A few notable omissions : Kate Bush, Nick Drake, David Sylvian, Liz Frazer, Tim Buckley, Michael Stipe, Curtis Mayfield and Black Francis.

Grant Posner, Macclesfield, UK

Phyllis Hyman without a doubt should be in the top 20.

lynn, oakland, us

I wish the Times would now archive this potty Rolling Stone notion of a greatest singers list - on it are some great singers (Aretha for example) but to have no Sinatra, Streisand, Scott Walker, Matt Munro, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, Bettye Lavette, or Mel Tormè to name just a few is sorrowful.

Vince Wilson, Cortona, Italy

The Greatest Singer In The World is non other then ARETHA FRANKLIN; but the greatest vocalist of them all is: Whitney Houston; and the greatest performer of all time is Madonna & Michael Jackson.

Alexander, North York, Canada

Freddie Mercury is the Best!!!!!!!

Pablo, santiago, chile

I'm going back to read the from 11 to 100 now...but it's a safe bet that the wonderful David McComb , from The Triffids has been overlooked. No ..Rolling Stone, he wasn't an alien plant..but a truly great singer /songwriter and poet, .. err,from Oz.. Ok,so you were half right,he was an alien !

Rob Slevin, new ross, ireland

So you're saying that all of the greatest 100 singers "of all time" just happen to be rock/pop singers.

Hahahaha!!

Martin, Newmarket, Suffolk

I can't take this list seriously at all. Come on, no Burton Cummings of The Guess Who? He is possibly one of the greatest rock singers of all time!

Jeremy McCann, Melrose, USA

However did Elvis not make the number 1 slot?

Ryan, Sheffield, England

agree with mike - greece. This is just an english self-made + celebrative list of ligth - music singers.

Silvano, Parma -Italy

Silvano, parma, italy

I would offer three more:

Paul Robeson Soulful spiritual

Frank Sinatra

And my own Ozzie favourite Peter Dawson (Look him up on Youtube) bleeding priceless

mustaffa, eastwood notts,

Bob Dylan is a singer? Sure he don't know. Like all the other songwriters, they listet above. I really love Jim Morrison - but it's not reallly singing - singing I heard by Roger Daltrey, Janis Joplin, R.Plant, Aretha Franklin! Bruce Dickinson & Dio are great singers. And Jack Black !

Kreuzberg-Jakob, Berlin, Germany

I am surprised that Chaka Khan did not get a mention.As a self-taught singer with an incredible spectrum and expression,as well as proving herself over 30 years at the top,I find this lack of recognition puzzling.Alexander O'Neal has also been forgotten.

Hilario, Birmingham, UK

If you just open your horizons and include some non-english speaking singers, I would remind you -just for a start- a french girl singing "la vie en rose"...

mike, athens, greece

Tracy Chapman? Joan Armatrading? Alison Moyet?
Pat Benator maybe?

J.Bonnici, Malta,

There is no accounting for taste. Beauty lies in the ear of the beholder. Seems like Rolling Stone has a tin ear though.

joe, sanford, usa

Where is Ella Fitzgerald? How can you do this list without her? She is one of the best female vocalists of all time. What about Diana Krall? What about Roberta Flack?

A. Anguiano, London, Great Britain

Rolling Stone always hated Queen. No wonder Freddie Mercury is only number 18.

David Sullivan, Jacksonville, USA

This is pretty much a list of rock-pop of the last 60 years, and even if I am not a fan of the two, Frank Sinatra and Ann Wilson of Heart should have made the list. I love Kurt Cobain and
The Beatles, but their singing is just Fine, not GREAT. Well, it was the clueless Rolling Stone mag.

Cyn, Indiana, America

Axl Rose and not Sammy Hagar? Puh-leeez!!

Doug, Orlando, USA

Jon Anderson not there? The loveliest purest voice in rock. I know Rolling Stone hates Yes but this is ridiculous...

Graham, Nottingham, England

For those saying it's an awful list... i agree, but it is Rolling Stone. What did you expect?

Stuart, Glasgow,

Real music stopped when the Beatles came along and it`s been downhill ever since.
In your face, unintelligible ,incoherent singers,stupid childish lyrics, three chord guitarists, your all tone deaf.
Bring back the big bands and Billie Holiday,Mel Torme,etc.

Stan, Lincoln, England

John Denver not in the top 100?

Dominic, Bologna,

Lists like this are totally meaningless so it does not do to get too worked up - but I think John Lennon being in the top 10 is an insult to many of those beneath him in the list. His contribution as a writer is undeniable but as a singer he was competent, no more.

Kevin Miller, Tonbridge, Kent

"100 greatest singers of all times" is the wrong title since the voters were "asked to list his or her 20 favourite vocalists from the ROCK ERA". List makes some sense with that added qualification but none without since too many obvious choices are the missing (Fitzgerald, Simone, etc.)

Jérôme, Brussels, Belgium

Not in the list or comments whats wrong with BILL MEDLEY are you all deaf

Dave Mercer, Scunthorpe,

Any list without Billy Ray Cyrus is an incomplete list.

Nathan, Sydney, Australia

Paul Robeson -Baritone-Bass did classics, folk song, Broadway in several languages
Bill Monroe - Originator of the High Lonesome bluegrass vocal sound
Jimmie Dale Gilmore - modern west Texas twang
Leon Redbone - the list is short of yodelers

Brian , Albuquerque, NM, USA

Brits & American only then. Sure...ignorance. Ignored here: Song writing, poetry/story telling, musicality (voice and/or arrangements). Piaf, Brassens, Brel, María Jiménez, George Ben, Fela, S.Vaughan, it's top 20 easy. Carey is great but hey India, china, Port, Jpn..not "world music" its the world!

Patrick Cartam, Paris, France

You didn't mention two of the best voices in the business - Vic Damone and Al Martino.

P. Brodie, San Mateo, USA

Gotta agree with comment 1. Worst list I've ever seen. So many have very average vocal ability that without backing bands or 'charisma' wouldn't hold a candle to any number that didn't make list. Self indulgent opinionation. Karen Carpenter at #94 and (unless i missed her) no KD Lang says it all

Jethro, Benalla, Australia

Paul Robeson is missing.

The name will confuse some.

M Sheridan, Oldham, UK

THE WORST LIST I EVER SAW!!!!! Where is Amália Rodrigues, Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Mariza, Andrea Bocelli, and so many others????

Tiago, Lisboa, Portugal

The criteria are obviously english-speaking pop-rock singers. I would have to agree with the man who demanded steve marriott and would also argue for daryl hall. mccartney and lennon were both great singers in their own ways. incredible drop-off in macca rangefrom late 70s though holding his own now

sean, london,

Excuse me but, where is Bruce Dickinson? Far better than many on that list!

Diana, Lima, Peru

Janis Joplin does not sound like a black woman she sounds like a screaming white woman copying black singers. Big difference. Elvis could at least sing although he was copying Big Mama Thornton's Hound Dog.

Rhonda Benin, Oakland, USA

Where is Jacques Brel on this list?

Surely one of the greatest singers of all time?

Jon, Pietrebais, Belgium

No Alison Krauss? She may not be widely known or a "living legend" in the mainstream sense, but she has the most beautiful, crystal clear, enchanting voice I think I've ever heard.

Kate, London,

John Lennon above Marvin Gaye? I don't think so!!

IanJ, Reading,, UK

this seems to be a case of "who can I remember " as opposed to naming the best singer - amazed that the late great Steve Marriott isn't high on the list , but as I said he obviously wasn't remembered at the time

richard, Caernarfon, Gwynedd

The late lovely lamented Billy Mackenzie - a true original.

steve hayes, leicester, england

Did I miss Freddie Mercury somewhere down the list ?

Pat, Paris, France

One of the Bee Gees at least
Barry White

No non english singers, (Astrud Gilberto, Elis Regina, Ornella Vanoni)

Tyke, Bologna,

No Sinatra? FAIL

Mikey, Bromley, UK

Frank Sinatra? He is "THE VOICE"!!!
I CANNOT believe that he is not part of top ten...

Lisa, Athens, Greece

"greatest" is not subjective, it's James Carr, and the fact that he's not on the list, let alone not number one, just means not enough people have heard him.

Andrew, London,

At best, "greatest" is subjective.

Wot! nobody voting for Cliff then?

CJB, Telford, UK

As its the Times, I read with anticipation thinking it would be a subjective list based on true vocxie character and uniqueness without the commercial kowtow and music business interest - then stopped when I got to Bjork and Bono . Come on, reallly...

Tony, Liverpool, UK

Well...well...well...and Peter Gabriel, Peter Hammill, Tim Buckley,Loreena Mckennitt; Christy Hynne?!

carlos alexandre, Lisbon, Portugal

No Amy Winehouse?

Sarah Peace, London, UK

Dusty Springfield # 38 -- great call! But WHERE is -- GRACE SLICK !?! Best rock vocals, fine writer. Some on the list are great writers/artists, questionable singers -- Dylan, Lou , Waits -- or other contributions stand out more -- Brian Wilson, David Bowie, Jackson Browne.
Mick rocks.

Ralph, Memphis, TN, USA

No Eddie Vedder?? I think about 75% of current rock signers are pale imitators of him. He really was the outstanding rock singer of the 90s and 00s. Most comments on this list are about pre-rock singers, but I think it is light on contemporary talent.

Maggie, Indiana, USA

No Pinky & Perky ? You gotta be kidding ?

Paul, London, UK

no geddy lee???

harry satchel, trent, canada

I'm not surprised I didn't recognise most of them and liked none of them, I like music too much to bother to listen to this lot. I have a voice that is a cross between Sinatra and Mathis with a touch of Torme, my wife says I suffer from amusia.

Jack Gamon, Sussex, England

Where Nick Cave and Ian Dury are I don't know. Also Howlin Wolf and Tom Waits should be much higher.

Rob, Oxford,

I am a huge fan of Neil Young and Bob Dylan, but not even they would try and convince anybody that they should be on this list. If you are looking for great singers you need to make way for the likes of Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Jackson Browne and Ray Lamontagne.

Andrew, Prince George, Canada

If all you people moaning about no Sinatra, Garland, Darin, Pavarotti et al bothered to read the parameters for voting, you would have seen the proviso "from the rock era" - nuff said.

Michael, Greenville, USA

I am surprised that no-one has mentioned Des O'Connor.

StanHeron, Morpeth, England

Cleo Laine, Marion Montgomery, George Melly?

Joss, Kent, UK

Nina Simone, Piaf??

MikeL, London,

Lord please, NO MORE LISTS OF TOP TEN/100 SINGERS/WRITERS/BOOKS/HOLIDAYS, etcetera.
Editors seem to have a collective seasonal delusion: "Christmas is coming, readers' brains have turned to mush, they don't need information, wit or insight, roll out 2008's Top 100 Utterly Bloody Pointless Lists."

Rose , Salwa, Kuwait

There are some great singers listed here, but is this really the 100 greatest singers?

Sinatra, Fitzgerald, Crosby, Pavarotti, Caruso, Lanza, Kate Smith--good God, there must be a hundred great singers left off this list who are greater than the ones on it.

GradyPhilpott, Albuquerque, NM, USA

dreadfully shortsighted list... there are no Nigerians nor Kiwis. Otherwise it's complete. Truely, only the English speaking world can sing.

Javier , Leamington Spa, UK

Arguably, most of the singers mentioned here can't really "sing" at all...where are Peggy Lee, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitgerald? If you want to hear what a singer without much voice can really do, try Billie Holiday (in the 1930s).

M Bennett-Law, Ashford, Kent

Can't some non-rock obsessed people to be asked to write about popular music and to compile these lists. I don't suggest banishisng rock music, but why have the great bands, songs, style, melody, artistry etc of the 1920s to 50s period been so comprehensively banished? Young people need to hear it!

M Bennett-Law, Ashford, Kent

Jagger & Bowie better than Patti Labelle or Levi Stubbs?

Also shouldn't this be the greatest "singers of English language songs"? With the exception of Aretha Franklin and one or two others most of these are not in the same league as the great SINGERS from the Indian subcontinent such as Rafi.

Ashiq, London,

What about the greats when lyrics meant something. Doris Day, Ella Fitzgerald, Pearl Bailey, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby etc. These people sang classics by composers such as Cole Porter etc.

Alanius, Diss, Norfolk

no eddie vedder - yet you have neil young, kurt cobain?

someone tried to think of a 100 singers and bunged them in a list, reshuffled them and then went "here you go"

ade, santa eulalia, ibiza

Where is Dusty Springfield??

Louise G, Maastricht, Holland

Of ALL time?????

You mean a slot in the 20th century!

My personal opinion is that none of these could possibly be called a "singer."

You cannot do this sort of thing with aesthetics. Beauty on the eye of the beholder and all that.

Useless exercise to fill newspaper space! In the Times???

Bill, Suzhou, China

Any list that does not include Sinatra is meaningless.

Robert, Tewksbury,Massachusetts, USA

Nobody can really care for this list, even if they're on it, because too many great singers don't appear and too many mediocre ones do. It's a good ploy of Rolling Stone to pander to future subscribers but to explain the criteria used in the selection process is just so patronising. Music is emotive

Vince Wilson, Cortona, Italy

What sort of criteria is that for compiling a list. If this had been put to a Soul music magazine then perhaps the late Phyllis Hyman would've been included ahead of Mariah Carey who whilst I like simply doesn't compare. Bono for goodness sake!

mark ponder, arlesey,

My short list would include Aimee Mann, Jackson Browne, Robert Plant, McCartney, Lennon, Stevie Nicks, Lindsey Buckingham, Don Henley, Dewey Bunnell, Jerry Beckley, Robert Smith, and so on.

Paul X, California, USA

missing, even if you take the boring "rock era" criteria as read: Michael Mcdonald, Levi Stubbs, Martha Reeves, kd lang, Kate Bush, Ronald Isley, Aaron Neville, Andy Williams, Sinatra, Anita Baker, Mary J, Teddy Pendergrass, Jackie Wilson, Harry Belafonte, Millie Jackson, Barbara Streisand,

Ralph Brown, brighton, uk

These subjective lists are a complete waste of time - you should hear me singing in the shower - I put the rest to shame !

Dave, Maidenhead, UK

Where is Scott Walker?

MICHAEL, newcastle, england

Art Garfunkel makes the list, Paul Simon doesn't. I think that pretty much sums it up.

GH, Manchester,

Sting? Where are Sinatra, Bennett, Fitzgerald? I am a teacher in Asia. It is great to hear my kids singing Beatles songs. Great music crosses generations. Surely the people I have mentioned do that. No list without Sinatra is criminal. The "Voice Of The Century"

Sean Lavery, Ulsan, Korea

Where's Sting???

Stephanie, Bordeaux, France

and Ella Fitzgerald?

m.e. roberts, lucedale, us

Right, so we have Rod Stewart, Michael Jackson and Dion, but we leave out Frank Sinatra, Maria Callas, Mario Lanza, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby... basically anyone who was any good. That's a lesson in Rolling Stone Magazine logic.

Charlotte , London, UK

Mahalia Jackson and Aretha Franklin. For me it's as simple as that.

Jillita, London,

I don't think I spotted Louis Armstrong anywhere on that list, and I must agree with other comments about the lack of opera artists- Pavarotti and Callas truly have some of the most iconic voices ever. Maybe Mariah Carey?
They really ought to rename the list with more precision.

Danni, London, UK

There's a lot of greatest writers, performers, frontmen, on this list but not singers, I mean seriously, Lou Reed? Now I love Lou's music but the guy just talks in tune. How can you have Lou on there and omit a legendary voice like Frank Sinatra with his perfect pitch and phrasing. Criminal.

John Kench, Chelmsford, UK

How can one take this list seriously when talent like Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Ella Fitzgerald, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan and Billy Holliday are excluded.Ludicrous list. Pure garbage. Even those on the list would be embarrassed by these blatant omissions.

Stephen Maitland-Lewis, Beverly Hills, California

This is a fashion parade of those that it's chic to like or aspire to be, a list of "influences", not a list of the best. Janis Joplin but no Joan Armatrading? Well, really. . .

David, Greece,

This list is a joke. Any list of the top 100 singers that does not include Judy Garland and Frank Sinatra is by definition nonsense.. The latter called the former the greatest American entertainer of the 20th century. The former, with equal credibility, could have said the same of the latter.

Tom McMillan, Boston, USA

Agree with No. 1. Note that Aretha's early stuff is her best - e.g. One Step Ahead (as sampled by Mos Def in Ms Fat Booty)

Mark, London,

These are not singers they are crooners.
The singer with the most beautiful voice ever is Gundula Janowitz, opera singer.

Vivienne Rendall, Haltwhistle, UK

lol -Bjork is a better singer than Dean Martin ? yeah of course.

denc, Monte Carlo, Monaco

what about sinaed o'connor??

laura shepherd, Toronto, Canada

The general public over the years on poll after poll have usually voted for Elvis Presley as number 1 vocalist, time and time again.

Editors and journalist choose their panel!

Maurice Colgan, Swords , Ireland.

George Michael should be in the top 10 as should Freddie Mercury.

Darren, Sydney,

Ella Fitzgerald if the greatest singer of all time.

Micheal Brodbeck, Washington, DC, United States

Where is Ronald Isley & Andy Williams!!! Methinks this review is flawed.

Bruce, Coventry, England

Come on!! - Rod Stewart and no Frank Sinatra!
I was just going to renew my airmail subsription to the Sunday Times. Now I believe that you no longer have any credibility!

Jim W, San Francisco, USA

The list is a subjective evaluation performance over vocal talent. Elvis himself said that Roy Orbison was a better singer as a reason that The King would never perform along side is contemporary rival (according to a biography of the Cajun raised baritone). Orbison should have been number one.

Bill L, Bellflower, USA

What a heap of rubbish ! Mick Jagger, a great singer ! Not to mention just about all of the rest of them.
Where are the likes of Jim Reeves, Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, Matt Monro, and umpteen others plus many opera greats like Jussi Bjorling, Robert Merrill and Pavarotti ?

Tom Irvine, Burnopfield, England

Fascinating list. I can't understand why the impeccable Dionne Warwick is not featured, fifty-six US hits including at least twenty standards that Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote for her and five Grammy awards along the way, she certainly deserves a Top 10 placing. Etta James should be higher.

Tony Stockwood, London,

Tom Waits is at 82.

MBJ, Pontypridd,

Where is Bing Crosby - one of the greatest singers ever? This list is meaningless!

Francis, Derry, Ireland

Freddie Mercury #1 - rock + opera - how many can do that?

Most of he rest are not even in the same league

E.g., Youtube: "Love of My Life", "Lily of the Valley", "You take my breath away", "The Show Must Go On"

avi, rehovot,

I am appalled at the list of the best singers. Just goes to show you getting the right answers depends on who you ask. No Caruso, no Callas, no Yma Sumac, not even Patty La Belle. The list just left me dismayed.

M A Parr, St Helens, England

If you are going to restrict the selection of the singers to "The Rock Era" then you should change the heading to "The 100 greatest singers of the rock era.

Paul Hutchinson, Calabasas, USA

oh dear, the latest - and worst - in a long line of superfluous Times "best-of" lists; this one compiled by a bunch of middle-aged, white, male rock fans from Rolling Stone. Omitting Ella, Garland, Piaff, Streisand, Sinatra but including Lennon, Dylon. etc, isn't just stupid - it's so predictable.

Michel Knight, London, UK

This seems to be "best singer" in terms of " total performer" and not actually vocalist. I mean Axl Rose? And not Geoff Tate ( Queensryche)? No Sinatra? Where are the operatic greats? Crosby, Sinatra, Tate, Callas, Pavarotti- All technically skilled and/or first class singers in any other term. Odd

Paul, Tokyo,

What no Dean Martin or Doris Day?
Two lovely singers in my view of course.

But then the list could go on and on and after all we all have our preferences.

C.B., Bucks, UK

Frankie Miller ought to be near the top.

Claire Powell, Birmingham,

wheres the wonderful bob seger ?

chris hinton , nelson , england

It's interesting to see what people think, but surely Meatloaf has got to be in there. Emmylou? Joss Stone? Marriott?

Rupert Cox, Realville, France

Gladys Knight only at 59th place ! She and Paul Rodgers should be up there in the top TEN !

John Barry., Berlin, Germany

Yes, some fantastic voices here but all from the popular sphere.
Obviously the likes of Benjiamo Gigli, Luciano Pavarotti, Renee Fleming and other 'GREAT' and beautiful operatic voices, are not even worth a mention.

Chris Simmonds, Herne Bay, Kent, UK

what is going on Michael Jackson should be in the top 5, bob dylan? Michael Jackson is the biggest seller of all time with the beatles and elvis, should be at the top!

Keith, Bangor, UK

Any list that does not include Sinatra and Ella in it's top ten will always be nothing more than a joke. I think Nat King Cole might make it a little higer too. All these lists do is to try to cause disscusion and argument. John Lennon a great singer?

Lewis, London,

Steven Tyler, Brian Johnson, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Sting...........

Adrian, Redhill, UK

Mario Lanza?

Zorba Eisenhower, Seldom, Wilts, UK

>> Hmm, Wheres Amy Winehouse?

Because this list is about SINGERS.

Zorba Eisenhower, Seldom, Wilts, UK

Yes! Aretha is number One, and it will take long to surpass her!

Gullborg Bonnet, Brugg, Switzerland

Lennon at no 4? Dylan? And no room for Sinatra, Ella, Billie... These lists are a joke.

Nick, London,

Burton Cummings, still going strong

barneycanada, Toronto, Canada

No Jonny Rotten the pent up frustration of living in 1970's Britain exploding with well written lyrics which captured the moment and revived a failing music industry.

steve tea, manchester, cheshire

Paul Simon
Justin Hayward
Colin Bluntstone
?????

Paul, Stockholm,

madonna not in the top ten! you must be joking

jamiejim, Glasgow, Scotland

Yes, where is Bobby Darin, Judy Garland and Dean Martin??

Craig, USA

Craig, Houston, USA

No Frank Sinatra?? How can this be?

Paul, London,

freddie mercury not in the top 10? You have got be joking...

Haroon Abbasi, London,

Where is the great Judy Garland?

And Iggy has a good voice ... deep and serious ...

Anne Roy, Cambridge, England

No Billy Holiday!?

Steven, Guildford, United Kingdom

Where is Steve Perry and Dennis DeYoung?

Peter, Seoul, Korea

Where is Doris Day in this list of 100 Greatest Singers? I think Doris was the most successful female singer of all time. This is based on the number of records sold here in the UK and in the USA.

John, Inverness, UK

Bob Dylan?! Iggy Pop?! Great artists/lyricist for sure, but SINGERS? Where are Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford, David Coverdale, Ian Gillan, Ozzy, Bruce Dickinson and a slew of other metal greats?

Steve, Louisville,

What about Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and the all time greatest, Ella Fitzgerald.

Jane R., New York, USA

American/British self centered thinking. How can a list without Brel, Aznavour, Conti etc be taken serious

m, edinburgh,

Karen Carpenter at 94, come off it. Is this a doctored list in time for Christmas shopping?

Richard, Huntingdon, Cambs

Hmm, Wheres Amy Winehouse?
A better singer by far than almost all of that list. Lets hope she has enough left in her to prove them wrong.

danep, uckfield, UK

Why waste our time with this celebrity claptrap? Tom Waits doesn't even feature in the top 100, although with some exceptions the company isn't exactly wonderful in any case. Paul McCartney? Bono? Spare me.

Michael, London,

These people have to be kidding? Singers? Most of them couldn't hold a tune let alone be classified as "Singers"
What a load of old cobblers!

Bob Tomlin, Scottsdale , USA / Arizona

Why no Michael McDonald? A genuine guy who sings quality music with depth and feeling.

Howard Broadwell, Nottingham, England