Is Stevie responsible for the greatest songs by a female artist of all time?

[CreepingDeath]

As far as contribution as a writer goes, my winner is Carole King.

[Jondalar]

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

As far as contribution as a writer goes, my winner is Carole King.

Joni Mitchell as far as writer but love Carole King.

[aprilsrain]

Except for "Oops, I did it again."

[bethelblues]

I want to bump this. I think Stevie is up there, especially now of all times. I feel that while Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell and Carole King have been celebrated, Kennedy Center honors, industry acclaim, legend Grammy awards, Broadway productions, Stevie largely has not. Yes, she got the BMI honor, but there are so many great songs. She may be the greatest female "frontman" of a band, ever. And while people like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and other big names fade away, Stevie's still packing arenas with Fleetwood Mac and her voice (though not what it once was) is still very much in tact. Where's Aretha? Civic centers? Tina Turner's retired...she's the only other one I can think of older than Stevie who could still pack arenas, but she was never a songwriter. I wish Stevie's Tusk songs were more recognized. My family introduced me to Fleetwood Mac and my Dad did not know Storms or Beautiful Child or Sisters of the Moon, only Sara. I think a great film could seal the deal and really put Fleetwood Mac/Stevie in the pantheon.

[He's So Unusual]

Originally Posted by bethelblues

I want to bump this. I think Stevie is up there, especially now of all times. I feel that while Dolly Parton and Joni Mitchell and Carole King have been celebrated, Kennedy Center honors, industry acclaim, legend Grammy awards, Broadway productions, Stevie largely has not. Yes, she got the BMI honor, but there are so many great songs. She may be the greatest female "frontman" of a band, ever. And while people like Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and other big names fade away, Stevie's still packing arenas with Fleetwood Mac and her voice (though not what it once was) is still very much in tact. Where's Aretha? Civic centers? Tina Turner's retired...she's the only other one I can think of older than Stevie who could still pack arenas, but she was never a songwriter. I wish Stevie's Tusk songs were more recognized. My family introduced me to Fleetwood Mac and my Dad did not know Storms or Beautiful Child or Sisters of the Moon, only Sara. I think a great film could seal the deal and really put Fleetwood Mac/Stevie in the pantheon.

Whitney Houston died a few years ago, so of course she's going to fade away somewhat. I wouldn't really say Celine Dion is fading away. Yes, her last album didn't sell in huge quantities, but it reached the top 10 in most countries around the world. Her two Las Vegas residencies have been huge draws and her world tour in 2008/2009 was a major success grossing over $280m worldwide.

Stevie can still pack out big arenas as part of Fleetwood Mac, but her solo arena tours have been patchy ever since The Wild Heart. I once read through the attendance numbers for all of her concert tours since 1983, and none of them were complete sellouts. In fact, each tour had quite a few arena shows that were less than half full. Her attendance numbers don't come anywhere near those of Tina Turner, an artist who can still sell out major stadiums around the world. Stevie does far better in smaller venues as proven by the fact her shows in venues that fit between 5,000 and 8,000 people usually sell out. She's lucky to have had Fleetwood Mac to fall back on whenever her solo career has been in a slump because if she hadn't she'd probably be performing in theatres.

As for Stevie's songwriting talents, she's written some of the most enduring and popular rock songs of the last 40 years, certainly more than other female rock singers like Pat Benatar, Grace Slick, Carly Simon and Patti Smith.

[bethelblues]

Originally Posted by He's So Unusual

Whitney Houston died a few years ago, so of course she's going to fade away somewhat. I wouldn't really say Celine Dion is fading away. Yes, her last album didn't sell in huge quantities, but it reached the top 10 in most countries around the world. Her two Las Vegas residencies have been huge draws and her world tour in 2008/2009 was a major success grossing over $280m worldwide.

Stevie can still pack out big arenas as part of Fleetwood Mac, but her solo arena tours have been patchy ever since The Wild Heart. I once read through the attendance numbers for all of her concert tours since 1983, and none of them were complete sellouts. In fact, each tour had quite a few arena shows that were less than half full. Her attendance numbers don't come anywhere near those of Tina Turner, an artist who can still sell out major stadiums around the world. Stevie does far better in smaller venues as proven by the fact her shows in venues that fit between 5,000 and 8,000 people usually sell out. She's lucky to have had Fleetwood Mac to fall back on whenever her solo career has been in a slump because if she hadn't she'd probably be performing in theatres.

As for Stevie's songwriting talents, she's written some of the most enduring and popular rock songs of the last 40 years, certainly more than other female rock singers like Pat Benatar, Grace Slick, Carly Simon and Patti Smith.

Great points on solo audiences. Fleetwood Mac needs Stevie and Stevie needs Fleetwood Mac. Tina Turner had a magnetism that was truly unparalleled. She's one of the greatest entertainers/performers/singers of all time and a survivor. People were there as much for her story as they are for her. But Tina was never a songwriter, and she wasn't going as consistently as Stevie past age 60, so audiences never waned. She also didn't have too many new albums and never really changed up her set...like Stevie (interestingly), Turner's rare acoustic performances are quite extraordinary. Stevie has probably eclipsed her contemporaries. The classic songs are there, the great songs countless. I think if critics and wider audiences knew Storms and Beautiful Child and how they weren't "witchy" songs it could only be a good thing. Maybe if Stevie played them more it could've helped. The Dance concert for the reunion it was, probably could've benefited with some Tusk songs, anything not to reduce Stevie and the band to one great album.

[Jondalar]

I would just like to add Roseanne Cash, Bjork and Tracy Chapman to this thread.

[Macfanforever]

Yes but She's very underrated as we know.

Most of the classic artists are great writers.Especially the true country artists.

I cant comment on the current artists since I dont listen to them.

[FM77]

Originally Posted by CreepingDeath

As far as contribution as a writer goes, my winner is Carole King.

Agree! Although some will say most of her classic hits were co-written with husband Jerry Goffen,,,but still...the list is staggering...

Natural Woman
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Locomotion
Pleasant Valley Sunday
Hey Girl
One Fine Day
I'm into Something Good
You've got A Friend
I Feel the Earth Move
So Far Away
Jazzman
and on and on.....