# VH 1 Top 100 Artists of All Time **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 26, 2012, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689 "2012-08-26T05:13:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/1 "2012-08-26T05:13:24Z")
VH1 just ran their “VH 1 Top 100 Artists of All Time” again tonite. I don’t know what year it was from, but it made me think about compiling my own. I know its been done before, but what about a “SD Top 100 Artists of All Time”? Only how about we limit it to groups and just top 10? (with 5 honorable mentions) Here’s mine: Beatles Stones Led Zeppelin CSNY Eagles Pink Floyd Allman Brothers Beach Boys Jethro Tull Traffic Honorable Mention (no particular order) ZZ Top New Riders Fleetwood Mac Who Dead ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/2 "2012-08-26T17:59:22Z")
Here’s the VH 1 List > **[VH1 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time](https://www.stereogum.com/495331/vh1-100-greatest-artists-of-all-time/photo/)** > > You guys love lists, and we love to start our holiday weekend early, so thanks VH1 for putting together this 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time countdown. (Spoiler Alert: No Wavves…) You should compare it to VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists Of Rock &... ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/3 "2012-08-26T18:09:42Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > Here’s the VH 1 List > > [http://stereogum.com/495331/vh1-100-greatest-artists-of-all-time/list/](http://stereogum.com/495331/vh1-100-greatest-artists-of-all-time/list/) Pfft. No Michelangelo? ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/4 "2012-08-26T20:15:02Z")
Queen Beatles ABBA Black Sabbath Jethro Tull Pink Floyd Metallica Rush The Animals The Who ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/5 "2012-08-26T20:32:10Z")
The Doors Queen The Beatles REM CSN(&Y) Nirvana Pink Floyd Jimi Hendrix Jefferson Airplane (NOT Starship) Led Zeppelin Honorable mention: Elvis Rolling Stones Radiohead Soundgarden Pearl Jam ---
**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:** [August 26, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/6 "2012-08-26T20:45:17Z")
Groups only, so no Elvis, etc… The Who The Kinks The Rolling Stones The Doors Nirvana The Beatles AC/DC Queen Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Pink Floyd HM: Fleetwood Mac ZZ Top The Black Crowes Pearl Jam Stone Temple Pilots ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/7 "2012-08-26T21:07:06Z")
The Beatles Led Zeppelin The Who Pink Floyd Metallica ABBA Gentle Giant Jethro Tull Queen AC/DC Hon. Men. Sparks ZZTop The Bee Gees The Beach Boys The Doors ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/8 "2012-08-26T21:26:21Z")
I’m curious as to how this kind of list will change over time, when the listmakers have only the sound files and DVDs as a frame of reference. For me, a huge component of a great band is seeing them live. In a decade or so the folks at VH1 won’t have had the chance to experience what the great classic rock bands did in their prime. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/9 "2012-08-26T21:37:53Z")
…and yes, The Beatles stopped performing live early on, but not before they established themselves as a capable live act in the Hamburg days and beyond. ---
**Author:** ![kevja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@kevja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevja)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2012, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/10 "2012-08-26T22:21:25Z")
1. The Beatles 2. Elvis Presley 3. The Rolling Stones 4. Jimi Hendrix 5. Bob Dylan 6. James Brown 7. Led Zeppelin 8. David Bowie 9. The Beach Boys 10. The Who HM - Dusty Springfield The Doors Eric Clapton Neil Young Stevie Wonder Pink Floyd Nirvana The Bee Gees Bruce Springsteen Depeche Mode ---
**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:** [August 26, 2012, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/11 "2012-08-26T22:24:03Z")
> [@](#): > > Only how about we limit it to groups > [@kevja](#): > > 1. The Beatles > 2. Elvis Presley > 3. The Rolling Stones > 4. Jimi Hendrix > 5. Bob Dylan > 6. James Brown > 7. Led Zeppelin > 8. David Bowie > 9. The Beach Boys > 10. The Who > > HM - > Dusty Springfield > The Doors > Eric Clapton > Neil Young > Stevie Wonder > Pink Floyd > Nirvana > The Bee Gees > Bruce Springsteen > Depeche Mode Just sayin… ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2012, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/12 "2012-08-27T23:56:38Z")
I stuck to band names, not individuals, per the OP. The Police Fleetwood Mac Pink Floyd The Commodores Aerosmith The Doobie Brothers Kansas The Eagles Tears For Fears A-ha! HM Nirvana Goo Goo Dolls Lover boy Greenday Journey ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/13 "2012-08-28T02:03:44Z")
The Beatles The Who Led Zep The Ramones Rush Genesis Yes AC\DC The Beach Boys Cheap Trick HM Jethro Tull The Clash Pink Floyd ---
**Author:** ![Carmady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f04885/32.png) [@Carmady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carmady)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/14 "2012-08-28T02:59:13Z")
Not sticking to groups since I don’t see the point and in many cases the difference is in name only. 1. The Beatles 2. Radiohead 3. David Bowie 4. Tom Waits 5. Nirvana 6. PJ Harvey 7. Big Star 8. Pixies 9. Aphex Twin 10. Leonard Cohen HM The Velvet Underground REM Nina Simone Pink Floyd Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds ---
**Author:** ![denquixote](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@denquixote](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/denquixote)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/15 "2012-08-28T05:29:19Z")
> [@Carmady](#): > > Not sticking to groups since I don’t see the point and in many cases the difference is in name only. > > 1. The Beatles > 2. Radiohead > 3. David Bowie > 4. Tom Waits > 5. Nirvana > 6. PJ Harvey > 7. Big Star > 8. Pixies > 9. Aphex Twin > 10. Leonard Cohen > > HM > > The Velvet Underground > REM > Nina Simone > Pink Floyd > Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds I know you don’t see the point of the OP’s suggested picks, but what is the point of yours? ---
**Author:** ![Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Nunzio\_Tavulari](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nunzio_Tavulari)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/16 "2012-08-28T05:53:54Z")
# Groups and Duos # Beatles Wings Rolling Stones Supremes Chicago Hall & Oates Temptations 4 Seasons Everly Brothers Bee Gees Solo Artists Elvis Presley Stevie Wonder Elton John Marvin Gaye Ricky Nelson Aretha Franklin Michael Jackson Pat Boone Connie Francis Olivia Newton-John ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/17 "2012-08-28T06:44:11Z")
Here is my Top 10: [ol] [li]The Beatles[/li][li]The Rolling Stones[/li][li]Pink Floyd[/li][li]Roxy Music[/li][li]Fleetwood Mac[/li][li]The Police[/li][li]Cheap Trick[/li][li]Yes[/li][li]Genesis[/li][li]Queen[/li][/ol] All ten are either hugely influential or significant in their own way (e.g. a string of classic albums). There are plenty of other bands I’d like to have included, but it’s a Top 10 after all. ---
**Author:** ![Becky2844](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Becky2844](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Becky2844)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/18 "2012-08-28T06:58:23Z")
Listing only groups, not solo artists, duos or bands known as “so-and-so & the \_\_\_” Top Ten Beatles Beach Boys Temptations The Supremes Rolling Stones The Who CSN&Y Santana Queen Talking Heads HM The Bee Gees Jefferson Airplane Dire Straits The Travelling Wilburys Velvet Underground ---
**Author:** ![the\_diego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7bcc69/32.png) [@the\_diego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_diego)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/19 "2012-08-28T07:16:38Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > I’m curious as to how this kind of list will change over time, when the listmakers have only the sound files and DVDs as a frame of reference. For me, a huge component of a great band is seeing them live. In a decade or so the folks at VH1 won’t have had the chance to experience what the great classic rock bands did in their prime. But then it says “of all time.” So it’s carved in stone for all eternity. That’s how stupid the qualifier is. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2012, 7:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689/20 "2012-08-28T07:18:07Z")
**Groups** Lynyrd Skynyrd Led Zeppelin The Doors The Beatles The Rolling Stones The Grateful Dead The Who Creedence Clearwater Revival The Eagles Pink Floyd **Honorable Mention** Styx Queen The Beach Boys Rush AC/DC [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vh-1-top-100-artists-of-all-time/632689.md?page=2)