Hi Keith!
I have been a Mariah Carey fan since 1998 when she released the song "My All" from the "Butterfly" album. [I want to] know what you think about Carey's status in music industry. Do you think one day she could become a legend? Or do you think she might be just a lucky star in that she has had a lot of success on charts [and sold a lot of albums]?
Thanks in advance for your time!
Dave Corneau
Montreal, Canada
His Answer :
Hi Dave,
Oh boy, another diva question? It does seem like certain acts, no matter how many albums they sell, or No. 1 singles they have, just aren't considered "legendary." Truly, just because you sell a lot, that doesn't mean you are a legend.
Take for example, acts like Bon Jovi, Journey, Celine Dion or Whitney Houston. All have had many hit singles, sold millions of albums, and yet, most would debate whether all of them have reached "legendary" status. (I'm waiting for frustrated Houston fans to write in, angered that I would even suggest she isn't a legend.) With some artists, say, the Beatles, Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson... it's a no brainer. They are legends. Period.
I think the "legend" perception may have to do with the artist's cultural significance. While Carey will likely end up rewriting history books as the artist with the most No. 1 Hot 100 singles (she get closer to breaking the Beatles' record every year), has she made the same sort of cultural impact as the Beatles? I think even Carey herself might concede that she's not in the same ballpark as the fab four.
And Carey fans, don't send me hate mail. "The Emancipation of Mimi" was my No. 9 favorite album of 2005.
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/index.jsp