Rolling Stone published its annual list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time on New Year’s Day with Aretha Franklin landing in the top spot.
Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, and Mariah Carey rounded out the Top 5 on the list which is based on “originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy.”
The outlet says of its rankings, “before you start scrolling (and commenting), keep in mind that this is the Greatest Singers list, not the Greatest Voices List. Talent is impressive; genius is transcendent.”
Still, fans aren’t happy with the rankings, which exclude Celine Dion, Pink, Janet Jackson, Toby Bennett, Madonna, and more.
Patty Loveless, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, George Strait, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash, Emmylou Harris, Roy Orbison, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, George Jones, and Pasty Cline were the only country artists out of the list of 200.
Respectfully, not including Celine Dion, arguably the best vocal technician of all time, in this list is borderline treasonous https://t.co/cy72FEpdyr
— Jamie Lambert (@JamieCollabro) January 2, 2023
Many took to Twitter to debate the publication’s rankings and defend their favorite singers.
They got THE @MichaelJackson way down at EIGHTY-SIX?! and no @CelineDion at ALL?!
Shoot, the way MJ sang #WithAChildsHeart when he was a CHILD makes him top three at the least and if Celine Dion isn’t in the Top Ten at the LEAST what are we really doing?!
Damn @RollingStone. https://t.co/IPTVTYbVPg
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) January 1, 2023
Rolling Stone but Taylor Swift in the top 200 vocalists but didn’t even mention Celine Dion or Janet Jackson. And they put Rihanna ABOVE Kelly Clarkson ?????
— Jake 🍄🪷 (@JakeCP) January 1, 2023
Rolling Stone Magazine proved to be not credible.
1. Placing Christina Aguilera this low.
2. Placing Taylor Swift higher than Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jazmine Sullivan & Alicia Keys.
3. Not having Celine Dion on the last who is part of the vocal trinity. https://t.co/QnHL7ZVs8A pic.twitter.com/ztLHif7B9t
— Jaden 2022 (@JadenLoveLungi) January 1, 2023
I’m sorry, but Jennifer Hudson is a better singer than 95% of the people on that #RollingStone list.
Her impact is immense. The EGOT winner’s contributions to film, theatre, music and television are undeniable. pic.twitter.com/O23poLE7P6
— Aretha Franklin Stan (@StanAretha) January 2, 2023
