American Morning
Battle of the bands
Anyone who saw Paul McCartney perform this summer saw in the audience moms, their kids, and their children's children – all singing along.
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/08/12/beatles.gi.art.jpg caption="Picture taken 18 August 1964 of the British pop music group 'Beatles' leaving the London airport for a tour in United-States."]
It's no surprise that a new survey found that the Beatles are truly a band that bridges generations. A Pew Research survey found the Fab-Four to be the top musical act across all generations. Michael Jackson is the number one pick for those under thirty.
People in the thirty to forty-nine age bracket selected the Eagles as their top choice. Baby Boomers, from 50-64, picked the Beatles. And those over 65 chose Old Blue Eyes, Frank Sinatra as their favorite.
And – 40 years after Woodstock Rock and Roll is the musical genre of choice for everyone under 65. Two-thirds of Americans say they listen to rock often or sometimes, with older people preferring country music.
Top 20 acts in the poll:
1. Beatles 2. Eagles 3. Johnny Cash 4. Michael Jackson 5. Elvis Presley 6. Rolling Stones
7. Aretha Franklin 8. Frank Sinatra 9. Carrie Underwood 10. Garth Brooks 11. Jimi Hendrix 12. Bruce Springsteen 13. Mariah Carey 14. Bob Dylan 15. Jefferson Airplane 16. Nirvana 17. Madonna 18. Coldplay 19. Kanye West 20. Grateful Dead
Read more: Forty Years After Woodstock, A Gentler Generation Gap »
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One last thing.
If you think that people are passionate about health care.
Bring up music and see how passionate people get.
Not to belabor the issue but John Roberts does not owe Carrie Underwood an apology he was only expressing what a lot of other people feel. For me I have been an advent collector of music for sometime. But for some reason I can't even think of any current bands that cross my mind from the 1990's to now only because it's like we are being force fed retreads. Come on the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Beyonce aka Queen of Cheese, Lady Ga Ga
Tell the truth quick name a song from these four acts without thinking real hard I can't.
But ask me to name a song by CCR.
Suzie Q. & Heard it through the Grapevine
Quick name a song by Carrie Underwood.
I rest my case.
Without Zep and The Who this list doesn't quite cut it.
Where was this poll?? I missed it somehow. Darn.
David,
Nice list man, thanks for including ZZ TOP, I forgot that one!!! Shame on me. Of course there wouldn't be a ZZ TOP if it were not for Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker( La Grange being a complete cop from Boogie Chillen'), and there wouldn't be Muddy or John Lee if not for Robert Johnson.
John Roberts owes MS. Underwood an apology for his negative remark. I hope he was reprimanded by his employer. Rude dog.
To Nancy-once again read the article "top acts across the generations" Its acts that appeal to people aged across the generation NOT acts that have been around for generations.
Look into the audience at shows and get the data on who is buying the CDs and down loads on itunes.
Which top acts NOT BANDS although the title should not be so misleading- who is appealing to all ages right now
Something is very wrong with this list. This list is like going to a party only to find out that they are playing old Motown tunes to play it safe.
Who did they poll house wife's and men in monkey suits waiting for trains to go too their eight hour a day jobs of servitude.
? Kanye West and Carrie Underwood haven't even begun to pay their dues.
If you have a chance listen to 'Ol Scool Company'
by Prince of off Lotusflw3r he puts it all into prospective
If I was to choose it would not be through a one through twenty number system it would be through their merits.
All these artist have contributed some of the best music that has been woven into the fabric of our lives.
1. The Rolling Stones
2. Santana
3. Jim Hendrix Experience
4. Fleetwoodmac
5. Donna Summer
6. Rod Stewart
7. David Bowie
8. Michael Jackson
9. Stevie Nicks
10. Elton John
11. Linda Ronstadt
12. Prince
13. The Eurythmics
14. Bruce Springsteen & The E street Band
15. Luther Vandross
16. ZZ Top
17. Cher
18. Heart
19. Tom Petty and The Heart Breakers
20. Rick James
u2 missing, jefferson airplane needs to be there because without them no grateful dead. i am not a fan of the beach boys, but where are they? no surf music without them. what about blood sweat and tears? if you want chicago, they need to be there because they started, along with traffic(who is also missing), the jazz rock era. what about the allman bros? no country rock without them. what about arlo guthrie, woody guthrie, joni mitchell, judy collins, joan baez, phil ochs? these people, along with bob dylan are the driving forces behind the folk music bend from the 60's.
sorry, kanye west and carrie underwood? they have been in the public view for what 3-5 years? give me a break. the people listed above have put in their dues. when kanye and carrie have been around for the next 20 years, then yes, they will belong on this list.
nancy
What about Rush, Genesis, Santana. If Jefferson Airplane then you must have Styx and Journey.
How about Elton John?
There were only 20 acts included in the poll total. Pew was probably going for a cross section of decades and genres.
As Pew pointed out younger acts would actually be at a disadvantage in this poll because they've had less time to build up reputations and fanbases.
GREAT list...Carrie underwood owns
Kanye West???? You gotta be kidding me!
What about George Strait?
The BeeGees?
The Beachboys?
Metallica?!
Kanye West????
Did you people read the article?
"Top musical acts across the generations" That means which acts appeal to the most people age birth - age 100. It does not mean it has to be a rock act. If you haven't listened to Carrie Underwood two CDs that have sold 10 million copies and produced 10 #1 singles then you are missing out on a truly gifted artist. At Carrie concerts, there are youngsters 3 yrs old up to gray headed 78 yr old grandmas, lots of guys and girls, gays, internationals. She has such a diverse fan base she deserves to be #9.
Read what the article is about before you "WTF"
I don't know who took this poll. But, they are off the mark. I can agree with Beatles, Stones and Dylan. But,what happen to SANTANA, THE WHO, LED ZEPPELIN, ELO, CHICAGO, WAR, TOWER OF POWER, EARTH, WIND AND FIRE, ALICE COOPER, AVERAGE WHITE BAND, CROSBY, STILL, NASH & YOUNG, FLEETWOOD MAC...
What about Earth Wind and Fire? Mariah Carey? Give me a break!
half of those on the list, AREN'T EVEN BANDS!!!
How does Led Zeppelin not make the list. How does Coldplay, Kanye West, and Carrie Underwood make it on the list. The Who isn't on there either. Whoever you polled has bad taste in music.
Personally my 5 favorite bands are
1. Alice in Chains
2. Led Zeppelin
3. Pink Floyd
4. Tool
5. System of a Down
I can't believe that Kanye West, Carrie Underwood are on this list and The Beachboys,The Who and BB King are not!!!!! I think you should look hard at your sampling model.
1. Beatles – correct
Almost all of the rest have NO BUSINESS anywhere near a top 20 list. What a complete joke. This is a stinking pile of garbage and should be discarded. CARRIE UNDERWOOD???!!! Are you out of your minds??? If lists like this are to be made public, the producers have an obligation to ensure that they reflect reality. How about passing out some of the drugs you guys are on – it would make for a really wild party!
What about "The Beach Boys"?
what no Simon and Garfunkle? what a travesty !!!
Carrie Underwood, Kanye West and Mariah Carey What?, How about Earth Wind and Fire and Stevie Wonder!
CARRIE UNDERWOOD?????????????????????
GARTH BROOKS?????????????????????????????????????????
KANYE WEST??????????????????????????????????????????
Where is CCR????????????????????????
i was sure pink floyd would be on the list – i read that roger waters was an inovater of quadraphonic sound.
U2 should be on the list, as should Led Zepplin.
BEACH BOYS NOT EVEN IN TOP 20?
NOT!
I could listen to any of these singers/groups all day.......Merle Haggard, George Strait, Patsy Cline, Bee Gees, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Donna Summer, George Jones
John,
I like WTFlip! 🙂
Your biggest fan in Central Virginia!!
Fran Milby
Quinton, VA
This list is bad. The Beatles, Stones, and Bob Dylan I get being on there. And I like Jefferson Airplane, but not that much. But Carrie Underwood at 9?! Kanye West at 19? Ugh. And where is Pink Floyd? Led Zeppelin?
What about "Chicago?"If you are really talking about bands(the music) ¬ just the singers,then you must include "Chicago."Their music was magic!
Lacuna Coil should be on that list!