Top 5 Vocalists in Rock Music (Page 2 of 4)

Queensryche's "The Warning" is one of the top 5 rock vocal performances of all time in my opinion... if you have not heard it, get it... its inhuman, Tate's vocals are so great on this album... changed my life.

Russell Allen is incredible...what a great singer! I love Jorn Lande's vocals too and if you guys like them both, you might want to check out The Revenge, an album that the two of them did together (they did another one before that called The Battle).

Ray, you must check out Daniel Gildenlow...people, please check out Daniel. He's not related to me, lol...but he's a great, great singer...my #1 favourite of all time.

Ok, here is my "non-techie" group:

Morrisey - Love that "The Smiths" sound and his solo stuff is great.
Peter Murphy - Get the album "Deep"... it was also a big life influencer on me.  Taught me to appreciate singing low sometimes.
Seal
John Denver

Here are some other metal guys that deserve an honorable mention:

Ray Alder - Fates Warning
Meatloaf
Michael Sweet - Stryper
Brad Delp - Boston
Lou Graham - Foriegner
Ronnie James Dio
Joe Lynn Turner
Jeff Scott Soto
Tony Harnell
ok, Russell Alan
The guy from Mars Volta (who is he?)
The guy from Helloween (first singer)

Ok, this is kinda juvenille... but still fun... hope that gives you something to talk about.

I must admit though, some of the singers on my list, and maybe even all of them don't seem as good live as on record, but I'm not sure if I would take Robert Plant off the top of my list. I did put Rob Halford on my list because I have seen him rated highly and heard a few clips of him, but I never really got into J.P. Maybe its the name?

Note on Queensryche, I do agree with Robert if you haven't heard The Warning it a must do album. I would venture to say Queensryche during the Queensryche -Iron Maiden tour (either 84-85) was Incredible Great album to check out, honestly however I was backstage at the original mindcrime tour for some date and although the bands popularity has grown and it's still a great show- somehow the real essence that made Queensryche Speacial seems to have been concentrated in the E.P. and the warning after that it began it's submission into industry hell that is to say the first two records just seemed to come from nowhere and flow with ease and magic. The others have some great material and performances, but seem at moment contrived and labored as if they started looking for a formula. I find it strange that empire sold more then warning. Also note Rage for order was a fantastic record- great vocal and as far as i'm concerned ground breaking in a huge mix kind of way. I understand they have 2 -48 track recorders going for that and with a pair of head phones you can hear a million things that have been mixed in. BTW the strange uprising sound in Warning, eddie told me that was created with a blow torch on a cymbal. cool stuff

P.S Another record came to mind that i need to recommend that is Buckingham Nicks, which is the one album Stevie nicks and Lindsey buckingham did prior to joining fleetwood mac. It has not been in print or re-issued since it's original release and is difficult to find, but you can find sites where you can down load copy or listen. Stevie Nicks actually had clear and strong chops prior to all the coke abuse. Listen to her vocals on this record it was really cool. Her being almost naked on the cover in her early 20's didn't hurt the eyes either lol

Last edited by Darrison N Bentheim-Murat (2008-07-16 05:55:58)

Actually I have The Battle and the Revenge.  I play the Revenge at least once a week it seems.  And yeah Jorn is pretty cool, though not as technically sound and not as spot on live as Russ, he' just got a cool voice and style.  Master of Sorrow is one of the most kick ass songs ever.  And I do have several Pain of Salvation albums, but I don't listen to em that much.  Never did stick on me.

Oh and for those of you who don't know, Russell Allen also has a solo album called Atomic Soul which is pretty killer as well.  Bluesy rock stuff, only one song sounds anything like Symphony X (Gaia) and IMO it the worst track on the album... figure that one out!

Last edited by raythetse (2008-07-16 07:47:59)

Never a big Alder fan. Dunno why. Ah Jeff Buckley, what in the world was I thinking not mentioning him. Got all his released stuff. What an amazing voice!

Thank you Nightprowler,

I missed your post.   Now read--very well written and considerate!

Then how can you confirm all of your choices? I have seen a lot of these bands live, but that doesn't mean they weren't using technology. There are TONS of shouters out in modern music today that go beyond the scope of what Jagger is doing. Check out 30 Seconds to Mars, The Mars Volta, My Chemical Romance, The Used. It is a different style of music but these guys live are definitely shouting louder, harder and higher than Jagger. Not knocking Jagger, the Stones are Icons. As far as the Priest comment, Priest fans know that the Halford sound is what made the band;) And the Vocaltron is a lot closer than you think, hahaha. They voice changing software that is being created now is way too scary. In 15 years you will be able to sound like whomever you want to:( That's sad actually.

Excellent!  I love common ground.  Prince it is!

And I also like Jeff Buckley's voice-though I can't say I'm a great fan of his songs.  I probably need more exposure, which I will get right to.

About the list: A lot of singers who frequent the very few vocal forums out there seem to like Steve Perry, etc.   I suppose that this could be a simple matter of taste.  Or age: I could never much stomach the "hair bands" of the 80s, though I can recognize the talent of a lot of these guys.

anyone like Waits? Zevon?

The EP and The Warning can not be surpassed... the later stuff was good too, but really a different singer in my opinion... I like mindcrime... it was a bit more belty... the ep and the warning were bridged and connected and flying!

John Arch is another one of my favorites, and both songs on the EP are incredible. I love how he incorporates so many runs in all of his vocals; Paul Rodgers is another incredible singer who can easily riff and run all over the place.

"The Warning" defined Queensryche... and set a bar even the band would never hit again.  I agree Darrison... I like material from all the albums... in regards to "Rage for order"... I always thought it was a bit over produced... kinda noisy... and I was really disappointed when the vocals suddenly lost the altitude on that album... mind crime was the best vocal album, after the EP and "The Warning"... but its more belty... less "heady".

OK, I'll give you that Jagger shouldn't be in the top 5.  Happy?