It's Rolling Stones week on American Idol. It may be my own bias (love The Stones) but none of them are coming even close.
Are there performers who are so Iconic and distinctive they just can't be covered?

Or... is it just Mick and the guys?

You'll never be as good as The Rolling Stones

LOL.... I'm not trying to be

Not one performance was 'wow' and i think that's because the Stones performances are so original and charismatic Lots of the talent shows do a week focusing on a particular artist... this was the worst I think I've seen.

Agree-big mistake.

Can't think of anyone apart from Bryan Ferry's cover of Sympathy For The Devil in 1973 - easily as good as, if not better than the original.

Laibach's album made up entirely of covers of "Sympathy for the Devil" was awesome!

Really?
Blimey, I'll investigate that when I'm in a good mood.

Well, I personally think Laibach were awesome but it could be that their eastern European military-industrial-nationalistic interpretations of the Stones' classic might not be to everyone's taste.

However, The Sundays version of Wild Horses is brilliant - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9lEd5bIbbQ

I also think The Sisters of Mercy's version of Gimme Shelter is superior to the original - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4kVB...eature=related - but again it could be that many wouldn't agree.

Can't agree. It's ponderous and sonically there's no depth to it at all - the entire mix is a flat as a pancake. JMO and I'm obviously biased, I think the Stones original is the best thing they ever did.

Yep I fully expect many people won't like the Sisters' version, but I love its darkness and intensity. I was a big fan of the Sisters generally though, so I'm biased as well.

It's at least a very different version to the original!

'bubblerock' aka jonathon king covered 'satisfaction' in '73....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66cTHKWtfAE

The Hives made a career out of being the Rolling Stones, I don't see why someone else shouldn't have a go.

Can The Stones be done?

hell yes... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di1gWtHzGyA

Okaaaay then!

Obviously not meant to compare and only a bit of Saturday night fun, but these two women give it a half decent stab.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9fO_Ym6z_w

Agreed!

And their version of Emma was 100x better than the Hot Chocolate...err... thing!

what about Su-bo's Wild horses?

I heard it for the first time the other day. I'd completely avoided it up until then out of some irrational fear that I might be scarred for life if I heard it.

Have to say - pretty good. Nicely odd, too.

Of course not a patch on the original - but miles better than I'd expected.

Oh my..... i cant look!

LOL.... I feel like the white rabbit... "my ears ...my ears"

I have never heard of Laibach? But I am open to being convinced

I dont thinbk anyone can sing WH's apart from Mick, its his tone that works so well.

Oh I think it may just be that I am an old foggey

I think they can be done, if Katia can do it, anyone can.