Aretha is named greatest singer

The star has been given the nickname of The Queen of Soul.

Soul diva Aretha Franklin has been named the greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll.

The 66-year-old, best known for her hit song Respect, topped the list of 179 musicians, producers and other music-industry insiders.

Ray Charles came in at number two, with Elvis Presley voted third, Sam Cooke at four and John Lennon at five.

Voters included Keith Richards, Iggy Pop and James Blunt who each submitted their top 20 choices.

Besides Franklin, the only other living people in the top 10 were Bob Dylan at seven and Stevie Wonder at number nine.

Other stars on the list included Paul McCartney at 11 and Mick Jagger at number 16.

ROLLING STONE'S GREATEST SINGERS OF THE ROCK ERA 1. Aretha Franklin 2. Ray Charles 3. Elvis Presley 4. Sam Cooke 5. John Lennon 6. Marvin Gaye 7. Bob Dylan 8. Otis Redding 9. Stevie Wonder 10. James Brown

Among the top 25, Michael Jackson, aged 50, was the youngest artist.

The 100-strong list will be published in Rolling Stone's next issue, which is out on Friday.

The magazine also includes testimonials from musicians, including R&B singer Mary J Blige who said that Franklin was "the reason why women want to sing".

Former Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant, number 15 on the list, described Presley's voice as "confident, insinuating and taking no prisoners".

Brought up in Detroit, Franklin began singing in her father's choir. A live version of Precious Lord brought her into the public eye at the age of 14.

She later teamed up with producer Jerry Wexler, and her rendition of Otis Redding's Respect, released in 1967, was hailed as a social and political anthem.

Her other hits include Think, Spanish Harlem, I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You), A Deeper Love and Rock Steady.