Since the ’60s, Rolling Stone has blended rock and political coverage to fully explore the greater cultural impact of music in real time. Its very name is derived from songs by Muddy Waters and Bob Dylan, so it’s always had a finger on the pulse of who’s influential in the industry. That made it all the more shocking for music lovers when the latest Rolling Stone list of 200 Greatest Singers did not include the legendary Celine Dion.
It was back in 2008 that Rolling Stone first shared its list of 100 Greatest Singers. The voting process originally exclusively consulted famous musicians; since classic rock artists from the ’60s and ’70s were highly favored, this process was changed and took into account votes from staff members and key contributors. So, why is Celine Dion not on this latest Rolling Stone list?
The latest ‘Rolling Stone’ Top 200 list is out and doesn’t include Celine Dion
From Sinatra to SZA, from R&B to salsa to alt-rock — we ranked The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time ⬇️https://t.co/B0yF1VWjNk
— Rolling Stone (@RollingStone) January 2, 2023
Per the outlet’s website, it looks at “originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy.” The latest list, expanded to 200 artists, does not include Dion, which has fans objecting passionately. “Anyone who fails to not only mention Celine Dion, but not include her in Top 5 of greatest singers, has no business writing for a music organization,” one argued. “This list is full of disrespect to artists who can actually sing.”
RELATED: Inside The Decades-Long Relationship Between Celine Dion And Manager René Angélil
Though, Rolling Stone, notes, it’s not just about voice. “keep in mind that this is the Greatest Singers list, not the Greatest Voices List,” the outlet urges. “Talent is impressive; genius is transcendent.” This policy has Dion fans mourning, “Celine Dion was not included on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest singers of all time. Taylor Swift was.”
The accolades speak for themselves
Dear @RollingStone. This is Céline Dion.
Leaving her off your Top 200 Greatest Singers of All Time list has to be an honest and regrettable mistake… because doing it intentionally would be criminal.
So… please fix it. pic.twitter.com/ZyM3YYxYzz
— Bonnie Bernstein (@BonnieBernstein) January 2, 2023
Does Dion qualify for this lofty list of musical masters? The Billboard Hot 100 has put her songs at the very top not once, not twice, but four times. Dion has five Grammy Awards to her name. She’s conquered the world in 1988’s Eurovision Song Contest. With all this in mind, one Dion fan gave Rolling Stone the benefit of the doubt, “Leaving her off your Top 200 Greatest Singers of All Time list has to be an honest and regrettable mistake… because doing it intentionally would be criminal. So… please fix it.”
So, who is on the list? In addition to Taylor Swift, the list includes Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, Patti LaBelle, Alicia Keys, Buddy Holly, Mariah Carey, Sam Cooke, Whitney Houston, and Aretha Franklin at number one.
Who else do you think belongs on this list?
