Is this the fault of the pop video/MTV etc? In the "good old days" singers were judged on their sound over the airwaves and on shellac, as well as by a smaller live audience. Most of the great women jazz and blues singers wouldn't have been successful catwalk models (in the case of Mama Thornton she'd have terrified the horses) but who cared?
I'd rather have Ella, Billie (H),Sarah, Etta,Bessie, Ma,etc.than Britney, Kylie,Louise etc, but the youngsters are good to watch with the sound off!
RtS (sad old git)