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Can you pick the greatest singers of all time? Rolling Stone is certainly taking a shot at it. The magazine has just published its list of the “200 Greatest Singers Of All Time.” The list's goal is to honor singers that can “remake the world just by opening their mouths.” Rolling Stone made sure to include a disclaimer: that the list is of the greatest singers, not the greatest voices. “Talent is impressive,” they write. “Genius is transcendent.” Names that made the wide-ranging list include current stars Kelly Clarkson and SZA, soul and blues singers Barry White and Howlin’ Wolf while also featuring country stars Willie Nelson and Chris Stapleton and rockers like Steve Perry. Landing in the top three are Sam Cooke, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin. When discussing the criteria that helped them create the list, Rolling Stone admitted “originality, influence, the depth of an artist’s catalog, and the breadth of their musical legacy” were the most important qualities. You can see the full list here.
As 2023 rolls in, so do a lot of new laws and initiatives. In California, they include Dolly Parton. Just as last year wrapped up, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced plans to bring in Parton's literacy program, Dolly's Imagination Library. Starting in June, children under the age of five will be eligible to receive a free book in the mail each month through the superstar's program. Newsom's office says that will impact more than two-point-four million children. The program expands statewide with help from Senators Toni Atkins and Shannon Grove. Since 1995, Dolly's Imagination Library has distributed more than two million books to children worldwide each month.