We’ve run a very interesting experiment here at the page. We’ve taken a group of 50 people(18 –early 60’s) and asked them to name every artist that comes to mind that could be labeled a “legend”, “Icon”, “Veteran” or “budding star”(which are our names for the 4 levels we’ve created). We’ve taken their responses and formed a chart that showcases the rank of every artist that was included. From row to row is a division of the status their currently holding or in some cases have ended up with. You’ll find that each row have artist of the same caliber- in no special order. The top row is the highest, of course and the last one is the lowest. A golden rule that’s been applied is that once these artists have reached any status they cannot dip lower than that point. All in all it’s not where you start, but where you end up. This was put together with a few things being considered: sales, impact, relevance and just their overall influence. Did your favorite place where you feel they should? …Keep in mind that some artist is still on their musical journey, while others started one way and ended another unexpectedly. *Note: There’s plenty of great artist missing from the chart (for example Pattie Labelle, Taylor Swift - would be level 3), certainly more deserve to be listed.
Names
Top (left to right): Madonna, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Diana Ross, Tina Turner, Cher, Barbara Streisand, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, Carley Simon, Billie Holiday, Judie Garland, Linda Ronstat, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Bessie Smith, and Etta James.
2nd Row: Beyonce, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Brandy , Pink , Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Toni Braxton , Sade, Stevie Nicks, Lauryn Hill, Anita Baker, Gladys Knight, Dolly Parton, Pat Benatar, Gloria Estefan, Natalie Cole, Shania Twain, Bette Midler, Blondie, Shirley Ceasar, Olivia Newton John, Sheena Easton, Avril Lavigne, Norah Jones.,
3rd Row: Cyndi Lauper, Lady Gaga, Paula Abdul, Rihanna, Aaliyah, Jodie Watley, Alanis Morissette, Cheryl Crow, Monica, Fergie , Gwen Stefani, Nelly Furtado, Erykah Badu, Ciara, ‘Lil Kim, Missy Elliot, Roberta Flack, Keyshia Cole, Shakira, Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Williams, Ashanti, Bjork, Grace Jones, Stephanie Mills, Pebbles, Fantasia
4th Row: Ke$ha, Katty Perry, Christina Milian, Mya, Jojo , Amerie, Kelis, India Aire, Fiona Apple, Shanice, Corrine Bailey Rae, Nicole Schernzinger, Natasha Bedingfield, Cassie, Jordin Sparks, Chrisette Michelle, Natalie Imbruglia, Sheila E., Karyn White, Taylor Dane, Lisa Lisa, Leona Lewis, Jessia Simpson
Do you think this chart is fair? Yes, no, maybe so …
Weigh in…
