the Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers-150 to 141

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 being considered here.Things like lyrical content and the instruments they play do not factor in as these ranking are 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 sometimes trumping technical ability. If they sound too much like Steve Perry from Journey or that they have listened to their vocal coach too much rather than developing their own style, then that is something that 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.

150-Nils Fryk 

 The male voice of Sleepy Time Gorilla Museum utilizes a wide range of vocal colors , varied raspy bellows to choir boy falsettos. The dark and bizarre style of his band is colored perfectly by his often theatrical choices.

   

149-Stefani Mannaerts

I said earlier I was not going to bring up the instruments these singers also play, but this is an exception to the rule since she plays the drums and beat the hell out of them while belting out very hear felt soaring vocals  for her band Brutus. She employs just enough tension to be aggressive as the punchy dynamics of her band.

 

 148-Ani Difranco 

The feminist folk icon of the 90s has really held up over time, despite discouraging her fan base by marrying a man. She has a punk rock attitude that she smooths out with each note in the right place against the often jerking strum of her songs.

   

 147- Beth Gibbons

 Back when the first Portishead album came out in 1994 I was really high laying in the backroom of the record store I worked at and got scared from hearing her sing as she sounded like a witch. At first listen her voice seems calming but there is something unsettling hiding in the shadows of her melodies.

   

 146-Udo Dirkschneider 

 As a kid I wrote Udo off as a Rob Halford who compensates with his rasp, but over the years the more time I spent listening to early Accept the more I grew to appreciate the smouldering nature of what he does.         

 

 145-Jesse Lacey 

 Another artist I had to let grow on me as I wrote off Brand New's first album as pop punk. Once I gave there other stuff a shot it was clear he a lot of issues he was using his voice to work out , which in their case makes it emo in the best way possible. The tolerance crow tried to cancel him for his handicaps and addictions, but his singing stands the test of time.

   

 144- Jonah Mantranga

 His band Far fell to the more emotional left of the metal bands they were booked with in the 90s. The pleading tone of his tormented tenor set his band apart and gave them melodic depth.

   

 143-Jon Anderson 

 How could the lead singer of Yes not sound like an elf? I can not imagine anything but this fey hippie spreading cheer with his androgynous tenor.

 

 142-Steve Wilson 

The Porcupine Tree singer uses a great deal of restraint when being the human voice of the often dystopian landscape of his projects songs. Even at his age he still glides smoothly into his head register at will. 

 

 141-Greg Allman

 I don't think anyone is going to be surprised when I admit to the fact that of all the bands on this list I listen to the Allman Brothers the least , but I respect the hell out of them, when it comes to southern rock they are the most talented, I mean if Frank Zappa covers you that has to say something. Greg's voice embodies what the blues should be.