Rock singers

Posted by: bigball on 13 August 2012

Just been playing some old Doors stuff and realised what a great singer Jim Morrison was - strangely the more he drunk the better his voice became. 

 

Just wandered what others felt about the best Rock singers over the years. 

 

I guess I should throw a few in for starters. 

 

How about Davis Clayton Thomas from Blood Sweat and Tears ?

Jess Roden - who took Morrisons place for a while in the Butts Band

Paul Rogers

Ozzy for Sabbath 1

A slightly more risqué suggestion - Colin Melloy of the Decemberists

 

What do you reckon

 

.Barry

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by VladtheImpala

Agree with the early Rod Stewart. Paul Rogers in his Free days? Bobby "Blue" Bland? Robert Cray? Aretha Franklin? Wilson Pickett?

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by Steve J

Really we mustn't forget the pioneers of rock; Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard, Chuck Berry among others.

 

Steve

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by Bert Schurink

A couple of doubles and a couple of new ones:

* Ian Gillan - in the already mentioned periods

* Robert Plant

* James LaBrie of Dream Theater (not always though)

* Daniel Gildenlöw of Pain of Salvation

* Neal Morse of Spock's Beard and Transatlantic

* Marco Glühmann of Sylvan 

* Steven Wilson of Porcupine Tree

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by DrMark
Originally Posted by Steve J:

Of course, this thread makes me think of the old joke:

Q: What do you call a guy who hangs around with a bunch of musicians?

A: "The singer"

(It's just a joke...geared towards instrumentalists, obviously!)

 

Hi Mark,

 

The answer to the original joke was "The drummer".

 

ATB

 

Steve

Yes Steve I had heard that version too - lol!  Right along with "How can you tell if the stage is level?"..."The drool flows equally out of both sides of the drummer's mouth."

 

But I know too many really good drummers, and when we were in high school I knew band "singers" who fancied themselves real musicians, and they couldn't play (or in many cases even sing) a note.

 

Back on topic: Are Motown singers able to be included in this category?

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by osprey
Motown to me is more rhythm and blues, soul and pop than rock (they had some great singers though).
Posted on: 21 August 2012 by DrMark

That's why I asked first, because I could see your answer being the right one!

Posted on: 21 August 2012 by fatcat
Originally Posted by DrMark:

 

Back on topic: Are Motown singers able to be included in this category?

If they sing in a rock style I don't see why not.

 

The OP suggested Jess Roden. I commented that his later work wasn't rock, however just listened to Stonechaser and realised even though the music could be described as soul. (I think a young Luther Vandross did backing vocals on this album), the vocal delivery is definitely rock.

 

Posted on: 30 August 2012 by bigball
Just back from holidays so really interested to see how this thread is emerging. Some great suggestions. Maybe we should widen to great and distinctive singers of any genre or sex. In particular and given the onset of that dreadful x factor soundalike nonsense - singers who make their music their own and who are instantly recognisable. Starters for 10 Gordon lightfoot Joni Mitchell Carole king Johnny cash Dave alvin Colin Melloy Barry Ps Steve - Rcm is great and doing a good job particularly with your secret ingredient ! Love to get together soon
Posted on: 30 August 2012 by DanailT

Mike Patton?

Posted on: 03 September 2012 by Yippedidou

Greg Lake?

Posted on: 03 September 2012 by Guido Fawkes
Originally Posted by Yippedidou:

Greg Lake?

Greg was an excellent singer on the early ELP and KC records ... not so keen on his solo post-ELP efforts

Posted on: 03 September 2012 by Yippedidou

Agreed Guido.