THE POP FIX PRESENTS: Top 100 Singers Of All Time
It’s that time again, people. Award season. And instead of honoring Jay-Z, Taylor Swift and Britney Spears for their contributions to recent music and pop culture, THE POP FIX has decided to compile a list of musicians who have permanently left their mark on popular culture, influencing the current generations of superstars and wannabes. Although this may be shocking, music actually did exist before Kanye West. Just don’t tell him we said it.
This project was inspired by the “Rolling Stone” version of the 100 best singers. We hate to admit it, but basically we thought it was a joke. Sadly, it wasn’t. And although it’s understood that people will probably never agree on a list of the top 100 singers the world has ever seen (and especially with who lands at number one) THE POP FIX and fellow contributors comprised of music writers, former music students and music producers thought we could make a better list based on the following criteria:
1. First of all, and most importantly, actual singing ability…ie: As much as we love his wailing, Axl Rose will place below Freddie Mercury.
2. Pop culture importance of the band the singer fronted (or their own pop culture significance, if unattached to a band) ie: John Lennon of The Beatles will place above Karen Carpenter of The Carpenters.
3. Originality, or more specifically the “there will never again be anyone like this” factor. ie: Bjork and Tom Waits are prime examples of this, but they will probably not crack the top 20 due to the “popular culture” factor.
So, with these thoughts in mind, we began our top 100 list. Enjoy the fruits and edits of our labor…
THE POP FIX PRESENTS: THE TOP 100 SINGERS OF ALL TIME
1. Ella Fitzgerald
2. Aretha Franklin
3. James Brown
4. Frank Sinatra
5. Elvis Presley
6. Michael Jackson
7. Freddie Mercury
8. Janis Joplin
9. John Lennon
10. Billie Holiday
11. Al Green
12. Etta James
13. Judy Garland
14. Robert Plant
15. Ray Charles
16. Jeff Buckley
17. Stevie Wonder
18. Whitney Houston
19. Prince
20. Paul McCartney
21. Mariah Carey
22. Johnny Cash
23. Stevie Nicks
24. Smokey Robinson
25. Ann Wilson
26. Joe Cocker
27. Pat Benatar
28. Marvin Gaye
29. Steve Perry
30. Jimi Hendrix
31. Bob Dylan
32. Bono
33. Bjork
34. Roger Daltrey
35. Barbara Streisand
36. Joni Mitchell
37. Chuck Berry
38. Celine Dion
39. Elton John
40. David Bowie
41. Tina Turner
42. Christina Aguilera
43. Mick Jagger
44. Luther Vandross
45. Steven Tyler
46. Garth Brooks
47. Tony Bennett
48. Elvis Costello
49. David Byrne
50. Roy Orbison
51. Rufus Wainwright
52. Allison Kraus
53. Emmylou Harris
54. Bobby McFerrin
55. Sting
56. Carole King
57. Diana Ross
58. Brian Wilson
59. Jim Morrison
60. Rod Stewart
61. Grace Slick
62. Sly Stone
63. Mick Jones
64. Dolly Parton
65. Billy Joel
66. Debbie Harry
67. Morrissey
68. Eddie Vedder
69. Annie Lennox
70. Perry Farrell
71. Maynard James Keenan
72. Sarah Brightman
73. Phil Collins
74. Patti Griffin
75. Cyndi Lauper
76. Bonnie Raitt
77. Barry White
78. George Clinton
79. Anthony Kiedis
80. Karen Carpenter
81. Axl Rose
82. Ozzy Osbourne
83. Tori Amos
84. Scott Weiland
85. Buddy Holly
86. Tracey Thorn
87. Eva Cassidy
88. Thom Yorke
89. Julie Andrews
90. Cat Stevens
91. Neko Case
92. Norah Jones
93. Peggy Lee
94. Mary J. Blige
95. Daryl Hall
96. Bill Withers
97. Joanna Newsom
98. Justin Timberlake
99. David Lee Roth
100. Julian Casablancas
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awesome
you guys got it rightttttt finaly.
No one will beat the king which is Elvis Presley.;”
Tina Turner will always be a legend in music history.:;*
Tina Turner offers a great vocal range and such powerful voice.`~
Interesting compilation, very useful. Thanks
Tina Turner is one of the living legends of music,.:
Elvis Presley is the only King, there would be no other music artist like him*-,
i kinda like the hair of Tina Turner, she has a great voice too`;`
tina turner is a living legend, she always makes great and powerful music-:,
With the three criteria listed, Elvis and Michael should be 1 and 2, respectively. Tina Turner should also be on this list, as well as, George Strait and Michael Smith of the Cure.
YOU HAVE THE GALL TO SAY YOU KNOW MUSIC MR.SAM COOKE, NAT KING COLE , BILLY HOLIDAY, MEL TORME, DONALD FAGAN, PETER GABRIEL, REBA MCINTIRE, DAVID RUFFIN, SADE, KATE BUSH, OTIS REDDING, YOUR LIST WITHOUT THESE PEOPLE IS CRAP YOU CAN’T TALK ABOUT IMPACT OR MUSIC HISTORY WITHOUT THEM AND A FEW OTHERS
maynard james keenan is the most talented up there
Not to mention Thunderdome.
there would be no other king of rock and roll like elvis presley, he is the best and a legend `::
What ever happened to the greats: Jenny Lind, Helen Forrest, Jo Stafford, Annette Hanshaw, Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire just to name a few whose contributions even many of those on the list will (or would if alive) admit to being major influences on their own contributions . . .
There are a ton more missing . . . and as for many of those listed? Their vocal talents are less than adequate !
Add Donny Hathaway. Hands down one of the
best “singers” of all time.
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
You know what, your posts are usually a good read, but for me, this time around I feel like it is put together a little hasty.I may be wrong about it, but this one just doesn’t flow like other posts. Sorry about that.
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Much better job on this list than that made by Rolling Stone magazine. This seems to not forget the sheer level of talent and popularity of vocalists such as Ella F., Frank S., and even Barbra S. Whitney and Michael seem placed appropriately as well.
But you did leave out Nat King Cole. And btw Bobby McFerrin over Sting, that makes no sense.