The Queen of Soul tops a list that includes more than a dozen other musicians with connections to Detroit.
Rolling Stone ranks Aretha Franklin No. 1 in its list of the “greatest singers of all time” on Sunday.
The list has 200 singers and orders them based on “originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy,” according to the article.
Franklin, who was born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Detroit, was called a “force of nature, a work of genius, and a gift from the heavens,” by the music magazine.
It says the “Respect” artist described her mission as a singer like this: “Me with my hand outstretched, hoping someone will take it.”
Outside of Franklin, the magazine ranks Iggy Pop, a Detroit-born vocalist, No. 176, saying he “would have been one of the most attention-getting vocalists ever, thanks to his ready-for-anything, scenery-eating yowl.”
The third Detroiter the magazine named was Bob Seger, at No. 181. According to Rolling Stone, Seger was the first rock star with a youthful voice, being most famous for his song “Night Moves.”
Martha Reeves, lead singer of Martha and the Vandellas, came in at No. 151. The magazine said Reeves’ “gleeful, girlish, gritty voice cut straight through the airy harmonies of her group mates.”
Born in Detroit and raised in Grand Rapids, El DeBarge was listed at No. 137, with the magazine describing his voice as “like caramel” on the song “All This Love.”
Jackie Wilson, who was born in Highland Park, ranked No. 121. Famous for “Lonely Teardrops,” (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher & Higher” and “Baby Workout,” Wilson was admired by Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, the magazine said.
Patti Smith, ranked No.
