Marvin Gaye's album "What's Going On" grabbed the top spot in Rolling Stone's overhaul of the "500 Greatest Albums of All Time."
Seventeen years after first publishing "500 Greatest Albums of All Time," Rolling Stone magazine announced that it is giving the list a major update, making it "less rock-centric" in the process.
Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On" replaced the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" in the top spot. Here's video of the title song from Gaye's album:
"When we first published the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in December 2003," the magazine said, "Amy Winehouse was still three years from releasing 'Back to Black,' and ... many of today's top musicians (and fans) weren't in middle school yet."
For Rolling Stone's full list of 500 albums, go here.
People are also reading…
The list now features 154 new albums not previously on the 500 list and 86 albums from this century. The change represents a massive shift for the magazine, moving to recognize more contemporary albums and a wider range of tastes.
Among the standouts are the addition of two Prince albums to the top 50, "Sign O' the Times" at 45 and "Purple Rain" at No. 8.
Official Video of Prince - Purple Rain Live at Carrier Dome in Syracuse, NY, on March 30, 1985.
"The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" jumped more than 300 spots to now sit at no. 10 on the list.
The revamp was a year-long process, the magazine said, and more than 300 artists, journalists and industry figures voted and helped determine the new list, including stars like Beyoncé, Carly Rae Jepsen and members of U2.
Voters submitted ballots ranking their 50 favorite albums of all time, and the magazine tabulated the votes. More than 3,000 albums received at least one vote.
-----
Having a popular album doesn't guarantee a Grammy win for album of the year — sometimes, not even a nomination.
Here are 10 top-selling albums that didn't win a Grammy for album of the year:
10 top-selling albums that didn't win a Grammy for album of the year
Led Zeppelin, "Led Zeppelin IV"
Led Zeppelin, "Led Zeppelin IV" has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and includes the classic "Stairway to Heaven," but the 1971 disc didn't appear in nominations for album of the year.
Pink Floyd, "The Wall"
Pink Floyd's "The Wall" is not only considered one of rock's classics, it also boasts 23 million albums sold. It was nominated for 1980 album of the year but lost to Christopher Cross' self-titled album.
AC/DC, "Back in Black"
AC/DC's "Back in Black" sold 22 million albums but wasn't a Grammy nominee.
Shania Twain, "Come on Over"
Shania Twain's "Come on Over" sold 20 million albums and won two Grammys. It was nominated for album of the year but lost to Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill" in 1999.
The Beatles, "The Beatles" (White Album)
The Beatles' "The Beatles" was perhaps better known as the group's legendary "White Album." The 1968 album's classics include "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" and "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," among others, but it didn't receive a nomination for album of the year. It is the Beatles' best-selling album with 19 million copies sold to date. However, the band had won best album for the 1967 album "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," so perhaps it was just too soon for Grammy voters.
Guns N' Roses, "Appetite for Destruction"
Guns N' Roses' 1987 classic "Appetite for Destruction" didn't have any Grammy nominations. It has sold 18 million albums.
Boston, "Boston"
Boston's "Boston" didn't get an album of the year nomination, but the band was nominated for best new artist. "Boston," released in 1976, has sold 17 million copies.
Garth Brooks, "No Fences"
Garth Brooks' "No Fences" also had no nominations; the 1990 album has sold 17 million copies.
The Eagles, "Hotel California"
The Eagles' "Hotel California" was nominated but lost to Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" in 1978. It won two Grammys that year, including record of the year for the title track. The album has sold 16 million copies.
Hootie & the Blowfish, "Cracked Rear View"
Hootie & the Blowfish's "Cracked Rear View" has sold 16 million since its 1994 release. It netted the group best new artist and pop performance by a duo or group trophies (the latter for "Let Her Cry"), but the album wasn't nominated for album of the year.
The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.
