Now we are in the top 20 and 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.
20- Morrissey
If we were talking about lyricists then he would be number one. Some people might be upset that he is on this list at all since he is supposed to be cancelled. By why is rock n roll supposed to be polite or care about your feelings? It should only give you the middle finger ,which is what Moz does but with the depressive grace of a proper English Man
19- Roland Orzabal
The bigger bolder voice of Tears For Fears, sounded just as good on stage last summer as he ever has. At 61 he sounds like he could keep it up for another 10 years. Of the 80s radio icons , he has some of the best pipes going.
18 Brendan Perry
Before I saw Dead Can Dance live, I was under the faulty impression that Perry was like a darker Neil Diamond, I liked a few of his songs , but most were fast forward classics, then I saw them live and that changed everything he was jaw dropping.
17-Mike Patton
Where to start, we could just look at his work in Faith No More and that alone would justify his place here, not to mention Mr. Bungle, Peeping Tom, Fantomas, Dead Cross... I can keep going, but if you know who he is and what he does there is no reason.
16-Danny Elfman
Oingo Boingo was ahead of there time, but that answer alone is not going to work for people wanting to know how did he rank higher than Patton, well he was doing what Patton does before Patton did it, and I am sure Mike would agree. The end of story answer is he is the voice of Jack Skellington Mike Patton is not
.
15-Jeff Buckley
The only problem here is we never got enough music from him to hear what he was really capable of , but the glimpse we did get out shone decades of work by other singers who would never have a chance to come close to what Jeff did on the "Grace' album.
14- Peter Gabriel
The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway alone says it all , but He do not even have to bring up Genesis which would be enough to justify his place on this list. Based off his solo work alone, which was less theatrical than the prog grandeur of Genesis, his vocals still retain the emotional urgency and his stellar range.
13-Rob Halford
He refers to himself as a metal god, and as long as we are talking about poly theism then I agree. His wide range and blending of various registers influenced metal singing. The first three Priest albums alone earn his place here.
12- Ian Gillan
If you think my only defense for this guy beating out Halford is "Child in Time" , you have forgotten his album with Sabbath and the fact he was Jesus in The Original Cast Recording of Jesus Christ Superstar.
11-Bruce Dickinson
Rob Halford is not the only metal god, if you saw them on their last tour Bruce is a beast. He belts it out to the rafters. He is operatic in the least pretentious manner, and knows no matter what voice you have you have to serve the song.
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