Top Ten male singers all time (not opera). Yours?

1. Frank Sinatra (of course)
2. Ray Charles
3. Mick Jagger
4. Jim Morrison
5. Paul McCartney
6. Dean Martin
7. Tony Bennett
8. Andy Williams
9. Bing Crosby
10.Frankie Valli

I would answer the OP's question, but that would involve repeating the name "Freddie Mercury" 10 times.

Hey, at least no bad ones there! You try it.

Those were the first five I could think of who haven't been mentioned already.

yes; to me, Freddy is certainly the greatest rock 'n roll singer of all time - I guess I'll have to research to find if he sang outside that genre because I imagine he would have sounded phenomenal singing anything

I don't know about greatest singers, but I personally love the sound of James Taylor and Michael Stipe's voices.

Geez. Glad I got folks thinking. No absolute answer here, of course. Wait till I post the women singers! Gawd help me.

Not one of those hold a candle to him.

But, his voice was not quite there. I don't disagree; what the hell was I supposed to do? I don't have Elvis there, and I'm Caught In A Trap.

Rolling Stone rated him only the fourth best singer of All Time. IMAGINE, if you did.

I go along with Roy Orbison. Willie in the top 25, but not top 10.

What can I say? This is tough. And should be.

A few of my favorites. These are not necessarily in order of preference:

Nat King Cole
Paul McCartney
Ronnie James Dio
Jim Morrison
Jerry Lee Lewis
Elvis Presley
Frank Sinatra
Geoff Tate
Neil Young
Freddie Mercury

Geez, I admit this is impossible. Be kind to me for starting it. Wait till I do the top 10 women. I will be killed.

But for the men, I think I will stay with Sinatra.

And what is the criteria? Range? Style? Personal preference?

Neil Diamond
Rod Stewart
Bob Marley
Buddy Holly
Little Richard
Eric Clapton
Muddy Waters
Lou Reid
Fats Domino
Bo Diddley
Robert Johnson
....

For a metal singer pushing 70 though, he's still doing great. Certainly better than his old rival Ozzy, who's actually a few years younger.

Around here it's been like, Dio? Not too many fans here, apparently. Too bad.

He's awesome IMHO.

...

Ian Anderson
John Kay
Bob Marley
Greg Allman
Eddie Vedder
Robert Plant
Jim Morrison
Marvin Gaye
Rod Stewart
Elvis

Nobody said this was easy. Marvin Gaye is a brilliant choice. Robert Plant, as well.

And why the hell has no one said Roger Daltrey??

Remember listening to him in the late 60s.


The Faces

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZoolhOgQnU&feature=related

...I think you'll enjoy this...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdbIN2znSn0&feature=related

I remember that...I was just starting high school but I had a terrible crush on Ronnie Wood, not Rod.

But one that comes to mind.

Johnny Mathis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd3pDM2f6Y8&feature=related

Whatsup with that?

Hey, this is VERY tough stuff, with no absolute answers.

Though I know he may have been technically very good, boooooo-ring.

:D

Non-opera male voices that stop me in my tracks?

1. Ray Charles (saw him live, simply incomparable)
2. B.B. King - his voice is really rich, unique.
3. Lou Gramm of Foreigner had a beautiful voice before his illness. I didn't really like that much of Foreigner's music, but Gramm's voice was lovely
4. Freddie Mercury takes my breath away.
5. Willie Nelson
6. Tom Jones
7. Michael Jackson. Listen to the Jackson 5 "Who's Loving You"
8. John Hiatt grabs my attention
9. If I list Willie, I have to list John Lennon. Perhaps neither has the purest voice, but they are soulful
10. Stevie Wonder / John Lee Hooker / Albert Collins / I'm sure there are many more, but I have a horrible headache and can't think very well right now.

It's Witchcraft.

He stays at #1, but thanks very much for commenting.

I've asked others, and I'm really interested because I don't get his appeal: What is it? Does his voice grab you emotionally? Is it the technical ability? What is it about Sinatra?

Check out his collaborations with Nelson Riddle.

He knew HOW to sing a song like no other. Extraordinary. Brilliant. Compare how he sings a song with someone like Michael Bolton or Mariah Carey, who just show off their pipes.

Sinatra never did that. He sang every song like it meant something.

and see if that old-timey bullshit just happens to move you into tapping your feet, snapping your fingers, and smiling in a way you cant quite explain! man, my favorite bands are Tool, the Doors, and Gov't Mule; But since the first time I really listened to Old Blue Eyes, I knew there was magic in him. Sinatra just had that something that makes you....I dont know, but I like it. :smoke:

".....every time I do just the thought of you makes me stop before I begin, cause I got you under my skin"

oh....yha!

I think its hype.

My list:

Freddy Mercury
Roy Orbison
Al Green
Bob Marley
Sam Cooke
Barry White
Dean Martin
Smokey Robinson
William Beckett
Elvis

Conversational and cozy in a good way. That's where Frank's appeal is to me.

This is hard! In no particular order

1. Don McLean
2. Johnny Cash
3. Michael Jackson
4. Elvis Presley
5. Englebert Humperdinck
6. Buddy Holly
7. Freddie Mercury
8. John Denver
9. Charlie Pride
10. Jim Reeves

Garth Brooks
Randy Newman
Billy Joel
John Lennon
George Strait
Randy Travis
Sam Cooke
John Cougar
Bruce Springsteen
Alan Jackson

This is simply impossible. And I am the OP!

Perhaps since I saw him during his highway man years.

But Elvis is still the King.

What can I say? It's an impossible list. Thanks for your response.

Rob Halford
Robert Plant
Joe Lynn Turner
Jeff Scott Soto
Graham Bonnet
Tom Araya
Bruce Dickinson
Ian Gillan
Mark Boals

In no particular order.

No particular order needed. They all suck. Except for Gillan and Plant. Not in that order, though.

You are clearly insane. Clearly.

What part of Philly?

I'm within walking distance to the sports complex.

Rouncil Cock HS Class of '78. Been to the Spectrum, JFK and The Vet too many times to count. Many, many good memories. Haven't been back to the area, except for funerals, in almost 20 years.

In no particular order

Frank Sinatra
Paul McCartney
Tony Bennet
Jim Morrison
Freddy Mercury
Nat King Cole
Demmis Roussos
Tom Jones
Raphael (from Spain)
Gary Puckett -cheesy songs, but the man could sing

I think Jackie Wilson and Nat King Cole could fit in there, too.

Michael Jackson
Bob Marley
.
.
.
. and others :D

I picked exclusively people whom I knew to do substantial covers. That says more about me than about the singers.

And BTW, notice nobody's talking about singers outside the English language.

Nat King Cole
Dave Gahan
Barry White
David Bowie
Roy Orbison
Boy George
Mark Knoffler
George Michael
Seal

James Ray
Sam Cooke
Ritchie Valens
Bobby Fuller
Doug Sahm
Joey Ramone
Elvis Costello
John Doe
Boy George
Rob Thomas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmQVWH9u8Xo
"Time (Clock Of The Heart)"....Culture Club

also...Chris Isaak, Sly Stone and Robert Smith

Tikki

He seems to be underrated sometimes. Also underrated are Robin Zander and Ric Ocasek, two power pop singers.

I shouldn't have left off Bono. Guess I went for a little variety.

Neil Sedaka
Neil Diamond
Freddy Mercury
Boz Scaggs
Conway Twitty
George Michael
Beeb Birtles
James Taylor
Leon Redbone
Art Garfunkel

Plus:

Ry Cooder
Cab Calloway
Cat Stevens
Dave Van Ronk

others: David Ruffin, BB King, Roy Orbison, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, Bob Seger,Sam Moore, Dave Prater, Smokey Robinson

1)Frank (if you have to ask, go to hell): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znjEVqSmUSE
2)Freddy Mercury: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmQHC_XBV0s
3)Van Morrison: (NO good YouTube available; I was looking for into the mystic...find it if you haven't; stil, this man's voice is incredible)
4)Louis Armstrong: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Y6EMMhDCGo
5)Warren Zevon (nice little complation) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IuRoNORXSA
6)Maynard James Keenan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tja6_h4lT6A
7)Warren Haynes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul71nccGU6s
8)Peter Gabriel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ww9JS8dJ9fY&feature=related
9)Eddie Vedder: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lUj9zWwop8&feature=related
10)Tim Curry (that's right, Tim motherfucking Curry) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enr4W6FsSpk



Now my favorite band is The Doors, and I am a big Dylin Fan, but you asked for the best male SINGERS, and neither Jim nor Bob realy make it, sad to say.

Nat King Cole, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ian McCulloch, Roy Orbison, Jim Morrison

one of the most amazing voices, EVER...

Tikki

Gotta be top two or three.

Come on, there has to be someone with a career that started after 1980.

has been around a while.

However, for new singers, I can think of a few:


Josh Groban
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUfTlEoVqbE&feature=PlayList&p=BFBC27EC084B7191&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=21

Adam Lambert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSswSk5_xgk

Eli Mattson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_6Z2SQ3Uxs&feature=PlayList&p=1612577219B59AF2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=38


Emotional Arsonist
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DltSNncyNXQ&feature=related

For me, though, most of my very favorite male singers have been around a while.

to what most male singers do today. there just aren't that many anymore unless you count classical crossover (i.e. light opera like andrea bocelli and russell watson). i can't even think of 10 from after 1980. it's especially hard now that techology enables doctored voices. how good of a singer do you suppose justin timberlake really is? i have my doubts.

personally i think josh groban has to top any list for being a truly gifted singer. i love him but other people think he's boring because of the genre he sings.

my lists (in no particular order) based entirely on talent and not on the type of music they sing...

after 1980:
josh groban
clay aiken
michael buble
eta: i forgot seal
garth brooks (caveat: garth sings country crossover with a very crisp, rounded voice so i included him. country music singing always sounds to me more like nasally whining than actual singing. ironically, there are a lot of country singers who can nasally whine with perfect pitch.)
hmmm???

before 1980:
freddie mercury
john denver
johnny mathis
al green
bing crosby
roy orbison
sam cooke
marvin gaye
nat king cole
lou christie (not the most proficient singer ever but the dude had a crazy good falsetto)

Elvis
Paul McCartney
Paul Simon
Michael Jackson
John Lennon
Marvin Gaye
Michael Stipe
Bruce Springsteen
Sam Cooke
Frank Sinatra

For Christmas songs, Bing Crosby.

Jim Kerr
Timothy London
Frank Tovey
Fred Schneider
Michael Jackson
Elton John
Eddy Grant
Pete burns
David Bowie
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel

i forgot seal on my list.

after that I know there are a ton, but those are the two that immediately pop into my head.

His "If Ever I Would Leave You" (from Camelot) still renders my knees useless.


My oh my. (((fanning face)))

But the ones I like listening to are;

David Bowie
Adam Lambert
Josh Groban (just recently)
Adam Pascal
Raul Esparza
Gavin Creel (My new obsession, esp. I got life from Hair)
Brandon Flowers
Brandon Boyd
Robert Smith
Joe Strummer
and Shane MacGowan. (I think I loves him best of all)

Freddie Mercury.

(Is he disqualified because he did a duet with Montserrat Caballe?

1 - Mel Torme'
2 - Nat King Cole
3 - Frankie Lane
4 - Sammy Davis Jr.
5 - Tony Bennett
6 - Billy Ekstine
7 - Michael Buble
8 - Dean Martin
9 - Freddie Mercury
10 - Bing Crosby
Sinatra maybe 11th or tied for 10th. Mel Torme was a far better singer/musician especially in later years.

And I think he should be on any list of greats.
Then chronologically would be Bing Crosby. Then Sinatra.
Moving into R&R Elvis, and Ricky Nelson
Roy Orbison had an awesome voice. Gordon Lightfoot could really sing.
Freddy Mercury was one of a kind.
Seal has an incredible voice.