1. Michael Jackson – He might have been wacko, but Jacko knew the value of a great guitarist. So he worked with Eddie Van Halen, Slash and Steve Lukather. The best collaboration was probably with Van Halen on Beat It.

2. Chris Cornell – His last solo album, Scream, had great songs, fantastic vocals – and a dog of a production from Timbaland. All the latter did was sprinkle some urban chintz, which was wholly inappropriate! Still, at least it got Cornell back with Soundgarden.

3. Judas Priest – It seemed like an interested idea. Get the icons of metal to work with Stock, Aitken & Waterman, the high priests of pop. This happened at the end of the 1980s, but the results were allegedly so disastrous that the band won’t let anyone hear the tracks!

4. Duran Duran – It’s said that, under the influence of guitarist Andy Taylor, the new romantic pin-up lads decided to make Wild Boys a real hard rock slammer, with lots of geetar, The story goes that EMI, their label, almost went into convulsions when they heard the result. So, what was finally released as a single had almost all the guitar removed. Shame.

5. Puff Daddy – When the rap hellraiser did the song Come With Me for the soundtrack of the Godzilla movie in 1998, it was effectively a remake of Zeppelin’s Kashmir. Not only did Jimmy Page approve, he played on it! As did Tom Morello of Rage Against The Machine. Nobody should be proud of the result.

6. Metallica – So, Metallica decided that they needed a female voice for the song The Memory Remains, from the ReLoad album. They got in the legendary Marianne Fathfull, and then proceeded to make her sound like a daft old bat. Right at the end of the song, they even appear to leave the studio, turn out the lights, lock the door, and she’s croaking away. Embarrassing.

7. Mariah Carey – In 2002, the diva covered Def Leppard’s Bringin’ On The Heartbreak. Talk about showboating. Joe Elliott might have approved, but few others did. It was released as a single and flopped. Sometimes the public does know best.

8. Sugababes and Girls Aloud – The two all gal groups combined in 2007 for a cover of Aerosmith’s Walk This Way. All done for Comic Relief. It’s best to treat this as a comedy record, actually.

9. Will Young – The Pop Idol idler covered The Doors classic Light My Fire in 2002. It’s so bad you wanna set him alight, and then set him free in a sea of petrol!

10. Diana Ross – The queen of Motown stunned everyone in 1981 by recording a rock single. Mirror Mirror even had an – ulp! – guitar solo. The fact she was dating Gene Simmons at the time could explain it all. But it was actually not too bad.

Know any other examples of pop/rock crossovers? Let us know your faves – or your hates – below!

70. What Do You Want From Me? – Alice Cooper
From the 2003 album The Eyes Of Alice Cooper. If anyone needed convincing that the Coop could still come up with classic hard rock, then this was all they needed to hear. Typical Alice. Listen to the song here.

69. We’re All In Love – New York Dolls
From the 2006 album One Day It Will Please Us To Remember Even This. After over 30 years away, the Dolls crank back with a song that nods rigorously at the past, but proves there’s vitality in those bones still. Watch the Dolls playing the song live here.

68. Unemployed Boyfriend – Everclear
From the 2000 album Songs From An American Movie, Vol. 1: Learning To Fly. Steeped in 70s pop–rock goodness, but with an insidious twist that suggest all is not as it should be underneath the superficial shine. Perfect for the 21st Century. Listen to the song here.

67. Tribute – Tenacious D
From the 2001 album Tenacious D. This is how you combine humour, hubris and hummability. Great song in tribute to… a great song. Watch the video here.

66. The Only One – The Wildhearts
From the 2009 album Chutzpah!. Still more than capable of biting down hard on timeless hard rock melodies, The Wildhearts continue to be both individual yet genetically appealing. Listen to the song here.

65. The Lucky Ones – Pride Tiger
From the 2007 album The Lucky Ones. Canadians who celebrate heritage rock in the best possible way, by refreshing and revitalising the spirit of the early 70s. Such a shame they split up in June 2009. Watch the video here.

64. The Galway Girl – Steve Earle
From the 2000 album Transcendental Blues. Semi–autobiographical story from the politically motivated rebel country rocker, with a beautifully lilting celtic vibe. Listen to the song here.

63. The Death And Resurrection Show – Killing Joke
From the 2003 album Killing Joke. Intense, moody, gothic, occult–inspired – the usual Killing Joke cake-mix. But this one has added bite and bile. A tremendous comeback. Listen to the song here.

62. Teenage Dirtbag – Wheatus
From the 2000 album Wheatus. It namechecks Iron Maiden, has teenage lust and angst at its heart, and a soul–crunchin’ chorus. Perfect for the American Pie generation. For those of you who’re horrified by Wheatus’ inclusion in our list, you’ll be even more horrified when you check out check out Girls Aloud’s version here.

61. Tear Your Heart Out – Heaven’s Basement
The 2009 single. This band might have changed names so often they could have an identity crisis, but when you hear this joyous throwback to the glory days of Bon Jovi and Europe, it makes you believe anything’s possible for them.  Listen to the song here.

Go here for previous entries in the Classic Rock chart.

* Coming tomorrow on www.classicrockmagazine.com – numbers 60 through to 51.