Best Punk Rock Lead Singers
John Joseph Lydon, also known by his former stage name Johnny Rotten, is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. The voice of punk! Without his snarling, fantastic vocal style, there wouldn't be a Billie Joe Armstrong or any list of vocal imitators.
Jeffrey Ross Hyman, professionally known by Joey Ramone, was an American musician and singer-songwriter, lead vocalist of the punk-rock band The Ramones. Not only influenced punk rock but every other genre. I think he is up there with members of The Beatles. I can't believe Green Day and Blink-182 are in here. That's not even punk. It's poser.
Billie Joe whatever from Green Day ahead of a real punk rocker like Joey?
He stands above the rest. Joey's the best.
And he is a darn fine ukulele player as well!
Eric Reed Boucher, better known by his professional name Jello Biafra, is a American singer who is the former lead singer and songwriter for the San Francisco punk rock band Dead Kennedys. I love his singing style. Amazingly fitting. My all-around favorite singer, probably.
The true voice of American hardcore. What a legend.
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 CHARISMATIC. He always seems so comfortable on stage, so revealing in his raw emotions while performing, supportive of his fans, and it's clear that he believes in what he does. An inspiration to any beginner guitar player or singer. Even through the band's most unsure and unstable times, he and the rest of the band pushed through, showing endurance and true friendship among them.
Punk rock is often labeled as music for people who can't sing or play an instrument. But this guy is very talented. Not only can he sing, but he can also lay down piano, guitar (rhythm and lead), and harmonica. His best vocals are all on 21st Century Breakdown. He's a great musician and an incredible lead singer.
Thomas Matthew "Tom" DeLonge, Jr., is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and film producer. He was born in Poway, California on December 13, 1975. When he was in high school at age 15, he got expelled for drinking at a basketball game. He also used to play the trumpet,... read more Honestly, his voice nowadays is pretty bad. But this is a best-of-all-time list. And if you talk about 90s-early 2000s Tom, his voice is no doubt number one. If you don't believe me, look up the song Dick Lips and witness a true punk rock voice.
His voice isn't even that amazing in my opinion, but he still manages to be one of my favorite singers somehow.
He's got an amazing and distinctive voice that no one can imitate.
It's amazingly beautiful and painstakingly amazing. God save Tom DeLonge.
John Graham Mellor, known by his stage name Joe Strummer, was a British musician, singer, actor and songwriter who was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist and lead vocalist of the Clash. Brilliant, distinctive voice, great songs, and a super band. Joe should be higher up!
The Newcomers
Deryck Jason Whibley (born March 21, 1980) is a Canadian musician, best known as the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, songwriter, and producer of the punk rock band Sum 41. To date, he has released eight studio albums with Sum 41, including their most recent album, Heaven :x: Hell, which was released... read more His unique voice reminded me of Lennon on Please Please Me. Sum 41 is growing big and maturing, and his lyrics and voice are a big part of this change. Long live Sum 41.
So GOOD! Simply the best punk band of all time.
The bad thing about him is that he almost died from alcohol, but he is an amazing lead singer.
Gerard Arthur Way (born April 9, 1977) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and comic book writer. He was the lead vocalist and co-founder of the American alternative rock band My Chemical Romance. The band was formed in September 2001 and split in March 2013... read more Mr. Way earns my vote because of how unique his vocals are. Definitely not your typical everyday vocalist. The way you *think* the lyrics will be sung is actually completely different.
He seems to not really follow a set "rule," no guidelines for his songs. He does a lot of different things with his voice and doesn't seem to try too hard to make the vocals line up with the music (which is part of what gives it such a unique sound). His vocals can stand alone apart from the music, but when combined with the (almost completely different tuned) instrumental, it's amazing.
I actually don't even like his singing voice all that much. I'm in love with what he does with his voice. Up or down, soft or loud, it's always unexpected and refreshing.
Also, the way he gives the song exactly the right emotion, exactly what he wants you to feel while listening - a lot of vocalists cannot do that. He puts extreme emotion into his singing too. It's all or nothing with Gerard.
I'm not too good at explaining things but... That's my thoughts, I guess. -M
Bryan Keith "Dexter" Holland is an American musician and molecular biology graduate student, best known as the singer, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter for the punk rock band The Offspring. He's the most amazing musician in the world. His lyrics have a magical way of getting stuck in your head and your heart. The dude has a Ph.D., a pilot's license, and his own hot sauce. Sure, he's old, but he's in his 50s. Give him a break. The Offspring have the best-selling album on an independent label! They kick Green Day's American Idiot ass.
His voice is so catchy that he can basically make any song enjoyable to listen to. Also, his voice is so unique that no matter what song you hear, you know it's him, making him one of the better singers! Timeless!
Timothy James "Tim" McIlrath is an American punk rock musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of the American punk rock band Rise Against. His voice is just orgasmic in all ways! Can sing quiet, loud, and even scream.
One of the most insightful punk rock vocalists of all time.
Inspirational lyrics. Great voice. Good heart.
James Newell Osterberg, Jr., known professionally as Iggy Pop, is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actor. Great singer and actor. Never tire of listening to or watching Iggy!
Mark Allan Hoppus is an American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality best known as the bassist and co-lead vocalist for the pop punk band Blink-182. Born in Ridgecrest, California, Hoppus spent his childhood moving back and forth between his mother and father's... read more
Glenn Danzig is an American singer, songwriter, and musician from Lodi, New Jersey. He is the founder of the bands Misfits, Samhain and Danzig. He owns the Evilive record label as well as Verotik, an adult-oriented comic book publishing company. He has an awesome voice, great vision, and takes no crap from anyone.
Glenn should be number one, in my opinion.
Great all-around singer, period.
I like Tom better than Matt. He made Blink-182. However, Tom will be the original Blink-182 lead singer.
Hayley Nichole Williams is an American singer, songwriter and musician. She is best known as the lead vocalist, occasional keyboardist and primary songwriter of the American rock band Paramore. In 2020 she started a solo career. By far the greatest female voice in the entire music industry. Pure, real, and flawless.
Such a badass and sticks up for Jeremy and Taylor! What more can I say?
Patrick Martin Stumph, known professionally as Patrick Vaughn Stump, is an American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, actor and music critic, best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, pianist and composer of Fall Out Boy, an American rock band from Wilmette, Illinois. Soul voice 101. Extremely talented and has shown such a big vocal progression over his career. Iconic and talented.
Alexander William "Alex" Gaskarth is an English-American musician, singer, songwriter, podcast host, and actor. He is best known as the frontman and vocalist of the rock band All Time Low. Why so low down!?! So amazing. Love their new song Kids in the Dark!
Great voice! And amazing lyrics. Deserves to be in the top 10.
Gregory Walter Graffin is an American punk rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, college lecturer, and author. The fact that Gerard Way, Mark Hoppus, and Robert Smith are ahead of the legendary lead singer of Bad Religion is just disgraceful.
