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

[taterjay]

Judith Durham, Karen Carpenter,

[equaviator]

Yeah, the original hippies were barely into their 20’s and they were already feeling nostalgic for their childhoods.

[subterfuge]

All black top ten? Lololol!

[ArtDodger]

What about Lee Marvin?? Born, as he was, under a wanderin’ star!

[ncdrumr]

Ann Wilson isn’t even on the list? What a joke.

[P.O.E.]

She had a vocal range of almost 5 octaves, one of best-selling South Americans of all-time, popularized "exotica" (lounge-music).

And no Enrico Caruso?

So I call BS on Rolling Stone's claim:

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.....But in the end, the singers behind it are here for one reason: They can remake the world just by opening their mouths.

Typical self-indulgent bloviating.

So "Greatest Singers"?, no. Better title would have been "we asked around the office and threw in some fringe acts so we'd look cool"

[crusty old prospector]

I must not get out much because I have never heard of 70% of these people. Axl Rose? Bob Dylan? Willie Nelson? Bruce Springsteen? Ozzy Osbourne? I would rather hear finger nails on a chalkboard.

[cyclotic]

Teddy Pendergrass, when he was lead singer for Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes is in my eyes one of the absolute best. He emoted soul and emotion like no one else.

I’m not familiar with any of his solo music.

[Carriage Hill]

I’ve never heard of 99.3% on that list.

[xp38]

These things are just media creations to generate buzz and nothing more.

[mjp]

the sole purpose of this “list” is to put a certain group and only a certain group in the top ten

[Blennos]

— Judith Durham, Karen Carpenter —

Absolutely agree about Judith Durham. One of the most naturally beautiful voices that I have ever heard. She passed away in August last year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZf41UudAbI

[gundog]

[Labyrinthos]

I did not see Luciano Pavarotti on the list.

[gundog]

Paul Westerberg, Michael Stipe...Bono...

[Poser]

I see your Sandy Denny and raise a Judith Durham.

Steven Tyler
Dion DiMucci
Judy Collins
Tony Williams (Platters - Only You)
Jack Bruce
Grace Slick
Lindsey Buckingham
George Jones
Bobby Vinton
Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum)
Dolly Parton
Cass Elliot
Roy Orbison
Gene Pitney
Jim Morrison
Jackie Wilson
Diana Ross
Tortelvis (Dred Zeppelin)
Bonnie Raitt
Bon Scott
Pick any Gibb brother

There are so many. Trying to fit them into the top 100 is a silly task, but it serves to remind us how many great and varied voices we get to hear since the advent of recording.

[Poison Pill]

Are use posting with a mobile device?

[gundog]

Neil Young squeaked past Axl.

[telescope115]

My favorites:
Male, Frank Sinatra
Female, Karen Carpenter (gone too soon)

Of course there are many, many more
Nat King Cole
Linda Ronstadt
…….

[Michael.SF.]

was thinking more like:

Burna Boy
Poly Strene
Anohni
Fela Kuti