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John Lennon

We should start a new thread:
Best rock vocalist that was the third best singer in his band...

Now we're talking.

Elvis Presley, period.



He had NO peer.

He could do it ALL, and he did it ALL !

Everyone else, was either poorly, imitating him, or just shouting into the wind, with NO idea, what they were doing, or "why" !

I've never really liked Elvis, actually. I find his vocal style, well, annoying. That's not to say he was a *bad* singer, but I think there are/were plenty of better singers out there. I'd much rather hear Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, or Ray Charles than Elvis.

lukpac wrote:I've never really liked Elvis, actually. I find his vocal style, well, annoying. That's not to say he was a *bad* singer, but I think there are/were plenty of better singers out there. I'd much rather hear Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, or Ray Charles than Elvis.

"Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, or Ray Charles..."


I don't know, that THEY would say, they EVER, Rock-ed, except Otis's flirtation with the Rock audiences, but I'm sure, they would ALL agree, they Roll-ed !

I've never really liked Elvis, actually. I find his vocal style, well, annoying. That's not to say he was a *bad* singer, but I think there are/were plenty of better singers out there. I'd much rather hear Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, or Ray Charles than Elvis.

I agree that all three are better singers than Elvis, but I'd call those fine gentlemen soul/R&B singers, not rock singers. (Though you could make an decent argument using "Otis At Monterey.") In fact, I'd commit the heresy of suggesting that Elvis himself was often more of a pop singer than a rock singer. (But he could certainly sing rock, as in the early singles and the "comeback" special.)

But Elvis ranks high with me anyway. His command, confidence and sheer vocal charisma are devastating. The problem is that the post-Army years had a lack of good material.

As far as "rock" singers:

Technically, Freddie Mercury was the man. Anyone who could handle such disparate material as "You're My Best Friend," "Tie Your Mother Down" and "Who Wants To Live Forever" with equal aplomb merits at least a mention.

My non-expert opinion is that Jagger and Daltrey impressed more with attitude than skill, no Daltrey in his prime was no slouch. (I've never heard truly impressive singing from Jagger, especially live, though he's a rock frontman without peer.)

Dylan is the king of phrasing. The meters and rhythm he uses are astonishing. Something like "Subterranean Homesick Blues" is rap-like in its complexity.

Let's see, who else in "rock"? Plant was a great wailer, and probably the most-imitated singer in rock, so that's gotta count for something. Jim Morrison and Eddie Vedder have a similar sort of "power brooding" style that's effective with the right material (and Vedder's probably the most-imitated singer in rock right now).

In the end, though, I think we all have to bow down before the awesome majesty of Lou Reed.

Ryan

To me, all of of it comes down to Confidence and Style, in the face of, what mostly, are absurd lyrics, or music.

That's why Elvis had no peer, in being able to do just that, and "Doin' The Clam" !!

I like Robert Plant for rock.

For hard rock/metal, I'd go for Ray Gillen, Doug Pinnick, and Rob Halford.

But Elvis ranks high with me anyway. His command, confidence and sheer vocal charisma are devastating. The problem is that the post-Army years had a lack of good material.

I agree with that. I think he had a fantastic voice for the kind of music he was doing in the early part of his career, and from his comeback specials. The best example is his live rendition of "One Night."

Technically, Freddie Mercury was the man.

Hands down! All you have to do is listen to his work on A Night at the Opera.

no Daltrey in his prime was no slouch

Agreed.

I like Robert Plant for rock.

For hard rock/metal, I'd go for Ray Gillen, Doug Pinnick, and Rob Halford.

I like Plant's studio work primarily. His live work isn't quite up to the same standard, but that could just be the strain of touring.

For hard rock/metal, I would personally go for Ian Gillan. Unfortunately, his voice hasn't held up as well as I'd like over the years.

The best example is his live rendition of "One Night."

You read my mind.

Ryan