10 Music Legends Who Wouldn't Have Made It Into the First Round of American Idol

Clearly American Idol is more about finding a commercially viable singer who can be paired with a proven producer than it is about finding a singular talent that will influence artists for years to come. However it's interesting to note that some of the best music artists of our generation would have been laughed off the stage early in the competition.

Here are ten we thought of (complete with Simon Cowell's imagined assessment):

1. Mick Jagger
   Simon: "You have terrific stage presence but your voice is like a twangy yap dog."
   




2. Bob Dylan
   Simon: "Seriously, whoever told you you could be a singer isn't your friend."




3. Elvis Costello
   Simon: "You seem like a smart chap. Perhaps you could look into writing or producing?"
   




4. Bob Marley
   Simon: "I think you'd better pray to Jah for a new career."
   




5. John Lennon
   Simon: "Sorry, I fell asleep. Did you finish?"
   




6. Johnny Cash
   Simon: "I like the look, very dark. But frankly you're scaring us."
   




7. Leonard Cohen
   Simon: "Look, I hate to be blunt, but you have no future as a singer. Perhaps acting?"
   




8. Ray Davies
   Simon: "Your voice cracked more than a street made of peanut brittle."
   
   
   
   
9. Joey Ramone
   Simon: "From what little I could make out of that, you can't sing and no one should have to look at you."
   
   
   
   
10. David Byrne
    Simon: "The big suit is a nice prop but you sing like you have the hiccups."