The Top 200 Greatest Rock Singers-90-81

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.

. 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 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.

 90- David Byrne

The nervous vibrato in his voice sells the cheerful façade in his lyrics. His delivery is always smooth and he can reach into his upper register with frantic glee. Sure there have been singers lower on the list who can belt with more power, but none are as distinct as Byrne.

   

89-Klaus Meine 

The more familiar radio anthems of the Scorpions may not convince you that he should place this high, but the deeper tracks is where he really shines and emotes. Perhaps this does not place him as equals to singers of other metal bands of the time, but he is better than most

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88- Matt Barlow

The gruff aggressive chest register to his high Paul Stanley like wailing make him the best man on the microphone for Iced Earth. They have had singers whose screams are higher and growls harsher, but it the balance of Barlow that makes him the best man for that job.

 

87-Geddy Lee

Despite his voice being an acquired taste there is not denying the power he can belt his shrill tenor with. Rush fans will tell you there is more nuance and depth to his voice than a casual listener might perceive from their radio hits , which are not a fair indicator of what he is capable of.

 86--George Harrison 

All but one Beatle is a great singer, their voices worked better as a unit. However when it is time to take the spotlight there is thoughtful tenderly reflective quality to George's voice. 

 

 85- Greg Puciato

His solo work and side projects have allowed him to really open his voice up and make the most of it rather than beat his pipes from the fury of the screaming he once did. He has clearly taken notes from the best singers of the 90s.

 

84--Kurt Cobain

Kurt had to die because he knew he could not pretend and play the game of the music industry. Sadly it got written off by his drug use and no one took his warning to heart. His raw voice was real. He was not pretending to have angst he was releasing it through this song. Typically terrible live, but he captured what could have been in the studio. 

               

83- Dave Gahan

There is something about the fluid baritone that makes the listener feel Depeche Mode's front man was struggling with the concepts of God , drugs and sexual identity. This in turn made listeners confront there own such struggles, there is power to a voice that can do that.

 

 82-Josh Homme

For someone who fronts a hard rock band his voice is very smoothly. He always sounds matter of fact like the drugs just kicked in. He conveys melancholy without whining. 

81 Orville Peck

If all there was to his gimmick was just being a gay country singer who wears a mask, he would not be on this list. However he has a great resonate baritone, a quite the range when he decides to use it including blending his head register smoothly.