the Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers-40 to 31

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Now we are getting deeper into the second half of the list, harder choices are having to be made. I am having to be more honest with myself; in what we are doing here which is focusing not only on technical vocal ability, in terms of range and power, as well as their dynamics, phrasing and the overall character of their voice. Can they emote from different places? How well does their voice hold up live? . How they control a crowd or their entertainment value as performers is also not a factor; there are some great front men who are also sub-par singers. There are also not going to be any Bob Dylan like singers, who are better songwriters than vocalists.

Pop singers, are far and few between, with; a few country or jazz singers who crossover just enough to qualify for this list, while having a significant influence on rock music. Don't expect rappers on this list or metal vocalists who just scream or growl, but never actually sing. I am keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these do their own thing, the few paying tribute to other artists made enough of an impact with their music. Having a unique vocal quality is going to be one of the most important factors often trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey after listening to their vocal coach rather than developing their own style, it is also not going to fly. Some of these might have been ignored by mainstream music media, but by the time we get to the top 10, I am sure it will all make sense, so here are the Top 200 greatest rock singers.

40-Peter Murphy

Unlike Ian Curtis, he actually sings, and can belt it out with more resonance than Robert Smith which is why Mr. Murphy made it up this high on the list. His voice has held up pretty well for all the meth he was getting arrested for. 

 

 39-Siouxsie Sioux

Yes she is an icon. She is one of the goth queens, if we are talking about the punk rock vein of the genre, I am not going to say she is the best female singer the goths can claim as there are a few who ranked higher. But she is great at what she does. 

 

 38- Chris Stapleton

How did a country singer get this soulful? He is unreal, though not the highest ranking country singer on the list, which considering who beat him for that spot I am sure Chris would want it no other way.

   

 37-Bjork

Bjork does not give a fuck, she will sing to aliens , mushrooms, mecha teddy bears, she uses her voice as an instrument and a weapon. She could have been a pop singer if she wanted to but did I mention the part where Bjork does not give a fuck. That is her strength as she will break all the rule of how you are   supposed to sing.

 

36-George Jones

He sings the songs of broken hearts, the greatest country singer of all time. I do not want to hear shit about Johnny Cash or even Hank sr as they could not sing their way out of a paper bag compared to George .

   

 35-Shannon Hoon

Who knows what this junkie hippie would have done if given the chance. He died to soon and all we have are the two full lengths and collection of other tid bits to reflection upon, there was a rawness to his voice that is spell binding.

 

34- Dio

 He is the singer of Rainbow and Black Sabbath, this magic elf of a man, some might bemoan is not higher on the list. He really had too dynamics to his voice belt it out from his chest register than a more hushed almost feminine croon that was still not a falsetto. He is amazing , but not the highest ranking metal singer on this list. 

  

32-Tori Amos

 Does she owe her career to Kate Bush? Yes, but she made the most of it an almost established her own identity by putting enough of her own pain in her voice. She is Kate Bush for people who prefer coffee houses to theater.

32- Thom Yorke

 I am not sure what drugs he got on after "Ok Computer" but they were good ones, he really started using his voice like an instrument. His falsetto is self deprecating rather than flamboyant.

   

 31- Geoff Tate

I want you to listen to the Rage For Order album and come back and tell me how Dio should be higher than Tate on this list so I can knock your fucking teeth in.