't thought of him (probably why he wasn't included, he just doesn't immediately come to mind), but holy hell, he was phenomenal.

Selena is a mediocrity and doesn't belong on the list. Juan Gabriel is decidedly not a mediocrity, but I wouldn't place him in the top 200 singers of all time. I can think of at least a dozen better male Spanish language singers.

Who is listening to all these African singers outside of Africa, other than African immigrants? I remember the rock press trying desperately to make Fela Kuti and Youssou N'Dour happen in the west, but they never did. I heard an NPR report the other day about Burner Boy, and they played some of his music. It was cool, but I didn't hear anything that blew me away in terms of vocals.

Wait, r270. LOU REED made the list? Ridiculous!

[quote] a handful of music dweebs

Yes!

Publicity-seeking dweebs who are more interested in the commodification and selling of products— some of whom know how to use a microphone.

Is Mariah really black?

Because if she is, then it's a perfect top 10.

If she's not? Fuck racist Rolling Stone.

R273 got lost on the way to a Trump Rally

If this were based on singing ability Gary Puckett should have been on this list. His voice was amazing.

lol R274. Unwad your panties. It's a joke.

I don't understand why the didn't title the list: Best Famous Performers. Or Most Memorable Performing Artists Who Also Sing.

Then it would make more sense. But they call it Best Singers, then punt on naming the best singers.

It's not like we all don't have ears. Whether your love or hate Celine? She has a huge voice. A ton of hits. And a very long career.

Beyonce has a ton of hits and a long career.....but the Klan Grannies are complaining about her and saying Celine should be on the list. Madonna had a huge career and a shit-ton of hits, too. Should she be on the list?

Peter Gabriel and Alison Moyet.

Beyonce is manufactured garbage whose songs are created in a boardroom by committee.

[quote]Is Mariah really black? Because if she is, then it's a perfect top 10.

She's "biracial" when it suits her. Otherwise, she's white-passing. I don't think she's ever claimed to be "black".

Phyllis Hyman, Regina Belle, Anita Baker…

Where the hell is Ann Wilson? That’s practically sacrilegious.

R281, Anita Baker is on the list

Mariah lost her voice decades ago.

No Vanessa?

R283 I don’t see her name…

A lot of ridiculous choices on this list—but that’s how these lists go, they exist for clicks.

Still, I would have included Glenn Campbell and Bobby Darin.

This will end in tears for fears.

r213 shut yo stankin hateful ass up. Id hate for a curse to be placed upon you and you get permanenetly shut up.

r280 Mariah has claim to be black. She cant help it that she naturally passes.

It's impossible that they used any consistent criteria in making these selections. The list includes singers who have modest, marginal voices and others who would struggle with pitch if made to produce a live vocal.

JUSTICE FOR STACEY Q !

Thank you r168, r162

Just checked - He was #62

wheres milli vanilli

Am I on that list? If I'm not, it's due to queer-phobia.

Kelly Clarkson is 194

Jazmine Sullivan is 182

Martha Wash is 179

Sylvester is 169

Barbra Streisand is 147

Donna Summer is 122

Karen Carpenter is 123

La India is 113

Stevie Nicks is 93

Anita Baker is 92

Diana Ross is 87

Steve Perry is 82

Patti Labelle is 74

Rihanna is 68

Minnie Riperton is 65

George Michael is 62

Kate Bush is 60

Lady Gaga is 58

Tina Turner is 55

Sade is 51

Toni Braxton is 48

Linda Ronstadt is 47

Ella Fitzgerald is 45

Etta James 41

Dusty Springfield is 35

Bessie Smith is 33

Luther Vandross is 31

Chaka Khan is 29

Dolly Parton is 27

Mary J. Blige is 25

Adele is 22

It was hard to read but I think these are omissions:

Cher

Liza Minnelli

Bette Midler

Pat Benatar

Natalie Cole

Justin Timberlake

Scott Weiland

Jill Scott

Taylor Dayne

Dionne Warwick

And of course, Celine Dion

No Joni?

Joni is on the list

Joni James is NOT on the list!

This list is truly biased because some of these rankings don't make sense. Rihanna is above Pattti Labelle, Stevie Nicks, and Barbara Streisand. Wtf??? Mary J Blige is above Luther Vandross. Hell even Adele higher than Luther Vandross doesn't make sense. Mary is higher than Tina Turner. Mary cannot sing in pitch anymore, nor do her records match the vocal delivery of icons like Tina Turner, Steve Perry, and George Michael. Mary cannot even sing better than Toni Braxton and Anita Baker. Anita Baker is one of the greatest soul singers of all time.

This list is totally some millenial fantasy. Someone who grew up with hip hop and crossover r&b. The top 10 isn't so bad outside of Mariah Carey being in there but this list is just weird.

How the hell does Jazmine Sullivan have a slot and Dionne Warwick and Celine Dion are excluded. That doesn't make sense. Not that Jazmine can't sing but Warwick and Celine are literally known for the vocals and have iconic song switch demonstrate them. Most people cannot name one Jazmine Sullivan song. She has a nice soulful voice but many black females do. It just is completely random. Please tell me Erykah Badu is on this list.

I can name a Jazmine Sullivan song! I like this one

I think she deserves to be on the list more than Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, and Beyonce

200. Rosalía

199. Glenn Danzig

198. Billie Eilish

197. Burna Boy

196. Paul Westerberg

195. Poly Styrene

194. Kelly Clarkson

193. Brandy

192. Anohni

191. Jung Kook

190. Frank Ocean

189. Joan Baez

188. Fela Kuti

187. Bonnie Raitt

186. Ofra Haza

185. Alicia Keys

184. Karen O

183. Solomon Burke

182. Jazmine Sullivan

181. Bob Seger

180. SZA

179. Martha Wash

178. Tabu Ley Rochereau

177. Patty Loveless

176. Iggy Pop

175. Lana Del Rey

174. Buddy Holly

173. Marianne Faithfull

172. Juan Gabriel

171. Odetta

170. Chris Stapleton

169. Sylvester

168. Debbie Harry

167. Marc Anthony

166. Morrissey

165. Ronnie James Dio

164. Sandy Denny

163. Bobby “Blue” Bland

162. Françoise Hardy

161. Brenda Lee

160. Mercedes Sosa

159. Mississippi John Hurt

158. Carrie Underwood

157. Robert Smith

156. George Strait

155. Corin Tucker

154. Dion

153. Mahlathini

152. Michael Stipe

151. Martha Reeves

150. Bryan Ferry

149. Wanda Jackson

148. Levon Helm

147. Barbra Streisand

146. Ruth Brown

145. PJ Harvey

144. Darlene Love

143. Luciano

142. Russell Thompkins Jr.

141. Christina Aguilera

140. Bono

139. Rocío Dúrcal

138. Merle Haggard

137. El DeBarge

136. Lauryn Hill

135. IU

134. Axl Rose

133. Neil Young

132. Loretta Lynn

131. Jeff Buckley

130. Courtney Love

129. Rob Halford

128. Florence Welch

127. Tammy Wynette

126. Donny Hathaway

125. Joe Strummer

124. Robert Johnson

123. Karen Carpenter

122. Donna Summer

121. Jackie Wilson

120. Charlie Rich

119. Barrington Levy

118. John Fogerty

117. Patti Smith

116. Chet Baker

115. Erykah Badu

114. Chrissie Hynde

113. La India

112. Ozzy Osbourne

111. Fiona Apple

110. The Weeknd

109. Roger Daltrey

108. Caetano Veloso

107. Lou Reed

106. Bill Withers

105. Eddie Vedder

104. Aaron Neville

103. Leonard Cohen

102. Taylor Swift

101. Gladys Knight

Frank Ocean is not a great singer and I'm a huge fan. His songwriting and production compensate for it. His singing voice is so nasally, and he always sings in head voice.

100. Elton John

99. Clyde McPhatter

98. Bob Marley

97. Usher

96. Chuck Berry

95. Vincente Fernández

94. Toots Hibbert

93. Stevie Nicks

92. Anita Baker

91. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

90. Gal Costa

89. Selena

88. Jimmie Rodgers

87. Diana Ross

86. Michael Jackson

85. Johnny Cash

84. Lata Mangeshkar

83. Amy Winehouse

82. Steve Perry

81. João Gilberto

If they were going to put any female from more recent decades higher than soul icons like Chaka Khan and Patti Labelle it should have been Erykah Badu, not fkin Mary J. Blige.

80. Chris Cornell

79. Emmylou Harris

78. Janis Joplin

77. Bruce Springsteen

76. Wilson Pickett

75. D’Angelo

74. Patti LaBelle

73. Héctor Lavoe

72. Muddy Waters

71. Roy Orbison

Michael Jackson also should be much higher. Should probably be in top 10 for real for real. In what universe can Mary J. BLIGE EVER EVER SING BETTER THAN Michael Jackson.

70. Ronnie Spector

69. Youssou N’Dour

68. Rihanna

67. Dennis Brown

66. David Ruffin

65. Minnie Riperton

64. Björk

63. Robert Plant

62. George Michael

61. Umm Kulthum

60. Kate Bush

59. Howlin’ Wolf

58. Lady Gaga

57. Brian Wilson

56. Barry White

55. Tina Turner

54. Willie Nelson

53. Miriam Makeba

52. Mick Jagger

51. Sade

50. Joni Mitchell

49. Rod Stewart

48. Toni Braxton

47. Linda Ronstadt

46. Mavis Staples

45. Ella Fitzgerald

44. James Brown

43. Ariana Grande

42. Teddy Pendergrass

41. Etta James

40. Aaliyah

39. Louis Armstrong

38. Curtis Mayfield

37. Van Morrison

36. Kurt Cobain

35. Dusty Springfield

34. Thom Yorke

33. Bessie Smith

32. David Bowie

31. Luther Vandross

30. Hank Williams

29. Chaka Khan

28. Mahalia Jackson

27. Dolly Parton

26. Paul McCartney

25. Mary J. Blige

24. George Jones

23. Smokey Robinson

22. Adele

21. Nina Simone

20. Marvin Gaye

19. Frank Sinatra

18. Celia Cruz

17. Elvis Presley

16. Prince

15. Bob Dylan

14. Freddie Mercury

13. Patsy Cline

12. John Lennon

11. Little Richard

Aaliyah can sing better than Tina Turner? smfh.

10. Al Green

9. Otis Redding

8. Beyoncé

7. Stevie Wonder

6. Ray Charles

5. Mariah Carey

4. Billie Holiday

3. Sam Cooke

2. Whitney Houston

1. Aretha Franklin

R314 R317 R319 R326 FF then block these posters to maintain continuity of the list… and for being dumb fucking cunts to post their stupid shitty posts in the middle of the entire list being posted. DUMB FUCKING IDIOTS.

R328 you need to take a motherfuckin chill pill. And how dare you speak for all of DL you fkin meglomaniac.

Happy to see Toots Hibbert get some love.

I like Stevie Nicks but she’s not a good singer.

R327 Thank you for the Blackity Black list. But so American. There are no great Blackity Black singers elsewhere in the world, I suppose.

R331 shut yo stankin ass racist degenerate ass up. Don't get fucked up in your dreams.

Adele herself knows she is not a better singer than the 178 people below her.

How come Roseanne Barr isn't in the top 10?

The Rolling Stones Greatest Singers of all time are Mick & Keith

I was impressed to see Teddy Pendergrass and Minnie Riperton on the list as they are both incredible singers who are usually overlooked by mainstream sources. Luther Vandross (31) and Chaka Khan (29), too. All would have placed higher on my personal list.

Otherwise this list is a MESS.

Did I miss her or is LAURA NYRO not on this list?!!! That would be unbelievable.

No ONJ

No Maxwell

No Todd Rundgren

Robert Smith (The Cure) but no Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) or Tony Hadley (Spandau Ballet)?

yikes...

Laurie Partridge is a better singah than Aretha Franklin.

The writers are obviously in their 20's................. and woke.

R338 the 20s I get but what does being woke have to do with this. Because the entire top 10 is black? Are you upset?

The white tears in this thread delicious.

Black delusion in this thread is delicious.

Luciano Pavarotti, the greatest singer of all time. Let's see any of the top 10 on this stupid WOKE list sing like this.

R342, you beat me to by 6 minutes. Michael Jackson could never sing a line of music. This list is not of all time. Mostly of recorded sound.

Pavarotti is an opera singer, it is an entirely different technique. There are voices in the Top 10 of this list and some not even on the list that could best Pavarotti. If Whitney had trained in opera...and avoided the high life...she could have been as good or better than Joan Sutherland and Leontyne Price.

How the fuck is Gladys Knight all the way down at 101? And Carrie SHRIEKwood is above Kelly Clarkson? This list is completely deranged.

Whenever a white says the word " woke" I just know they're CRYING on the inside. WAHHHHH there are NO WHITE SINGERS ON THE LIST WAHHHHH

Black people invented contemporary style singing and all music originates from soul music. You whiteys shouldn't feel some type of way, you did invent opera and most other fine art in Western culture.

R346, if all the singers on that list had been white, blacks would be rioting in the streets right now. You want more "diversity" but there is no diversity on that list. Your idea of diversity blackness. Whiteness however is racism to you.

Are all the singers on the list Americans? Does it include singers who sang in languages other than English? Then it should include Greek singer Nana Mouskouri who sold 350 million albums worldwide which makes her the greatest female singer of all time.

R348 but the list is diverse. Why are you upset that top 10 is all black, though I am offended that included no classic rock stars like Don Henley, Freddy Mercury, or Pat Benetar.

R2 could a mediocre singer do this.

Well, the racists found the thread.

[quote] If Whitney had trained in opera...and avoided the high life...she could have been as good or better than Joan Sutherland and Leontyne Price.

No, Whitney would have been one of numerous, forgettable soubrettes.

R348 rioting over irrelevant rolling stone? Hardly. I just find the outrage in here hilarious when there is another thread with a list of the greatest actors and the top ten on that list was white as snow. But I didn't see any complaints there. The only thing I agree with is having Beyonce on the list is completely RIDICULOUS that bitch never could sing and completely overrated in every since of the word. I don't see how anyone can argue with Aretha or Whitney unless you were born deaf.

Did they explain how they made the list? Was it just a poll of Rolling Stone writers?

I'm guessing the hate for Beyonce is because for a large part off her career she was a walking billboard. She must be polarizing though. The hate keeps coming up too often on here. Even if you don't like her tone, this woman has pipes.

I can barely name any Beyonce songs and I'm not particularly old. I can name Rihanna songs, however.

R349 the list heavily favors Americans, but there are a lot of lesser known African and Latin singers who, while presumably good singers, don’t really fit Rolling Stone’s own criteria for compiling this list. If they followed their stated criteria, Nana Mouskouri would most certainly be included.

R14, But you do Blanche, you do.

R347 “and all music evolves from soul music “

R360, you know what I meant. Contemporary music with lyrics and vocals that originated in the 20th century for mass consumption.

Reparations through lists.

All American recorded music with a vocalist or group originates from soul music and the black church. That is fact. And American recorded music has been highly influential around the world. The standard pop song structure originates from soul music, jazz, and slave hymns.

Oh yeah, Al Green is a much greater singer than Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, or Elvis Presley. Sure. Uh-huh.

And Mariah Carey beats Judy Garland, Peggy Lee, Rosemary Clooney, Ethel Waters, June Christie, Lena Horne or Doris Day. Sure thing.

R363 thanks for the black supremacist revisionist view.

Excuse me, r248?

R366 sorry if the truth is inconvenient. Happy new year Meghan McCain.

R368 whatever makes you feel better about yourself. Sadly you’ll never fill that void of insecurity that you feel when you’re alone. Very sad.

[quote] WAHHHHH there are NO WHITE SINGERS ON THE LIST WAHHHHH

I’m more upset by the fact that the first white person is John Lennon. He wasn’t even the best singer in the Beatles but RS thinks he’s the best white singer of all time?

R350, why am I upset the top 10 are all black? If the top 10 were all white, you wouldn't have any problems with that? lol. American cities would be burning as we speak and the media would go on and on about White Supremacy if the top 10 had been all white.

No, the racists compiled the list............. Mariah Carey? Beyonce?

R369 I have no an insecure bone in my body. Now listen to this.

Not a*

Ughhhhh, yes I'm ocd.

R373 is obviously insane.

Just the fact that Ella Fitzgerald, perhaps the greatest singer of all time, is way down the list indicates that the compilers are very young, influenced only by sales, and probably ignorant of any singer before 2000.

I bet R373 is really Dissociative and can’t make eye contact.

The list is racist and sexist if it does not include John Daker.

[quote] Just the fact that Ella Fitzgerald, perhaps the greatest singer of all time, is way down the list indicates that the compilers are very young,

I totally agree. As far as having the best instrument with the purest tone, nobody can beat Ella Fitzgerald.

R363 Cop Killer Dr Angela Davis in da House

[quote] [R350], why am I upset the top 10 are all black? If the top 10 were all white, you wouldn't have any problems with that? lol. American cities would be burning as we speak and the media would go on and on about White Supremacy if the top 10 had been all white.

But logically the list could NOT be all-white. Even while every institution of American society and culture has marginalized Blacks, they have always been acclaimed and influential as the architects of contemporary popular music. So if Blacks were excluded there would definitely be some malevolence behind it.

R380 "Jazz is when people were to fucked up to play classical".

Oh my you must be ancient. I won't disparage you. I always respect my elders when they hit a certain age.

Why is John Tesh not on that list????!!!

Poor Dionne Warwick. Forgotten again

[quote]Steve Perry of Journey sings rings around Freddie Mercury.

Steve Perry’s ‘Don't Stop Believin' isolated vocals…

No Kathie Lee Gifford????

R381, The list is about the greatest singers of all time. Do they all have to be American? If you include singers from other countries, yes, the list could be all white. Edith Piaf, Salvatore Adamo, Nana Mouskouri, Dalida, Enrico Macias, Céline Dion, Jacques Brel etc. None of them are American or black, all of them were fantastic singers who achieved incredible success and as was said before, it's Greek singer Nana Mouskouri who holds the record for most albums sold by a female singer. She sang in multiple languages and was popular for decades around the world. This list is absolutely ridiculous.

I think that Kate Bush deserves to be higher than 60, but I firmly believe that she wouldn't be on the list at all if Running Up That Hill hadn't surged over the summer.

To the entitled, equality is oppression.

Is Paul there?

CNN and others chime in:

[quote]“Respectfully, not including Celine Dion, arguably the best vocal technician of all time, in this list is borderline treasonous,” producer, promoter and recording artist Jamie Lambert tweeted.

Can't quite argue with that.

Celine should be on the list considering others who are there - such as Billie Eyelash, and her mumbles, but I really don't like Celine. I find her tone very unpleasant.

Also, I don't think she she can accurately be called "the greatest vocal technician of all time" when Lisa Gerrard exists.

Yes, it might be hyperbolic, but there's a lot of truth in them there comments.

Again, you don't have to agree with her choices. But most should be able to recognize her vocal talents.

She can sing ANYTHING, and most people, not liking her, have never heard or wanted to hear much more of what she's done and can do.

That fucking boat song makes her uncool and worthy of scorn. She did it as a favor to James Horner. She didn't even like the song, and for awhile, they used the demo she recorded for Horner to play for Cameron because she really didn't want to record it.

Granted it has, and she is aware, made her a shitload of money. But she's in on the joke.

R391 There should be outraged. They included people who are basically derivatives of other singers. Yes they can sing but their placement on a 200 spot list is mind boggling if excludes iconic world renowned singers. It makes the list seem cheap and fraudulent. It would be like a greatest athlete list that includes Allen Iverson but ommited Bill Russell. The shit is illogical.

I'm starting to think they ommited Dion purposely for the controversy. When they could have produced the same effect by leaving out Mariah can't sing live Carey.

I would also add that for range, theatricality, classical training, and all around vocal creativity, Nina Hagen should be on the list. She can sing very beautifully, though she frequently didn't, and the way that she uses her voice can be off-putting.

R387, I seriously doubt Mouskouri sold more albums than, say, Madonna. Most of those "worldwide sales" figures are bull since a lot of places don't have soundscan numbers like America does, so it's easy to fudge the numbers

Someone like Dalida isn't even close to Aretha Franklin or Sam Cooke

R88 Kelly and Bey do sound alike but she lacks Beyonce's range and cannot go as low as Bey can.

I’d take Dalida over Aretha or Sam Cooke

It has nothing to do with white or black.

People (all over social media not just here) are pointing out the ridiculous inclusion of people like Taylor Swift, Billie, Rihanna who NEVER sing on key in comparison to the exclusion of those who can actually sing like Celine, Dionne etc.

I don't mind Beyonce being in the Top 200 but number 8 is way too high. Outside the Top 10 the placings are simply ridicolous but as people have already pointed out this is probably just an attempt at clickbait or maybe the staff at Rolling Stone are really that musically incompetent and/or at a loss of hearing.

Did you guys not watch president Obama's 1st inauguration or he and Michelle's first dance. Beyonce sang that shit perfectly. And less not forget her national anthem rendition at the Supperbowl which was completely overshadowed by NippleGate.

Just acknowledge that the list was compiled by millennials and Gen-Zers who put their favorite singers on the list because that's all they know. It's bogus, of course, but so are all the other " Best of' lists ever compiled.

Not to go too O/T, but the Obama's obviously prefer to be cool, because they could have asked Etta James - who originally recorded 'At Last' - to sing at the inauguration. They chose a cover version over the original.

And when Etta James was asked about it, said she would have gladly and proudly sung it, but she was never asked.

The list is not only racist but religionist. Obviously, the only reason this magnificent singer was left out of the Top 10, was their anti-Semitic leanings.

Thank you upthread people for mentioning Stephanie Mills, Roy Orbison, Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury, Liza, Peter Paul And Mary (Mary! Haha), Pat Benetar, Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas and more that I may have forgotten. Mariah and Whitney are very good. There are singers that are more accurate than auto tune, like Freddie

Annie Lennox is a contralto and that is rare. I think Anita Baker and Lalah Hathaway should be on the list at a higher ranking. Karyn White is an amazing true soprano Like Kate Bush.

Marc Anthony is exceptional as well. He may have used auto tune tho. I agree Celia was being amazing without auto tune.

I think singers that excelled before the invention of auto tune should predominate for the sake of accuracy in a list of best singers of all time. The title should have been most popular artists. Perfect pitch is completely disregarded because of the list choosing people that require auto tune.

Lalah is also very good.

Hector Lavoe auto tune free, handsome men! Amazing tenor!

Abdel Halim Hafez was a fantastic singer. And very easy on the eyes when young.

R381 That doesn't mean black singers are better than white singers. Both races have talent, and vocal ability. In fact I'm not even sure what you're saying. There could easily be an all white top ten, just as they have compiled an all black top 10.

If it’s a younger crowd that compiled this list then I’m very surprised they left out Bruno Mars.

R410 Because your thinking about people younger than you but not truly young. Yea they know Bruno songs and may even like some but these 20 somethings think the Weeknd is a better artist than Bruno and thus can sing better.

American xenophobia. Le sigh.

No one on that list is better than Dimash. No one.

Rolling Stone accomplished their mission. Controversy for Clicks.

[quote]Linda Ronstadt?

#47. Should have been top ten, at least.

Marsha P. Johnson invented all musical 🎵 instruments

Celia!

Don't forget moi!

Oh lord, the resident tranny obsessed loon has arrived. Sad.

Y'all really need to scroll past the people making this about race. That includes the fossils decrying the list as too "woke." The race of the people listed is not the problem most of us have with this list. A lot of it is about rankings, like ranking Beyonce many many places above Ella Fitzgerald. I wouldn't be shocked if a more accurate list had an all-black top-10 too, as long as it included Ella and relegated Beyonce much further down.

R420 I get you and only responded to those specifically pointing out race or alluding to it. I have beef with this list as well, though I am impartial to Bey because I've seen her demonstrate phenomenal vocals. Not just for a mainstream artist. I've seen her scat like Ella, but I get she's not everyone's cup of tea.

But Ella was never photographed in Coochie Coo Royal Hotep outfits shaking her ass and singing "Get off my dick" in front of the Venus de Milo at the Louvre. That's proof Beyoncé is the greatest.

R422 I don't think Ella had the figure to pull it off. Why body shame. #If you got it flaunt it. #WTH does this have to with singing. #Brilliant photo.

[quote] I think that Kate Bush deserves to be higher than 60, but I firmly believe that she wouldn't be on the list at all if Running Up That Hill hadn't surged over the summer.

60 is too high for Kate. You're absolutely right about the impact of "Running Up That Hill." However, she does not belong in the Top 100.

Btw when that album came out Queen Bey proved she had slicker bars than Cardi B.

R424 agreed she sounds like a more technically skilled version of Madonna.

Top ten singers without Patsy Cline?

Absurd

Leaving Neverland is likely the reason MJ is not in top 20. He is much better singer than Elvis Presley and many of those higher than him. Mike had pipes even as a child.

The list is ridiculous and the criteria is all over the place. It is also predictably parochial , with a vast majority of American-English singers. Where, for instance, are Amalia Rodrigues or Edith Piaff. It would have been preferable and less offensive to remove non-english singer’s altogether.

Still , within the list, there blatant mistakes. Ella Should be number 1 or top 3. Sarah Vaughn, Celine Dion, Dinah Washington and Dionne should be on the list. Bob Dylan should not, nor, much as I love her, Lana Del Rey. Travesti.

I think all criticisms are fair except the English speaking bias. RS is an American popular music/culture mag. Wtf do you expect.

No Tony Bennett or Nat King Cole?

[quote]I think all criticisms are fair except the English speaking bias. RS is an American popular music/culture mag. Wtf do you expect.

Their criteria states " global conversation." It's just laughable:

"This new list was compiled our staff and key contributors, and it encompasses 100 years of pop music as an ongoing global conversation," Rolling Stone writes, adding criteria was based on "originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy."

I'm not a fan of his voice myself but what about Tom Jones. He can sing the fuck out of anything.

This list seems more of an American list with the odd British singer thrown in. But not Annie Lennox for some reason.

[quote] criteria was based on "originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy."

The question was "Rolling Stone's Ranks Best Singers of All Time" and they omit the singer's voice in the criteria

Grace Slick??????

Good pick up R434. So this list isn't a list of best vocalists after all.

R401 I heard her; I just didn’t think she was that great.

Rolling Stone is just a propaganda machine for Beyonce and Taylor Swift. Those are the prized pigs of RS.

R342, it looks Ariana Grande stole his tan. All jokes aside, Pavarotti is absolutely one of the people I thought of when I was going through this shitty list.

R349, that statistic is a complete BS one made up. Nana has not sold anywhere near 350 million records. By your argument, Madonna is missing from this list since she is the actual biggest selling female artist of all time.

R354, very few people are arguing with Aretha, Whitney or Mariah's place on the list. The outrage is mainly over Beyonce, Adele and Rihanna being ranked so high versus actual singers like Celine and Barbra either not being on the list or just being way too low.

R441 Mariah cannot sing live. I'm sure that RS is taking into consideration all these balladry artists who are actually mad derivative. They may have great voices but when you consistently sound awful live you are not a great singer. Part of being a great singer is knowing how to execute without the help of a director, ie a producer in a studio. And also just so you musically inclined people know it doesn't have to be autotuned for your vocals to be produced via computer and cleared up in the mixing process. Beyonce is the greatest and most consistent live vocalist I have ever witnessed from the so called pop divas.

[quote] In fact I'm not even sure what you're saying. There could easily be an all white top ten, just as they have compiled an all black top 10.

It's not a race thing, it is as simple as who came first. The origin point for almost all of the singers on the list are Black (phenomenal) singers. Aretha is cited by everyone including Freddie Mercury, Elton John and George Michael as an influence. Sam Cooke is cited by Steve Perry as a principal influence. Amy Winehouse cites Donny Hathaway. Karen Carpenter cites Dionne Warwick. Christina Aguilera and Adele cite Etta James.

It does not mean there are not phenomenal white singers -- but Janis Joplin is not gonna do Tina Turner better than Tina Turner.

R43, wasn't Jopin out before Tina Turner?

This list makes me so annoyed I can't even read any more of the thread. Moving on. Rolling Stone is garbage, anyway.

R444 stop posting. Just stop.

R446 I'm not being dramatic, and even if Tina did come out it irst, couldn't been too much before Janis. They were in the same dam age group. And I do know Janis died in 1970.

But where is Grace Slick

He's not a great technical singer and a politically incorrect ass but where is Liam Gallagher? Oasis arguably is the biggest and greatest UK band of the 90s, and one of the biggest post-Beatles. Not at all a good singer in the pure musical sense, but a fantastic frontman with huge rock-n-roll attitude. He should be in the bottom half of the list, at least.

Where is Patti?

Dylan over Sinatra.

I hope Vera Lynn & Tony Bennett are on the list

Why not Marilyn McCoo?

Marvin at number 20.

Fuck that. He should be number one.

I can't even be bothered to see if Horace Andy or Shara Nelson are included at all.

Bob Dylan should not be anywhere near a list of the best singers of all time. That man cannot sing to save his life.

Bob Dylan, singer songwriter and musician, had a long run of excellent albums and he communicated a lot with his voice. He became a superstar. Singing isn't JUST making pretty sounds. Dylan could sing correctly and well, he was a "good singer", and then there was a lot more to appreciate.

They ignored some great female blues singers -- I'm thinking of Koko Taylor and Esther Phillips in particular.

I agree that Dylan belongs on the list. He created a style of singing that has been very influential. A lot of people have made a good living in music with "Dylan-esque" vocals throughout the years.

I wouldn't put him nearly as high as RS did, though.

If it were the Datalounge top 200 singers, it would be 95% pop and R&B divas from the 60's through the 90's.

[quote] where is Grace Slick

Where is GRACE JONES?!! Clearly an influence for Annie Lennox, Madonna, Rihanna, Lady GaGa, Beyonce and Janelle Monae.

Where is Marion Harris?

R440 "The best-selling female ­recording artist of all time is having coffee in a busy London bar, but not one of the young customers has clocked her. It’s not Madonna, because she’d be mobbed, nor Adele whose fans would be queuing to say Hello. Mariah Carey would clearly have a massive entourage shielding her from selfie-seekers. No, the megastar who outranks all three pop queens with her 350 million album sales, is a bespectacled 83-year-old gran from Greece."

R461,there are 0 legitimate sources that claim Nana is the best-selling female artists of all time.

Zamfir, Master of the Pan Flute, would disagree, R462. She has outsold both him and Richard Clayderman combined!

LOL R463

Those who claim that only blacks should be in the top 10 because American contemporary music comes from black music are idiots. A top 10 list of the best cars in the world should only include German cars because Germans invented cars? No Italian, Japanese or American cars should ever make the top 10? This list and the people defending it is proof of the dumbing down of American society.

R465 except they didn’t “invent” contemporary music. This revisionist bullshit is going too far.

No Lucille "Hairdresser" Cataldo? Sondra Prill?

R465 & r466 no one said anything about only black singers should be in the Top Ten. Where did you get that from?

That ol' Greek gal with the glasses sold a heap o'records back in the day!

Hoo boy, she sure gave me a good run for my money, that's fer dang sure!

If 1/4 of the list was black (double their American 12%) everyone probably would have agreed and celebrated the list

Dylan is a terrible singer, technically. But he can be one of the most emotive of singers, and coupled with his intense, literary and often deeply personal lyrics it often makes for a powerful experience.

His live performances of his Desire/Blood on the Tracks tunes during the Rolling Thunder tour ('75-'76) were amazing, some of the greatest during that period.

Please, Dylan is almost always on key. He's a great emotive singer. There are legions of huge stars in the 25 years since autotune who can NOT sing on key, and who have zero intelligence or wit to share.

Look at baby Bey blowing away Celine Dion. Even though she was a grown ass woman even when she was a teenager.

Who can understand what Dylan sings? His enunciation is terrible., but then, so is Patti's, but she is nowhere near the list.

Céline singing in french at 15 years old. Her first popular song, I believe. Incredible voice. Actually, her songs in french have always been far superior to her english songs. Her voice also sounds more natural in french.

Oops! In 1982 she was 14, not 15. Was anyone in that top 10 list singing like that at 14?

Francoise weighs in: "It's quite incomprehensible but very flattering"

[quote] [R465] & [R466] no one said anything about only black singers should be in the Top Ten. Where did you get that from?

She/He/They/It know that no one has said that ONLY Black singers should be in the top ten, they're just trolling.

F&F

Black Supremacy is just as idiotic and ridiculous as White Supremacy

How long until they start pushing Beyonce's trollish daughter onto these lists?

Y'all really need to stop engaging with the obvious racists on the thread.

R480 How is her daughter a troll. Or is this a pot meet kettle situation.

R482. they were referring to her looks. Let's be honest, the child definitely got Jay Z's genes in the looks department. That poor child.

Apparently they already bought that ugly girl a Grammy.

Was Layne Staley on the list? His range was not as wide as Cornell's but he wasn't prone to oversinging the way early Cornell was either.

She's a pretty little girl. So what she kinda has a big nose. Her parents are grounded and she won't have self esteem issues like the Jacksons.

Queen Bey is the greatest if all time. Deal with it.

R484 Too much Jay not enough Bey

Marvin should have been #1.

These lists are just stupid though. If you want to be objective about it, most of the best singers in the world and of all time never achieved any level of massive fame and ended up in a conservatory/music education/broadway/opera or doing paid studio work. This list is trying to juggle technical ability, vocal/tonal aesthetic, and fame/history. Very strange list. At any rate I find it distasteful when people chat about art like it's sports. BUT IF I HAD MY WAY JOHN DENVER WOULD BE IN THE TOP TEN

Idiotic.

Beyoncé was out so high solely to make the list relevant to the younger generation, none of which read Rolling Stone

No mention of jazz singer Nancy Wilson? What? Where is she?

In the grave

R485 good call. Layne had such a distinctive, powerful voice. It resonates with me in a way Cornell's (or Vedder's) never did.

Alice always gets forgotten in the grunge pantheon, but I loved them then and still do.

[quote] No mention of jazz singer Nancy Wilson? What? Where is she?

Indeed, Nancy Wilson was one of the vocal greats. There's a ton of pop and jazz singers who are better singers than about 180 of the list -- Ledisi, Gregory Porter, Al Jarreau, Shirley Bassey, Kurt Elling, Dianne Reeves, Josh Groban, etc.

Brenda Lee of all people, yet no Connie Francis, are you fucking kidding me?

Still amazing to me that Annie Lennox isn't on this list.

^RS panned the Be Yourself Tonight Lp where Annie sounded her best IMO, they said she “had no soul.” In the same issue they lauded ONJ’s Soul Kiss & Diana Ross’s Eaten Alive albums, so I bought these last 2 & while nice, they couldn’t hold a candle to The Eurythmics. I used to read that mag devotedly but they’ve really lost their relevance & credibility.

[quote]^RS panned the Be Yourself Tonight Lp where Annie sounded her best IMO, they said she “had no soul.”

Oh wow. I don't even know what to say to that R499. But thanks - it makes more sense as to why RS kept her off the list now.

Dolly should not be in the Top 20.

Rolling Stone are such trolls R501.

I'm not a Celine fan but that was really odd. Did they forget that she even existed? Also, noticeable is Bruno Mars not making the list. And these 2 are among biggest singers who many thought are among the best ever.

Omg

W/o Connie Francis - a joke! The Rolling Stone and The Hall Of Fame have their favorites, and that is that !

R497 You are soooooo right!

Isn't Willie Nelson one of the nominees for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame this year? WILLIE NELSON? Yeah, he's a real rock and roller! Actually good old Willie could keep up with a lot of rock stars drug-wise, but what the fuck has he ever done for rock and roll? What insanity.

Jackie Wilson, Little Anthony, Levi Stubbs, David Ruffin, Smokey, all fantastic. Frankie Valli, like no other.

Beyonce is number 8?? That's not good enough. Too many times Beyonce has had to sit by while honors that she had earned were stolen by others. Why does Rolling Stone continue to victimize Beyonce?