I Recently saw the 100 greatest singer list's that RS came out with in like 08? and it's a pretty good list of coarse i like everyone else had my disagreements so this is my PERSONAL top 30 tell me your's=]

30. Sam Cooke
29. Steve Perry
28. Tammy Terrell
27. Paul Simon
26. John Lennon
25. Bobby Womack
24. Ian Curtis
23. Billy Joel
22. Whitney Houston
21. Michael Jackson
20. Johnny Cash
19. Bono
18. Robert Johnson
17. Freddy mercury
16. David Bowie
15. Prince
14. Joni Mitchell
13. Chuck Berry
12. John Lee Hooker
11. Diana Ross
10. Paul McCartney
9. Mick Jagger
8 James Brown
7. Bob Dylan
6. Stevie Wonder
5. Robert Plant
4. Little Richard
3. Ray Charles
2. Marvin Gaye
1. Aretha Franklin

I don't like mixing male and female. I never thought it would ultimately be fair.

(Male)

10. George Michael
9. Prince
8. Ray Charles
7. Marvin Gaye
6. Michael Jackson
5. Freddie Mercury
4. Johnny Mathis
3. Luther Vandross
2. Elvis Presley
1. Sam Cooke

(Female)

10. Gladys Knight
9. Patti Labelle
8. Barbra Streisand
7. Mahalia Jackson
6. Minnie Riperton
5. Mariah Carey
4. Christina Aguilera
3. Ella Fitzgerald
2. Whitney Houston
1. Aretha Franklin

The vocalists(and musicians)' holy trinity.




Male or female, everybody who came after these 3 ladies, learned a great deal from them, whether directly or indirectly.

As for males:

I did a horrible job ranking, only my top 5 are accurate IMO.


01. Donna Summer
02. Barbra Streisand
03. Tina Turner
04. Natalie Cole
05. Dionne Warwick
06. Olivia Newton-John
07. Cher
08. Diana Ross
09. Dolly Parton
10. Bette Midler
11. Celine Dion
12. Whitney Houston
13. Mariah Carey
14. Mary J. Blige
15. Stevie Nicks
16. Bonnie Raitt
17. Dusty Sprinfield
18. Debbie Harry
19. Pat Benatar
20. Chrissie Hynde
21. Sarah McLachlan
22. Sade
23. Tori Amos
24. Anne Murray
25. Annie Lennox
26. Fiona Apple
27. Bjork
28. Cyndi Lauper
29. Anita Baker
30. Gloria Estefan
[Edited 5/12/10 2:54am]

Gunsnhalen said:

I stopped reading this list at 30 and 29....Sam Cooke 30th?!?! That alone killed it but Steve Perry ranked higher when Steve basically tries to sing like Sam!

Where is the late great Glenn Goins

panther514 said:

Sam Cooke-Beautiful voice
Aretha Franklin-Can't mess with ReRe Take a Listen to Walk In The Light
Prince No one can touch his Falsetto
Luther Vandross
Michael Jackson-total package never to be seen again
Marvin Gaye-When Marvin Said what's going on and Let's Get It On you felt it.
Steve Perry-definitely gets a nod
Elton John-he had some soul

Let Me add

Chaka Khan and Stephanie Mills-ladies have some pipes

As far as Rock goes:

Mick Jagger-Start Me Up
Steven Tyler-That dude is Aerosmith

Male

Michael Jackson
Sam Cooke
Stevie Wonder
Elvis Presley
Donny Hathaway


Female

Aretha Franklin
Patti Labelle
Whitney Houston
Ella Fitzgerald
Mariah Carey

Male

Stevie Wonder


Female
Aretha Franklin
Gladys Knight
Chaka Khan

Most of the really good male singers are deceased. I don't like ranking dead people with living people.

Artist that may be in this category later:

Maxwell
Anthony Hamilton
Beyonce I like B-I know the B hate in here is high

Male:

1. Luther Vandross
2. Peabo Bryson
3. Jeffery Osborne
4. Stevie Wonder
5. Barry White
6. Gerald Levert
7. Al Jarreau
8. Lionel Richie
9. Maurice White
10. Jaheim

Female:

1. Chaka Khan
2. Phyllis Hyman
3. Mariah Carey
4. Aretha Franklin
5. Vesta Williams
6. Tina Turner
7. Diana Ross
8. Billie Holiday
9. Nancy Wilson
10. Regina Belle

panther514 said:

Hey remember this is just my personal opinion not one of hundreds like in a magazine

I Can see your argument here Sam is an excellent singer one of the best he has a beautiful voice.

But IMO Steve Perry's voice is just as iconic but for me it's a almost a battle
between 29 & 30 both artists are AMAZING

Diana Ross? Chile...

No one can't say shit about my list then

Hudson said:

i lIKE THIS LIST=] Alot of these ladies would be in my top 100

Wow, no Jackie Wilson?

Just like the "Grapevine" thread, don't we always have this discussion every year?

OMG!

I can't believe nobody put Donna Summer on any list.

tritoncin said:

Donna's in the Top 20 but not the Top 10.

tritoncin said:

Hudson put Donna at #1 on his list. You missed that?

No Frank Sinatra anywhere ?!

Anyway, him, Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross would be mine.

Sam Cooke, Little Willie John and Tim Buckley.

A lot of the best voices IMO are in opera and gospel!

Michael Jackson
Stevie Wonder
Marvin Gaye

Billie Holiday
Lauryn Hill
Mariah Carey
[Edited 5/13/10 6:18am]

This is totally subjective. We all have our own opinions on who we think are great singers and who we enjoy listening to. I can't help roll my eyes at some of your choices, such as Cher? WTF?? She can barely hold a note. But, like I said it's our own opinions.

Personally, I feel the k.d. Lang has one of the purest and greatest voices ever! It's too bad she's so under-rated. Her voice is stunning.

Sam Cooke is awesome and so is George Michael.

flawless

Janet Jackson (and no one's going to dispute this)
Phyllis Hyman
Aretha Franklin
Whitney Houston (before she hit the pipe)
Barbra Streisand


Sam Cooke
Stevie Wonder
David Bowie
Prince
Little Willie John

midiscover said:

certain ones deleted
not bad sans Miss Jackson, Miss Houston, the late Miss Hyman, and Messrs. (Bowie and Nelson) Messrs applied liberally LOL
[Edited 5/13/10 12:41pm]
[Edited 5/13/10 12:42pm]

elem55 said:

and no percy sledge or billie holliday?