Got my Rolling Stone a few days ago -- a special issue featuring RS's list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time." Here are the top ten, with the "commentary author" for each.
1. Aretha Franklin -- Mary J. Blige
2. Ray Charles -- Billy Joel
3. Elvis Presley -- Robert Plant
4. Sam Cooke -- Van Morrison
5. John Lennon -- Jackson Browne
6. Marvin Gaye -- Alicia Keys
7. Bob Dylan -- Bono
8. Otis Redding --Booker T. Jones
9. Stevie Wonder -- Cee-Lo
10. James Brown -- Iggy Pop
Fortunately you can read the whole feature without buying the magazine here. You will have to read it page-by-page, but it's cool because you also get all the pictures that appear in the magazine.
Unfortunately, the online version does not appear to have the two-page article by Jonathan Lethem, "What Makes a Great Singer?," which precedes the feature. That puts some of the selections in a more acceptable context for me. But like all these sort of lists, the fun is in the fuming: How could you possibly include Christina Aguilera (#58) and leave out Alison Krauss!
I think you'll find the list interesting and I'd like to read your comments if you have any to offer.
Some of the pleasant surprises for me on a personal level:
Jackie Wilson - #26
Howlin' Wolf - #31
Donny Hathaway - #49
Tom Waits - #82
~ tom
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