My Favorite Singers of All-Time

Before I started writing this, I tried to formulate a list that might guide me in the right direction. I mean, top 20 favorite singers of all time? This is a difficult topic. Rather than just thinking about favorite, I thought about the greatest as well. My list is as follows in no particular order:

• Frank Sinatra: “People who understand music hear sounds that no one else makes when Sinatra sings.” Those were the words of Walter Cronkite, iconic anchorman. Frank Sinatra was truly a one of a kind singer; no one else was like him. Some tried to be like him, or at the very least they idolized his music. I think we all loved him because he did it his way.
• Tony Bennett: Tony Bennett is the only singer that ever came close to the iconic voice of Sinatra. I love his music; from the 1960s right up to today, it’s beautiful.
• Reba McEntire: I was brought into the world with country music, more specifically Reba, playing in the pickup truck. She has a fantastic voice and she sings very meaningful and powerful songs. I think she’s the greatest country music singer ever.
• Bob Seger: Whether it’s “Old Time Rock N Roll,” “Katmandu,” or “Against the Wind,” Seger is the most acknowledged Detroit rocker to ever come out of the city. His raspy vocalization has inspired a new generation of rockers.
• Elvis Presley: The King. Pretty much end of story.
• Michael Jackson: The other King. Again, this man revolutionized his genre as Elvis did.
• Stevie Wonder: An inspiration to the world of blind people. I think it’s baffling enough to be able to play the piano as well as he does, but without sight, it is that much more magical. His sound is also one of a kind. “Isn’t She Lovely” is one of the best songs ever.
• Marvin Gaye: The brainchild who wrote one of the greatest albums of all-time (“What’s Goin’ On”) was amazingly Motown. He was an astonishing R&B singer. He was also the inspiration to a new generation.
• Aretha Franklin: R-E-S-P-E-C-T! That is all I have for Aretha Franklin. Nobody can belt out a song quite like Aretha. 
• Jon Bon Jovi: “Livin’ on a Prayer” was voted the song of the ‘80s and I don’t know any other rock fan that would disagree. Jon Bon Jovi really knows how to rock.
• Louis Armstrong: His unmistakable voice has been heard by the ears of so many of us. “What a Wonderful World” is like no other song; Louis really knows how to deliver.
• Taylor Hicks: The head of the “Soul Patrol” is the newest mainstream musician on this list. I just love his voice, as did the American Idol voters. He also has such a stage presence about him. I love his style.
• Johnny Cash: The King of country. Enough for me and millions of other fans. Great voice!
• Carrie Underwood: Carrie has one of the greatest voices I’ve ever heard. She can go from high to low quicker than a plane plummeting towards earth. And she is gorgeous. That can’t hurt.
• The original members of KISS: Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss may not be known for their “singing” voices, but they each have a song that they’re especially known for and they do them so solidly in their own individual way. Criss’s “Beth,” Frehley’s “New York Groove,” Gene’s “Deuce,” and all of Paul’s rock anthems. Paul may have had the best voice, being the lead singer and all, but the other’s are just as musically inclined.  
• Martha Reeves and the Vandellas: Coming out around the world, are you ready for a brand new beat? Martha and the Vandellas sure were! Motown had the best to offer, they really did.
• Dean Martin: Dean may have been another one of those guys that could’ve been compared to Frank Sinatra. Although I don’t believe he quite reached the epitome of Frank, he was a wonderful singer in his own right.
• Diana Ross: Is it safe to say Diana Ross was the most known member of The Supremes? I think so. The name of the group is terrific because it represents Diana wholly. 
• Bono: U2’s lead man is quite the singer. He is idolized by all of Ireland. And aside from Irish Stew, he is the greatest thing to come out of Ireland.
• Bob Marley: Let me conclude my favorite singer’s list by using a quote from Will Smith in the movie “I Am Legend”: “He has this idea that’s kind of a virologist idea. He believed that you could cure racism and hate, literally…cure it, by injecting music and love into people’s lives. One day he was scheduled to perform at a peace rally; a gunman came to his house, and shot him down. Two days later, he walked out on that stage…and sang. Somebody asked him, ‘Why?’ He said, ‘The people who are trying to make this world worse are not taking a day off, how can I?’” Bob Marley was another icon who revolutionized music.

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