Have Your Say On The Greatest Artists Of All Time (And Otherwise)

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Last week’s reveal of the list of VH1′s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time (to be counted down on air starting Monday, September 6 at 10/9c) caused plenty of chatter and dissent regarding rankings and omission. Hit back with your own opinion via our 100 Greatest Artists Rally Machine, which allows you to vote for and rank not just your favorite artists of all-time, but your favorites of hard rock, hip-hop, the ’80s, the ’90s and today. Hit the site, sign in with your Twitter or Facebook account and start projecting your digital voice today. Additionally, you can submit a unique message in their Tweet or Facebook post – we’ll be watching and we may retweet and the best messages may end up on the VH1 homepage.

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100 Greatest Artists Rally Machine
Read our full list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time
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This entry was posted on Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 at 12:44 pm

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190 responses to to Have Your Say On The Greatest Artists Of All Time (And Otherwise)

Jennifer September 14, 2010 at 11:13 am

The beatles! At number one, I dont think so. I am not denying the beatles their greatness but Michael Jackson is number 1 without a doubt. I would like to know what the criteria is for “greatest artist”.

Terri September 14, 2010 at 3:07 pm

Michael Jackson is and always will be #1. Singer, song writer, dancer, humanatarian, just plain and simple a musical genious. According to those who knew him best he was the kindest, generous to a fault, loving, truly caring and trusting human being. He was also vilified and demonized in the media. Why? Because mindless robots in our society eat that stuff up and the ratings mean more than a man’s life. You know it’s all about the Benjamins. The medialoids know the robots are too lazy to verify whether what they are being told the truth or not. Pedophile? No. Found not guilty in a court of law? Yes. Wrongfully accused in the past? Yes. Research it people!

Ruth September 14, 2010 at 10:47 pm

George Michael higher than The Bee Gees? Really? The Bee Gees at #88? Really?! The Bee Gees have sold over 200 million records and singles worldwide. At least 2,500 artists have recorded their songs. #88?

kristin September 15, 2010 at 12:39 am

elliott smith is by far the greatest artist of all time

kristin September 15, 2010 at 12:41 am

elliott smith is by far the greatest artist of all time and depeche mode should have been way higher than 98. and joy division should have been on this list

Kent September 15, 2010 at 5:12 pm

The Beatles have stood well against the test of time, far more than MJ. No offense, but The Beatles stood popular throughout the decades after they broke up. The Beatles have the greatest partnership in Paul and John, the ability to create some of the most memorable music with the limited technology, they are the best-selling artists of all time with over a billion and counting, and their influence has stretched across the world and through future artists. They even made a top five hit in the ninties with Free as a Bird, one of their two last songs recorded together (though John died a decade earlier). The Beatles deserve to stay number one because without them, Michael Jackson would not have been there along with them and Elvis.

Petey September 15, 2010 at 6:17 pm

top 100 “artists”… i assume that means all genres… and Johnny Cash (awesome) is the only country artist that made the list? wtf nobody at vh1 has ever heard of Garth Brooks?… or Brooks and Dunn?… Reba McIntyre?… just to name a few. Really?!

Rhonda September 15, 2010 at 10:53 pm

Prince should’ve been in the top 5, but at least he was close and above Elvis. There are definitely some artists missing (Jackson 5, Donna Summer, Bon Jovi, Pat Benatar, etc.) but only one that I’m shocked not to see in the top 100: Christina Aguilera!

Larry September 15, 2010 at 11:48 pm

Huge mistakes;

Smokey
Temptations
Cher
Janet
Santana
Dr. Dre
Smashing Pumpkins
Usher
Wheres The respect for Country Music at all?

vero096 September 16, 2010 at 3:46 am

If you Can’t come up with women artists here are a few, Dolly Parton(singer ,songwriter),Patsy Cline,Bette Middler, Barbra Striesand,Diana Ross,Celine Dion, & CHER!!!
Other Horrible Omissions: ZZ top, Carlos Santana, Luther Vandross, Frank Sinatra, Barry Manilo, Barry White,The Temptations,Paul Simon & the great Sam Cooke.
I call this some serious star power!!!!!!

terry langkammer September 16, 2010 at 4:45 pm

100 GREATEST ARTISTS of all time.Where the hell was FRANK ZAPPA?I will put his genius,creativity and talent over most of the artists on that list any day.

Lexi September 17, 2010 at 2:26 am

Are you deaf? How do you not include artists such as:
Eric Clapton
Traffic/Steve Winwood
Quincy Jones
The Allman Brothers Band
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Santana
Grateful Dead
John Lee Hooker
Dave Matthews Band
Frank Sinatra
The Temptations
Traveling Wilburys
Deep Purple
Buddy Guy
BB King
Jeff Beck
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young

Most of the bands you listed towards the end, but what about the bands you forgot that were the foundation of bands around today? They can’t be left behind- it’s an outrage. Do you really expect me to listen to Whitney Houston over the Allman Brothers? Mariah Carey over Santana? We need to educate our children with good music, NOT sellouts.

matthew September 23, 2010 at 12:31 am

ray charles 43 and stevie wonder 10th? seriously. stevie ain’t fit to tie ray’s shoes, or strap them if they were velcro. respect to jay z but he is not better than biggie. and no rapper has been as real and relative to people like 2pac. 2 pac was a revolutionary. how is it john lennon is on there twice( himself and with the beatles) and not ozzy. and where are the country artists? garth brooks, george strait, george jones. hank williams sr bridged the gap between rock, country, and the blues. he’s in the country music hall of fame and the rock and roll hall of fame and not on your list. is he not new sounding enough? he’s too old school right. how about jerry lee lewis, he was puttin his leg on pianos and lighting them on fire when little richard was making peeps
i got hard feelings over this

matthew September 23, 2010 at 1:08 am

hank williams sr, left off the list, why because he’s too old sounding. he bridged a gap between country, rock, and the blues. he’s in the country music and rock and roll hall of fame. ray charles is 43 and stevie wonder 10th? how about jerry lee lewis, he was setting pianos on fire while little richard first stretched his leg on one. nothing taken away from little richard though. 2pac was a voice for an entire people yet he was 69th. eminem won an oscar and he is 79th, did the clash win an oscar?

Dylan September 23, 2010 at 8:02 pm

A top 100 Artist of all time????? Where are the Eagles – Hotel California sold as many albums as Dark Side of the Moon… if not more. Where is Dave Matthews Band and more so Where the Hell is the Grateful Dead…. This list is BS all the way.

YNVNE1 September 24, 2010 at 12:40 pm

Beatles obvious #1, glad to see Zep #3, Pink Floyd, AC DC, and Queen should have been higher. Does any one remember Uriah Heep? Don’t recall if they were even listed.

Glenn Lee September 28, 2010 at 10:02 pm

I watched the show and actually enjoyed it. There were many “one hit wonders” that made the list. But there is one group not on the list that defies any reason. The Eagles…. One of the biggest selling, successful rock groups of the 70′s, 80′s, 90′s and still selling out stadium concerts today. When you look at the bottom 75 of the groups on the list, I defy you to find even one that is bigger (or in my opinion) better than the Eagles. Could someone explain this?

Kathy October 1, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Was Fleetwood Mac added to the list, because if not, they should be. Their songwriting skills were amazing! And for those tho think “The Beatles” should not be on top, what the freak is wrong with you? They shaped rock & roll even more than Elvis. They paid homage to Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison & all of the pioneers of early Rock & Roll in their music & then took it one step further. They are TRUE LEGENDS! Not like no-talented Lady Gaga, Justin Beaver or Katie Perry. They aren’t fit to wipe their boots!

Joe October 18, 2010 at 4:56 pm

I agree with the top 5. Maybe they are the most important bands/singers of there era. Some of the other list is awful. Where are THE CARS, INXS, SANTANA, FRANK SINATRA, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS, AND SIMON & GARFUNKEL… WTF THE CARS did not make it.. WOW who voted and what the hell do they listen to.

james October 23, 2010 at 7:57 pm

why was Cher not on the list of the greatest artists of all time

Guest3984367555833 October 24, 2010 at 7:42 pm

Where in the FREE WORLD are Garth Brooks, The Eagles, Willie Nelson, ZZ Top, George Jones, Frank Sinatra, BB King, Aretha Franklin, Hank Williams, Eric Clapton, Kenny G, George Strait, Lynyrd Skynrd, George Jones, Jimmy Buffett, ABBA, Perry Como and Patsy Cline?

Stephanie December 4, 2010 at 8:07 pm

I can’t belive Brett Michaels wore his own stupid shirt when he hosted 100 greatest rock songs…..

Yeshwin December 9, 2010 at 12:53 pm

I am not a fan of Michael Jackson but he is the greatest music artist of all time(Not Beatles)

don johnson December 30, 2010 at 10:07 pm

I loved the top 100 greatest performers/artists of all time. I grew up in the 60/70s so knew of most of them. It was fun to watch and listen to. with one exception; PRINCE at #7 is just sick.

Moses January 1, 2011 at 5:59 pm

How do you leave off

1. Janet Jackson
2. B.B. King
3. Frank Sinatra
4. TLC
5. Jackson 5
6. The Temptations
7. Diana Ross and the Supremes
8. Santana
9. Red Hot Chili Peppers
10. Luther Vandross
11. Cher

All time groups/singers should reach ALL people black, white, brown etc.

Moses January 1, 2011 at 6:02 pm

I also forgot to mention Lionel Ritchie! Boyz II Men?

Michael January 8, 2011 at 7:08 am

1. The Beatles
2. Bob Dylan
3. Dolly Parton
4. Jeff Buckley
5. Elton John
6. Bruce Springsteen
7. Johnny Cash
8. Michael Jackson
9. Aretha Franklin
10. The Dixie Chicks

amalia in ca January 9, 2011 at 1:25 am

I”m shocked too, where is The Eagles, Santana, and common Justin Timberlake, Beyonce, over The Bee Gees and Journey are you nots, thats not real

claire February 3, 2011 at 11:12 pm

they needed to include the white stripes

Don February 11, 2011 at 11:07 pm

The Moody Blues NOT in the top 100…….takes away alot of the credability of this list!!!!

Christian March 16, 2011 at 5:51 pm

Sublime is by far the best of all time I mean they did so much in the short time they had if Brad had not overdosed they would definitely secure themselves as one of the best.

Chris March 27, 2011 at 8:48 pm

How does Justin Timberlake even make this list?? Even worse is that he was 66 and Tupac was 69! Tupac is my #1!!

Alfred Hussein April 14, 2011 at 7:05 pm

Bob Marley? Anywhere above #50 is just politics. He never had a huge following in the US when he was alive, his 17 albums didn’t do as well as most artists in the US and still the average person could name three songs he performed, much less remember the tune.

2544439 April 16, 2011 at 6:27 pm

What a lovely day for a 2544439! SCK was here

Andy April 25, 2011 at 6:09 pm

Where is Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rolling Stone magazine put him at #7 on the 100 greatest guitarist of all time.

Paula May 13, 2011 at 11:18 pm

Absolutely The Beatles, right on #1..but Prince? I love him but as far as the greatest, Steve Wonder and James Brown should have definitely been ahead of Prince. And I give props to Marley, but he was so strickly reggae, I agree with the person on Country Music representation, for that matter, many other genres of music and the Bee Gees very definitely should have been higher than #88??!! Yeah, loved the show but who rated this, very bias and misguided if you are looking at the variety of “Greatest of all Time”, rethink your title next time!

cesar June 29, 2011 at 5:17 pm

what the hell are hip hop artist doing in this list they are so untalented the real music is metal rock michael jacksons pop soul regae folk and classical why did god made todays gay pop gay rap and gay hip hop todays ugly music

Sierra January 20, 2012 at 9:02 pm

Where the hell are the Red Hot Chili Peppers on this list. Who the hell’s voting. They should be at least in the top 5.

Sierra January 20, 2012 at 9:05 pm

Cesar , I am totally with you, I think the 100 Greatest artists of all time should be reserved for Rock only because it actually has real meaning to it and also where are the Foo Fighters?

CMB23 February 2, 2012 at 7:39 pm

Top three should read:
1. The Beatles/Elvis Presley
2. The Beatles/Elvis Presley
3. Michael Jackson