Top 10 Singers With Raspy Voices
There's something about a raspy voice that hits different. It's raw, it's gritty, and it sounds like it's been through some stuff. These voices don't glide over a track. They scrape across it like sandpaper, dragging your attention with them. Smooth vocals might be pretty, but raspy ones are honest. They sound lived-in and give the feeling that they've got stories to tell even when there aren't any lyrics being sung.This list is all about honoring those unique voices that sound like they've been dragged through a gravel road of emotion. Some are smooth around the edges with just a hint of rasp. Others go full throttle and sound like they gargle broken glass for breakfast. Whatever the flavor, these voices leave you feeling something real. So jump in and decide which ones deserve the spotlight.
Grace Avery VanderWaal is an American singer-songwriter from Suffern, New York. She is most well-known for winning the eleventh season of "America's Got Talent" singing her original songs at 12 years old. Her album, "Just the Beginning" was released in November 2017, and she has two EPs, "Perfectly... read more She definitely will change the music industry and is absolutely the best musician and probably the best soul to bless the world in a very long time. Almost anyone with proper training can learn to sing well and improve their range, but no one can fake what she has, and that is soul and a wonderful spirit. My worry for her is whether she will let herself be corrupted by the evil creatures that control our entertainment industry. They have done it to so many greats.
But she is a ray of light amidst an array of darkness, a glimmer of hope in a world of despair and destruction, a child with answers to questions that adults are perplexed by, soulful beauty screaming a battle cry through an ugly situation, a paramedic for the lost or discarded and broken souls. But hopefully, with all her fans' support, she will grow into what I already know she will be: a savior of some sort to her people. She might be able to do what everyone else failed to do: bring all of our children away from the evil ways of this sick world, or at least be a beacon of hope. She has inspired me. I gave up music, but now I'm awaiting in line to try out myself for AGT. I know I'm not as good as her, but I will not be afraid. Now I will go out singing my battle cry. If Grace does read these things, you now see your fan base. Don't sign another contract. Start your own label, change this disturbing world. Keep GOD in your heart and don't follow the crowd. Always in my prayers.
"Don't go gentle into that good night, rage, rage against the dying of the light" - D. Thomas
-Josh.
William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as 'Axl Rose', is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He Is the founder and lead singer of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses. He is a celebrated but controversial figure in the world of rock. Axl Rose probably has the greatest male rock and roll voice I've ever heard. I know he's arrogant and egotistical, but that doesn't take away from his ability to sing, and he's also got the gift to write good songs. I've seen him with AC/DC, and he has a far greater range than Brian Johnson. Not to take anything away from Brian Johnson, but Axl is Axl and Brian is Brian.
I don't know who, unless it was the author, said that he was failing at the AC/DC gigs. Who would've done it better? Since Guns N' Roses and that era, I don't even think there is any rock 'n' roll anymore. I turn on a rock station, and I hear the same music I heard 20 years ago. Anyway, Axl's got my vote.
John Robert "Joe" Cocker was an English singer and musician. He was known for his gritty voice, spasmodic body movement in performance and definitive versions of popular songs. Best of the best! Gotta love Joe Cocker.
Unchain My Heart, You Can Leave Your Hat On, Summer in the City.
Louis Armstrong, nicknamed Satchmo or Pops, was an American trumpeter, composer and singer who was one of the most influential figures in jazz. Armstrong was a musical genius and a brilliant pioneer in jazz. His raspy voice is an essential and iconic part of all of it.
Kurt Cobain was born February 20, 1967, in Aberdeen, Washington. In 1987, he started the grunge band Nirvana, which became one of the most successful bands ever. He was a talented yet troubled grunge performer. Kurt Cobain became a rock legend in the 1990s with his band. He committed suicide at his... read more Sexiest talking voice ever. He spent years developing his signature rasp and screams and remains one of the last rock legends.
I think he is the most skillful person that has a raspy voice. I don't think that Axl is as good as him.
Just listen to the unplugged album.
Bonnie Tyler is a Welsh singer. She is known for her distinctive husky voice, resulting from an operation to remove vocal nodules in the mid-1970s. Total Eclipse of the Heart, Holding Out for a Hero, It's a Heartache, If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man).
Adam Wade Gontier is a Canadian musician and songwriter. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for both Saint Asonia and Three Days Grace. Gontier initially left Three Days Grace in January 2013 but rejoined the band in October 2024. He is known for his distinctive gritty vocal... read more
Bryan Guy Adams is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, guitarist, photographer, philanthropist and activist. Great-sounding rasp and powerful voice.
He probably has the most pleasant rasp.
Summer of '69, Heaven, Kids Wanna Rock.
Steven Tyler is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and former television music competition judge, best known as the lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, in which he also plays the harmonica, and occasional piano and percussion.
Matthew Charles Sanders, better known by his stage name M. Shadows, is an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist, songwriter and founding member of the American metalcore/alternative metal band Avenged Sevenfold.
The Newcomers
Sherine Ahmed Abdel Wahhab, mononymously known as Sherine, is an Egyptian singer and actress. Sherine was born in 1980 in Cairo, Egypt. She is one of the four coaches in the the Arabic version of The Voice. Nicknamed the Queen of feelings, she serves as one of the jury members.
Haley Elizabeth Reinhart is an American singer, songwriter, and voice actress from Wheeling, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.
Ian Fraser Kilmister, known as Lemmy, was an English musician, singer and songwriter who founded and fronted the rock band Motörhead. He was a bassist and a singer known for his raspy voice. He died in 2015 from cancer and other health problems. I love Kurt Cobain's voice, but when it comes to a badass raspy rock and roll voice, it's "Lemmy Kilmister"!
Nawal El Kuwaitia is a well-known female singer and musical icon in the Middle East. Nawal studied at the Music Institute in Kuwait. She is known as Shaikhat Al Tarab (The Queen of Classic Music) and Qaitharat Al Khaleej (Harp of Khaliji Song).
Alice Cooper is an American singer, songwriter, musician and occasional actor whose career spans over five decades.
Michael Bolotin, known professionally as Michael Bolton, is an American singer and songwriter. Bolton originally performed in the hard rock and heavy metal genres from the mid-1970s to the mid-1980s, both on his early solo albums and those he recorded as the frontman of the band Blackjack. How Can We Be Lovers.
Roderick David "Rod" Stewart is a British rock singer-songwriter. Born and raised in London, he is of Scottish and English ancestry. The reason that Rod Stewart gets my vote is that unlike a lot of these singers (for example, Axl Rose) his voice is super raspy even when he's singing in a hushed tone in his normal range.
Barry Eugene Carter, better known by his stage name Barry White, was an American singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and composer.
Thomas Alan "Tom" Waits, born December 7, 1949 is an American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor.Waits has a distinctive voice, with this trademark growl, his incorporation of pre-rock music styles such as blues, jazz, vaudeville, and experimental tendencies verging on industrial music,... read more
Philip Hansen "Phil" Anselmo is an American musician who is best known as the former lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Pantera. He currently is the vocalist of heavy metal bands Down and Superjoint Ritual. How wasn't he on here yet? His voice is very raspy and awesome.
Anastacia Lyn Newkirk is an American singer-songwriter, producer and former dancer. Her first two albums Not That Kind and Freak of Nature were released in quick succession to major success. Growing up, Mum used to play her music in the car all summer. Love her voice!
How could you leave this gal off the list?
Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined... read more
John Francis Bongiovi, Jr., better known by his stage name Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, and actor, best known as the founder and frontman of the hair band Bon Jovi from, which was founded by Jon and his pianist, David Bryan, in 1983. He is famous for... read more One of the raspiest voices out there in his heyday.
Paul Andrews better known as Paul Di'Anno, was an English singer best known as the first vocalist to record with heavy metal band Iron Maiden, from 1978 to 1981.
Roger Meddows Taylor is an English musician , multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter born on July 26th, 1949 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. He was the drummer of the band Queen and wrote few of many hits such as "Under Pressure", "A Kind Of Magic" and "Radio Ga Ga". Despite being well known in Queen... read more
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.
Joan Marie Larkin known professionally by her stage name Joan Jett, is an American rock guitarist, singer, songwriter, producer and occasional actress, best known for her work with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, preceded by success with The Runaways, including their hit song "Cherry Bomb". She's by no means the first female punk singer, but whenever I think of a woman whose voice is the perfect embodiment of punk rock, it's Joan Jett.