Top 10 Best Music Vocalists of all time? Lets compare!

This is my list, I know not everyone is going to agree but if you do disagree then tell me why, I'm trying to compile a good list to use for educational purposes (Yesterday I got asked who David Bowie was o.o)

Anyway, here goes.

10 - Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was one of the most succesful Rock & Roll acts in history, his Looks, Moves and Voice brought Rock music to the masses, we owe alot of Elvis Presley's influence on the 20th Century.

9 - Brian Johnson

As the Lead Vocalist of one of the best Rock groups of all time, AC/DC's Brian Johnson saved their group when their former lead singer Bon Scott(RIP) Passed away, with numerous hits under his belt (Shook me all night long, Thunderstruck, Money, Are you Ready, Mistress for Christmas and many more) Brian has showed that he is one of the best Rock vocalists of all time.

8 - Bob Marley

Not only is Bob one of the greatest Artists of all time, he is also one of the greatest singers of all time, I have yet to meet someone who dosn't enjoy Bob Marley's music, this is Reggae in its purist form, and what great music it is.

7 - Aretha Franklin

She's the Queen of Soul for a reason folks, Aretha's voice is simply 1 of a kind, Rolling Stone has placed her at #1 and with good reason.

I've only just discovered her music this past year (I know, Im shocked at myself too) but she is awesome.

6 - Dolly Parton

Islands in the Stream, Jolene & Many more.. one of the best Country performers of all time, and the best female one at that, Dolly's voice is great, look up Islands in the Stream if you think otherwise.

5 - David Bowie

Another no brainer on any top 10 music list, David Bowie has had an amazing amount of high quality albums, his voice tells the storys of all his music very well, my personal favourite album is The Man Who Sold The World.

4 - Ray Charles

Good ol' Ray Charles, the guy is a genius, Artist wise and Vocalist wise, Unchain my Heart is his best song imo.

He also did a fantastic cover of Ring of Fire, look it up guys, brilliance.

Ok, well, the top 3 now, I bet some of you like my list so far, and some of you just want to flame me, understandable though, but lets get on with the final 3.

3 - Frank Sinatra

The Voice, The Chairman of the Board and many other names describe Frank Sinatra's voice and ability to sing. My Way is one of the greatest Manly songs of all time, and Fly Away has to be one of the best ever pop songs composed.

2 - Freddie Mercury

Queen - Greatest Rock band ever, so its only natural Freddie is on here, no Rocker has and ever will surpass Freddie Mercury.

1 - Willie Nelson

Best Country Singer/Songwriter of all time, and imo the best vocalist of all time, Willie's voice is full of passion and emotion when he sings.. his bests songs are Always on my mind, City of New Orleans, On the Road Again, If you got the Money Honey and Blue eyes crying in the rain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7f189Z0v0Y&ob=av2n Best ever performance by Willie.

AC/DC! Yeah!

Your list is laughable. LordsLoss

Freddie, and Bowie sure, but everyone else is just meh. Needs Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler, Eddie Vedder just off the top of my head. Oh and the AC/DC guy is one of the main reasons I don't like the band.

Your list is laughable. LordsLoss

[QUOTE="LordsLoss"]Your list is laughable. Senor-Dweedle

Jim cornelison

http://youtu.be/hIO9DLe_-rY

Freddie, and Bowie sure, but everyone else is just meh. Needs Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler, Eddie Vedder just off the top of my head. Oh and the AC/DC guy is one of the main reasons I don't like the band.

BATTOSAI76

How in the world is Aretha Franklin a "meh" vocalist?

[QUOTE="BATTOSAI76"]

Freddie, and Bowie sure, but everyone else is just meh. Needs Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler, Eddie Vedder just off the top of my head. Oh and the AC/DC guy is one of the main reasons I don't like the band.

GreySeal9

How in the world is Aretha Franklin a "meh" vocalist?

1. Luther Vandross

2. Stevie Wonder

3. Donny Hathaway

4. Aretha Franklin

5. Sam Cooke

Soul, rock,anything, theseare the best 5 musical vocalists of all time.

Anyone who thinks Stevie isnt one of the best, here...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMStRERJNsM at the end of the song.

[QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

[QUOTE="BATTOSAI76"]

Freddie, and Bowie sure, but everyone else is just meh. Needs Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler, Eddie Vedder just off the top of my head. Oh and the AC/DC guy is one of the main reasons I don't like the band.

krazykillaz

How in the world is Aretha Franklin a "meh" vocalist?

For real. There's a reason they called Sinatra "The Voice".

Freddie, and Bowie sure, but everyone else is just meh. Needs Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler, Eddie Vedder just off the top of my head. Oh and the AC/DC guy is one of the main reasons I don't like the band.

BATTOSAI76

[QUOTE="krazykillaz"][QUOTE="GreySeal9"]

How in the world is Aretha Franklin a "meh" vocalist?

GreySeal9

For real. There's a reason they called Sinatra "The Voice".

Imo. Jeez sue me why don't ya.

[QUOTE="BATTOSAI76"]

Freddie, and Bowie sure, but everyone else is just meh. Needs Chris Cornell, Steven Tyler, Eddie Vedder just off the top of my head. Oh and the AC/DC guy is one of the main reasons I don't like the band.

lancea34

Duh, How could I possible forget! Thanks man.

I love Mariah Carey

I honestly can't believe Billy Joel and Neil Young have yet to be mentioned in this thread

I honestly can't believe Billy Joel and Neil Young have yet to be mentioned in this thread

DharmaMember77

IMO, Billy Joel is a pretty average vocalist.

Russel Allen

If we're just talking about pop/rock/soul/R&B, here's my list. Keep in mind that these are the vocalists I think are the best in terms of technique (not neccesarily range). They are not neccesarily my favorites, tho some of them are.

1. Freddy Mercury

2. Frank Sinatra

3. Karen Carpenter (don't really like The Carpenters music that much, but there's no denying that gorgeous velvety voice)

4. Cyndi Lauper (her music is a mixed bag but damn, her voice is kind that can knock you over

5. Aretha Franklin (never got into her, but her voice is legendary)

6. Mariah Carey (except for a few songs like Dreamlover, I don't like her music)

7. Sam Cooke

8. Whitney Houston (don't like her music much, but her voice is stunning)

9. Elvis Presley

10. Marvin Gaye

Frank Sinatra is at the top of my list

Top 10 vocalists that I love hearing:

1. Matt Berninger (The National)
2. Michael Gira (Swans/Angels of Light)
3. Paul Banks (Interpol)
4. Morrissey (The Smiths)
5. Tom Waits
6. Vincent Cavanagh (Anathema)
7. Dan Swano (everything)
8. Scott Walker
9. Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian)
10. Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields) / Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver)

Why no love for Michael Jackson? I don't know anyone who can deny he was one of the best singers of all time from a child to an adult.

Not a very great list tc though I love AC/DC He's no great Vocalist at least you got freddy on there

Nobody have any love for Marty Robbins, Hank Jr, Monty Byrom(Big House), or Lou Gramm

oh and theres no denying Vince Gill.

Not a list because I can't really compare them, cant compare music really... but here are the vocalists that I love the sound of :)

• Freddie Mercury
• Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin work only)
• Jim Morrison
• Julian Casablancas
• Glen Danzig (misfits work)
• John Fogerty
• BB King
• Son House
• Gregg Allman

Top 10 vocalists that I love hearing:

1. Matt Berninger (The National)
2. Michael Gira (Swans/Angels of Light)
3. Paul Banks (Interpol)
4. Morrissey (The Smiths)
5. Tom Waits
6. Vincent Cavanagh (Anathema)
7. Dan Swano (everything)
8. Scott Walker
9. Hansi Kursch (Blind Guardian)
10. Stephin Merritt (The Magnetic Fields) / Kristoffer Rygg (Ulver)

Rikardur

Nice list, love Michael Gira and will check out The National.

Mike Patton. Also, Tim/Jeff Buckley.

Why no love for Michael Jackson? I don't know anyone who can deny he was one of the best singers of all time from a child to an adult.

LordsLoss

Steve Perry anyone?

This thread is also lacking in Barry White, he might not have alot of range but damn is his voice soothing

1. Freddie Mercury

2. Mike Patton

3. Tom Waits

4. Peter Gabriel

5. Scott Walker

6. Elkie Brooks

7. Anthony Hegarty

8. Ella Fitzgerald

9. Joni Mitchell

10. Karen Carpenter

Just the range and different styles Freddie sang throughout his career is just incredible. He's done all so well, especially his opera.

One of his biggest dreams was to sing with Aertha because he loved her voice so.

Freddie in the world of rock is always #1 in my book.

As a #10, I would dare suggest Alice Cooper. He's done hard rock to soft ballads to hard metal (Brutal Planet anyone?). I think he's underrated, but I know it could be argued he doesn't belong in a standard top 10. But I like that risks going beyond his comfort zone

John Williams, anyone? No?

No Geddy Lee?

1. Luther Vandross

2. Stevie Wonder

3. Donny Hathaway

4. Aretha Franklin

5. Sam Cooke

Soul, rock,anything, theseare the best 5 musical vocalists of all time.

gaming25

This is a great list. These are true vocalists. Vandross and Stevie one and two are interchangeble at the top.

Thats a very talanted list of singers. I agree with some of them.... Elvis, Areatha, Sinatra, Freddy....but I don't think that list is the top 10 vocalists of all time. There are many other singers when in their prime, could out sing a lot of those on that list.

Steve Perry-A golden voice. Range, power, clarity.

Bobby Hatfield-You may not know him by name, but as soon as you heard the voice, you would agree. He is half of the Righteous Brothers. If you ever saw the movie ghost, you have heard the song Unchained Melody. There are a few live performances of this man singing this song. One of the best voices ever.

Josh Groben-Amazing voice. I personally don't listen to much of his music, but there is no denying this man can sing.

Whitney Houston-She may not be that popular with the people of this site, but she is a must on a top ten vocalist list. In her prime, her voice was unmatched, and she did it with such ease. Only person to sing at the Grammy's and later win an Emmy for a Grammy performance. Control, clarity, range, passion, power.... At one time, her voice had it all.

Nat King Cole-Incredible vocalist. Such a smooth soft voice. When this man sang, it was like velvet.

Mariah Carey

This thread seriously lacks John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Jared Leto and Christofer Drew are amazing live