The Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers -190 to 181

Now we continue on the list which was inspired by my need to right the wrongs of Rolling Stone Magazines Top 200 Singers list, which included pop artists with no singing skills beyond Autotune and a lack of metal and rock singers. So, I took on the ambitious task of making my own.  As a singer myself, I key in on vocals first and foremost when listening to songs. In making this list I not only judged them according to their technical vocal ability when it comes to things like range and power, but also other dynamics brought to the table regarding phrasing and the character of their voice. Other important factors include their ability to emote from different places and how well their voice holds up on stage. If you are just making magic in the studio alone, then you might not fare so well on this list. 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 also not keen on singers who are derivative of other singers. The bulk of these have to be doing their own thing, though a couple are basically tribute acts to other artists but still make 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.

 With that said do not expect to see a great deal of technically proficient power and progressive metal singers on here, so it cannot be said I am giving metal more of a priority, though there are some singers who might be otherwise ignored by mainstream media.  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.

 190- Aaron Stainthrope 

The My Dying Bride vocalist brings a gothic croon to the band's depressive doom metal. he matches the despair in his vocal delivery while delivering an impassioned croon that borders on a whine at times. 

189- Matt Berninger 

The National's singer has a warm resonance to his baritone that still makes you think he might need to be on meds.

    

188-Rob Crow

While I am not judging by songwriting, one of the Pinback singer's strengths in how his uses his voice is where he puts amid their herky jerky riffs.  He uses his voice like an instrument which goes a long way with me.

   

 

187- Marc Bolan

There is no need to have Billy Corgan on the list when we have this guy. The T- Rex singer has an androgynous voice that was admired by many who placed much higher on the list. 

 

 186-Joey Ramone 

By the 80s the Ramones songwriting became more nuanced, and it allowed Joey to show that he could actually sing.

 

 

 

185-Andrew Eldritch 

 Not the widest range, but the Sisters of Mercy vocal possessed a very distinct voice that goth singers to come would try to mimic for decades to come.

   

184-Gary Numan 

This man has a very unique voice that fits his music and has aged incredibly well.

   

183-Adam Granduciel 

 The lead singer of the War on Drugs is another singer who might not have the widest range, but his mellow voice glides perfectly of the mood his band creates. It has a calming effect on me.

 

182- Ken Andrews 

Failure's vocalist has the kind of smooth croon that gracefully offsets the crunch of their space age sonics. I always imagine him being high as hell when he is singing. 

 

 

 181-Dave Pirner

The Soul Asylum singer had a more honest angst to his voice than the bulk of the 90s alt rock radio fodder that would follow his example.