One thing to consider is that the list doesn't include charting on Rock Radio, which Stevie ranks high, including several #1 songs. Another interesting thing is many of these artists high on the list, aren't ranked as high on Album sales. This list is pretty interesting. Olivia Newton-John ranks #6! Pretty impressive. She certainly had a long 10 year run on top 40 radio, and to still rank this high after all these years is amazing! Her last top 20 hit was "Soul Kiss," in 1985.
The lesson gleaned overall is that Pop (whether it's straight pop, pop/R&B, dance-pop or what have you) SELLS. In the top 20, the closest we get to a rock artist is #16 Cher (whose biggest hits were dance), #17 P!nk (somewhat the same) and #19 Lady Gaga (definitely the same). Artists who really resided in the genre of rock are few and farther down the list.
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