Greatest Pop Stars of All Time

But we’re talking quantity here and not necessarily quality.

The list of the top 10 pop artists comes from a combination of Billboard magazine, which tracks airplay and record sales, and the firm Record Research, Inc., of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, which has analyzed the Billboard charts since 1969. Record Research published its list of the top 10 performers of 1950-1999 in its book Joel Whitburn Presents a Century of Pop Music.

A procession of young stars leapfrogged to the top of the list in the 1980s and 1990s, thanks in large part to expanding populations, greater worldwide distribution channels, and vast technological innovations.

1. Elvis Presley. The raucous 1954 recording of “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley and his Comets really sparked the rock ‘n’ roll revolution. But by 1956 the world of rock and pop music was dominated by a handsome, young southern singer who captivated the public (especially young girls) with his bluesy voice, earthy style, and provocative gyrations. Elvis Presley blazed his way to the top of the pop charts with songs like “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” and “All Shook Up.” And the hits just kept coming.

2. The Beatles. They were endearing, arrogant, witty, intensely talented, and all-conquering. Small wonder that The Beatles—John Lennon, rhythm guitar; Paul McCartney, bass guitar; George Harrison, lead guitar; and Ringo Starr, drums—also were known as the Fabulous Four. They were barely in their 20s when they created the pop boom in Britain with their first singles, “Love Me Do” in 1962, and “Please, Please Me” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” in 1963. They conquered America in February 1964 with three appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show. And “Beatle mania” began. The Fab Four created even greater mass hysteria than did Elvis, whipping massive crowds of screaming teenagers into frenzies with their mere appearance on stage.

3. Mariah Carey. She had it all: timing, talent, luck, looks, and a stunning vocal range of five to seven octaves. From the start, Mariah Carey wrote her own songs, injected them with drama and excitement, and promoted them with exotic videos. She shot to superstardom with her first albums, the eponymous Mariah Carey and Emotions, released in 1990 and 1991. She followed with mega-hit albums like Music Box, Daydream, and Butterfly. By 1999, Carey had become the best-selling female vocalist of all time. Some 185 million of her albums and singles had sold worldwide, as of October 2002.

 

4. Madonna. Before Mariah there was Madonna, the multi-talented material girl who used her knack for business and scandal to become a self-made tycoon. Madonna was the most successful female singer-songwriter of all time before Carey shot past her on the charts. But Madonna’s credits are endless. A brilliant pop singer and songwriter, she also has been an actress, publisher, TV executive, merchandising magnate, film producer, and relentless iconoclast. She has changed personas in her videos with each change of her sexy and outlandish costumes. Her albums have titillating titles like Erotica and Bedtime Stories. In her albums Like a Virgin and Like a Prayer, she challenged social and religious mores. Her photo book Sex shocked millions and sold like hotcakes.

5. Michael Jackson. A natural dancer, he had the moves that teenagers around the world still copy. Michael Jackson’s exciting break dancing and his contagious moonwalk, accented with the single white sequined glove, are part of pop legend. And so are the singles, albums, and breakthrough videos that Jackson has been churning out for 35 years. Jackson was only 5, kindergarten age, when he started his show-biz career as lead singer with the Jackson Five. Michael and his four brothers recorded hit after hit for Motown in the 1970s, then switched to the Epic label in 1975.

6. Janet Jackson.
7. Whitney Houston.
8. Perry Como.
9. Stevie Wonder.
10. (Sir) Elton John.

 

Source: AARP Magazine

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