Top 10 Best Rock Singers of the '90s

The Top Ten

Layne Staley

Layne Thomas Staley was an American musician who served as the lead singer and co-songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains, which he founded with guitarist Jerry Cantrell in Seattle, Washington, in 1987. Alice in Chains rose to international fame as part of the grunge movement of the early 1990s.... read more

I think when it comes to vocalists, Layne wins. Cornell's highs are amazing, but the way Layne hit the power notes just felt effortless. Obviously, if we talk about impact, Kurt's voice is so iconic that it can't be beat in that regard.
Vedder's voice is so dynamic, and I love his performance on MTV Unplugged. Scott Weiland is such a good melody server that it's hard not to want him to be higher on this list.
The power that Layne gives is just untouchable. He can whisper and make chills go up your spine. He sings like he has a calm sense of his own ability. He sounds comfortable, and for that, he is number one on this list. R.I.P., dude.
Chris Cornell

Christopher John "Chris" Cornell (July 20, 1964 to May 18, 2017) was an American rock musician and singer-songwriter. He was best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and rhythm guitarist for Soundgarden and as the frontman of Audioslave. Renowned for his powerful voice, he possessed a wide... read more

It's really hard with this list because the '90s possess some of the most iconic voices and best singers in rock music. Not only did Cobain and Staley have the eeriest spine-tingling screams, and Vedder has such a beautiful voice, but we also can't skip Maynard and Anselmo, who have both redefined alt metal and metal vocals completely.
One did so with their sensible dynamic, and the other with their brute force but still a very melodic and great-sounding vocal. Chris Cornell, for me, stands as not only the best singer of the '90s but of all rock music in general.
I'm a guy who has grown up on Led Zeppelin, but even though it may seem blasphemous, I must be honest and say that Chris has the nicest vocal timbre in all of rock and roll. For me, he tops both Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury.
I hope no one holds this against me, as these are all such wonderful vocalists, and we are unbelievably lucky to be able to listen to their music. But for me, Chris Cornell is the beginning and the end, the alpha and omega, the holy grail of rock. The absolute unsurmountable top of the mountain, and no one will ever come even close to his voice.
Eddie Vedder

Eddie Vedder, born Edward Louis Severson III on December 23, 1964, is an American singer, musician, and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist and one of the guitarists for the rock band Pearl Jam, with whom he rose to fame during the early 1990s grunge movement. Vedder is also known for his... read more

Eddie Vedder should be number one on this list. With all due respect to Layne Staley, Thom Yorke, and Chris Cornell, all you have to do is listen to Vedder's vocals on Black, Better Man, Alive, Jeremy, and Nothingman with Pearl Jam. You can hear the raw emotion and aggression radiate from his vocals.
Or listen to his rise to superstardom on the co-lead efforts on Hunger Strike by Temple of the Dog alongside Chris Cornell.
Or his passionate solo work with the song Hard Sun. It's a crime to have this rock icon at a mere number four spot. Come on people, vote for this '90s rock treasure.

Eddie Vedder's voice is one of the greatest voices of the '90s. He has the capacity to reach high notes, but he can also sing in very low tones without a problem.
Kurt Cobain

Kurt Cobain (February 20, 1967 - April 5, 1994) was an American singer, songwriter, and musician, best known as the frontman of the grunge band Nirvana. Founded in 1987, Nirvana achieved global success in the early 1990s, reshaping rock music with albums like Bleach, Nevermind, and In Utero. Cobain died... read more

His voice is good in every song he wrote. Best scream of the '90s and the most influential vocalist of all time.

Just listen to Where Did You Sleep Last Night. Then you'll understand.

One of my favorites! Gone way too soon!
Maynard James Keenan

Maynard James Keenan, often referred to by his initials MJK, is an American musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor. He is best known as the vocalist for the Grammy Award-winning progressive metal band Tool.
Keenan is also the lead singer of the bands A Perfect Circle and Puscifer, which... read more

So awesome. No words, except those.
Jonathan Davis

Jonathan Howsmon Davis (born January 18, 1971), also known as JD and JDevil, is an American singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the lead vocalist and frontman of the nu metal band Korn, which is considered a pioneering act of the nu metal genre.... read more
Liam Gallagher

William John Paul "Liam" Gallagher is an English musician, singer, and songwriter. He rose to fame as the lead singer of the rock band Oasis, and later as the singer of Beady Eye.
He launched a solo career in 2017. In 2024, it was officially announced that he and his brother Noel had resolved... read more

Listen to the Oasis acoustic set at MTV in 1994. You'll see what I mean.
Mikael Åkerfeldt

Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt is a Swedish musician best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the progressive metal band Opeth. He was also a vocalist for the death metal supergroup Bloodbath, contributing to three albums before leaving the band in 2012.... read more
Scott Weiland

Scott Richard Weiland (October 27, 1967 - December 3, 2015) was an American musician, singer, and songwriter. During a career spanning three decades, Weiland was best known as the lead singer of the band Stone Temple Pilots from 1989 to 2002 and again from 2008 to 2013. He also served as the frontman... read more

Does it all: soft ballads, hard rock, pop. He can do it all in the studio and then bring five different voices to a live show as well. Incredible vocalist who also happens to be one of the great performers!

Best frontman I've ever seen, with an amazing vocal range. From songs like Plush, Wicked Garden, Creep, and Interstate Love Song to songs like Atlanta, Wonderful, and Big Empty.

I mean to take nothing away from anyone, but from a technical standpoint, none of the vocalists on this list can stand up to Weiland. They are ahead due to popularity more than actual ability.
Jerry Cantrell

Jerry Fulton Cantrell Jr. is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and guitarist best known as the founder, lead guitarist, co-lead vocalist, and primary songwriter of the rock band Alice in Chains. He has also released solo albums and contributed to various collaborations. Cantrell's guitar work... read more

The Newcomers

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Brian Molko
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Meat Loaf

Michael Lee Aday (born Marvin Lee Aday. September 27, 1947 - January 20, 2022), better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, was an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He was recognized for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and theatrical live performances... read more

The Contenders

Phil Anselmo

Philip Hansen "Phil" Anselmo is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Down. He has also fronted the heavy metal band Superjoint. Anselmo has been involved in various side projects and collaborations within the metal community.
Dolores O'Riordan

Dolores Mary Eileen O'Riordan (September 6, 1971 - January 15, 2018) was an Irish musician, singer, and songwriter. She served as the lead vocalist and lyricist for the alternative rock band The Cranberries from 1990 until their breakup in 2003.... read more

Dolores O'Riordan is the greatest female voice of rock ever, including the classic legends Janis Joplin, Joan Jett, and Pat Benatar. Her band, The Cranberries, is the most underrated band ever. They have soundtracks of the '90s and 2000s like Dreams, Linger, Pretty, Sunday, and Ode to My Family.
Also, she is a great composer, guitarist, and pianist. In my opinion, she is one of the greatest musicians ever, only comparable to legends like Elvis, Janis, Nino Bravo, or Frank Sinatra.
Musically, The Cranberries are far superior to U2. However, due to marketing issues and Dolores' health problems, such as anorexia and alleged bipolar disorder caused by child abuse in her environment, the British mass media have carried out a campaign to discredit the band.
It is, without a doubt, the greatest injustice in the world of music. As music lovers, we owe a debt to the legacy of Dolores and The Cranberries.
Billy Corgan

William Patrick "Billy" Corgan Jr. is an American musician, songwriter, producer, television writer, poet, and professional wrestling promoter. He is best known as the lead singer, guitarist, and only permanent member of the alternative rock band The Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan also owns and operates the... read more

Billy Corgan can have the soft voice of an angel, then turn around and express his anger loudly. His melancholy lyrical style fits the theme of the '90s more than any other artist I know.

Great singer! Also one of my favorites!
Tarja Turunen

Tarja Soile Susanna Turunen-Cabuli (born August 17, 1977) is a Finnish singer-songwriter and soprano with a vocal range spanning approximately three octaves.
She studied singing at Finland's Sibelius Academy and Germany's Hochschule für Musik Karlsruhe. She's best known as the former lead vocalist... read more
Jeff Buckley

Jeffrey Scott "Jeff" Buckley (November 17, 1966 - May 29, 1997), who was raised as Scott "Scottie" Moorhead, was an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.
Buckley was born in Anaheim, California, into a musical family. His mother, Mary Guibert, was a classically trained musician, and his father... read more

How is this man only just being named now?! Best vocalist of all time. Nobody can compare to his tone. The way his voice just effortlessly floats between registers and octaves is unique and impossible to replicate.
There has never been a better vocalist and there probably never will be. R.I.P. Jeff.

Take out the opinions of the popular music zombies, and the only others in contention with Buckley for this title are Layne Staley and Chris Cornell. Picking between those three really just comes down to preference.
Thom Yorke

Thomas Edward "Thom" Yorke is an English musician best known as the lead singer and principal songwriter of the alternative rock band Radiohead.
He has also released solo projects such as The Eraser and co-founded the experimental band Atoms for Peace. Yorke is known for his distinctive voice... read more

His voice is beautiful. Just listen to Creep and Fake Plastic Trees from Radiohead.
Corey Taylor

Corey Todd Taylor was born on December 8, 1973. He is an American musician, author, and actor best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the nu-metal band Slipknot and the hard rock/alternative metal band Stone Sour. Taylor has also published books and appeared in films and on television.... read more
James Hetfield

James Alan Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963. He is an American musician, singer, and songwriter known for being the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the American thrash metal band Metallica. He helped form the iconic thrash metal group in 1981 after answering... read more

Love James's music with Metallica. Best heavy metal band ever!
Chino Moreno

Camillo "Chino" Wong Moreno (born June 20, 1973) is an American musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and contributing guitarist of the metal band Deftones. He is also a member of the side-project groups Team Sleep, Crosses, and Palms.... read more
Mike Patton

Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, film composer, producer, and actor. He's best known as the lead vocalist of the alternative metal band Faith No More. Patton is also noted for his experimental music projects like Mr. Bungle and Fantômas, which showcase... read more

Biggest range on the list, and he can sing every style in existence effortlessly.

Mike Patton is undoubtedly the best vocalist of the entire '90s. He has the widest range of all those mentioned here.
David Draiman

David Michael Draiman is an American heavy metal singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the band Disturbed, a role he has held since 1996. Draiman also fronted the industrial metal project Device from 2012 to 2014.... read more
Serj Tankian

Serj Tankian (Armenian: Սերժ Թանգյան. Born August 21, 1967) is a Lebanese-born Armenian-American singer-songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, poet, and political activist.
He is best known as the lead vocalist of the Armenian-American rock band System of a Down. After the... read more
Billie Joe Armstrong

Billie Joe Armstrong (born February 17, 1972) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor best known as the lead vocalist, primary songwriter, and guitarist of the punk rock band Green Day, which he co-founded with Mike Dirnt.... read more

He's the greatest rocker of all time and should be in the place of Kurt Cobain.
Zack de la Rocha

Zacharias Manuel "Zack" de la Rocha, born January 12, 1970, is an American musician, poet, rapper, and activist. He is best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the rap metal band Rage Against the Machine, which he fronted from 1991 to 2000, from 2007 to 2011, and from 2019 to 2024.... read more
Dave Grohl

David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer, and film director. He was the drummer for the influential 1990s grunge band Nirvana and is the founding vocalist and guitarist of the alternative rock band Foo Fighters. He has also performed as... read more