Whitney can be described better as a naturally gifted vocalist, I wouldnt call her a musician. There is difference.

A singer IS a type of musician. And what Whitney did with her voice required musicianship: the phrasing, the sense of rhythm, the musical ear to move with the progressions and create her own.

Not just that, but most of the big vocal power ballads post-Whitney were based on her blueprint. That's why so many female singers were compared to her vocal-wise and style-wise.

Madonna is obviously more of a pop culture legend, that's not even debatable. Who you think is more legendarily talented is a personal opinion though. I don't like either of them musically so I just voted Madonna.

WTF, last time I checked Whitney was winning almost 90% to 8%.

Medonsters are an organized hive mind-like entity

Whitney reminds me of Rih
Plus people only vote for her because she's dead or they dislike Madonna
I don't mean to be morbid, I'm just saying what I believe is true.

What are you talking about? She influenced fashion in the 1980s. So many girls wanted to be her.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madonna_wannabe

What? What does what Whitney "needed" have to do with anything. Both Madonna and Whitney have influenced Pop music, and Pop Culture.... just Madonna moreso

1980's

Love Whitney but i froze when i saw the poll and suddenly Madonna, took more of my attention. Madonna extends her popularity through three decades with amazing hits, iconic performance, iconic outfits, amazing albums, huge sales and iconic videos(Vogue)

Maybe those were the numbers in your dreams? Really, as long as I've been visiting the thread it's been 2 to 1 for Madonna (65/35 break). The first time I visited the thread was a couple of hours after it was first put up.

I'd say WTF? only IF this person hadn't also called CA one of musics greatest legends up there with Elvis and Michael.

Madonna has influenced women (and gays inside) and outside of music, for better or for worst (that's a matter of opinion).

Whitney's influence more than Madonna is isolated to music. She didn't motivate females to take control of their career, she didn't really influence fashion or hair. I don't think Madonna influenced hair either. I'm LMAO at announcing that Whitney Houston was responsible for big hair in the 1980s? Girls were rocking big hair regretfully way before Whitney became a hot commodity. What I will give Whitney aside from being one of the greatest vocalist (before crack) ever IS that (before crack) she was one of the most beloved figueres in entertainment no matter what the race of the fan. So, I would argue she helped break down some prejudices further during her 1980s, 1990s reign. That is significant.

And the many songs written for her she passed on that went to other singers and became hits.

Exactly!
Stacy Lattisaw even said on Unsung that her label wanted her to record a whole album of songs that Whitney rejected.

Madonna, but Whitney is more respected, even before she died.