[2003]

We arent talking about people who are or were in bands, solo artists here.

They can have been in a band of course, but you cant count those achievements, were talking of their solo career.

So obviously guys like Paul Mcartney, **** Jagger etc you would only be counting their solo sucess.

Were talking in terms of number 1 singles, record sales, grammys and all that sort of thing.

Its mostly going to be the old guard here, as the big young stars simply havent had enough time to compile their career achievements yet. And by and large their careers arent even halfway through. But if you want to make a case for them, your most welcome, but they wont be going in my poll most likely.

My vote goes to Sir Elton.

 

[2003]

I wanted to include Bob Dylan, but I felt outside his songwriting which is a major aspect, he just didnt have enough record sales or number 1 hits.

Also I felt Bon Jovi, Neil Diamond, Prince, and a few others were too lacking in certain areas. I wanted to make what I felt would be a fair top 10, so these guys just missed out, but feel free to nominate them in the thread and the votes will be tallyed.

 

[Topspindoctor]

Eminem for sure.

 

[Kat_YYZ]

My first thought from your choices was also Elton John. But even though he's a character, I feel like his influence is mostly musical. With Michael Jackson, it was about the music, but also his dancing, fashion and just the persona. Looking at it that way, I'd have to look at David Bowie and Madonna as successors.

Bowie was just a bit before my time, but I can recall he had a big presence -- not just music, but fashion and film. Seems like a lot of sub-genres came out of what he was doing. He's pretty dormant now; if he announced some kind of 'come-back' tour and then suddenly died like MJ did, it's hard to imagine it would cause the same kind of public reaction.

Madonna is certainly influential and seems to still stir people up. She's all over the place with music, dance, film, books, clothing line, but even just focusing on music she is still fairly commercially successful with very high ranking for most hit singles, highest grossing tour, etc. Heck, she's 53 and she's playing the upcoming SuperBowl half-time show!

 

[Clashcityrocker]

voted Bowie, he's a living legend but would have loved to see Prince, bob dylan, lou reed, bjork and morrissey in the mix as well. but that's more from an artistic point of view, i never look at sales

 

[Nathaliia]

i'd say madonna
i'm far from being a fan but she is the living legend and very popular for all the years, her songs are all over the radio worldwide, and by that i mean songs from different decades

michael jackson was superpopular apart from having good, catchy songs and i think only madonna from this list matches it

the rest either too niche or too boring. or not popular outside usa (hi, springsteen, who gives a shit about you in africa)

i think this poll is not about the "best" artist...

 

[Clashcityrocker]

yeah, i see. so Bowie for me

 

[finishingmove]

wikipedia says it's Madonna or Elton John

 

[Thanos]

barbra streisand

she has a EGOT

 

[2003]

the rest either too niche or too boring. or not popular outside usa (hi, springsteen, who gives a shit about you in africa)

i think this poll is not about the "best" artist...

Because he snubbed Live Aid in 85

I tried to get a cross section of artists, mainly based on commercial success, because thats what tends to define the most acomplished.

And Springsteen as an artist achieved that sucess, though much of it admitidly was with the E street Band, and he never did have a number 1 as a performer, though he did get it as a songwriter unlikelyly so with blinded by the light.

The Boss deserves to be there.

 

[Bilbo]

Madonna is the only megastar on the list and the last living one

 

[HKz]

Absolutely dislike Madonna, but she will probably sadly steamroll the list.

 

[acionescu]

 

[alfonsojose]

M, no one else. Whoredonna or not, is a very, very smart person.

 

[2003]

Madonna is the only megastar on the list and the last living one

Rubbish.

For a start, male stars are always going to be more endeared it's as simple as that.

For that reason alone Elton and Billy are probably bigger.

 

[Pirata.]

For a start, male stars are always going to be more endeared it's as simple as that.

:bs:

Saint Madge is a legend.

 

[Hewitt =Legend]

Probably Justin Bieber

Or Paul Van Dyk

 

[2003]

Completely forgot about Phil Collins..

I feel terrible

 

[2003]

:bs:

Saint Madge is a legend.

Please, the difference is almost as much as ATP and WTA.

Okay, not so much.

But dont kid yourself, top level music, particularly bands, has and still is a hugely male dominated industry.

I mean outside Abba, the Carpenters, and a few others, what bands with female lead singers made it? I mean like genuine top 15 bands of all time.

They are all male dominated.

Im not sexist, its just the way it is.

 

[EliSter]

Justin Bieber