Top 10 Best Rock Singers of All Time
When it comes to rock music, the singer is often the heart and soul of the band, the one who takes the raw energy of the music and transforms it into something unforgettable. Rock singers come in all forms - gritty, soulful, smooth, raspy - but they all have one thing in common: they bring the songs to life in a way that connects with the listener on a deeper level. Whether it's through the pure power of their voice, their incredible stage presence, or the emotion they pour into every lyric, these artists have become legends for a reason.But who truly stands above the rest? Some might say it's all about vocal range, while others might argue that raw emotion or the ability to get a crowd going is what really counts. There's no one-size-fits-all answer, and that's what makes this discussion so fun and meaningful.
Do I even have to say why Mercury is Rock's finest? His voice is adaptable to pretty much every single genre known to man. His vocal range is astounding, his charisma with the audience is awe-inspiring, and his singing and songwriting skills are unmatched even today.
I could say more, but I'm sure everyone knows by now, Freddie tops them all. Dying from HIV, throat problems, a smoker, and tired, yet he still performed. Freddie Mercury = the musical equivalent of God.
I don't see how people could possibly compare anyone on this list to Freddie. His voice is simply perfect. Whilst Freddie may not have been the greatest person, he was, and always will be, a true staple of rock music, and anyone who thinks any differently is completely wrong. We never have, and probably never will hear a voice that compares to Freddie's.
Chester definitely deserves to be here. In my opinion, he should be at the top! I'm not quite sure where his voice came from, but it's really just incredible. The screaming is amazing. The singing is amazing. And even then, he can sing in so many different ways, all perfectly.
He can sing so softly and beautifully (The Little Things Give You Away), he can sing emotionally, he can be aggressive. It's amazing. He's definitely the best singer I've ever heard!
Chester Bennington has the most powerful and emotional vocals I have ever heard. His vocals in One More Light and Talking to Myself are straight to your soul and filled with raw emotions. His gift of the deep scream then the soft, angelic, emotional vocals are something no one could master or compare to. You are truly missed and still loved, Chester. We love you. God bless.
I can't find the words to express my surprise. This is obviously a popularity contest, and there's nothing wrong with that. Even in this context, in what fabulous world is the top three not made up of Robert Plant, John Lennon, and, if you really want a recent singer, Axl Rose? It's not a question of being legendary but the reason why you are. Every music lover must fall in love with the things Plant used to do. It's a mystery how he sang like that and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
Echelons, pay attention: Jared Leto is probably ashamed to see a list like this. It's offensive not just for Plant, Morrison, Presley, Osbourne, Vedder, Joplin, and so on, but also for him. People are not paying the legitimate tribute to where the music came from.
Jared played the role of Mark David Chapman, and this, in my humble opinion, was a deep tribute of love. That day, Chapman stole one of the greatest musicians, perhaps ever born, from all of us. God gave us a new one, a certain guy named Kurt Cobain. It's not only about having a great voice but what you can do with that.
If you don't believe in God, these men might make you change your mind. That's what makes them sublime. To love music is not about being fanatics. It's about being ecstatic. Loving music is a form of respect for the astonishing power of beauty.
John Lennon doesn't need to be listed first. He'll still be listed in 500 years. That's what matters.
John Lennon.
Axl and Freddie Mercury share the number one spot. The two greatest vocals ever. No one can sing their songs like they did. They had a great voice and knew how to use it with perfection.
Best forever! Axl is the biggest fool. I don't understand how anybody could kick Slash out of the band, but when it comes to singing, he's the best! No one has a higher vocal range!
A lot of people find his voice to be grating, and I just never got that. Super talented singer with tons of range and a whole array of different voices.
Okay, this might be the worst list I've ever seen. Of course, the number 1 spot is the obvious choice, but everything else is just plain wrong. Chester Bennington at No. 2? He has a good voice, I'll admit that, but it's nothing compared to legends like Steven Tyler or Robert Plant. He's still pretty young and has begun to use technology to save his voice, while Tyler is almost 70 and still going strong.
And no other singer, not even Freddie Mercury, did for rock what Robert Plant did. He has a beautiful, timeless voice that is instantly recognizable. He begins with soft, pretty tones and turns aggressive all of a sudden, like in Stairway to Heaven or Over the Hills and Far Away. Not a single voice except Freddie's is as iconic for rock 'n' roll as Robert's.
To me, singers like Jagger and Daltrey really fit this category, along with some that are rated much later on, like Bob Seger, John Kay, and John Cougar Mellencamp. Seger? I mean, come on, even his slow songs rock. I think we have to acknowledge that the best ROCK is not the same as the best singer.
There is a rawness and a roughness to singing rock that many listed in the top 50 don't have to the extent that Seger or Jagger have. It's more bluesy. John Fogerty is another one who should be way higher.
Absolute legend. The perfect showman who was made for rock and the blues.
For everyone with negative comments about him, take a step back and take a long look at his talent. He is a modern era rock singer who made it cool to be a rocker in an environment where electronic, hip hop, and rap dominate the audiences. On top of that, his voice seamlessly blends with slow ballads such as 100 Suns to being able to scream through The Kill. A true multi-genred master that people shouldn't criticize ignorantly.
For those of you complaining, I would venture to guess that you've never really heard Jared Leto sing. Just because he's a great actor doesn't mean he can't also be a terrific singer. Guess what... he is! He has a beautiful timbre, range, and power. He can be soft and soulful or scream like Chester. He's a terrific frontman, charismatic.
If you're living on your memories of the '70s, you just won't appreciate anyone who has come later. This man is the most successful actor and rock star of all time. No one has had two careers like he has. By the way, I'm not a kid, and I do know good music when I hear it.
He is better than Mercury. During his prime, he had a vocal range of nearly 5 octaves, almost one more than Mercury. And he had an even greater variety in his repertoire.
Mercury stole a lot from his singing style. No wonder, as Mercury considered The Beatles as his musical Bible.
He gets my vote. He could sing beautifully, as in Let It Be, or rough it up (listen to Oh Darling off Abbey Road). I saw him live a few years back, and even in his seventies, he is still a fantastic singer and entertainer.
Paul McCartney should be way higher on this list. Some of the people on this list don't even qualify as singers.
Steve Perry possesses the most beautiful, soulful voice. He makes each song sound as if he lived the lyrics. I love the highs he reaches, but his lower range is beautiful too, like in Captured By the Moment. I love how he can sing a soft ballad, as in It's Just the Rain, Still They Ride, Foolish Heart, or the power ballads like Open Arms and Oh Sherrie. He can really rock out on songs like Lay it Down, Escape, Edge of the Blade.
Okay, I'm going to stop because I could go on like this forever. His voice is just perfection to me.
Oh, I want to mention Homemade Love, My My My, What Was, Mother Father, Harmony, Anyway You Want It. Somebody, please stop me. I'm overloading here. I enjoyed his three performances with the Eels. He's still got it! Would love to hear more from him!
That voice melted me in Riders on the Storm, Roadhouse Blues, Waiting for the Sun, Touch Me, Who Do You Love (live), LIGHT MY FIRE (live), and so many more. He's got the best voice (in my opinion) and is also a very talented poet and songwriter.
His scream at the intro to When the Music's Over pretty much defines him as the greatest rock singer. Also, why would they possibly put Axl Rose in front of John Lennon?
Hetfield, Rose, Bennington, Shadows, Leto, and the majority of the other names on this list most likely grew up with a poster of Jim Morrison hanging on their bedroom wall. Easily the best "frontman" of all time.
Rated way too low. Mercury deserves number 1. I'd even compromise and say Plant or Perry for 2/3, but NO ONE else above him on this list even touches Cornell. His range is amazing, and even more impressive is the fact that he can keep the grunge edge to his voice across four octaves. That is nothing short of amazing.
He pours his heart into every note he sings and is an unbelievably talented songwriter. The fact that Jared Leto and Chester Bennington are 2 and 3 is a testament to how many teenage fanboys occupy this site. Not even worth mentioning. Chris Cornell is a god. Start voting!
Matt Shadows is the best around. City of Evil is their best album, in my opinion, but it's close. Their new stuff is so good with Hail to the King and Shepard of Fire. Not only are they good on the radio, but live, Matt is a beast. Enough said, Matt should be number one!
M. Shadows is really cool, and I wonder how he maintained his voice like that in "Nightmare." Awesome voice. He's way better than Jared Leto, Chester Bennington, Jim Morrison, and Mick Jagger. He should be number 2 or 3, or something between 1 to 5. He's got a great ROCK voice. Everyone should understand.
Are you guys crazy? Leto is in the top three and this rock 'n' roll master is down here. It seems like a bunch of teenage girls came to this website and thought, "Uhh, Jared is cute, let's vote for him." You guys are really like ladies!
This man showed us how to walk this way, didn't he? I mean, Mercury and Plant deserve the top two, but Steven should be at least somewhere in the top five! Oh well, let's hope those teenage girls have some grandparents who could go on this website and make it a fair game...
Can someone please explain to me why Jared Leto is at number 3, while the Demon of Screaming is not even in the Top 10? Oh, and is that Kurt Cobain I see below this? Uhh... Mick Jagger? Ozzy Osbourne at 29? And guys, where's Elvis Presley? Oh, there he is, at 49.
Thank God Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant are in the top 2, else my sanity would be gone.
The greatest rock star who has ever lived, one in a billion. The king of music forever, the brightest light that ever shone. It doesn't get any better than Elvis. We all miss you, King. Thank you for visiting us. It just wasn't long enough.
Those on this list above him? Poor attempts at emulating him. No chance!
Elvis was, is, and always will be the most fantastic, fabulous, greatest rock star who ever lived on the third rock from the sun. It may be that he is number 8 here, but the reality is that he is number 1 and always will be.
He was very, very special, and no one will ever equal him. Rest in peace, Big E.
What! This god of music should be No. 4 at least, behind Bono, Freddie, and John Lennon. How can Chester Bennington, James Hetfield, Ozzy Osbourne, and that 30 Seconds to Mars singer be ahead of this guy!
If he was alive, Nirvana would've put all other bands to shame. Kurt had a truly blessed voice. Listen to Come as You Are, Heart-Shaped Box, and The Man Who Sold the World. RIP Kurt.
Kurt Cobain. What an amazing voice, what deep, meaningful lyrics. I love his songwriting. NIRVANA is the BEST. He was a great person with a beautiful soul.
I wasn't even alive when he died, but I still miss him. He definitely deserves to be higher on this list. R.I.P. Kurt, I love you!
15th place is definitely not the correct place for Bruce Bruce to be. His vocal range is ridiculously high, and he, unlike most people, does not use falsetto at the really high notes. Truly talented.
Listen to Aces High. He can hit the high D, and in a later scream, a high G. But obviously, the most blood-chilling moment has to be his high A in The Number of the Beast. You know that scream near the beginning of the song? That's what I'm talking about.
I think Freddy is the best, but Bruce Dickinson is second best. Robert Plant should be third.
I can't describe it really, but he mostly makes the lyrics, and there is often a meaning behind them. Often very straightforward, like in One. It's obviously about a guy who stepped on a landmine, but how does it feel to be trapped in yourself, blocked from the real world?
And Unforgiven, even if it's about how it was back then, still makes me wonder. Metallica also saved me from myself, really. And for heaven's sake, he is a big part of Metallica!
From his young high-pitched sound on KEA, to the signature growl on AJFA and the Black Albums, to more recently with more melodic sounds, Papa Het has run the gamut on vocal sounds. Each one signifies rock and metal.
Ozzy has one of the greatest rock voices of all time. His unique tone is instantly recognizable, and he can sing different types of music. For example, Rock/Heavy Metal (Crazy Train), clean rock/soul (Dreamer), and even pop rock (Changes). Ozzy has played with some of the greatest musicians of all time, such as Randy Rhoads, Zakk Wylde, and Tony Iommi.
Ozzy also frontlined Black Sabbath, one of the most famous bands of all time. He can still sing at the age of 65, after all the abuse he has thrown at his body through drugs and alcohol, and he still performs live many times each year. Ozzy is not named the Prince of Darkness for nothing. He should definitely be number 1.
It's such a shame how people can't put aside that she is a female. Ann Wilson has the greatest rock voice that will ever come to our ears.
Ann is my all-time favorite female rock singer. High octave range. Flawless!
Go listen to a Heart album, that is all - incredible vocalist.
Number 20? Are you people nuts? Do you really think that Chester Bennington, Jared Leto, and M. Shadows are better singers than Dio?
Dio was one of the most influential and talented singers in history. Shame on you, voters!
There was and there is no better singer. No one can reach him. He is the king of Rock and Roll. It's a shame to put him behind Ozzy, Ian Gillan, or Bon Jovi.
He not only sang really well, but you can also hear that his voice is honest in delivering the lyrics. It hits your soul harder.
I love her so much. I'm addicted to her. Her songs are amazing. I get into great feelings when I listen to her gorgeous voice. God, what a beautiful singer. Her style is amazing too. I just hope that people see right through the perspective I looked through a long time ago and live in the world that she made for us. Hope to see her once in my life.
Simply the best singer. She should be the most important role model for all female rockstars. She should be in the top ten, just after Freddie Mercury.
So amazing, the feeling I get when I listen to her gorgeous voice and performance. Her style is so cool. Keep it up, Amy Lee!
Slander, he should be in the top 15 at least. His lyrics are genius, and he could be poetic and reflective. His voice is extremely iconic and instantly recognizable. Two seconds into any 70's AC/DC song, and you know it's the band, and that's Bon. Plus, on stage, he dressed up, danced with Angus, and matched his energy perfectly.
Bon represents something that is sadly lacking from many bands today: humor. He knew that it was all a game. His lyrics are playful, original, and perfectly balanced. A huge talent without whom we may never even have heard of AC/DC.
He was the personification of the ultimate Rocker, and every AC/DC album he was on is a pure classic. Scott had the charisma that no modern-day frontman has.
Cheers,
old rocker
His voice in his prime was really something special, people forget that because he lost that amazing voice apparently too soon.
But he didn't lose it that young. He was in his mid-50s or early 50s. Probably quite young, but he still gave us a long time with that beautiful voice.
I don't know what the problems are with Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora. I mean, they both should be in the top 5 in the best singers and guitarists lists. Jon has passion in himself. See the 1995 live concert in Wembley, and you will know how he is.
Arguably, he should be in the top 5.
No! Adam has changed my life with his lyrics and vocals. He deserves to be higher.
How can somebody have such power and emotion in one voice?
He deserves to be a lot higher! He is an inspiration.
Seriously, Daltrey is the original rock god. Plant and anyone else were trailing in his footsteps, and none could match his power and charisma. Always and forever the best.
Roger is amazing. He is my second favorite singer, behind Geddy Lee. Pete is good too, but not Roger Daltrey good. Roger Daltrey is amazing!
Really! John Lennon should not even be on this list, let alone ahead of Roger Daltrey. He has a powerful voice. Listen to We Won't Get Fooled Again.