Best Male Live Vocallist?

Posted by: dave marshall on 18 January 2013

Just watched Queen's last live gig with Freddie, Budapest, ........does it get any better?

The man was a total showman............who could also sing.

I'm not really a huge Queen fan, much more the Stones and Zep, but the man is simply unbelievable.

Catch on BBC iPlayer.

Dave.

Posted on: 25 January 2013 by Wugged Woy

Originally Posted by Mancusco:

There are no doubt many great male vocalists, but I think the OP has it about right - it's tough to beat Freddie in pure voice, showmanship, presence, and power.

I've heard Mick Jagger bring a Wembley sing along down to a 70,000 strong whisper and fade, a hair raising experience I'll never forget. But Freddie has more.

Bowie is one of my favourites - I have seen him live 4 or 5 times. Once in the mid 90's he split the bill with Morrissey at Wembley Arena - and afterwards I bet he wished he hadn't. Morrissey was on fire, Bowie seemed anemic in comparison. An absolutely amazing performance by Morrissey, but stll, not quite Freddie.

Never saw Zep in their prime but have seen Robert Plant a few times since the late 80's. I think Freddie trumps there too.

RIP

Sam

I disagree. You conveniently lump a number of things together there. I don't doubt the fantastic showmanship, presence and power of Freddie Mercury. But..... Liberace was all these things but didn't sing (as far as i am aware ).

The OP asks about the best male VOCALIST. Freddies wailing just doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid..

For truly great rock vocalists, IMO look to the likes of :

Peter Gabriel

Paul Rodgers

Steve Marriatt (strange nobody mentioned him yet)

Posted on: 25 January 2013 by Guido Fawkes

Steve Marriott .. Great vocalist .. As i'm sure Robert Plant who have to admit

Justin Haywood ... And what about John, Paul, George and Ringo.

Posted on: 25 January 2013 by bazz

Michael Spiby of the Badloves.

Check out his solo album Barefoot.

Posted on: 25 January 2013 by TomK

Originally Posted by Bart:

I think that there are two themes going here -- best "vocalist" and best "front man."

Two rather different sets of criteria IMHO.

Freddie, whether or not you like(d) his style, probably deserves high ranking in both categories.

Agreed, but best in neither.

Posted on: 25 January 2013 by joerand

Originally Posted by Bart:

I think that there are two themes going here -- best "vocalist" and best "front man."

Two rather different sets of criteria IMHO.

Freddie, whether or not you like(d) his style, probably deserves high ranking in both categories.

I agree with you also Bart. I saw Queen circa 1981 and would call Freddie the best showman I've seen, but not best vocalist. Elton John (before he retired from touring (the first time)) was quite an exciting showman as well. I can remember seeing him stand on top of the grand piano, bend over and play the keys from there, essentially backwards facing. He had so much energy at the time. Can't imagine where he got it?

Posted on: 25 January 2013 by Skip

Have seen in a small clubsetting

Mark Murphy

Mel Torme

Tony Bennett

All good.

loved the others, but never saw them live.

Posted on: 26 January 2013 by winkyincanada

Vedder

Yorke

Posted on: 26 January 2013 by Komet

Ian Gillan in his prime.

David Byron from Uriah Heep. He didn't call his house 'The Voice' for nothing..

Posted on: 26 January 2013 by NickSeattle

Hugh Laurie

Tom Jones

Dr. John

"Let Them Talk" is a record that ticks a lot of boxes for me. Say what you will . . .

Nick

Posted on: 01 February 2013 by marty r

Steve Hogarth - Marillion

For vocal and emotional range is in a class of his own IMO.

cheers

Posted on: 01 February 2013 by Don Atkinson

An unexpected combination

Cheers

Don

Posted on: 02 February 2013 by maze

David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Marvin Gaye. For me very few White males vocalists make the grade, however I think Tom Jones and Mick Hucknel, Jeff Lynne, do a good job.

Posted on: 03 February 2013 by hungryhalibut

Ian Curtis was rather fine. I only saw Joy Division once, Bangor Uni, 1979, but they were mesmerising.

Posted on: 03 February 2013 by Guido Fawkes

Originally Posted by Lord Emsworth:

I only saw Joy Division once,

Surely more than enough for any sensitive man or woman ... Are they better live than they were on those dreary albums?

Posted on: 03 February 2013 by Tony2011

Originally Posted by Guido Fawkes:

Originally Posted by Lord Emsworth:

I only saw Joy Division once,

Surely more than enough for any sensitive man or woman ... Are they better live than they were on those dreary albums?

Not sureI I agree with the "dreary albums". I have all of them on vinyl and they sound pretty good to my untrained ears. Unfortunately I have never seen them live but Kevin, I understand, have seen them a couple of times and enjoyed them a lot. I only have what's recorded on the black and silver stuff to go by but I truly love JD.

Posted on: 28 February 2013 by Bert Schurink

There are different answers to this one:

Pop/Rock:

- Robert Plant

- Ian Gillan (in the past)

- David Coverdale

- James Labrie (only on good nights)

- Marco Gluhman (Sylvan)

Jazz/easy listening:

- Bobby McFerrin

- Al Jarreau

- Gregory Porter

Classical (living):

- Vittorio Grigolo

- Jonas Kaufmann

- Matthias Goerne

- Placido Domingo

Posted on: 28 February 2013 by PureReader

Sadly not alive any more:
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The most expressive, the most subtle, the most spiritual. And technically flawless (if that is possible). IMO. YouTube search "nusrat Wolverhampton" , simply amazing IF you have sense for this type of music.

Alive:
Eric Clapton.

Posted on: 02 March 2013 by Onthlam

Bocelli
plant
Elvis
Tyler

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by MDS

I'm going to have to go with Paul Rodgers of Free. A live performance which wasn't at ear-bleeding volumes leaving your head buzzing for a hour afterwards, which allowed his voice to enchant the audience. Oh I Wept left us all with a lump in our throat.

MDS

Posted on: 03 March 2013 by Quad 33

Currently this Gentleman IMO

Graham

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by Premmyboy

Terry Reid. The legend is still touring. Check him out if you get a chance.

Posted on: 17 March 2013 by Cbr600

Paul simon for sure

Bozz scaggs

Billy joel

Joe jackson

James taylor

Posted on: 22 March 2013 by Analogue Rules OK

Elvis and ol' Blue eyes - RIP both of you.

Chris N

Posted on: 23 March 2013 by PureReader

Why not Bob Dylan, I'm wondering. He may not have the most sonorous sounding voice, but who is capable of such subtle and diverse expression? Dylan can subtly change the tonal quality of his voice in an extremely musically meaningful way from phrase to phrase, from word to word. Sometimes I hear that he chooses a particular "voicing" - a subtle selective activation of appropriate bodily resonances - to create a very special and meaningful expression for a particular song.
So, for me Bob Dylan is one of the best vocalists, (as an addition to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Clapton I mentioned earlier.)

Posted on: 24 March 2013 by northpole

Nope. I've thought about it. This question is completely unanswerable by me. I'm tempted, but where to begin.....

Peter