When Rolling Stone released its “200 Greatest Singers of All Time” list earlier this year, Celine Dion fans were stunned that she wasn’t included. On Friday, a group of devoted fans gathered at the magazine’s New York offices to protest.
The outlet covered the rally itself and documented the many slogans adorning the protesters’ placards. From ‘Justice for Celine’ and ‘Rolling Stone Is Stoned’ to ‘I Drove All Night to Be Here’, the group – calling themselves the Red Heads – were eager to be heard.
“You obviously made a big mistake by forgetting her name from the big list you released last week,” founder Line Basbous told Rolling Stone. “We wanted to make sure you understood that you are missing the best singer in the world. It should be the first name on the list.
Rolling Stone noted in its introduction to the list that it consists of the greatest singers, rather than the greatest voices. However, this controversial included artists like Kelly Clarkson (No. 194) on Dion. For the Red Heads, this could not last.
The group was simply a dedicated Facebook page before 15 members made the six-hour trip from Montreal to New York, according to Variety. They gathered outside the midtown Manhattan offices to play Dion’s music and spotlight Rolling Stone staffers, including video producer Ilana Woldenberg, who spoke to them.
One protester even entered the building in an attempt to meet Rolling Stone editor-in-chief Noah Shachtman and hand him a DVD of Dion’s career highlights. Footage of the protest has since made its way onto the group’s Instagram story.
This tangible outpouring of support went viral and led many on social media to note that it coincided with the second anniversary of the January 6 Capitol riot. Across the street, New York Public Library protesters cheered on Attorney General Merrick Garland to prosecute those involved in the insurrection.
“Yes, it’s very important, the other protest, we believe in the other protest,” French-Canadian broadcaster Julie Snyder told Woldenberg. “But we also believe that we can protest with our heart and our song, and that song can help people get better.”
Dion, whose “My Heart Will Go On” and “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” remain iconic, wasn’t the only legendary artist left out. Madonna was also excluded. However, Dion’s absence was too noticeable for the Red Heads to ignore.
“She’s won Oscars, Grammys and American Music Awards,” Snyder said, reminding Woldenberg of Dion’s performances at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and at the Tribute to Heroes event after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. – oh! You guys are done, good!
