OT: Who are the best rock vocalists?
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?
Is simply awesome! Thanks for posting that! Never seen that before.
Other Greats:
Prince
Bruce Dickenson ( Iron Maiden )
Huey Lewis
Don Henley
Perry Ferrell ( Janes Addiction )
David Gilmour
Their early work was a little too new wave for my tastes, but when Sports came out in '83, I think they really came into their own, commercially and artistically. The whole album has a clear, crisp sound, and a new sheen of consummate professionalism that really gives the songs a big boost. He's been compared to Elvis Costello, but I think Huey has a far more bitter, cynical sense of humor.
In '87, Huey released Fore, his most accomplished album. I think their undisputed masterpiece is Hip to be Square, a song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should! Because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity and the importance of friends. It's also a personal statement about the band itself.
Hey Paul!!!
If we are talking best rock guitarists; Gilmour is near the top.
is Jeff Beck.
A virtuoso.
Gabriel
Jim Morrison and Freddie mercury
A lot of great singers listed. Dave Grohl is one of my favorites. Fantastic live too.
Not the best but pretty damn good
And Steven Tyler too
and before you laugh, listen to Hot August Night.
Steve Perry
Freddie Mercury
Robert Plant
Embarrassing how many of you said Dave Grohl. While very talented, he is not by any means a good vocalist. I also hope the Scott Stapp mention was a joke.
Steve Perry in his prime was second to none.
Bono
Chris Cornell
Tim Buckley
Steve Hogarth
Jon Anderson
Sting
Eddie Vedder
Gord Downey
Andrew Wood
Ed Kowalczyk
Layne Stanley
Mark Lanegan
Roger Daltrey
Love Grohl and stand by him as my pick. Sure his voice isn't perfect, but the sound is unique and amazing to my ears. His sound is amazing because it fits the music they are playing.
Disagrees with you
No one and I mean no one holds a candle to Freddie Mercury !!
The Ed Kowalczyk listing is a great one. His acoustic solo show was one of the best I have EVER seen.
I agree. And like Grohl I said this in a previous post and will continue to repeat it at then end of this post over and over because that is what he does in every song.
Continue to repeat it.
Continue to repeat it!
CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!
CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!
CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!CONTINUE TO REPEAT IT!
Having Robert Plant as your lead singer was like adding another instrument to go along with a true front man. For me he is tops for that reason alone. There are so many other great ones, but how did we get this far and not mention Brian Johnson of AC/DC? As soon as you hear his voice you know exactly what band it is.
Rob Halford
Yeah, Rod Stewart went disco and then lounge act - but listen to him when he was with Faces. Amazing gritty voice, and evocative. Shame he left rock.
But, yeah, Chris Cornell was one of the best ever.
Rod Stewart now: painful to the ears. Please, somebody get some duct tape and make good use of it.
Seeing no abjection, the motion carries. Duct tape for rod stewart, aisle 1.
Rod Stewart's replacement in The Jeff Beck Group..Soulful...
Jim Morrison
David Gilmour
Phil Collins
Glenn Frey
Freddie Mercury
I do not know.
Then why did you comment?
Nicks
Best poet of her era. Singer -- very good, but....
And yes, I saw her at Pine Knob, when it was still named Pine Knob. Great show.
of ELO.
Is he considered rock? But yes this guy is awesome. He sings, plays and writes the music. Love ELO music
Rockaria! is an awesome song
What else would he be considered if not rock ?
What the hell, no Janis Joplin?
and for pop Sinead O'Connor.
How has seriously no one said Kid Rock?
I know. Was joking. Now, that said, if the subject were lyricist, he'd definitely be on that list.
Someone negged this, but that person needs to actually listen to the depth of the man's songs, not just the popular ones heard on the radio. There are very few lyricists who understand, and can articulate, a wide swath of America like he does.
I think that Bennington from Linkin Park can really sing. And Donna Summers is the best female singer.
1 Freddie Mercury
2 Ronnie James Dio
3 Michael Stipe - R.E.M.
4 Bono
5 Lou Gramm - Foreigner
6 Elton John
7 Billy Joel
8 Ozzy - Black Sabbath
9 David Lee Roth - Van Halen
10 Jim Morrison - The Doors
But I heard that guy singing for Journey now, and he actually isnt half bad. Heard him do some Guns n Roses stuff as well. Not quite the same as originals, but suprisingly close.
For me though, it is Plant, Mercury and Perry. These guys had to of had a vice in the recording studio, and were clamping down on their nads to hit some of those notes. Geeze!!!
I dont know about these vocals being creme of the crop, but throw in Don Henley, Segar and Mick Jagger. They cranked out a lot of good jams also. Listen to all of them to this very day.
I like more of the Baritone lead singers than the higher pitches of some leads from groups I like, like Led Zeppelin.
Robert Lamm - Chicago
James Hetfield - Metallica
Tom Jones
Paul McCarthy
David Gilmor - Pink Floyd
Jimmi Hendrix
Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden
Layne Staley - Alic n Chains
Phil Aneselmo - Pantera
Ann Wilson - Hart
Eddie Vender
Chris Cornell
Corey Taylor - stone sour & slip knot
Ronnie Van Zandt - Lynyrd Skynyrd
Rob Zombie
Anthony Keidis - Red Hot Chillie Peppers
Mark Knopfiler - Dire Straights
Gordon Lightfoot
I'd like to add a few more:
Jim Morrison (with many mentions in this thread) and Terry Kath of Chicago, who I mentioned earlier.
But also three other greats who surprisingly haven't yet been mentioned:
Lou Reed ("Walk On the Wild Side". Enuff said!)
Eric Burden, who got his start with The Animals (House of the Rising Sun and many many other great bluesy songs) and then in the 70's was the original lead singer for War (Spill the Wine Dig That Girl).
The other? Ian Hunter of Mott The Hoople ("All The Young Dudes", a David Bowie-penned song; and "Sweet Jane" which has been covered by several greats. Hunter also had a great solo career after MTH, with "Once Bitten Twice Shy" and "Cleveland Rocks" to his credit, along with many others.
And "Sweet Jane" was a Lou Reed song, originally recorded by Reed and The Velvet Underground.
So many greats already listed, but Grace Slick deserves a mention.
And a link. http://youtu.be/R_raXzIRgsA
but not so much with the starship. White Rabbit and Somebody to love were my favorites from Grace.