2016 has been a rubbish year for our heroes. As the year begins to wind down it makes sense to feel reflective on all the brilliant artists we lost over the last 365 days. And while we said goodbye to some outstanding musicians this year, none will be missed more, perhaps, than David Bowie.
That’s why it seems fitting that the late great Ziggy himself has been named the UK’s favourite musician in a piece of recent research.
The singer, songwriter and actor, who passed away in January, scored 25 UK Top 10 hits in a career that spanned five decades.
The study, which polled 2,000 Brits on their favourite musicians and actors, put the 70s rocker in the top spot.
Bowie beat tough competition from Elvis Presley, Ed Sheeran and Michael Jackson.
Meanwhile ‘Hello’ songstress Adele bested tough competition from Kate Bush and Whitney Houston to win the women’s musician category.
A spokesperson from CamRate who commissioned the study into Britain’s favourite musicians and actors, said: “In 2016 the UK is as mad about celebs as ever. We love to love them, too.
“Celebrity culture is a big part of modern life for most and we are all influenced by the works of these great public figures.”
The poll also generated a vote for the most recognisable public figure, which was topped by anti-apartheid activist and politician Nelson Mandela.
Mandela was closely followed by talk show host Oprah Winfrey and physicist Stephen Hawking in the countdown.
A spokesperson for CamRate added: “The research has brought up some real surprises. I mean, who doesn’t know who Walt Disney is?
“The public love rating things more than ever, from celebs to food and even holidays. At CamRate we want to provide the liberating experience of rating anything, in an instant, all in one place.
“CamRate makes it easier to explore and discover what the world really thinks.”
TOP 20 MALE MUSICIANS
- David Bowie
- Elvis Presley
- Ed Sheeran
- Michael Jackson
- Bruce Springsteen
- Michael Buble
- Sir Elton John
- Rod Stewart
- Bob Dylan
- Frank Sinatra
- Johnny Cash
- Bruno Mars
- Meat Loaf
- Eric Clapton
- Sir Paul McCartney
- Justin Timberlake
- Sir Cliff Richard
- Justin Bieber
- Bryan Adams
- Prince
TOP 20 FEMALE MUSICIANS
- Adele
- Kate Bush
- Whitney Houston
- Tina Turner
- Beyonce
- Kylie Minogue
- Taylor Swift
- Madonna
- Rihanna
- Lady Gaga
- Katy Perry
- Ellie Goulding
- Pink
- Sia
- Jennifer Lopez
- Mariah Carey
- Lana Del Rey
- Alicia Keys
- Ariana Grande
- Shakira
TOP 20 MOST RECOGNISABLE PUBLIC FIGURES
- Nelson Mandela
- Oprah Winfrey
- Stephen Hawking
- Sir Winston Churchill
- Bill Gates
- Albert Einstein
- Bruce Lee
- Walt Disney
- Florence Nightingale
- Charles Darwin
- Fidel Castro
- Christopher Columbus
- Aretha Franklin
- Mahatma Gandhi
- Mark Zuckerberg
- Rupert Murdoch
- Isaac Newton
- Marie Curie
- Pele
- Kim Kardashian