1 Deep Purple
Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple,... read more I'm honestly surprised they weren't on it. They were super influential to heavy metal. Pixies should have been on the list too.
2 Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential of all composers. His best-known compositions include 9 symphonies, 5 piano concertos, 1 violin concerto,... read more The title says ALL TIME. Not the past century - ALL TIME. Beethoven should have been first on the list, or at the lowest, second below Mozart. Those two are the greatest, and no one on that list comes close.
The greatest classical composer of all time, the one who started it all, doesn't even get a mention on Rolling Stone's list. This shows just how disastrous their original list was.
The greatest musician of all time, bar none. All classical musicians should be high on the list.
3 Rush
Rush was a Canadian progressive rock band that was formed in 1968. The band has had an iconic lineup since 1975, which included Neil Peart (Drums, Percussion), Geddy Lee (Vocals, Bass, Keyboards), and the guitarist, Alex Lifeson. Peart passed away after a 3 year battle with brain cancer in January of... read more
4 Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English Heavy Metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The most critically acclaimed period for the band was from 1983-1989. With vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, lead guitarist Dave Murray, rhythm guitarist Adrian... read more The pioneers of metal didn't get a mention on Rolling Stone's list. Also, note that Metallica was the only metal band featured on Rolling Stone's list.
5 Paul McCartney
Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame with the rock band the Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop and rock... read more The Beatle who had the most successful solo career in the post-Beatles era was ejected from the list. Meanwhile, John Lennon, whose solo career was fairly lackluster with a few exceptions like "Imagine," somehow made it onto Rolling Stone's list.
6 ABBA
ABBA are a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
7 Judas Priest
Judas Priest are a British heavy metal band that formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are often referred to as one of the greatest metal bands of all time, and are even commonly called “The Metal Gods”, after one of the songs on their 1980 album “British Steel”... read more
8 Green Day
Green Day are an American pop punk/punk rock band formed in East Bay, California in 1987. The members include Billie Joe Armstrong (vocals and guitar), Mike Dirnt (bass), Tré Cool (drums) and Jason White (guitar). Green Day are associated with punk rock, pop punk and alternative rock. Some of their... read more
9 Genesis
Genesis was an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey, in 1967. The band's longest-existing and most commercially successful lineup consisted of keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford, and drummer/singer Phil Collins. In the 1970s, during which the band... read more I'm not saying they deserve it, but come on. You cannot include some I respectfully won't name and leave Genesis out. It's a disgrace.
10 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, baptised as Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart, was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era, born in Salzburg. Another classical composer who deserved to be included on Rolling Stone's list. It's sad to see that Rolling Stone completely ignored classical composers and the entire classical genre on their list.
The Contenders
11 Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey, born March 27, 1970, is an American singer, songwriter and actress. She is one of the biggest best-selling women in the music industry, with 18 number 1 records to her name. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and music videos, and she is "well known" for her over-the-top... read more I think she should have been on the list. She is a legend. I went through the entire list, and I did not see her name, but correct me if I'm wrong - I think I saw Black Sabbath's name (place 85).
12 Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty is a Barbadian-American pop singer. Born in Saint Michael and raised in Bridgetown, she first entered the music industry by recording demo tapes under the direction of record producer Evan Rogers in 2003. She ultimately signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings after auditioning... read more Rihanna is an important artist today and has been important since 2005. I really think she deserves to be in the top 100.
13 K.S. Chithra
Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. Chithra also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. Chithra has legendary status today.
14 Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide... read more Although I'm not a fan of his work, he definitely deserved a mention on the list due to the legacy he left in popular music. Considering that Rolling Stone included some unusual, never-heard-before names on that list, Sinatra definitely deserved a place.
15 Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson is a singer and dancer who is well known for her sexually graphic records, iconic performances, and slightly weak voice. She is regarded as a sex symbol through her songs and videos. Janet is an artist with many great hits. She has legendary status today.
16 Robert Johnson
Robert Leroy Johnson was an American blues singer-songwriter and musician. His landmark recordings in 1936 and 1937 display a combination of singing, guitar skills, and songwriting talent that has influenced later generations of musicians... read more
17 Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983.
The band's members are Anthony Kiedis (Vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) and numerous guitarists, most well-known being John Frusciante.
The band is among the... read more
18 Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull are a British rock group, formed in Luton, Bedfordshire, in December 1967. Initially playing blues rock, the band soon developed its sound to incorporate elements of British folk music and hard rock to forge a progressive rock signature.
19 Black Flag
Black Flag was an American punk rock band formed in 1976 in Hermosa Beach, California. Initially called Panic, the band was established by Greg Ginn, the guitarist, primary songwriter, and sole continuous member through multiple personnel changes in the band. They are widely considered to be one of... read more
20 Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande-Butera (born June 26, 1993) is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. Her four-octave vocal range has received critical acclaim, and her personal life has been the subject of widespread media attention. She has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Grammy... read more The song "Rain on Me" with Lady Gaga is huge right now!
21 N.W.A.
N.W.A was an American hip hop group from Compton, CA. They were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, and are widely considered one of the seminal groups in the history of hip hop music. Probably the greatest hip-hop group and the most influential in hip-hop history, N.W.A. was ignored by Rolling Stone.
22 John Lee Hooker
23 Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th century music. I'm not surprised he's not on the original list. Arguably the greatest jazz musician, he doesn't even get a spot on Rolling Stone's list. You might also be surprised to know that Rolling Stone completely avoided the jazz genre on their list.
24 Whitney Houston
Whitney Elizabeth Houston (August 9, 1963 – February 11, 2012) was an American singer, actress, producer, and model. In 2009, Guinness World Records cited her as the most awarded female act of all time. Houston is one of pop music's best-selling music artists of all-time, with an estimated 170–200... read more Arguably the greatest pop star of all time, only beaten by Michael Jackson.
25 Selena
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez was an American singer, songwriter, spokesperson, actress, and fashion designer.