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?

corundum

July 14th, 2017 at 10:49 PM ^

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.

Perkis-Size Me

July 14th, 2017 at 11:27 PM ^

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!!!

Matte Kudasai

July 14th, 2017 at 10:58 PM ^

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

543Church

July 15th, 2017 at 6:22 AM ^

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!

 

 

trueblueintexas

July 14th, 2017 at 11:05 PM ^

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.

BigReward

July 14th, 2017 at 11:21 PM ^

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.  

Manonthemoon

July 15th, 2017 at 2:55 AM ^

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

Aged Wolverine 68

July 15th, 2017 at 1:56 AM ^

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.

uminks

July 15th, 2017 at 3:45 AM ^

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

rob f

July 15th, 2017 at 11:01 PM ^

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.