OT: Who are the best rock vocalists?

Submitted by wolverine1987 on

Here is my incomplete list. As I'm a child of the 80's and 90's it is weighted that way. I'm sure there are more that you guys will advocate for.

Chris Cornell (Soundgarden. Audioslave, Solo)

Thom Yorke (Radiohead)

Brad Delp (Boston)

Steve Perry (Journey)

EDiT: Sorry hit enter before done, more complete list continues

Robert Plant (Led Zepplin)

Van Morrison

Freddie Mercury (Queen)

Bono (U2)

Have at it. Who else belongs here?

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drjaws

July 15th, 2017 at 3:04 AM ^

David Gilmour or Roger Waters mentioned. I don't think either is close to "best of all time" but thought it odd Pink Floyd didn't make a "great rock voice" list. You all already covered the best so ..... other great "rock" voices: Jimmy Hendrix, Gregg Allman, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Josh Homme, Paige Hamilton (he's also super nice), Chino Moreno, Rivers Cuomo and David Draiman, among others.

Joined: 02/26/2014

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OwenGoBlue

July 15th, 2017 at 4:34 AM ^

All of the obvious folks have been taken, so some names I didn't see mentioned (or mentioned much): 

  • Josh Homme 
  • Tunde Adebimpe
  • Morrisey (for after bad losses)

Best vocalists of all time is probably the better argument. Otis Redding, don't @ me. 

 

Joined: 04/03/2016

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mgobluebraelow

July 15th, 2017 at 4:44 AM ^

My top 5:

1) Freddie Mercury; setting aside range, control, dynamic, tone, etc., what puts him at the top for me is his incredible diversity. I'm not sure anyone else on the planet could have pulled off his catalog.
2) Jeff Buckley
3) Chris Cornell
4) Jackie Wilson
5) Roy Orbison

Joined: 08/20/2010

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coldnjl

July 15th, 2017 at 7:34 AM ^

I'm a child of the 90s so I will go with what I know:

1) Chris Cornell

2) Layne Staley

3)LeJon Witherspoon

4) Maynard

5) Aaron Lewis

Joined: 12/31/2009

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moserd

July 15th, 2017 at 7:49 AM ^

Freddie Mercury at the top for me. 2nd could be any of these - Steven Tyler, Mick Jagger, Daltrey. Someone mentioned him earlier but James Hetfield from Metallica is great. Same with MJK from Tool. Chris Cornell was to me easily the best from the grunge era, followed by Staley. Ian Asterbury from the Cult was amazing too.

Joined: 07/13/2009

MGoPoints: 119

Craptain Crunch

July 15th, 2017 at 7:51 AM ^

A great Norwegian band that doesn't take itself too seriously while producing some great songs/albums. Hank isn't with the band anymore but he is and always be the face of it. 

 

Joined: 05/20/2016

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uminks

July 16th, 2017 at 1:28 AM ^

Funny lyrics, kind of the way I felt with RR and Hoke as coach, high hopes that went up in smoke, so it's time to fire me up another toke!

 

 

Another dream, goes up in smoke Huh! And so fire me up, another toke Yeah, I'm commin' on I've got master plans, by the dozens A-flashin' through my brain, when I get buzzin' Whoa! Suddenly, they're gone All that inspiration, runnin' through your head Instant stimulation Oh, your runnin' on You got... High hopes And they're up in smoke

Joined: 11/10/2009

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BIGWEENIE

July 15th, 2017 at 8:45 AM ^

A few years ago they ask a bunch of bands who was the best and Harry Nielson came out either 1 or 2 on a ton of lists. So many bands said he was their first choice when starting out but he just did his own thing.

Freddie of course, saw him twice.

John Wetland Asia

both 2 of the best

Joined: 11/29/2010

MGoPoints: 942

Blue-in-the-Lou

July 15th, 2017 at 8:45 AM ^

Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin aren't "Rock", but they are the best popular vocalists of the 20th century of any genre. So if all these other names are best in category, they're best in show.

Other greats that I haven't seen mentioned: Mick Jagger, Elton John, Billy Joel.

I'm not as old as I sound, I promise...

Joined: 02/06/2011

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Zenogias

July 15th, 2017 at 10:03 AM ^

In no particular order: Bono Paul McCartney Robert Plant Billy Joel Except for the clear #1: Freddie Mercury I'm also happy to see Jim Morrison and Thom Yorke get mentions.

Joined: 06/24/2015

MGoPoints: 2292

BIGWEENIE

July 15th, 2017 at 10:17 AM ^

Coopersville Michigans own Del Shannon, made a bit of a comeback with Tom Petty. On such songs as Hats off to Larry and Runaway he had some serious range.

Linda Mcartney, Pauls Wife. Never piss of the sound guy.

Joined: 11/29/2010

MGoPoints: 942

chuck bass

July 15th, 2017 at 11:55 PM ^

Beach Boys were long before my time but I've been obsessed with them all summer - well, the early stuff, not the Mike Love "Beach Boys" crap. I can listen to "Good Vibrations" on repeat the entire commute to work.

Carl Wilson had the voice of an angel.

Joined: 07/09/2017

MGoPoints: 1416

DaytonBlue

July 15th, 2017 at 8:33 PM ^

opening for the Moody Blues in Ann Arbor.  A friend and I saw him at the record store earlier that afternoon, but didn't have the guts to approach him.  Great, great musician.  I would say he's a great guitarist, not in my top group as a singer

Joined: 12/08/2009

MGoPoints: 2079

Lahoda

July 15th, 2017 at 12:22 PM ^

Lead singer for Small Faces and Humble Pie
May he rest in peace.
Had "Itchycoo Park " running thru my head earlier this morning and speaking of morning, check out "Black Coffee" when he was with Humble Pie.  Awesome vocals!

Joined: 01/19/2016

MGoPoints: 268

MourtosWolverine

July 15th, 2017 at 3:33 PM ^

Off the top of my head..................

Old School:

Plant

Perry

Mercury

Tyler

Paul Rodgers

 New School:

Cornell

Brent Smith

Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge/Slash)

Zac Brown

 

Joined: 07/15/2017

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