Bye Week Debate -- Best Band Front Man
I get into this argument every year or so with friends and family. If you're like me, you have a strong opinion on the matter. So in this down week with no opponent to dissect, I ask you to dissect the following:
Who is in your "Top Five" for the greatest "Front Man" of a band in the history of rock 'n roll:
My personal list is:
1. David Lee Roth/Van Halen
2. Freddie Mercury/Queen
3. Mick Jagger/ Rolling Stones
4. Dave Grohl/Foo Fighters
5. Steven Tyler/Aersomith
Qualifications:
1. Stage Presence/Entertainment
2. Quality of Voice/Musical Capability
3. Length of Career
4. # of hits
October 13th, 2016 at 1:47 PM ^
I'm surprised that no one has said Dave Gahan of Depeche Mode.
Also it wouldn't be an MGoBlog music post if someone didn't mention a mopey Englishman, so I nominate Morrissey, both when he was of the smiths and solo
October 13th, 2016 at 12:31 PM ^
Michael Stipe - R.E.M.
Adam Duritz - Counting Crows
Chris Martin - Coldplay
Ziggy Marley (OT)
October 13th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^
I think you're leaving one out. Hair! This dings Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant, whose hair was just a mess. Freddie may be the only frontman who could get away with that mustache. Entire bands in the 80's were built around their frontman's hair.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 12:33 PM ^
Frankie Valli/The Four Seasons
The list of hits is very long. He's 83 and still touring and can still sing. He comes out in a suit and tie, and toward the end of every show shakes hands with everyone at the stage.
Old school class act, with unique talent and nearly unheard of longevity.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:33 PM ^
(1) Freddie Mercury (Queen)
<huge, enormous, ocean sized gap>
(2) Bruce Springsteen
(3) Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones)
(4) Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
(5) James Hetfield (Metallica)
October 13th, 2016 at 12:41 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 2:08 PM ^
Two great albums, I saw them a couple times during those tours, that dude really is underrated.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:43 PM ^
1. Morrissey - for his connections to MGoBlog and the fact he has a song named, "Suedehead."
2. Bruce Dickinson - took Iron Maiden from being a great heavy metal band to being the Greatest Heavy Metal band. Not only that, but he FLYS THE FREAKING AIRPLANE FROM SHOW TO SHOW! Ed Force One.
3. Axl Rose - discussed above, has fronted GnR, GnR, and AC/DC.
4. Peter Garrett - I saw him in concert. There's something mesmerizing about a bald, 6' 4" Aussie frontman dancing like a robot on the fritz. Incredible show.
5. Todd Park Mohr - Not in the same class as a showman, but I like the fact that the band is named after his big head and he's got an incredible voice.
October 13th, 2016 at 2:29 PM ^
Morrissey music hurts my ears.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:52 PM ^
I guess you could say that his band changed quite a bit over time. Maybe I missed it but can't believe Prince hasn't been mentioned.
October 13th, 2016 at 2:47 PM ^
I think because most of us consider Prince more of a solo act than a band front man per se. Similar to Elvis. Yes, they had a band backing them, but you only really think about them, not the band. At least, that's why I don't include him in this.
October 13th, 2016 at 12:59 PM ^
debbie harry is maddeningly underrated in this capacity...she kills it as a singer and performer (as good as or better than many others listed here) and she also wrote a good chunk of blondie's songs including several of their biggest hits. across the board appeal regardless of gender, orientation, race, etc. hung out with the ramones and johnny thunders. cool enough to dig disco. introduced a bunch of dumb kids to rap, most of whom would have otherwise been clueless. don't strain your brain, she should be on all y'alls top five lists!!!
October 13th, 2016 at 1:21 PM ^
...but I think Jerry Garcia should make a list of all-time band front men.
October 13th, 2016 at 3:52 PM ^
No doubt about it. If you want to talk about holding an audience, not many did it better than Jerry and the Dead. He may not be as eccentric as Mercury or Mick, but that is because he was way too busy jamming on his guitar. But man, did that guitar just suck you in!
October 13th, 2016 at 1:25 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 4:12 PM ^
My first genuine "Not my fault" double post. Thanks mgoblog hamsters!
October 13th, 2016 at 4:11 PM ^
Jack White for sure .
October 13th, 2016 at 1:37 PM ^
Got to see Queen with Freddie twice he was awesome. Also cooked for them after a show.
Freddie
Hagar with Montrose
Ronnie Vandzant Skynard
Robert Plant
Brian Johnson Got to drink with him for hours one night.
These are just guys I had the luck of seeing in concert.
October 13th, 2016 at 1:52 PM ^
John Lennon
Also let me put
Liam Gallagher and Layne Staley into the discussion..... Or was wearing sequins and makeup a pre requisite?
October 13th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^
AIC's unplugged concert still gives me chills
October 13th, 2016 at 2:05 PM ^
Say what you want about James, you can poke at his voice talent, which he has little. However, that man is pure metal and aggression. His down picking is also considered to be inhuman.
I'll also throw in Maynard, Bob KAKAKAKAKATMANDUUU!! Seger and Dustin Kensrue.
October 13th, 2016 at 2:47 PM ^
Logged in just to upvote you for mentioning Chino.
While not legendary status, he's great, and their shows are pretty incredible.
October 13th, 2016 at 3:21 PM ^
They never disappoint live, never.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:03 PM ^
Deftones?? Never heard of'em
But seriosly, Chino will get knocked because he doesn't sound near as good live as he does on the albums. But then when you continue to drink, smoke and do drugs against the doctors wishes and also paralyze your vocal cords, that'll tend to take an effect on your live performance.
October 13th, 2016 at 4:31 PM ^
I saw them last summer and he absolutely killed. My buddy saw them in Boston this summer and said Chino was awesome.
October 13th, 2016 at 7:40 PM ^
Very true.
He's been doing it a while, but I can forgive any diminished vocals due to the sheer awesomeness of the show.
Yours has been one of my favorite avatar pics.
October 13th, 2016 at 1:58 PM ^
Since their new album just came out and I have been obsessed with it, I will throw Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge out there. The guy has some pipes! And they put on a hell of a show!
He also tours and records with Slash and did a short stint with Zeppelin, but I'd say his work with Alter Bridge is his best.
October 13th, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 3:25 PM ^
2. Mick Jagger
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Axle Rose
5. Brian Johnson/Bon Scott
October 13th, 2016 at 3:59 PM ^
I thought you weren't allowed to consider them as equal. You're either in the Roth camp or the Hagar camp. Personally, I'd go with Roth just because I like my frontmen to be a little (or a lot in Dave's case) crazy.
October 13th, 2016 at 3:47 PM ^
Since most of the good ones were already mentioned, I'll say that Brad Delp (Boston) should be on here somewhere. Dude had some amazing pipes.
October 13th, 2016 at 3:56 PM ^
Steve perry from journey
October 13th, 2016 at 4:25 PM ^
Not that I'm complaining, but where the hell is south Detroit?
October 13th, 2016 at 4:37 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 4:43 PM ^
Jeff Lynne
October 13th, 2016 at 6:09 PM ^
October 13th, 2016 at 6:40 PM ^
Grand Funk Railroad.
If the question is frontman, second place isn't even close. maybe Steve Marriot who had a similar vibe, but nowhere near the raw sexual energy.
A powerhouse of a live act, Grand Funk Railroad was ubiquitous up and down I-75 both before and after they hit the big time. I can't even begin to count the times I saw them.
Farner's greatness lies in his power over the female audience member. And unlike some other bands of the day, the women showed up for Grand Funk shows in droves. It was an awesome thing. Usually there were anywhere between 6 and 20, depending on the size of the show, flashing the stage, and really anyone else who might express some interest. By the end of Heart Breaker, the little shirtless dervish had every last woman in the place drop dead READY!!!!! The first time I witnessed it, i was completely stunned at the rampant sexual energy hammering the place. I vowed to go back every chance I could.
And best of all, since there was nowhere near enough Farner to soak up the demand, let me simply say that it was just a very strong opportunity for anyone that wasn't just completely flat out self checked.
Check it out. The additional hoot in this video is Don Brewer's quite likely, single most unfortunate wardrobe decision in the entire history of rock and roll. Right up there with the Rascals.
October 13th, 2016 at 7:44 PM ^
+1 for you, sir.
I gained an appreciation for GFR from my father. "Closer to Home" is one of his favorite songs, and by default, mine too.
October 13th, 2016 at 7:25 PM ^
1. Adam Lazarra - Taking Back Sunday
2. Jared Leto - 30 Seconds to Mars
3. Spencer Chamberlin - UnderOATH
October 13th, 2016 at 8:37 PM ^
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October 13th, 2016 at 8:42 PM ^
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October 14th, 2016 at 9:25 AM ^
Lars was sick for a Metallica show and it was a festival that Slayer was at, so Dave Lombardo hopped on the kit and I believe played Battery.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:54 PM ^
I thought this was going to be a "MMB Drum Majors, Ranked" article.
October 13th, 2016 at 11:18 PM ^
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October 14th, 2016 at 8:10 PM ^
1. Ozzy Osbourne (I didn't see him mentioned above, which is kind of shocking. He has a had a long career full of hits. I've heard his concerts were epic and entertaining)
2. Freddie Mercury (The guy just owned the stage in every way and could sing his lungs out. Even the songs that I'm not crazy about, I can't help but admire his talent of singing)
3. Maynard James Keenen (Great singer, writer; has a long list of underrated hits/albums. AEnima album was brilliant in it's message)
4. Frank Zappa (highly underrated musician. thought provoking and humorous music. long career until his death. probably one of the best guitar players you will ever hear. guitar solos that went on for several minutes or more are just awesomeness to the ears)
5. Siouxsie Sioux of Siouxsie and the Banshees (it's a sausage fest in here, so I thought I would put a female in here. she's not a token mention by any means. great singer with music that should have gotten more recognition. I contend that if she started off in the 90's, she would have gotten that recognition)
October 14th, 2016 at 11:41 PM ^
There are some terrible lists in this thread.
I guess everyone has a different taste.
I think some people are confusing bands they like with charasmatic people that are in the rock business.