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Classic Rock in search of the Voice Of Rock
Terry Bezer writes in the Classic Rock Magazine blog:
Classic Rock needs your help in selecting rock’s greatest singers and best-loved voices.
Britain’s best rock magazine is putting together a list of the singers that changed our lives: the belters, the screamers, the warblers, shriekers, and crooners that helped define the music we know and love, be it prog or punk, metal or melodic rock, grunge, garage rock or plain old rawk.
Who are the singers you love? Who are the greatest at delivering live – and who are the most disappointing? Who has the greatest range, the most unique voice – who delivered rock’s greatest vocal performances and what are they?
Leave your comments below – the best may be used in the magazine and the top 5 best comments (as chosen by the magazine team) will receive a Classic Rock goody bag.
You all know what to do. If interested, leave comments in their blog. I doubt they read ours.
Thanks to Dave Hodgkinson for the info.
Unauthorized copying, while sometimes necessary, is never as good as the real thing
Ian Gillan has the classic voice of rock. I bought DP in rock in 1970, since then i have been a great fan of Purple.
January 24th, 2009 at 09:27…there is plenty of singers,they unique and famouse.There is a “secret” lady singer called Jana Uriel Kratochvilova and she has a special place in my heart.Her voice range is huge,she is mysterious and to see her preforming live is unforgetible…..I vote for her.
January 24th, 2009 at 09:47Actually, we’ve got Ian Gillan for 3 nomination:
1. The Best Screamer: Ian Gillan (for his outstanding scream in Made In Japan, at the end of Strange Kinf Of Woman, and of course for his unbeatable screams in Child In Time & Fighting Man)
2. The Highest Vocal range: Ian Gillan – I’v seen Gillan/Plant/Mercury-s vocal ranges drown on the piano, and Gillan had the greatest vocal range among this GREAT TRIUMVIRAT.
3. The Best Rock Vocal Performance: Child In Time by Ian Gillan. THERE ARE NO OTHER VOCALISTS WHO CAN DO WHAT GILLAN DID DURING CHILD IN TIME.
Also, the man himself has sung in many other genres: Rock, Metal, Blues, Jazz, Country/folk…
The man covered even Ray Charles, sang on Jesus Christ superstar and screamed out the whole world in the 70’s and 80’s… so let him be #1.
January 24th, 2009 at 10:48Ian Gillan deserves it.
Here we go again. First it’s banjo players, now screamers. Subjective opinions, ’tis all. Blah blah blah, blah blah…..
It’s blogs like these that make me close my eyes and feel like screaming……
Eeeeaaaooouuwww!
Peace,
Ted
January 24th, 2009 at 12:54Jana Uriel? My goodness you’ve got to be kidding… that’s some of the most bizarre singing I’ve ever heard, downright scary.
January 24th, 2009 at 13:05It´s a no brainer really……I´ve seen and heard them all….and the answer is Glenn Hughes!ROCK ON!
January 24th, 2009 at 14:03The voice of rock:Gleeeeeeen Huuuuuuuughes!!!!!!
January 24th, 2009 at 15:18I said glenn hughes beacause his surname is “the voice rock”, but if I have to vote the best singer I go for Ian Gillan
January 24th, 2009 at 15:50he can reach the note D6(higher than anyone in rock and metal).but he is not the greatest only due his vocal range…
Stupid & unnecessary competitions again, but my top 3
is Dio, Glenn Hughes & Gillan. RJD for No. 1, because
he has stubbornly stuck to his niche(in a good way), plus
his vocal delivery has yet to let anybody down…he’s
nailing it night after night in such unbelievable
fashion that should be impossible at his age!!
It’s time to kill the dragon again folks, cheers
January 24th, 2009 at 17:30All of the singers in “our family” could be the greatest, BUT Ian Gillan is special. I have seen him since 1971 and he is still THE singer to me.
January 24th, 2009 at 19:20Ronnie James Dio is for sure also a name to remener, but it has to be Ian.
Well said Bo,
Gillan is Special,Dio is Great.
nothing more to say..
January 24th, 2009 at 23:27I’d have to say one of the best is the guy that DP wanted after Gillan left…Paul Rodgers!!
January 25th, 2009 at 00:22Yes, there are a lot of great singers and voices in Rock… Ian G. is very, very special to me and many others. I think, if you take a look at the lyrics too, there is only one man at the top ! IG ! cheers
January 25th, 2009 at 10:21I will never understand how Paul Rodgers can be so considered…
No wide vocal range, not great show man, not wonderful voice, not great composer…
to me he is just a good singer that can be on the top 100 but surely not in the top 5…
in the top 5 can’t miss Gillan, Coverdale, Dio, Mercury…
January 25th, 2009 at 17:14Dean Martin, Ian Gillan, Me….
there you have it….My top 3. Not necessarily in that order.
Cheers
January 25th, 2009 at 18:08all DP and R-bow vocalists….and yes that includes JLT.
January 25th, 2009 at 18:45Was only kidding earlier, my choice will definitely be The Satanic Bavarian Gangsta-Yodels!! Burp…
January 25th, 2009 at 19:01Gillan, Rodgers, Dio.
January 25th, 2009 at 19:32The three greatest rock singers ever
and still on top of the game.
davep
January 25th, 2009 at 19:44Rodgers above Mercury and Coverdale? do you really think this???
sure do Roberto.
January 25th, 2009 at 23:08check out rodgers work all down the years.
Free,Bad Co.,The Firm,The Law plus his solo
career and now with Queen.
Past performances or present performances?? Yes, Gillan once was top notch, today…..He´s doing OK but that´s it! The same goes for DC….barely….Dio? Still great!
Objectively one can´t deny, Glenn Hughes is the only one in the Purple family, who actually progressed and not only maintained his vocal range and depth….despite his age!
So if we stick to the present….the answer is obvious! ROCK ON!
January 25th, 2009 at 23:40Right On Tracy #15…Dean Martin is awesome, drink in one hand smoke in the other and surronded by beautiful women…Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime….lol
January 25th, 2009 at 23:42Cheers
best singer ever easily steve walsh kansas, listen to his range power and depth on leftoverture/point of no return and masque..followed by dio and gillan
January 26th, 2009 at 07:52Let’s not forget Mr Dan McCafferty from Nazareth.The most underrated rocksinger there is.
January 26th, 2009 at 08:26IMHO of course…
Ian of course simply because he did his best since 40 years to entertain his fans. hopefully he will be at last recognise even if all that nomination masquerade is not for us (IAN and all the DP FANS).LONG LIVE DP.Cheers.
January 26th, 2009 at 09:32perhaps today I’ll meet Mr.Universe on a radioFM studio here in Milano.
January 26th, 2009 at 09:38He was invited to present his new solo work!
olèeee carrramba!
come ooooonnn!!!
perhaps today I’ll meet Mr.Universe on a radioFM studio here in Milano.
January 26th, 2009 at 09:38He was invited to present his new solo work!
olèeee carrramba!
come ooooonnn!!!
Their can only be one………………
#Now everybody’s got a crazy notion of their own. Some like to mix up with a crowd, some like to be alone. It’s no one elses’ business as far as I can see, but every time that I go out the people stare at me, with me little ukulele in me hand.#
January 26th, 2009 at 10:43Free and Bad Comopany are nothing special.
January 26th, 2009 at 14:30not original music. the songs are always mid tempo…I find them uninteresting and boring…
Firm, I don’t even consider them…
Queen…shame on them…
definitely the most overrated singer of the story…
I JUST HOPE THE OFFICIAL LED ZEPPELIN BIOGRAPHER WILL NOT BE INVLVED AS THEY DID WITH PLANET ROCK TOP 40 LIST…
January 26th, 2009 at 14:33THEY HAVE BEEN RIDICOLOUS….
Roberto
January 26th, 2009 at 15:03shame on you for your tunnel vision.
Glenn Hughes HAS A CHOIR BOYS voice
and not a rock voice.
Gillan,Rodgers and Dio have rock voices
with loads of power and depth and there
are a lot more singers better than GH.
davedp
I hope for you you are joking…
January 26th, 2009 at 21:29The thing about singers is…..They are all great in their own skin. If you can carry a tune and are able to make a name for yourself with YOUR VOICE, then you are recognized for YOUR VOICE and it YOURS. Then, if you are in a band, that is the sound associated with that band. It is your comfort zone and you don’t have to sing like anyone else. There are some folks who can sing a much broader range and emulate many different singers. That is a TRUE talent all by itself, and much more intricate. Those that are lucky enough to land in a band and sing songs in their own range, without having to stuggle and emulate a range outside their own are very lucky and are able to pave their own way. Like Barbara Streisand. She has an incredible voice……IT’S HERS. It isn’t a talent. She was born with it. Now, let’s see her sing a Janice Joplin tune……NOT. Or one of my favorite singers, Alice Cooper. He has a fair voice, but it fits his know character and therefor, for what he sings, it is PERFECT.
I have to agree to a certain degree on the Hughes/Wonder statement. Glenn’s soul/funk addiction probably came from his voice being more adept to that style. Yes, given the right song and effort, he can pull off some good hard rock. But he keeps going back to his comfort zone……Funk/soul….it’s more natural for him. I’m not saying that he hasn’t recorded some great hard rock tunes…(My favorite is the Black Sabbath Seventh Star record), it just isn’t really his gig. He does what he has to.
You either like how a singer sings or not…..That doesn’t mean he or she isn’t a good singer, they either sing the way you like or not..
Cheers
January 26th, 2009 at 22:11Take note ,Roberto of Tracy Heyder, No 33, theres a bit
January 26th, 2009 at 23:33of sense for you.
This of course relates to Classic rock voices, which in itself puts limitations on the choice of vocalists. As we all know, Purple has featured at least 3 of the greatest “Classic rock” voices. One however helped define the genre and still has the flexibility, intelligence, range, power and sensitivity to sing outside of the “Classic rock” limitation. Ian Gillan is my choice…
January 27th, 2009 at 07:50Dolly Parton does it for me…………
Scientists now believe that the primary biological function of breasts is to make males stupid…………..
January 27th, 2009 at 09:37davedp
January 27th, 2009 at 10:32No
what Trecy said doesn’t concern the meaning of my reply on what you said…
Sooo!!!
January 27th, 2009 at 10:56To all you people who have dismissed the great Glenn Hughes, to quote Paul Rodgers when asked to join DP, ‘You already have the best voice with GH, what do you need me for?’ My top 3 are Glenn Hughes, Roger Daltrey(The Who) & David Coverdale with Mr.Gillan a very close 4th……..
Tracy Heyder aka Zero the Hero #33
me too!
January 27th, 2009 at 13:01my favourite GH performing is on THE 7th STAR!!!
..but also on John Norum’s FACE THE TRUTH (1992)
January 27th, 2009 at 15:26very cool.
At number five, I would place U2’s Bono. At four, Journey’s Steve Perry. At three, Free’s and Bad Company’s Paul Rodgers. At number two, someone who, quite surprisingly, has yet to be mentioned: Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.
And at number one, without a doubt, Ian Gillan.
Perry and Bono are not pure rock and roll singers, but they do make rock music and they do have extraordinary voices. All of the top three are classic, quintessential rock vocalists. Rodgers is the only one whose voice has yet to feel the limitations of age (as is the case with Ronnie James Dio). Plant was spectacular in his own right, but what makes Ian a cut above the rest is his range, his style, his incomparable scream, and the wonderful tone of his voice.
January 27th, 2009 at 19:07I LOVE Paul Rodgers AND QUEEN both seperately but really disapprove their current affair
January 27th, 2009 at 21:59Having watched 2 live dvds and listened to their new cd
January 27th, 2009 at 23:38I think Queen and Paul Rodgers aer very good. They will never be Queen but they are not trying to be.Neither will they be Free or Bad Co. They play all 3 bands music
and their new stuff and do make very good job of it.
Brian May, Roger Taylor and Paul Rodgers took a hugh gamble with this project and a lot of people are glad they did. Its all for the music. Long live ROCK N ROLL.
Unfortunately Queen can only be Queen with Freddie………sad but true….
A contender or a pretender?
January 28th, 2009 at 16:24Unfortunately Queen can only be Queen with Freddie………sad but true….
A contender or a pretender?
January 28th, 2009 at 16:24Unfortunately Queen can only be Queen with Freddie………sad but true….
A contender or a pretender?
January 28th, 2009 at 16:24Is Graham Bonnet still singing? I liked his work during his short stint with Rainbow.
January 29th, 2009 at 19:42Rascal,
I have never been fan of Queen Band,it is true that I appreciate something of them during his career with Freddy M. but i have to say that if i don’t like P.Rodgers and Queen together,I liked to see and to listen George Micheal with the Band on Stage at Wembley Stadium of London many years ago..
George Micheal was great that day.
ciao
January 30th, 2009 at 07:40cheers
No
January 30th, 2009 at 14:07they are trying to be…in fact they use the name Queen…they are ridiculos and Rodgers is so overrated…
Bono is horrible…
Rodgers cant be overrated and that same counts for GRAHAM BONNET.
@47
Where have you been? In a cave?
He made lots of great records and still owns a mighty voice.
January 30th, 2009 at 14:36He fronts an new line up of ALCATRAZZ nowadays and is guestsinging all over the place for others as well.
Roberto aka broken record
January 30th, 2009 at 15:32No disrespect to Gillan, Ozzy and Plant – But the greatest singers are David Coverdale, Glenn Hughes, Dio and Tony Martin
January 31st, 2009 at 14:13Roberto
February 1st, 2009 at 15:06play drums and has over 1200 records…
about Queen and paul rodgers I found only 2 or 3 good review for what they are doing…
Mercury, Gillan, Dio, Coverdale …
February 1st, 2009 at 15:34For me it matters also how they adapt and use their voices expressing the moods….I mean how much soul of them can move me…
For blues Coverdale is top for me…
Gillan possess the art laying all his power and emotion in a great diversity…his vocal range, his power and improvisation, his thin voice….
I alway think while listening to Dio how much breath he has and how a perfect reliable performer he is…
Mercury just makes me full of emotion and is so impressive…for me more disciplined in performing as Gillan…
I love them all…with a warm heart and respect! 🙂
#47 right on—good raw singer. loved the Down to Earth album.
February 1st, 2009 at 21:02The voice of classic rock is Zibignew Coskochekowitz….of “Johnnie Turd and the Boneheads.”
February 1st, 2009 at 22:32Ian Gillan- Jimmy Dewar- Paul McCartney
February 2nd, 2009 at 22:05Roberto #37….It had every meaning based on what I responded to….I only responded to what you wrote. What you write though, is not what I believe you are trying to say…..English is probably not your best language, and a lot get’s lost in the translation. It isn’t your fault, just a handicap……If you wouldn’t be so redundant in your position, it would be of great help to your points.
Cheers
February 3rd, 2009 at 02:59so must elvis, ian gillan, plant, mercury, coverdale and,,, rodges i thing we mus thing againg i don’t know how way until rolling stone magazine choose rodgers one of the best singers in the world
February 4th, 2009 at 03:13Kramo #57: Thanks for mentioning Dewar. A very smooth singer.
February 4th, 2009 at 16:32Also Derek St. Holmes.
Gillan
Dio
Elvis
Tom Jones
Mercury
Coverdale
Lake
Plant
Rodgers
Hughes
Jagger
McCartney
Wetton
Stanley
Anderson, Anderson and Lee (if only because of the great music of their bands and that they are unique -also they are acquired tastes)
CANDICE NIGHT, she’s hot and that makes 5 among the great voices discovered and promoted by the greatest patron of singers in rock: Ritchie Blackmore (haha, I managed to get the bugger in this blog), ah and make that 7 if you count Bonnett and Turner, 8 for those who like Doogie.
Cheers.
February 8th, 2009 at 03:30Just to get the last word:)
All hail Dan McCafferty!!!!
I cannot believe nobody but me mentions him in this thread.
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:04I think that Ian Gillan was great singer about 40 years ago. Hi was ever the best guy in the rock and roll. Butt…I wil newer understand why is he going to scream and only scream. I think than nowadays he dont have a vocal ability at all. He is dead but still he refuses to go to pension.
January 6th, 2012 at 22:02If you are talking about Influence, range, power, subtlety, phrasing, individuality, tone and inspiration, it has to be the young Gillan 1969 – 1973.
April 24th, 2013 at 08:18@ Roberto. without Rodgers you would have no Coverdale or Hughes. He was a huge inspiration to both and the first blue eyed soul, rock singer along with Steve Marriot. The three most important singers in Rock are the ones who founded the styles and inspired a generation Gillan. Plant and Rodgers. Love them or hate them, your favourite rock singer outside of them was definitely inspired by them 🙂
April 24th, 2013 at 08:22I have been singing Hard Rock and Blues Vocals since 1970. The top vocalists in order are Gillan for the entire catalog of his work, Purple, Sabbath and his incredible solo work. Second, Edgar Winter the guy wipes the floor with just about everybody hands down. His range and skill are unbelievable. For everyone that forgot about Little Richard, there is another musician that has been overlooked for years. The Beatles knew how good he was. His phrasings are all over their earlier albums. I would put Dio next. The man did so much for hard rock and his loss was a tragedy. I got to put Elvis next. Without him Rock would be a shadow of what it is today. He influenced everybody. Next I would put Jim Morrison although he died young his songs are still everywhere, his abilities were rare and the sensuality he put INTO his songs are second to none. Steven Tyler should be next he kicks ass all over the place. Another under rated guy is DLR he deserves to be in the top ten, he had incredible range at one time just like Gillan and because of Dave, Van Halen is without question one of the top ten groups EVER. Jagger, McCartney, Klaus Meine, Steve Perry, and Lennon are also close to the top. I like Plant in the studio but his live performances are somewhat weak. Bruce Dickinson, Vince Neill and Jeff Scott Soto are all lurking nearby as well. That fellow from Judas Priest Rob Halford is easily in the top fifteen as well.
February 20th, 2014 at 09:36Top 3 are Gillan, Dio and Mercury. I put Gillan as #1. If not for anything else, as a forty year listener, a lot of my best memories have a DP song associated with them. Dio was a much different singer so it’s hard to compare his work to that of Gillan’s. Sorry, Robert Plant, but I put a lot of your singing in the gimmick category – along with that of Rush and AC/DC. Not that is not good, but it’s not pure.
May 12th, 2017 at 22:16