Who is the best male vocalist of all time?
Posted by: Gale 401 on 25 August 2011
For me it will always be the late great Billy Mackenzie.
I have heard and seen a few in my time.
There was not a song he couldnt sing. and not make sound fantastic,
He had the best vocal range i have ever heard,
He could go so high and so low.
Most people will just remember him as part of the Associates.
Yello lovers might not even know they are listening to his vocals on,
One Second.
Flag.
Baby
He killed himself in 1997 aged 39.
Such a shame.
Stu
Thanks HOOPLESS this should be in the music room.
Richard,
Can you move it over please?
Stu
Billy Mackenzie is a great choice, Stu. Check out this amazing performance of "A Matter of Gender" on a very wet stage, somewhere in Japan:
Tim Buckley is another contender.
For sheer emotional response Nick Drake has it for me.
For raw noise John Lee Hooker.
For late breaking talent Seasick Steve.
Jono
For me it will always be the late great Billy Mackenzie.
I have heard and seen a few in my time.
There was not a song he couldnt sing. and not make sound fantastic,
He had the best vocal range i have ever heard,
He could go so high and so low.
Most people will just remember him as part of the Associates.
Yello lovers might not even know they are listening to his vocals on,
One Second.
Flag.
Baby
He killed himself in 1997 aged 39.
Such a shame.
Stu
Used to live up the road from me. Had whippets I remember.
David Sylvian. (I realise the Marmite factor here)
Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan a vote from me. Spine tingling, and I have not got a clue what he is singing about.
Whereas there are a great number of female vocalists who are great, there are far fewer male vocalists.
The best male singer is, of course, Richard Sinclair of Caravan and Hatfield & The North; for me it doesn't get any better and if were a vocalist it is he that I would most like to sound like.
I must acknowledge Robert Wyatt ever since I first heard him sing Memories (the Soft Machine song) I have loved his singing. Listen to Caroline from the first Matching Mole record to hear the great man at his very best and immediately you'll acknowledge Bob's talent and declare I'm A Believer.
And no who is the best vocalist question would be complete without saying Scott Walker from the Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore to The Drift he is faultless (OK ignore those late 70s travesties, but even then the singing is superb).
Thom.
Sinatra - no contest
Tog
Yup, Thom's voice always puts a shiver down the spine, especailly when he sings something like "Nude". Then again, Charles Daniels singing "Comfort Ye, My People" (Handel's Messiah, McCreesh and The Gabrieli Consort & Players) never fails either.
Marvin.
Wot, no Planty...............shurely shome mishtake!
Satchmo (male)
Billie Holiday (female)
no contest 
Popular Song;
Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone (Male)
Ella Fitzgerald (female) - no competition there
Classical :
Pavarotti
Heavy Rock;
Ian Gillan (Deep Purple), James LaBrie (Dream Theater)
Terry Reid
Zeppelin tried to get him but he turned them down, they then turned to Plant
Terry Reid
Zeppelin tried to get him but he turned them down, they then turned to Plant
Bought Terry's debut LP in 1969 produced by Micky Most. Terry actually recommended Robert to Jimmy Page after turning down the offer.
Enrico Caruso
Elvis
Opera - Jussi Bjorling
Rock - Ian Gillan
Billy Eckstein
Marvin Gaye
Pavaroti...in a separate ethereal league
Jussi Bjorling
Yup, Thom's voice always puts a shiver down the spine, especailly when he sings something like "Nude".
Codex, from the new record.
I'll admit, he's up against some top competition for "all time best". But he's my fave.
José Carreras (when he was in his prime).
Paul Rodgers - end of/game over