Great Rock Vocalists

[Arlos]

Drem, as I said, someone can be an effective vocalist without being a great singer. Anyone who growls or shouts is not being a great vocalist, though they may be a greatly effective singer. Maynard Keenan from Tool is like that. His range isn't huge, and isn't perfect, so you could never call him a vocalist of the Pavarotti type caliber, but that doesn't change one iota of the power of his singing.

Think about what opera stars can do with their voices, how low they can go and how high they can go and still sing comfortably. How much shading they can produce, how rich their vocal tone is, how perfectly they're on pitch, how much dynamism there is in their performance, how many different keys are they comfortable singing in, how clear their singing is, etc. etc. etc. THAT's how you objectively measure great vocalists. It has nothing to do with whether you like the band or not, it should entirely be about the caliber of their vocal talent.

Someone like Janis Joplin had a voice that outpaced even the opera singers. She was an insanely great vocalist. Many of the of the others mentioned here are likewise great vocalists. The guy from LP is *NOT*, no matter how effective you find him. Sorry. Doesn't mean the band sucks or anything, by the way, just that his voice is not spectacular.


Here's one more that I find to be really an excellent singer: Andrew Eldritch of Sisters of Mercy. Check: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDuW3NvjqJY and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL2htkIrLCc for samples.

-Arlos

[Drem]

i just think we have different interpretations of "great singer". i like someone that sings really well, has a great range, but is ultimately predictable just as much as someone that has a scratchy voice and not much range but uses more interesting and intricate lines. i just kinda take each for what it is. you and tikker are more like the judges on American Idol or something... rating everything against your idea of what "good singing" is

brinstar, you were smart for staying out of this thread -.-

[Tikker]

and you're doing the exact same thing, except against you're own standards, you fucking idiot

[Evermore]

fuck axl rose in the ass with a red hot poker. the guy cant sing for shit. I have seen him live. He sucks.

btw Amy Lee is so nasal its crazy. they process that out in the studio but go see her live.... yuk.

[Arlos]

*shrug* As I said, liking or loving a band has nothing to do with being objective about the vocal talent of its singer. I love me some Primus, but I would never attempt to claim that Les Claypool has a magnificent singing voice. Sure, he's distinctive and effective, but a great voice in the classical sense? Not a chance. (now, you ask for a list of best bassists ever, and he'd be on there in a heartbeat. Best singer, not no way, not no how)

-Arlos

[Iccarra]

Thanks for letting me know about Amy Lee. I haven't seen Evanescence in concert so I'm thinking I shouldn't bother....I'll stick with my CD's.

I didn't see anything saying the preface of the thread was who you thought was great live vs. recorded, though. My choices were mainly based on recorded vocals...just fyi.

[Tikker]

actually

that might be a great thread of it's own

great live performers vs studio wonders


I was a big Evanescence fan until I saw them live

Sammy Hagar is outstanding live, way better solo than with van halen, and way better than anything on the records

Chicago/Bon Jovi were great live as well

Aerosmith was beyond terrible

AC/DC is much better live than on the records

[Arlos]

Tool is absolutely outstanding live. Completely incredible. I love their albums, but their live stuff blows them away completely.

Primus is excellent as well. Again, good albums, even better live performance.

Type O Negative was very good.

Nine Inch Nails is hit or miss, all depends on Trent's mood. I've seen shows where I was blown away by how awesome they were, and others where I thought they reached new dimensions of suck.

Marilyn Manson sucked live (saw him opening for NIN)

David Bowie was *TRULY* awful live. When half the people nearby me were singing the tune to "The Love Boat" along with one of his songs, and they were matching, that's when we knew it was time to get the hell out of there. One of the only concerts I have ever left early.

Stabbing Westward were quite good.

Nirvana was actually very good live.

Ministry is fantastic live.

KMFDM was OK live, one or two times they were pretty good, others just meh.

Metallica was fairly decent, but that was a long time ago. They were actually also decent live on acoustic instruments when they performed at one of Neil Young's all-acoustic annual Bridge School benefits.

Sisters of Mercy were excellent live.

Danzig was kinda meh.

Underworld put on an outstanding live show.

Offspring were OK, nothing special.

Ozzy was pretty good, actually.


That's just a partial list, really.

If you want to extend into DJing for a second, the hands-down bar-none best I have ever seen in person is Paul Van Dyk. I have never in my life heard mixing that smooth. If I hadn't been 10 feet from the decks watching him do it, I would have thought it a pre-done studio mix from a DAT or something. Utterly flawless.

-Arlos

[Diekan]

Add John Lee Hooker to the list.

[Nusk]

the band Yeasayer is a million times better live than album

[Drem]

and you're doing the exact same thing, except against you're own standards, you fucking idiot

i don't naysay EVERYTHING EVERYONE ELSE SAYS like you do. i'm not doing the same thing at all. i'm trying to explain why i like a variety of things. as opposed to you, that likes about two things out of 15 million options

[araby]

vocalists-this in my opinion is based strictly on ability of the singer to convey a rock and roll sound and do it well. even the Beatles screamed well.

Ryan Adams (pre-Cardinals, see: Rock N Roll 1&2 and Demolition)
Chris Cornell
Josh Ritter
Jim James (My Morning Jacket)
Brandon Flowers (of The Killers)
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
Jeff Tweedy
Dusty Springfield
Blondie
Janis Joplin
Ann Wilson
Buddy Holly

[Tikker]

I completely forgot about Klaus Meine from the Scorpions

I always liked his voice

[Kramer]

we've probably made the point, but consider comparing artists and painters, now there were many great painters who were technically proficient far beyond the skill of most popular modern day painters, it's not an insult lots of unskilled modern art, just taking a look at a specific aspect of art in general

vocalists should be people who can actually hold notes, match pitch, etc... not simply scream and get palyps.... which is why freddie mercury keeps popping up, i have no idea about Elvis, he makes me want to claw my eyes out so i have no idea if his voice was above average