General Discussion

11 Bravo

(23,926 posts) Sat Jan 4, 2014, 09:19 PM Jan 2014

Whos is the best lead singer in Rock history? [View all]

I'm talking only the voice, no credit for songwriting or creative chops. Who had the best pure vocal instrument?

38 votes, 2 passes \| Time left: Unlimited
	Burton Cummings
	2 (5%)
	Freddie Mercury
	21 (55%)
	Chuck Negron
	0 (0%)
	Other (Because I'm old, and most of my choices are no longer performing)
	15 (39%)
	2 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

195 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Whos is the best lead singer in Rock history? [View all] 11 Bravo Jan 2014 OP

Freddie Mercury. Lizzie Poppet Jan 2014 #1

I screwed up and hit post prior to creating the poll. Please go back and vote. 11 Bravo Jan 2014 #2

That's where my vote goes too (nt) Captain Stern Jan 2014 #6

I'd say Freddie takes the all around rock musician too, if not all-time musician. brewens Jan 2014 #32

Freddie Mercury by far! avebury Jan 2014 #3

Please go back and vote. (I effed up and hit post before creating the poll.) 11 Bravo Jan 2014 #4

Done avebury Jan 2014 #10

Dio baby!!! U4ikLefty Jan 2014 #5

Nice top three! Skip Intro Jan 2014 #112

I was fixing to throw Dickinson out. Super underrated though Mercury is more than worthy TheKentuckian Jan 2014 #145

I want to agree with you but Geoff Tate turned out to be a huge douchebag. Initech Jan 2014 #159

We now call him "the Vest" in metal circles U4ikLefty Jan 2014 #189

Yeah I want to see the real QR sometime. Initech Jan 2014 #194

Mercury and Cummings are strong picks. However... cthulu2016 Jan 2014 #7

Hubs and I play the "make up a Rock Band" game when traveling/driving a long way mtnester Jan 2014 #8

+1 on Lindsey Buckingham. n/t lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #28

+2! arcane1 Jan 2014 #35

Lindsey Buchingham is awesome. I just recently became a fan after watching a live concert sabrina 1 Jan 2014 #75

Ronnie James Dio John1956PA Jan 2014 #9

Not a bad choice 1000words Jan 2014 #20

Best metal voice, no doubt. Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #93

Freddie Mercury... Shandris Jan 2014 #11

Such a short list... for sure Robert Plant should be there. DCBob Jan 2014 #12

I agree vt_native Jan 2014 #19

RP gets my vote. InAbLuEsTaTe Jan 2014 #122

My wife and I figured Freddy Mercury before we saw the choices. Deep13 Jan 2014 #13

Out of those, Mercury sakabatou Jan 2014 #14

Why bother with more than one option? Scootaloo Jan 2014 #15

The poll wasn't up when I first responded... Lizzie Poppet Jan 2014 #29

Now there's a reason to pursue a career as a groupie! Scootaloo Jan 2014 #42

I'm going to say, with supreme confidence: 1000words Jan 2014 #16

Robert Plant PeteSelman Jan 2014 #17

+1 .. sendero Jan 2014 #23

Absolutely!! KT2000 Jan 2014 #39

yep kentuck Jan 2014 #43

He would be my choice. Blue_In_AK Jan 2014 #89

YES! Rosa Luxemburg Jan 2014 #170

Mick Jagger has to be up there....Also, Bon Scott nt Teamster Jeff Jan 2014 #18

Freddie had way too much vibrato/tremolo in his voice for me. busterbrown Jan 2014 #26

good post NoGOPZone Jan 2014 #79

Ann Wilson from Heart Beaverhausen Jan 2014 #21

+1. And her sister, Nancy, i.e., "These Dreams". And Janis Joplin. closeupready Jan 2014 #61

Great choices. I'd add Annie Lennox and David Bowie suffragette Jan 2014 #119

Damn, I forgot about Nancy Wilson. U4ikLefty Jan 2014 #157

Nancy has a good voice, Ann has the best voice of all time Beaverhausen Jan 2014 #177

Doh!!! I meant Ann...silly me. U4ikLefty Jan 2014 #188

Jim Morrison of the Doors, by far and away. kwassa Jan 2014 #22

Cummings - Guess Who, Negron - Three Dog Night (Check out "One") 11 Bravo Jan 2014 #33

Most rock singers have no vocal instrument .... it wasn't the point of rock singing. kwassa Jan 2014 #48

Roger Daltry was barely adequate? MannyGoldstein Jan 2014 #103

You're not missing anything. Roger Daltry is definitely in the top echelon of lead singers. gtar100 Jan 2014 #128

Roger Daltry is barely adequate. He has zero vocal power ... kwassa Jan 2014 #143

You obviously have poor taste in music. gtar100 Jan 2014 #162

actually, my favorite is Live at Leeds, a great live album kwassa Jan 2014 #167

I vote Roger Daltry Enthusiast Jan 2014 #182

He's the first one that popped into my head, too! nt MannyGoldstein Jan 2014 #184

Elvis Dirty Socialist Jan 2014 #24

Absolutely. nt LumosMaxima Jan 2014 #45

I think we're all arguing over #2. I'd say Mercury is far ahead of #2 Joan Jett lumberjack_jeff Jan 2014 #25

Freddy Mercury, hands down, Ranchemp. Jan 2014 #27

Mercury - but I'd give second TBF Jan 2014 #30

Robert Plant and Roger Daltrey are tied. NYC_SKP Jan 2014 #31

Amen. A woman after my own hart. I support and Agree. n/t vaberella Jan 2014 #165

EDDIE VEDDER! Violet_Crumble Jan 2014 #34

Linda Ronstadt? BootinUp Jan 2014 #36

I would agree on Linda. House of Roberts Jan 2014 #50

She is my choice too HarveyDarkey Jan 2014 #77

Rob Pilatus Jenoch Jan 2014 #37

Robert Plant won most of the other online polls. nt Quixote1818 Jan 2014 #38

Roy Orbison. . . Journeyman Jan 2014 #40

No shit! Range without falsetto! hootinholler Jan 2014 #52

+10000000000000 Tom Ripley Jan 2014 #113

Freddie Mercury madaboutharry Jan 2014 #41

Maynard James Keenan. opiate69 Jan 2014 #44

Good call. civillawyer Jan 2014 #105

Yikes, I forgot him. Yes. TwilightGardener Jan 2014 #154

Darlene Love or Roy Orbison immoderate Jan 2014 #46

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple fame AND of Jesus Christ Superstar fame Le Taz Hot Jan 2014 #47

I was considering him, incredible singer, but I think Plant had more MAGIC. nt Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #69

I must agree n/t Joe Shlabotnik Jan 2014 #102

definitely Ian Gillan choie Jan 2014 #110

Roger Waters DJ13 Jan 2014 #49

Best singer? Naw.. Best front man, best lyricist, best progressive, SomethingFishy Jan 2014 #151

Mick Jagger peacebird Jan 2014 #51

Bonnie Raitt Tierra_y_Libertad Jan 2014 #53

David Gilmour CAG Jan 2014 #54

Freddy, no contest Skittles Jan 2014 #55

Going with Freddie, but Rob Halford and Chris Cornell should be on the list as well. n/t sweetloukillbot Jan 2014 #56

kate bush dembotoz Jan 2014 #57

Joe Strummer TomClash Jan 2014 #58

+1 n/t FSogol Jan 2014 #131

Jim Morrison FarPoint Jan 2014 #59

Paul Rodgers spanone Jan 2014 #60

Freddie by far Prophet 451 Jan 2014 #62

You all know that music has happened since the 70s right? Bennyboy Jan 2014 #63

There's no who didn't at least start in the 70's that I'd put in contention... Hippo_Tron Jan 2014 #106

No way can I pick a fave Mopar151 Jan 2014 #64

It's hard to say who has, or had the best vocal instrument, because judging Zorra Jan 2014 #65

Well, since Chad Kroeger isn't on the list I'll have to choose Freddie Mercury. Liberal Veteran Jan 2014 #66

I said Freddie, but a case could be made for David Clayton Thomas. WillowTree Jan 2014 #67

BS&T were amazing! If I had remembered I woukld have included him. 11 Bravo Jan 2014 #70

There you go! Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2014 #73

Robert Plant. Nuff said. Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #68

No Axl Rose?! Demo_Chris Jan 2014 #71

Axl Rose was/is a medicore singer and I'm a big GnR fan Hippo_Tron Jan 2014 #100

Shirley Manson is my favorite ProudToBeBlueInRhody Jan 2014 #72

Michael McDonald Gidney N Cloyd Jan 2014 #74

Steve Marriott and Little Richard are the first that came to mind NoGOPZone Jan 2014 #76

"Tin Soldier," OMG klook Jan 2014 #88

Steve Marriot gets the award for most sufrommich Jan 2014 #136

Roy Orbison riverwalker Jan 2014 #78

Ike Willis with the Mothers of Invention (n/t) klook Jan 2014 #80

Way too many .. of course Mercury was way ahead of his time but just one of the greatest YOHABLO Jan 2014 #81

Meatloaf WhoWoodaKnew Jan 2014 #82

Oh WOW... I got it right before I even opened the thread. KentuckyWoman Jan 2014 #83

Ian Hunter Ohio Joe Jan 2014 #84

I don't get Queen's appeal. Vashta Nerada Jan 2014 #85

Roger Daltry, for range and longevity. RGinNJ Jan 2014 #86

Linda Ronstadt's voice gives me goosebumps and makes my eyes water. PearliePoo2 Jan 2014 #87

Peter Case, Dave Swanson, Steve Allen, John Doe, Ben Orr, Robin Zander, Dave Hidalgo... Tikki Jan 2014 #90

Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) HERVEPA Jan 2014 #91

Mike Patton or Ian Astbury. flvegan Jan 2014 #92

Robin Zander. Period. Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #94

+ like a million... Tikki Jan 2014 #120

Yes, Bun E. is awesome (may he return to the band). Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #178

my neighbor is a professional musician AngryAmish Jan 2014 #190

And even in his advancing years, while he has definitely lost some of his range and oomph, Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #191

A question with no answer Glassunion Jan 2014 #95

'Tis true. All anyone can advocate for is a current favorite. . . Journeyman Jan 2014 #98

+1 donheld Jan 2014 #111

Is Chris Isaak considered "rock?" 1000words Jan 2014 #96

NO. nt DevonRex Jan 2014 #114

Cage Match Zo Zig Jan 2014 #97

Freddie Mercury, but this list is ridiculous without Robert Plant and several others in contention Hippo_Tron Jan 2014 #99

Roger Daltry, hands down. catbyte Jan 2014 #101

Love me some Who. Mz Pip Jan 2014 #109

My God you're old. And the answer is Vince Neil (nt) Recursion Jan 2014 #104

I love Freddy Mercury and all, but Robert Plant would be my vote. phleshdef Jan 2014 #107

Grace Slick and Mz Pip Jan 2014 #108

other H2O Man Jan 2014 #115

Tina Turner countryjake Jan 2014 #116

Robert Plant FTMFW!!! VanillaRhapsody Jan 2014 #117

Dio. It's not even a contest. LeftyMom Jan 2014 #118

What happened to Rod Stewart? Warpy Jan 2014 #121

Yup...any doubters can listen to Truth/Beck to hear how good Stewart was from the get-go BeyondGeography Jan 2014 #176

You list Burton Cummings, Chuck Negron, & Freddy Mercury and add a choice disparaging old people? Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #123

Steve Perry Egnever Jan 2014 #124

I voted for Freddy Mercury, however..... yuiyoshida Jan 2014 #125

Art Garfunkel. n/t bluedigger Jan 2014 #126

Petra Haden, because she vocalizes all the instruments bananas Jan 2014 #127

This guy right here jmowreader Jan 2014 #129

CCR's John Fogerty polichick Jan 2014 #130

Lotta names I figured people would like. Inkfreak Jan 2014 #132

Rob Halford, dude has serious pipes. KG Jan 2014 #133

Not really rock but R&B is close justiceischeap Jan 2014 #134

Roger Daltrey was the best rock singer ever. nt sufrommich Jan 2014 #135

That is correct. n/t DefenseLawyer Jan 2014 #164

Best Lead singer! The Jan 2014 #137

David Bowie Tree-Hugger Jan 2014 #138

I agree to Bowie DJ13 Jan 2014 #156

Oh God Tree-Hugger Jan 2014 #180

I like Paul Rodgers voice n/t Tveil Jan 2014 #139

Wow do I feel old, I've only heard of one on your list treestar Jan 2014 #140

Mark Slaughter L0oniX Jan 2014 #141

Yes! PowerToThePeople Jan 2014 #172

Best voice was Harry Nilsson, and of those I've seen listed here, Egalitarian Thug Jan 2014 #142

Trent Reznor otohara Jan 2014 #144

Interesting. Given all day I wouldn't have considered him for best lead singer but best performers, TheKentuckian Jan 2014 #146

My mom liked all those guys. I'd choose Morrissey, Orbison, Cornell, or Codeine Jan 2014 #147

Don Henley sad-cafe Jan 2014 #148

Grace Slick, clearly. OilemFirchen Jan 2014 #149

And for proof: OilemFirchen Jan 2014 #152

Ann Wilson of Heart. Or Leslie West of Mountain. Waiting For Everyman Jan 2014 #150

Newer: Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, Zach De La Rocha, Eddie Vedder. TwilightGardener Jan 2014 #153

Recording engineers will agree that Ann Wilson and Robin Zander are the only 2 singers where blm Jan 2014 #155

Mick Jagger Generic Brad Jan 2014 #158

Karen Carpenter FreeJoe Jan 2014 #160

Aretha Franklin n/t Shrek Jan 2014 #161

Johnette Napolitano... Chrissie Hynde.... Janis Joplin... Gladys Knight... WillyT Jan 2014 #163

Steve Marriot should have been on the list Boudica the Lyoness Jan 2014 #166

Oh yessss Fumesucker Jan 2014 #187

It's all too beautiful.. Boudica the Lyoness Jan 2014 #193

I'm surprised that more haven't listed Bono mackerel Jan 2014 #168

Jim. dionysus Jan 2014 #169

Dennis DeYoung. Kevin Cronin. Steve Perry PowerToThePeople Jan 2014 #171

Another good one, Tommy James PowerToThePeople Jan 2014 #174

Voted for Freddie Mercury Leith Jan 2014 #173

Udo Dirkschneider beevul Jan 2014 #175

I saw Accept open for Dio once OriginalGeek Jan 2014 #179

I think he's Patton Oswalt's illegitimate father. Common Sense Party Jan 2014 #192

You are all wrong! VMA131Marine Jan 2014 #181

In history? Gotta be Paul. nt Romulox Jan 2014 #183

Janis Joplin MissMillie Jan 2014 #185

Roger Daltry, Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, HappyMe Jan 2014 #186

No one mentioned Greg Lake or David Gilmour ArnoldLayne Jan 2014 #195