Greatest vocalist in CLASSIC ROCK ERA?

[Clint Barton]

For purposes of this discussion, I'm defining the CLASSIC ROCK ERA generally as the appearance of Elvis to say......1990.

I'm gonna go with Freddie Mercury.

As I recall, he was classically trained in opera....correct me if I'm wrong.

I guess the reason I think he's the greatest is his incredible range.

[nonhosonno]

Freddie's way, way up there. My other faves include but are not limited to Ronnie James Dio (he wasn't always metal, you know), Glenn Hughes, David Coverdale (Purple/early-Whitesnake era), Sammy Hagar, and Ian Anderson.

[The Mirrorball Man]

Hmmm... The temptation is great to discuss the definition rather than answer your question...

Alright. The greatest vocalist is Elvis Presley. The reason I think he's the greatest is "In the Ghetto".

[Adam Crocker]

Hmmm... The temptation is great to discuss the definition rather than answer your question...

Yeah. Why does "Classic Rock" go from Elvis to 1990, especially when Elvis, Chuck Berry, and everything from the fifties and even early sixties gets lumped in with "Oldies"?

[Clint Barton]

That's a good question, Adam. I'm not certain, but I've wondered the same thing.

Dio? Cool. I'd agree. I would also have to add Rob Halford to your excellent list.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Its really hard to nail the Greatest vocalist in this era as were seeing. Elvis had a talent that on certain songs from the 50's era he could literally push his vocal cords raw. If anyone has the Hits collections will tell you , listening to a song from that era and from the 70's era like " Moody Blue " shows how far he could go vocally. Few compared to Elvis. The man was the King for the fact he enjoyed all music it seems. Had he lived I think he would be where Johnny Cash went with Rick Rubin. You'd see Presley covering a lot of modern rock I feel.

Then ya have Axl Rose who as a vocalist will be hard to replicate. How exactly do you do his vocals for a 2 hour show ? For fun we as kids would try it and its easy to do for maybe a song but your throat gets really sore and ya have to wonder...how can a man actually sing like that and hit those high notes in his prime for hours ?


I'll pick Freddie Mercury for the pure fact he could sing a song like " Somebody to Love " and go into a lot of different ranges with his vocals. And still do an awesome song.

But again its a hard race here. For every Freddie Mercury we have a Sammy Hagar and Axl Rose ect ect....

[Clint Barton]

How do you all feel about Roy Orbison?

I personally think his falsetto alone throws him somewhere in the top 25 or so.

[Jessica Drew]

In addition to Elvis, Orbison, and Mercury, I'll add Aretha Franklin to the top five of that list (maybe even to the top spot). Somewhere shortly under her, Presley, Orbison, I'd place these (in no certain order):

Otis Redding
Darlene Love
Levi Stubbs
Ray Charles
Sam Cooke
James Brown
Sam Moore
Bob Segar
Bob Dylan
John Lennon
Marvin Gaye
Little Richard
Jackie Wilson
Rod Stewart
Smokey Robinson
Bobby "Blue" Bland
David Ruffin

...and several more

[rick]

If we are talking about the "classic" era as opposed to the "oldies" era, then the answer is pretty simple....... Robert Plant

[Clint Barton]

Jessica,

That's some list! Good 'uns, for certain!

Bobby "Blue" Bland...Wow.

I thought no one on here would be old enough to even know the name....

[Kirayoshi]

Aretha Franklin, without a doubt. I once heard her perform "Nessun Dormir", an aria from Turnadot, a signature piece for Pavarotti, during a Grammy broadcast about eight years ago or so, and damned if she didn't belt that sucker out of the park!

Seventies on, Van Morrison. Sure his voice is gravelly, but he can sustain some of the loveliest ballads ever, as well as upbeat bluesy tunes("Bright Side of the Road") as well as traditional Celtic melodies(he did an album called "Celtic Heartbeat" with the Chieftains).

And while he's more R&B and Motown, I'd also nominated Stevie Wonder. His "Overjoyed" is one of the best love songs ever.

[Jessica Drew]

Jessica,

That's some list! Good 'uns, for certain!

Bobby "Blue" Bland...Wow.

I thought no one on here would be old enough to even know the name....

My father used to play his records quite a bit when we both were younger.

[JazzFromHell]

For technical skill, Freddie Mercury. My favorite would be Bob Dylan.

[howyadoin]

Ronnie Van Zant, Greg Allman, Robin Zander, Robert Plant, Eric Clapton...

[Buried Alien]

Eric Clapton...

Hmmm. We all know about Clapton's skill with the guitar, but as a vocalist, I never thought he was more than average.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Adam Crocker]

Hmmm. We all know about Clapton's skill with the guitar, but as a vocalist, I never thought he was more than average.

Ditto. Even in his prime, he never struck me as more than an adequate vocalist.

Personally I'm inclined to go with Rick's choice of Robert Plant. Though I also have a strong preference for Mick Jagger. I'm actually surprised that no one mentioned him yet.

Edit: Okay, except for "Layla." That was the one time I think Clapton's vocals actually rose above the norm and hit the ball out of the park.

[Lubichev]

I always thought Joe Cocker had an energy and passion that made him stand out as an outstanding vocalist.

[jessecuster3]

No love for Brain Wilson or any of the brothers in The Beach Boys ?


In fact I would say that most of the surf bands of the 50's and 60's

[Jessica Drew]

A few more that haven't been mentioned:

Philippe Wynne (late lead singer of the Spinners)
Janis Joplin
Bono
Teddy Pendergrass
Luther Vandross
Mavis Staples
Bonnie Bramlett
Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
Tina Turner
Dusty Springfield

[Michael P]

No love for Brain Wilson or any of the brothers in The Beach Boys ?

Whoever did all the falsetto parts was pretty good.

In fact I would say that most of the surf bands of the 50's and 60's
Are there any surf bands of note other than the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean?

[Adam Crocker]

Are there any surf bands of note other than the Beach Boys and Jan & Dean?

Not any vocal surf act I can think of. The Ventures and Dick Dale on the other hand...

[Dennis K]

Paul McCartney
John Lennon
Mick Jagger
Robert Plant
Roger Daltry
Janis Joplin
Robin Zander
Paul Rodgers
Ronnie Van Zandt
Jim Morrison
John Fogerty

[Albert]

Freddie Mercury, hands down... with Kate Bush as a distant second (though I'm not certain she fits the classic rock provision, she did have a four octave range).

[howyadoin]

Hmmm. We all know about Clapton's skill with the guitar, but as a vocalist, I never thought he was more than average.I must respectfully disagree.
Ditto. Even in his prime, he never struck me as more than an adequate vocalist.

Edit: Okay, except for "Layla." That was the one time I think Clapton's vocals actually rose above the norm and hit the ball out of the park.What about "Bell Bottom Blues"? Or his "Little Wing" cover?

[Adam Crocker]

What about "Bell Bottom Blues"? Or his "Little Wing" cover?

Hm, never heard those, so I guess I better do something about that.

[berk]

I have to side with howyadoin on Clapton's singing. He might not have had great range, but there was a lot of soul in his vocals, at least up until about 1975 or so, after which his music turned into the lightweight, radio-friendly stuff that's been associated with him ever since. But early on, he had it, whatever "it" is. Adam - check out Derek and the Dominoes, it has Layla, Bell Bottom Blues (can't believe you haven't heard this all-time classic, probably my favourite Clapton song), Little Wing and tons of other great stuff.

I really like Hendrix's singing too, speaking of famous guitar players whose vocals are undeservedly disparaged.

[howyadoin]

I have to side with howyadoin on Clapton's singing. He might not have had great range, but there was a lot of soul in his vocals, at least up until about 1975 or so, after which his music turned into the lightweight, radio-friendly stuff that's been associated with him ever since. But early on, he had it, whatever "it" is. Adam - check out Derek and the Dominoes, it has Layla, Bell Bottom Blues (can't believe you haven't heard this all-time classic, probably my favourite Clapton song), Little Wing and tons of other great stuff.

I really like Hendrix's singing too, speaking of famous guitar players whose vocals are undeservedly disparaged.I wholeheartedly second all of this.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Clapton was an awesome rocker with " Layla " and well...I have to say that " Tears in Heaven " was a sweet song. He deserved all the success in the world with it.

But he's not a very strong vocalist. I never pictured Clapton as a strong vocalist but I do admit..he has some damn skills as a guitarist. Guy can f-ckin go. I saw a clip of him and he could work the guitar.

George Harrison was a pretty damn good vocalist as well. I always loved his cover of " Stuck In the Middle of You " he did.

[Patriot07]

My favorite vocalists of all time are Jim Morrison and Freddy Mercury. They are two people who really stand the test of time as far as vocals go. Elvis too.

[Rob Allen]

Freddie Mercury, hands down... with Kate Bush as a distant second (though I'm not certain she fits the classic rock provision, she did have a four octave range).

Annie Haslem of Renaissance had at least four octaves, maybe more.

[Weapon Ick]

Janis ****ing Joplin.

[Ontir]

Whether being gentile or busking, rocking or melodic, backing or leading, I've got to go with Sir, Paul McCartney.

[Ilash]

If we are talking about the "classic" era as opposed to the "oldies" era, then the answer is pretty simple....... Robert Plant


AAAAAHHH!

No.

If Led Zeppelin I was the only album Plant ever appeared on then, yeah, I'd be right there with you. But as early as III, he became, to my ears at least, one of rock and roll's most obnoxious singers.

Actually I have trouble answering this question (and not just because I don't know how anyone could define classic rock as ending in 1990 of all years) because are we referring to all the styles that came out at the time (country, pop, rock, soul, blues, metal etc) and different singers have their own strengths. So let's do it this way:

Purest: Emmylou Harris
Most Powerful: Roger Daltrey or Freddie Mercury
Most soulful: Marvin Gaye
Best suited for heavy metal: Ian Gillan
Most expressive: Bob Dylan
Most distinctive: Elvis Presley
Best all-rounder: Paul McCartney

[rick]

AAAAAHHH!

No.

If Led Zeppelin I was the only album Plant ever appeared on then, yeah, I'd be right there with you. But as early as III, he became, to my ears at least, one of rock and roll's most obnoxious singers.

Actually I have trouble answering this question (and not just because I don't know how anyone could define classic rock as ending in 1990 of all years) because are we referring to all the styles that came out at the time (country, pop, rock, soul, blues, metal etc) and different singers have their own strengths. So let's do it this way:

Purest: Emmylou Harris
Most Powerful: Roger Daltrey or Freddie Mercury
Most soulful: Marvin Gaye
Best suited for heavy metal: Ian Gillan
Most expressive: Bob Dylan
Most distinctive: Elvis Presley
Best all-rounder: Paul McCartney


Don't take this wrong my friend, but I just can't anyone who would list Bob Dylan as one of the best "singers" in Rock too seriously when they talk about how bad Robert Plant is.

Or for that matter Emmylou Harris either.

Not that she doesn't have an excellent voice, it's just that complete lack of Rock music in her background that comes to mind.

[Ilash]

Don't take this wrong my friend, but I just can't anyone who would list Bob Dylan as one of the best "singers" in Rock too seriously when they talk about how bad Robert Plant is.

Or for that matter Emmylou Harris either.

Not that she doesn't have an excellent voice, it's just that complete lack of Rock music in her background that comes to mind.

First, like I said, I wasn't sure which genres it was covering because of the wide variety of different artists that have been mentioned so far. And besides she does have links to rock music as she has played with the Band and Mark Knopfler among others.

As for Dylan, I put him in that category because even if he isn't conventionally a great singer because of his, lets face it, weird voice, his ability to express what he's saying through the way he sings his words puts him in a league of his own in this aspect of singing.

Plant, on the other hand, has nothing about his singing that others don't do better.

[Ilash]

Hm, never heard those, so I guess I better do something about that.

Wow, really? I thought Bell Bottom Blues was a really well known song. And yeah, Clapton's various versions of Little Wing (check out the one on his Rainbow Concert live CD) blow away Hendrix's original. Seriously.

[Jonathan Bogart]

Howlin' Wolf. And maybe Del Shannon.

Okay, and Rod Stewart, 1968-1973.

[rick]

Okay fine.

Here's some truly great Rock singers, and Eric Clapton just doesn't make my list...

Robert Plant
Annie Lennox
David Bowie
Chrissie Hynde
Mick Jagger
Elizabeth Fraser
David Byrne
Ann Wilson
John Lydon
Debbie Harry
Steve Winwood
Christine McVie
Glenn Frey
Neil Young
Bob Weir
Ian Anderson

There are plenty more, but these are among the very best.

[Clint Barton]

Wow, really? I thought Bell Bottom Blues was a really well known song. And yeah, Clapton's various versions of Little Wing (check out the one on his Rainbow Concert live CD) blow away Hendrix's original. Seriously.

Gotta agree there...big time.

Saw someone mention Del Shannon. Glad to know I'm not the oldest poster here. ;)

[Matt Linton]

Classic Rock Era (1960-1980)
Robert Plant
Roger Daltry
Jim Morrison
Janis Joplin
Rod Stewart (during the Faces/Jeff Beck days)
Grace Slick

(80s)
Bono
Michael Stipe
Sammy Hagar

Grunge Era (1990-1995)
Chris Cornell
Eddie Vedder
Zack de la Rocha
Tori Amos
Ani DiFranco

[berk]

Howlin' Wolf. And maybe Del Shannon.

Okay, and Rod Stewart, 1968-1973.Jonathan, do you have the "a little bit misunderstood: The Sixties Sessions" collection of Stewart's very early stuff? That's my favourite of his work.

EDIT: the juxtaposition of Rick's and Jonathan's posts reminded me of something: even though I don't agree with all Rick's choices, I do agree with the implicit idea you can retieve from his list - that "classic rock" doesn't include forerunners like Presley or Howlin WOlf, or Berry or Jordan or etc, etc. I mean, I hate the term "classic rock:, but we have to recognise what other people mean when they use it.

[Jonathan Bogart]

Jonathan, do you have the "a little bit misunderstood: The Sixties Sessions" collection of Stewart's very early stuff? That's my favourite of his work.
Eh, it's average beat-group music, though I even love below-average beat-group music. I don't think Rod really started to shine until he started working with Ron Wood; and after he stopped working with Woody, he stopped being very good.

[berk]

Eh, it's average beat-group music, though I even love below-average beat-group music. I wouldn't dispute that: but I think - with hindsight - that Stewart's talent manifested itself to its best advantage when his ego wasn't in the way. And that was obviously more likely to be the case before he became a big star. But I'd agree that his vocal performances probably reached their peak in the early 70's. The peak of his proficiency came some time later - maybe around the time of "Hot Legs" - but by that time it was all proficiency and no soul, to use a completely vague, indefinable term.

[Reptisaurus!]

EDIT: the juxtaposition of Rick's and Jonathan's posts reminded me of something: even though I don't agree with all Rick's choices, I do agree with the implicit idea you can retieve from his list - that "classic rock" doesn't include forerunners like Presley or Howlin WOlf, or Berry or Jordan or etc, etc. I mean, I hate the term "classic rock:, but we have to recognise what other people mean when they use it.

But the thread says CLASSIC ROCK ERA, not CLASSIC ROCK.

I wouldn't call Wolf's stuff rock, by any means.

And Wolf's career started long before, say, Cream or the Kinks or the Mothers.

But he was not only active from the beginning of the British Invasion up to his death in '76, but he was almost certainly better known during the "Classic Rock Era" than he was before, after the Stones and Cream (et al.) introduced him to a new, white audience.

.
.
.

And, in answer to the question: Nina Simone.

[rick]

But the thread says CLASSIC ROCK ERA, not CLASSIC ROCK.

I wouldn't call Wolf's stuff rock, by any means.

And Wolf's career started long before, say, Cream or the Kinks or the Mothers.

But he was not only active from the beginning of the British Invasion up to his death in '76, but he was almost certainly better known during the "Classic Rock Era" than he was before, after the Stones and Cream (et al.) introduced him to a new, white audience.

.
.
.

And, in answer to the question: Nina Simone.


But Cheeks, if all you use as your standard is if someone was well known or was selling records during the "classic rock era", then you might as well start bringing up names like Sinatra. After all he was EXTREMLY popular at the same time as Cream and the Stones and the rest.

In fact if you are going to include the "oldies" era, then not only Sinatra, but Perry Como and Mel Torme not only sold better, but mostly had better voices too.

When someone says “Classic Rock”, like it or not, that has come to mean the era from around 1966 when the Beatles discovered acid, going all the way to somewhere around 1979 or 80 when the Wall and Who Are You came out.

And like it or not, the early rock era, from say Ike Turner’s Rocket 88 in 1948 up until somewhere around the time Rubber Soul came out, is known as the “oldies” era. And that includes the vast majority of the British Invasion.

I didn’t come up with either the names or the dividing line, but unless we want to change some commonly held terms, “Classic Rock” has a very specific meaning.

If we were asked what were the best voices in Rock history instead of the best of the Classic era, then there would have been a whole bunch of different responses.

For example, if we are going to include “Oldies” then my list changes completely.

All at once, you get…….

Elvis
Marie Adams
Johnny Otis
“Big Mama” Thorton
Mel Williams
Marci Lee
Little Richard
Solomon Burke
Bobby Lewis
Bill Haley


So maybe I’m just being a stickler for terminology here, but still a name is a name.

[Reptisaurus!]

But an "era" is a unit of time. The "Classic Rock Era" would, mean, t'me the time period that what we NOW call "Classic Rock" was popular. Say, '65-'75, give or take a couple years.

Not just Classic Rock singers, but everyone in the time period that Classic (retroactively) Rock was quoteunquote dominant.

Which is a MUCH more diverse and interesting question than "Who's the best classic rock singer."

So Sinatra's a fine answer to the question. As long as you judge him by his sixties and seventies material and consdier it superior to, say, what the Beach Boys and Zep were doin' simultaneously.

[rick]

But an "era" is a unit of time. The "Classic Rock Era" would, mean, t'me the time period that what we NOW call "Classic Rock" was popular. Say, '65-'75, give or take a couple years.

Not just Classic Rock singers, but everyone in the time period that Classic (retroactively) Rock was quoteunquote dominant.

Which is a MUCH more diverse and interesting question than "Who's the best classic rock singer."

So Sinatra's a fine answer to the question. As long as you judge him by his sixties and seventies material and consdier it superior to, say, what the Beach Boys and Zep were doin' simultaneously.


Ummm.

I'm not so sure I can agree.

It seems to me that you are taking the timetable a bit too literally, and are actually ignoring the intent of the question.

But still at least I can see what you’re getting at.

[Reptisaurus!]

Ummm.

I'm not so sure I can agree.

It seems to me that you are taking the timetable a bit too literally, and are actually ignoring the intent of the question.


I figure if dude had meant "Greatest Classic Rock vocalist" he woulda SAID "Greatest Classic Rock vocalist."

Anyway, I like the question I answered better.

And, well, it would be tough for me to answer the first question... I tend not to like Male singers with operatic voices and multi-octave range. So the singers who are technically best (Freddie Mercury, ferinstance) are a little tough for me to listen to.

But, for the record: Mick.

[rick]

I figure if dude had meant "Greatest Classic Rock vocalist" he woulda SAID "Greatest Classic Rock vocalist."

Anyway, I like the question I answered better.

And, well, it would be tough for me to answer the first question... I tend not to like Male singers with operatic voices and multi-octave range. So the singers who are technically best (Freddie Mercury, ferinstance) are a little tough for me to listen to.

But, for the record: Mick.


Actually, when I think about it, I kind of like your question better too.

[howyadoin]

Okay fine.

Here's some truly great Rock singers, and Eric Clapton just doesn't make my list...

Robert Plant
Annie Lennox
David Bowie
Chrissie Hynde
Mick Jagger
Elizabeth Fraser
David Byrne
Ann Wilson
John Lydon
Debbie Harry
Steve Winwood
Christine McVie
Glenn Frey
Neil Young
Bob Weir
Ian Anderson

There are plenty more, but these are among the very best.I agree that there's a lot of great singers on that list, but there's quite a few I wouldn't lump under the term "classic rock".

[rick]

I agree that there's a lot of great singers on that list, but there's quite a few I wouldn't lump under the term "classic rock".

heh.

I wondered if anyone would catch Lydon, Lennox, Fraiser and Harry.

Still I'll argue that Chrissie Hynde actually does belong there, though just barely.

[darkwolf]

Freddy Mercury
Jon Bon Jovi
Steven Tyler
singer from Whitesnake
singer from scorpions