For example in Rolling Stone’s “200 Greatest Singers of All Time”, they cited Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Sam Cooke, Billie Holiday, Mariah Carey, Ray Charles, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Otis Redding and Al Green. I assume their criteria included overall popularity via record sales. Not sure why Michael Jackson, Little Richard, Smokey Robinson or B.B. King weren’t prominent on that list, while including too many with debatable “talent”.

I would look at it using a different metric.

Of all of the record companies back in the day, only one had singers who were unique, could do more than just hit the notes, weren’t signed just for looks and powerful voices with natural vibrato was mandatory: Motown.

Given the important releases over their run, I would ask if singers deemed influential based on popularity and sales would have been signed by Motown?

ABSOLUTELY

Steve Perry, Tina Turner, Elton John, George Michael, Billy Ocean, Bobby Caldwell, Shirley Bassey, Lou Gramm, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, George Benson, Ann Wilson, and Roberta Flack

Singers with power, natural vibrato, a distinctive style and sound.

BTW – Wouldn’t it have been interesting had James Brown and Peter Wolf been able to team up?

DEBATABLE

Freddie Mercury, Dan Hartman, Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel, Mick Hucknall, Roy Orbison, Annie Lennox, Patsy Cline, David Clayton-Thomas, Linda Ronstadt, Frank Sinatra, Billy Joel, Tom Jones, Toni Tennille, Paul McCartney, Rod Stewart, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Brad Delp, Richard Marx and Bonnie Tyler

Some of these singers had a distinctive sound and could definitely hit the notes; some had forced vibrato but were they good enough to make it past Motown’s Artist and Repertoire Department just to give Berry Gordy a listen? Debatable.

MAYBE…

Tracy Chapman, Darius Rucker, Kenny Loggins, J.T. Taylor, Melissa Etheridge, Jim Seals and Dash Crofts, Olivia Newton-John, Robert Palmer, Alicia Keys, Bonnie Raitt, Cat Stevens, Steve Miller, Adele, Gregg Allman, Don Henley, Carole King, Christina Aguilera, Amy Winehouse, Bob Seger, Michael Bolton, Barbra Streisand, Rick Astley, Tammy Wynette, Hank Williams, Carrie Underwood, Joe Cocker, Peter Cetera, Jackson Browne, Lady Gaga, Eric Clapton, Bryan Adams, Van Morrison, Chris Isaak, and Huey Lewis

Distinctive sounds but would they be good enough if having to survive a sing-off against Aretha Franklin or Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder? Maybe.

On another note, you think Ozzy Osbourne would have been signed after an audition for Motown…?

PROBABLY NOT

David Bowie, Taylor Swift, Glenn Danzig, Billie Eilish, Lou Reed, John Mellencamp, Gwen Stefani, Karen Carpenter, Roger Daltry, Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Iggy Pop, Sonny Bono and Cher, Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen, Dolly Parton, Fiona Apple, Chris Martin, Selena Gomez, Lana Del Rey, Debbie Harry, David Hasselhoff, Steven Tyler, Willie Nelson, Kurt Cobain, Robert Plant, Nancy Sinatra, Stevie Nicks, Kid Rock, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, Billy Idol, Mick Jagger, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Alanis Morissette, Rick Springfield, Belinda Carlisle, Jimi Hendrix, Axl Rose, Pat Benatar, Elvis Costello, George Thorogood, Daryl Hall, Glenn Frey, Alice Cooper, Sammy Hagar, Ric Ocasek, Neil Young, Madonna and Joan Jett

Some of these artists were product aided by MTV visuals. A lack of actual talent was tolerated as long as sales came in to support record company overhead. Some could hit the notes as that’s all that could really be asked for, could scream in pitch, but were they great “singers”? Nope.

And don’t get me started on actors and actresses who “sing” because their agents won’t risk their jobs telling them the ugly truth.

John Travolta, Nicole Kidman, Kevin Bacon, Johnny Depp, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Cruise, Reese Witherspoon, Val Kilmer, and Christian Bale….

The IMDB post neglected to mention Michelle Pfeiffer also co-starred in “Grease 2”, possibly at the request of Michelle herself.

Today’s soft-singing, breathers probably wouldn’t have even considered a Motown audition for obvious reasons including having fragile egos that would’ve been dashed by restrained laughter as they were leaving the room.

And when it comes to boy, girl and vocal group bands, one could argue The Jackson 5, The Supremes, The Four Tops, The Temptations, just to name a few, set the standard. Do you think The Backstreet Boys, Osmonds, *NSYNC, Partridge Family, Monkees, Spice Girls, Destiny’s Child or BTS were as unique?

And for those of you who may take this is as a race hit piece, Rare Earth, R. Dean Taylor, Chris Clark, William Goldstein and Charlene were Motown signings.

Again, some had distinctive sounds but good enough to satisfy Motown Records customers who had clear expectations for vocal talent? Probably not.

Finally, any list of greatest singers will not include rap “artists”.

What does that tell ya?

But it now appears that their millionaire status has been affected, their ability to make a living stifled, and despite their not missing a meal or worrying about how they’re going to make their next car payment or pay their rent, “artists” want Congress to bail them out by bailing out the places where they perform.

Artists’ Letter To Congress

June 18, 2020

We, the undersigned artists, respectfully submit this letter in support of National Independent Venue Association’s (NIVA) request for federal assistance for independent music venues and promoters across the United States.

We’ve all read stories about self-absorbed artists with outrageous rider demands for the backstage buffets, are abusive to staff and fans alike, but when they want something simply because they exist, they throw in the word “respectfully”.

We will know America is “back” when our music venues are filled with fans enjoying concerts safely. The live music experience is inextricably tied to our nation’s cultural and economic fabric. In fact, 53% of Americans – that’s 172 million of us – attended a concert last year.

These artists can beg for all the money they want, but notice they want “Congress” to act without a guarantee that Democrat governors and mayors will actually open up their states and cities for concerts. So, they could end up getting a bailout and not have to leave the crib.

We urge you to remember we are the nation that gave the world jazz, country, rock & roll, bluegrass, hip hop, metal, blues, and R&B. Entertainment is America’s largest economic export, with songs written and produced by American artists sung in every place on the globe. All of these genres of music, and the artists behind them, were able to thrive because they had neighborhood independent venues to play in and hone their craft, build an audience, and grow into the entertainers that bring joy to millions.

It’s not just those who play “jazz, country, rock & roll, bluegrass, hip hop, metal, blues, and R&B” who’ve been losing money. It’s the hundreds of music company executives and employees who have no musical talent and have exploited musicians for decades so they can live in pricey neighborhoods amongst the rich and important. If Congress bails out “artists”, you really want us to believe a good portion of that money won’t go to those who are not the “artists”?

Fat chance.

Independent venues give artists their start, often as the first stage most of us have played on. These venues were the first to close and will be the last to reopen. With zero revenue and the overwhelming overhead of rent, mortgage, utilities, taxes and insurance, 90% of independent venues report that if the shutdown lasts six months and there’s no federal assistance, they will never reopen again.

Independent venues are important. The local bar is a great place to see bands play cover tunes but the days when record company executives get off their fat asses and frequent independent venues for new talent are long gone. With YouTube and farces like American Idol, the days of playing live to “pay your dues” are no longer a necessity to be discovered.

Using the “independent venue” as the major rationale for a bailout is weak, at best.

These millionaire artists are really being hurt by their inability to play the BIG stadium tours. But what really pisses them off is the first act that will be on stage since the coronavirus lockdown and it will NOT be Lady Gaga or Alabama or Earth, Wind & Fire.

It will be President Donald Trump, who’ll have thousands of people waiting to get in, thousands of people who can’t get in, thousands who’ll watch him on nearby outdoor monitors, and he won’t charge them a dime for attending.

We are asking you to support NIVA’s request for assistance so these beloved venues can reopen when it’s safe and welcome us and our fans back in. The collapse of this crucial element in the music industry’s ecosystem would be devastating.

The fans have easily found concert videos online. Live artist “venue” performances aren’t missed.

Independent venues are asking for an investment to secure their future, not a handout.

Anytime liberals call something they want taxpayers to pay for an “investment”, it’s usually something they could never get a majority of the public to support. “Investment” sounds better than the truth.

One Chicago report found that every dollar small venues generate in ticket sales results in $12 of economic activity.

No link or booknote to that “Chicago report”. You’ll just have to take their word for it.

If these independent venues close forever, cities and towns across America will not only lose their cultural and entertainment hearts, but they will lose the engine that would otherwise be a driver of economic renewal for all the businesses that surround them.

With respect and solidarity, we, as artists and as community members ourselves, urge you to pass federal legislation that will help #SaveOurStages.

Out of the couple hundred signers, here are some of the more familiar names….

Sincerely,

Alan Parsons, Alice Cooper, Amy Schumer, Daryl Hall (Hall & Oates), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters), Dave Mason, David Byrne (Talking Heads), David Copperfield, David Crosby, David Letterman, Don McLean, Jerry Seinfeld, Jewel, Jimmy Buffett, Jimmy Eat World, Joan Baez, John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, John Mayer, John Mellencamp, Joni Mitchell, Mickey Hart (Grateful Dead), Miranda Lambert, Natalie Portman, Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters), Norah Jones, Shirley Jones, Steve Vai, The Beach Boys, Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Billy Joel, Billy Squier, Blue Oyster Cult, Bob Weir (Grateful Dead), Bonnie Raitt, Earth, Wind, and Fire, Fastball, Lady Gaga, Lee Greenwood, Los Lobos, Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Boone, Pat Smear (Foo Fighters), Pat Travers, Patti Smith, Patton Oswalt, Plain White T’s, Queensrÿche, Tanya Tucker, Taylor Hawkins (Foo Fighters), Teddy Gentry (Alabama), Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Vanessa Williams, Carly Simon, Carol Burnett, Carole King, Cher, Colin Farrell, Cyndi Lauper, George Lopez, Gin Blossoms, Graham Nash, Harvey Mason Jr., Jamie Kennedy, Jay Leno, Jay Mohr, Jed Hilly (Americana Music Association), Jeff Cook (Alabama), Macklemore, Mandy Moore, Mavis Staples, Randy Owen (Alabama), Randy Travis, Ray Romano, Richard Lewis, Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20), Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Roger McGuinn (The Byrds), Rufus Wainwright, Sarah Silverman, Whoopi Goldberg, Willie Nelson, Wyclef Jean, Zac Brown

Many of the names are familiar as they’ve taken to their social media platforms to denigrate President Trump and even express outright hatred of Republicans and those of us who voted to put them in office.

Now, they want our tax dollars so the negative impact of COVID-19 by tyrannical Democrat governors and mayors can be softened.

Respectfully… GTFOH.