Top Music Artists of All Time

Nadeem-Shravan is the one & only melody king of the whole world.

Ludwig van beethoven is a musical genius

Only an ignorant dumbass like rizzo would assume that Beethoven never played an instrument. He was a famous Pianist and even played a string instrument in the Viola. He was a master during the times of a greatly left out genre of music when making these lists. He is widely considered to be the most genius composer during the most genius time period; when they composed for orchestras with many, many sections insted of maybe 4 or 5 (with all due respect to bands).

I'm not sure what that comment by Rizzo is implying. Are you saying that Beethoven didn't play an instrument? If that's what you're saying, you're greatly mistaken. He played several of the keyboard instruments of his time (they progressed as he composed because older models weren't sturdy enough to support the power of his music). He had perfect pitch, and his improvisations were said to go on for hours, even reducing people to tears. So I strongly feel that Beethoven deserves this spot. Actually I believe he deserves no. 1.

i agree that he was out of this world and really gr8 but if compared with mj both are best at their own places. i guess mozart could also hav been in the 2nd or 3rd place

He was deaf, Imagine a painter, painting a picture while blind! Beethoven is out of this world

Although we live in the POP age Beethoven has reached the 2nd place. This list is not visited by the older age. Otherwise he would be still Number 2. But behind Bach. Michael Jackson is a shrill person and the center point of a shrill generation. But as a music artist he is grossly overrated

Greatest composer ever, except for maybe Mahler...

you don't know what you're talking about

Beethoven and Bach are so far above EVERYONE on this list (except for Wagner, Haendel, brahms, Schubert), they would need a telescope to see them. This list proves that people are dumber than a bag of manure. No one from the 20th century should be anywhere near the top 10. Bach deserves at least the top 5 spaces by himself. LOL at the Beatles.

chopin is better.

one of the greatest

R.I.P. Mj

I think he didn`t even know to play an instrument. But he was a skilled dancer.

the beatles are and always will be no1, they will never be forgotten

I do not think that even after 100 years of music Michael be forgotten, he's too big a star and defined much of his time. But agree that MJ should not be above the classical composers, no one should ... In the top 10 - this is his rightful place.

The music of Bach and Beethoven are still heard. It was composed 200 years ago. It is very unlikely that the same will be with Mister Jackson in a hundred years. He gets much voting, because he has set his stamp on our modern time in the realm of music. He is a great artist, but not more. He should not be among the top 10.

Mister Jackson on the fiirst place? This is a joke. His music will last, but in a hundred years he will be in a list like this not among the Top 100, whereas Beethoven or Bach will still be heard in a thousand years.

Do you know that MJ idolized The Beatles, especially McCARTNEY.. ^_^

Somebody who loves Michael Jackson and hates the Beatles has been working very hard on this list.

He must be the number one. The reason is very clear. His music is played all around the world every day many times in hundred thousands of places, because his music is played in the churches and in christian homes. And this since 4 hundred years. Nobody else was so much successful. The other artists here are also great, but they lived only a couple of years and they still have to stand the ttest of time. Therefore no comparison to Bach.

The Beatles are far superior.

Genius......... Nuff said

J s Bach Is the best musician ever 10 times better than the beattles he wrote pure masterpieces he should be number 1

Schubert is a great composer like Bach.

Handel is also notable.

in heaven there is also a list of the top music artists. There he is the Number one and as times go by he will also get this place down here on Earth.

Get therapy then.

The fact that J.S Bach isn't #1 deeply concerns me ...

All of you people arguing over why or not Bach or the Beatles are missing the point. They shouldn't be compared. Both are fabulous in they're own right but are 2 completely different styles. Bach of course was far more technically talented than the Beatles, but the Beatles were much better lyricists. It doesn't make one or the other any better or worse and I think they are both respectable.

Wow...Multiply times ten how many people the Beatles have inspired and then one begins to grasp how many people Bach has inspired. The fact that we are still talking about him speaks volumes about his legacy, and not only Johann, but all of the Bach's and the composers of the time - it was solely about the music.

and why do you say that the beatles aren't as good as bach, because there music isn't as complicated? I believe that they were great musicians solely because their music inspired so many people and they put much emotion into some of their songs. Lyrics and music spread emotion better than just music when the lyrics are great. Also, the Beatles were not inspired by Bach so without Bach there probably would still be the Beatles.

LOL, the Beatles don't come up to Bach's knee bone. Seriously people, try to expand your horizons. Anyone who says that the Beatles are better than Bach has listened to too much Beatles and not enough Bach.

If there were no Bach i doubt there would have been the Beatles.

The Beatles are much better.

Bob Dylan is wonderful like Bach.

chopin is better.

Rabindranath Tagore's songs, like the cantatas of J.S Bach are outstanding and great.

How are the Beatles number 5? They should be number 1. Don't get me wrong. I like MJ... but come on. It's the Beatles! They deserve the number 1 position.

the beatles should be number 1. they had most number 1 hits, most songs, most popular,and they only played for ten years

should be number one...... they have sold more records than any other artist ever, they have the most number one hits than any other artist........ i dont think MJ can even claim that

Beatles under Bach, Beethoven and MJ??? *shaking my head and looking extremely disappointed* that shoulda never happened....

beatles r the gr8st band and musicians and my personal fav and yes they shud be ranked higher than this

should be number 1, considering they had the most number hits of all time..... and i dont think anyone above them can say that, and i mean they were only around for a few years before they broke up and they still achived what they did.

"Had the most amount of good songs than any other artist" Define "good songs".

Ahh The Fab Four.. What timing they had .. They were soooooo good, I guess you could say they were a music phenomenom.. simply untouchable!!!

WTF #6?!?! The best group of muscians ever, easily. Had the most amount of good songs than any other artist and had the biggest impact. I seriously cannot believe they are #6.

I've never heard the better music than The Beatles... they were GODs of ROCK....their melodies are pure masterpieces....and the who don't like Beatles .first listen to them..!!! BEATLES ARE FOR EVER ON THE TOP ....

Best band ever!!!

NO YOU ARE ALL IDIOTS!!!!

Elvis was the Idol Beatles and was much better singer than them.

There is a great online article by musician and song writer Peter Cross,The Beatles Are The Most Creative Band Of All Time and he says that many musicians besides him recognize Paul as one of the best bass guitar players ever.He too says that John and Paul are the greatest song composers and that to say that John and Paul are among 2 of the greatest singers in rock and roll is to state the obvious,and that John,Paul and George were all excellent guitarists and that George is underrated by people not educated about music but that ERic Clapton knew better,he also says that both John and Paul played great leads as well as innovative rhythm tracks. John Lennon co-wrote,sang and played guitar on one of David Bowie's first hits Fame in 1975 and David invited John to play guitar on his version of John's beautiful Beatles song Across The Universe.Brain May,Ozzy Osbourne,and Liam Gallagher and many more call The Beatles The Greatest Band Ever. Also on MusicRadar Tom Petty,Joe Perry and Richie Sambora in What The Beatles Mean To Me all say how cool and great they thought The Beatles were when they first saw them on The Ed Sullivan Show in February 1964 when they were just teen boys,Richie was only 5.Tom Petty said he thought they were really really great. Robin Zander of Cheap Trick said he's probably one of the biggest Beatles fans on the planet.Brad Whitford of Aerosmith said that a lot of that Beatles influence comes from Steven Tyler's collaborartion with Mark Hudson both whom are absolute Beatles freaks and he said I guess the goal is to try and emulate probably some of the best music of the last 50 years which has to be The Beatles.

As The All Music Guide says in their excellent Beatles biography "That it's difficult to summarize their career without restating cliches that have already been digested by tens of millions of rock fans, to start with the obvious,they were the greatest and most influential act of the rock era and introduced more innovations into popular music than any other rock band of the 20th century." "Moreover they were among the few artists of *any* discipline that were simultaneously the best at what they did *and* the most popular at what they did." THey also say as singers John Lennon and Paul McCartney were among the best and most expressive in rock. Also on an excellent site,The Evolution of Rock Bass Playing McCartney Style by Dennnis Alstrand,Stanley Clarke,Sting,Will Lee,Billy Sheehan,George Martin and John Lennon are quoted saying what a great,melodic and influential bass player Paul has always been. Wilco's John Stirratt was asked in Bass Player which bass players have had the most impact on his playing and the first thing he said was, Paul McCartney is one of the greatest bass players of all time,if you listen to what he was tracking live in the studio it's unbelievable." "With his tone and musicality he was a huge influence,he covered all of his harmonic responsibilities really well but his baselines were absolutely melodic and inventive." In an online 1977 Eric Clapton interview,Eric Clapton In His Own Words he says that there was always this guitar game between John and George,and he said partly because John was a pretty good guitar player himself.He played live with John as a member of John's 1969 Plastic Ono Band.

The Beatles should definitely be NUMBER 1!!

why is Beatles at the 4th possition it should be ranked first

Geniuses. So much talent in one group.

beatles rock

You're sure right. Looks like Beatles fans have been voting for them now that they've been found on the list.

Wow someone really hates the Beatles! They shouldn't be down here!

Especially for their time, they had no equal in terms of songcraft, melody, innovation and charisma (recall that crowds were yelling/screaming so loudly at their concerts that sometimes that drowned out their music). There is absolutely no question of their profound, perhaps unmatched, influence on the course of pop and rock musical history as well as the number of artists/bands they influenced!

I love the BEATLES

Yes, Definitely the Beatles. They have the best songs of all time. IMHO.

he was the postar of the 18. century. The son of German-Austria parents died too soon. He should be No 3 on the list, behind Bach and Beethoven. They must be regarded greater. They lived longer and wrote their best pieces in mature age. Mozart did not reach this. But he has apparently the sympathy. Dying too soon--- like Michael Jackson or James Dean makes the people great by death. But not by works.

great composer,,maybe the greatest, but THE BEATLES SHOULD BE #1...

In spite of Mr/Mrs know it all.... Agree Mozart should be #1

Encountered here the first person that can look for 200 years into the future...

In 200 years most of the people on this list won't even be a memory, but Mozarts music will still live on. Shows just how Dumb this list is, just a popularity list, not a true Artist list.

"Mozart in his music was probably the most reasonable of the world's great composers. It is the happy balance between flight and control, between sensibility and self-discipline, simplicity and sophistication of style that is his particular province... Mozart tapped once again the source from which all music flows, expressing himself with a spontaneity and refinement and breath-taking rightness that has never since been duplicated." -- Aaron Copland, Copland on Music (1960)

"I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness." Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

** * * * * * *I HAVE JUST been reading Mozart's letters for the second time (in the French translation by Henri de Curzon), and I think they ought to be included among the books of every library, for they are not only of interest to artists but instructive for other people as well. If you read these letters, Mozart will be your friend for life; his kind face will show itself in moments of trouble, and when you are miserable you will hear his merry boyish laugh and blush to give way to dark moods as you think of what he himself so courageously endured. Let us recall his memory; it is fast slipping into shadow. The first thing that strikes us is his wonderful moral health. This is the more surprising because physically he was far from strong. All his faculties seem extraordinarily well balanced: his soul was full of feeling and yet master of itself; his mind was wonderfully calm, even in events like his mother's death and his love for Constance Weber; his intellect was clear and instinctively grasped what people liked and the best way to achieve success; and he was able to bring his proud genius to conquer the world's affections without hurt to himself. This moral balance is rare in passionate natures; for all passion is excess of feeling. Mozart had every kind of feeling, but he had no passion—except his terrible pride and a strong consciousness of his genius. "The archbishop of Salzburg thinks you are steeped in pride," said a friend to him one day

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart has to be the greatest composer to ever live. He started composing music when he was four and he started to write minuets by the age of five. When Mozart was around eight or nine, he started to write symphonies. Mozart also played quite a few instruments. He also was very talented on the keyboard and played the violin very well. Mozart was so naturally gifted when it came to music that when he was blindfolded, he was able to recognize the played notes. This was said that he had “perfect pitch.” Another reason why he has to be the greatest composer is that he had the ability to write all the notes of the Miserere score from memory. His first opera was performed when he was eleven years old. It would only take him about two weeks to write an entire symphony or concerto. How many composers can do an entire piece in such little amount of time? He wrote twenty seven piano concerti, which he also invented. Mozart was never a very healthy person, in fact, he was suffering some sort of illness. One time Mozart gave a series of twenty two piano concerts and conducted a few of them in a five week period. After his father died he became very depressed and his music turned dark and depressing as well. This makes him great because he would write from his heart and that showed in his music. He wouldn’t let a setback like his fathers death keep him from doing what he loves which is composing music. Mozart never stuck to one genre, he wrote many different types of music such as concertos, symphonies, and German style operas to name a few. This shows his versatility and his ability to excel in every piece he wrote. He wrote 626 pieces of music throughout his lifetime. That is more than a lot of people accomplish in their whole lifetime. From being a gifted child prodigy to becoming one of the best composers that the world has ever known, Wolfgang Mozart will always be remembered as a legend like Bob Marley.

Mozart is the MAN. His music will live on forever,, not only his operas, but all his other works, especially his 25th, 40,41 Symphony, His piano concerto No. 20, and 24 are just thrilling to listen to.

thank God mozart was born.... Magic Flute , Le Nozze Figaro eternal

chopin is better

I'm from the US and I have to agree on that

This is because you have a lack of sophisticated education. I think you are from the USA

Wagner is the influence of cinema music along like Schoenburg's Rite of Spring influenced modern music. Just listen to John Williams and then Wagner! Pronounced with a V, btw, he's German.

He was Genius.

Don't understand why they aren't on the top.

His music will live on forever!

Propably the greatest composer of the 20th century.

Paul was more successful in his solo carreer, and he was more talented as a composer, becasue he knew all styles and whatever he did he became an expert in it. But John was seriously hampered by this Japanese women and here odds. With Yoko Johns downfall began and the Beatles finished. Without Yoko John would have became almost as successful as Paul

It is true, Paulmwas not close to John, because John lived in New York and Paul in England

Why is Paul all the way down here? And don't even say Lennon is better, because Paul had the most sussseful solo career/with wings that exceeded the sales of people such as beyonce, Stevie wonder, an Rihanna. Atleast above Lennon.

He wasn't close to John Lennon

john and paul are just as good

elvis is the biggest musical cultural influence of the twentieth centuery" smithsonian. research riaa , billboard he is miles ahead of mj. mj only number one bc he just passed.

There's no doubt about it, Elvis was a monumental figure when it came to Rock. But what most don't know is that if Carl Perkins didn't get in the bad wreck at the beginning of his rise he would've been what we call the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" As strange as it sounds I know, Johnny Cash states this in his autobiography. He's says that in a few shows before the wreck, the crowd would chant his name in elvis's performances. Read Johnny Cash's autobiography, changed my perspective so much.

elvis was the person who took music to a new level. He changed music forever. He is the most important fiquire to popular music to ever hit the planet. His sold more records than any other artist, recording more albums than any other artists. so it all speaks for itself. He is number 1 and always will be. LONG LIVE THE KING!!

If it's true that he didn't write his own songs (I was under the impression that he wrote SOME of them but I really don't know) then it is a disgrace to put him so high in the list. Really people just thought he was cool, little did they know that he actually became an undercover narcotics agent at the height of his fame (true story, look it up), though he wasn't very good at it.

Elvis is the only music artist that changed the face of popular culture pretty much single-handedly. He was an amazing performer with the ability to express feeling and emotions in an astounding manner, covering all music genres. Just listen from the passionate 'If I can dream' to the spiritual 'How great thou art', from the rocking 'A big hunk of love' to the bluesy 'Reconsider baby', from the romantic 'Cant help falling in love' to the glorious 'American trilogy'. Celebrate the man and his music!

In the ghetto, Can't help falling in love, Suspicious minds, Jailhouse rock, The wonder of you, Heartbreak hotel, Burning love, One night, Love me tender, Return to sender, Don't cry daddy, Are you lonesome tonight, Hound dog, Devil in disguise, If I can dream, All shook up, Viva Las Vegas, and on and on....

Elvis was the best, the most unique (Jim Morrison) I picked up the guitar because I wanted to be Elvis (Paul Simon) Everytime I felt low, I put on an Elvis record and feel great (Paul McCartney) My crushing ambition in life was to be as big as Elvis (John Lennon) Before Elvis there was nothing (John Lennon) Elvis recorded a song of mine; that is the one recording I treasure most (Bob Dylan) Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. His music and personality changed the face of popular culture (President Jimmy Carter). Elvis is the greatest cultural force of the 20th century. He introduced the beat to everything and changed everything - music, language, clothes (Leonard Bernstein) He combined everything that a star needs. Looks, charisma, talent and originality (Elton John). He whispered a dream in our ears and we all followed it (Bruce Springsteen)

The King of the People

Elvis is the ultimate popular hero! A true superstar that is dearly missed.

I'm happy that people were smart enough to put him in the top ten, but definitely should be higher...when you listen to what great artists have to say anyway...... Before Elvis there was nothing-Lennon, If there wasn't Elvis there wouldn't be the Beatles-Lennon, Dylan's actions say it all(he got on his knees and kissed the ground where Elvis stood when he recorded his first song), Elvis is the great that ever was, is or ever will be-Chuck Berry, Elvis is the best; the most original -Jim Morrison, Elvis and I are the only true American originals-James Brown, No one, but no one, is his equal. He was and is supreme.-Mick Jagger, I learned music listening to Elvis-Fleetwood Mac, He was the one that started it all off, and he was definitely the start of it for me.-Elton John, Elvis is my religion-Bruce Springsteen, He was the firstest with the mostest.-Roy Orbison, No one will ever touch Elvis-Garth Brooks, When I was a kid...I use to try and be Elvis--Robert Plant, All we knew was he sang like a motherf*cker and that's all that mattered.-Robert Plant, On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Elvis an 11.-Sammy Davis Jr., No doubt about it, people like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps.-Rod Stewart, You have no idea how great he is, really you don’t. You have no comprehension--it’s absolutely impossible-Phil Spector, Elvis was the incendiary atomic musical firebrand loner who conquered the western world.-Bob Dylan, And so on....I think we all know who they would vote for :)

elvis below the stones? Not right

Elvis was and always will be the man who made music, "befour elvis there was nothing" John lennon said, so without elvis would the beatles be here? he deserves to be up there at the top beause every person on this list has looked up to elvis and thought wow, that where born in his lifetime, he still is an insparation to the world today. TCB

elvis was tight as hell, cool ass mofo. but seriously? he music to his songs were basic his lyrical content never matured and was basic as well, he never grew as an artist. but he was an excellent singer very charismatic and was a performer for the most part lol

Frank Sinatra said "I m just a singer,Elvis was the embodiment of the whole of American culture"

i cant belive Elvis is not first on this list!Charisma,Voice,songs,he came here from another planet:)

Elvis is the only King and Best Forever!

Ridiculous!Elvis at 32?? He belongs right up there in the Top 5.

Everyone else is tied for second!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE ELVIS

It was Art Garfunkel that gave Paul Simon's music the ability to see the light of day. Simon is a less than average singer. Holding him back? What a putz!!

They were OK but they really shouldn't be higher than the Beatles. Paul Simon's solo material is better than anything he did with Art Garfunkel. I think Garfunkel was holding him back.

YES YES YES!!!!!

I think he is the nomber 1 of all times with his songs and his vision so he is the legendary hero in all ways ...

Imagine all the people liveing for the day

McCartney is better.

The Beatles are dying in the wrong order.

I would disagree and say that Paul has more talent, and would go as far to say that if Paul had died instead of John it wouldn't even be a discussion.

Lennon is sadly underestimated.

He should be number 1. I think he was more talented than motzart

to all: Most deff, john pwns mccartney. He created all things good in the world and basically wrote all of mccartney's songs

He is far better than McCartney.

I'd say he has more talent than McCartney.

John Lennon, com sua voz peculiar, é um dos meus artistas prediletos.

Should be in the Top 5. No doubt about that...

To be fair, though, writing lyrics is a hell of a lot easier than writing music. Still, each complements the other.

John only wrote the music. Bernie Taupin wrote the lyrics to the vast majority of Elton John songs.

Unlike a lot of the people in this list he actually writes his own songs. I don't really like the songs but at least he didn't need some hack to hold his hand and tell him what to do. If you don't write your own songs then you are nothing in my eyes.

Elton John deserves more credit from what he gets. He writes his own music and had a great rock voice back in the 70s. He is one of the most versatile composers of contemporary music having written such a variety of sounds from rock anthems such as 'The ***** is Back' and 'Bennie and the Jets' to musicals like "the Lion King' and Billy Elliot.. I think he's the artist with the most hidden and pretty unknown gems: Madman Across the Water, Holiday Inn, Funeral for a Friend, Last Song, Harmony, All the Girls Love Alice, Last Episode in Hienton, Tonight, Goodbye.. The list is endless.

EJ deserves to be much higher in this list- the volume of music, stage, musicals, sound tracks, production, etc. Many of the previous do not even write their own music??

should be at least in top ten. hes been singing and touring for over 40 years and writing for over 43 years. he still sells out stadiums and shows within 10 minutes (from personal experience)

one of the best music artists ever to walk the earth..he fought against discrimination, and for one love, and unity...hes probably one of my fav music artists ever.

I Think Bob Marley should be higher he is so great that he still lives on a the best selling reggae artist right now

Oh, That's funny, Cause on my list of top music Artists....... Bob Comes in at # 1. I'm gonna go ahead and concider my list as correct before I will this one! ;)

Maybe reggae music is not your kind of music. Maybe to you it sounds all the same. But it's a FACT that Bob Marley is the most played artist all around the world ever! EVERYBODY knows him and at least one of his songs. His music is timeless. If you would ask a boy in Iran who Elvis Presley is, he would have no clue. If you would play a Mozart tune to a woman in Africa and ask her who the maker is, she wouldn't know. If you would show a picture of Roy Orbinson to a teenager in Europe, he/she would think: who is this guy?! You hardly hear a Beatles song on the radio anymore. Even Michael Jackson, who's the only one that comes close to Bobs famousness, is not as often played around the globe as Mr Marley. Maybe Bob Marley wasn't as influential on music as these artists, but he is and was and (it seems) will be the most influential on the WORLD. You just can't deny it. So of course he should be at number one!

You have to look at not only his influence on creating an entire genre of music but his humanitarian acts. Overall he should be ranked #1 as he not only crossed barriers of racism but single handedly created peace in an otherwise hostile country, Jamaica. His influence on the world by far outreaches that of any other artist except the Beatles.

voted man of the century RASTAFARI BLESSED LOVE!

Marley? I know only one hit from him. Hiy style was always the same. He does not belong to the top 100. It is ridiculous to place him here in the top 20

bob marley is the main man, he was the greatest singer and entertainer the world has ever had without a doubt. the list is not right, he should top the list once and for all.

Bob Marley is the bomb, a legend he should be first.

Marley is so damn funnjy too! Maine all the way!

17 psssssssssssh more like he should be rated in the top 10... shameless

bobs music is so moving, he should be top 5 AT LEAST top 10, this list is dispicable

This is just about the right ranking for Marley. Hes good but not in the same league as the man above him

Bob was a musical prophet sent to earth. I am insulted as a Jamaican to see him ranked so low. People are oblivious to his influence on the world

Best musician ever. His songs say something and make you feel something. Hands down the greatest.

Bob Marley's music is so good, it's uncomprehendable how amazing it is.

bob marley should have been on the top

Johnny cash made music listenable.no kidding.He is the biggest Giant to live on earth!

Johnny Cash is an amazing artist, and is definitely one of my top twenty, buuuut a lot of his most famous songs weren't even written by him. Mozard deserves #1 because he was a savant, and if he lived now he'd out-music any of these guys on the list.

he should defenently be number 2 to bob dylan those two and the beatles and leadbelly should get credit for all music after them because they started it

i think that he is my favorite artist of all time

he is now!! he definitely deserves a high ranking!! amazing artist!!

Paul Anka wrote My Way and he sings it better than Sinatra did, Sinatra was just better looking.

JUST NEVER RATED THAT MAN A S SINGER.DOES NOTHING FOR ME AT ALL

The Bee Gees was a totally awesome group. They produced beautiful music and were the altimate performers onstage. They were clean cut and sexy at the same time. All this from 3 little boys who started out because they wanted to help support their family. They continue to make me smile and sing everytime I hear their music. Thanks, Mrs. Gibb...your boys did well.

Wow, this is as high as they got? In the 70's, they had so many songs on the top 50 *at the same time*, they had to start writing songs for other artists, and many of those songs went on to the top 50. These guys were awesome. RIP Maurice and Robin (and their little brother Andy).

35 years of music. What more do you want!!!

how could this master of tone drop down the list so hard & so fast? you should all be ashamed

awesome

Why is this guy not higher!? Commplete legend!

I just called to say I love you

#74?...shame.

he was AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! XD :)

hendrix brought the world to the guitar and expanded our minds

jimi hendrix had a kick as guitar playing

Number one ! I seen concerts that the band had back in the days and I was shocked at how big their crowds were its insane ! They sang all the Rick classics like we will rock youh and under pressure . Love them

Queen in my opinion is the 3rd greatest behind only Pink Floyd and the beatles

I think Queen should have a much higher rating. Not only was Freddy Mercury a musical genius, but the band could seriously play from any genre. They understood what they were capable of much more than most bands, and when they crossed a genre they took all of their fans with them to something new. That is virtually impossible to accomplish in modern music. In a world where bands conform to an image, Queen didn't. Because the music was so elite, they could be whatever they wanted. No band could get away with what Queen pulled off these days. No band could get away with what Queen pulled off those days, either. They brought real honest to god technical, intentioned music to the table under the guise of rock and roll.

should be in top 10.

Queen should be AT LEAST TOP 10!!!

They should be on the top!!!!!!!!

wtf why the hell isnt queen in the top ten, they had so many good songs like Bohemian rhapsody and Dont stop me now

Queen should be #1! This is so wrong!

WOW! queen 106 this is a shock top ten definately... Queen have the best front man, performer amd singer of all time freddie merury and ofcourse brian may the most unique guitarist c'mon something needs to be changed here i mean hello

OMG R U KIDDING ME THESE GUYS R THE BEST WUTR U TALKING ABOUT?!? BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, YOU'RE MY BEST FRIEND, WE R THE CHAMPIONS. SERIOUSLY? #1!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

they should be top 10!!

Like I said with Muse, these should be far higher than some of the bands here :P

the band like always still rockkkks ..

First three albums were good but then it went horribly wrong with the sad death of Cliff Burton. The band got gradually worse after that.

Legends of our time. They will still move up these ranks. Should end in top 20.....

The Legend should be on first place!

No way in hell Metallica's this low..

Metallica revolutionized Thrash Metal, people say there sell-outs for the "Load of ****" era, I just think it was there way of reaching out to every music lover. From there first Demo (Power Metal Demo) to there last live Performance, Metallica still reigns the greatest metal band of all time.

^ Thank you. 2nd most over-rated band, just after The Beatles. Although The Beatles are definitely more deserving of their hype. I can admit that even though I don't particularly like them.

a couple that should be ranked above the stones 1. bob marley 2. stevie ray vahn 3. john coltrane 4.thelonious monk 5. ray charles 6. marvin gaye just a few

You are so right,infact John Lennon was better too!

McCartney is better.

The first album is bad but after that they got good, Freaky Styley was decent, then after that they were awesome - Uplift Mofo Party Plan, Mother's Milk, Blood Sugar Sex Majik, One Hot Minute - all great albums, and they were one of the best live acts around at that time. One Hot Minute was their last great album. Californication was just OK, By The Way was pretty bad and Stadium Arcadium was pathetic. Their live shows are pretty stale nowadays. I've pretty much given up on them now.

88 you have got to be kiddin me!

Best Rock Band Ever

30? What ?

Oh, yeah, they definitely do rock, and most of their songs they wrote themselves, in fairness. It's just that there are a few times - the famous Stairway to Heaven intro, for example - where they blatantly lifted parts from other people's songs, and gave them no credit. Having said that, it could be argued that Led Zeppelin did a better job than the original artists with most, if not all, of the material.

Maybe there was a little borrowing here and there. They still ROCK tho, amirite?

I do quite like a bit of Led Zeppelin, but they were notorious plagiarists, so many of their most well known songs were 'borrowed' in parts (in one case, pretty much an entire song - Dazed and Confused). It is for that reason that I say they do not deserve to be regarded as the #1 rock band, or even close to #1. Yes, I'm well aware that other famous bands plagiarised quite a lot (Deep Purple and Metallica are some famous examples), but Led Zeppelin did it so often that I think it's completely unfair that they are praised so highly. And just think of all the money they made from these songs, while the bands they stole from drifted into obscurity. So unfair. :(

led zeppelin for ever! founding fathers of heavy metal. i like how you scroll down the page and find all these lame pop bands... its almost if they included them to show how far behind they are

Led Zeppelin are the greatest musicians ever because first of all they had the greatest drummer ever (Bonham), the greatest guitarist ever (Page), one of the greatest singers ever (Plant), one of the greatest bassists ever (JPJ), one of the greatest songwriters ever (Page), and one of the greatest multi-instrumentalists ever (JPJ). They practically created hard rock (Achilles Last Stand) and were experts in the blues style of playing (since I've been loving you). They also had the ability to create some of the most beautiful songs ever (watch the Rain Song live or Stairway to Heaven). Stairway to Heaven has been rated the greatest song of all time many times and many other songs of theirs are on these lists too. Page is a huge inspiration for me on the guitar and Bonham on the drums. This is why I believe Zeppelin should be #1. Thnxs

best band ever. page is such an inspiration!

My fiance always tells me Robert Plant is the only man he would ever go gay for. I don't blame him.

Greatest musicians ever. Don't understand why they aren't on the top.

JIMMY PAGE IS GOD! I am his diciple. There is no such thing as better then Zeppelin. R.I.P. John Bonham.

Should be further up. the greatest and first band to basically make heavy metal alive.

Led Zeppelin is #1

definitely the best rock band

abba should be so much higher in this list.at least top 20.

ABBA is #4. After The Beatles, Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson.

ABBA have sold over 360 million records and have their own musical MAMMA MIA!! How can they be at number 78! They should at least be in the Top 50!!

One of few singers that can honestly said to possess perfect pitch.

Voice like velvet. Underrated as a pianist. One of the pioneers of the drumless trio.

His songs brought social issues to the forefront of society

A great great artist!!! greatest songwriter of the 20th century...should be higher

Bob Dylan deserves a much higher rating for the influence he has had on many other great groups/artists, let alone his amazing talent for writing and playing.

No. Having good lyrics makes you a good lyricist.

Sorry, but yes good lyrics does make you a good musician, especially when he also plays instruments extremely well. Do your research - the man is an inspiration

Having good lyrics does not make you a good musician. End of story.

I don't think he's 14th for music, because it's his lyrics that are really amazing.

Dylan should be just below the Beatles in this list, not down in 17th!

Yes, it's more 'words' for Bob Dylan. I'd say he's the second greatest songwriter, John Lennon just overtakes him.

Dylan should be rated higher. Yes you have to listen to his words, otherwise forget it.

he is an intereting writer of lyrics, but his whiny voice and tinny songs aren't much chop

he sure rocks in his old age

oh yah for sure. i saw him in 08 and you can tell he's gettin old but hes still rockin it

Amazing artist and Songwriter for sure!!!

Ray charles should be in the top 5 he is the only musician that is in the R&B , rock and roll, jazz, gospel, and country. He has played music with countless other great artists because they know how amazing his talent was Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. I don't know if Ray was the architect of rock & roll, but he was certainly the first guy to do a lot of things . . . Who the hell ever put so many styles together and made it work?" he had 76 top 100 singles made more than 75 albums he played over 200 shows a years into his 70s. We started calling him that simply because we genuinely thought of him as a genius," said Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. Quincy Jones said "Ray Charles is the only artist that has a musical range of 360 degrees" think about the people who consider him a genius only some of the greatest musicial minds not some 15 year old teenie bopper

the fact that you put ray charles on 55th place shows that you know as much about music as my 6 year old knows about quantum physics

1812 overture . Give me 1 song that is more epic than this masterpiece.Top 5 Is where tchaikovsky belongs. That is not even an opinion that is fact

SMiLE is brilliant. Artful, beautiful, just... wow.

B wilson is a genious and used tons of cords at a time it wasnt done. Pet sounds is one of the best albums of all time. Just ask the professional critics.

their songs are great (and catchy btw)

THE BEACH BOYS SHOULD BE IN THE THE TOP 20! Have any of these people heard of the album "Pet Sounds"!? This is one of the greatest ever bands to grace the earth with the genius Brian Wilson and they stand at number 87! Some of these voters are soo deaf and stupid!

The Beach Boys had "catchy" songs. Catchy doesn't mean good. They are not really great musicians. WAY too high on this list.

Should at least be in the top ten

Im sorry what about the man who basically did everything for any blues genre in Robert Johnson. His chops were unmatched and half of all blues songs are RJ originals

no comments.....meh i bet no one even know who he is which would be pretty pathetic

not high up enough

His name is not Handel, but Händel!

Handel deserves the third spot.

who fill up this chart? see miles davis comment on you tube . He join the guitar power of hendrix, the dance on stage the moves of mick jagger, the powerfull studio ability of for exemple Burt Bucharach. then other artist express themselves only in one musical gender, prince is a mix of pop. jazz, soul, funk not only in different albums but inside one !! check the difference of style from 1999 to parade then the Masterpiece sighn of the times , lovesexy , diamonds and pearls and their relative live concerts. he produced as well for hundreds groups , he's a sound engineer, he plays nearly everything1 and like Stevie wonder told at NAACP 1996 " one of the important Voices of the Century" ask Bono Vox too! peace edo and wake up!!!

He can play every instrument. Unfortunately popular music is more about image than ability and Prince's image has never really been fashionable. History SHOULD (and hopefully will) look kindly upon him.

i think...in time...prince will be regarded as one of the true greats of 20th century music...as a musician...no one comes close to his ability...the songs he wrote will be forever regarded as some of the greatest of the century...purple rain..when doves cry...1999...little red corvette..nothing compares 2 u...kiss...all classics...his albums define the 1980s like no-one else..dirty mind...1999..purple rain..parade...sign o the times..all groundbreaking albums...as a performer...he was an incredible showman and band leader..just an amazing artist who will be remembered long into the future as one of the greats of the 20th century along with the beatles..

He should be in the top 15 at least. Realise how many prductions he did. His official albums are full of great songs with clear developments en musical experiments. Then look at all the productions he made for so many other artist. The Time, The Family Sheila E. Look at all the great artist he workes with.. from Miles Davis to Joe Cocker, Alicia Keys etc... He most certainly is off great influence to pop and funk music to date still. I rank him right after the beatles....

great he is the best

this is a king,producer,composer,songwriter, dancer,jeck out live perfomances at 80s-90s, multi instrumental player,and one of the greatest gutarist player after jimi hendrix,santana,page, also one of the best bass player(when doves cry) proves why. His teachers are jimi ,joni sly,miles,carlos,james, elvis,john,paul,george,(i love ringo but not him) And if you want to know the best artist of all time are the beatles,dylan jimi,marvin,stevie,doors, brown,bowie,stones,floyd,beach boys,velvet underground,elvis,joni,miles,coltraine,duke,ozzy,nirvana,raidiohead,mj,sex pistoles,clash,fleetwood mac,puplic enemy,and prine. They all make great album in history.

Greatest rock band of all time.

dont you mean The Orb?

They should be higher !!!! And also Gilmour songs, without Pink Floyd are great :) Wish You Were Here, High Hopes, Comfortably Numb, Another Brick In The Wall, Coming Back To Live, Shine On Your Crazy Diamond and Lost For Words are the best I'm Polish and I do not know English well. There may be errors, so sorry :)

WTF, how are they behind Genesis, Rush, Yes, Hendrix, Rolling Stones, AND Elvis. What's wrong with the world?

Pink Floyd is the greatest band of all time. From there work with syd Barrett to poles apart they have proved that they can create masterful epics, rock symphonies, rock operas, great albums, and everything in between. There lyrics were about real world problems. Politics, schooling, mental walls, insanity, nd just about everything else. This proves that pink Floyd is the greatest band to ever walk the earth.

amazing band just listen to shine on.

this is quite unfair they got to be in the first ten

Pink Floyd is the best!!!!!

Only 1st place .No one rocks harder than mozart :P.

ac/dc is the best metal band hands down!

BACK IN BLACK!

where did all the points go? ac/dc had loads yesterday

Whoa! Take it easy, dude. Think about it, 42nd is pretty good for a list where Mozart is 1st! Frickin' MOZART! Now sing with me, It'll make you feel better :) - Thun! Der! Struck! Da! Dada! Da! Da! Thunderstruck! Yeeeah! Yeah! Yeah!

why is it soooo low!! it should be on top!

Chuck Berry is the God of classic rock n roll and he by himself blows todays music out of the water

Truly one of the most talented persons ever to write music. He made magnificent music with genesis, and solo career, so why is he so low at the list.

BEAUTIFUL SINGER ONE OF THE BEAST. GROOVY KIND OF LOVE, THEY DONT WRITE THEM LIKE THAT ANYMORE

YES a jazz legend. He made people famous. But where is Duke Ellington?????

I count 17 people or bands ranked higher that Miles wouldn't let on his stage.

nah the police are slightly better

He should be ranked higher. He was a very influential musician. Every note he played sounded right.

are u kidding me? hes def in top 20 if not higher

Piano Legend "The Entertainer" - Fantastic Artist!

Overrated and milked to excess. While musically different, they didn't contribute much to change the face of music. And it wasn't poetry, it was the ramblings of a raging alcoholic.

Wow, I never realized the Doors were still so popular! The Doors in the top 10, Led Zeppelin not even in the top 20 - just the way it should be. There are some bizarre inclusions, a quick scan of the list reveals many pop acts that are too high such as Prince, Madonna, etc. and the occasional one hit wonders such as Foreigner, other than this I like the list - many great acts along with some that I have never heard of and will have to check out at some point.

Greatest Band ever. A mixture of poetry and music. A band that played to make music and not just money. Revolutionary

The greatest band of all times. Only six studio albums, only on the world scene for 5 years, yet just as revered as bands around two to three times as long with several more albums produced.

He is the BOSS! Bruce should be much higher on this list.

They don't call him the boss for nothing. He writes about ordinary things and ordinary people in an extraordinary way. Really listen to his music and experience one of his concert but until then you cant ever call him overrated.

the fact that you said he is overrated probably means you have only listen to born in the USA or have no idea what great music is. The man is a musical genius.

he is overrated, only because he screamed born in the USA he has got so many votes, I think

no. 32 now, much too high, overrated, on my list he is 786

no. 85. Seriously. What sort of list is this anyway?

Best of Mozart + Best of Beethoven = Schubert's 5th.

umm higher!! his music is amazingg! i love playing it!!!

Should be in the Top 10!!!

And all you fellow Rockers, Rocknrollers and Modrockers out there, don't forget that the piano is a percussion instrument (like the drums) and Mr. Joel kicks butt on the piano. 'It's Still Rock 'n' Roll To Me', 'We Didn't Start the Fire', 'Only the Good Die Young'... all wonderful songs that are actually Rock.

U2 is the Best band in the world. They have won some many awards and has selled so many album's it's crazy. BONO IS AWESOME!

CANT STAND THAT BONO. AND A VERY ORDINARY SINGER. BUT OVERALL A DECENT BAND

U2 legendary irish rock band won 22 grammy awards more than jonny cash, sting, the beatles, eric clapton, prince, frank sinatra, madonna, david bowie, the rolling stones, pink floyd, bob dylan. and the same as stevie wonder. only three individuals have received more.

Welcome to theHotel California!

The Eagles are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1971 by Glenn Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner.With five number one singles and six number one albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful recording artists of the 1970s.

Genises should definately be top 30. Phil Collins is a great song writer and a great drummer.

What the . . . ? How on earth did Genesis get so low, they were right near the top last week, what happened?

Genesis should have been called geniuses have never heard a boring song even if they were 10 min long

Kurt Cobain was a musical genius and with the help of Krist and the powerful drummer dave they managed to gain great succes, and to all of you who say only one good song, I bet you havent even listen to any other songs, Pennyroyal Tea, Rape Me, In Bloom, About A Girl, Drain You just to mention a few.

I think that Nirvana should be higher on the list.!They changed music and are the basis for most of the rock/grunge artists of today, they defined the 90's and created grunge. How many of the higher ranked artists can say that they literally changed music? There is obviously some extremely talented musicians who will never be duplicated, except many of them just have the talent and the hits, not the lasting impact.

the most overratesd band to ever write a good song

They should be about 110 bands higher they are so awesome They only were around for 5 years yet they managed to change music forever Grunge for life

its kurt

Man I'm still mourning the day that Kart pulled the trigger.

best ever

not top but one of greatest 90 bands

VIvaldi is really great. His violin play is extremely great. I love his music. I am really happy i heard his music.

Antonio Lucio Vivaldi (4 March 1678 – 27 or 28 July 1741 ), nicknamed “Il Prete Rosso” (The Red Priest), was a Venetian priest and Baroque music composer as well as a famous violinist. He wrote in excess of 500 concertos plus many operas, overtures, sonatas and sacred vocal works.

Don't insult Barbara. She can walk on water. Goddess!

Woman in love

Remarkably horrible

Great players

Dire Straits is the best band in the world!!

Mark Knopfler is the best musician in my opinion

This guy should be first, hes a genious. And where's chopin?

in the top ten!!!!!! likle prince!!!1

David Bowie is much better then Baetles and he is the best artist in history.

David Bowie is 100 x better then Elvis come on get him above him. In fact get him above every solo artist.

He is really the best artist ever!

Legendary

Sorry try Nirvana kid

best band of 90th

why the hell is norah jones so high up at 39?! she should be like 258 or something like that! WAY TOO MUCH OVERRATED!!

Early Morning Rain, Tom Dooley... fantastic stuff!

Hot August Night!

#64 is not bad at all. great artist

Why is he so low on the list? This entire site is bogus. Many mentioned above did not write their own songs, had no grasp of music as a theory, just because they sold records to a bunch of teens they are top artist? wow.

without a doubt the greatest musician the world has ever or will ever seen. anyone who disagrees just doesnt understand the music.

Im prouf that he is in the top 100.. but for me. bon jovi should be within the top 10

Bon Jovi is great to see in concert 2 thumbs ups!! Bon Jovi should be in top 40 not in the 60s....

Bon Jovi @154 Stop reading this article from there.

A change is gonna come, Wonderful world.... an amazing artist...

where is Henry Mancini? John Williams is plagiarist

John Williams was the Film composer for Star wars, ET, Superman, Shindelers list, Indiana Jones, Jarassic Park, Patriot, Fiddeler on the roof, and Saving Private Ryan to name a few

why is she ranked 72th? She should be way up!

Whitney is shld b ranked top on d list may b second to Michael Jackson. She was legendary

She's a legend. The Diva of all divas. There's nobody that could touch her in whwtever stage her voice was. The best, second to no one.

She was great before Bobby Brown.

Yes they are way too low, they should in top 80 at least... Half of these names I haven't heard of

Scorpions are the best rock band of all time. modern bands like linkin park dont even compare to them. awesome those german guys are

That was the world record at the time (1988) but it was broken a couple of years later. In fact, quite a few artists have played to larger paying audiences: Metallica, The Rolling Stones, A-Ha, Paul McCartney, Rush, Hendrix, Pantera, AC/DC, and so on... It's an impressive statistic nonetheless.

She has sold the most concert tickets of any solo performer of all time! She has won eight grammy's! And holds the record for playing in front of the largest paying audience of 184,000 people!

The Who does not belong at 92! They belong in at least the top 50. They're one of the greatest artists of all time, way above Bon Jovi and this other stuff!

you have got to be kidding me. In what universe is rush better than the who??

WHAT!? 110!!! they belong so much better than that

How come this band is so low. Thay have influenced so many Rock band. and were way ahead of there time.

Easily my favorite singer. Should be much higher, IMHO.

icon, female Michael Jackson

i hate you my queen.you are nr 400

i love you my queen.you are nr 1

you gotta roll with it

wow what and idiotic thing to say..... the description. greatest artist ever

Everyone knows him for his odd behaviour, humour and smutty lyrics but it's all a front for amazing musicianship. One of the greatest underrated guitarists of all time and a damn fine composer too.

The greatest composer of the last 50 years.

Easily one of the top 5 best guitarists ever. This guy is the figurehead, the trademark, of gypsy jazz.

Well... his third/fourth fingers on his left hand were partially paralysed, any other guitarists out there would have given up, Django got better

Black sabbath should be higher up

black sabbath is awesome !!!

Must respond to the previous poster. Buddy said, "Without Elvis none of us would have made it." He meant not only because Elvis opened the door for country and rockabilly where no door previously existed, but also Buddy literally followed Elvis around listening to him on the back of trucks in parking lots, and absorbing his sound..he learned Rockabilly from Elvis. Elvis was by far the greatest innovator of the Rockabilly genre, and of course the leading pioneer of Rock n Roll. Hey you got me going...you just had to bring up Elvis!

Buddy Holly is better than Elvis in my opinion. 53rd is an insult to all his incredible music. If he had lived through the 60's, I reckon Holly would be top 5

Just so you know, it's not me that's doing it, I've even given him points recently. It is unrealistic for him to be so low. Yes, I expect you have annoyed quite a few people, hence the low ranking.

Howcome he's so low when The Eagles are 94th? He put them there. Looks like somebody has a grudge or something?

Front man for The Eagles.

rush should in no doubt be at least in the top 50 not anywhere near 98 they have at one time the best freakin drummer alive

I'm a fan of Rush but I disagree that their theatrical albums are as good as Pink Floyd's. Pink Floyd came before them yet dark side of the moon and the wall are leagues ahead of 2112.

I totally agree. They generally don't get the respect they deserve either. Think about how many five piece bands can't even come close to the music that these three guys create. And their theatrical albums that they produced such as 2112 are right up there with the theatrical albums of The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

Rush is probably one of the most positive bands we've had in decades. Their lyrics are truly uplifting and the music is upbeat, high energy rock! Rush should be in the top 20 for sure.

maynard james is number one to my deff ears

Only one band beats them and that is the Beatles. Tool should only be below the Beatles, some classical composers and a couple of modern solo artists. It is ludicrous for them to be so far down.

Most people hate tool first time they listen but after a week listening to it , they just LOVE it , just like me ! They are #5 Best Rock bands Ever

the complexity and artistry that this band produces is just beyond any other band I know. They incorporate mathematical theory and formulas into the music, write beats in 17 or 21 instead of the common 4. The artistry of their music videos is like no other, and all of this is done with no managers or directors of people writing lyrics or music or beats their raw and natural. The more you learn about them and the band members the more you enjoy them and their music.

It's true that a lot of people hate TOOL. I say just listen to the albums a few times, especially their later albums because they get better as they go on. They're an album band more than a song band, if that makes sense. I hated them at first but this music really grows on you. I think they might be the greatest band of all time, the only thing holding them back from that is that they don't have that many albums.

What do you mean all their songs sound the same? Where are your ears, man? And Tool just lost another 100 points! What's with all this Tool hate lately? Tool are a great band, they make beautiful music. I don't get it.

OK, they're an important band, fine, I don't think many would disagree with that, BUT twenty years really isn't that long, my friend. Top thirty is probably about right. Top ten is too much.

Easily the most important band of the last 20 years.

How is Tool not higher up? One of the most talented group of artists around today.