Nadia
Sep 13th, 2007, 01:48 PM
Top 10 Dynamic Divas
By DAVID SCHMEICHEL - Sun Media
Webster's defines a diva as "a glamorous and successful female performer or personality," but we don't think that quite covers it.
Divas -- of the rock era, anyway -- have also tended to be trailblazers; impossibly ambitious types who leave their mark by being as outspoken and outrageous as possible.
Talent doesn't always factor in, but to celebrate R&B goddess Beyonce's local gig this weekend -- and because she didn't call us for an interview -- we've made musical skill a prerequisite while assembling this list of our Top 10 favourite divas.
Sorry 'bout that, Britney. Better luck next year.
1) Aretha Franklin: It'd be sacrilege to start with anyone besides the Queen of Soul, since Franklin set the bar for the rest of the young, gifted and fabulous set. In the '60s, Franklin cranked out a stunning series of soul and R&B masterpieces, hitting her zenith with the anthemic Respect. And while there's a lot more of Aretha to love these days, she's still every inch the diva; retaining a purity and passion that have yet to be equalled.
2) Madonna: No one has worked the libido to greater advantage than her Madgesty. Since rising through the ranks of the N.Y. nightclub scene, the Material Girl has left her stamp on a litany of pop classics, not to mention pop culture. Her recent manor-born earth mother shtik is a little tough to stomach, but who else has done more to advance the cause of women, s, and wannabe Brits? For that, we're even willing to overlook Shanghai Surprise.
3) Tina Turner: The heart of rock 'n' roll beats loud and strong in the bosom of gritty soul diva Tina Turner. Whether ripping through one of her incendiary chart-toppers onstage or weathering a tempestuous marriage to the abusive Ike, Turner has always carried herself with the sassy poise of a superstar. Those legendary legs certainly helped, but it's more likely her legacy will be chalked up to her staying power and fierce survivor spirit.
4) Cher: She's the only lady on this list to score a No. 1 hit in each of the past four decades, so spare us the plastic surgery jokes, OK? Cher's biker-chick growl is an acquired taste -- and her Bob Mackie fashion disasters even moreso -- but there's no denying her appeal. And while she's known for being a cut-up (who can forget the duet with Beavis & Butthead?), her heartfelt eulogy to ex Sonny Bono proved she can be trusted with serious stuff, too.
5) Diana Ross: We haven't had much in the way of attitude so far, but former Supremes frontlady Diana Ross can rectify that. Ross vaulted into the diva-sphere after being appointed the trio's focal point, and her feuding with former bandmates (plus that bizarre business with Lil' Kim's BLEEP!) suggests she still hasn't come down from the clouds. But she also helped put Motown Records on the map, and made The Supremes -- for a short spell, anyway -- as big as the Beatles.
By DAVID SCHMEICHEL - Sun Media
Webster's defines a diva as "a glamorous and successful female performer or personality," but we don't think that quite covers it.
Divas -- of the rock era, anyway -- have also tended to be trailblazers; impossibly ambitious types who leave their mark by being as outspoken and outrageous as possible.
Talent doesn't always factor in, but to celebrate R&B goddess Beyonce's local gig this weekend -- and because she didn't call us for an interview -- we've made musical skill a prerequisite while assembling this list of our Top 10 favourite divas.
Sorry 'bout that, Britney. Better luck next year.
1) Aretha Franklin: It'd be sacrilege to start with anyone besides the Queen of Soul, since Franklin set the bar for the rest of the young, gifted and fabulous set. In the '60s, Franklin cranked out a stunning series of soul and R&B masterpieces, hitting her zenith with the anthemic Respect. And while there's a lot more of Aretha to love these days, she's still every inch the diva; retaining a purity and passion that have yet to be equalled.
2) Madonna: No one has worked the libido to greater advantage than her Madgesty. Since rising through the ranks of the N.Y. nightclub scene, the Material Girl has left her stamp on a litany of pop classics, not to mention pop culture. Her recent manor-born earth mother shtik is a little tough to stomach, but who else has done more to advance the cause of women, s, and wannabe Brits? For that, we're even willing to overlook Shanghai Surprise.
3) Tina Turner: The heart of rock 'n' roll beats loud and strong in the bosom of gritty soul diva Tina Turner. Whether ripping through one of her incendiary chart-toppers onstage or weathering a tempestuous marriage to the abusive Ike, Turner has always carried herself with the sassy poise of a superstar. Those legendary legs certainly helped, but it's more likely her legacy will be chalked up to her staying power and fierce survivor spirit.
4) Cher: She's the only lady on this list to score a No. 1 hit in each of the past four decades, so spare us the plastic surgery jokes, OK? Cher's biker-chick growl is an acquired taste -- and her Bob Mackie fashion disasters even moreso -- but there's no denying her appeal. And while she's known for being a cut-up (who can forget the duet with Beavis & Butthead?), her heartfelt eulogy to ex Sonny Bono proved she can be trusted with serious stuff, too.
5) Diana Ross: We haven't had much in the way of attitude so far, but former Supremes frontlady Diana Ross can rectify that. Ross vaulted into the diva-sphere after being appointed the trio's focal point, and her feuding with former bandmates (plus that bizarre business with Lil' Kim's BLEEP!) suggests she still hasn't come down from the clouds. But she also helped put Motown Records on the map, and made The Supremes -- for a short spell, anyway -- as big as the Beatles.