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

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [November 12, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439 "2008-11-12T23:27:30Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/1 "2008-11-12T23:27:30Z")

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Here’s the [list](http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/24161972/page/103).

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

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**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/2 "2008-11-12T23:36:23Z")

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

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**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/3 "2008-11-12T23:38:41Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/4 "2008-11-12T23:43:16Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/5 "2008-11-12T23:48:33Z")

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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.

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**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/6 "2008-11-12T23:53:07Z")

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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?

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**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\
**Post date:** [November 12, 2008, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/7 "2008-11-12T23:59:39Z")

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

Yeah, it’s bullshit.

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**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/8 "2008-11-13T00:01:11Z")

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> [@astorian](#):
>
> 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.

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

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**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/9 "2008-11-13T00:08:02Z")

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> [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](#):
>
> 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?

Here’s what they did:

> [@](#):
>
> Voters  
> Each voter was asked to list his or her 20 favorite vocalists from the rock era, in order of their importance. Those ballots were recorded and weighted according to methodology developed by the accounting firm of Ernst & Young, which then tabulated and verified the results for Rolling Stone.
> 
> Bill Adler Journalist
> 
> Ian Astbury The Cult
> 
> Irving Azoff Azoff Music Management
> 
> Sebastian Bach
> 
> Ginger Baker Cream
> 
> James Bernard Co-founder, The Source and XXL
> 
> Dickey Betts Dickey Betts and Great Southern
> 
> James Blunt
> 
> Bob Bogle The Ventures
> 
> Steve Boone The Lovin’ Spoonful
> 
> Nathan Brackett Deputy managing editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Jerome “Bigfoot” Brailey Parliament-Funkadelic
> 
> Brandy
> 
> Eric Burdon The Animals
> 
> Clem Burke Blondie
> 
> Solomon Burke
> 
> Brian “Danger Mouse” Burton Gnarls Barkley
> 
> Mike Campbell Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
> 
> Jon Caramanica Journalist
> 
> Felix Cavaliere The Rascals
> 
> Rob Cavallo Producer
> 
> Martin Chambers The Pretenders
> 
> Dave Clark The Dave Clark Five
> 
> Lyor Cohen Warner Music Group
> 
> Alice Cooper
> 
> Chris Cornell
> 
> Steve Cropper Booker T. and the MG’s
> 
> David Crosby
> 
> Cameron Crowe Filmmaker-writer
> 
> Will Dana Managing editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Clive Davis Chief creative officer, Sony BMG
> 
> Anthony DeCurtis Contributing editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Reginald C. Dennis Co-founder, XXL
> 
> Jimmy Destri Blondie
> 
> Dion DiMucci
> 
> Ronnie James Dio
> 
> Dr. John
> 
> Steve Earle
> 
> Jenny Eliscu Contributing editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Michael Endelman Senior editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Melissa Etheridge
> 
> Jason Fine Executive editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Bill Flanagan Editorial director, MTV Networks
> 
> Mick Fleetwood
> 
> Chris Frantz Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club
> 
> David Fricke Senior writer, Rolling Stone
> 
> Richie Furay The Buffalo Springfield
> 
> Liam Gallagher Oasis
> 
> Caryn Ganz Deputy editor, [Rollingstone.com](http://Rollingstone.com)
> 
> Elysa Gardner USA Today
> 
> Art Garfunkel
> 
> Gregg Geller Producer
> 
> Nelson George Journalist
> 
> Beth Gibbons Portishead
> 
> Billy Gibbons ZZ Top
> 
> Danny Goldberg Gold Village Entertainment
> 
> Sam Gooden The Impressions
> 
> Andy Greene Assistant editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Sammy Hagar
> 
> Merle Haggard
> 
> Daryl Hall
> 
> Albert Hammond Jr. The Strokes
> 
> James Henke VP of exhibitions, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
> 
> Will Hermes Senior critic, Rolling Stone
> 
> James Hetfield Metallica
> 
> Brian Hiatt Associate editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Toots Hibbert
> 
> Robert Hilburn Los Angeles Times
> 
> Christian Hoard Contributing editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Bruce Hornsby
> 
> Ian Hunter Mott the Hoople
> 
> James Hunter R&B singer
> 
> Tony Iommi Black Sabbath
> 
> Jimmy Iovine CEO, Interscope Records
> 
> Chris Isaak
> 
> Yusuf Islam
> 
> Etta James
> 
> Jim James My Morning Jacket
> 
> Al Jardine The Beach Boys
> 
> Chris Jasper The Isley Brothers
> 
> Billy Joel
> 
> Norah Jones
> 
> Rickie Lee Jones
> 
> Booker T. Jones Booker T. and the MG’s
> 
> Craig Kallman Chairman and CEO, Atlantic Records
> 
> Lenny Kaye Patti Smith Group
> 
> Maynard James Keenan Tool
> 
> Brian Keizer Author
> 
> Alicia Keys
> 
> B.B. King
> 
> Ben E. King
> 
> Carole King
> 
> Howard Kramer Curatorial director, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
> 
> Lenny Kravitz
> 
> Robby Krieger The Doors
> 
> Rick Krim Executive VP of music, VH1
> 
> Jon Landau Jon Landau Management
> 
> Simon Le Bon Duran Duran
> 
> Amy Lee Evanescence
> 
> Brenda Lee
> 
> Geddy Lee Rush
> 
> Jerry Leiber Songwriter-producer
> 
> Arthur Levy Music historian
> 
> Alan Light Journalist
> 
> Rob Light Head of music, Creative Artists Agency
> 
> Kurt Loder Correspondent, MTV
> 
> Courtney Love
> 
> Darlene Love
> 
> Mike Love The Beach Boys
> 
> Stan Lynch Formerly of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
> 
> Loretta Lynn
> 
> Shelby Lynne
> 
> Melissa Maerz Senior editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Ray Manzarek The Doors
> 
> Chris Martin Coldplay
> 
> Dave Mason Traffic
> 
> Joe McEwen VP of A&R, Concord Music Group
> 
> Paul McGuinness Principle Management
> 
> Roger McGuinn The Byrds
> 
> John Mellencamp
> 
> Peter Mensch Q Prime Management
> 
> James Mercer The Shins
> 
> Bob Merlis Music publicist
> 
> George Michael
> 
> Bette Midler
> 
> Mike Mills R.E.M.
> 
> Tom Moon Journalist
> 
> Sam Moore Sam and Dave
> 
> Scotty Moore Guitarist for Elvis Presley
> 
> James Murphy LCD Soundsystem
> 
> Graham Nash
> 
> Sinéad O’Connor
> 
> Yoko Ono
> 
> Ozzy Osbourne
> 
> Claudia Perry Journalist
> 
> Michelle Phillips The Mamas and the Papas
> 
> Iggy Pop
> 
> Marky Ramone The Ramones
> 
> Martha Reeves Martha and the Vandellas
> 
> Keith Richards
> 
> Jonathan Ringen Assistant managing editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Robbie Robertson
> 
> Chris Robinson The Black Crowes
> 
> Mark Ronson Producer
> 
> Jody Rosen Senior critic, Rolling Stone
> 
> Carlos Santana
> 
> Austin Scaggs Associate editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Boz Scaggs
> 
> Jill Scott
> 
> Bob Seger
> 
> Evan Serpick Former editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Paul Shaffer Late Show With David Letterman
> 
> Patti Smith
> 
> Ronnie Spector The Ronettes
> 
> Bruce Springsteen
> 
> Mavis Staples
> 
> Ringo Starr
> 
> Chris Stein Blondie
> 
> Seymour Stein Co-founder, Sire Records
> 
> Rod Stewart
> 
> Terry Stewart President and CEO, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
> 
> Stephen Stills
> 
> John Sykes Co-founder, MTV and VH1
> 
> Benmont Tench Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
> 
> Justin Timberlake
> 
> Butch Trucks The Allman Brothers Band
> 
> Carrie Underwood
> 
> Steven Van Zandt
> 
> Roger Waters
> 
> Scott Weiland
> 
> Mary Weiss The Shangri-Las
> 
> Jann S. Wenner Founder and editor, Rolling Stone
> 
> Craig Werner Author, professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
> 
> Paul Westerberg The Replacements
> 
> Ann Wilson Heart
> 
> Brian Wilson
> 
> Mary Wilson The Supremes
> 
> Nancy Wilson Heart
> 
> Peter Wolf

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**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/10 "2008-11-13T00:14:19Z")

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

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**Author:** ![drm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@drm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drm)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/11 "2008-11-13T00:31:31Z")

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

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

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**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/12 "2008-11-13T00:31:38Z")

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

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**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/13 "2008-11-13T00:44:33Z")

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> [@RoOsh](#):
>
> I agree with you fully. I would have put him into the top 30 at least.

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.

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**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/14 "2008-11-13T00:47:42Z")

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

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**Author:** ![Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bb73d2/32.png) [@Sleeps\_With\_Butterflies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sleeps_With_Butterflies)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/15 "2008-11-13T00:48:59Z")

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> [@drm](#):
>
> There’s a lot of stuff wrong with that list.
> 
> Not the least of which is having Freddie Mercury way down at 18…

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

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**Author:** ![DanBlather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f4b2a3/32.png) [@DanBlather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DanBlather)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/16 "2008-11-13T00:49:40Z")

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I would have put Joe Cocker in top 10.

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**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/17 "2008-11-13T00:50:17Z")

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> [@astorian](#):
>
> 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.

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.

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**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/18 "2008-11-13T01:18:46Z")

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

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**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/19 "2008-11-13T01:36:21Z")

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

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**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\
**Post date:** [November 13, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rolling-stones-list-of-100-greatest-singers-of-the-rock-era/472439/20 "2008-11-13T01:57:42Z")

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Dylan that high? Please. No way he beats Orbison

Where’s Simon Le Bon? :mad:

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