So for around 6 hours, we watched this countdown and I must say, I was shocked by the list. Not only was the number 1 painfully obvious (The Beatles, of course), but the rank of some artists were just 100% wrong. On what planet are Keane ranked higher than Morrissey? The Verve and Lostprophets miles ahead of Johnny Cash! It was awful. But the thing that shocked me the most were the artists that didn't even make the top 99 - some of the biggest artists in Rock n Roll history didn't make the cut. So, in response, I have decided to do my own Rock Icons, comprising of the folks I think should've made the list.
1) The Rolling Stones
It's simple, they're one of the best British Rock n Roll bands of all time, and I'm a proud member of the Stones camp. With classics such as Gimme Shelter, Paint it Black, Angie, Sympathy for the Devil & Start Me Up how they aren't included is beyond me. Plus, when Keef dies, the world will end.
2) The Doors/Jim Morrison
With haunting lyrics & electrifying stage presence, Jim Morrison & The Doors epitomised the greatness of '60s Rock n Roll. Their debut album is one of the greatest albums ever made & just for The End alone they deserved to be on the list.
3) Jimi Hendrix
He's the greatest guitar player of all time & he didn't make the list... Whaaaaaaaaaa?
4) Pearl Jam
They lived in the shadow of Nirvana, but are still going after 20 years, Pearl Jam are one of the seminal grunge groups of the '90s. Eddie Vedder's gravelly vocals are more audible and stronger than Sir Cobain's and with tracks like Alive, Even Flow & Jeremy, it doesn't make sense for them not to make the 99.
5) Patti Smith
The godmother of Punk Rock, Patti Smith was the trailblazer for most women musicians & the fact that Debbie Harry made the list & she didn't is blasphemy. Have the people at Q not heard Horses?
6) Stevie Nicks/Fleetwood Mac
Another gravelly voice & another iconic '70s rock band. Fleetwood Mac are one of the most fascinating groups of their time - drugs, alcohol, relationship break-ups & make-ups, Stevie Nicks getting heroin blown up her arsehole - they did it all! And with albums like Tusk & Rumours under their belts, it's hard to believe they didn't make the final cut, and even Stevie Nicks' Bella Donna is worthy of mention.
7) Neil Young
A simple yet profound lyricists who skips around the cliches, Neil Young is quite simply the best. Keep on Rockin' in the Free World? C'MON!!!
8) Beastie Boys
Okay, okay. I know some of you will be thinking 'But they're hip hop, Mia. They were right not to include them on the list.' WRONG. The Beastie Boys sampled a great deal of Beatles tracks in their classic album, Paul's Boutique, and had a clear Rock n Roll influence. Plus, they're pretty Rock n Roll & quite frankly, awesome. RIP MCA.
9) Bob Dylan
The father of the blues, the inspiration of many musicians who made the list, Robert Zimmerman has made a pretty big and influential mark on the music industry. Who wrote Knockin' on Heaven's Door? Bob Dylan. Who wrote All Along the Watchtower? Bob Dylan. Who wrote To Make You Feel My Love? No, not Adele. Bob Dylan. Nuff said.
10) Pink Floyd
The rock opera gods who gave us The Wall, The Dark Side of the Moon & Wish You Were Here. Why aren't they on the list, Q?
11) Iggy Pop
I'm a hardcore Stooges fan, but the chances of them making it were so slim (stupid? I know, right?) but I was expecting Iggy's Lust for Life to make the list. Have Q not seen the opening to Trainspotting? That opening wouldn't have been so iconic if it wasn't for Iggy!
12) Lou Reed/The Velvet Underground
Melancholy, 1960s Underground punk galore, Lou Reed with or without his band has made a massive impression on music. Tracks like Walk on the Wild Side & Perfect Day blend the bitter and the sweet, with The Velvet Underground's Heroin & Venus in Chains providing some of the best self-deprecating music on this godforsaken earth. Maybe they're too trendy to make the list, but I think everybody would've been happier to see Lou Reed and/or The Velvet Underground in the group rather than Keane...
13) Prince
He's sex obsessed, he doesn't want his songs on YouTube, he changed his stage name to some weird cross symbol - no one is quite as much of a Rock n Roll diva as Prince. Plus, he's released some awesome tunes like Purple Rain & When Doves Cry. If he saw the list, I think he'd sue...
14) Pixies
Kim Deal & Frank Black's alternative punk group has delivered some '90s classics, from Monkey's Gone to Heaven to Where is my Mind? & yet again, they don't get the recognition they deserve.
15) Ramones
Before The Strokes it was the Ramones who wore the drain pipes, leather jackets & the converse. With long black locks & shades, the Ramones are one of the most important punk bands of all time, and proved you can make iconic tracks that are less than 2 minutes long.
16) Alison Mosshart
Simply because she is my musical hero & is undoubtedly one of the best female voices in music today. Her time just hasn't come yet...
17) Elton John
I'm not a big Elton John fan, but it can't be denied that the man is a legend.
18) David Bowie
The Starman himself, with his iconic face make-up, funky red hair & killer boots. He's one of the best things to come out of Brixton, yet he didn't make the list. Clearly the people at Q have never seen Labyrinth (or maybe they have and that's why he didn't make it...)
19) Joy Division
One of the greatest indie bands of all time, Joy Division were a breath of fresh air from the electro-pop & metal of the '80S. Love Will Tear Us Apart, Dead Souls, She's Lost Control are just a few of the most inspiring indie anthems of all time; definitely more so than Kasabian & the Arctic Monkeys.
20) New Order
Just because they are as good & as important as Joy Division. Plus Blue Monday is one of my all time favourite songs, so...
21) Tom Waits
A lyrical genius & one of the most idiosyncratic artists to ever walk this earth, the fact that Tom Waits didn't make the list for his individuality alone is baffling. SIDE NOTE - I will make Rain Dogs into a stage musical!
22) Elvis Presley
The man who started it all & he doesn't make the list. Wrong, just plain wrong.
23) Janis Joplin
Another iconic female vocalist who didn't make the cut. Yeah, her career was short but Joplin left her mark. Include her goddammit!
24) Frank Zappa
The mad scientist of music, Frank Zappa is largely considered a musician before his time. Even now his music is too much for people to bear - Jewish Princess, Catholic Girls, Sex & The Jazz Discharge Party Hats being some of his most controversial material ever released. But Frank didn't just write tongue-in-cheek, psychedelic madness, he also composed classical pieces, totalling up to nearly 80 albums of material, making him one of the most prolific musicians in history. And let's not forget the names of his kids!
25) Captain Beefheart
A blues legend whose influence never matched his sales, Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band influenced everybody from The Dead Weather to Sonic Youth. Not enough people know of Beefheart which is sad in itself, but the fact he gets overlooked by Razorlight is pretty depressing.
26) Eric Clapton
He's been inducted into the Rock n Roll hall of fame three times: once as a solo artist, and then both as a member of The Yardbirds & Cream. Clapton clearly has made an influence on the industry & he is just awesome. Where is he?
27) Sonic Youth
Call them overrated, call them hipster, call them whatever you like, but Sonic Youth have made a huge cultural impact since they first stepped on the scene in 1981. Famously consisting of (then) couple Thurston Moore & Kim Gordon, Sonic Youth have brought us hits like Teenage Riot, Kool Thing & Sunday, influencing the likes of Alison Mosshart & Kurt Cobain and changing the way grungey punk music was viewed forever. And on a less important note, Goo has the coolest album artwork ever.
28) Robert Johnson
Quite possibly the biggest question mark in the world of music, the only thing that's certain about Robert Johnson is how well he could play the guitar. He only existed in his music, so he was a pure legend. That's pretty iconic if you ask me.
29) Nine Inch Nails
Trent Reznor experimental electronica-meets-metal outings with Nine Inch Nails are some of the finest pieces of work to come out of the states in the last 25 years. The man has also won an Oscar. Get him on the list.
30) PJ Harvey
Her first three albums were dark & powerful, and her lyrics have just got better as she's gone along. Gotta love a bit o' Polly Jean!
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