100 Most Loved Living Musicians (Updated 2023)

 

  The recent deaths of Tony Bennett and Tina Turner were a sad reminder that no one, not even our favorite artists, live forever. But their deaths also made me wonder. Who are our most beloved, living artists?  Which ones are loved as close to 100% by music fans?  I'm sure someone out there didn't like Tina Turner, which is criminal, but true. So, a name with a perfect 100% score?  Not possible. Still, I feel confident that all the names near the top of this list are ones everyone agrees should be highly ranked.  As you get closer to the bottom of this list, more arguments can be made as to who belongs and who doesn't.  But my #1?  Sorry, not budging on that one. 

1.  Paul McCartney - It's very simple. He's a Beatle. But he also had a massive solo career. Who didn't love the Beatles?  Well, maybe someone out there didn't. But not anyone in my world. 

2.  Dolly Parton - Thanks to her philanthropy she has become known as Saint Dolly.  Not just confined to the Country genre, she long ago became an icon known throughout the world. 

3.  Bob Dylan - The greatest songwriter who ever lived? Many would say yes.  But even if he's not #1, Dylan advanced what was possible as a singer/songwriter. 

4.  Stevie Wonder - Seems to me that Wonder had already reached the "beloved figure" moment right after Songs in The Key Of Life was released in 1976

5.  Joni Mitchell - Her battle back from a brain aneurysm in 2015 won her even more fans. And her back catalog of classic recordings has continued to find newer listeners.  

6.  Willie Nelson - Like Dolly, Willie is a Country music legend who is instantly recognized outside of his genre. A 2023 Rock Hall of Fame Inductee at age 90, he continues to tour and record. 

7.  Elton John - In July of this year, Elton finished a lovingly reviewed "Farewell Tour", which brought the nostalgia factor to new levels of admiration. 

8.  Mick Jagger/Keith Richards/Ronnie Wood/Bill Wyman -  Jagger & Richards are so linked that it proved impossible to separate. Ronnie Wood has been with the band since 1976. While Bill Wyman left the Stones in 1993, he is still part of their history.

9.  Ringo Starr - Again, like McCartney, he's a Beatle.  More than Paul, George, and John, he was the Beatle who carried his lovable persona into a solo career that is still viable. 

10. Bruce Springsteen - The "Voice of the Working Class" also known as "The Boss"?  It would be impossible to rank him outside the Top 10 with those credentials. 

11 Quincy Jones - Another legend who recently turned 90 (in May). Q has left his mark on modern music since the early 50s.

12. Smokey Robinson - Outside of Stevie Wonder, the most beloved of the living Motown legends.

13. Brian Wilson - Of course, the word "genius" is often applied to Brian Wilson.  But in this case, it's true.  

14. Diana Ross - More Motown and why not?  She left Motown and became an even bigger star as an Academy Award Actress nominee and huge solo hits and tours.

15. Paul Simon - There's instant nostalgia when hearing Simon & Garfunkel hits on oldies radio. Then he went and arguably topped that era with a rewarding solo career.

16. Barbra Streisand - She amassed a huge, passionate fan base almost from the start of her career in the early '60s.  

17. Cher - Longevity plays a huge part in making a list like this.  Like Ross and Streisand, Cher has been a part of our lives since the 1960s. She had as much solo success as her years with Sonny. 

18. Carole King - A two time Rock Hall Inductee, Tapestry is one of the definitive singer-songwriter albums of all time. Plus there’s the many classic songs in the 1960’s she wrote with Gerry Goffin. 

19. Beyonce - The highest ranked modern era performer and there's no way to ignore her.  Only 41 years old and already an idol to millions. 

20. Taylor Swift - After Beyonce what other modern era recording artist could make the Top 20? Of course, it's Taylor Swift.  Hard to believe her first record came out 17 years ago.  As seen by her massive 2023 tour, her fans are in it for the long haul. 

The rest are 21-60

21. Gladys Knight

22. Tom Jones

23. Linda Ronstadt

24. Neil Diamond

25. Barry Gibb

26. Carlos Santana

27. Janet Jackson

28. Dave Grohl

29. Neil Young

30. George Strait

31. Lionel Richie

32. Patti LaBelle

33. Madonna

34. Mavis Staples

35. Stevie Nicks 

36. Billy Joel

37. Jay-Z

38. James Taylor 

39. Reba McEntire

40. Al Green

41. Pete Townshend & Roger Daltrey 

42. Bonnie Raitt

43. Rod Stewart 

44. Robert Plant & Jimmy Page

45. Sting

46. Dionne Warwick 

47. Herbie Hancock

48. Van Morrison

49. Rihanna

50. Adele

51. Celine Dion

52. Gloria Estefan

53. Carly Simon

54. Buddy Guy

55. Emmylou Harris

56. Lady Gaga

57. Bono/The Edge

58. Snoop Dogg

59. Garth Brooks

60. Eric Clapton

61. Alice Cooper

62. Phil Collins

63. Shakira

64. Frankie Valli

65. Elvis Costello

66. Chaka Khan

67. Ronald & Ernie Isley

68. Sly Stone

69. Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis

70. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson

71. Steven Van Zandt

72. Ozzy Osbourne

73. Debbie Harry

74. Kris Kristofferson

75. George Clinton

77. Annie Lennox

78. Shania Twain

79. Ann & Nancy Wilson

80. Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds 

81. Sonny Rollins

82. Ray Davies

83. David Byrne

84. Steven Tyler

85  Peter Frampton

86. LL Cool J

87. Chrissie Hynde

88. Sade

89. Iggy Pop

90. Herb Alpert 

91. Pat Benatar

92. Brenda Lee

93. Kelly Clarkson 

94. Johnny Mathis

95. Miranda Lambert

96. Jennifer Lopez

97. Jack White

98. Dion DiMucci

99. Roberta Flack 

100. Randy Travis

Thanks to everybody for the suggestions.