August 2, 20232 yr Who are some of y'alls top VOCALISTS ever? Not necessarily singers. For example, I'm listening to RATM and while no one would consider de la Rocha a great technical singer I think he's one of the greatest vocalists of all time. Maybe a couple of other examples of guys that weren't technically great but were totally iconic are Bowie and Ozzy. I think Petty fits this mold as well. But - I'm not sure how high I'd rank guys like McCartney or Jagger. While they're obviously mega famous and iconic they seem less unique and more imitable. Who y'all got? Chicks welcome of course.
August 2, 20232 yr if you are looking for unique and not imitable, it's hard to argue against cobain and vedder, along with freddie mercury assuming we are stuffing queen into "rock" which seems reasonable given that you are offering bowie. axl and plant also certainly defined a rock sound in a way that was undeniable. pre-1992 bono sound in u2 is pretty special as well.
August 2, 20232 yr 33 minutes ago, ztejas said: Maybe a couple of other examples of guys that weren't technically great but were totally iconic are Bowie and Ozzy. Bowie is widely regarded as a brilliant singer, not just a "vocalist". I wouldn't lump him in the Ozzy category at all. Ask Tony Visconti -- you can friend him on Facebook. Another singer I've been told is dead nails in the studio is Chrissie Hynde. I think it's pretty hard to deny Elvis Presley's tone, pitch control, and general (and unique) vibe. Edited August 2, 20232 yr by jimmyjazz
August 2, 20232 yr Author 3 minutes ago, jimmyjazz said: Bowie is widely regarded as a brilliant singer You're right the more I think about it. He had a lot of songs where he sang very unorthodox or pushed limits stylistically in lieu of attempting to display technical proficiency is I guess what I was getting at. Then again - Ozzy is probably a better technical signer than he gets credit for. Elvis is a great example. David Byrne just came to mind.
August 2, 20232 yr Yeah, guys like Byrne and Michael Stipe are fascinating. Not cut out for opera, should they have wanted to go that route, but still very solid singers with a unique sonic perspective.
August 2, 20232 yr Mike Patton and Chris Cornell definitely are at the top. Really tough to beat those two. Others: Iggy Pop Bon Scott John Bush
August 2, 20232 yr I think it's hard to distinguish vocalists and singers.. I like unique, raw, emotional vocalists. While they may or may not be "good" singers, they're fucking great to me. Dolores O'Riordan (Cranberries) Vedder Cornell (although he is an amazing singer) Cobain John Bell (widespread panic) Dr. John Tom Waits Jason Isbell Patterson Hood I think it all comes down to personal preference
August 2, 20232 yr I guess I don't really understand the definition of a vocalist given some of the comments and suggestions. I would have thought to be considered a vocalist you need great technical skills. I would put Roy Orbison and Linda Ronstadt up against anybody not named Freddie Mercury.
August 2, 20232 yr Author 32 minutes ago, Wiler77 said: I guess I don't really understand the definition of a vocalist given some of the comments and suggestions. I would have thought to be considered a vocalist you need great technical skills. Vocalizing is simply making sound come out of your mouth. Singing is attempting to string words together in a specific pitch/tone. You don't have to be perfectly on key or hitting specific notes to be a great vocalist. Hence ZDLR being my prime example. There is a ton of power and energy in his words that lifts the band around him but he could give a fuck less if his pitch is off or not. Kendrick Lamar is one of the greatest vocalists of all time despite not doing a lot of singing (but he isn't a rock musician). Does that clear it up a bit? Also - your voice can sound great despite not doing anything particularly impressive or difficult singing-wise. Like a Johnny Cash or Leonard Cohen. Edited August 2, 20232 yr by ztejas
August 2, 20232 yr One that comes to mind is a local boy -- Britt Daniel of Spoon. I quite literally cannot think of another singer who sounds like him, and that sound is a huge part of the band's identity.
August 2, 20232 yr Yep. I'd put Devin Townsend up against any and all of these folks. Can shriek like a devil, and sing like an angel. The Charismatic Voice got pregnant shortly after this video
August 2, 20232 yr Lemmy should get recognition. Distinct, unmistakable voice in a band that was very influential in heavy music.
August 3, 20232 yr When you say "vocalist" but not necessarily "singer" does that mean best front man? Because if that's the case I'm going David Lee Roth all day. Dude practically invented the "Rock 'n Roll High Kick".
August 3, 20232 yr Under-appreciated (in my opinion), but I'd add Myles Kennedy to this list. Not at the Cornell or Mercury tier, but one of the mid-majors. Outside of his work with Slash and Alter Bridge, he's probably (unfortunately) best known for this:
August 3, 20232 yr Hayley Williams is a pretty awesome singer and IMO the best front woman working today. She's got the talent and charisma.
August 3, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, ajax said: Hayley Williams is a pretty awesome singer and IMO the best front woman working today. She's got the talent and charisma. Some examples of Hayley Williams. Here sharing the stage with Taylor Swift and just dominates. Taylor is great at what she does but can't match the vocal power of Hayley.
August 3, 20232 yr 10 hours ago, jimmyjazz said: I love that movie, I don't care how cheesey it is. Same.
August 3, 20232 yr 21 hours ago, sidis said: if you are looking for unique and not imitable, it's hard to argue against cobain and vedder I feel like a ton of singers imitated those two from about 1992-97
August 3, 20232 yr 7 hours ago, Pato del Muerto said: No love for Rod Stewart? If we're going for subjective "fit" with the music, few singers fit the music better than Rod with the Faces and his early solo career.
August 3, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, Don Johnson said: I feel like a ton of singers imitated those two from about 1992-97 they certainly tried...and they did not succeed. they are all largely forgettable while nirvana and pearl jam will remain all-time great pillars of music.
August 3, 20232 yr I feel like a ton of singers imitated those two from about 1992-97Yarrrrl, ya maties!
August 3, 20232 yr Author 11 hours ago, ajax said: Hayley Williams is a pretty awesome singer and IMO the best front woman working today. She's got the talent and charisma. Great add. I'm still waiting for someone to mention the GOAT - btw. A couple of his peers have came up repeatedly. Well, him, Plant, Mercury, Perry, Tyler, Cornell all in their own tier imo. Maybe a couple others. But he's my personal fav (as someone that tries to sing a lot of stuff - he can make it downright fucking impossible). 1 hour ago, Deej said: Ann Wilson? Absolutely a name that came to mind when I posted. I just didn't want to list too many of my own. Edited August 3, 20232 yr by ztejas
August 3, 20232 yr Honestly, I think Patton is one of the greatest. Incredible range as well as creatively using his voice and great stage presence (he is getting older so that has slowed a bit). There are a few videos on YouTube of singers or vocal coaches reacting to him singing and they all are just shocked at what he can do.
August 3, 20232 yr 4 hours ago, sidis said: they certainly tried...and they did not succeed. they are all largely forgettable while nirvana and pearl jam will remain all-time great pillars of music. They failed because their music sucked, not because they did a bad job imitating Vedder/Cobain's voices.
August 3, 20232 yr 3 hours ago, ztejas said: I'm still waiting for someone to mention the GOAT - btw. A couple of his peers have came up repeatedly. Cobain? Morrison?
August 3, 20232 yr 3 hours ago, Patricio Swayze said: Honestly, I think Patton is one of the greatest. Incredible range as well as creatively using his voice and great stage presence (he is getting older so that has slowed a bit). There are a few videos on YouTube of singers or vocal coaches reacting to him singing and they all are just shocked at what he can do. I was a huge FNM fan. I remember hurrying out to buy the Mr Bungle album and then eagerly racing home to listen to it. It was.... inaccessible. To say the least.
August 3, 20232 yr I was a huge FNM fan. I remember hurrying out to buy the Mr Bungle album and then eagerly racing home to listen to it. It was.... inaccessible. To say the least.Hahahaha this happened to my buddy. We went to the Best Buy in south Austin freshman year and he bought the album that just came out by Mr Bungle. We went back to a friend’s dorm and put it on and got a big surprise/let down. But I know people that love them. I honestly haven’t gone back to try again. But man, Angel Dust and King for a Day are monster albums. The most recent one, Sol Invictus, is really good.
August 3, 20232 yr Author 15 minutes ago, ajax said: Cobain? Is "a couple of his peers" Another hint: he did not make the RS 200 best singers list because there is no God Or maybe there is a God and he's vengeful because he might not make the first page here. Edited August 3, 20232 yr by ztejas
August 3, 20232 yr 23 hours ago, ohchaucer said: Ani DiFranco Good one. And I can't believe I left Warren Zevon off of my list.
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