New VH1 100 Greatest Artists of All Time list

[Mr. Wonder]

This list is so flawed.

[cking33]

^ Agreed. I'd be curious to see how they came up with this.

[Verisimilitude]

this was from vh1's press release via prnewswire:

This definitive countdown covers all genres of music – from rock to pop to rap to metal – to answer who is worthy to possess the title as "the greatest music artist of all time." Over the 200 musicians including Alicia Keys, Ozzy Osbourne, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Iggy Pop, Nas, Rob Halford (Judas Priest), Geddy Lee (Rush), Alex Lifeson (Rush), Michael Diamond (Beastie Boys), Daryl Hall, John Oates, Noel Gallagher (Oasis), Gene Simmons (KISS), Adam Levine (Maroon Five), 50 Cent, Nelly Furtado, Mandy Moore, Carrie Underwood, Adam Clayton (U2) and many more voted on who they believe deserves this highly coveted title.

In 1998, VH1 launched the same list as the channel's first countdown special; however; much has changed since the dawn of the new millennium. VH1 puts this debate up for a vote again to see which rock pioneers still matter and which new acts rate in the age of download-to-own music and ever-changing pop culture. The countdown will include special, rarely-seen performance footage along with brand new, totally original interviews with music's most famous faces including interviews by Adele, Backstreet Boys, Brandy, Bret Michaels, Chris Daughtry, Hall & Oates, Keane, Ozzy Osbourne, Ray J, Sheryl Crow, Usher, Whitney Houston and many more.

[badrobot]

The one thing this is making me realize is just how many acclaimed acts there are in the world. I don't really see a ton on the list that seem horribly out of place, but at the same time so many seem to be missing.

Mostly there are just some that are not my personal taste on the list, but I don't know that you could ever make a list where anyone would love every single choice.

I don't think there is anything wrong with Beyonce and Justin Timberlake being on that list, by the way. Both are artists who were in tremendously successful groups at young ages who then went on to very successful solo careers which received both critical and commercial acclaim.

Britney has the commercial part down but not really the critical part -- and it hurts her that she is not considered a naturally great singer and does very little writing.

Christina I think has simply not had a consistent enough career. I think her voice is widely regarded as great but her releases have been sporadic both in quantity and quality.

[dbt88]

Aug 25, 2010 13:00:54 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

Eminem the Britney of rap? Eminem has enjoyed FAR more acclaim (since debuting) and critical success than Ms. Spears. So not sue how anyone could think he only started making quality music recently. And outside of her first single, Spears' "controversies" have mostly been related to her personal life (the meltdown, for instance). if anything, Eminem is the Madonna of rap- a better comparison, not only because they both hail from Michigan, but also because they're both acclaimed and use their work to spark debate and discussion.

That's funny because earlier in Madonna's career it was the other way around ;) Stop acting like Madonna's album are all critically acclaimed when her best piece of work was released later in her career whereas the content of most of her music remained relatively the same.

And please do enlighten me how sparking a debate and discussion of say inflicting violence on (Eminem) equates to critical acclaim? ??? I'm baffled. Sparking debate over a song doesn't equate to quality work honey. Oh wait, you are a fan of Madonna

Just the mention of Britney got you didnt it. PLEASE. Not all Britney fans are delusional to think she deserves an inclusion in this list.

[Bob]

GARBAGE.

if they want to do this right, they should POLL a bunch of artists as to their musical influences, and then compile THAT list. that would be something worth looking at. i don't care what some Vh1 panel says.

[Bob]

and by that i mean, don't ask 200 artists "who is the greatest of all time", literally poll hundreds of artists, including old ones and unpopular ones, as to who influences their music.

[Deleted]

Uhh.. I was gonna say. That's kinda exactly what they did. It's just that nobody's ever going to be happy with it so they look for excuses. Polling 10,000 artists instead of 200 would just mean everybody would moan about all the irrelevant they asked.

[ListenToItTwice]

^^ That's not a bad idea. In fact, it's a great idea.

This list places too much emphasis on the impact and success each artist has received. Your idea of the list would really get down to the power of the music.

[SWAG.]

There's so much drama whenever Beyoncé accomplishes or is praised for something. She can't win an award, make a list that doesn't mean much (like this one), or have a smile on her face without people trying to bring her down on the internet. Believe it or not, the girl is extremely talented and works her ass off. She may not be your favorite, but acting as though her father is an industry ringleader is ridiculous. Congratulations to her and all of the other artists who made the list.

[#LisaRinna]

Aug 25, 2010 15:05:45 GMT -5 SWAG. said:

There's so much drama whenever Beyoncé accomplishes or is praised for something. She can't win an award, make a list that doesn't mean much (like this one), or have a smile on her face without people trying to bring her down on the internet. Believe it or not, the girl is extremely talented and works her ass off. She may not be your favorite, but acting as though her father is an industry ringleader is ridiculous. Congratulations to her and all of the other artists who made the list.

So much truth made me :'( Let's rep the QUEEN!

[dbt88]

Aug 25, 2010 15:05:45 GMT -5 SWAG. said:

There's so much drama whenever Beyoncé accomplishes or is praised for something. She can't win an award, make a list that doesn't mean much (like this one), or have a smile on her face without people trying to bring her down on the internet. Believe it or not, the girl is extremely talented and works her ass off. She may not be your favorite, but acting as though her father is an industry ringleader is ridiculous. Congratulations to her and all of the other artists who made the list.

Well, this is a list of 100 greatest ARTISTS of all time. You have thousands of artist who have come and go. You should expect some opposition. When people say artist, they generally weigh both critical and commercial success. Someone like Beyonce, talented as she may be, has always been shrouded with doubt with her writing credibility, and hasn't garnered much critical acclaim other than winning countless awards. Personally, I don't think she deserves a place there YET, but she may if she releases an album out of her comfort zone and showed some flexibility. Same goes for the other young'ns.

[pnobelysk]

Aug 25, 2010 13:04:21 GMT -5 slw84 said:

Aug 25, 2010 10:36:01 GMT -5 as485y said:

Beyonce is the LEGEND of our generation....no questiions about it anymore

Not Britney,not Usher, not CTINA or who ever else....when will people accept it...its happend lol

Well you not thinking Usher or Britney as legends is a matter of opinion. i have heard all three viewed that way. xtina not so much just a great voice but have not heard her regarded as a legend.

I love Beyonce too but you know this list is suspect when most of the people on the list ranked lower than have made music to stand the test of time. She is a legend but so is Eminem (deserves a higher ranking), Britney (who doesn't deserve to rank on the list tbh)This is VH1 of course but it is a bit embarassing that they would rank other artist like Aretha Franklin out of the top 20 and no R.Kelly (can't stand him but still). Marvin Gaye shouldn't be that high IMO.

Justin Timberlake...I can't
I would have like to see Pink, Usher, Janet, Sade...

Short story long...this list outside of the top 15 :o Just realized Madonna is #16... outside top 16 is a mess.

Sade did make it :)

[pnobelysk]

Aug 25, 2010 13:00:54 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

Eminem the Britney of rap? Eminem has enjoyed FAR more acclaim (since debuting) and critical success than Ms. Spears. So not sue how anyone could think he only started making quality music recently. And outside of her first single, Spears' "controversies" have mostly been related to her personal life (the meltdown, for instance). if anything, Eminem is the Madonna of rap- a better comparison, not only because they both hail from Michigan, but also because they're both acclaimed and use their work to spark debate and discussion.

most of spears controverseys have not been related to her personal life. im not the biggest britney follower but i can already think snake at vmas, school girl baby one more time, naked in womanizer. yes she has personal life controverseys but she has a lot around her music/videos/performances too

[ListenToItTwice]

To exclude The Eagles and The Grateful Dead is pretty unforgivable.

[SWAG.]

Aug 25, 2010 15:16:45 GMT -5 @dbt88 said:

Aug 25, 2010 15:05:45 GMT -5 SWAG. said:

There's so much drama whenever Beyoncé accomplishes or is praised for something. She can't win an award, make a list that doesn't mean much (like this one), or have a smile on her face without people trying to bring her down on the internet. Believe it or not, the girl is extremely talented and works her ass off. She may not be your favorite, but acting as though her father is an industry ringleader is ridiculous. Congratulations to her and all of the other artists who made the list.

Well, this is a list of 100 greatest ARTISTS of all time. You have thousands of artist who have come and go. You should expect some opposition. When people say artist, they generally weigh both critical and commercial success. Someone like Beyonce, talented as she may be, has always been shrouded with doubt with her writing credibility, and hasn't garnered much critical acclaim other than winning countless awards. Personally, I don't think she deserves a place there YET, but she may if she releases an album out of her comfort zone and showed some flexibility. Same goes for the other young'ns.

Shrouded with doubt? By who? Blogs that twist stories and start rumors? Because Ne-Yo said he wrote "Irreplaceable", but he was listed in the writing credits anyway -- then later retracted his statement and explained what "co-writing" means? Because people heard a BC Jean demo, and insisted Beyoncé was stealing writing credits again -- yet she isn't even listed as a songwriter for the song? The industry seems to disagree with you. She has an ASCAP Songwriter Of the Year award and a Grammy for Song Of The Year (a songwriter's award).

She is completely and totally respected as an artist, a performer, a singer, and a businesswoman. I respect that you have the right to an opinion, but it feels like more of an opposition due to Britney not making the list.

[dbt88]

^^ What? I wasn't even one of those to make a comment about Beyonce making the list. If you have read my comment towards HolidayGuy, I'm not delusional. Britney doesn't even deserve to be mentioned here. She hasn't garnered anything to even be thought of as a candidate. As I said, Bey has been winning awards, and that includes the ASCAP for Songwriter of the year. The industry seems to disagree with alot of the population actually. And as far as I'm concerned, Single Ladies was conceptualized by The Dream and Bey just had co-writing credits to it. Not hating on Bey, I'm just stating the obvious that you would expect opposition. This list isn't all about Beyonce against the haters. There are 99 other relevant artists mentioned. Just like you thinking I'm pressed Britney didn't make it ;)

[SWAG.]

Aug 25, 2010 15:47:54 GMT -5 @dbt88 said:

^^ What? I wasn't even one of those to make a comment about Beyonce making the list. If you have read my comment towards HolidayGuy, I'm not delusional. Britney doesn't even deserve to be mentioned here. She hasn't garnered anything to even be thought of as a candidate. As I said, Bey has been winning awards, and that includes the ASCAP for Songwriter of the year. The industry seems to disagree with alot of the population actually. And as far as I'm concerned, Single Ladies was conceptualized by The Dream and Bey just had co-writing credits to it. Not hating on Bey, I'm just stating the obvious that you would expect opposition. This list isn't all about Beyonce against the haters. There are 99 other relevant artists mentioned. Just like you thinking I'm pressed Britney didn't make it ;)

Excuse me? This was your comment from the first page. Did you forget you posted this or something?:

I don't see any work of Beyonce that would garner her a place in the 100 greatest ARTISTS of ALL TIME. Performer? No doubt. Artist? PUH LEASE. It's artist like her that ruins such list imo when commercial success outweigh artistic output.

My last comment was in reference to the dig you took at her writing capabilities being "shrouded with doubt". As if the other 99 artists on the list are all Shakespearean level writers. It just seemed like an obvious grasp at straws that most make when trying to tear Beyoncé down for accomplishing something. However, we can move on. It's clear you disagree with her being on the list, and that is absolutely okay.

[dbt88]

That was before the list came out ???. And when I said artists like her ruin such lists, I meant generally speaking those who do better in terms of success than acclaim. As I sad and will continue to still say, expect people will oppose to it. I don't go the her daddy pays for everything route. I, like many would say that she doesn't deserve a place yet. Her commercial success still outweigh critical success. If it were included DC, which is a different entity, then maybe, but as a solo artist, I don't think so she has reached that level yet.

Bey fans are going to say people are always bringing Bey down, what do you expect from people? Not everyone have the same opinions. And I'm just as baffled when Bey fans say that it's because the opposition is just pressed. That's not a good argument though. I don't like where this argument is going, because I just placed an opinion where I don't think Bey deserves a spot yet, and it escalates into artist vs artist

[SWAG.]

It never escalated to artist vs. artist. I made an observation, and if I was wrong, then I apologize. Also, why do you keep acting like she doesn't have great reviews for her albums? None of her albums are poorly received by the critics. Just more grasps at straws over an artist you probably dislike anyway. I'd respect you more if you said that. I don't like where this is going either. Have a great afternoon.

[dbt88]

Aug 25, 2010 16:14:01 GMT -5 SWAG. said:

It never escalated to artist vs. artist. I made an observation, and if I was wrong, then I apologize. Also, why do you keep acting like she doesn't have great reviews for her albums? None of her albums are poorly received by the critics. Just more grasps at straws over an artist you probably dislike anyway. I'd respect you more if you said that. I don't like where this is going either. Have a great afternoon.

Well, I apologize as well. I wasn't really taking a dig at her specifically although my comment may have sounded like that. And for the record, I don't dislike her. Just making an observation as well. I might not have a good grasp of how well her albums are perceived, so I guess that invalidates my opinion . I was just going with what I usually read although I do own her first two albums. Anyways, I respect your opinion as well, and lets ends this discussion before any of us gets banned and this thread locked

[Eqbk]

Where is Björk? Is vh1 seriously trying to say Justin Timberlake is more of an artist than her?

[Oɴʟуßoy®]

Bob Marley SHOULD be in the top 5 .

[jumpb4uthink]

Aug 25, 2010 13:10:16 GMT -5 HolidayGuy said:

colson- how would pointing out how what acts do or don't do make anything "worse"? LOL

slw- Madonna has enjoyed a lot of acclaim as an *artist*- which, as Bob Dylan can attest, does not mean touting outstanding vocal abilities. :) The debut and Virgin albums came to enjoy more reverence over time, but with the third album, she showed the maturing of her artistry., which culminated with Like a Prayer. In essence, what has made her stand ut from most others is the whole package- the capable singing, the music, the videos, the stage shows, and all she's done with that to inspire debate and discussion in culture.

Timberlake has had two solo albums, right? So, yeah, I'd agree that his placement is kinda high. Someone like Janet Jackson should place above him- but, the last decade may have hurt her more than I thought.

Holidayguy.. Your research, intellect, and mostly your insight continues to amaze me. Keep it coming.

[Bob]

Aug 25, 2010 14:51:13 GMT -5 ListenToItTwice said:

^^ That's not a bad idea. In fact, it's a great idea.

This list places too much emphasis on the impact and success each artist has received. Your idea of the list would really get down to the power of the music.

thanks-- i think there is a huge difference in saying "who's the greatest of all time" to 200 popular artists, and asking different industry people to name their own influences. the list would be better IMO, and there wouldn't be the random relatively new people like beyoncé--- what artist would say she's influenced them? lol, justin bieber?

[SWEET DREAMS]

Aug 25, 2010 15:05:45 GMT -5 SWAG. said:

There's so much drama whenever Beyoncé accomplishes or is praised for something. She can't win an award, make a list that doesn't mean much (like this one), or have a smile on her face without people trying to bring her down on the internet. Believe it or not, the girl is extremely talented and works her ass off. She may not be your favorite, but acting as though her father is an industry ringleader is ridiculous. Congratulations to her and all of the other artists who made the list.

They just won't let her be great!

[SPRΞΞ]

Madonna will always be the #1 female artist of all time.

[as485y]

Aug 25, 2010 17:06:58 GMT -5 SPRΞΞ said:

Madonna will always be the #1 female artist of all time.

maybe not always

[neverduplicated]

Aug 25, 2010 8:48:23 GMT -5 worldwide said:

LOL at Beyonce being in front of Whitney, Mariah, Mary, Alicia, Janis... Are they kidding?!

Yeah, no offense to Beyonce, but it's laughable that's she's ahead of all those other legends, and not to mention Janet Jackson didn't even make the list!

[jumpb4uthink]

Aug 25, 2010 17:06:58 GMT -5 SPRΞΞ said:

Madonna will always be the #1 female artist of all time.

Amen