… and it was down to two of the most iconic voices in music, Robert Plant from Led Zepplin and Janis Joplin, both of whom would wipe the floor with any of today’s contestants. Who would win?
Side question, who from the time period would have been eliminated by them?
As the 16 year old producer of the show I wouldn’t have put them up against each other.
Wasn’t Joan Baez a better singer? More range, warble, and so forth. Janis more a yeller?
My mother ruined music for me. She was Texas State Violin Champ in Oh Ought Whatever and whenever I shared music with her I thought was really good she would say: “Only sang three notes.” Or “Only used two chords.” Bummer. Stevie Nicks: one note. All nice on the songs we associate them with but can they really sing?
Modern day singers, one’s I detested until YouTube allowed things like “Highest note” and what not. So, turns out Aguilara and Carey can actually really sing with their 3 octave ranges that they actually use, but I don’t like but a few of their songs. Words, Music, Beat, Outrage, Fuzz Guitar, Licks, Protest, R&R. So many components.
Can’t separate the singer from the songs. Led Zep: larger catalogue.
Great photos, love them both. I vote for Janis Joplin.
What an exciting time back then.
Just to nitpick, since Robert Plant is British I don’t think he would qualify for American Idol.
The vast majority of pop music in 1970 was shite, just like today. For every Led Zeppelin we had a Norman Greenbaum, Partridge Family, Bobby Sherman, The Archies, Bobby Bloom…
I think 1993-1994 was the best year. But I am partial to grunge, so your mileage may vary.
Go play with your toys. You sound too young to have a clue about the 70’s.
Now all I need is a hit of windowpane and youtube
I’m glad American Idol was not around in 1970. Who is Bob Dylan?
Know who bobby zimmerman is?
Same guy.
Who gives a crap? Oh, that’s right – IDIOTS!
Why don’t we waste our time idolizing, oh I don’t know, telemarketers. Yea! Let’s vote on who the best annoying telemarketer is. Cause THEY (telemarketers) offer about as much to humanity and the betterment of the human condition as either Robert Plant, Janis Joplin does/did.
Don’t get me wrong. I love their (Janis’s and Robert’s) music and think they have had some amazing careers. They seem to be nice people too (or in J.J’s case, was). But should we really “idolize” them? I don’t think so!
And don’t bullshit yourself either. You too probably wouldn’t idolize any entertainer if it weren’t for the MONEY! And considering what almost any entertainer does to EARN the money I don’t think ANYONE should idolize them at all!
Admire? Maybe. But NOT idolize! Cause to idolize someone for their marginal talents really distorts what’s really important like keeping the peace, increasing knowledge or curing the sick. Personally, I would rather idolize our military/first-responders, teachers and health care workers before I idolize some damned drug-smoking rock star.
GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT PEOPLE! Want to know what’s REALLY wrong in America? THAT’S WHAT!!!
(Sorry. But this kind of crap just gets my blood boiling.)
tl;dr
Agreed.
Idol sucks the big one. A bunch of judges who are talent less and those emo kids just get on my nerves.
The only reason I know anything about Idol is because my
wife watches that horrendous program. I make her wear a sound isolation wireless headset so I don’t smash the tele.
I did get her to stop watching Entertainment tonight and some other brain damaging programs like the local news.
“Side question, who from the time period would have been eliminated by them?”
Wavy Gravy for sure.
Tiny Tim
My daughter had no idea who Tiny Tim was so…. YouTube.
My kid found him weird and funny at the same time. I’m thinking Tiny might make it to the second round at least.
He is the complete novelty act. What’s amazing about Tiny Tiny (beyond the Rowan & Martin appearances) is that his character was not a put-on. What you saw was what you got.
What? No love for Barbra Streisand? Yes, she’s hard to take, but she has the pipes of the century.
gay!
Not gay by a long shot. Got ears, though.
Plant is a Englishman, so i vote for Jim Morisson
Thanks to drugs …. Janis is dead and isn’t plant a vegetable?
Robert Plant would win the camel toe award.
+1
Freddie Mercury would win. Nobody knows Robert Plant.
Stairway to Heaven, man. First time I heard that song in the 70’s after not inhaling was magical.
Seems like a lifetime ago. Also Steppenwolf’s “The Pusher”.
I just don’t get this generation.
They have all the rock history and the overblown Current industry. Yet they indulge themselves with bad Amateurs.