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.
Labels: Most Loved Living Musicians