- Music
- 04 Jan 23
Bono, Van Morrison feature in Rolling Stones' 200 greatest singers of all time list
"In all cases, what mattered most to us was originality, influence, the depth of an artist's catalogue, and the breath of their musical legacy," Rolling Stone wrote of the polarising list.
U2 frontman Bono and Belfast’s Van Morrison have been named on the Rolling Stones' Greatest Singers of All Time list, published on New Year’s Day.
Morrison, who is known for hits like ‘Brown Eyed Girl’ and ‘Days Like This,’ placed at an impressive 37th position on the list.
"To experience the height of Van Morrison's vocal genius, you have to get beyond the words," the magazine's reasoning reads.
Bono placed 140th on the list, being praised for his ability to push his voice to “every extreme.”
Introducing the magazine’s list, the 200 greatest singers are those who made or continue to make "popular music for the masses,” cited by Rolling Stone. "In all cases, what mattered most to us was originality, influence, the depth of an artist's catalogue, and the breath of their musical legacy," the introduction continues.
Broadway legend Barbara Streisand also found herself at 147th on the list, joined by Noughties pop-icon Christina Aguilera at 141st. Freddie Mercury who placed 14th on the list, and Whitney Houston at an impressive second were universally undisputed.
Claiming the top spot was the ‘Queen of Soul,’ Aretha Franklin. Rolling Stones hails the late singer as “a force of nature…a work of genius” and “a gift from the heavens.”
“...As long as you live, you'll never hear anything like Aretha Franklin," the magazine concludes.
Some inclusions that may spark debate include Ozzy Osbourne, whilst one famous voice who didn't make the New Year’s Day cut that has already done so is Celine Dion.
Fans have taken to Twitter to call out the snub.
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
Look... you can argue Celine Dion's music is not your cup of tea and that's fair.
You can argue Celine's songs are now irrelevant in today's Billie Eilish generation and that's also fair.
But to say that Celine Dion is not among all-time greatest singers is unbelievable. https://t.co/wvmLYvE059— Rama's Screen (@RamasScreen) January 2, 2023
Other complaints include the absence of Dionne Warwick, Diana Ross and Sting.
The full list can be found here.
RELATED
- Pics & Vids
- 02 Jul 25
Get Yourself on the Cover at Kingfishr at Fairview Park
- Pics & Vids
- 02 Jul 25
Get Yourself on the Cover at The Mary Wallopers at Fairview Park
- Pics & Vids
- 02 Jul 25
Get Yourself on the Cover at Kneecap at Fairview Park
RELATED
- Pics & Vids
- 02 Jul 25
Get Yourself on the Cover at The Corrs at St Anne's Park
- Music
- 02 Jul 25
Foo Fighters commemorate 30th anniversary with new single
- Pics & Vids
- 02 Jul 25