the list has nothing to do with success...its to do with musicial excellence...i dont deny michael jacksons place in musicial history but as far i am concerned...he ain't on the same level as prince, stevie wonder, the beatles or many other acts.

Then Where is Aretha? Santana? The Eagles? Pink Floyd?

This begs the question: Which instrument is more important? Jimi Hendrix was a guitar god, while Billy Joel and Elton John were some of the pioneers that used the piano as the main (sometimes only) instrument in music that was extremely popular (obviously not as good as Beethoven,Mozart, etc. but they weren't in a musically competitive era like Billy and Elton were.) So, it's all really about what you prefer more between the two piano, or guitar, if you aren't going to go by statistics.

billy joel should be on there.. on an american list definately. he's an incredible songsmith.. and on his own (ie not the beatles collectively, or elton john and his lyricist etc.. ) only bob dylan would take him for top spot as a singer songwriter - but to be a great "act" im sure style is needed, which prince, bowie and the likes have in abundance and which billy joel sadly lacks.
(prince and billy joel are my favourite artists of all time to answer ur question more directly)

musicologyphd said:

...
...i love billy joel as well...truly great songwriter...the stranger album is near perfect but some of his attempts at rock are cringingly bad, something like "you may be right" make me hit the forward button, but hey, nobody is perfect.

Prince is way too high on that list.

Frans Ferdinand are on that list and they're utter f@@kin SHITE in my opinion.

The White Strips above The Cure and Metallica? ..GIVE ME A BREAK!!!

I like everyone on the list - my favorite artists of all time are the Beatles, Rolling Stones, Springsteen and Prince. So I have to very much disagree with the (overrated) after the Rolling Stones notation.
Also love Bowie - his Ziggy Stardust period was fantastic - loved his daring stance and look.