Which musician / group is the most universally liked?

[Roy H.]

My friends and I were discussing which musical act would be accepted by the largest percentage if you just grabbed a bunch of people at random.  It’s not “who would be most popular” so much as who would get the fewest “no way” votes.

Our group of mostly pasty white professionals in our 30s to 50s arrived on Tom Petty.  Nobody seems to hate Tom Petty as an artist.  It’s not because he’s generic, but rather that he seems universal.

Who would you throw out there as a contender?  And do any of you truly hate Tom Petty?

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

My friends and I were discussing which musical act would be accepted by the largest percentage if you just grabbed a bunch of people at random.  It’s not “who would be most popular” so much as who would get the fewest “no way” votes.

Our group of mostly pasty white professionals in our 30s to 50s arrived on Tom Petty.  Nobody seems to hate Tom Petty as an artist.  It’s not because he’s generic, but rather that he seems universal.

Who would you throw out there as a contender?  And do any of you truly hate Tom Petty?

I like Petty, especially since he was a fan of my favorite group, the Monkees.

I feel like the answer to your main question would depend on the majority demographic(s) of the random group being asked—age, ethnicity, male vs. female, etc. The Beatles, of course, are extremely well-liked, but I've also found it rare, in my experience, to find anyone who truly disliked the Monkees. And Elvis seems to have a lot of cross-generational appeal.

Another thing that might factor into this discussion is the fact that artists of the last 30-40 years—that is, those who've been active during the time of modern mass media and then social media—are a lot more visible, including any scandals or questionable behavior that a lot of people would object to. I'm thinking primarily of Madonna, who is obviously a very popular artist but whose image doesn't sit well with quite a few people.

[Roy H.]

Another thing that might factor into this discussion is the fact that artists of the last 30-40 years—that is, those who've been active during the time of modern mass media and then social media—are a lot more visible, including any scandals or questionable behavior that a lot of people would object to. I'm thinking primarily of Madonna, who is obviously a very popular artist but whose image doesn't sit well with quite a few people.

Agreed.  Also, I think that over time that most pop stars lose their appeal, due to over-saturation and lyrics that don’t resonate.  I think that artists like Madonna and Britney suffer from both, while a group like U2 lost its appeal to many when Bono became a celebrity (and they and Apple hijacked everybody’s iPhones).

[Silas]

I have never heard anyone say they did not like the Beatles.  They garnered world-wide acclaim.  I also believe David Bowie is in the same category.
I've always enjoyed Tom Petty.     

[Roy H.]

I have never heard anyone say they did not like the Beatles.  They garnered world-wide acclaim.  I also believe David Bowie is in the same category.
I've always enjoyed Tom Petty.     

The people I’ve heard criticize the Beatles were mostly hardcore Stones fans.  Kind of like people who trash PlayStation because they like Xbox better.

[ChillyWilly]

Tom Waits when I think of an artist who could play anywhere in the world and have an audience.

[nickagneta]

Billy Joel

[footey]

My friends and I were discussing which musical act would be accepted by the largest percentage if you just grabbed a bunch of people at random.  It’s not “who would be most popular” so much as who would get the fewest “no way” votes.

Our group of mostly pasty white professionals in our 30s to 50s arrived on Tom Petty.  Nobody seems to hate Tom Petty as an artist.  It’s not because he’s generic, but rather that he seems universal.

Who would you throw out there as a contender?  And do any of you truly hate Tom Petty?

I like Petty, especially since he was a fan of my favorite group, the Monkees.

I feel like the answer to your main question would depend on the majority demographic(s) of the random group being asked—age, ethnicity, male vs. female, etc. The Beatles, of course, are extremely well-liked, but I've also found it rare, in my experience, to find anyone who truly disliked the Monkees. And Elvis seems to have a lot of cross-generational appeal.

Another thing that might factor into this discussion is the fact that artists of the last 30-40 years—that is, those who've been active during the time of modern mass media and then social media—are a lot more visible, including any scandals or questionable behavior that a lot of people would object to. I'm thinking primarily of Madonna, who is obviously a very popular artist but whose image doesn't sit well with quite a few people.

The Monkees were tv actors not musicians. When they tried to make their own album they failed miserably. They were replaced by an animated group The Archies who turned out the huge hit Sugar Sugar.

[footey]

Stevie Wonder

[Roy H.]

Stevie Wonder

I think that one might be a tough sell. 

[Roy H.]

The guy I individually thought of was Johnny Cash.  How can somebody not like Johnny Cash?

But my wife falls into that group of extremely misguided souls.

I also have a hard time with people who can’t at least enjoy Elvis.

[Kernewek]

My friends and I were discussing which musical act would be accepted by the largest percentage if you just grabbed a bunch of people at random.  It’s not “who would be most popular” so much as who would get the fewest “no way” votes.

Our group of mostly pasty white professionals in our 30s to 50s arrived on Tom Petty.  Nobody seems to hate Tom Petty as an artist.  It’s not because he’s generic, but rather that he seems universal.

Who would you throw out there as a contender?  And do any of you truly hate Tom Petty?

I don't hate Tom Petty, but I don't particularly like Tom Petty. Running Down a Dream is a jam, though.

I think the last 20 years of music make this very difficult because the decline of radio & music television as the main drivers of musical consumption make uniform tastes much harder to come by. People listen to whatever they want now, and I'm sure many of us listen to vastly different things.

Bowie is probably a good bet, though. And I'd offer up Nick Cave as well, though he's a clear tier or two less popular than some of the names being offered.

Queen, perhaps?

[Moranis]

Nickleback

[Jvalin]

The Beatles.

[footey]

Stevie Wonder

I think that one might be a tough sell.

Really? Why? Pretty universally loved and admired as songwriter and musician.  Talking Book and Innervisions two of my favorite albums from the '70's.