This thread is to discuss our views on who the 5 biggest musical acts of all time are. You can post your top 5 or 5 in any order. Feel free to discuss why you put Musician A as the biggest Musical Act of all time and/or why you don't think Musician B should be on yours or someone else's list.

This list should be who you think the top 5 musical acts ever are - not who you personally like the best. Things to take into consideration: name recognition, influence on music, longevity (is there music still famous?), quality of music, etc.

Here is my list:

1) The Beatles
2) Elvis Pressley
3) The Rolling Stones
4) Michael Jackson
5) Elton John/Frank Sinatra

I agree with all 5

It took me a while to come up with who should go into the 5th spot. There are a number of worthy individuals who could be in the next five spots: Modonna, Billy Joel, Queen, Aerosmith, among others.

id say take elton out thought and just leave frank. or trade out frank and put in madonna.

Frank over Elton? ahhhhh maybe. Madonna over Elton? Can't see that one.

Kate Smith
Meatloaf
The Weather Girls
Fat Joe
Deborah Voigt

Each of these singers weighs in at about 300 pounds. You don't get much bigger than that.

Kate Smith
Meatloaf
The Weather Girls
Fat Joe
Deborah Voigt

Each of these singers weighs in at about 300 pounds. You don't get much bigger than that.
LOL, don't forget the Mamas & Papas featuring Mama Cass! That was one fat lady who could downright sing!!

1) The Beatles
2) Elvis Pressley
3) The Rolling Stones
4) Michael Jackson
5) Elton John/Frank Sinatra

I'm with this list - It would be difficult to choose between Elton and Frank and where would Madonna come in because she really is a major player - but if we stick with 5 - I think you've pegged it.

I got a better question for you. Think of a band/artist that has just came out in the past 5 years, that you think has the potential of making it on a biggest list in the future. I can't think of too many...and that's a sad concept!

No Madonna!!! Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

Take jacko off the list - and Sinatra should be number 2.
Billy Joel instead of Elton John. And Madonna should replace jacko in number 4.

Niel Diamond, Live in concert was great!
Elvis aloha from Hawaii!

Take jacko off the list - and Sinatra should be number 2.
Billy Joel instead of Elton John. And Madonna should replace jacko in number 4.
:confused: Let me grab a pencil and go over that again...

Let's see...

Your list would look like:

1) Beatles
2) Sinatra
3) Elvis
4) Madonna
5) Billy Joel

I know that you didn't mention the Stones as a team you would leave off over Elvis...but to leave either of those two off and have Billy Joel (though he is an awesome musician in my opinion) would be obsurd giving the intent of the thread.

1) El Chombo
2) Haddaway
3) Men with Hats
4) Johnny Rebel
5) Baha Men

1) El Chombo
2) Haddaway
3) Men with Hats
4) Johnny Rebel
5) Baha Men
PLEASE! Men without Hats pwns them all!

We can go where we want to, we can leave your friends behind...*midget rennaissance dance*

Blah blah blah It's the SAFETY DANCE!

:confused: Let me grab a pencil and go over that again...
t
Let's see...

Your list would look like:

1) Beatles
2) Sinatra
3) Elvis
4) Madonna
5) Billy Joel

I know that you didn't mention the Stones as a team you would leave off over Elvis...but to leave either of those two off and have Billy Joel (though he is an awesome musician in my opinion) would be obsurd giving the intent of the thread.

that's my choices , get it??- wtf are you questioning my choices on here ?- what is your problem -?? your ABSURD (not obsurd, LOL, check your spelling dumbass) jerk off

that's my choices , get it??- wtf are you questioning my choices on here ?- what is your problem -?? your ABSURD (not obsurd, LOL, check your spelling dumbass) jerk off


I guess you missed the part where this is a DEBATE FORUM!

your ABSURD

Hutz rule! Try "you're."

1) El Chombo
2) Haddaway
3) Men with Hats
4) Johnny Rebel
5) Baha MenYou forgot Billy Ray Cyrus.

Seriously though, how are Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix not on anybody's list? Those two should walk into any list based on influence alone, not to mention quality of music.

You forgot Billy Ray Cyrus.

Seriously though, how are Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix not on anybody's list? Those two should walk into any list based on influence alone, not to mention quality of music.


Hendrix would easily be in my top 10. Zep would surely be in my top 15 or 20. I think the problem with them is that they can't get out from under the shadow of one major hit. They will and forever will be the band that sang "Stairway to Heaven" to a casual fan....whereas a casual fan could tell you several Elvis, Beatels, and Stones numbers.

that's my choices , get it??- wtf are you questioning my choices on here ?- what is your problem -?? your ABSURD (not obsurd, LOL, check your spelling dumbass) jerk off


ouch breath sassyrunner.
Wtf

1) The Beatles
2) Elvis Pressley
3) Madonna
4) Bob Marley
5) Aretha Franklin

I know I'll get shit for putting Madonna at #3, but here is why:

-Madonna IS THE most successful artist on the United World Chart (Madonna holds the record for most #1 singles with eleven on the WORLD Chart.)

-More #1 hits in more countries then any female artist.

-The highest grossing tour for a female artist. This tour just happened in 2006. Madonna has STAYING power.

-Her latest album, which came out in 2005, and the first single off of that album went to #1 in over 30 countries.

-Highest earning female artist of all time.

-Defined a decade, the 80's.

Face it, Madonna is a living legend. She's been around for 25+ years and continues to have #1 albums, tours and singles worldwide.

Not only does she have successful music and tours, she has also sparked debate in the political world about homosexuality, religion and other political issues. She was a trend setter in the 80's and has inspired some of the most popular artists and bands of today. EVERYONE knows her name and at least ONE song. :)


In 2000, Guinness World Records listed Madonna as the most successful female recording artist of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of 120 million albums;[1] in 2005, her record company credited her as having sold over 200 million albums worldwide.[2] Madonna is the highest earning female singer of all time according to both the 2007 Guinness Book of Records,[3] and Billboard Magazine. Forbes magazine has estimated her net worth at $325 million.[4] In addition, Madonna holds the record for the top-grossing concert tour by a female artist.[5]

Pretty good reasons to put her at #3. :)

PS: To be honest, I've never heard a Rolling Stones song and if I have I wouldn't be able to say oh yeah, that's the Rolling Stones. So based on that, I can't put them in my Top 5. That may be ignorant, but it is my honest opinion. I don't even know what they look like. Eeeeekkkkk.

1)
PS: To be honest, I've never heard a Rolling Stones song and if I have I wouldn't be able to say oh yeah, that's the Rolling Stones. So based on that, I can't put them in my Top 5. That may be ignorant, but it is my honest opinion. I don't even know what they look like. Eeeeekkkkk.

Every shred of respect that I had for you and your opinions just went out the window.

Hendrix would easily be in my top 10. Zep would surely be in my top 15 or 20. I think the problem with them is that they can't get out from under the shadow of one major hit. They will and forever will be the band that sang "Stairway to Heaven" to a casual fan....whereas a casual fan could tell you several Elvis, Beatels, and Stones numbers.
In terms of sales Zep could easily make the top ten.

And since this is "biggest musical acts" sales is what should be considered.

Wow, to never hear a rolling stones song means you must be... well.. very young. I bet most of the black culture folk have never heard one either, because they watch BET, MTV sucka free whatever LOL... talk about closing yourself in a box.

Wow, to never hear a rolling stones song means you must be... well.. very young. I bet most of the black culture folk have never heard one either, because they watch BET, MTV sucka free whatever LOL... talk about closing yourself in a box.
I met a kid who only listens to rap to the point where he admitted, "I ain't ne'er heard a rawk songuh."

Of course you've heard a Rolling Stones song. You just might've not known it was them. Crap, did you watch the Superbowl 15 months ago? That was them.

Of course you've heard a Rolling Stones song. You just might've not known it was them. Crap, did you watch the Superbowl 15 months ago? That was them.
Yes, I'm sure I've "heard one". But I wouldn't be able to identify who the song was sung by.

Every shred of respect that I had for you and your opinions just went out the window.
hahahaha good.

Hendrix would easily be in my top 10. Zep would surely be in my top 15 or 20. I think the problem with them is that they can't get out from under the shadow of one major hit. They will and forever will be the band that sang "Stairway to Heaven" to a casual fan....whereas a casual fan could tell you several Elvis, Beatels, and Stones numbers.
As Evakian pointed out, Led Zeppelin is one of the highest-selling artists of all time, so they're certainly not lacking in popularity. Their footprint in the entire rock genre is massive, and there's no doubting their creativity and innovation. All of that easily makes them one of the 5 biggest acts.

And since we're talking about the biggest acts of "all time," how about a mention for Beethoven?

And since we're talking about the biggest acts of "all time," how about a mention for Beethoven?

Since we all know quality can be proven by record sales, Beethoven sucks.

As Evakian pointed out, Led Zeppelin is one of the highest-selling artists of all time, so they're certainly not lacking in popularity. Their footprint in the entire rock genre is massive, and there's no doubting their creativity and innovation. All of that easily makes them one of the 5 biggest acts.

There is no doubt that Zep was innovative, hugely talented, and popular...but again - to a casual fan theyre nothing more than the band who sang Stairway to Heaven or the band with which Plant was involved with. They are an iconic rock band. Bigger than The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Elvis, and Michael Jackson? Not even close.

I may have to think this through and make like my top 50 - and then I will be able to say where one band should go outside the top 5. Aerosmith is another band that is huge, memorable, innovative, and has stood the tests of time. ACDC is another one.

And since we're talking about the biggest acts of "all time," how about a mention for Beethoven?

Very interesting point. I hadn't considered some of our great composers. Touche.

Early composers were so much more musically advanced than what is popular now .. comparing the two is like comparing Playstation 3 with Turbographics 16

Since we all know quality can be proven by record sales, Beethoven sucks.Totally. Like, he's never even on MTV or anything.

It takes me a month to learn a piece of classical music on the piano, it takes me
an hour to learn a piece of contemporary music. Seriously.