Top 25 Favorite Singers countdown thread! (Top 2 Revealed!!!)

[The Realm]

James Labrie - unranked. I want to say I am surprise James ranked this high but I guess I should have known that would be the case. Images and Words is a top 5 album all time for me and  I absolutely love his vocal performance on that album. Since that time though James has been very hit and miss for me. Some album performances are better than others and as for his live performance, well I am not sure he ever really had it. I also think he is a very poor frontman with zero charisma but that is probably just me.

Freddie Mercury - my number 14 and not at all surprised Freddie finished this high. Well deserved!

Kev - thanks as always for running this countdown.

I have participated in every one of these type of countdowns apart from the very first one (top 100 DT songs) and I have really enjoyed them all but I think this one was the least enjoyable. I think it was because of the total diversity in everyone's individual lists and opinions which created infinite possibilities and made this one a little strange.

[jingle.boy]

This was my first time participating in this kind of countdown, and I thought it was fantastic - particularly BECAUSE of the diversity.

[SwedishGoose]

This was my first time participating in this kind of countdown, and I thought it was fantastic - particularly BECAUSE of the diversity.

Agreed..... loved the diversity and found it interresting that sp many were actually on multiple list

[KevShmev]

LZ is the next songs countdown, but while I am sure some would want to do instrumentalists next for this type of thing (although I think guitarists would be fairly predictable - gee, I wonder who number 1 would be? ), I was thinking of doing favorite lyricists.  I think that is one that could be really fun and interesting. Thoughts?

[TAC]

I can't commit to a lyricist one. I don't know how deep in a list I could go. I think that would have a fairly predictable outcome as well, at least for #1.

Obviously Paul Stanley!

[SwedishGoose]

Not really a Led Zppelin fan so I can't cotribute to that but I would give a shot to lyricists.

I think I know who my number 1 would be at least

[devieira73]

I really think everyone here is great. Kiske and Rob I placed in the last spots just because, although both are amazing in what they do, I wish I could hear more diversity in their style.

Have you heard the Supared album with Kiske? Readiness For Sacrifice?

Hi Tim!
No, I haven't. But now I'm curious about it. I'll check it, thanks!

[Dream Team]

Mine, with the bolded ones that made the cut:

25 Jim Morrison
24 Whitney Houston
23 David Coverdale
22 Robert Plant
21 Sebastian Bach
20 Barry Manilow
19 Pat Benatar
18 Michael Jackson
17 Klaus Meine
16 David Lee Roth
15 James Hetfield
14 John Lennon
13 Geoff Tate
12 James LaBrie
11 Deborah Harry
10 Frank Sinatra
  9 Ronnie James Dio
  8 George Michael
  7 Paul McCartney
  6 Bruce Dickinson
  5 Rob Halford
  4 Russell Allen
  3 Barbra Streisand
  2 Elvis Presley
  1 Ann Wilson

I had about 4 I was debating for #1 but I decided on Ann - flawless technical ability, power, range, and sings everything with emotion and passion. The kicker is she always delivers live as well even up to today. Great job Kev as usual.

We didn't have a ton of overlap, and for every real hit (Ann, Elvis) there's a miss (Russell) but overall that's a really solid list, right there.   Hard to argue with Frank, Klaus, Debbie, Pat...

I don't get any personal satisfaction from other people's lists, but if I did, it would be at the frequency that David Coverdale is showing up.  Mock his Whitesnake nonsense all you want, but his voice on the Starkers In Tokyo set (and the later acoustic set with Doug Aldrich) is enough alone to get him on the list.   Find "Don't Fade Away" from that performance; it's amazing. 

EDIT:  Here's the audio.  There's video too, but I didn't see it outside of the complete show.

Thanks. To a casual observer it might look like a Most Famous list, but that wasn’t my approach. Most of the people on the list are famous BECAUSE they are monster vocalists, not the other way around. I listen to all of them, with Whitney Houston being maybe the lone exception but you can’t deny her ability. Probably should have swapped her out with Daryl Hall or Olivia Newton-John. I don’t know, too many choices.

[TAC]

I really think everyone here is great. Kiske and Rob I placed in the last spots just because, although both are amazing in what they do, I wish I could hear more diversity in their style.

Have you heard the Supared album with Kiske? Readiness For Sacrifice?

Hi Tim!
No, I haven't. But now I'm curious about it. I'll check it, thanks!

I assume you're familiar with Instant Clarity, is first solo album. A lot of that is heavy, heck even has Kai Hansen and Adrian Smith on a few tunes.
Readiness For Sacrifice is a whole 'nother animal. It's his second solo album, but the hard rock has disappeared. A couple of tracks, Shadowfights and Easy contain major vocal gymnastics, but most of the songs are pretty straightforward and quite basic, and he doesn't really use his high register at all.

Supared was a band format, and it's just the one self titled album. A bit more exciting that RTS, but nowhere near hard rock. I actually really like the Supared album.

The other thing I'd recommend is Part In Different Ways. It's a collection of Helloween songs done acoustically. I think he has a new song or two on it, but it has some interesting choices and is really cool.

[jingle.boy]

I can't commit to a lyricist one. I don't know how deep in a list I could go. I think that would have a fairly predictable outcome as well, at least for #1.

Same... I don't really pay strict attention to who the lyricists are on any given album/song.

I'd certainly be down for the instrumentalists.  Guitar ... I'd gather JP would be top 2, but I certainly wouldn't bet a paycheque he'd be #1.  Drummers on the other hand.... everyone would be playing for 2nd place.  I'd bet lonestar's salary, car, and knife collection on that.

[lonestar]

I can't commit to a lyricist one. I don't know how deep in a list I could go. I think that would have a fairly predictable outcome as well, at least for #1.

Same... I don't really pay strict attention to who the lyricists are on any given album/song.

I'd certainly be down for the instrumentalists.  Guitar ... I'd gather JP would be top 2, but I certainly wouldn't bet a paycheque he'd be #1.  Drummers on the other hand.... everyone would be playing for 2nd place.  I'd bet lonestar's salary, car, and knife collection on that.

Nice turn of the table.

[Glasser]

I can't commit to a lyricist one. I don't know how deep in a list I could go. I think that would have a fairly predictable outcome as well, at least for #1.

Obviously Paul Stanley!

[Animal]

LZ is the next songs countdown, but while I am sure some would want to do instrumentalists next for this type of thing (although I think guitarists would be fairly predictable - gee, I wonder who number 1 would be? ), I was thinking of doing favorite lyricists.  I think that is one that could be really fun and interesting. Thoughts?

I'd be in for both lyricists and guitarist. I agree that n. 1 guitarist would be rather predictable but battle for other spots might be fun (n.1 in Maiden countdown was also easy to predict but it didn't really spoil the enjoyment).
   With lyricists, IMO, you would get a lot more diversity and unpredictability - I think people with sufficient interest in lyrics to participate are also more likely to draw from much larger pool of lyricists than just prog/rock/metal. So you might be getting yourself into even worse mess when tallying the lists than with singers. But if you are ready for some self-punishment, lyricists would be extremely interesting.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I don't have any interest in a lyricist one, but guitars would be cool.  It's a given who one of the top contenders will be, but just like this one, but are we really so sure he'd win?  I didn't expect JLB to not be the top entry, but I probably just haven't been around enough. 

[HOF]

I think lyrics would be tough, in part because it’s not always clear in a band setting who wrote what lyrics. I also think guitarists would be fun and probably about as diverse as the singers countdown. Same with drums, bass, keyboards (not sure there’d be enough participation in that one).

[twosuitsluke]

I'd be down for a guitarist/drummer one for sure

[Lethean]

My list - I had more than I thought I would:

25 Michelle Luppi
24 Tony Kakko
23 Roberto Tiranti
22 Damian Wilson
21 Erik Rosvold
20 Arno Menses
19 Chris Cornell
18 Jon V.
17 Tom Englund
16 Hubi Meisel
15 Bruce Dickinson
14 Andre Matos
13 Roy Khan
12 Edu Falaschi
11 Andy Kuntz
10 Mariusz Duda
9 Glynn Morgan
8 Layne Staley
7 Geddy Lee
6 Ray Alder
5 Einar Solberg
4 Andrew McDermott
3 Simen Hestnæs (ICS Vortex)
2 James LaBrie
1 Jonas Renkse

[TAC]

25 Michelle Luppi

This guy is amazing!

[Lethean]

25 Michelle Luppi

This guy is amazing!

Yeah!  I didn't care him on the rerecorded Secret Sphere album, but I love his stuff with Vision Divine.

[TAC]

25 Michelle Luppi

This guy is amazing!

Yeah!  I didn't care him on the rerecorded Secret Sphere album, but I love his stuff with Vision Divine.

Stream Of Consciousness is an incredible album. He used to be my pick in the old "Who would you replace JLB with if he left..?" threads.

[Lethean]

I just saw my #1 singer live and he was awesome (as the whole band was).

[WardySI]

Thanks for running this Kev very cool as always!

Had Freddie at #12 was my pick for favorite too, well deserved.
Had James at #28

My biggest surprise was not seeing Coverdale make the list!?

My List; I originally worked towards a list of 50 hence why only just made the deadline LOL but here they are (maybe a couple there only my Aussie comrades will know?)...

40. Ian Astbury
39. Joey Tempest
38. Louie Merlino
37. Tom Englund
36. Zak Stevens
35. Floor Jansen
34. Bernard Fanning
33. Nils K. Rue
32. Andy McLean
31. Pink
30. Nick Holmes
29. Maggy Luyten
28. James Labrie
27. Emily Armstrong
26. Ida Haukland
25. Tarja
24. Jorn Lande
23. David Reece
22. Ray West
21. Michael Hutchence
20. Beth Hart
19. Rob Halford
18. Lou Gramm
17. John Farnham
16. Ronnie James DIO
15. Matt Barlow
14. Jimmy Barnes
13. Kevin Martin
12. Freddie Mercury
11. JP Leppaluoto
10. Ray Gillen
9. Lajon Witherspoon
8. Ray Alder
7. Chris Cornell
6. Bruce Dickinson
5. Huey Lewis
4. David Coverdale
3. Sammy Hagar
2. Jon Stevens
1. Geoff Tate

[wolfking]

Jimmy Barnes! 

[bl5150]

Jimmy Barnes! 

I had Noiseworks in my Top 50 and got bagged by everyone excepy you Kade   

[Podaar]

20. Beth Hart

While it's fantastic to see her listed, I think I'd place her higher. 

[jingle.boy]

20. Beth Hart

While it's fantastic to see her listed, I think I'd place her higher. 

Love her voice.  I just don't listen to her stuff too often.  The Zeppelin Tribute album this year was aces.

[TAC]

20. Beth Hart

While it's fantastic to see her listed, I think I'd place her higher. 

Love her voice.  I just don't listen to her stuff too often.  The Zeppelin Tribute album this year was aces.

She's brutal, IMHO. We actually saw her many years ago. I don't remember, and while my wife doesn't remember her name, she has always said the opening singer..all she did was swear.

[KevShmev]

Points all taken.

I will mull over what will be next after the LZ countdown. 

[Cool Chris]

25   Linda Ronstadt
24   Jim Morrison
23   Simone Simons
22   Amanda Somerville
21   Roy Khan
20   Jørn Lande
19   Russell Allen
18   Donna Summer
17   Ted Neeley
16   Freddy Mercury
15   Geoff Tate
14   Brian Johnson
13   Geddy Lee
12   Steve Perry
11   Joe Elliott
10   Robert Plant
9   Tarja Turunen
8   Anneke van Giersbergen
7   David Gilmour
6   Ian Gillen
5   Roger Daltrey
4   Floor Jansen
3   Sharon den Adel
2   James LaBrie
1   Bruce Dickinson

Everything after 15 or so is a bit of filler. I tossed in a couple names that I doubted would make anyone else's list, just to have them represented.

I didn't think I'd account for such a high percentage of points for Sharon, and even more surprised Tarja didn't rank very high. Same with Ian Gillan, as I thought there'd be enough classic rock fans participating to give him a boost. I know I talked about Ted Neeley earlier, but Ian's performance on Jesus Christ Superstar is a Mt Rushmore level recording for me.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I just saw my #1 singer live and he was awesome (as the whole band was).

I don't think mine has even toured the US.  But at least I've seen Jonas. 

29. Maggy Luyten
26. Ida Haukland
20. Beth Hart
14. Jimmy Barnes
9. Lajon Witherspoon

Good to see these getting some well-deserved attention. 

20. Beth Hart

While it's fantastic to see her listed, I think I'd place her higher. 

Love her voice.  I just don't listen to her stuff too often.  The Zeppelin Tribute album this year was aces.

She's brutal, IMHO. We actually saw her many years ago. I don't remember, and while my wife doesn't remember her name, she has always said the opening singer..all she did was swear.

She does seem like a hard livin' type, but her vocals are unbelievable. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bOQ07fVVDJQ

I didn't think I'd account for such a high percentage of points for Sharon, and even more surprised Tarja didn't rank very high.

With the exception of Anneke, the female vocalists who've placed higher tend to have more power/rock sort of voices.  Sharon is too ethereal for DTF tastes I think, and at least in Nightwish, Tarja is a one-trick-pony, though she's good at it. 

[TAC]

Same with Ian Gillan, as I thought there'd be enough classic rock fans participating to give him a boost.

I'm a classic rock fan and a fogey, and I think Ian Gillan is generally pretty terrible.

[Cool Chris]

Same with Ian Gillan, as I thought there'd be enough classic rock fans participating to give him a boost.

I'm a classic rock fan and a fogey, and I think Ian Gillan is generally pretty terrible.

Huh. Thought he was up there with Plant and maybe any rock singer from that era, short of Mercury.

[KevShmev]

Same with Ian Gillan, as I thought there'd be enough classic rock fans participating to give him a boost.

I'm a classic rock fan and a fogey, and I think Ian Gillan is generally pretty terrible.

Huh. Thought he was up there with Plant and maybe any rock singer from that era, short of Mercury.

No chance. I don't have the disdain for him that Tim seems to, but he can't come close to the truly great rock singers of that era.

[LithoJazzoSphere]

I don't have the disdain...that Tim seems to

He's just overflowing with it.   

[TAC]

Not for me. Deep Purple gets played a lot on Classic Rock radio and Gillan sings some iconic songs, but he's certainly not carrying them. I respect and enjoy them but I find them a tad overrated*. Not a lot, but still.


*According to the Bosktionary, meaning that I don't see what everyone else sees in them