Digging deeper into our list of the top 200 greatest rock singers, inspired by the travesty that was Rolling Stone's supposed list. Where they got it wrong, this list hopes to be more effective, but not only focusing on rock singers and those adjacent to the genre, while placing the spotlight on the singer's 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? All factors are being considered here, lyrical content and the instruments they play do not factor in as these ranking is based on vocal merit alone. 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.
The same can be said of song writers which is why most Bob Dylan songs sound better covered by someone else. Needless to say, ole Robert Zimmerman is not making the cut. Most pop singers won't appear here, but there are 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 are doing their own thing, the few paying tribute to other artists have still 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.
Campbell's bright tenor brings a soaring contrast to his band's doomy crunch. He manages to do this with little pretense keeping power metal comparisons at bay. he has a great deal of power but uses it smoothly to allow his mournful melodies to ache rather than command.
129-Zola Jesus
Dark wave and post punk revivalists have been keen on emulating the voice of Siouxsie and when Nika Danilova first emerged from the witch house scene there was a hint of that to her voice her throaty belt has gain more colors as her career progressed into dancey regions of sound.
128-Jarboe
Her most classic work is during her tenure lending her ghostly voice to Swans but has since sung on a wide variety of other dark music projects. One of the more influential singers of the dark music scene.
127- Libby Lux
Her voice is what separates the Bridge City Sinners from the other punk rock train kids who picked up banjos in the last decade. She can go from a 20s jazz croon to black metal rasp all in the course of a song.
126-Eric Wagner
There was something fragile and desperate to his voice when Wagner shrieked over the doom riffs of his band Trouble. There is more soul to his voice than most of the singers he would later inspire.
125-Jeremy Enigk
He was way ahead of his time developing his style of singing that would be later thought of as emo. Three albums into the career of Sunny Day Realestate his range double along with the vocal colors he employed.
124- Imogen Heap
Her vocal style is characterized by layers of harmonies. Something best left in the context of the studio which is why despite being influential she is not ranked higher. She does get credit for throwing her voice around in a less than mainstream manner.
123-Farida Lemouchi
The singer of the Devil's Blood took what bands like Coven did before her and her brother and did it better.One of the few band's that were actually sincere in their desire to sing praises to darkness, Farida did so with passion and power.
122-Miny Parsonz
The front woman of Royal Thunder utilizes her tremendous range with a great deal of power, that recalls metal singers of the 80s, but run through a filter of cigarette smoke and cheap hotel rooms.
121-Ike Willis
Frank Zappa was known for only employing the highest tier of musicians. Not being much of a singer himself, many of these tremedous talents had to step up to the mic on behalf of Frank, but Ike had the best pipes of them all with husky soulful voice that could easily flip over into a falsetto.
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