Anon, I stand corrected re: Eddie Hazel. But the larger point is who on that list is a better guitarist than Michael Hampton, Prince, Ernie Isley, Blackbyrd McKnight, Jimi Hazel, Kendall Jones, John Bingham, and Dr. Know from the Bad Brains?
Which leads into Dave's point about the absence of Chaka Khan, Ronald Isley, and Glen Goins from the list.
The absence of Levi Stubbs makes the list laughable. No surprise coming from Rolling Stone. Hard to say it's about race, though, if you actually look at the list: there are only 3 white people (all dudes) in the top 10. 18 of the top 31 singers are black (insert cheap Michael Jackson joke here). When a publication puts a list together by combining the opinions of almost 200 people, the most obvious choices are all gonna be listed. I don't like the list, but I see how they got where they did. Except for the Levi Stubbs snub.
It's not surprising. We have to remember that a lot of those are either from the generation X era in which many of them were afraid to listen to "black" music or from generations after whose only point of reference is Mariah Carey.
matty, on point about Levi Stubbs. Was Philip Baily or Roberta Flack on this muthafucka? Rick James, Prince, and Teena Marie sang their asses off.
Good point re: racial bias. BUT Chuck Berry or BB King over any of the above and the previously mentioned. I"m gonna propose to ebonyjet we do an alternative list.
Interesting that Mary J Blige "wrote" the blurb about Aretha. Mary J's stylistic point-of-reference has always seemed clearly (to me anyway) to be Chaka Khan. Someone involved in the production of the list probably argued that Chaka's style points to Aretha but I don't think so. As much as Ms Franklin would probably like to think so, all female, Black, R&B/rock/hip hop/soul singers do not necessary derive from her.
But on another note, I scrolled down just far enough to find Steve Perry. His exclusion would have been puzzling too. Stunning voice.
Interesting that Mary J Blige "wrote" the blurb about Aretha. Mary J's stylistic point-of-reference has always seemed clearly (to me anyway) to be Chaka Khan.
Interesting you should say this. Chaka Khan had an album out in 2007 and the best cut was a collaboration with Mary J. Blige. Disrepectful
Their lists are so incredibly biased and incomplete. I recall their 100 greatest guitar players list. No Eddie Hazel. No Ernie Isley. Come on!
ReplyDeleteRolling Stone magazine. Fuck ups regarding black culture are self-explainitory.
ReplyDeleteI am not surprised at all. Disappointed but not surprised.
ReplyDeleteThey igged Ronald Isley as well.
ReplyDeleteEddie Hazel is on their 100 greatest guitar players list. He's #43.
ReplyDeleteAnon, I stand corrected re: Eddie Hazel. But the larger point is who on that list is a better guitarist than Michael Hampton, Prince, Ernie Isley, Blackbyrd McKnight, Jimi Hazel, Kendall Jones, John Bingham, and Dr. Know from the Bad Brains?
ReplyDeleteWhich leads into Dave's point about the absence of Chaka Khan, Ronald Isley, and Glen Goins from the list.
^ Glen!! Hell yes!
ReplyDeleteThe absence of Levi Stubbs makes the list laughable. No surprise coming from Rolling Stone. Hard to say it's about race, though, if you actually look at the list: there are only 3 white people (all dudes) in the top 10. 18 of the top 31 singers are black (insert cheap Michael Jackson joke here). When a publication puts a list together by combining the opinions of almost 200 people, the most obvious choices are all gonna be listed. I don't like the list, but I see how they got where they did. Except for the Levi Stubbs snub.
ReplyDeleteIt's not surprising. We have to remember that a lot of those are either from the generation X era in which many of them were afraid to listen to "black" music or from generations after whose only point of reference is Mariah Carey.
ReplyDeletematty, on point about Levi Stubbs. Was Philip Baily or Roberta Flack on this muthafucka? Rick James, Prince, and Teena Marie sang their asses off.
ReplyDeleteGood point re: racial bias. BUT Chuck Berry or BB King over any of the above and the previously mentioned. I"m gonna propose to ebonyjet we do an alternative list.
I have a baad white singer that was overlooked. Hamish Stuart of the Average White Band.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the black Michael Jackson was one of the all-time artists.
Interesting that Mary J Blige "wrote" the blurb about Aretha. Mary J's stylistic point-of-reference has always seemed clearly (to me anyway) to be Chaka Khan. Someone involved in the production of the list probably argued that Chaka's style points to Aretha but I don't think so. As much as Ms Franklin would probably like to think so, all female, Black, R&B/rock/hip hop/soul singers do not necessary derive from her.
ReplyDeleteBut on another note, I scrolled down just far enough to find Steve Perry. His exclusion would have been puzzling too. Stunning voice.
They igged Ronald Isley as well.
ReplyDeleteWhat, what, WHAT!? Egregious!
I am happy that Prince, Patti Labelle and Al Green made list.
There is no artist with a longer commercially relevant career than Ronald Isley. Period.
ReplyDeleteFrom inspiring the Beatles to collaborating with R. Kelly? What?!
Interesting that Mary J Blige "wrote" the blurb about Aretha. Mary J's stylistic point-of-reference has always seemed clearly (to me anyway) to be Chaka Khan.
ReplyDeleteInteresting you should say this. Chaka Khan had an album out in 2007 and the best cut was a collaboration with Mary J. Blige. Disrepectful