Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Singers (of the Rock Era)

Cafe Society
1

Here’s the list.

Thoughts? It so very subjective, of course. I think Roger Daltrey should be much higher than 61.

2

I agree with you fully. I would have put him into the top 30 at least.

3

Very subjective, indeed. Without knowing the criteria, I can’t really say. John Lennon and Bob Dylan don’t belong in the top 10 if singing ability is one of the criteria.

I saw an article expressing surprise that Elvis wasn’t #1, but I don’t really think he was. #1 in 1956-57, for sure, firstest with the mostest, OK, but that’s it.

After scrolling down the list for about 10 seconds, I just said to my self “this is ridiculous” and gave up. Lists like this are just meaningless.

4

Only a magazine as decades-out-of-touch as Rolling Stone would rank Dylan anywhere near that high. I personally think Lennon’s better than Presley and wish Prince was a bit higher, but it’s pretty much what you’d expect, considering the source.

5

I also think there’s some “affirmative action” at work. The voters overrated Aretha Franklin horribly, to avoid being called racist for putting too many white guys at the top.

6

Boy, I sure think they need to have given a definition of “singing.” Bob Dylan? That is not singing. Bjork? Otherworldly yodel/screeching (which I happen to love, by the way.) I would think that more classically trained artists and broadway/opera types would top the list if they’re really talking about “singing.” Am I missing something? Did they provide criteria or a definition?

7

Dylan is on the list, and Annie Haslam isn’t.

Yeah, it’s bullshit.

8

Am I reading the same list as you? 7 out of the top 10 singers on the list are/were black.

9

Here’s what they did:

10

Mapcase’s Thirteenth Law: “Best” lists exist solely to create disagreement, and thereby publicity.

11

There’s a lot of stuff wrong with that list.

Not the least of which is having Freddie Mercury way down at 18…

12

Van Morrison should have been way higher than 24, but he came in ahead of Michael Jackson (25) so I’ll take it.

13

Very subjective; I think Roger Daltrey is a terrible singer. He has great volume and energy, but a terrible tone. I can’t stand to listen to him at all.

14

And John Lennon above Marvin Gaye? Wow. Stopped reading there.

15

Well I don’t even have to look at the list now that I see that. Freddie at 18? Wrong.

16

I would have put Joe Cocker in top 10.

17

Again with the subjective; there’s no doubt in my mind that Aretha Franklin belongs right at #1. It’s about the only thing this list gets right.

18

I’m glad Curt Cobain is on the list; I needed a good laugh. But where’s Geoff Tate?

19

Personally, I’ll take Aretha as #1 and Ray Charles as #2 and then a 98-way tie for third place.

20

Dylan that high? Please. No way he beats Orbison

Where’s Simon Le Bon? :mad: