OT: Rock and Roll lead singers

[alexd]

Some random thoughts based on names I've seen in this thread...

My issue with Freddie Mercury is that, IMO, Queen's best songs were written by May and Taylor, and specifically on songs like "39" and "Drowse", when done live and Mercury handled the singing, the songs were markedly worse than the album versions where May and Taylor did the leads. I think Freddie actually did his best work on their 1st album, which nobody remembers.

If we're talking RnR and not soul (which would eliminate JB), Gillan was tops in my book. Guy could hit and hold any note. But, like Daltrey, he hasn't been able to hit his notes in quite some time.

Perry had a great voice, but too many ballads, not enough rockers for my taste. In a face-off with Zander, Robin wins based on that criterion alone.

Marriott was incredible. Criminally overlooked on lists of phenomenal artists we lost too soon.

Happy to see someone remembered Burton Cummings. He could do anything.

I'll throw out a guy not mentioned who's now customizing cars instead of singing: Rob Dickinson (Catherine Wheel). Although he also shared lead guitar duties, so not a traditional sing-only frontman.

I saw Burton Cummings 2 weeks ago at the Wolf Den at Mohegan Sun. He still has it. He played close to 2 hours. Same band he's had since new year's eve 1999....threw in a cool cover of "Louie Louie".

 

[DogBoy]

Burton Cummings Jr has His Own Way To Rock
(hope I did this right)

 

[Huskybass]

David Lee Roth was a beast in his day, as was Robert Plant. Randy Jackson from Zebra was a cool frontman too. Heck, even Daryl Hall has a great stage presence. Music, one of life's great treats.

 

[Bezzz]

You think anyone else on here knows who CBZ or TMV/ATDI are?

I do. Saw TMV live in Providence several year ago. They were outstanding. Omar's guitar playing was otherworldly, but I wouldn't put Cedric's voice in anybody's top ten ---more like a vacuum cleaner caught on a shoelace.

 

[storrsroars]

You think anyone else on here knows who CBZ or TMV/ATDI are?

It's one thing to know about TMV/ATDI. It's another to actually say you "like" them. Know the former much better than the latter, but Mars Volta did nothing for me.

 

[Samoo]

I dont see how you couldnt have Freddie Mercury in the top 5, his voice and range is close to Robert Plant. Jeff Beck also had an amazing voice, shame he died early

Jeff Beck died? that's gotta be news to him.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Like several others on this board I was listening music on the way in to work a bit more intently.

A few others I heard today that should be mentioned (apologies if they have already gotten their due).

Perry Farrell- Had a college roommate who was in to Jane's Addiction, wasn't my cup of tea at the time. I missed the boat on that one
David Byrne- Talking Heads
Chris Cornell- I saw him earlier in this thread; good call.

 

[JSM1970]

He, Bono and Mick are in their own class. Daltrey probably the best voice and range. Plant and everything Zeppelin is so tired and overrated.

Freddie Mercury's Live Aid performance should be required viewing for every front man of a band. He owned the crowd for every second of the performance.

 

[Husky25]

David Lee Roth was a beast in his day.

As a performer. He couldn't sing live and has gotten worse.

 

[QDOG5]

Still...to this day...probably the greatest American band you've never heard of.....The Blasters....and Phil Alvin at the mic...

I saw Dave Alvin with Los Lobos last week. Good show.

 

[QDOG5]

SO many unlistenable bands.
I'd rather be locked in a room with Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Neil Young doing the CSN songbook.

Surprised nobody mentioned Sammy Hagar.[/QUOT
In the same post you wrote the words unlistenable and Sammy Hagar. Thank you.

 

[Letsgohuskies11]

Jeff Beck died? that's gotta be news to him.

I couldnt edit that post but i meant jeff buckley

 

[QDOG5]

David Clayton Thomas of Blood Sweat and Tears

 

[beakumhawks]

Kelly Jones of Sterophonics. Here he is doing an old Rod Stewart tune



Surprised there was no love for James Taylor, whose voice has been clinically proven to make women moist.

I'd have to put CSN in as well. Love their stuff. This song by David Crosby is one of my favorites. He was stoned as hell at this concert, as you can probably tell



Bob Walkenhorst of The Rainmakers has one of the most recognizable voices I ever heard

The Rainmakers - "Downstream" - ORIGINAL VIDEO - HQ

I'd also throw Al Stewart into the mix. Very nice voice.

Al Stewart - Song On The Radio

 

[DogBoy]

Another Guess Who classic featuring Burton Cummings Jr. I remember seeing this one on the Midnight Special. This live performance is outstanding!

 

[MilliniumPrince]

1) Prince- No one had more range and he would be one of the best guitarist in the band
2) Michael Jackson- If my band sucked, I could fire them all and send him out as a solo act and still make millions
3) Steven Tyler- Great vocals and stage presence and life on the road would be a ball
4) Bruce- One of the best pure showman ever. Performs each show like it is his farewell show. Doesn't need a lot of pyrotechnics, natural stage-craft at its finest.
5) James Brown- He was the foundation for just about every major band that came after him. That must mean he was pretty damn good.

Honorable mentions to Mick and Freddie

 

[JustbrewitMan]

If I was starting up a band in the heavy metal genre of rock & roll - Bruce Dickinson...huge vocal range, amazing crowd interaction/stage presence, and he also can fly our huge jet from city to city:

 

[Mano]

Kelly Jones of Sterophonics. Here he is doing an old Rod Stewart tune

Ah, the British Office. Awesome.

 

[8893]

Two I've heard in recent days that should merit consideration and have not been mentioned:

David Bowie

Robert Palmer

 

[storrsroars]

Two I've heard in recent days that should merit consideration and have not been mentioned:

David Bowie

Robert Palmer

Robert Palmer is criminally underrated. Truly could do any style of music and do it convincingly.

 

[GoUconn7961]

Inspired by some Jeff Beck ranting, disdain for Geno's pizza choices and other fun off season topics, I present the lead singer challenge. Just guys (no Ann Wilson) and no opera singers or Bing Crosby types. You're starting a band, you need a lead singer (and have a time machine) who do you grab to front the band and why? Give me your top 5, and a reason for #1. It could be Shane McGowan from the Pogues just for the unique sound, or you could go for amazing vocal range with Sebastian Bach.

Mine:
#1 Robert Plant. He can sound like a 40's crooner, or scream with the best of them. Great combination of voice, presence and style.
#2 Rod Stewart
#3 Meatloaf. (the guy can flat out sing)
#4 Bono
#5 Paul Rogers

You had me at Paul Rogers...

 

[8893]

Robert Palmer is criminally underrated. Truly could do any style of music and do it convincingly.

I played the "Sailin' Shoes," "Hey Julia," "Sneakin' Sally through the Alley" trilogy while driving back from a record store visit with my daughter today and was reminded of the same.

Listening to the new Old 97's album as I type. Rhett Miller is a helluva great front man, too. Love these guys, and much of it is due to his delivery. IIRC he writes most if not all of the stuff, too.

 

[storrsroars]

Not saying his schtick had mass appeal or would've worked with any other band, but there's this entertaining insane homeless bum-looking guy who sold a lot of records (accompanied by perhaps the least appreciated lead guitarist of the era).

 

[Dogbreath2U]

Not saying his schtick had mass appeal or would've worked with any other band, but there's this entertaining insane homeless bum-looking guy who sold a lot of records (accompanied by perhaps the least appreciated lead guitarist of the era).

Ian Anderson was a great performer on stage! "And your wise men don't know how it feels........to be thick ... as a brick."

 

[Hankster]

Have a splitting headache but let me give this a try. IMO. Although I can remember Lovin Spoonful, if you are talking about a set of pipes.The guy for Queensryche. Also, my favorite singers are the 80's hair band front men. Strong voices, hit some sick high notes. Europe, Poison, Kiss, etc. Some above I agree with however, arewe talking a powerful set of pipes? I shouldn't of posted with out names. What kind of Genre are we looking at. Gino Vanelli back in the club days comes to mind.