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Greatest Singer Ever: Aretha

Poll of musicians, industry insiders choose Franklin as most worthy of R-E-S-P-E-C-T

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 13, 2008 10:18 AM CST
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(Newser) – Aretha Franklin isn't just the Queen of Soul, she's the greatest singer of all time, according to a new Rolling Stone poll of critics, musicians, and industry leaders. Her heavenly voice is "a gift from God," says Mary J. Blige. "Aretha has everything—the power, the technique," Bilge adds. "When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her."

The rest of the top 10:

  1. Ray Charles.
  2. Elvis Presley
  3. Sam Cooke
  4. John Lennon
  5. Marvin Gaye
  6. Bob Dylan
  7. Otis Redding
  8. Stevie Wonder
  9. James Brown

Aretha Franklin performs at the 2008 MusiCares tribute earlier this year in Los Angeles, where she was honored as the organization's person of the year.
Aretha Franklin performs at the 2008 MusiCares tribute earlier this year in Los Angeles, where she was honored as the organization's person of the year.   (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Aretha Franklin performs at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' held at Radio City Music Hall in 2001.
Aretha Franklin performs at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' held at Radio City Music Hall in 2001.   (Getty Images)
Singer Ray Charles reacts to cheers after singing America The Beautiful prior to Game 5 of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees in this 2001 file photo .
Singer Ray Charles reacts to cheers after singing "America The Beautiful" prior to Game 5 of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees in this 2001 file photo .   (AP Photo/Matt York)
Aretha Franklin performs at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year.
Aretha Franklin performs at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
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Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, voted the two greatest singers of all time in a Rolling Stone poll, sing 'It Takes Two To Tango.'   (bnbsoul)

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Shannonals
Nov 13, 2008 3:39 AM CST
It's the Rolling Stones, exactly what age group do you think reads the RL?
BrittanyM
Nov 12, 2008 10:25 PM CST
Frank Sinatra not only missed the top ten, he didn't even make the top 100! Some "industry leaders"....

The full list, with testimonials from famous singers
Rolling Stone

How the voting worked
Rolling Stone

 
Bob Dylan • Rolling Stone • John Lennon • celebrity • Elvis Presley • Aretha Franklin • singer • James Brown • Stevie Wonder • Sam Cooke • Mary J. Blige • Ray Charles • Marvin Gaye • Otis Redding

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