Some of the most legendary musical artists of all-time never reached the number one spot on the Billboard Top 100. So, is chart performance really the most important indicator of success?

1. Bob Dylan
2. Led Zeppelin
3. Jimi Hendrix
4. The Who
5. Bob Marley
6. Bruce Springsteen
7. The Clash
8. Nirvana
9. Ramones
10. The Kinks

other surprising artists without number ones:
One Direction, Nicki Minaj, Backstreet Boys, James Brown... idk, some of your faves maybe.

You think you're slick sneaking her name among all the other legends huh?

Neither did Placebo So close with Pure morning

i didn't know you were a little directioner

Music wasn't singles based back then. You'd put out singles which would get played on the radio and at Jukeboxes. Artists were known for their bodies of work. You'd have teens listening around a record player and it would be a full album instead of a playlist of multiple artists.

The fact is success have little to do with being a legend. You have to have influence. And you have to have respect among your generation. That's why the old people who we have grown up watching talk so highly about all of those bands.

In 30 years, the most that people will remember of our faves music is one or two songs that happen to endure. Like, if you ever see those infomercials about 60's rock and they're 5 disc sets? And most artists only get a couple songs max included.

I don't think chart performance is important for success but sales in general are. At least to a label.

On the contraire music was actually driven by singles during the 60's. The Beatles were very much an exception as were a few other rock bands but as far as other genres and artists were concerned singles were their bread and butter.

This changed alot in the 70's when female singer-songwriter types like Carly Simon and Carole King emerged as albums artists and black artists like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye began moving millions of albums and became regarded as the first major black albums artists. During that decade artists like Elton John and Billy Joel also emerged as albums artists.

Don't try to tell a guy who is high numbers lol. I knew I screwed up

The only surprising ones are rap legend Nicki Minaj and Michael Jackson influencer James Brown.

They're much older and none of them are pop, so that doesn't surprise me. Hit songs don't make legends - talent, longevity, impact, and acclaim make legends.

Shania Twain

But I thought #1 singles are relevant to become a legend?

Poor ATRL.

where is NINA SIMONE?

Shania Twain is the only correct answer.

MTE

Did you just put "Nicki Minaj" in the legends ???