By "new" I meant from the 21st century, I suppose. I didn't check the list, but Nirvana is probably the highest artist that peaked artistically, critically, commercially etc. in the 90s.

If you mean entirely 21st century, I'd guess that Kanye West would be the highest ranking artist when the list is revised (he might be now also). He may move up quite a bit, but I wouldn't think into the top 20. Jay-Z and Eminem are a couple big ones that are partially '90s, but primarily 21st century.

What is Fats doing above Michael Jackson? I don't even like Michael Jackson, and I'd have to say that is wrong. He is far more popular than Fats, and hasn't Michael Jackson influenced more people with his dance moves/music videos etc.?

I disagree about hip hop being rock, but to each his own.

Quite frankly, it seems to me that artists from the 50s are fading into obscurity, albeit it is largely attributable to two facts:

1. The only radio format where they can be played is oldies stations.
2. They did not release critically acclaimed albums as that was not the music industry's focus.

Have you seen our explanation about why rap is a part of rocK?

http://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/why-rap-is-rock.html

Sampson has made some lists, maybe he can start updating this.

Don't hold your breath. He's on one of his frequent hiatuses from the site. He did not even write his usual hall of fame stuff this time around.

I hope he never gets to this list.

He seems to be back now, with the new 1977 album list.

Yes, I have.

Why?

Because he's got a history of undervaluing certain artists, and has shown no willingness to listen to other people's arguments. It's pretty clear that he's going to move The Beatles out of #1, which I strongly disagree with--and while it's certainly not crazy to put Elvis above them, I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't the only one, and that WOULD be crazy. He's also the guy who greatly undervalues the Dead on the Live Artists list, where he insists that an artist who dies young should get higher marks for "consistency" then one who performs at a high level for decades but eventually sees a small dropoff, and the guy who insists that Chicago isn't a rock band because they appeal to much to adults. I think he's going to make the list worse. I think his version of the list will be interesting and at times thought provoking, but not what we want representing the site for one of the most important lists.

Sampson's boy Stevie Wonder did the same thing with "Ebony And Ivory" and "I Just Called To Say I Love You."

Funny how Sampson started as the maverick who fought for black acts that were not on the rock lists here 10-12 years ago, and now he's become the old man telling the kids to get off of his lawn.