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Bruce Springsteen has topped a new Rolling Stone poll of the “50 Greatest Live Acts Right Now.”  The Boss narrowly beat out Prince, who nailed second place on the list, and The Rolling Stones, who placed third. The poll was conducted among writers, industry veterans and the artists themselves.

Rolling Stone writes of Bruce,

“Springsteen has always brought superhuman levels of energy to his shows, but his current Wrecking Ball tour stands as one of his greatest and most thrilling,” and gives him kudos for “shredding the pre-planned setlist” and collecting “request-bearing signs from the crowd”

On Jay-Z:

With a live band keeping him on the toes of his fresh Louis boat shoes, the only predictable thing about a Jay Z show is you won’t see the same one twice. “He makes a real personal connection with the audience at every show. “There is an inclusive aspect to the show that is exhilarating,” says Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. “He’ll go down as a legend, on par with the Beatles and the Stones.”

instead.  The result?  Sets featuring impromptu covers of songs by everyone from The Ramones to Jackie Wilson.

“I don’t look at the setlist very much during the night,” Bruce tells the magazine. “I’m listening to the song we’re playing — it’s talking to me about what to play next. And I’m watching the audience.'”

Of Prince, the magazine says,

“He’s never sounded better, his band…is fire-hot and he’s plundering his back catalog with a vengeance.” 

Neil Young made the top five on Rolling Stone’s list,  with the magazine saying his

“voice and guitar playing is undiminished from his Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere days forty-plus years ago.”

Other veteran rock acts that turned up in the top 20 include U2  at number 11, Tom Petty at number 13  and Paul McCartney at number 15.  Further down the list, you’ll find the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Leonard Cohen, Patti Smith and Rush.

Here’s Rolling Stone’s full top 10:

1.  Bruce Springsteen
2.  Prince
3.  The Rolling Stones
4.  Arcade Fire
5.  Neil Young
6.  Jay-Z
7.  Radiohead
8.  Jack White
9.  Rage Against the Machine
10.  My Morning Jacket