Favorite singers of all time?

Patti Smith

 

Michael Stipe

 

Mickey Dolenz
Don Everly
Robin Zander
Elvis Presley
George Jones
James Brown
Smokey Robinson
Noddy Holder
Brian Wilson
Carl Wilson

 

Here are of mine
These contain a few that might not be expected
(examples)
Louis Armstrong
Bing Crosby
All four Beatles
Al Jolson
Rudy Vallee
Eric Clapton
Sheryl Crow
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
Debbie Gibson
Katy Perry
Carrie Underwood
Kate Smith
Johnny Nash
Johnny Cash
Perry Como
Debbie Reynolds
Enya
Glen Campbell
Tom Jones
Engelbert Humperdinck
Dinah Shore
Brenda Lee
Wayne Newton
Alanis Morrisette
Olivia Newton-John
Jimmy Rodgers (the younger, fifties, singer)
Natalie Merchant
Melissa Etheridge
All three "singing dogs"(in Three Dog Night, that is..)
Michelle Branch
Russ Columbo
Ray Bolger
Bob Dylan

 

And I'll add one more..
Maurice Chevalier..

 

INPO:

Karen Carpenter
Olivia Newton-John
Frank Sinatra
Anita O'Day
Elvis Presley
Christine McVie

 

Lowell George
Judee Sill
Prince
Stevie Wonder
Joni Mitchell

 

Top 5 in order:
1. Eddie Vedder
2. Jim James
3. Greg Dulli
4. Tim Easton
5. Jack White

Next 10 in no particular order:
Paul Westerberg
Eric Bachmann
Ian Felice
Michael Stipe
Milo Aukerman
David Gedge
Will Johnson
Bono
Dave Pirner
Guy Piccoletto

 

Roger Daltrey
Freddie Mercury
Steven Tyler
Chris Cornell
Ronnie James Dio
Rob Halford
Ian Gillan
Ann Wilson

 

Jagger
dylan
Jim Morrison
Eric burdon
Van Morrison
Lou reed
Linda Rinehart
Grace slick
Janis Joplin
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
Stevie Elmwood

 

Can’t you even find it in your heart to love Mike Love?

 

Burton Cummings
Iarla O'Lioneird
Zoe Johnston
Nick Drake
Lani Hall
Sarah McLachlan
Emily Saliers (and geez! what a songwriter!)
Tina Dico
Miriam Stockley

 

In no particular order:

1. George Michael
2. Daryl Hall
3. Susanna Hoffs
4. Jeffrey Osborne
5. Paul Carrack
6. Jim Kerr
7. Cy Curnin
8. Maria McKee
9. Nina Hagen
10. Alison Moyet
11. Prince
12. Peter Kingsberry (Cock Robin)
13. Tori Amos
14. David Bowie
15. Morten Harket

 

Scott Walker
Kevin Rowland
Laura Marling
Levi Stubbs
Morrissey
Amanda Palmer
Joanna Newsom
Jenny Lewis
Karen Carpenter
Gram Parsons
Brian Wilson
Dennis Wilson
Kevin Ayers
Van Morrison
Robin Gibb

I’ve gone for singers whose voices and/or music have moved me rather than ones who I think are technically competent. Objectively, Carl was the best singer in the Beach Boys but I’ve generally found him a little anodyne. Laura Nyro has a wonderful voice but I just can’t get into her music (I realise this probably says much, much more about me than it does about her). At the same time, though, my favourite songwriters are Jake Thackray,David Bowie and Nigel Blackwell. Neither find a place here because it’s not their voice that makes their music work for me (that said, the Dame had a cracking set of pipes).

In five years’ time, it’s possible I could be adding Jesca Hoop and Beth Cannon to the list.

 

Add: Tiny Tim and Nick Cave and John Cale (three singers whose work I've gotten into of late).

 

Top three and impressions:

Kathleen Battle, Soprano
Light, lyrical and clear-as-a-bell tone. Takes on classical, modern and spiritual music and performs them with aplomb. I don't believe I've heard a recording or live performance that was not infused with passion or reverence. A consumately committed artist.

Billie Holiday, Jazz Singer
On quality of sound alone there have been many others who could out-sing her (Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson) but no one among male or female jazz vocalists have been to capture that deep vulnerability, sentimentality, great spirit and swing quite like Billie. Who made records as far away and as successfully as What A little Moonlight Can Do, Strange Fruit and I'm A Fool To Want You? The 30s, 40s and 50s saw three very different but equally captivating Billie Holidays.

Jessye Norman, Mezzo Soprano
Absolute commanding mid range; no one tops her there. I love almost everything she's recorded and/or performed live but for me it's her German opera and lieder material that's truly exceptional. Well, she made her name with that material initially and it's served her well. Obviously, she's had training but the power in that voice is God given.

 

just so many...too lazy to list them all. John Lennon is my fav singer in The Beatles.

 

Great choice! Is there anyone who recorded so much known so little?

 

A few female vocalists that come to mind,

Linda Ronstadt
Gladys Knight
K. D. Lang

 

Well there's Bill Nelson (who the Maels once extended an invitation to join Sparks in the early 70s).

 

In no particular order, and subject to change:

1. Billie Holiday
2. Ella Fitzgerald
3. Dinah Washington
4. Sarah Vaughan
5. Julie London
6. Anita O’Day
7. June Christy
8. Linda Ronstadt
9. Bonnie Raitt
10. Joni Mitchell
11. Rosanne Cash
12. Chrissie Hynde
13. Gillian Welch
14. Alison Krauss
15. Karen Carpenter

 

ok in no order

Howard Kaylan
Mark Volman
Paul McCartney
John Lennon
George Harrison
Jim Pons
Ringo Starr
John Seiter
Al Nichol
Roger Hodgson
Freddie Mercury
Tyler Zanon
Roy Orbison
Elaine McFarlane
Freddie Garrity
one more for good measure Johnny Barbata

 

In no particular order. Not all “great” singers, but many of the ones I enjoy most.

Elvis
Roy Orbison
Chuck Berry
Claude Jeter
Axl Rose
Bob Dylan
Howlin’ Wolf
Otis Redding
Sly Stone
Sam Cooke
Geeshie Wiley
Jim Morrison
Aretha Franklin
Bon Scott
Pops Staples
Gregg Allman
Louis Armstrong
Ray Charles
Frank Sinatra
Hank Williams
Neil Young
Solomon Burke
Rick Danko
Jerry Lee Lewis
Eddie Kendricks
Skip James
Ella Fitzgerald
Steve Marriott
Cab Calloway
Dion
Harry Nilsson
Vashti Bunyan
Richard Manuel
Roy Hamilton
Levon Helm
Charley Patton
Dean Martin
Neko Case
Ronnie Van Zant
Etta James
Elmore James
Slim Gaillard
Waylon Jennings
David Ruffin
Chris Robinson
Willie Nelson
Bobby “Blue” Bland
Sandy Denny
Ian Gillan
Willie McTell

 

Ann Wilson. Not much of a Heart fan but man alive is she incredible

Richie Furay. Just liked the tone of his voice from the first time I heard it. Buffalo Springfield

Paul Rodgers imho he was at the top of his game mid career. Always thought he would be a good American Idol type of judge

Steve Perry. Even made me listen to Journey songs I didn’t like

70’s era Stephen Stills. Gritty voice that just sounded like that was the only voice that would fit the song

Gregg Allman. Talk about somebody who got better with age

 

John Lennon
Paul McCartney
Everly Brothers
Wilson Brothers
Scott Walker
Louvin Brothers
Sandy Denny
Clarke/Nash/Hicks
James Brown
Jackie Shane
Stephen Jones
Mickey Hampshire
Steve Marriott
Eric Burdon
Colin Blunstone
Jackie Wilson
Little Richard
Kaylan/Volman
Gram Parsons
Roy Orbison
Jamie Hoover/Steve Stoeckel
Jacqui McShee
Patsy Cline
Otis Redding
McGuinn/Crosby/Clark
Reg King
Mark Lindsay
Bo Diddley
Harry Nilsson
Yma Sumac.....ah, that's enough for today.