The best Aussie singers of all time
We crunched the numbers and ranked the Top 30 best solo acts in Australian music history. But readers had a completely different view.
Entertainment
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The readers have spoken - voting Paul Kelly as their favorite Australian solo singer.
Last weekend’s poll - topped by Olivia Newton-John - has caused major debate and led to a flurry of reader comments and votes.
Kelly, who sat at No.11 in the original list, shot to No.1 as of Wednesday.
The biggest leap saw Russell Morris soar from No.28 to No.2 on the readers’ poll.
John Farnham is No.3, Johnny O’Keefe No.4 and James Reyne at No.5.
Wendy Matthews, Peter Allen, Daryl Braithwaite, Vanessa Amorosi and Kate Ceberano round out the readers’ Top 10.
The original poll was not a ranking of talent, rather it calculated album and chart positions (domestically and internationally), streams, YouTube views and awards.
We focused on artists who achieved their success as solo acts, not fronting bands - such as Nick Cave, John Butler, Marc Hunter, Judith Durham - although some acts like Jimmy Barnes, James Reyne and Daryl Braithwaite left famous bands and continued to enjoy enormous solo success.
Readers could also vote for the most overrated and underrated artists.
Keith Urban and Delta Goodrem were voted most overrated, with Sia, Kylie Minogue and Olivia Newton-John also joining them.
Paul Kelly and Johnny O’Keefe were voted most underrated, joined by Peter Allen, James Reyne and John Farnham, whose career doesn’t seem to be suffering too much.
See the original Sunday Herald Sun story below and the Top 30 list.
Voting remains open. Cast yours.
READERS’ TOP 30
1. Paul Kelly
2. Russell Morris
3. John Farnham
4. Johnny O’Keefe
5. James Reyne
6. Wendy Matthews
7. Peter Allen
8. Daryl Braithwaite
9. Vanessa Amorosi
10. Kate Ceberano
11. Jimmy Barnes
12. Slim Dusty
13. John Williamson
14. Rick Springfield
15. Lee Kernaghan
16. Jessica Mauboy
17. Vance Joy
18. Andy Gibb
19. Helen Reddy
20. Guy Sebastian
21. Missy Higgins
22. Gotye
23. Natalie Imbruglia
24. Kylie Minogue
25. Tina Arena
26. Kasey Chambers
27. Sia
28. Olivia Newton-John
29. Delta Goodrem
30. Keith Urban
———————————
Music is an indelible part of Australian culture, reflecting our national evolution and ideals.
But Australian music can be contentious, based on eras and taste.
Earlier this year we ranked Australia’s biggest bands, with AC/DC coming out on top. Now here’s our Top 30 of Australia’s solo acts, gauged from album sales, local and international chart success, streaming figures, You Tube views and award hauls.
We narrowed it down to singers – meaning dance producer Flume and comedian The 12th Man missed out, while acts who perform with bands — like Nick Cave, Billy Thorpe and John Butler — weren’t eligible. Don’t agree – vote in the poll.