Best Solo Artists - Top Ten List - TheTopTens®
Best Solo Artists
blaqksails92 What's your favorite solo artist?
Qualifications, has to be the only official member to a band or group.
The Top Ten
1 Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was born on August 29, 1958 in Gary, Indiana and passed away on June 25, 2009. Michael Jackson was a singer, songwriter, producer, choreographer, entertainer and humanitarian. He donated (at least) a remarkable 300,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King ... read more .
THE KING OF MUSIC...
AND TO ME HE IS THE BEST ARTIST EVER...
WHEN YOU ARE THE ONE WHO SINGE, WRITE, COMPOSE, PRODUCE, DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPH.. you are simply the best, and every talent of these were perfect...
oh, I almost forgot he also directed 2 of his music video... so again THE BEST..
he is the KING OF MUSIC...
the best artist ever, and his talent was massive... singing, writing, composing, dancing, producing and choreographing... he even directed two of his music videos... what else do you need from an artist...
The King of Music... too many haters just judge a book by a cover! Don't understand how this world works.. More than just a legend.. The King Of Music.. PERIOD!
The best artist ever. Apart from being an artist he was a really good human.
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2 Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, artist and writer . he won the Nobel Prize for literature in 2016 .
He was a true poet, and possibly the most important musician of the twentieth century. The Beatles looked up to him, and he influenced an entire era of music. Bob Dylan was basically the voice of his generation, and he has undoubtedly created three of the greatest albums of all time: "Highway 61 Revisited", "Blonde On Blonde" and "Blood On The Tracks" (or possibly even four, if you include Bringing It All Back Home). Plus, he has written and recorded several of the greatest songs ever made (anyone who's heard of Bob knows at least a few of these).
It doesn't matter if you're one of those people that just doesn't like Bob's music, nobody can doubt that he is in fact the greatest solo artist of all time, due in large part to his musical talents, his incredible ability to write poetry into his songs, and his unfathomable influence in 1960's popular culture and music.
There was music before bob dylan and then there was music after bob dylan. He changed the way that music was heard. The Beatles were influenced by him. Go on YouTube and look up "Beatles on bob dylan" also like a rolling stone is considered the greatest song of all time.
He was mister perfect... What a breath!... Guitar... Mouth organ... And singing at a time... Salute... No one does it better... And the lyrics are breath taking!
Greatest songwriter of all time!
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3 Jackie Evancho
Jacqueline Marie "Jackie" Evancho is an American classical crossover singer who gained wide recognition at an early age and, since 2009, has issued an EP and five albums, including a platinum and gold album and three Billboard 200 top 10 debuts .
She is my singer, I follow no one else!
There are no words to describe the talent and charisma of this young performer. She leaves her audiences weeping with joy or numb with emotional exhaustion. She has to be seen live to be believed. - BobG
No flashy lights, twerking, explosions, autotune, maximum decibels or other distractions. Just an incredible young lady with an amazing voice in front of a piano or a symphony orchestra singing everything from Rachminioff to Morricone, U2 to Taylor Swift, and originals. Every concert is an amazing evening.
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4 David Bowie
David Robert Jones was born in London on January 8, 1947, the son of a fundraiser and a waitress. He died in New York on January 10, 2016 at the age of 69, a hero to millions. ... read more .
The Man Who Sold The World, Hunky Dory, Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Station To Station, Low, Heroes, Scary Monsters and The Next Day. All for me absolute masterpieces. He has done some bad albums such as Never let Me down, Tonight and Black Tie White Noise but I can't think of any other solo artist that has contributed as much as David Bowie.
Bowie has mastered so many different genres of music from Rock to Soul. He recently came back with the best comeback I've ever heard and has cemented his legacy. Should be number one on list in my opinion.
Lists like this bring out the hate.
Can you believe that some moronic Michael Jackson fans have given Elvis a "dishonorable mention"?
No doubt they are jealous that Elvis is the biggest-selling solo artist of all time by a mile; only the Beatles have sold more than Elvis.
I think David Bowie is the best and most influential artist of all. He influenced several artist as well as fashion. Just simply the best
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5 K.S. Chithra
Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. Chithra also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music.
She is the greatest singer of all time.
She has perfect pitch & perfect tune. I love all her songs.
She could sing any song & make it a hit. "
"Most certainly, without a doubt the greatest singer off all-time... And incredible musician over all. You can't tell me her voice is not the most unique as well
6 Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was a American musician and actor. Known as "The King" He was mostly known for his number 1 singles including "Heartbreak Hotel" "Hound Dog" "Jailhouse Rock" "Love me Tender" Elvis debuted in the movie "Love me Tender" and focused less on his music and continued that way. ... read more .
Elvis emerges during the late 50's and doesn't it tell those unbelievers why he is called "King" and why he is known to be the most imitated performers of all times. 36 years after his dead and yet his presence and influence is very much around. Elvis music is timeless and have withstand the test of time. He is the first and original American idol.
He should be number 1. Second to none! 36 years after his death, his influence can still be seen and fan clubs worldwide are still active and growing! There will always be a new generation of Elvis fans! ( Fyi:I don't belong from his era! ) Who can beat that?! He's "the king"!
There will never be someone like Elvis, he is number one.
How can he be number 6 number 1 by a mile.
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7 John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age 40 .
A true legend, gave the world peace and love and was part of one of the most truly mind blowing bands who changed the face of popular music forever. No one has beaten his record hits.
Lennon's strong belief in atheism is what gave him a will to work towards world peace thorugh his songs, not god.
One of the best lyricists of all time!
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8 Eminem
Eminem, born Marshall Bruce Mathers III, is an American rapper, actor and music producer born on October 17, 1972 in St. Joseph, Missouri. Eminem has sold over 300 million records making him the bestselling hip-hop artist of all time . In addition to his solo career, he is a member of D12 and (with ... read more .
Please vote for him he deserves to be on the top 5
Maybe not great as the above mentioned, but slim is always unique in his own way.My greatest inspiration and which can be reflected from his lyrics.
Whatdafud? Em this low? How duz that happen? VOTE FOR EM! SLIM FOR the WIN!
9 Han Geng
10 Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter . Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated ... read more .
Have to love Hendrix, I understand MAYBE below Jackson and Dylan, but should be 3.
Moat of Hendrix's career he was not a solo artist.
Backup band for Little Richard, Jimmy James and the Blue Flames, the Experience, Band of Gypsies; he was awesome but not a solo.
The Newcomers
? Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. In spite of a short-lived mainstream career spanning seven years, he is widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music, and ... read more .
The Contenders
11 Elton John
He should be top 3 probably number one for near everything. Musicianship, songwriting, (though Bernie writes the lyrics) lyricism, and playing ability/talent is amazing.
Please get Sir Elton John in the top 10
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12 Chuck Berry
Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry is an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music.
13 Beyonce Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter, is an American singer and actress, who started out in the popular pop/r&b girl group Destiny's Child. They had multiple top 5 hits such as "No, No, No", "Say My Name", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "Survivor", "Independent Women", "Bootylicious", and "Jumpin', Jumpin" from ... read more .
Best female performer of all time. Period.
Singer, songwriter, dancer, editor, director, entertainer...!
A Star Is Born!
14 Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, guitarist, actor, and author, who was widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century and one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 90 million records worldwide.
How is The Man in Black only at number 15 on this list he is easily the best metal singer of all time and has more talent and established himself more then just about anyone on this list and had more hit's then someone can name - donovanthorn
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15 Eric Clapton
Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has also been a member of Derek and the Dominos.
16 Kanye West
Kanye Omari West is an American rapper, songwriter, and fashion designer. He was born on June 8, 1977 in Atlanta, Georgia. After West's parents divorced, him and his single mother moved to Chicago, Illinois. At the age of 10, West temporarily moved to Nanjing, China, because his mother was teaching ... read more .
How the heck did he get on this list. he is like all the other rappers except for eminem they all mumble nonsene
17 PJ Harvey
Polly Jean Harvey, known as PJ Harvey, is an English musician, singer-songwriter, writer, poet, and composer.
18 Bruce Springsteen
19 Joni Mitchell
20 Billy Joel
To many jives with unmatched harmony. I figured to see him in the top 10 for sure.
How is Billy Joel so low on this list?
Deserves second on this list after Elton John.