Best Singers of 20th Century

100 years is a long time. There were more than 100 good singers in the 20th century, but only a few were the best among all of them.

I've tried my best to make a list of the best of the best singers.

The Top Ten

Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury was a Zanzibar-born British singer of Indian descent, songwriter, and record producer best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Queen. He achieved fame for his flamboyant stage persona and remarkable four-octave vocal range.... read more

Incredible talent, who worked until his death. He sang like an angel until the end. Listen to "Motherlove," the last song he recorded. He had an amazing voice in it, when he could barely walk and see (nearly blind in one eye), and he was in so much pain. Despite these challenges, he sang like nobody else. He deserves respect.
He was very brave when he appeared in the "These Are the Days of Our Lives" video. His appearance was scary and sad, but he wanted to say a last goodbye to his fans: "I still love you." Not a lot of people would have been so brave!

He can hit notes that no one else can. He is strong and brave. The greatest singer ever to be born. So strong to sing Mother Love, These Are the Days of Our Lives, I'm Going Slightly Mad, and so on.
They say legends never die, and Freddie is a legend because he is not dead.
Elvis Presley

Elvis Aaron Presley was an American singer and actor, widely dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll" and regarded as a pivotal cultural icon of the 20th century. His energetic musical interpretation and provocative performance style, bridging racial music traditions in a shifting era, both fueled his fame... read more

I have listened to his songs since I was 5, and I have loved them. His voice gives a feeling of the deepest emotions.

This man had the best voice I have ever heard. He can sing absolutely anything.

Perfect pitch, amazing range, ability to sing any genre.
Luciano Pavarotti

Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce, was an Italian operatic tenor who also achieved crossover success in popular music. Known for his televised concerts and media appearances, he became one of the most commercially successful tenors of all time. He was especially renowned for his interpretations... read more

The absolute best of the tenors. That includes Caruso, Gigli, Domingo, Carreras. Perhaps someone was better before recordings and my birth (1945), but no one can touch Luciano in his prime.
Enrico Caruso

Enrico Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor. He sang to great acclaim at major opera houses throughout Europe and the Americas, appearing in a wide range of roles from both the Italian and French repertoires. Caruso was one of the first recording artists to gain international fame through early phonograph... read more

Generally considered by experts as the greatest male singing voice of all time, with Pavarotti second. Elvis, Freddie, Levi, and a few others are the greatest of rock and pop, but Caruso was on another level altogether. It's a shame that, due to the time he lived in, only a few poor-quality recordings of his performances still exist.
Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 - June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, which was ruled a homicide. Jackson is widely regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures... read more

Not even in the top ten? But his voice is amazing!

The best ever.
He was the ultimate perfectionist.
Maria Callas

Maria Callas, Commendatore OMRI, was a Greek-American soprano and one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century. She was widely praised for her bel canto technique, her wide-ranging voice, and her powerful dramatic interpretations. Her legacy continues to inspire opera singers... read more
Mario Lanza

Mario Lanza was an American tenor of Italian ancestry, and a Hollywood film star of the late 1940s and 1950s. He began studying to be a professional singer at the age of 16. Lanza gained fame for his powerful voice and starred in films such as The Great Caruso (1951).
Frank Sinatra

Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra (December 12, 1915 - May 14, 1998) was an American singer, actor, and producer who was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century. He's one of the best-selling music artists of all time, having sold more than 150 million records worldwide... read more

Extraordinarily unique vocal instrument with perfect pitch, vibrato, and legato. He dramatically innovated vocal styling through unparalleled breath control, which facilitated best-in-class phrasing, dramatic interpretation, and riveting syncopation.
He influenced all who came after him and even some who came before. Just as relevant today as in 1960, he was a musical genius who steered orchestras to perform at their best.

Without doubt, the greatest popular singer of the last 100 years. In my opinion, he took the interpretation of popular music to a new level. His breath control was brilliant, with a unique ability to understand the songwriter's intention and yet make the song his own.
Rob Halford

Robert John Arthur "Rob" Halford, born August 25, 1951, is an English singer and songwriter. He joined the heavy metal band Judas Priest in 1973 and has served as its lead vocalist throughout most of its history. Halford is often called the "Metal God" and is celebrated for his powerful, wide-ranging... read more
K.S. Chithra

Krishnan Nair Shantakumari Chithra, often credited as K. S. Chithra or simply Chithra, is an Indian playback singer from Kerala. She also sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. Chithra has recorded over 25,000 songs in various languages and is a recipient of six National Film Awards.

Being an Indian, I have heard her name being said and her voice being praised in nearly every household.

In this era, she is the best singer.

The Newcomers

?
Jeanette MacDonald
?
Magda Olivero

The Contenders

Ronnie James Dio

Ronnie James Dio, born Ronald James Padavona on July 10, 1942, was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter, and musician. He led or performed with several bands, including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell.... read more
Aretha Franklin

Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister.... read more

All-natural vocalist. Powerful voice that could sing highs and lows with superb creativity. She did not have to use sex appeal, props, or other theatrics. Just pure talent from the best female vocalist who maintained her voice into old age.
John Lennon

John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (born John Winston Lennon, 9 October 1940-8 December 1980), was an English singer, songwriter, musician, and political activist. He rose to worldwide fame as the co-founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the... read more

He expressed his searing heart and brilliance through his amazing voice.
David Bowie

David Robert Jones, known professionally as David Bowie (January 8, 1947 - January 10, 2016), was an English singer born in London, the son of a sales promotion officer and a housewife.
He earned praise for his experimental and creative music, won numerous awards, and gained admiration from critics... read more
Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney (born June 18, 1942) is an English singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. With John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, he gained worldwide fame as a member of the rock band The Beatles, one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of pop... read more
Robert Plant

Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer and songwriter best known as the lead singer and lyricist of Led Zeppelin. He's celebrated for his powerful, wide-ranging voice and charismatic stage presence. After Zeppelin's dissolution, Plant released numerous solo albums exploring styles... read more

No one else on this list had the vocal range to match his charisma, except maybe Freddie Mercury.
Celine Dion

Céline Marie Claudette Dion is a Canadian singer and businesswoman. She's best known for "My Heart Will Go On," the theme song of the 1997 film Titanic, which was the first film in history to gross over $1 billion worldwide. She also represented Switzerland and won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1988... read more

How come she is not on this list? The world's greatest female singer.
Judy Garland

Judy Garland, born Frances Ethel Gumm on June 10, 1922, was an American singer, actress, and vaudevillian. She rose to international fame with her performance as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz and had a career spanning over four decades.... read more

"The World's Greatest Entertainer," the first woman to win a Grammy for Album of the Year (Judy at Carnegie Hall), known for her contralto vocals. Dorothy in "The Wizard of Oz".
Karen Carpenter

Karen Anne Carpenter was an American singer and drummer. She and her brother, Richard Carpenter, formed the 1970s duo Carpenters. Known for her contralto vocals, Karen Carpenter is widely regarded as one of the greatest female vocalists of all time.

Didn't need histrionics to convey the emotions of a song. She just sang naturally, and it could touch you deeply.
Ella Fitzgerald

Ella Jane Fitzgerald was an American jazz singer often referred to as the First Lady of Song, Queen of Jazz, and Lady Ella. She was known for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, and improvisational ability. Fitzgerald won 13 Grammy Awards during her career.
Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye (born Marvin Pentz Gay Jr.. April 2, 1939 - April 1, 1984) was an American singer and songwriter. He helped shape the sound of Motown in the 1960s, initially as an in-house session musician and later as a solo artist with a series of hits, earning him the nicknames "Prince of Motown" and... read more
Bing Crosby

Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby, Jr. was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark warm bass-baritone voice made him one of the most popular recording artists of the pre-rock and roll era. He was also a major film star and won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in "Going My Way" (1944).

Over 1 billion units sold, 383 top 30 hits, which is three times more than any recording artist in history, and a number 1 hit every year for 24 years. He is simply the best in terms of Bel Canto voice.

More number one songs than anybody in history, even exceeding The Beatles. However, during his era from the 1920s to 1940s, there is zero information about how many actual sales he garnered.
Edith Piaf

Édith Piaf was a French cabaret singer, songwriter, and actress who became widely regarded as France's national chanteuse, as well as being one of France's greatest international stars. Her signature songs include La Vie en Rose, Non, je ne regrette rien, and Hymne à l'amour. Piaf's music and life... read more
Elton John

Sir Elton Hercules John, born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on March 25, 1947, is an English singer, pianist, and composer. He has collaborated with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums. John has sold over 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time.... read more
Barbra Streisand

Barbara Joan Streisand, known professionally as Barbra Streisand, is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and filmmaker. She has won numerous awards, including two Academy Awards, ten Grammy Awards, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Streisand is one of the best-selling recording artists of all... read more