Rusty Saber: Readers respond to greatest singers list

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A while back the first week of May, to be precise the Rusty Saber focused on a British Broadcasting Company poll regarding the 10 greatest singers of the 20th century. I agreed with some, removed some and rearranged the order of others within the top 10. |ret||ret||tab|

Readers were asked to let me know what changes they would make to the BBC list and/or my list. I know there are a lot of solemn issues I could write about, but many others are already sounding off on them. |ret||ret||tab|

What the heck, you readers need to kick back for a few moments and read something that won't aggravate you if you disagree with me. Besides, I promised readers a voice. You have heard of interactive TV; this is interactive newspaper.|ret||ret||tab|

I know that readers commit each issue of the Rusty Saber to memory before filing it away for future reference; however, it's possible that a scant few of you may have missed the column in question. I will review The BBC top 10 and the Rusty Saber picks.|ret||ret||tab|

BBC: 1. Frank Sinatra, 2. Elvis Presley, 3. Nat "King" Cole, 4. Ella Fitzgerald, 5. Bing Crosby, 6. John Lennon, 7. Aretha Franklin, 8. Billie Holiday, 9. Barbara Streisand, 10. Queen's Freddy Mercury. |ret||ret||tab|

Rusty Saber: 1. Frank Sinatra, 2. Nat "King" Cole, 3. Sarah Vaughan, 4. Ella Fitzgerald, 5. Bing Crosby, 6. Tony Bennett, 7. Billie Holiday, 8. Judy Garland, 9. Barbra Streisand, 10. Elvis Presley.|ret||ret||tab|

I heard from some readers who wished to remain anonymous and others who didn't. |ret||ret||tab|

No one took me to task for flip-flopping Elvis from second to 10th, nor did I receive grief for removing Aretha Franklin, John Lennon and Freddie Mercury replacing them with Sarah Vaughan, Judy Garland and Tony Bennett. |ret||ret||tab|

Of all the readers responding, one stands out as insightful, astute and just downright intelligent; she is Nancy Evans who e-mailed the following brilliant message: "I must agree w/Joe McAdoo and would rate his list a 10!" It's rare for me to come face to face with such dazzling judgment. When I say rare, I mean rare!|ret||ret||tab|

A fax from Chuck Armstrong inferred that Barbra Streisand didn't belong, saying she is "not on the radar." He adds that "Any list without Patsy Cline in the top five is suspect." |ret||ret||tab|

Patsy Cline adds a whole new dimension to the equation: Should country singers be on the list? A strong case could be made for others, such as Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Hank Williams. Country music fans might name others.|ret||ret||tab|

Should there be a separate list of the top 10 country singers? Reader Armstrong adds a statement almost as quotable as that of Nancy Evans: "(Patsy Cline) and Judy Garland together can make a sober man cry." How is that for an eloquent tribute?|ret||ret||tab|

Readers Ed and Peggy Smith mention some prime candidates for the top 10, among them another country singer, Eddy Arnold, a strong candidate. |ret||ret||tab|

Perry Como, who recently passed away, is another of their choices. I think I was remiss in not suggesting him along with others I previously said might be good choices. His golden voice racked up hit after hit over more than four decades. |ret||ret||tab|

Two other strong male voices, Gordon MacRae and Eddie Fisher are suggestions by the Smiths. They also point out that when I mentioned Rosemary Clooney as one who could have been on the list, I should have included Patti Paige. I agree; both singers are still in good voice long after their so-called prime.|ret||ret||tab|

A reader who doesn't care to be named said that no top 10 list of great singers is complete without Jo Stafford, the velvet-voiced lady who matched other greats of the ballad singer era in racking up hit after hit. Neil Diamond was another name thrown into the pot. I was informed that his concerts are always sold out, proving that he still has a strong following.|ret||ret||tab|

Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams also were mentioned, both could easily be in the top 10 and are still going strong; Andy Williams is doing it in Branson.|ret||ret||tab|

I suppose that differing personal tastes make it virtually impossible to come up with a list of singers we would all agree withall that is, except the tasteful Nancy Evans who agrees with my list.|ret||ret||tab|

I am happy that some readers joined in the fun of naming their favorites. This interactive newspaper is great; let's do more of it.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|(Joe McAdoo is former chairman of the communication department at Drury University and a Springfield public relations consultant.)|ret||ret||tab|

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