Elvis is over-rated. He's good, no doubt about it, and also a pioneer. But he's not the best in the world ever by a long shot.

Zeppelin should fill the gap for the 70's.. or Black Sabbath, but not many people listen to Sabbath anymore

highwaystar101 said: Elvis is over-rated. He's good, no doubt about it, and also a pioneer. But he's not the best in the world ever by a long shot. Zeppelin should fill the gap for the 70's.. or Black Sabbath, but not many people listen to Sabbath anymore

maybe, but try telling that to the world on August 16th, 1977... lol.

(almost) 32 years later, people are still in denial..

I blame ITunes, and people downloading single songs... Artist have no motivation to put together a complete album. Like the beatle or MJ always did. U2 is one of the few groups right now that still makes complete albums.

I am hoping that MJ's music can revolutionize music once again. If people keep buying his albums (because it is pointless to download his indiviual songs... each album is at least 80% worth downloading... might as well buy the whole thing) maybe artist will relize people still want to buy albums... Just there are not many now worth buying.

Bob Marley is bigger and more influential than anyone mentioned in this thread.

The obsession with Bob Marley is getting old now.

Don't blame iTunes, blame MTV :P

... His music is brilliant and its a fact that he is more well known and loved over the world than anyone mentioned in the OP.

The quality of music has gowe way down hill well before the establishment of iTunes.  

Early 90's corporatism and politics that changed the music industry's direction is to blame.   Look at the age difference in the artists between today and any time pre-1994.    Look at the difference in the number of solo acts and bands between today and any time pre-1994.   Look at the difference in the volume of singer, songwriter, musicians between today and any time pre-1994.   And so on.  

Now heavy rotation on the radio is a corporate decision made months before the song is even released where as before the mid 90's heavy rotation was still up to the living, breathing DJ's and their request lines.

The big recording labels are no longer in the music production industry but the marketing industry.  Their product is an image.  Music simply is the medium it is disseminated through.

@Viper

I wanted to say something like that but couldn't be bothered :P good post.

Thanks.

You can also add Julio Iglesias to your list of globally popular musical artists that rank well in the OP.