Greatest Vocalists

There's many fantastic singers that have recorded music but who do you think are truly among the greatest?

This popped into my head as I was flicking through some music this evening and went back to this band for the first time in a while.

Quite possibly the greatest female vocalist of all time for me and unique.

https://youtu.be/Yam5uK6e-bQ

After Delores, I'll throw in Freddie Mercury.

We can then pretty much end the thread

Oh my, what a great thread idea Si. Apologies if I keep cropping up here! At the moment I can't look any further than Michael Stipe. My all time favourite vocalist and a genuinely great one to boot as well. I absolutely love that he unleashed his full powers from the late 80s/early 90s of REM's career. At its best such icy clarity, vulnerable but with so much power. Beautifully melodic and melancholic as well. I love the guy!

https://youtu.be/i8k9tC9sSbs

There's many fantastic singers that have recorded music but who do you think are truly among the greatest?

This popped into my head as I was flicking through some music this evening and went back to this band for the first time in a while.

Quite possibly the greatest female vocalist of all time for me and unique.

https://youtu.be/Yam5uK6e-bQ

Loved Zombie...

Loved Zombie...

Her distinct voice stands out on Linger

Her distinct voice stands out on Linger

Yep.

And on this one as well for me.

https://youtu.be/Zz-DJr1Qs54

Eddie Vedder
Freddie Mercury
Mike Patton

And for me, my favorite of all time is Chris Cornell

On the female side has to be Dusty Springfield or Ella Fitzgerald. Sorry, I’m dating myself.

There is only one Steve Perry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plCScjvDOJM

George Michael. Perfection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJifw6Kej2s

George Michael. Perfection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJifw6Kej2s

Absolutely flawless!

https://youtu.be/8dnUv3DUP4E

Classic Harry Nilsson.

Not the greatest vocalist of course, but I recently heard Eye of The Tiger without the music, just acapello version, and never appreciated how good the dudes voice was who sang it.

Linda Perry… her voice.. ♥️

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUb450Alpps

Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder.

Would agree with the rest.
Nobody did it as well as Freddie Mercury or Dolores O'Riordan.
Zombie is still as searing as it was when it came out originally.

I quite like this cover though

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l81u-oSIAp4

Females

Aretha, Mama Cass, Stevie Nicks, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Tina Turner, Kate Bush

Males

Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Nat King Cole, George Michael, Bing Crosby, Art Garfunkel, Luther Vandross, Frank, Elvis and Marvin Gaye and Freddie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr1v-TU5beo

I missed Ms Alisson Moyet, thats a voice

Harlod Melvin & Sharon Paige..

Females

Aretha, Mama Cass, Stevie Nicks, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Tina Turner, Kate Bush

Males

Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Nat King Cole, George Michael, Bing Crosby, Art Garfunkel, Luther Vandross, Frank, Elvis and Marvin Gaye and Freddie

Spot on Brian.

Freddie is the obvious one.

But for me I always loved the wee man Ronnie James Dio.

His voice never changed through his 50 years in the industry, sadly passed away with cancer 2010.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrBUjXaRSUQ

Andrea Bocelli ❤️

George Michael. Perfection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJifw6Kej2s

Nah this s perfection. The original vocals

https://youtu.be/fR4HjTH_fTM

Nah this s perfection. The original vocals

https://youtu.be/fR4HjTH_fTM

I wouldn't know where to start with McCartney. He's so versatile yet instantly recognisable. But I think this might be up there with his very best most perfect vocal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwi2ynHPB80

Females

Aretha, Mama Cass, Stevie Nicks, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Tina Turner, Kate Bush

Males

Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Nat King Cole, George Michael, Bing Crosby, Art Garfunkel, Luther Vandross, Frank, Elvis and Marvin Gaye and Freddie

Love the shouts for Sam Cooke and Nat King Cole.

Nobody really beats Freddie but I would add Robert Plant as one of the major influences on Freddie and so many bands of that era with his raw bluesy vocal style, high pitched screaming voice, the big hair, the rock god persona etc.

Females..Aretha would be hard to top. Janis Joplin & Nina Simone cannot be overlooked.

George Michael. Perfection.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJifw6Kej2s

Stunningly beautiful, I was fortunate to see him live, the music world is a sadder place without him.

Didn't like George Michael's voice at all - just so banal and empty. Couldn't stand Freddie Mercury - pantomime performance and it expressed nothing interesting.

It depends what is meant by 'great' when talking about vocalists -  I mean the discussion stops with Pavarotti, right? Technically perfect and so expressive and emotionally magnetic. Or Frank Sinatra whose voice was so pure it was almost like a new instrument. Elvis was a great singer and quite unique.

What I like about the singing voice is authenticity, how much you believe about what they are telling you. Morrissey is great here, as unpleasant as he is and has revealed himself to be in recent times. I love Bob Dylan's voice. I believed every word of Marvin Gaye.

Every vocalist on here is good.

After Delores, I'll throw in Freddie Mercury.

We can then pretty much end the thread

Yeah. The other vocalists listed here are all good. But, they don't come anywhere near Freddie Mercury. Without even bringing up his vocal talent, he is easily the best "Front Man" in rock history. The Live Aid set was the greatest performance ever and it was 17 minutes.You actually saw and heard perfection.

Aretha Franklin...Mahalia Jackson....Sam cooke....Joe Tex...George Jones....Patsy Cline....Frank Sinatra.... Elvis.....Karen Carpenter.....Youssou N'Dour......Where do you stop?

Best vocalist from Liverpool?

Best vocalist from Liverpool?

Gerry Marsden & Ken Dodd come to mind.

Best vocalist from Liverpool?

Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr?

😂

Paul McCartney, George Harrison, John Lennon, Ringo Starr?

😂

Together they could produce fantastic harmonies, and Macca on his own had a decent voice, but technically a tad limited....Now Billy Fury, he had a voice.

What about the Anfield Kop, when in full voice !

Best vocalist from Liverpool?

Cilla

Another few greats: Sir Tom Jones.....Peggy Lee......and even though his catalogue wasn't necessarily to my taste...his voice was pure....Jim Reeves