Hypothetical: James Is Unable To Tour. Best Singer To Replace Him, If Any?

[JayOctavarium]

I have the strangest urge to hear DT cover American Idiot front to back.

[Kotowboy]

To see how bored Mangini looks playing Give Me Novocaine..

[YtseJamittaja]

Even though it could be interesting to see DT with another vocalist I wouldn't go to watch them with any other than James. It's pretending to sound like another.

[Dani Helios]

I have the strangest urge to hear DT cover American Idiot front to back.

So do I. I know it would sound terribad, but I just want to hear it

[The Hairy Man]

Peter Gabriel or Hasse Fröberg.

Maybe JP could just do it - he loves some chipmunk vocals

[TAC]

Peter Gabriel?

I get (actually I don't) that one may like Peter Gabriel, but really? Here? This is a Dream Theater forum.

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Peter Gabriel is great, but I have no idea why someone would think he's a viable replacement for James.

[The Hairy Man]

LOL

I wouldn't say he's any less viable than half the other people mentioned, it is hypothetical after all. FWIW I would say his strength is live performances, he has a good range and good voice plus is prone to riding a bike around the stage. It wouldn't work most likely, he would probably be restricted to earlier and lighter material.

[Mosh]

I thought Peter Gabriel's range in the 70s and 80s was already quite limited. I can't imagine it being much better now. No way he could sing DT. Or even do a respectable job.

[finn the fisherman]

I thought Peter Gabriel's range in the 70s and 80s was already quite limited. I can't imagine it being much better now. No way he could sing DT. Or even do a respectable job.

So the guys are in the middle of their first instrumental passage,and Gabriel walks on dressed in his cape and bat wings and mask! WHOA! Actually his Slipperman outfit would be perfect!
Robert Plant in his early years would be interesting however!

[Infinite Cactus]

I thought Peter Gabriel's range in the 70s and 80s was already quite limited. I can't imagine it being much better now. No way he could sing DT. Or even do a respectable job.

Peter Gabriel actually has pretty great range. He just approaches notes differently than James. More James Brown than Robert Plant. Plus he's way too sexy for the band. Too much sex. Humpin' like wut.

[LCArenas]

Rusell Allen 1995-99.

I don't think he would suit, but, just because DT and Green Day are my all time top fave bands, Billie Joe Armstrong.
I also think he would jump at the opportunity, as he's having a go at loads of different genres ATM!

I just imagined him singing A Change of Seasons. Jesus Christ

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I don't think he would suit, but, just because DT and Green Day are my all time top fave bands, Billie Joe Armstrong.
I also think he would jump at the opportunity, as he's having a go at loads of different genres ATM!

I just imagined him singing A Change of Seasons. Jesus Christ

I can almost hear that in my head, which really surprises me. And...yeah.

Better one to imagine is The Mirror.

[Newmz]

I second wanting to hear tommy karevik.

[palnordseth]

This guy? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU9rTdKJdzY

[Prog Snob]

Steve Stone

[hefdaddy42]

Don't worry guys.  I've got this.

[krieger]

Kevin Moore would be delighted to sing... 

[DarkLord_Lalinc]

I thought Peter Gabriel's range in the 70s and 80s was already quite limited. I can't imagine it being much better now. No way he could sing DT. Or even do a respectable job.

Luckily for him, Peter Gabriel's singing is never about range and reaching notes in the sky. It's about using his voice to achieve different textures and to be emotional. It works wonders for him, because even though his range is 'limited' he's one of my favorite singers (and musicians) nowadays.

On the other hand, I do agree his voice doesn't fit DT. At all.

[RtrooperW]

James is irreplaceable, however there are several great singers that MIGHT be able to accomplish this feat. I would go with either Tommy Karevik (Kamelot), Paul Adrian Villarreal (Sun Caged), Richard Marshall (Prospekt), or Marco Sandron (Pathosray). All great in their own right, but James is the ultimate voice and personality of DT!!! 

[Shadow Ninja 2.0]

Greg Puciato is the obvious choice.

edit: lol, apparently I posted this exact same thing when this thread first started.

[Kotowboy]

I still say Justin Hawkins.


Proof : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR35pRz7JQ8   


Those are some crazy highs.

[Prog Snob]

I know his register doesn't go comfortably as high as James' does but considering a lot of the newer stuff with the raspy vocals James seems awkward singing live sometimes, I'd love to see Russell Allen take on some Dream Theater songs.

[Architeuthis]

Cant think of anyone who could do justice as a replacement singer. Dream Theater without James Labrie is the equivalent of Yes without Jon Anderson. Yes is one of my all-time fav bands, but they lost me with the absence of Jon Anderson.. I won't go to see them live anymore..

[reneranucci]

<--------------

Let him grow a goatee and people wouldn't even notice it isn't James.

[goo-goo]

Damian Wilson would probably do a good job too

[ErHaO]

I was watching a Revamp proshot concert and have the latest Nightwish dvd fresh in mind. I kind of think it would be an interesting experiment to have Floor do some DT songs. Aside from her pleasant clean voice, she can tear things apart in her metal mode. I think she could pull off the awake stuff really well. I want her to do the later DT-discography MP growling parts too, haha.

[Bertie_Wooster]

Claudio Sanchez     DT would sound awesome with his singing and songwriting.

[Zook]

Claudio Sanchez     DT would sound awesome with his singing and songwriting.

Hell no.

[Lumiukko]

Davide James: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nxewm7Fm6w / https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-H0m-qkwG8

[The Presence of Frenemies]

I know his register doesn't go comfortably as high as James' does but considering a lot of the newer stuff with the raspy vocals James seems awkward singing live sometimes, I'd love to see Russell Allen take on some Dream Theater songs.

Frankly, it's unclear whether Russell can go as comfortably high as James. He gets some F5s in AMob that sound pretty easy. He just doesn't choose to go up there, which could be due to style, ability, or both. Have always wondered what he'd do with, say, the LTL F# (or any high note of that kind, not necessarily one in a DT context). Could be anything from a total bust to spectacular.

[Prog Snob]

I know his register doesn't go comfortably as high as James' does but considering a lot of the newer stuff with the raspy vocals James seems awkward singing live sometimes, I'd love to see Russell Allen take on some Dream Theater songs.

Frankly, it's unclear whether Russell can go as comfortably high as James. He gets some F5s in AMob that sound pretty easy. He just doesn't choose to go up there, which could be due to style, ability, or both. Have always wondered what he'd do with, say, the LTL F# (or any high note of that kind, not necessarily one in a DT context). Could be anything from a total bust to spectacular.

I saw a Symphony X show a while back and during an instrumental part, Russell was trying to echo the notes Michael Romeo was playing on his guitar.  While he was able to get up into some higher registers, you could tell he was out of his element.  Maybe he's worked on that since then, but either way I'd still love to hear him take a stab at some DT.

[Zook]

I know his register doesn't go comfortably as high as James' does but considering a lot of the newer stuff with the raspy vocals James seems awkward singing live sometimes, I'd love to see Russell Allen take on some Dream Theater songs.

Frankly, it's unclear whether Russell can go as comfortably high as James. He gets some F5s in AMob that sound pretty easy. He just doesn't choose to go up there, which could be due to style, ability, or both. Have always wondered what he'd do with, say, the LTL F# (or any high note of that kind, not necessarily one in a DT context). Could be anything from a total bust to spectacular.

I saw a Symphony X show a while back and during an instrumental part, Russell was trying to echo the notes Michael Romeo was playing on his guitar.  While he was able to get up into some higher registers, you could tell he was out of his element.  Maybe he's worked on that since then, but either way I'd still love to hear him take a stab at some DT.

I'm sure Adrenaline Mob will cover DT for their next covers album.

[Prog Snob]

I know his register doesn't go comfortably as high as James' does but considering a lot of the newer stuff with the raspy vocals James seems awkward singing live sometimes, I'd love to see Russell Allen take on some Dream Theater songs.

Frankly, it's unclear whether Russell can go as comfortably high as James. He gets some F5s in AMob that sound pretty easy. He just doesn't choose to go up there, which could be due to style, ability, or both. Have always wondered what he'd do with, say, the LTL F# (or any high note of that kind, not necessarily one in a DT context). Could be anything from a total bust to spectacular.

I saw a Symphony X show a while back and during an instrumental part, Russell was trying to echo the notes Michael Romeo was playing on his guitar.  While he was able to get up into some higher registers, you could tell he was out of his element.  Maybe he's worked on that since then, but either way I'd still love to hear him take a stab at some DT.

I'm sure Adrenaline Mob will cover DT for their next covers album.

I heard Russell wanted to invite MP back into the band just for those tracks.

[Kotowboy]

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