I love country music, but that is not the kind of music I listened to growing up. My Mom always had country music playing in the house, like: John Denver, Ronnie Milsap, Charley Pride, and Dottie West. However I was into the hair bands of the 80s, a few all-time great bands that everybody loves, and a couple of amazing vocalists. Here are my "Top 6 Favorite Non-Country Artists":

6. Def Leppard

Def Leppard
David Becker, Getty Images for Def Leppard
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I Love Def Leppard. That is something I have in common with Taylor Swift. She even did a "Crossroads" with them. Their melodies are infectious. My favorite concert ever at the Greeley Stampede was Def Leppard.

Favorite Album: Hysteria

5. Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi Performs In Melbourne
Robert Cianflone, Getty Images
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I've always thought Jon Bon Jovi could have been a country artist, he just chose to be a rocker. Bon Jovi was my favorite hair band of the 80s. I especially loved their power ballads like "Always" and "I'll Be There For You".

Favorite Album: This Left Feels Right

4. The Eagles

The Eagles
Charley Gallay, Getty Images For City Of Hope
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You could argue that, at times, the Eagles were a country band. Songs like "Deperado", "Seven Bridges Road", "Peaceful Easy Feeling"  and "Lyin Eyes" were definitely country songs.

Favorite Album: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 (I know it's not really fair to include a greatest hits album, but it was the best selling album of the 20th century in the U.S.)

3. The Beatles

Beatles Arrive in America
Keystone, Getty Images
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I know, everybody loves the Beatles, but I never heard a Beatles song until they had had already broken up. I was hooked immediately when I started listening to them in college. I love the early Beatles. I love the Sgt. Pepper Beatles. I love the Abbey Road Beatles. It's hard to find a Beatles song I don't like.

Favorite Album: Hey Jude

2. Billy Joel

Billy Joel
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
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When I joined the Columbia House tape club in junior high, one of the 1st 8-tracks I bought was Billy Joel's "Glass Houses". I was hooked instantly. Billy Joel soon became my favorite artist and he has a strong argument for #1 on my list. I especially love his great ballads like, "Honesty", "Just the Way You Are" and "She's Always a Woman". I never saw him in concert, but I sure wish I had.

Favorite Album:  The Stranger

1. Elton John

Elton John Performs at the Twickenham Stoop
Ian Gavan, Getty Images for Harlequins
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Bill Joel and Elton John wrestled for the #1 spot on my list, but when I started looking at Elton's big hit in his career, I had to give him the nod. "My Song", "Tiny Dancer", "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road", "Candle in the Wind", "Rocket Man", "Levon", "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" and "Empty Garden" are all favorites of mine. We even had his song, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" sung at our wedding. I never understood why he felt he had to dress funny in concert. His music always stood on its own. Elton John is definitely my favorite non-country artist of all time time, although he did crack the country top 40 as a duet partner to country newcomer Catherine Britt in 2005. The song was called "Where We Both Say Goodbye".

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