FC/OT: Rolling Stone Readers Pick the Best Lead Singers of All Time.

[Midnighter]

Thoughts?

10. Kurt Cobain - Nirvana
9. Chris Cornell - Soundgarden
8. John Lennon - The Beatles
7. Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
6. Roger Daltry - The Who
5. Jim Morrison - The Doors
4. Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones
3. Bono - U2
2. Freddie Mercury - Queen
1. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin

Not sure what is meant by 'best' but it covers a lot of ground. For me, it's not all about singing chops - it's more presence, gravitas, swagger, and sure, skills. Metal is totally ignored (Ozzy? Hetfield? Vince Neil?). Some shockers - no Axl Rose or Scott Weiland. I think Chris Cornell probably shouldn't be in the Top Ten; Jim Morrison too (career too short). I'd find a spot for Morrissey (Smiths), and maybe one for Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and/or Mike Patton (Faith No More). Noel Gallagher (Oasis) may be one of the greatest of all time but no idea who you else you cut here. And I'd swap Vedder and Bono.

 

[Nitwit]

Michael Jackson - The Jackson Five
Steven Tyler - Aerosmith

 

[psuro]

So much of this is subjective, but....

Ronnie James Dio
Ann Wilson
Dolores O'Riordan
-edit - Sinead O'Connor

 

[PSU Mike]

Quick thoughts, certainly not purely vocal quality, and omitting “solo” names, e.g, Elvises, Benatar.

Keep
Vedder
Freddie (duh!)
Daltry
Lennon
Bono
Jagger

+ consideration
Ann Wilson
Janis
Morrissey
Robert Smith
Strummer
Halford
Dio
Hynde

- consideration
Cobain
Morrison

Don’t care
Plant
Cornell

 

[WyomingLion]

So much of this is subjective, but....

Ronnie James Dio
Ann Wilson
Dolores O'Riordan

I second Ann Wilson
Justin Hayward- Moody Blues
If you haven’t check out YouTube Ann Wilson/Lincoln center tribute to Led Zeppelin, stairway to heaven.

 

[WestSideLion]

Bono…LOL. I’d have put Henry Rollins in there for his Black Flag days.

 

[bbrown]

Quick thoughts, certainly not purely vocal quality, and omitting “solo” names, e.g, Elvises, Benetar.

Keep
Vedder
Freddie (duh!)
Daltry
Lennon
Bono
Jagger

+ consideration
Ann Wilson
Janis
Morrissey
Robert Smith
Strummer
Halford
Dio
Hynde

- consideration
Cobain
Morrison

Don’t care
Plant
Cornell

This will be heresy to many and remember that I am a huge Beatles fan but I would remove Lennon (you can't have Lennon without McCartney) and put any of Morissey, Smith, Hynde trio in there in his place.

 

[Grant Green]

Thoughts?

10. Kurt Cobain - Nirvana
9. Chris Cornell - Soundgarden
8. John Lennon - The Beatles
7. Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
6. Roger Daltry - The Who
5. Jim Morrison - The Doors
4. Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones
3. Bono - U2
2. Freddie Mercury - Queen
1. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin

Not sure what is meant by 'best' but it covers a lot of ground. For me, it's not all about singing chops - it's more presence, gravitas, swagger, and sure, skills. Metal is totally ignored (Ozzy? Hetfield? Vince Neil?). Some shockers - no Axl Rose or Scott Weiland. I think Chris Cornell probably shouldn't be in the Top Ten; Jim Morrison too (career too short). I'd find a spot for Morrissey (Smiths), and maybe one for Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and/or Mike Patton (Faith No More). Noel Gallagher (Oasis) may be one of the greatest of all time but no idea who you else you cut here. And I'd swap Vedder and Bono.

Totally agree on Morrison. Really not a dynamic singing voice. I guess he had a stage presence, but it was often gloomy and strange.

I would personally have Rod Stewart in the top 5.
Underrated and unknown - Terry Reid. Probably had a better voice than most of this top 10. He was the original choice for Zeppelin but turned it down for his own solo career (oops).

 

[Nitt1300]

any list without Ann Wilson and Paul Rogers is bullcrap

 

[PhillyBillyReprise]

Jay Black of Jay and the Americans
Judith Durham of The Seekers

 

[Ironman2]

Thoughts?

10. Kurt Cobain - Nirvana
9. Chris Cornell - Soundgarden
8. John Lennon - The Beatles
7. Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
6. Roger Daltry - The Who
5. Jim Morrison - The Doors
4. Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones
3. Bono - U2
2. Freddie Mercury - Queen
1. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin

Not sure what is meant by 'best' but it covers a lot of ground. For me, it's not all about singing chops - it's more presence, gravitas, swagger, and sure, skills. Metal is totally ignored (Ozzy? Hetfield? Vince Neil?). Some shockers - no Axl Rose or Scott Weiland. I think Chris Cornell probably shouldn't be in the Top Ten; Jim Morrison too (career too short). I'd find a spot for Morrissey (Smiths), and maybe one for Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and/or Mike Patton (Faith No More). Noel Gallagher (Oasis) may be one of the greatest of all time but no idea who you else you cut here. And I'd swap Vedder and Bono.

Since AC/DC is the greatest rock band ever I'm going with their lead singers.

 

[nittanyfan333]

I don't understand how Aretha Franklin isn't on that list. Maybe it's because she's not a "lead singer" but a solo act? Also, personal preference but Layne Staley has one of those signature voices that I can always pick out. I challenge anyone to watch Alice in Chains MTV Unplugged and not come away with goosebumps. Same with Pearl Jam and MTV Unplugged. Those versions of Black from Pearl Jam and Nutshell from Alice in Chains are two of the top 5 songs ever recorded

 

[Woodpecker]

Any love for Paul Carrack? Maybe not dynamic enough.

 

[Bkmtnittany1]

Any list without Bruce and Bob Dylan is horsesh*t!

 

[EPC FAN]

Thoughts?

10. Kurt Cobain - Nirvana
9. Chris Cornell - Soundgarden
8. John Lennon - The Beatles
7. Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
6. Roger Daltry - The Who
5. Jim Morrison - The Doors
4. Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones
3. Bono - U2
2. Freddie Mercury - Queen
1. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin

Not sure what is meant by 'best' but it covers a lot of ground. For me, it's not all about singing chops - it's more presence, gravitas, swagger, and sure, skills. Metal is totally ignored (Ozzy? Hetfield? Vince Neil?). Some shockers - no Axl Rose or Scott Weiland. I think Chris Cornell probably shouldn't be in the Top Ten; Jim Morrison too (career too short). I'd find a spot for Morrissey (Smiths), and maybe one for Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and/or Mike Patton (Faith No More). Noel Gallagher (Oasis) may be one of the greatest of all time but no idea who you else you cut here. And I'd swap Vedder and Bono.

1. Jay Black
2. Dion DiMuci
3.John Lennon
4. Gary Brooker
5. Mick Jagger

 

[Connorpozlee]

Cobain doesn’t belong in that list to me. And I find Cornell’s voice with Soundgarden really tough to listen to, though I love it with Audioslave.
#1 for me is Vedder. Daltrey probably at #2. If you’re going for that voice that doesn’t necessarily sound nice but clearly sends out the message it’s intending to, I’d put Paul Westerberg and Joe Strummer up there. Probably Zack De La Rocha as well.

 

[JerseyLion]

And I find Cornell’s voice with Soundgarden really tough to listen to, though I love it with Audioslave.

For years, I felt the same way. Then I heard his solo stuff and really became a fan. I can never get tired of Higher Truth.

 

[Connorpozlee]

For years, I felt the same way. Then I heard his solo stuff and really became a fan. I can never get tired of a Higher Truth.

I’d heard for a long time about how good his voice was but I only his Soundgarden stuff at the time. Too screechy for me. But then I heard Audioslave and heard the voice other were always telling me about. I like some Soundgarden but would probably love it if he didn’t oversing so much.

 

[Nitt1300]

James Dewar was hugely underrated

 

[Midnighter]

Cobain doesn’t belong in that list to me. And I find Cornell’s voice with Soundgarden really tough to listen to, though I love it with Audioslave.
#1 for me is Vedder. Daltrey probably at #2. If you’re going for that voice that doesn’t necessarily sound nice but clearly sends out the message it’s intending to, I’d put Paul Westerberg and Joe Strummer up there. Probably Zack De La Rocha as well.

I’ve always liked Vedder but never thought he was a gifted singer (like Mercury). But, he has a comforting quality and just gets better with age. He's always had the other lead singer intangibles (presence, charisma, vibe, etc.). See below:

 

[Lion84]

No love for Paul Rodgers of Bad Company?

 

[Nitt1300]

No love for Paul Rodgers of Bad Company?

The Voice.

 

[flash86]

Karen Carpenter.

 

[maypole]

Mercury is No. 1.

 

[Tri-Power65]

What, no Wing?

 

[Global Fan]

 

[Ludd]

I agree with the top two. I would have David Ruffin somewhere in the top 10.

 

[razpsu]

Michael Jackson - The Jackson Five
Steven Tyler - Aerosmith

Yep. And what about Paul
McCartney and sting. Freddie is definitely number 1.

 

[JakkL]

To me,the lead singer needs to be a showman too. Freddy, mick, Steven Tyler then the rest. Hard to ignore MJ as well.

 

[Nitt1300]

 

[Big_O]

David Byron of Uriah Heep - incredibly melodic voice, especially for a hard rock vocalist. His replacement in Uriah Heep, John Lawton (also of Lucifer’s Friend) was also a great singer. I would also put Ian Gillan of Deep Purple on the list as well.

I put Byron up with Mercury, Lennon and Daltry. How Cobain ever got on that list is a crime.

 

[massimoManca II]

Thoughts?

10. Kurt Cobain - Nirvana
9. Chris Cornell - Soundgarden
8. John Lennon - The Beatles
7. Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
6. Roger Daltry - The Who
5. Jim Morrison - The Doors
4. Mick Jagger - The Rolling Stones
3. Bono - U2
2. Freddie Mercury - Queen
1. Robert Plant - Led Zeppelin

Not sure what is meant by 'best' but it covers a lot of ground. For me, it's not all about singing chops - it's more presence, gravitas, swagger, and sure, skills. Metal is totally ignored (Ozzy? Hetfield? Vince Neil?). Some shockers - no Axl Rose or Scott Weiland. I think Chris Cornell probably shouldn't be in the Top Ten; Jim Morrison too (career too short). I'd find a spot for Morrissey (Smiths), and maybe one for Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode) and/or Mike Patton (Faith No More). Noel Gallagher (Oasis) may be one of the greatest of all time but no idea who you else you cut here. And I'd swap Vedder and Bono.

Vince Neil

you on fentanyl?

 

[Nitwit]

Bob Marley - The Wailers

 

[massimoManca II]

In addition to Robert Plant , Hard Rock would be represented by the following

• Ian Gillan - Gillan should CERTAINLY be on the original list … a top 5 voice-talent
• Ronnie James Dio
• Geoff Tate
• Rob Halford

 

[Piketownman]

Dickie Betts and Steven Stills.

 

[WyomingLion]

Jackson Browne
Van Morrison

 

[Midnighter]

Vince Neil

you on fentanyl?

Ooozed charisma. Great showman. Voice wasn’t great but worked for what they did. Endlessly copied too.

Not everyone can sing like Freddie.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

I see any standard boys you roll out and raise you a howlin pelle

 

[massimoManca II]

Ooozed charisma. Great showman. Voice wasn’t great but worked for what they did. Endlessly copied too.

Not everyone can sing like Freddie.

Back in 1988, on a lark, I took a good friend of mine, a Cornell co-ed with one the best asses I’ve ever come across, to a Crue show as kind of a joke/date … we knew little about them other than their hackneyed MTV heavy rotation hits…. Their live performance was incredibly fun - never had heard “Red Hot” and “Live Wire” until I heard them live … went out and bout their first two albums which I still like - due to their punk undertones….

Alas , Vince’s voice = steaming dogsh|t

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Bono…LOL. I’d have put Henry Rollins in there for his Black Flag days.

son1 turned me on to his podcast, do you know it?