To mark its 125th anniversary,Billboardmagazine has published a list of the 125 Greatest Artists of All Time.
While few would question the Top 5 names --The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elton John, Mariah Carey and Madonna-- the placement or absence of some artists will probably surprise you..
Missing are such iconic names as The Who, Jefferson Airplane/Starship, Van Morrison, Johnny Cash and The Moody Blues. And Ray Charles at number-118 could be labeled a head-scratcher -- especially compared to Olivia Newton-John coming in at 44.
Though Billboardwas founded in 1894, this list is based on data beginning in August 1958, when the industry-standard Hot 100 singles chart was established. That explains why pre-rock and roll figures such as Frank Sinatra,Bing Crosby and Tommy Dorsey are MIA.
- The Beatles
- The Rolling Stones
- Elton John
- Mariah Carey
- Madonna
- Barbra Streisand
- Michael Jackson
- Taylor Swift
- Stevie Wonder
- Chicago
- Whitney Houston
- Paul McCartney
- Elvis Presley
- Janet Jackson
- Rod Stewart
- Drake
- Prince
- Rihanna
- Billy Joel
- Garth Brooks
- Herb Alpert
- Eminem
- Usher
- Bruce Springsteen
- Neil Diamond