Madonna, Bruno Mars also snubbed by Rolling Stone in its 200 greatest singers list
(From left) Madonna, Celine Dion, and Bruno Mars are among the notable singers who were apparently excluded from Rolling Stone’s ‘200 Greatest Singers of All Time’ list. Images: Instagram/@madonna, Instagram/@celinedion, Instagram/@brunomars
Not only did American magazine Rolling Stone snub Celine Dion from its list of “200 Greatest Singers of All Time’; it also apparently excluded other noteworthy singers in the musical firmament, such as Madonna, Bruno Mars and Dionne Warwick.
A day after the US-based publication sparked outrage with its new year salvo, fans are still coming up with more reasons to spurn its controversial list, and checking it twice or more, insisting that several other artists should have made the cut.
According to Rolling Stone, “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin deserved to be the top pick among the music industry’s greatest, along with Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, Mariah Carey, Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Beyonce, Otis Redding, and Al Green who complete the Top 10 of the 200 greatest singers list.
Dion, however, was apparently not great enough to merit even the 200th spot, sending fans of the Canada-born chanteuse up in arms. Meanwhile, fans of Michael Jackson took exceptions to the fact that the late singer-songwriter did not even make it to the Top 10, and gasp, was even far below the list at 86.
The magazine seemed to take all the censure in stride, and even went so far as defend its list on its official social media accounts.
“Before you start scrolling (and commenting), keep in mind that this is the Greatest Singers list, not the Greatest Voices List. Talent is impressive; genius is transcendent,” Rolling Stone said on its Twitter account.
Before you start scrolling (and commenting), keep in mind that this is the Greatest Singers list, not the Greatest Voices List. Talent is impressive; genius is transcendent.https://t.co/hN41UoRGL7
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 2, 2023
In a separate post on Jan. 3, Rolling Stone also urged fans to vote “on some of its placements” on its official Instagram account.
“Have an opinion on our ‘The Greatest Singers of All Time’ list? Of course you do. Head to @RollingStone’s Instagram Story to vote on some of the list’s placements and see what others think,” the publication’s tweet read.
Have an opinion on our ‘The Greatest Singers of All Time’ list? Of course you do.
Head to @RollingStone‘s Instagram Story to vote on some of the list’s placements and see what others think. https://t.co/IVogoJriRA https://t.co/xXs8r04feZ pic.twitter.com/dMfxTtUvrO
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 2, 2023
Despite this, music fans seemed to not take the publication’s follow-up remarks as they continued to air their dismay on social media.
“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with admitting you f*cked up + adding an addendum — it happens, whatever — but the logic that this is a “singers” list and not a “voices” is a ridiculous justification for omitting Celine Dion,” author Art Tavana said in response to Rolling Stone.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with admitting you fucked up + adding an addendum — it happens, whatever — but the logic that this is a “singers” list and not a “voices” is a ridiculous justification for omitting Celine Dion.
— art tavana (@arttavana) January 2, 2023
A fan going by the username @kasiaxoxo voiced out their disappointment towards Dion’s exclusion from the list.
Honest question: Did an intern forget to include #CelineDion? 200 spots and she didn’t make the cut seems like an error – especially when looking at some of those who are on it 😅
— Kasia (@kasiaxoxo) January 2, 2023
Meanwhile, a certain @Madziajestfajna urged the publication to “apologize to Celine.”
Oh it was definitely on purpose because the outrage is the only way they’d get the clicks. They knew exactly what they were doing. They need to apologize to Celine. Unacceptable.
— Magdalene Rolka (@Madziajestfajna) January 2, 2023
Another fan also criticized Rolling Stone for omitting American pop star Madonna from its list, while placing Michael Jackson on the 86th spot.
What about Celine Dion and Madonna?! I feel like they’ve had huge impacts?
— Jake Cronin (@JakeCronin2) January 2, 2023
“Michael Jackson at 86. Eighty. Six. Delete your account. Destroy your servers. Take all existing magazines out of print. Throw them in a [bonfire]. File for chapter 11. Vacate your office. Demolish the building. Apologize to the world. Repent. Leave the planet for good,” they said.
Michael Jackson at 86.
Eighty. Six.
Delete your account. Destroy your servers. Take all existing magazines out of print. Throw them in a bon fire. File for chapter 11. Vacate your office. Demolish the building. Apologize to the world. Repent. Leave the planet for good.
— Youssef Kobo (@Youssef_Kobo) January 2, 2023
Music publicist Eric Alper, meanwhile, enumerated the singers who were excluded from the magazine’s list.
Other singers not on Rolling Stone’s list of Greatest Singers:
Celine Dion
P!nk
Bruno Mars
Jennifer Hudson
Janet Jackson
Philip Bailey
Pat Benatar
Tony Bennett
Madonna
Nat King Cole
Dionne Warwick
Barry Gibb
Phil Collins
…it’s always good to get people talking about music!— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) January 2, 2023
Twitter user @hannahsonic14 described Rolling Stone as a magazine that is all about “fan’s appeasement” after the apparent snub of Mars. “Rolling Stones’ lists have never been a credible source, it’s for clicks and to create discussion. Them excluding Bruno Mars and discrediting many artists only proves that,” they added.
Know that the Rolling Stones singers list was for fanbase appeasement and to generate outrage. Rolling Stones’ lists have never been a credible source, it’s for clicks and to create discussion. Them excluding Bruno Mars and discrediting many others artists only proves that.
— NAH!!!👑 (@hannahsonic14) January 3, 2023
Dion has yet to address Rolling Stone’s apparent snub on her social media platforms, as of this writing. She recently made headlines after canceling her 2023 shows in Europe and revealing that she has been suffering from a rare neurological disorder called “stiff person syndrome” in December 2022. EDV
