If you could bring a dead rock star back to life for one gig, who would it be?

What a brilliant thought! I would like a few of these stars back! But if its just one, I would love to see Jimi Hendrix play live. I wasn't even born when he died, but I love his music. Love this site as well!

Get's you thinking about what great artists have been lost in the music world. Lennon will always do it for me.... The legend lives on with all though right! The power of music!

George Harrison. Surprised he wasn't an option.

FRANK SINATRA!!!!!!!

It has got to be Marc Bolan, his music is still as big today as it was back in the 70's

The only reason I didn't vote for Jimi Hendrix is because he's, rightfully, in the lead. I voted instead for the Jimi Hendrix of the drum kit -- Keith Moon -- who should have been in the top 5 people listed, instead of relegated to the nameless "other" category. Shame on you. He was -- and is still -- a god. There is no one who can do to so many skins at one time what Keith Moon did without making a cacophony, whereas he made some of the most evocative rhythms the world has ever known playing in ways no drummer ever did before or has since. He made percussion more than simply the foundation of a song, and the songs he contributed to are anthems to rock genius.

Hi Ashley, I agree with you 100%. Keith was a one-off. We couldn't fit everyone on the list, but its great to see all the other names people are giving a vote. We will be including these in the final list in 4 weeks time. Thanks for taking part.

No option for Freddie Mercury? Now that's just criminal.

Edit: Don't mind me, just going blind apparently. :)

How could someone in their right mind compile a list like this and NOT include Stevie Ray Vaughan as one of the available choices? Now THAT is criminal!

...or Frank Zappa?

...or Kevin Gilbert?

Ok, Kevin Gilbert's omission I can understand. Not because he doesn't deserve to have his name mentioned with these other greats of music (he does), but because he did not get the recognition he deserved while he was around. He was an amazing talent, and is missed by all who were familiar with his work.

Sin of omission: Stuart Adamson of Big Country not listed!

I sent the author of the site some other legends and he responded...I'm loving this site. I signed up to their newsletter last week, great read. Turns out that you can enter the bowie competition through the newsletter - result!!

Stevie Marriott of The Small Faces and Humble Pie

Cool idea and great site, I Love it!. I heard a guy talking about this on the radio here in Australia, I’d never seen this site before. Looking at the votes I think Hendrix (who I voted for) will win this. Come on fans of Jimi!

1. Randy Rhoads/Stevie Ray Vaughan
2. Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grappelli
3. Chet Atkins

:)

We've now added a selection of artists who were all receiving votes who were not listed in the poll. Keith Moon, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Phil Lynott, George Harrison, Frank Zappa, Dimebag Darrell, Otis Redding, Sid Vicious, Karen Carpenter and Johnny Cash. At the end of the poll we will add in all the votes for these acts that were voted for in the 'other' section.

Layne Staley.

I can't believe Brian Jones isn't listed!!!!!

I'm glad Jeff Buckley made the list. He wasn't too widely known in the U.S. until his version of Hallelujah was covered on American Idol. How ironic that THAT was the medium through which his voice spread...

As far as live performances go, few were as spine-tingling and dynamic as Jeff Buckley's. He never played a song the same way twice.

And also, I can't believe Syd Barrett is not here. Don't ask me, you should know who he was!
But on the other hand, as much as I really love him, I wouldn't bring him back. Because he had suffered enough.

Erm.... Marc Bolan? Buddy Holly? Any of the three deceased Ramones?!? Personally I'd bring back Stuart Adamson (Skids, Big Country) but I can understand that he's not well known enough. But Bolan and Buddy Holly, where are they?!?

We just couldn't fit everyone on the list, that's why we have the 'other' section. Syd Barrett, Marc Bolan, Stuart Adamson, Buddy Holly and the three Ramones are all getting loads of votes and will show in the final list.

Cant believe Dimebag Darrell isnt on this list! Especially since he died so young and in such a horrible way!

the greatest fireball of talent there ever was-STEVE MARRIOT

Stuart, Dimebag Darrell is on the list and getting loads of votes!

With out any shadow of any doubt ! Bon Scott is by far the greatest loss to rock and roll ever . The best song writer vocalist and all round front man . He will always be missed but in our hearts

There can only be one winner ' THE TUPELO MISSISSIPPI FLASH ' Elvis Presley, his track record speaks for it's self, go Elvis!!!!!

Surely Joe Strummer should be added to the list

what about Maurice Gibb

How can you have a poll about dead musicians and not include the late, great Marc Bolan?

Can't we have Keith Moon on drums, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin on vocals, Jimi on lead, Kurt on rhythm, Jon Bonham on bass?

Although perhaps Sid Vicious, Keith moon and Kurt in one band and Gerry Garcia, Keith, Jimi, Jon and Janis in another.... hmm?

Great idea!

Can't believe Janis Joplin is only at 2%! But in a way....it's better she wasn't up there so that she can RIP truly.

What about Buddy Holly, Rick Nelson, Bo Diddley, T-Bone Walker, and Jimmie
Rodgers? They, as well as Johnny Cash (who's in the options), Fats Domino,
Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis (who are still alive) are the people who shaped rock and roll. Many of the people on the list are just younger generations. These guys are much better than many of the people on he list, and if it wasn't for these guys I've mentioned, rock and roll wouldn't have been shaped and evolved in the way that it did.

Fair play, and point taken, we are getting votes for all the great people you've mentioned.

just marc bolan .mickey finn and will legend.

Stuart adamson!!!!!

Sid Vicious but no Joe Strummer? You fucking idiot!

Stuart Adamson. One of the greats!! Sorely missed, Never Forgotton. I would give anything to see him in concert on last time. May he Rest In Peace.

Stuart Adamson definitely!!!! Miss him every single day.

Stuart Adamson! A fine musician and an even finer human being!

Stuart Adamson, Joe Strummer, Phil Lynott all gone too soon.

2 of the most honest men in rock n roll "gone but not forgotten"

Joe Strummer and Stuart Adamson

stuart adamson,a genius songwriter performer and such a nice guy who always had time for his fans.a real gent with a big heart,very sadly missed.

Stuart Adamson,Probably one of the most underrated singer songwriter guitarists by the music media but not by his fans followed by the late great Joe Strummer "Stay Alive"

def Stuart Adamson of The Skids, Big Country and latterly The Raphaels, would give an arm and a leg to see him back

Steve Marriott or Stuart Adamson, both underappreciated whilst alive

stuart adamson , pure class !!!!!!

Has to be Stuart Adamson again. Of course there are many others - John Lennon, Hendrix, Buddy Holly, who also shaped my life and love of music. But I grew up with Big Country, and bounced up and down in the front row, shook his hand, got his autograph. I was too young to take it in when Lennon was shot. Stuart I was old enough to never understand how that could happen and wish there was anything I could do to turn back the clock.

The most underrated musician mentioned here - IMO - Stuart Adamson ( Big Country, The Skids, The Raphaels )

(",)

And when I die, I hope to have a session with Joe Strummer ans Stuart Adamson. Sorely missed!

Sandy Denny! And why include Elvis, everyone knows he's not really dead ;)

Stuart Adamson and Joe Strummer - just wish I had made the effort to see both of them when they were alive.

It has got to be the late great Stuart Adamson.(The skids/Big Country)

Stuart Adamson went far too early fantastic talent.

Where is the master of scottish rock Stuart Adamson

Stuart Adamson should be on the list.

has to be stuart adamson,a true genius,sorely missed but never forgotten

Has to be Stuart Adamson.
The other guys are good but no one reached the genius of Stuart Adamson.

What? Where's Scatman John?!?

Since Elvis has 10 more votes than
John Lennon why isnt Elvis's name up top and listed first?

Since Elvis has more votes why isnt he listed first

Since Elvis has 10 more votes than
John Lennon why isnt Elvis's name up top and listed first?

Stuart Adamson, hands down. IMHO, a better songwriter never graced the face of the earth.

I would give everything to bring Elvis back for one gig.In fact I would give everything, if he came back for just one song!!!!!

If I can never see you, if I can never hold you
If I can never touch your face or feel your warm embrace
I still remember talkin', I still remember laughin'
I still remember lovin' you a lot and touchin' you

Only bringin' it back, only just bringin' it back
A familiar face, a familiar face just brings it all back
Everything's bringin' it back, good songs bringin' it back
Even after so much time, everything's bringin' it back

E-L-V-I-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gotta be Stuart Adamson, gone, missed but NEVER forgotten.

I find it amazing that with all of the stratospheric names listed including Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix etc. that so far, John Bonham (a drummer is in the lead). I think that a band is more than the sum of its parts. John Bonham was extraordinarily important to that band. While I would love to see many of these people again (especially Roy Orbison and Frank Zappa) I voted for Bonzo thinking that he would be nowhere close to the top.

I wonder why he was?

1. Maybe its because he is the one missing piece to seeing Zepplin fully together again? I don' t know.

No one would be here at all if it wasn't for Elvis, why isn't he listing first since he is in the lead. Give Elvis what is due him, he is number one and always will be.

elvis presley is the only one worth while, he was and still is the king of rock'n roll!! i would love to see him brought back for one more song!! elvis's track record speaks for himself...get real people!!

my vote has to be for stuart adamson (big country/the skids/the raphaels)

my vote has to be for stuart adamson (big country/the skids/the raphaels)

WTF? Where's Joe Strummer?

No question-- one person---- Elvis Presley

ELVIS - How can it even be questioned?

I'm going in a totally different direction. It's a toss up between Luther Vandross & Barry White, with Luther having the edge.

On a different note, someone who never went mainstream enough to make a poll like this would IZ from Hawii. He died way too young. For the people that don't think you've heard him, he did the ukele version of Somewhere over the Rainbow which has been heard in various movies, commercials, tv shows & was sung by David Cook & Simon Cowell loved it.

Elvis wasn't really the King Of rock and roll. He was just given the title, even though he had so much popularity. He didn't create any of the elements of rock and roll. Nothing against him, but if it wasn't for the racism in the 1950s, Chuck Berry might be considered the King Of rock and roll. Jerry Lee Lewis nearly took the title, but his scandal caused every one to judge him just because of what he does in his personal life. As well, as in the 50s, Elvis
played quite a few shows when he was out-staged. That's why he never toured with those people again, so he would continue to look good.

Elliott Smith. such a talented songwriter. his lyrics and his voice are so incredible, and he was so young when he died.

ONE CHOICE..ELVIS- THE KING!! One Concert, even one song.

TCB

Editor, why is Elvis not top as he has more votes now?

Surprised more people haven't voted for Ian Curtis. He was a true visionary, his work with Joy Division will live one, and haunt people, forever.

Oh aye, and where's in the name of all that is holy, is RORY GALLAGHER?!?

I would pay my life to get back Cliff Burton ex-bassist for Metallica!

Why wasn't he in the options?

Definitely Stuart Adamson, followed by Joe Strummer and Phil Lynott - all gone way too early.

Also Kevin Coyne or Roy Buchanan!

Stay alive Robert

ELVIS

The hottest thing that´s cool

How about Michael Hutchence?

You should include Syd Barrett int the list. He was the creator of psycadelic rock and the founder of Pink Floyd

John Lennon obviously - his life was cut short by a madman - almost all the others (with the exception of Buddy Holly, who was just at the beginning of his career) , whilst tragic, died as a result of their own weaknesses. Lennon was also cut down at (or at least near) his prime. Syd Barrett for instance died recently but quit rock in the early 70s anyway. I often wonder how J.L. would have reacted to world events in the 80s and beyond. Forever a tragedy that the world was robbed of his genious for no reason.

jim fucking morrison man!

He will always be the king no matter what! ELVIS !

Weil er der king ist, Mann! E-L-V-I-S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

frankly, i'm surprise that more dead heads haven't spoken out for jerry garcia or pigpen. i'd be all for a reunion of the original dead.

no contest. the one and only genius that was stuart adamson.

Jim Morrison? Elliott Smith? Nick Drake? Tim Buckley?

Your POLL IS BU** SH**!!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!! With the number of fans voting for Elvis Presley Daily there is no way he could capture the lead by over 100 votes in one day and then barely get 30 votes in two days! Who the hell are you kidding!? You need to run a straight poll bud!

I checked the figures for Elvis before I voted and after and the number did not change. Who are you trying to kid.

I also think that this is bullshit. Nothing against John Bonham, but whenever EP is coming closer, all of a sudden John Bonham is getting about 200 votes. I can't believe that, sorry! So I won't watch this vote any longer. Elvis Presley is and will always be the King!! And I am pretty sure that all the people on the list would agree with me on Elvis and give him their votes! As Bruce Springsteen once said:" It was like he came along and whispered some dream in everybody's ear and somehow we all dreamed it. "

Look guys, we have no control over the voting on this poll. This is hosted by Polldaddy.com we can't in any way control or fix votes. One thing I do know is there are a lot of Led Zepp fans out there! And two weeks ago Freddie Mercury was in the lead, then Lennon and Elvis.

John Bonham would be a lucky guy, if he got the votes of Elvises Fans: all those people who listen to his music and travel thousands of kilometres every year to watch his grave (not even the man - how many would do THAT)

The function of this poll needs to be examined. With the number of people voting for Elvis Presley..these numbers have to be bogus! In response to Jay, coulda, woulda, shoulda didn't happen. Elvis IS the King of Rock n Roll!

If Elvis would not have invented Rock n Roll, Rock n Roll would have invented him!

I also voted for Elvis half an hour ago and the number did not change
- That' s NOT alright little mama

The numbers for Elvis are the same today as they were yesterday even after I voted both days . Guess we don't need this poll any way to tell us who is king in our world. He will always be #1 no matter what they say.

to the editor: maybe you should check with your poll daddy because they are NOT counting the Elvis votes. Some Elvis people just quit coming here for that reason.

I have voted daily for Elvis and some days it changes, some it doesn't, When Elvis did get ahead and daylight was appearing between him and the rest, hey presto, Bonham appears to get a huge jump and always manages to outpoll Elvis. Dodgy Poll, Elvis Forever.

TRUE LOVE TRAVELS ON A GRAVEL ROAD

How soon we forget. I you listen to about anything from Aretha Franklin to Derek and the Dominos during the mid sixties to 1971 you will hear the incredible guitar of Duane Allman. Gone since 10-29-71. It's shame he didn't make the list. He wouldn't come back without Berry Oakley anyway.

I vote at Rockintown Hall of Fame every day and Elvis is more than 2600 votes ahead of LZ. For some reason, when I vote here, the numbers don't change. It seems somethin is strange at PollDaddy.

who the heck is John Bonham?

Well its gotta be the King! Elvis presley tops them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well its gotta be the King! Elvis presley tops them all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The lack of Hillel Slovak on this list makes me sad....

Elvis is the only true Legend. He wasn't voted Entertainer of the Century for nothing!

Elvis rocks and so does my little Sis Avril above.

Please check poll Elvis % has not moved for 2 days!

I checked the poll before I voted and even logged off then checked again and the numbers did NOT change. I think poll daddy is someones figment of imagination. Oh well "True love travels on a gravel road." We have been over some rough spots with Elvis before. He will always be #1

It't obvious that this poll is for the USA and from the USA.I wonder how could
anybody ask ''who the heck is John Bonham?''Although Led Zeppelin had huge
succes in America,Elvis is still in all the hearts.(??!!)
Personally,I vote for Freddie Mercury.He is and will always be THE BEST for me and I figure,for all Europeans.I suppose this site/poll is not so wellknown in Europe,unfortunately(Am I wrong??)

I would have rather that none of them died. Isn't it interesting that a lot of them died at 27. moderation can be hard at times.

Who the heck is John Bonham?

Its a world-wide poll, This Day in Music is based in the UK - we have users from all over the world. The poll is not fixed in any way, you can only vote once from your computer and every vote is counted.

Probably i'd like to go back in time of 80's and be with Freddie
Mercury more than I'd want him to come back to life again.Coz now he's a LEGENT but look at the old Roger and Brian...I just can't imagine Freddie's old - full of energy and fire....no,no,no...He wouldn't be the King of the Queen.He 's the best one.And I love him so much.When I watch "Live At The Wimbley" I wish he'd stay alive but would he be the same...? I've voted for Freddie becouse if I had a chance to bring him back to life, I'd definitely use it...!

It's a shame Steve Marriott hasn't been included. Brilliant voice, very much under appreciated. RIP the best mod singer in history!

Elvis Presley. That's someone you never forget!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nick Drake.

Firstly he'd be heartened at the success his records have achieved posthumously, and secondly he never performed a gig, so I'd like to see it.

Elvis will always be number one. Elvis is the greatest Entertainer/Man of all time and no one will ever take his place or even come close.
Elvis can sing anything and everything and always sound great and so convincing. His voice is So Great. Long Live the King

Sheesh.. Some people are taking this poll a little too seriously I think.
They're not really going to be brought back from the dead you know!
It's a bit of fun!

Over the past 6 hours, the Freddie Mercury vote has jumped from approx. 700 to now 2600. Considering the number of weeks this poll has been running this is highly unlikely to be a group of fans suddenly discovering this site and voting at once. Can someone please tell the Mercury idiot to stop tampering with the votes. It makes this poll look like a joke.

No sooner had I posted, the Freddie Mercury tally has now jumped up another 100 votes in the last 30 minutes. Please stop tampering with the poll.

The poll isn't being fixed in anyway. Brianmay.com posted a link to the poll last week, this has resulted in 100's of Queen fans voting for Freddie and other links appearing on various Queen sites. Its a free poll for a bit of fun.

I don't believe you because the Mercury vote almost stopped as soon as I made the last email complaint above. It's been 9 hours now and the vote is now only 2660.

Its on 2726. You have to take into account time zones, when the link appears on a site it can be the other end of the day to GMT.

Hola a todos
Me encanta Freddy Mercury como Queen, y espero que a la mayoría de ustedes también!!!
Quisiera que pasaran por mis fotolog: http://www.fotolo.com/amor_a__queen y http://www.fotolog.com/iiwantobreakfree :)

besiitos!

Aguante Elvis!!

I think this is a big joke.Everyone knows Elvis will always be the king of all music. Hi auntie Ree! xxxxxxxx<(*-*)>

I Love Queen, I Love Freddie Mercury, Brian May and Roger Taylor
God save the Queen!!!
From Brazil

Freddie! Please bring it back! Just one more day...
I love Queen! Love My dear Brian, Roger and the sweet John...
God Save the Queen!
Juliana, from Brazil

Thank goodness you cannot turn back time. Leave Freddie Mercury to rest in peace. He was very underweight, understrengthed and sickly when he died. Having him appear onstage pushed in a wheelchair with his full blown AIDS in public view will do the memory of Queen a disservice.

Come on everybody and snap your fingers now
Come on everybody clap your hands real loud
Come on everybody take a real deep breath
And repeat after me
I love my baby
I love my baby
Hey, hey, hey and my baby loves me

Come on everybody and whistle this tune right now
Come on everybody and stomp your feet real loud
Come on everybody take a real deep breath
And repeat after me
I love my baby
I love my baby
Hey, hey, hey and my baby loves me

Well there ain't nothing wrong with the long-haired music
Like Bonham, Mercury and Co
Well ELVIS was raised with a guitar in his hand
And he was born to rock
Well, come on everybody and turn your head to the left
Come on everybody and turn your head to the right
Come on everybody take a real deep breath
And repeat after me
I love my baby
I love my baby
Hey, hey, hey and my baby loves me...

THE KING IS DEAD LONG LIVE THE KING

Helen Sharp: You know as well as everybody does, the meaning of this poll. So don't be so pethatic (or Jealous?)!

But to the point: the're lots of great artists in the list who I want to sea alive again (healthy of course). The great Lennon with his amazing songs (what a chock that he was shut), The King of Rock 'n Roll himself (Elvis of course; great voice and devine charisma), Jimi Hendrix, the best guitarplayer ever, Bob Marleys relaxed and beautifull music and of course also Freddie Mercury. Just like Elvis Presley he had an amazing voice and great charisma. And he wrote some beautifull songs.
If I had to choose one of them: it will be a choice between Elvis and Freddie. I think it's gonna be Freddie Mercury (perhaps he's more my generation, or maybe because he was as great as a performer, but also wrote lots of asome songs). But in the end: THEY WERE ALL GREAT, AND STILL ARE!

I enjoy the music of a lot of these musicians (Kurt Cobain, Freddy Mercury, and George Harrison included), but I'd really want to see Stuart Adamson (from Big Country) at a gig. He'd be incredible, and then I'd want to just have one talk with him after the show. I'd tell him that even I can't understand the ways in which the music he created with Tony, Mark, and Bruce has affected my life. Of course, I'd thank him, too.

There are so many roses that bloom along the way, but my heart's in Memphis and that's where it will stay.

*Helen Sharp:*
I am not here to discuss, but would like to tell you that Brian May and Roger Taylor still respect and hv Freddie Mercury as a heroe and told that Freddie never prejudiced the band in any way. They did not change the volcal of the band, but just integrated Paul Rodgers toghether with Queen mark (QUEEN & PAUL RODGERS). A comment like yours here in Brasil is considered like a crime because here we cannot desciminate another person or you go to jail and you did it. Know that simply he gave all his possessions to AIDS reserarch institutions? And that few Queen shows actually are to get money to help many institutions and this way saving lives? I feel sorry you think this way, but HE, for thousands people, is still the Best of the World.

*Ram:*
Jujuzinha is my nefhew and i noticed that you understood what he meant with her words. She feel frustraded because she could not know him as we, because she is just a 14, and did not experiment the happiness to have an idol, put picture of him together, albums, posters, etc as we did in the past.

I went on Queen show at Morumbi in 1981 and i know what i felt. The band charism, the tenderness of Freddie with his fans and all the public and the emotion showed when we were there singing with him in an unique voice.Nevertheless they would never imagine that the INDIANS (the image the world have of Brasill) were go in mass to an stadium with 251000 peop-le singing in English. We are not indians, we are civilized.

Without discriminate nobody even why i love Elvis Presley, John Lenon and Led Zeppelin (John Bohan) besides other groups and bands that make part of this topic. My vote went to Freddie because simply he is day by day becoming an imortal singer because of the strenght and determinantion Brian and Roger are giving to continue HIS work. They understood Freddie wish when he bagged "/The Show Must Go On". /

Queen is simply giving to these yound people the chance to have idols that worth that.

Right that does it! You have totaly p....d me of.This bloody poll is a huge sham and dont try and tell me differant!.
Elvis has been gone from this earth for 31 years and he is still selling millions of records. Elvis is the richest dead celebrity of any of these guys mentioned in your stupid poll. So as they say in the Dragons den mate "i'm out.
stuff your poll where the sun dont shine!!!!
PS anyone like to second that,be my guest!!.

yadda.. yadda.. yadda... If you saw Freddie the months before he died you will understand why he stopped making public appearances. He was in no fit condition to go on stage and he did not want the public to see him that way, and to resurrect him like that would be very demeaning and terrible to Queen fans and to the memory of Freddie.

Very interesting site. Bon Scott and the great Phil Lynott def. deserve to be up there but I was listening to some recent Hanio Rocks live stuff the other day and I wondered just how much better they would be now if Razzle was still on drums. How do you get additional people on to your list?

My vote goes to Freddie Mercury, the best singer in the world, not that i do not love all the others, but Freddie was special, had a light inside him that iluminated all his fans until today.
Nevermind how he died, everybody will die one day, but i miss him a lot.
The world lost one of the best singers that already appeared in Earth.
My love also to John Lenon, love him too. and John Bohan once i love Led Zeppelin and lots of others like Boby Marley (great lion). but my vote is for sure for FREDDIE MERCURY.
And don´t come anyone to tell me stupid things about it. Each one has a choice, let´s respect everybody here.
Greetings from Brasil to all of you.

This is not a poll for disrespecting other artists. Elvis, hendrix, bonham, bolan
and many many more hold a special place in many peoples past, future, and
hearts. for me it would have to be Mr Mercury to see the mercury strut one more time, would be a kind of magic.

Please, can someone explain this to me? What's so great about Freddy Mercury??I don't understand why people are voting for anyone other than ELVIS. Those of you who voted for someone other than Elvis, please educate yourselves. You'll find that life is better when you know, love, and listen to Elvis. I mean constantly.

Cheers! :)

The lack of votes for Keith Moon makes me sad :(

What about Randy Rhodes

Thanks for adding those names, and I'd also like to nominate a couple of others - Arthur Lee (rock star in Los Angeles and Britain, ingeniously talented cult hero elsewhere), and Klaus Dinger (rock star in Germany for a few years with La Dusseldorf, also ingeniously talented Neu! drummer/guitarist).

They may not be household names, but they were certainly larger-than-life, charismatic and talented fuigures who deserved a more universal audience than they received in their lifetime.

I would like to see this poll listed by rank in votes. I don't understand the gray box that shows up after voting. What does that mean?
I don't remember Freddie Mercury and am certainly old enough to remember almost all artists. John Bonham was a drummer? Never heard of him. It's a shame there are not more votes for Elvis as he gave rock and roll the kick in the pants it needed and he could sing anything in any range.

"When I was a child, ladies and gentleman, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of a co,ic book. Then I saw movies
and I was a hero in the movie. So every dream that I ever dreamed has came true a hundred times. I learned very early in life that without a song, the day would never end; without a song, a man ain't got a friend; without a song, the road would never bend; without a song. So I keep singing a song. And there is room for everybody in the music field. Goodnight, Thank
You".

Too bad we can't have John Lennon and George Harrison. George, without John, would probably just want to work in his garden all day. John would have quite a bit to say, no doubt.
Elvis would be my third choice. Didn't he die for real in the '90s?

For me, it had to be Freddie Mercury.
Although John Lennon was a close second.
And some 'other's' I would have voted for?
Marc Bolan, Klaus Nomi...

It has to be the late Stuart Adamson. Great performer, gifted musician and songwriter and sadly underrated. RIP, miss you every day.

I like Freddy. I have the 3 disc best of set but there's a little filler in it. Killer Queen is in my top 5 of all time greatest songs. Bohemian Rapsody is up there too. One last preformance of him at his prime, I don't know. I'd want him alive long enough to record an album.

Lennon, I want to hear him talk about today. How screwed up is it. What can we do to change it. That would be the gig. That would be great.

If it were just to come out and perform, in his prime, Elvis.

Freddie Mercury the first, and the second for me Elvis!!

I really think Joe Strummer should be up there.

This day 31 years ago,my world felt like it had endend when i turned on the raidio and learned of the death of the grearest entertainer this world ever had. 31 years on and he is still worshiped and missed by millions so how the hell can you lot voting Freddy wotsis name to come back from the grave,what else(other than sream and prance around the stage like a fairy)did he give the world. Ask any kid in the street who Elvis is and they'll know but ask any kid who Freddy wotsis name and they'll say "Dono!" long live the king. xxx

To Avril: are you the same Avril who wrote "I'm out" (Aug 13, 2008 2:29pm ET)? You couldn't stay away, could you?! Well, you're right. And you're also right with your opinion that The King doesn't get enough vote's.
However, you shouldn't underestimate some other artists like Freddie! He maybe a bit less polular in the USA (being gay and not American) but in the rest of the world he still is extremely popular.
I think that is why this Forum is mostly going about Elvis, Lennon and Freddie. The're the absolute top of the bill. Again, I agree that Elvis (and Lennon) should get more vote's. But Freddie Mercury certainly deserves alle the votes he gets.

ELVIS ELVIS ELVIS!
ELVIS IS THE #1
QUEEN IS DEAD
THIS POLL IS A TRICK

O grande Freddie Mercury Vai ganhar
vai la Freddie eu acredito

Why should everybody automatically vote for Elvis? It's only Americans that are obsessed with the guy.

If you would come outside your little 'American bubbles', you'd see that Queen were as highly rated as The Beatles; something I know is unthinkable for most yanks.

Freddie for the win!!

This poll is rigged. The total for Freddie just jumped 200 votes exactly in 3 seconds. Impossible if this was a real poll.

Where is Elliott Smith on this list. I wrote him in. Otherwise I would have voted Jeff Buckley

As a response to NotanElvisFan: Every year in August hundret thousands of people from ALL OVER THE WORLD are travelling to Memphis TN to remember a man and his music!!! Not only americans are obsessd with this guy! I am from Europe, so do not tell me anything about my " little american bubbles "!!!!!!!! As a reaction to your name, NotanElvisFan, it is not our problem that you have such a bad taste of music!!! Nothing against Freddie Mercury, he was good (and probably Elvis Fan himself ), but he and all the others only really followed in his footsteps!! Much love to ELVIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Lole: I agree with you that Elvis is popular all over the world, not only in America. And he surely still is an example for lot's of artists.
Not for Freddie though. His was influenced by Jimi Hendrix, Aretha Franklin en The Beatles.
Both artists were great and uncomparable. Of course, Elvis broke some 'musicbarriers' and that may never be forgotten! Freddie Mercury was only about 10 years old when Elvis scored his first hits. You can't blaim him for the fact that he didn't break those barriers.
But with Queen he broke much others! He partly made classic music accessible for rock music, he broke grounds in South America (Brazil, Argentina) and the eastern of Europe and even wrote some operasongs. And his performance at Live Aid (1985 when he stole the show) is even concidered as the best rockperformance ever!
I'm not saying that Freddie was greater than Elvis. But Elvis also wasn't greater than Freddie. The both belong to the elite of music, along with Lennon and Sinatra.
Indeed, most artist only may follow Elvis in his footsteps. Only few may walk aside of him (certainly not in frond of him!) and Freddie is one of them.
Greetings to all you music fans (Freddie, Elvis, Lennon, Hendrix, Bonham etc.). They were all great!

Oh I wish I was in the land of cotton
Old things they are not forgotten:

O beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above thy fruited plain

America, America
God shed His grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea

For beautiful for spacious skies
For amber waves of grain
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain
America, America!
God shed His grace on thee
And crowned thy good, with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea

America, America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea

ELVIS KING OF MUSIC

To: Cameron Thompson and everybody

Truth ... I do your words are my words, "This poll is manipulated... Impossible if this was a real poll". Look this:

12:42 hs - SP/Brazil
Freddie Mercury 23% (4649 votes)
John Bonham 21% (4288 votes)
Freddie was winning by: 361 votes

16:48 hs - SP/Brazil
Freddie Mercury 23% (4676 votes)
John Bonham 21% (4288 votes)
Freddie was winning by: 388 votos

19:00hs - SP/Brazil
Freddie Mercury 23% (4,690 votes)
John Bonham 21% (4289 votes)
Freddie was winning by: 401 votos

21:09 hs - SP/Brazil
Freddie Mercury 23% (4702 votes)
John Bonham 23% (4712 votes)
Freddie is losing by: 10 votes

I am so sorry but I do not understand...???!!!

Some Zep fans must have gotten wind of the poll, Winagaoka. How often can you vote in this? I just voted for Lennon the second time. Must be how Bush won.

Freddie Mercury is the best.

Yes debjorgo ... You are right ... I know that have some programs that invade the sites and put in less than 30 seconds very votes for a candidate ... but we are not so ... we want our idols due honestly. There is a radio here in Brazil (Kiss FM - The Classic Rock) where the Freedie is winning with many votes and Roger Taylor is in 3rd place as best drummer. And the poll is not over. One of them will end on November 30 date the show 46664 in Rio..... For you see how they are loved here in Brazil................................... Ted: You, I and many people think that Freddie is the best ;) we know this.............. good luck to all.

Where o' where is Joe Strummer on that list?!
I'm sorry but The Clash are one of the best bands ever!

I don't think this poll is rigged. The numbers right now look okay:

18:42 - John Bonham 5,189 votes, Freddie Mercury 4,780 votes.

John Bonham has been pretty much in the lead for most of this poll since Day 1.

Hi Courtney-Maree.

I appreciate that there are many that would vote for Freddie Mercury, however, Elvis rocks and always will, why else would he be voted Entertainer of the Century. I don't know of anyone filing past Mercury's grave year in and year out, 31 years later! Therefore, I cannot understand how he or anyone else for that matter, would have more votes that Elvis.

I'm not American, don't live anywhere near there, and I think Elvis rocks and always will. Long live the King!

There is no doubt Elvis is a huge world-wide musical icon - but so is Freddie Mercury.

A couple of facts to remember:

1) Freddie Mercury statue in Montreaux, Switzerland which is visited by tens of thousands every year.

2) Wembley stadium 1992 - 80,000(+) crowd and a world record audience of 1.5 Biliion people watch a concert held in his memory.

3) Front man for arguably the only band that can compare to 'The Beatles' in terms of fame/popularity/sales.

I know that last point is going to cause a stir, but 'Queen' have been voted the greatest band of all time, on numerous occasions.

Amen to that, Scott! Although, you shouldn't forget the Rolling Stones, U2 and Led Zeppelin.
(Still think that Elvis should get more votes!)

When does this bloody thing end???

Warren Zevon?

Kirsty MacColl?

Grant McLennon?

Three terrific songwriters, and the first two died with such courage.

JIMI HENDRIX its for alltime my IDOL and my GOD !
JIMI live every day and every time!

JIMI HENDRIX its my IDOL and my GOD!
Jimi live all time and every day!

My first thought was Nick Drake, But as he was extremely uncomfortable playing live in the few gigs he did, it would be cruel to bring him back.
So I voted for Freddie Mercury. I saw Queen live in 83 and would love to see the full line up playing again.

THIS IS A GREAT POLL! It seems like there's a few dictators on this site trying to dictate "what the polls should read." Forget about it. Not everyone loves Elvis. Maybe they like him but maybe they like someone else better. Don't rant and rave about this poll being bull**it! O.K. It's not. How would you like it if someone said "Your opinions are bull*hit? Think about that and quit dictating what the outcome should be. Now go and get a fricken life and leave the pollsters alone with all your misery because something doesn't turn out the way you want it.

JIMI HENDRIX MAN -- THE GOD, THE LEGEND. What I'd give to see those long, strong legs smeared in crushed red velvet and those luscious lips and deadly sensual eyes. I'd give almost anything to see him play "All Along The Watchtower" and "Hey Joe." Now that is a classic piece of music borne out of the south. Too HOT.

Cannon: A fricken life to the Elvis fans? Maybe you should think about your own attitude first!

This poll is not representative at all. John Bonham being in a comanding position with people like elvis ( a deep breath on this one ), Jimmy Hendrix, Freddie Mercury, John Lennon behind...? That's going too far.

My vote (other) would be for: Nick Drake

What? No Dennis or Carl Wilson

Terry Kath of Chicago

A great guitarist who's death was so senseless.

I voted Lennon.
Freddie winning, I could deal with that. But John Bonham?
Lennon, Elvis, George, Freddie, that's my picks in order. I kind of lose interest after that. (Okay, Bonn Scott and Johnny Cash.) Alright, I'd like to see the Beatles and Queen together again, but short of that, these guys can get a good band together and give a great show.
I can't really believe you're saying you would like to hear Bonham drumming again, no matter who the band is or who sings lead. This is a vote for Zeppelin.
(Wow, Morrison. That would be cool.)

I just saw the Freddie Mercury figure jump up again. Something is queer. It was 5,284 two seconds ago and now it's 5,484 votes. That's physically impossible. Whoever scripts polldaddy.com must be a one-eyed queen fan or something.

No Jim Croce? Ridiculous...

Yeah get Croce on here. Maybe he can stop this John Bonham landslide. John Bonham 27% (6,792 votes) Is this thing still rolling? (Smacks PC monitor.)

Buddy Holly!! I can't believe he's not on here!! The Day The Music died!!!

fred mercury is diseased. bringing it back will infect the audience with the virus from its spit and breath

I could see that Bonham would be an excellent choice since he might be the only person that could beat some sense into the band that touring without your lead singer (what the ?#%!*%!) is a bad idea.

For sheer talent and charisma, Freddie is the King! No one, and I mean no one captured an audience, world wide like Freddie Mercury. No group ever accomplished what Queen accomplished, all members writing hits individually and together, no group ever held the world in the palm of their hand like Queen.

freddy captured something other than the audience *lol* queen btw weren't that big - Beatles, Rolling Stones, Iron Maiden, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC have all broken attendance records and sold more units - queen does not hold a single attendance record figure, many other bands have bettered them. You've become so deluded into believing your own mythology.

"No group ever accomplished what Queen accomplished, all members writing hits individually and together"

Wrong - The Beatles, both as a band and individually, hold more songwriting records than Queen. Again you've deluded yourself.

ANDY GIBB

I WOULD DEFINITLY BRING BACK, KURT COBAIN, BRADLEY NOWELL, SHANNON HOON, AND LAYNE STALEY.

Elvis Presley gets my vote. The Greatest Singer/Performer of All-Time. Elvis was the complete package - he had the talent, the voice, the looks, the movements, the stage act, the charisma, could act when given a chance and was extremely humble with it. He also sang in virtually every musical genre available to him which makes him unique among all other candidates in this poll.

We will never see his like again. Elvis was truly 'sui generis'.

Elvis was a bloated, constipated and overhyped crooner who relied on other people's songs. Get over it. He's dead and gone. Good riddance.