Al, I think Richard's right...much more of a "mainstream poppy" talent than "world-changing", IMO.

I know that the young musicians and music-mad kids I know never rated her that highly...the ones "raving" about her locally were much more likely to be older people who are into the "Simon Cowell experience", or *very* young kids (pre-teens). Certainly the current youngsters "equivalent" to those of us in my generation who were listening to Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin or The Doors didn't listen to her much.

Still desperately sad, and all sympathy to her friends and family.