Mozzer at 11 isn't that bad at all.
That's 1 and 1...

I'll go with that...

If it where possible I bet they would have put him on number 1 they always do. I love his music but I think someone else should be in that spot other than him. How about Jimmy Page?

when all is said and done i think moz should have been above kurt, but im not surprised. and #11 is pretty good!

i agree with most of that list but like others, i don't get why kurt cobain is so high on the list. i don't get him but i do understand that he's an icon to some...but to be above marley, strummer and dylan!? also, what's up with eminem? i'm not a fan of rap either but how is he above 2pac?

Pop music icon, of course. Rock, not so much so. In fact, no. If this list is about *rock* icons, as the Sky News article suggests, they're way off with several of those listed and there are many glaring exclusions.

Morrissey should have placed above Madonna.Maddonna is all style and no substance.While Morrissey has both.Madonna influenced the likes of Britney Spears another performer who has music that is empty and devoid of deep thoughts or feelings.Morrissey has songs that touch your heart and soul.How can you compare that with Madonna `s so called music.

Like most of you, I think # 11 is not bad, considering that Moz never really achieved "main stream" fame. I do have a problem with Liam Gallagher being above Jagger? And Robbie Williams above Jimi Hendrix? Quite Baffling.
Should there not be a spot for Robert Smith or even Ian Curtis on this list?

I am actually really surprised Moz's done so well! I didn't expect him to be that high up the list, seeing as like others have said, he's never been as well-known as lots of others on the list, like Dylan, Cobain etc, etc... One below Dylan, eh? An excellent way to round off an excellent year, I feel :)

It may sound appalling, but I really do not think that these people would be so high on that list if they had not died when and under the circumstances that they did. It has been said many times - death is a wonderful career boost.

As for madonna (no capital letter intended), she should be flicked with boiling gravy and made to listen to all of her own records. Twice. Also, she should not be on the list.

Morrissey should be number one - but the fact that he isn't doesn't mean anything except what we all already know: that is, that he is as underrated as it is possible to be.

the fact that robbie is included discredits the whole list.

Is is a 'Rock' list? A 'Pop' list? Or a 'trendy' list?
Who voted for these people??? Don't celebrates and music just go in trends?
In a populist list of years ago you might of had Michael Jackson or Prince?
2 Pac, Jimi Hendrix, John Lennon, Elvis Presley Kurt Cobain and Joe Strummer. Yes they are all dead!
Where is Natoroius BIG? Biggy?, or someone out of Puplic Enemy? or other dead stars? Johnny Rotten? Ian Curtis? Bob Marley is he there? Lonnie Donagon? there are so many dead.
This isn't Rock music! This is trendy populist stuff. Who's hot at the moment or something.
Dieing young is not glamerous why are we obssessed with youth and fame???
It is better when are heros and icons and legends are dead so that they can't talk back and upset us!!!!
love from, Andrea Isonx

http://www.iamsodead.com/esp/images/m2-morrissey.jpg

There are 9 people out of 20 dead on this list that is nearly half!!!!
John Lennon(god love him), Elvis Presley, Kurt Cobain, Bob Marley, Joe Strummer, Johnny Cash, Freddie Mercury, Jimi Hendrix and 2 Pac!!!
On anther list years ago in the 1980s you might have gotten Bruce Springsteen, Micheal Jackson or Prince who are not dead.
As I said before it is easier to have dead icons, legends as they can't talk back and upset us!!!
(no George Harrison, Mama Cass, Janis Joplin, Lonnie Donagon,Ian Curtis,Sid Vicous, Nina Simone, Biggy and the rest didn't get in this time)
love from, Andrea Isonxxxx

No matter what you think about anything else on the list, putting Keith Richards above Mick Jagger is just silly. Show pictures of Mick to people anywhere in the world and a majority will know who he is. Keith? Well lots would know him, and lots would say he looks like an old burn-out. Hell, my 86 year old mother would know Mick, but never Keith.

Sid Vicous(RIP)
Andy Rourke would say "where is Neil Young" and he is still alive!!!
Other dead people like Mark Bolan and some of the Ramones didn't get in this time.
Andy Rourke used to like like Joni Mitchell and The Cars.
love from, Andrea Isonxxx

Fuckin hell, Rkid Liam made it up to the list!!!

Worth noting, 5 above Morrissey are already DEAD.
This does add on the votes you know.

Where is Ian Broudie??!?!

he's such a crashing bore. i'm vomitting at the fact that he's even above morrissey. i'd put robert smith or dave gahan in his place.

Moz should be the number one....

i'd have put morrissey no lower than 3 on this list and swapped out at least a dozen of the names on here for a myriad of unmentioneds

'You Were Right' by Badly Drawn Boy always went on about Frank Sinatra(more a Jazz singer), Geoff Buckly(more a folk/rock singer), John Lennon... all dead and about 'turning Madonna down'.
love from, Andrea Isonxxx

Wark, have just noticed - Eminem above Freddie Mercury??! And Robbie above Hendrix. This is just further proof (following UK Music Hall Of Fame) that the British public is, in fact, almost completely made up of idiots. *sigh*

1. John Lennon - of course
2. Elvis Presley - of course
3. David Bowie - of course
4. Keith Richards - sure, could juste as easily be Mick though
5. Kurt Cobain - of course
6. Madonna - of course
7. Bono - of course
8. Bob Marley - of course
9. Joe Strummer - of course
10. Bob Dylan - of course [should be higher]
11. Morrissey - of course
12. Paul McCartney - of course
13. Johnny Cash - of course [but Willie Nelson had been the one to die recently it would be him instead]
14. Liam Gallagher - surprising [except for the fact this is a Q list and they lov the Gallaghers] but im glad to see him- honestly shouldnt be here on sucha shortlist
15. Eminem - isuppose, though idont think we'll say so years from now
16. Freddie Mercury - of course [shoud definitely be higher]
17. Mick Jagger - ah, here he is, of course
18. Robbie Williams - not at all, should be no where close [though isuppose he is huge in Britain, and this proves it again, but nevertheless]
19. Jimi Hendrix - of course
20. 2Pac - inever understand why this thug gets so much credit- he should never be in this company but he always is- ridiculous.

some other potential names missing:

Björk
Frank Black Francis
Leonard Cohen
Chuck D
Perry Farrell
Marvin Gaye
PJ Harvey
Elton John
Janis Joplin
B.B. King
Marilyn Manson
Jim Morrison
Willie Nelson
Sinead O'Connor
Robert Plant
Prince
Joey Ramone
Trent Reznor
Axl Rose
Johnny Rotten
Frank Sinatra [should definitely be up there]
Slash
Robert Smith
Bruce Springsteen
Sting
Michael Stipe
Pete Townsend
Eddie Vedder
Thom Yorke
Neil Young

where the f is sade, her out of M people, and the bloke who wrote the theme tune to porridge?????

someone is taking a diabolical liberty with our birthright!!

either that or i am mildly tipsy, nihilistic and on the verge of swapping my life for a smidgeon of dust.

nothing is worth it. and everything means nothing.

x

Eminem is ranked higher than Jimi Hendrix?!?!?!? Oh I get it! Jimi never knocked off a liquor store in his youth or beat the crap out of his female friends.

To all my British mates from an American, I know there is alot of back and forth trash talk from time to time over countless issues, mainly political (Bush, Iraq, social issues, etc.), and it gets very, very heated at times. And although the USA does have it's share of influential/pioneers in the music business, I have no problem admitting that the UK ranks above the USA in that area. That's taking into account lyrical astuteness, muscianship, stage delivery, and true substance. True, you have your Cliff Richards and Spice Girls, but we have our Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys. And I know alot of you have a problem with Morrissey spending alot of his time and living in the USA, but we all know he will be buried in Mother England. Too bad for many Americans they don't have any clue who Morrissey/Smiths are, but I can't defend their very poor taste in music alot of times. Number 11 is even higher than I thought Morrissey would be even from a British publication. Of course many of us agree he's number 1 with us. And thanks for The Beatles.

The list looks fair. If anything.... Madonna should be HIGHER!

And i agree... what the fu*k is Robbie Williams doing on this list?? When are you brits gonna realize that he's utter crap! Him and Kylie Minouge.

It is "ROCK ICON" right????

The people have spoken...
After Bowie and Keif...
So why can't he get a Q-cover anymore?
Or a Q-award would be nice too.

OK. Madonna neither writes her own songs, or can sing. I can think of a dozen other females that should be at #6 besides her.

Nico and Patti Smith should be in there.

Michael Jackson is #1 - hello people!!

2pac,what a joke, this talentless fool sings about crap.

Eminem - icon of homophobes and misogynists and that's about it. should not be on this list. replace with Jim Morrison.

Robbie Williams - british icon and that's about it. should not be on this list. replace with Ian Curtis.

2Pac - dead icon and that's about it. should not be on this list. replace with either Run or DMC or Jam Master Jay from Run-DMC.

I notice I’ve been unfathomably hallowed again but heck, I’m in good company, for example, there is a book entitled “Saint Morrissey”. He has not been shy of controversy and stands his ground. Something new, to sing, to say, to perform, is a common feature of the musicians on the Q-list.

During his interview with Jonathon Ross, Morrissey talked about his constant need to give an account of life. The reports of his discussions and comments demonstrate his flexible and articulate thinking. John Peel acknowledged Morrissey’s obvious love of, and suppleness with the English language. It is more than likely that his autobiography, due to be on the shelves fairly soon, will find its way into another list shortly after, of best-selling authors.

Following a number of contributions on this site, I’ve received some feedback about my own literary efforts such as that I’d be better off sticking to sign-writing, and that I’m like a dog with no nose! It has also been suggested (I suspect!) that if I really had the nerve, I’d drop it and just go home. As these hints, subtle and otherwise, cumulatively sunk in, I decided I’d bite the bullet and go on a writing master class to put my delusions to the test, before my remaining intellectual capacity totally disintegrated in the abyss of faceless technology. There is a sense of self-fragmentation through the speed of the proliferating machine that has crept into everyday behaviour and that can throw personal integrity off-balance.

Nevertheless, today I sat with a handful of other hopefuls under the experienced tutelage of a well-established, highly respected journalist and author. His latest book has just been launched to considerable applause and it concerns the trials and tribulations of a well-known religious leader involved in the peace process in Northern Ireland. As our Moz has taken to publicly donning priestly garb, I detected a further appealing synchronicity there.

We performed the perfunctory introductions, including some individual background and reasons for attending. We then brain-stormed the qualities that a writer needs in order to succeed. On the list were many of the usual suspects: discipline, observations, delivery, authenticity, talent, luck. We were treated to a series of fascinating anecdotes about the intricacies of fine-tuning the tone of an article, dealing with editors, handling personal emotions when airing events close to home, in one case the bombing of a neighbour’s house. However, the ‘master’ held the trump card in the quality pack for last: he claimed that the key ingredient for staying the course as an author is compulsion. This brings us full circle back to Morrissey’s urge to be a witness, to keep faithfully whittling away at the world [that] won’t listen.

On the other hand, compulsion is also a word that can be found in the definition manuals of psychiatric diagnoses, usually describing neurotically repetitive activities stemming from some inner conflict. Frequently, it is postulated, such mental strife is not accessible at a conscious level, as this sorry tale demonstrates:

Jim and Mary were both patients in a Mental Hospital. One day, while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Mary suddenly jumped into the deep end. She sank like a stone to the bottom and stayed there. Jim promptly jumped in to save her. He swam to the bottom and pulled Mary out. When the medical director became aware of Jim's heroic act, he immediately ordered him to be discharged from the hospital, as he was now considered to be mentally stable.

When he went to tell him the news, he said, "Jim, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you're being discharged because since you were able to jump in and save the life of another patient, I think you've regained your senses. The bad news is that Mary, the patient you saved, hung herself in the bathroom with the belt of her robe. I am so sorry, but she's dead."
Jim replied, "She didn't hang herself, I put her there to dry!"

Of course that

Read the rest of this comment...

Doze schmucks at Q always louse it up! What? Yous guys can have 'M' and 'M' along wit dat coon too-pock and not dah chairman of dah board?

I ain't too pleased wit' dat one! I nevvah associated myself wit lil' candy pieces. It ain't important dat we's knows who dah 'white' M&M is, it's bettah tah know dah blue-eyed one!

No problems. Dis rag lines dah bottom of my parrakeet's cage anyway!

Who voted? What number did Julia get to?

Mr Lydon =icon, torn to shreds toerag falling apart at the seams what an entrance what an impact, every respectable tosspot in the UK furious, outraged, joe smo kicks in his tv screen, letters to the editors of every crappy newspaper in the country, councils banning them playing, he woke so many people up and united a rabble he made the jubilee bearable,it was short sweet but everlasting to anyone who got it ,the stare, the sneer the glorious bedlam, the carnage of it all, the punk rock clones and wannabes there was only one, Mr Rotten hanging on his mike stand= iconic as it gets.

Does anybody think Morrissey would have been ranked higher had he died in some tragic way? Especially if he had died right after The Smiths broke-up?

Sorry to be morbid, but it seems we always iconicize those whoe die before their time.

Of course, this type of Poll should always be taken with a 'pinch of salt'.
If you ran this Poll in Smash Hits Robbie Williams would be in the Top 3, just below Eminem and probably someone like Gareth Gates.
A Poll from the N.M.E. readership would recognise that the likes of Paul McCartney and especially Jimi Hendrix are undoubtedly Top 10 'Icons' in the history of music.
Morrissey would be Number 1 for most people on this site for obvious reasons, but there can be no doubt that there is only one artist who would top a Worldwide Poll of Musical Icons, that is Elvis Presley.
Whether you like him or not, the most instantly recognisable face and voice in Music, by a street, is Elvis.

Where's all the news??

Morrissey outranked Macca?
Well, that's what Paul gets for Wings. He knew better.

Am I the only one who thinks Hendrix and Jagger should've been in the top ten? Oh well.

1. Madonna - Oh come on, people say she's reinvented herself. No SHE didn't - her producers did... and some other people, who came up with Britney Spears.
2. Bono - No, I'm not impressed with Bono and never have been. I don't think One is the best song ever and neither do I appreciate the fact that we have to 'sing for the reverend Martin Luther King'. If it wasn't for Bono's constant attempts to become the new Jesus, no one would probably remember his songs...
3. Bob Marley - reggae is boring. No Woman No Cry is terribly annoying - I hate the rhythm. They found animals in the guy's hair after he died! ;-)
4. Liam Gallagher - his brother has a much better voice and Liam has never really been anything but a cliché..
5. Robbie Williams - I'm sure the guy puts on a good show and performance... But he is - just like Madonna - a product of mainstream producers who has no love for the music - only for the money..
6. 2pac - He was shot - that doesn't make him an icon!

Morrissey SHOULD be number one on that list. He's the only one of the 20 mentioned 'icons' who never sucked up to producers, the audience or the medias in general...

As for John Lennon: Imagine and Woman are great songs. Definitely. But I wonder if he would have been considered such a great icon if he hadn't been shot?

at least morrissey is on the list because im sure that is a nice feat. The only thing is that he should be higher then some of those people on the list..

Icons don't really come any more iconic. Other than Morrissey, only Dylan, Madonna and Cobain have anything interesting to say. Lennon is, was and always will be an ineffable bore, an ignoramus and a poor lyricist.