Posted on 05/26/2017 5:03:05 PM PDT by MNDude
There are thousands of great male singers, but there are probably only a few that you know that really stand out. In your opinion who are the three greatest male vocalists of all time?
Freddie Mercury
Steve Perry
Dennis Deyoung
That is undoubtedly true.
One of the most spellbinding performances I have ever seen was this solo by Andy Gibb at Ford's Theatre in 1980, in a command performance for newly-elected President Reagan. Even though he was the 22-year-old "kid brother" of the more famous Bee Gees (Barry, Maurice and Robin), he had the audience of VIPs on the edge of their seats during the whole song, but most especially during the final passage. You could have heard a pin drop. It was one of the most thrilling events of my career as a pubicist, to be able to attend that gala.
It was tragic that this talented man died so young, at 30, having given himself a heart condition from drug and alcohol abuse. If only he had been in the church like your friend.
Jay Black of Jay and the Americans, Franki Valli of The Four Seasons, Roy Orbison of Roy Orbison.
Jolson.
Bing, until about 1936.
Al Bowlly.
Harold “Scrappy” Lambert.
This is a “no-brainer”. First of all, we need to separate genres, so that there are no “apples to oranges” comparisons.
The three genres I will address are: a. Popular Music Vocalist (pre-Rock era); b. Rock n Roll era Vocalist; and c. Opera.
In each one of these genres there have been myriad popular stars, singers, etc. But none-the-less, in each one of these genres there has been ONE - and ONLY ONE - individual whose vocal style, range, expression, emotion and the ability to communicate to the soul of the listener clearly surpassed that of his contemporaries.
Ready? Here we go.
1. Popular Music Vocalist: AL JOLSON (aka “The World’s Greatest Entertainer”). The man whom all vocalists who came afterwards idolized (Bing, Frankie, etc.) It helped that he had a near-operatic range, but it was the emotion he projected in the way that he LIVED each song that he sang that created the “Jolson Magic” or “Oscamazoola” that lives to this day through his records.
2. Rock n Roll Era: FREDDIE MERCURY. Much of the above commentary regarding vocal range and projection of emotion that I wrote regarding Jolson also applies to Mercury within the Rock genre. There has simply never been a rock n roller with a voice remotely as powerful - or subtle, when he wanted it to be, as Mercury.
3. Opera: ENRICO CARUSO. Listen to one of his digitally remastered recordings, and, even given the limitations of the recording technology of his day, the clarity and emotion in his voice are still breath-taking. And second to none.
A final note to you, the reader: You need not be a fan of these three singers or consider them to be your personal favorites in order to recognize them as the greatest ever.
If popularity is the game you are playing, then you are almost certain to get the answer wrong.
In my opinion, of course. (Which happens to be correct with near-mathematicaly certainty, in this case).
;>)
Sorry; it was 1981.
Well, we're at 166 as I write this, and no one has mentioned the beautiful voice of Sammy Davis Jr. It was hard to get past his grotesque personality, but the voice was golden.
I like the story where after Morrison has sung “Mr. Mojo Risen” a few times he says in front of the band something like “Oh wow man - you can write “Jim Morrison” using the letters from Mr. Mojo Risen.” The rest of the band all chimes in with how freaked out that is.
Of course Jim started off with his name first to get “Mr. Mojo Risen”!
Of course I’ve know “Mr Mojo Risen” was an anagram for “Jim Morrison”, but I never heard the story that he tricked the band that way. Good story.
Chester Arthur Burnett.
Of course we are both spelling it incorrectly. It is actually “Mr Mojo Risin”.
Bob Dylan
Joe Cocker
You forgot Milli Vannilli
Finally a Van Morrison mention
Elvis
Steve Perry
Van Morrison
Freddie sounded rather good for a live performer when I saw him in 1987 or so. He tended to stay with studio release phrasing even with the high notes, which is treacherous territory for a live performance.
Freddie Mercury
Chris Cornell
Ronnie James Dio
Conor Mason
Derek and the Dominos - #1
Gimme Shelter and Layla - #1 tie for best song
I went through everyone’s lists; I saw Johnny Hartman, but not Eddie Jefferson.
Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin
Also didn’t see Jon Hendricks.
LOL!!
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