ShAdy GurL
Mar 11th, 2006, 02:42 PM
The votes have been counted and verified by an independent auditor. The waiting is over. Here is the definitive top 10 list of musical heroes, as voted by AOL members.
1. Elvis Presley
Although he wasn't the first man to sing rock 'n 'roll (see Bill Haley), he sang it like no other and defines it for many. When he released his first single, That's All Right, in 1954, he kick-started a rebellious youth culture that continues today. The first rock icon, Elvis has had more No 1 hits and spent more weeks on the singles chart than any other artist.
2. John Lennon
The Beatles followed Elvis from musicians to musical (and movie) icons. When the band split, Lennon's political activities brought him the unwanted attention of the CIA, and conspiracy theorists insist that his murder in 1980 was related to them in some way. More than 25 years after his death, his name is synonymous with peace – the subject of his best-loved song, Imagine.
3. Freddie Mercury
Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, Freddie Mercury escaped to England in 1964. By 1970 he had joined Queen, and five years later he penned their seminal hit Bohemian Rhapsody, which is often voted the greatest song ever, and unforgettably featured in the movie Wayne's World. The Great Pretender died in November 1991 of an AIDS-related illness.
4. Kurt Cobain
A hyperactive child, Cobain had a troubled upbringing from an early age, which wasn't helped by his parents' divorce. His music powerfully reflected his disaffection with life, and songs such as Smells Like Teen Spirit and Lithium hit a chord with his 'grunge' audience. Troubled by his drug addictions and depression, Cobain took his own life in 1994.
5. Madonna
Madonna hit it big in the UK in 1983 with her single Holiday. The release of Like A Virgin the following year kicked off a run of 35 consecutive Top 10 hits, including seven No 1s. Throughout her career, Madonna's image and music have been constantly reinvented, giving her a fresh edge on her rivals and sealing her reputation as a classic pop star.
6. Michael Jackson
Despite Jackson's controversial court dates, few can deny his musical genius. The self-proclaimed 'King of Pop' was the first musician to earn $1m in a year. His Thriller video still holds iconic status, and the album it was taken from sold more than 47m worldwide. Unfortunately his music takes second stage to his appearance these days.
7. Eminem
Dr Dre's protégé Marshall Mathers had a troubled childhood. Like Kurt Cobain, he found an outlet for his anger lyrically in controversial songs such as My Name Is and Stan, and critically acclaimed albums The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show. Despite wishing his ex-wife Kim dead, he recently remarried her.
8. Will Young
A controversial choice for musical hero? The first Pop Idol winner amassed a whopping 4.6 million votes from TV viewers to win a recording contract and help pop mogul Simon Cowell to his next million pounds. Since then Will has recorded three hit albums and duetted with the legend that is James Brown at Buckingham Palace and LIVE 8's Edinburgh gig.
9. Bob Marley
When Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981, he was just 36 years old. His musical legacy makes his career seem longer. His hits, especially Jamming, One Love and No Woman No Cry, are unforgettable. His political fight against injustice saw an assassination attempt on him in 1976. In 1978, he brought warring Jamaican politicians – Prime Minister Michael Manley and opposition leader Edward Seaga – together, despite further threats to his life.
10. Bob Dylan
Robert Zimmerman turned folk music upside down in the '60s with his unconventional sound and poetic and evocative lyrics. His influence on music history can be seen through more than 1,700 cover versions of his songs (by artists such as Johnny Cash, Paul Weller, Youssou N'Dour, Guns N' Roses and Duran Duran). He was even immortalised by David Bowie in Song For Bob Dylan, which appeared on Bowie's Hunky Dory album.
1. Elvis Presley
Although he wasn't the first man to sing rock 'n 'roll (see Bill Haley), he sang it like no other and defines it for many. When he released his first single, That's All Right, in 1954, he kick-started a rebellious youth culture that continues today. The first rock icon, Elvis has had more No 1 hits and spent more weeks on the singles chart than any other artist.
2. John Lennon
The Beatles followed Elvis from musicians to musical (and movie) icons. When the band split, Lennon's political activities brought him the unwanted attention of the CIA, and conspiracy theorists insist that his murder in 1980 was related to them in some way. More than 25 years after his death, his name is synonymous with peace – the subject of his best-loved song, Imagine.
3. Freddie Mercury
Born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar, Freddie Mercury escaped to England in 1964. By 1970 he had joined Queen, and five years later he penned their seminal hit Bohemian Rhapsody, which is often voted the greatest song ever, and unforgettably featured in the movie Wayne's World. The Great Pretender died in November 1991 of an AIDS-related illness.
4. Kurt Cobain
A hyperactive child, Cobain had a troubled upbringing from an early age, which wasn't helped by his parents' divorce. His music powerfully reflected his disaffection with life, and songs such as Smells Like Teen Spirit and Lithium hit a chord with his 'grunge' audience. Troubled by his drug addictions and depression, Cobain took his own life in 1994.
5. Madonna
Madonna hit it big in the UK in 1983 with her single Holiday. The release of Like A Virgin the following year kicked off a run of 35 consecutive Top 10 hits, including seven No 1s. Throughout her career, Madonna's image and music have been constantly reinvented, giving her a fresh edge on her rivals and sealing her reputation as a classic pop star.
6. Michael Jackson
Despite Jackson's controversial court dates, few can deny his musical genius. The self-proclaimed 'King of Pop' was the first musician to earn $1m in a year. His Thriller video still holds iconic status, and the album it was taken from sold more than 47m worldwide. Unfortunately his music takes second stage to his appearance these days.
7. Eminem
Dr Dre's protégé Marshall Mathers had a troubled childhood. Like Kurt Cobain, he found an outlet for his anger lyrically in controversial songs such as My Name Is and Stan, and critically acclaimed albums The Slim Shady LP, The Marshall Mathers LP and The Eminem Show. Despite wishing his ex-wife Kim dead, he recently remarried her.
8. Will Young
A controversial choice for musical hero? The first Pop Idol winner amassed a whopping 4.6 million votes from TV viewers to win a recording contract and help pop mogul Simon Cowell to his next million pounds. Since then Will has recorded three hit albums and duetted with the legend that is James Brown at Buckingham Palace and LIVE 8's Edinburgh gig.
9. Bob Marley
When Bob Marley died of cancer in 1981, he was just 36 years old. His musical legacy makes his career seem longer. His hits, especially Jamming, One Love and No Woman No Cry, are unforgettable. His political fight against injustice saw an assassination attempt on him in 1976. In 1978, he brought warring Jamaican politicians – Prime Minister Michael Manley and opposition leader Edward Seaga – together, despite further threats to his life.
10. Bob Dylan
Robert Zimmerman turned folk music upside down in the '60s with his unconventional sound and poetic and evocative lyrics. His influence on music history can be seen through more than 1,700 cover versions of his songs (by artists such as Johnny Cash, Paul Weller, Youssou N'Dour, Guns N' Roses and Duran Duran). He was even immortalised by David Bowie in Song For Bob Dylan, which appeared on Bowie's Hunky Dory album.