ROLLING STONE's full Top 100 list can be found here:

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/greatestsingers/

Also, here is a link you want to see some of the handwritten ballots from some of music's great contributors (Bruce Springsteen, B.B. King, Iggy Pop, etc)  :

http://www.rollingstone.com/photos/gallery/24160218/the_100_greatest_singers_inside_t

So coming in at Number 1 is Aretha Franklin. Personally, I don't care for her newer stuff. Her vintage classics will be how we always remember her.  How many times have you started to wag your index finger in the air when she starts to tells you "Respect, find out what it means to me"?  She is a great example of how a singer could use their voice as an instrument to deliver dynamics that directly influence the way we move. When she growls on a note we all want to make out body mimic the edge of her voice. When she soars up in the clouds we try to catch the cloud.

#2- Ray Charles-
If you don't want to turn the lights off and sail across the floor when you hear "Georgia on My Mind" then you should move to North Korea.

#3- Elvis Presley-
In today's music culture we are accustomed to see singers pimp out there music through sexually suggestive movements. It's become so common that it takes two pop tarts kissing to get cause a media hoopla. Can you believe that Elvis shaking his hips would cause TV sensors to require that camera men to shoot him from the waist up? It's seem silly that they did it now but back then it was more scandalous than "THE KISS". His stage performances are directly linked to his impressive catalog of hits. So what came first the music or the movement? Don't answer that. It's just a total package.

#4- Sam Cook-
#5- John Lennon-
#6-Marvin Gaye-
#7-Bob Dylan-
#8-Otis Redding-
#9-Stevie Wonder-
I love his music. There is a timber in his voice that is distinct, rich, and irreplaceable. There are the people that will mimc his head movement as a joke. If you really examine the movement it's a direct correlation to the music. I don't mean that his movement is based on a beat. He gives the audience the blueprint of how he interprets the swing of the phrase. If you ever go to a orchestral concert you can see the conductor becoming fully committed to how the musicians should interpret the written page. Music isn't a chemistry class. There isn't one correct answer to the equation written on the staff. Emotion, resistance and drive are a human instinct. Stevie Wonder's head movements are as close to a drawing of how he feels his music.

#10- James Brown-
His catalog of music is pure energy and raw soul. Not really feeling his music? Again, North Korea. Another performer who's stage performance will always be unique as his fingerprint. I could write blogs and blogs about the performers that have been inspired by his unique moves. Instead of that I will just say-- You owe my mom a couch.  (It's no secret that Michael Jackson was directly inspired- I used to imitate MJ and jump on my mom's couch. Long story short after breaking my mom's couch I was put into Gymnastics which was followed by Ballet)

#11- Paul McCartney-
Oh Paul! Remember that day in 2000 when I followed (stalked) you on 5th Avenue. Who doesn't want to bust a move when a Beatle song comes on? (Go rent ACROSS THE UNIVERSE on DVD for the cut dance scene of "Come Together" featuring me and many more amazing dancers)

#12-Little Richard-
My first talent show ever was to "Tutti-Frutti" (Comments from the peanut gallery can be left in the garbage). I think I was 7 competing in the high school talent show. My older sister, Mariah, choreographed this fierce little number. Our big trick was me flipping over her back. I still want to do that backflip when I hear this classic American track. I can't remember if we won but it doesn't matter. It was the first time I looked out and knew that every eye was on me (sorry Mariah but a cute little boy cutting a rug win attention everytime).

#13- Roy Orbison-
More dances need to be choreographed to his records.

#14- Al Green-
#15- Robert Plant-
#16- Mick Jagger-
#17- Tina Turner-
Put on Proud Mary right now! I dare you to try and sit in your seat and not do "the dance".  Go ahead..............I couldn't sit either. PUNCH, PUNCH, KICK, THROW TORSO OVER.

#18- Freddie Mercury-
I think he should have been higher on the list. His vocal talent has not really be matched by anyone that has come after him.

#19- Bob Marley-
#20- Smokey Robinson-
#21- Johnny Cash-
#22- Etta James-
How many of you out there have dance to "At Last"?

#23- David Bowie-
#24- Van Morrison-
#25- Michael Jackson-
If I could have been anyone when I was a child in the 80's it would have been MJ. If I could have smacked any celebrity in recent years it would MJ. Such wasted talent. Sure we remember his iconic performances of "Billie Jean", "Thriller", and "Beat It" but it was his performance with his sister Janet in "Scream" that will always be what I remember him for. "Scream" is pure style.

Now a brief commercial break to this blog:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNl2Pm9-7Vk

#26- Jackie Wilson-
#27- Hank Williams-
#28- Janis Joplin-
Her catalog of music is amazing to teach, dance and choreograph to. There are amazing hidden jems that often over looked. If you want my advice on some music to use then start researching some vintage Janis.

#29- Nina Simone-
Mmmmm. Who doesn't love some Nina?

#30- Prince-
Even though he has some great music I wouldn't reccommend using his music for anything. He has become a copyright nazi. If you don't know what I am talking about then you should check this out: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9778087-7.html

#31- Howlin' Wolf-
I won't even lie and say that I know who this is. Looks like I have a new artist's catalog to explore.

#32- Bono-
The king of Rock Stadium Anthems. The huge wall of sound that Bono and U2 delivers is what every dancer craves when they just want to let loose.

#33- Steve Winwood-
#34- Whitney Houston-
It's a fact that Whitney can't dance. Isn't that sad?

#35-Dusty Springfield-
#36- Bruce Springsteen-
#37- Neil Young-
#38- Elton John-
"Tiny Dancer" seems to be most girls favorite Elton track. Someone needs to make a ballet for ABT to "The Bridge".

#39- Jeff Buckley-
#40- Curtis Mayfield-
#41- Chuck Berry-
#42- Joni Mitchell-
#43- George Jones-
#44- Bobby "Blue" Bland-
#45- Kurt Cobain-
#46- Patsy Cline-
I spent my first year at college attending Hofstra University. My second semester I performed in a piece with several of Patsy Cline's tracks. The piece was cute and my first real exposure to Patsy Cline. The next year I transferred to Marymount Manhattan College. My first semester I performed in a piece that was choreographed by our very own, Laura Diffenderfer. She also used Patsy Cline. If I to chose which piece was better I would have to go with Laura. Not because I have to but because Laura is cooler because of her use of "The Worm" in her rep.

#47- Jim Morrison-
#48- Buddy Holly-
#49- Donny Hathaway-
#50- Bonnie Raitt-
#51- Gladys Knight-
I still can remember my first jazz teacher, Fran, putting on "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" to teach us how to do a grapevine. For the peeps of my generation this song will always be associated with the California Raisins.

#52- Brian Wilson
#53- Muddy Waters
#54- Luther Vandross-
#55- Paul Rodgers-
#56- Mavis Staples-
#57- Eric Burdon-
#58- Christina Aguilera-

Utter shock ran through my body when I saw how high on the list Christina was considering some amazing artists are left off. Can you believe that she is considered to be a greater singer than Frank Sinatra (who didn't even make the list)? Sure, she has an amazing voice but that doesn't translate into an amazing singer.  She has produced 3 albums if you don't count her Xmas CD, Spanish versions, and her most recent CD of Greatest Hits. (SIDENOTE- Remember when an artist would come out with a Greatest Hits album because they actually had so many hits from albums that there was a desire to have it all in one place?) She is talented. I see lots of class combos and competition routines to her music.  I just don't see her as having a real place in history (yet).

#59- Rod Stewart-
You know how there is that one artist that makes your skin crawl? Rod Stewart is that artist for me.

#60- Bjork-
Amazing. I was so shocked to see the list of people that voted and to think that they all think Bjork is as good as I do to make her #60. I haven't been to many concerts for recording artists in my life. My first concert ever was when I was 21. I went to see Bjork at Radio City Music Hall. A large majority of people might  associate Radio City with the Rockettes. When I walk past the venue I always think of that magical night when I saw Bjork in a red feathered dress dance around the stage in her bare feet. Her earlier albums are often overplayed in classes and used in colleges for student choreography. Her best work album I would recommend is VESPERTINE. She has made several albums after that which are musically complex in structure. Her range in composition really lends itself for dance. Go buy some Bjork today!

#61- Roger Daltrey-
Who doesn't love "Tommy"?

#62- Lou Reed-
#63- Dion- (No, not Celine Dion. She didn't make the list.)
#64- Axl Rose-

Back in the 80's when big hair and leg warmers were all the rage jazz classes were always pumping his music. Guns N Roses' new album is out soon. If I had listened to the leaked album (which is something I would NEVER do) I would definitely recommend it for jazz classes. Hint Hint.

#65- David Ruffin-
#66- Thom Yorke-

I am about to make some enemies. I don't care. Radiohead is awful. I remember once I was in a class and the teacher started playing Radiohead for the first song of the warmup. I got up and left. So my friendly advice to teachers is: You set the tone of your class by the first song you play. Pick wisely.  

#67- Jerry Lee Lewis-

His over the top performances were fueled with movement. It's infectious. "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" are begging for dance. Once you hear it you will always give in.

#68- Wilson Pickett-
#69- Ronnie Spector
#70- Gregg Allman-
#71- Toots Hibbert-
#72- John Fogerty-
#73- Dolly Parton-

My favorite Dolly songs are "Jolene" and "Little Sparrow".  I am also dying to see  her new musical "9 to 5" that is based on the movie of the same name she starred in. I loved the movie as a kid. In case you are wondering who is choreographing the new musical it's Andy Blankenbuehler. I hear good things. I hear them but doesn't mean I will believe them once I see it. That's the fun part of going to see a show.

#74- James Taylor-
#75- Iggy Pop-
#76- Steve Perry-
#77- Merle Haggard-
#78- Sly Stone-
#79- Mariah Carey-
#80- Frankie Valli-
#81- John Lee Hooker-
#82- Tom Waits-
#83- Patti Smith-
#84- Darlene Love-
#85- Same Moore-
#86- Art Garfunkel-
#87- Don Henley-
#88- Willie Nelson-
#89- Soloman Burke-
#90- The Everly Brothers-
#91- Levon Helm-
#92- Morrissey-
#93- Annie Lennox-

I love her music.

#94- Karen Carpenter-

Don't you wish she had made more music?

#95- Patti LaBelle-
#96- B.B. King-
#97- Joe Cocker-
#98-Stevie Nicks-
#99- Steven Tyler-

Aerosmith can do no wrong. When they were making all those jukebox musicals they should have made an Aerosmith one. Maybe ABT, NYCB, or Cedar Lake could do a ballet with their music. I would love it. Anyone else?

#100- Mary J. Blige-

Who doesn't love some Mary? She is so distinct. More Mary please!

So that was my commentary on the list. Do you have any thoughts of these artists?

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