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Add the andPOP Facebook Application(andPOP) - Aretha Franklin has claimed the No. 1 spot in a new Rolling Stone poll of the greatest singers in the rock and roll era.
The Queen of Soul beat the likes of Ray Charles and Elvis Presley to top the magazine's tally of 100 vocalists.
The list was compiled by 179 music industry insiders, including musicians and producers.
Besides Franklin, Bob Dylan (No. 7) and Stevie Wonder (No. 9) are the only two living musicians in the top 10.
Some of the contemporary singers who made the overall list include Christina Aguilera (No. 58) and Thom Yorke (No. 66), while Canadians getting nods include Neil Young (No. 37) and Joni Mitchell (No. 42).
The list appears in the magazine's December issue hitting stands this week and is accompanied by written testimonials from famous fans.
"Aretha has everything --- the power, the technique," Mary J. Blige writes in her tribute to Franklin.
"When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her. She is the reason why women want to sing."
The top 10 singers were:
1. Aretha Franklin
2. Ray Charles
3. Elvis Presley
4. Sam Cooke
5. John Lennon
6. Marvin Gaye
7. Bob Dylan
8. Otis Redding
9. Stevie Wonder
10. James Brown
