Classic Rock Vocal Showdown #3: Dio vs Ozzy

[Jaq]

Gotta say, I'm surprised at the beat down Ozzy is taking.  Thought there might have been more early 70s metal appreciation.

If we were talking favorite incarnations of Black Sabbath, I woulda went with Ozzy but Dio is a much better singer, IMO.

This, though I love the Dio Sabbath albums to no good end too. This is just a lopsided contest, lol.

[Ruba]

Dio. However, I find Ozzy's lower register quite enjoyable.

[wolfking]

Dio, no contest.

[Cyclopssss]

Wow, that was easy.

[jingle.boy]

Well now it's just a pile on. 

I promise to make #4 a more even matchup.

[Zydar]

Well now it's just a pile on. 

I promise to make #4 a more even matchup.

Bruce Dickinson vs Justin Bieber

[Scorpion]

Well now it's just a pile on. 

I promise to make #4 a more even matchup.

Bruce Dickinson vs Justin Bieber

#cuttingforbieber

[El Barto]

Well now it's just a pile on. 

I promise to make #4 a more even matchup.

Bruce Dickinson vs Justin Bieber

I believe Bruce versus Halford is the customary matchup in these sorts of things.

Interestingly, outside of DTF, Ozzy usually wins. You go to a more metal oriented forum and Ozzy's name and reputation carries him. All those years of touring with Slipknot, SoaD and Drowning Pool have really made him popular with the teenage set. 

[kirksnosehair]

Gotta say, I'm surprised at the beat down Ozzy is taking.  Thought there might have been more early 70s metal appreciation.

I don't think it's a lack of appreciation for early 70's metal.  Hell, many people think Black Sabbath was the first true metal band.  It's debatable, of course, but they were certainly pioneers in the genre and quite unique in their time.  And Ozzy was a fucking incredible front-man for Black Sabbath.  No question.


I think, though, when you couch the question as "Classic Rock Vocal Showdown" people tend to focus in on the vocals alone and you have to admit, I think, that when you pit Ozzy against Dio, from a purely technical standpoint, Dio was a vastly superior vocalist.

[jingle.boy]

I believe Bruce versus Halford is the customary matchup in these sorts of things.

Well, Bruce didn't make the cut, given my criteria of defining 'classic' as those that had their hey-day in the 60s or 70s.  Bruce's best days are in the 80s.  I've started compiling that list as well, and will likely start another series of showdowns with those.

@ Barry's post... all true.

[ZirconBlue]

I'd say that I prefer Ozzy-era Sabbath over Dio-Era, and that I prefer Ozzy's solo material over Dio's.  But Dio is clearly the better vocalist.

[Nick]

Ozzy is distinct and I love hearing him, but Dio is just hands down the better overall vocalist. It's one of those things where I don't prefer one to the other, but Dio is... well he's fucking Dio.

[theseoafs]

Gotta say, I'm surprised at the beat down Ozzy is taking.  Thought there might have been more early 70s metal appreciation.

I don't think it's a lack of appreciation for early 70's metal.  Hell, many people think Black Sabbath was the first true metal band.  It's debatable, of course, but they were certainly pioneers in the genre and quite unique in their time.  And Ozzy was a fucking incredible front-man for Black Sabbath.  No question.


I think, though, when you couch the question as "Classic Rock Vocal Showdown" people tend to focus in on the vocals alone and you have to admit, I think, that when you pit Ozzy against Dio, from a purely technical standpoint, Dio was a vastly superior vocalist.

Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes.

[DebraKadabra]

Gotta say, I'm surprised at the beat down Ozzy is taking.  Thought there might have been more early 70s metal appreciation.

I don't think it's a lack of appreciation for early 70's metal.  Hell, many people think Black Sabbath was the first true metal band.  It's debatable, of course, but they were certainly pioneers in the genre and quite unique in their time.  And Ozzy was a fucking incredible front-man for Black Sabbath.  No question.


I think, though, when you couch the question as "Classic Rock Vocal Showdown" people tend to focus in on the vocals alone and you have to admit, I think, that when you pit Ozzy against Dio, from a purely technical standpoint, Dio was a vastly superior vocalist.

Um... yeah, Barry frickin nailed it.