the Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers -70-61

Now  past the half way point of 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,  not only focusing on rock singers and those adjacent to the genre. If you have been reading you know the focus is 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.

70-Dax Riggs

The former Acid Bath vocalist has gone in a more blues focused direction in his solo work, though it has given him a chance to explore his range and try a wider range of vocal colors.

   

 69-Layne Staley

 The late Alice In Chains singer had a soulful grit to his voice that expressed his pain and suffering with a darker shadow to it than the other Seattle grunge singers. He did it smoothly allowing his voice to slither over songs.

 

68-Alice Cooper 

Thought of as more of a showman, Cooper always had a voice good enough to back the theatrics up. He is able to shift in and out of various characters his nightmares wander through.  

 

67- John Lennon

Sure Paul screamed his brains out on Helter Skelter but John has the cooler voice and always meant every lyric he sang. The tie breaker making him the best singer in the Beatles is the fact how do we know it was Paul singing Helter Skelter as it could have been William Campbell who replaced Paul when Paul died. Only John was smart enough to leave the death clues on the album. 

 

66-Scott Weiland

His life might have been out of control, but he had the most control over his voice when compared to the other grunge kings who ruled the radio. He could summon a powerful roar up from his guts when needed or a smooth whispering croon. 

 

65 Sabastian Bach

One of the best singers from the hair metal scene. I feel like Skid Row had more in common with Pantera than Bon Jovi. A great set of pipes, and when the broke it down to power ballads his voice was the better than his peers at delivering them. 

64- Lindsay Buckingham

Imagine being in band and being eclipsed by your girlfriend because her wobbling vibrato and striking good looks is selling tickets. Buckingham had a powerful tenor voice with balls to it , but also vulnerable

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63--Bon Scott

If there was ever a singer who got by on attitude and power, it was this guy. His raspy high pitched snarl put AC/DC where they remained after his death.

   

 62- Russell Hitchcock

One of the most pristine pitch perfect voices to grace the radio in the 70s. Sure he sounds like a closet case with a nose full of cocaine sailing around on a yacht singing power ballads but that is what Air Supply was about, his voice was almost too perfect , which is why he did not rank higher. He was born for Broadway but rocked instead.  

 

 61- Shawn Smith

  It is a crime he is not a household name as this guy is the best singer you never heard of from the 90s. He fronted both Satchel and Brad, the latter being a Pearl Jam side project that new broke as it should have. His soulful falsetto is very surreal.