The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time

Rolling Stone magazine ^ | Rolling Stone

[DallasBiff]

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

[SMARTY]

I just blasted through... but I didn't see Mahalia Jackson. I mean, that woman could hum better than most people could sing!

[PghBaldy]

They are not just including rock, FWIW. I can’t get to all of the names as my connection is spotty.

Some names I would include if they aren’t there (there really are a lot of great popular singers from the last century...) in a longer list of people I love to listen to:

Levi Stubbs
Karen Carpenter
Doris Day
Clyde McPhatter
Mel Carter
Brook Benton

[SisterK]

Bobby Hatfield, Judith Durham (The Seekers), Jim Reeves, Roy Orbison, and Luciano Pavoratti of course.

[PghBaldy]

She’s there. Can’t remember where I saw her.

[Tuxedo]

This list is BS. Karen Carpenter and Babs not in top 100? Babs regardless of politics has an amazing voice.

[Fresh Wind]

She’s #28.

[Eccl 10:2]

What, no Yoko Ono?

😜

[Tuxedo]

And Rob Halford should definitely be top 20. Jann Wenner must have done these rankings. He’s totally tone deaf.

[Michael.SF.]

Looking at 200-150: never heard of more than half of them.

[Kenny500c]

Harry Nilsson

[Dr. Sivana]

No Gary Lewis or Tiny Tim, either.

[MayflowerMadam]

I don’t know if they’re the best, but my faves are:

Linda Ronstadt
Ethel Waters
Karen Carpenter
Don’t Laugh Engelbert Humperdinck
Dean Martin
Glen Frey

[WeaslesRippedMyFlesh]

Nina Simone
Brad Delp

[Rummyfan]

For rock, for me, it’s Van Morrison. Otherwise it’s Frank Sinatra.

[ExTxMarine]

That’s true!!

[PghBaldy]

I hope Jerry Butler is on list.

[SharpenedEdge]

Yeah. Paul Rodgers isn’t mentioned, but Ozzy Osbourne is. Riiiiiiighht.

[Pigsley]

I really like M,V,R radio show. I have replaced the bragging duds that got Rush’s spot with them. They are very fun to listen to.

[Drew68]

Here's the top ten:

1. Aretha Franklin
2. Whitney Houston
3. Sam Cooke
4. Billie Holiday
5. Mariah Carey
6. Ray Charles
7. Stevie Wonder
8. Beyoncé
9. Otis Redding 10. Al Green

[vetvetdoug]

The list is invalid with no Johnny Horton.