OT - Queen of Classic Rock

Who is the queen of classic rock?


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Barkman Turner Overdrive

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May 28, 2006
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No Susana Hoffs?

 

Dawgg

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Sep 9, 2012
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Joan Jett is not only the Queen of Rock & Roll, she’s maybe in my top 5 artists of all time. I love Stevie Nicks, but take away Fleetwood Mac and how does she stand on her own? Joan Jett’s career took off after she left The Runaways, but I don’t think Stevie’s improved after she left Fleetwood Mac.
 
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karlchilders.sixpack

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Speaking of Bonnie Raitt, I'm definitely of a fan her, and /with Delbert McClinton.
Just in a different category.
 

blacklistedbully

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Apr 9, 2010
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Who is the queen of classic rock? Before you answer Madonna or Cher, they were more about the show than the music. Pick from these or submit your own. Freddie Mercury is not an option.
I like every one of the women on this list, but have to agree "Classic Rock" IMO doesn't quite fit all of them. Of the ones that do, IMO, it's Ann Wilson hands down.

Success in 70's 80's & 90's...still going strong today with their recent tour getting high marks. She wrote or co-wrote most of Heart's best songs, and there are a ton of them. Grammys, R&R HOF, plays flute & acoustic guitar in addition to being one of the greatest vocalists of all time, regardless of genre.

She and her sister Nancy ran Heart from the beginning in a time when women weren't really thought able to do so in Hard Rock. She & Nancy also are responsible for changing their industry in a huge way, helping all recording artists by suing Mushroom Records and winning, giving musicians more legal protection of the music they create.

That voice! Absolutely stunning. Tremendous power but with perfect control. Listen closely to how well she "manipulates" her voice in several songs. Can also sing soft and sweet songs. Nobody on the list has near as dynamic a singing voice. None close to her range. And none of them have nearly as many Top 40 hits written or co-written as her.

Here's a video analysis given by Elizabeth Zharoff,an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She knows a thing or two about the subject.

At age 27:


At age 63:
 
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blacklistedbully

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Here's a video of a live performance in 1976 of Heart's "Magic Man". It's a pretty good example of Ann's range, control and the way she effortlessly manipulates her voice. Perfect pitch, but she does it. not in a sterile way, but is able to slide in & out of those "vocal manipulations" and dramatic pitch changes so easily, and often with multiple variations within the same line she's singing, sometimes even with a single word.

If you are someone who understands just how crazy-good she is from both a technical and soulful perspective, you appreciate her gift even more. This woman is a rare talent indeed!

 

Bobby Ricigliano

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Jul 27, 2011
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I like every one of the women on this list, but have to agree "Classic Rock" IMO doesn't quite fit all of them. Of the ones that do, IMO, it's Ann Wilson hands down.

Success in 70's 80's & 90's...still going strong today with their recent tour getting high marks. She wrote or co-wrote most of Heart's best songs, and there are a ton of them. Grammys, R&R HOF, plays flute & acoustic guitar in addition to being one of the greatest vocalists of all time, regardless of genre.

She and her sister Nancy ran Heart from the beginning in a time when women weren't really thought able to do so in Hard Rock. She & Nancy also are responsible for changing their industry in a huge way, helping all recording artists by suing Mushroom Records and winning, giving musicians more legal protection of the music they create.

That voice! Absolutely stunning. Tremendous power but with perfect control. Listen closely to how well she "manipulates" her voice in several songs. Can also sing soft and sweet songs. Nobody on the list has near as dynamic a singing voice. None close to her range. And none of them have nearly as many Top 40 hits written or co-written as her.

Here's a video analysis given by Elizabeth Zharoff,an international opera singer and voice coach, with 3 degrees in voice, opera, and music production. She knows a thing or two about the subject.

At age 27:


At age 63:

Speaking of range, that gal has quite the gamut of facial expressions. It’d be fun to get her in a tickle fight and fully explore that range, if ya know what I mean.
 
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blacklistedbully

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Speaking of range, that gal has quite the gamut of facial expressions. It’d be fun to get her in a tickle fight and fully explore that range, if ya know what I mean.
I think not many casual listeners realize how she uses those facial expressions, along with other techniques to alter the tone of her voice. She uses that, her body movements, how & where she pushes her voice from the diaphragm out, how much she does, and how she does it so effortlessly, never seeming to strain to reach any note she wants unless she purposely does it for effect.
 

blacklistedbully

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Apr 9, 2010
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If you want a real treat that can literally give you goosebumps, listen to this video. It's one of their live covers of Zeppelin's Rock & Roll (Been A Long Time). The whole band is fantastic, but Ann's voice should just floor you! Listen to the roar of the crowd after they finish. Makes you wish you had been there because it was an unforgettable performance for those who witnessed it live.

I challenge you to find a live performance from any of the ladies on the list that comes close to what this incredible woman can do.
 

Podgy

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Oct 1, 2022
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Ann and Nancy Wilson, co-queens. Or Pat Benatar. Susana Hoffs for ageing one year every five years.
 

Darryl Steight

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Sep 30, 2022
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Still would
No doubt. I'm not sure if the Bangles are classic rock, but she is definitely on the Mt Rushmore shortlist if so.

Stevie Nicks
Nancy Wilson
Debbie Harry
(Belinda Carlisle//Kim Wilde/Susanna Hoffs?)
 

skipperDawg

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Dec 23, 2023
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Here's a video of a live performance in 1976 of Heart's "Magic Man". It's a pretty good example of Ann's range, control and the way she effortlessly manipulates her voice. Perfect pitch, but she does it. not in a sterile way, but is able to slide in & out of those "vocal manipulations" and dramatic pitch changes so easily, and often with multiple variations within the same line she's singing, sometimes even with a single word.

If you are someone who understands just how crazy-good she is from both a technical and soulful perspective, you appreciate her gift even more. This woman is a rare talent indeed!


How long have you been a roadie for them?
 

Podgy

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Oct 1, 2022
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Here's a video of a live performance in 1976 of Heart's "Magic Man". It's a pretty good example of Ann's range, control and the way she effortlessly manipulates her voice. Perfect pitch, but she does it. not in a sterile way, but is able to slide in & out of those "vocal manipulations" and dramatic pitch changes so easily, and often with multiple variations within the same line she's singing, sometimes even with a single word.

If you are someone who understands just how crazy-good she is from both a technical and soulful perspective, you appreciate her gift even more. This woman is a rare talent indeed!


Roger Fisher was a dynamite guitarist too
 
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DoggieDaddy13

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Dec 23, 2017
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Ann and Nancy have my Heart. They are incredible. Thanks for all the clips.

Ronstadt is to me what Hoff is to you youngsters.

But that said, while it's doubtful anybody would hit it, this ***** was the Mother 17n Mother of Rock & Roll.

 
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blacklistedbully

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How long have you been a roadie for them?
:ROFLMAO: When I was much. much younger, a teenager, I was deeply into music, both listening and performing. Before reality set in I thought I was going to pursue a career in music...perhaps as a teacher or vocal coach. But when I learned I couldn't make much money doing that, I left that behind me to go in another direction.

But I never lost my strong connection to music, not just enjoying the music/songs I liked, but also having an appreciation for who I considered to be great musicians, especially vocalists. I have always enjoyed listening for the nuances & subtle things I knew were behind these performers & performances. So when I hear one that I know is truly exceptional...even if I may not be a fan of their music, it sticks out to me.

This is cross genre for me. For instance, I'm a huge fan of Ray Price. I do love several of his songs, but I also really get into what I notice about his voice and technique. Within country I could add Eddy Arnold and a couple of others. Of course, Patsy Kline is a slam-dunk for anyone.

And then there is the acoustic guitar-playing of Red Shea, particularly on the Gordon Lightfoot hit, "Sundown". The more subtle parts of what he does backing Lightfoot go beyond what sounds good. There is tremendous skill that contributes a ton to the success of that song. He has a way of perfectly playing what's needed to "connect" the lines sung by Lightfoot. If you didn't already know this, take a listen to Sundown, but this time focus on the acoustic guitar playing rhythm.

Ella Fitzgerald for jazz. Another jazz performer that blows me away is Diana Krall.

Anyway, during those teens years on the rock side besides Heart I got into Boston & ELO. Both of those bands had some serious genius going on. Liked a ton more, but those are the ones that stood out to me beyond just liking the songs and how they sounded.
 

blacklistedbully

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Apr 9, 2010
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Ann and Nancy have my Heart. They are incredible. Thanks for all the clips.

Ronstadt is to me what Hoff is to you youngsters.

But that said, while it's doubtful anybody would hit it, this ***** was the Mother 17n Mother of Rock & Roll.


Joplin was no doubt exceptional. but I separate Psychedelic Rock & Folk-infused from Classic Rock.
 
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