There is a burning question in my soul, “Who is the greatest lead singer in Rock history?” I am sure it burns in yours as well. I have been trying to think through criteria to determine what would uniquely make them a great Rock lead singer. Here are some of the criteria I have chosen, feel free to add your own.
1) Stage Presence – Rock is all about the show, if you can’t entertain, you won’t be considered a candidate
2) Rock Arrogance – The best of the best know that they are the best, and it shows
3) A Uniquely Rock Voice – A great rock singer can scream, moan, talk, shout, or sing out of tune, they just have to sound Rock -n- Roll as they do it.
4) Staying Power – There are a lot of lead singers who just weren’t around long enough for the greatest to be truly measured. If you died early of an overdose or a plane crash, you can still be considered, but it may hurt your chances.
5) Great Band – The truly great ones raised up those around them to true greatness
Alright, so here is my list of top candidates and a thought or 2 about them, in no particular order.
Jim Morrison- The Doors – It is hard to think of him without picturing Val Kilmer, but the oozing sexual power of Jim Morrison and his weird, peyote driven artsiness is hard to deny
Steven Tyler – Aerosmith – What lips, what a weird face, what moves with a bandana tied mic stand, what a scream, wow
Mick Jagger – The Rolling Stones – Eerily similar to Steven Tyler, this geriatric rocker really helped define this category and even now in is 60′s he can still bring it
Roger Daltery – The Who – Well known, but slightly under the radar compared to some of these other leads, Roger Daltery has an ability to make haunting and power lyric linger through the power of his range presence “Meet the new boss, same as the old boss”
Grace Slick – Jefferson Airplane – When you hear her voice singing out “Don’t you want somebody to love, don’t you need somebody to love” the only answer is yes, yes, yes
Bono – U2 – Everything you could desire in a front man, larger than life personality, powerful vocals and lyrics, helping the poor, always wears sunglasses,Bono has it all
Tom Petty- Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – Tom is know for his greatness, so much so that most people don’t know his band. This may actually hurt him in the long run
Axl Rose – Guns N Roses – “Shananananananana knees knees knees, I want to watch you bleed” Axl defined the meteoric rise of GNR and also their demise. Is he selling cars now?
Anthony Kiedis – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Probably the shortest entry on this list, Kiedis is a ball of energy, punk style, and destructive behavior, kind of like his band.
Steve Perry – Journey – Probably the weakest band on this list, but how can you not love the homely, spandex wearing, bad haircut beauty of Steve Perry?
Robert Plant – Led Zepplin – Everyone goes through a Zepplin stage, usually in college or high school, and we are all better for it.
Eddie Vedder – Pearl Jam – Often unintelligible, always rocking, a big Neil Young fan, what is not to love about Eddie. By the way Pearl Jam’s new album is awesome, best stuff they have done in years
David Lee Roth – Van Halen – There has never been a bigger jerk in rock, but we said that Rock arrogance was a good thing, and he has a lot of it. Plus he does all of those cool ninja kicks on stage.
Ozzie Osbourne – Black Sabbath – It has been so long since Ozzie was known for great works like the Paranoid album instead of being a bumbling, stammering, shuffling dad, but that doesn’t discount that once he knew greatness
***Freddie Mercury*** – Freddie didn’t sit on this originally because although he had an amazing voice I always found it somewhat out of place in Rock. I always liked Queen but found them too popish and strange to consider them one of the greats. A ridiculous amount of people have commented otherwise, however, so I am adding him to the list to acknowledge their thoughts and so people can stop leaving the same comment.
Editors Note: Certain people were left off the list because of mitigating factors. There are no Beatles on the list because the greatness of the group overshadowed the greatness of the individuals. Performers who are best known for solo work were not put on the list these include Neil Young, Eric Clapton,Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Janis Joplin, and others. Further, short lived bands or careers hurt people such as Kurt Cobain. Other women I considered, but left off the list, just for your knowledge are Deborah Harry of Blondie, GwenStefani of No Doubt, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, and Ann Wilson of Heart, but I am willing to hear arguments in favor of one of these if you have a valid case.
I will express my sentiments about the greatest of the great after hearing from you…..
April 4, 2009 at 12:56 am
Im with you on Brad Delp I think that Boston in general just gets overlooked too often. Talk about a unique sound
April 7, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Nice list. Good to see a clear description of criteria. I have to put a word in for Bon Scott. I realize that you might have left him off due to the ‘staying power’ category, but I think the overwhelming validity in all of the other categories is one of many reasons that should outweigh the fact that he died young.
1. Stage Presence – One of the best ever. Like Ray Davies, Mick Jagger, and Roger Daltry all rolled up in one.
2. Rock Arrogance – Pure, unadulterated arrogance – Bon Scott just oozed it. Watch the produced videos and how he plays to the camera with his attitude. Heck, that was even the theme of many of their lyrics!
3. A Uniquely Rock Voice – Whose voice is more unique or recognizable than Bon Scott’s? Noone. One second of listening is enough to know who it is!
4. Staying Power – OK, he liked to drink and it caught up with him. But even though he didn’t have lots of staying power himself, his music has certainly stood up to the test of time. Even fans of Brian Johnson have to admit that there was nothing like the Bon Scott-era sound.
5. Great Band – First down under group of any significance, and one of the biggest fan bases in the world even today. Influenced a whole generation of rock and punk bands that followed, not just musically – but in style and in-your-face attitude as well.
So, there is my case. Hope you add him to the list!
May 21, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Axl Rose is the greatest front man of all time- Has the looks, stage presence, the “Never know whats going to happen” factor, kicking peoples ass, jumping in crowds, crazy voice, snarling growl, he also could be the most beautiful singing frontman with ?Sweet Child O’Mine” “November Rain” “Patience” Dont cry, his piano playing..etc…he had everything…….
May 24, 2009 at 1:38 am
Where in the Blue Hell have you Left James Hetflield?
Damn right Brad Delp should be there too…
June 6, 2009 at 9:52 am
Geoff Tate – Queensryche
Joe Strummer
Ian Gillan
Bruce Dickenson
June 18, 2009 at 11:10 am
a pretty good list that i respect, but i just 3 additions that are needed.
1. Geddy Lee-Rush, the man has the voice of a god, enough said.
2 & 3. Serj Tankian and Daron Malakian-System Of A Down, my favorite band personally that i wish would get back together, and their voices are so different from each other that it makes the sound blend together into something beautiful no one can hit the high notes like Daron, and Serj’s talking voice can’t be beaten.
June 30, 2009 at 4:08 pm
One guy that seems to get overlooked a lot is Steve Walsh of Kansas — In his hey day, was powerful with perfect pitch, an on-stage spazz — at times doing hand stands on his keyboard (and incredible keyboard work in a band of excellent and tight musicians.)
August 8, 2009 at 5:45 pm
Where is Lou Gramm? You talk about a pure rock voice. He could hit all the higher notes but maintain that tough Rock texture. And his band, Foreigner, is a great as well. I don’t see why he shouldn’t be here. Also, Jon Anderson should be on here. His voice is one in a million and Yes was VERY popular
August 26, 2009 at 11:39 am
wath about Bon Scott
The first and best singer of Ac/Dc
October 18, 2009 at 8:51 pm
I find myself as we all do browsing the internet aimlessly and every once in awhile I think to check this page to see if Brad Delp was ever added to the list. And I find myself disappointed every single time so now I just really have to ask, why haven’t you added him? I made a good case earlier and I’ve gotten some love from others on my opinion towards Delp. So now I really am curious and want to know why he hasn’t been added.
August 30, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I forgot about Brad Delp bless his soul!
Next to range with Freddy Mercury, David Coverdale and Sammy Hagar. Brad Delp is by far the best ever lead singer for a band ever !!!!!