The Greatest Rock Singer of All Time

[dr_mabeuse]

Singer who always makes me smile: Jackie Wilson.

Even in the bluest of navy-blue funks, I can't help but feel a little better when I hear him sing,

Your love keeps lifting me higher
than I've ever been lifted before
So keep it up, quenching my desire
And I'll be at your side forever more...

Just thinking about it, I'm smiling like a fool.

My nominee for the BEST ROCK SONG EVER!!!!

The angels better sing this when I go to Heaven

 

[lil_elvis]

He's got my vote - damn fine vocalist.

And one hell of a showman. Only saw Queen once, but one of the best concerts ever.

 

[Boxlicker101]

I must say, whoever got this poll going was dealing a stacked deck. They polled only those pofressionally involved in rock and R & B music, and asked for the greatest singer in the rock era. To me, that would be from 1954, when "Sh-Boom" was released, until now. The pollees probably ignored outstanding vocalists such as Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Patti Paige, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Rosie Clooney, Kate Smith, and others who were not rockers or R & B singers.

 

[cloudy]

I must say, whoever got this poll going was dealing a stacked deck. They polled only those pofressionally involved in rock and R & B music, and asked for the greatest singer in the rock era. To me, that would be from 1954, when "Sh-Boom" was released, until now. The pollees probably ignored outstanding vocalists such as Nat "King" Cole, Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Patti Paige, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Rosie Clooney, Kate Smith, and others who were not rockers or R & B singers.

um...hello??? "ROCK ERA".

 

[fieryjen]

Your choice Lena Tatina or Yulia Volkova of t.A.T.u. LINK

NEITHER can sing worth a freakin damn, but they they made it to the big time by making believe that they were lesbians (both DO have uber nice asses however... )

Second that.

Though I gotta say I do think they sound much sexier when they sing in Russian.

 

[foxseeker]

Tina Turner (Female), Elvis Presley and what about the guy who first 'Rocked the Joint' Bill Hayley?

 

[dr_mabeuse]

Tina Turner (Female), Elvis Presley and what about the guy who first 'Rocked the Joint' Bill Hayley?

Bill Haley was a terrible singer!!!

I'll bet you can't name three records he made without going to google!

 

[Liar]

What about Phil Collins, Michael Hutchins, or Jon Bon Jovi? Each of them have a very distinctive style and vocal texture. They probably would not have sold as well without their unique voice characteristics.

They're not considered cool to name-drop. The list was compiled by artists, and is totally PC. An artist saying "Hey, Jon Bon Jovi is a Great singer" will take a street cred hit like you wouldn't believe.

It's kind of like noone here seems to be able to add a single singer that have emerged in the last 25 years to the discussion. Can it really be because every vocalist suddenly started to suck, or is it rather that there's a prevailing notion that vintage=better?

I'd say the best singer of the rock era is Layne Staley. But hey, I'm weird like that. And besides, would half of y'all even know the name?

 

[Noi Jetat]

Layne was the man. AIC was just overshadowed; most of us didn't realize how great he was until he was gone.

 

[starrkers]

Did they actually define "rock era"? It can cover an awful lot of ground.

Love Aretha to death, but I'd throw my weight behind Freddie Mercury. He was something special.

 

[Noi Jetat]

It really is a tough comparison. It's not even apples and oranges, it's the whole damn fruit salad.

Still, I'd put David Bowie over Freddie Mercury as a vocalist. ((Come to think of it, that probably happened, but I digress)) Mercury was probably the better entertainer, but on pure vocals...Bowie takes it, in my book.

 

[fieryjen]

They're not considered cool to name-drop. The list was compiled by artists, and is totally PC. An artist saying "Hey, Jon Bon Jovi is a Great singer" will take a street cred hit like you wouldn't believe.

It's kind of like noone here seems to be able to add a single singer that have emerged in the last 25 years to the discussion. Can it really be because every vocalist suddenly started to suck, or is it rather that there's a prevailing notion that vintage=better?

I'd say the best singer of the rock era is Layne Staley. But hey, I'm weird like that. And besides, would half of y'all even know the name?

Part of that's the reason why I don't really feel able and qualified to weigh in on a discussion of this sort of thing. That, and the simple matter that I feel my taste influences my decisions too much.

That, and I don't even want to pretend to have a clue. I'd probably decide on Slipknot's Corey Taylor or something.

 

[Equinoxe]

They're not considered cool to name-drop. The list was compiled by artists, and is totally PC. An artist saying "Hey, Jon Bon Jovi is a Great singer" will take a street cred hit like you wouldn't believe.

It's kind of like noone here seems to be able to add a single singer that have emerged in the last 25 years to the discussion. Can it really be because every vocalist suddenly started to suck, or is it rather that there's a prevailing notion that vintage=better?

I'd say the best singer of the rock era is Layne Staley. But hey, I'm weird like that. And besides, would half of y'all even know the name?

I have to agree with you wholeheartedly; in addition to the fact that the list really is about naming the names you're supposed to say (hence no one recent and no one lesser known), there is, as seems quite common in "greatest" lists, no real distinction between actual greatness and individual fondness.

Of course, given their rather loose definition of the term "rock era" (which, apparently, means anyone since the mid-50s), I'm half-inclined to start naming opera singers (who are, for all intents and purposes without exception, technically better singers than anyone in popular music).

 

[Liar]

Of course, given their rather loose definition of the term "rock era" (which, apparently, means anyone since the mid-50s), I'm half-inclined to start naming opera singers (who are, for all intents and purposes without exception, technically better singers than anyone in popular music).

Indeed. But it depends on what constitutes technical perfection, I guess. It could be argued that someone like Mariah Carey outclasses almost any opera singer when it comes to pitch perfection, not to mention rhytmic versatility. Just not in sheer volume.

Except of course, mentioning the star of Glitter among the ranks of Great Singers will get you kicked out of the Elite Club Of Musical Know-it-alls faster than you can say pop chart.

 

[SCcreampieLvr]

I have to go with Freddy. Unbelievable voice. I think better than Bowie but - personal opinion and all that.

 

[Equinoxe]

Indeed. But it depends on what constitutes technical perfection, I guess. It could be argued that someone like Mariah Carey outclasses almost any opera singer when it comes to pitch perfection, not to mention rhytmic versatility. Just not in sheer volume.

Except of course, mentioning the star of Glitter among the ranks of Great Singers will get you kicked out of the Elite Club Of Musical Know-it-alls faster than you can say pop chart.

There is certainly some debating the particulars of technical perfection, but my point is that the list is clearly not even attempting an objective measure of singing ability (but, nevertheless, maintains the pretence of it, as greatest lists always do): it is absolutely about giving the "correct" answers. According to the article, the most recent singer on the list is Michael Jackson; there have been a plethora of truly wonderful singers in the past three decades, many of whom have a better claim to greatness as singers than most of that list, but they don't feature on a list of singers you're supposed to name in a greatest list (unless perhaps it's an Indie list) and they're probably not going to be named by a group of artists who are themselves mostly in their 50s and 60s. Of course, then there is the vagueness of what "greatest" means: greatest isn't favourite, certainly (although many people don't seem to distinguish the two), but it's not really best, either, nor is it most influential or most important.

 

[slyc_willie]

They're not considered cool to name-drop. The list was compiled by artists, and is totally PC. An artist saying "Hey, Jon Bon Jovi is a Great singer" will take a street cred hit like you wouldn't believe.

It's kind of like noone here seems to be able to add a single singer that have emerged in the last 25 years to the discussion. Can it really be because every vocalist suddenly started to suck, or is it rather that there's a prevailing notion that vintage=better?

I'd say the best singer of the rock era is Layne Staley. But hey, I'm weird like that. And besides, would half of y'all even know the name?

Ah, the politics of music.

I think you've made a good point about vintage=better. But Bon Jovi (always one of my personal favorites, obviously) is still making good music now. He's not exactly a has-been.

Another favorite is Geoff Tate. Listen to Queensryche's rendition of Scarborough Fair. The man has incredible range.

As for recent additions to the rock era, I rather like Chad Kroeger of Nickelback.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Jim Morrison, yes. For stage presence, gonzoness, over-the-topness, and for that scream.

And his brother VanD): Not a great voice, not a great range or volume, but he just had it.

Yes and yes... and he STILL has it. Love the rough gravel in Van Morrison's voice. He hasn't stopped producing stuff, it's just gotten deeper and bluesier and more spiritual.

And Robert Plant CAN sing (not just scream.) "All the King's Horses" still gives me goosebumps and makes me cry. The man could croon when he wanted to.

And I actually agree with slyc about Jon Bon Jovi... he can sing, too. It was just unfortunate he happened to arrive on-scene in the 80's. *sigh*

And I also love Leonard Cohen (gotta love a man with that deep of a voice) and my mom constantly listened to Neil Diamond when I was a kid, so I've got a soft spot for Sweet Caroline

 

[Belegon]

Another favorite is Geoff Tate. Listen to Queensryche's rendition of Scarborough Fair. The man has incredible range.

You stole my choice!

Have to agree with all the love being shown to Freddy, Bowie and Aretha. Also gonna agree with Mariah, whose genre and personal foibles can't hide that voice if you listen.

All those ignoring Heavy Metal here should try to sing some of it. There are some incredible metal singers who do far more than scream.

...and if you have never listened to Queensryche, you have no clue how incredible spot on Willie is here.

Other names I have not seen mentioned: Otis, Bruce Dickinson, Sarah Brightman... and dozens of others that i will remember in six hours and can't remember right now...

 

[TheeGoatPig]

They're not considered cool to name-drop. The list was compiled by artists, and is totally PC. An artist saying "Hey, Jon Bon Jovi is a Great singer" will take a street cred hit like you wouldn't believe.

It's kind of like noone here seems to be able to add a single singer that have emerged in the last 25 years to the discussion. Can it really be because every vocalist suddenly started to suck, or is it rather that there's a prevailing notion that vintage=better?

I'd say the best singer of the rock era is Layne Staley. But hey, I'm weird like that. And besides, would half of y'all even know the name?

I know who Lane is/was (isn't he dead?).

Ah, the politics of music.

I think you've made a good point about vintage=better. But Bon Jovi (always one of my personal favorites, obviously) is still making good music now. He's not exactly a has-been.

Another favorite is Geoff Tate. Listen to Queensryche's rendition of Scarborough Fair. The man has incredible range.

As for recent additions to the rock era, I rather like Chad Kroeger of Nickelback.

You stole my choice!

Have to agree with all the love being shown to Freddy, Bowie and Aretha. Also gonna agree with Mariah, whose genre and personal foibles can't hide that voice if you listen.

All those ignoring Heavy Metal here should try to sing some of it. There are some incredible metal singers who do far more than scream.

...and if you have never listened to Queensryche, you have no clue how incredible spot on Willie is here.

Other names I have not seen mentioned: Otis, Bruce Dickinson, Sarah Brightman... and dozens of others that i will remember in six hours and can't remember right now...

Tate and Dickenson are great. I would also like to throw in Chris Cornel from Soundgarden/Audioslave and Maynard from Tool. Both are really great vocalists and song writers.

On the heavier side, but just as talented (and whached out of his gourd) would be Devin Townsend. He used to sing for Steve Vai back in the 80s, and then split off to form his own metal bands in the 90s and 2000s. he sings screaming metal, with an 80s singing twist. It's really unique, even with all of the bands that try to sound similar (like Zimmer's Hole, close but not quite).

But I haven't really been paying attention, so who knows what else has been said...

 

[Belegon]

and dozens of others that i will remember in six hours and can't remember right now...

like Ronnie James Dio... *head slap*

 

[dr_mabeuse]

It never ceases to amaze me that music from 40 years ago can still sound as good today as it did in 1968. People who were great then -- Hendrix, the Beatles, the Stones, Aretha, Janis Joplin -- are still great. Timeless.

That's as if, in 1968, we'd played Charleston music from the 20's and found meaning in it. In a lot of ways, things have changed less in the last 40 years than they did in the previous 40.

 

[rengadeirishman]

can we get some love for Shane MacGowan? He is a god.

 

[Liar]

I think you've made a good point about vintage=better. But Bon Jovi (always one of my personal favorites, obviously) is still making good music now. He's not exactly a has-been.

That was kind of my point. He's still pretty much seen as a contemporary, commercal entertainer, and will therefore not show up on many "cool" lists.

 

[Liar]

I know who Lane is/was (isn't he dead?).

Aye. OD I think.