Topic: David Bowie voted greatest entertainer of the 20th century

[Simon]

David Bowie has been named the greatest entertainer of the 20th century by the UK public.

The BBC’s Icons programme asked people to vote for their favourite entertainer in a shortlist which also featured Charlie Chaplin, Billie Holiday and Marilyn Monroe – and it was Bowie who came out on top.

The BBC Two series has set out to find the last century’s most important and influential men and women in a variety of categories: Activists, Sports, Artists & Writers, Leaders, Explorers, Scientists and Entertainers.

Alan Turing came top of the Scientists category, Ernest Shackleton was the winner of the Explorers shortlist, and Nelson Mandela was named the greatest leader of the 20th century.

Votes for the other categories can still be cast, with the top vote getters from all the brackets going head-to-head in a live TV final on February 5.

For further information, visit the BBC’s Icons website.

https://www.loudersound.com/news/david-bowie-voted-the-greatest-entertainer-of-the-20th-century

[GillE]

Bowie's early music is superb - I wouldn't disagree with affording him the accolade were it not for the range of alternatives presented to the public.  No Beatles or Elvis Presley?  Come on.

BTW, the link doesn't work.

[Simon]

   It does now. 

[Den]

I agree with you GillE. How can the award mean anything if you leave the best entertainers out of the list. The only thing I could Bowie credit for was painting his face white.

Both Elvis and The Beatles where in a different class to him. I demand a revote. 

[Simon]

Bowie was going for a lot longer than either The Beatles or Elvis, so maybe that had something to do with it?

[Den]

So was P J Proby but he did not feature at all. 

Bowie was never held in the same class as Elvis. 

[Simon]

Bowie was never held in the same class as Elvis. 

In the opinion of many people, myself included, Bowie was far more creative and versatile than Elvis, and others of his ilk, ever were.

[Den]

 

[Simon]

 

[Den]

David Bowie had 61 top 40 hits and  five made it to number one.

ELVIS’ UK CHART SINGLES
21 No.1’s
76 Top 10’s
140 Top 40’s
165 Top 75’s
80 weeks at No.1
386 weeks in Top 10
1062 weeks in Top 40
1302 weeks in Top 75

ELVIS’ UK CHART ALBUMS
11 No.1’s
49 Top 10’s
92 Top 40’s
119 Top 75’s
63 weeks at No.1
523 weeks in Top 10
1004 weeks in Top 40
1336 weeks in Top 75      I rest my case My Lord. 

[GillE]

Bowie was going for a lot longer than either The Beatles or Elvis, so maybe that had something to do with it?

Cliff Richard has been going for longer than either of them.

'Nuff said!

[Simon]

But I refer back to the versatility and creativity of Bowie, which none of the aforementioned could touch!  Chart success isn't the single criteria which determines a great artist.   

[Den]

I have some Cliff CDs. Some a very creative and varied.

I have some Beatles CDs. Lots are very creative and varied.

I have loads of Elvis CDs. If you take the time to listen you find that he covered so many styles and lead the way in music from the 50s to the present day.

I don't have a singe Bowie CD. I rest my case My Lord. 

[Simon]

So basically they should have just asked you, Den?   By your logic, as I don't have any Cliff Richard, Elvis, or Beatles CDs, they must all be crap.  I acknowledge all of the above's contributions to music, but fortunately my musical scope expands beyond 1964.   

[Den]

If they had asked me Bowie would not have made the top 100.