Top 10 Greatest Rock Voices

These are the voices that have the power to transport you, to evoke emotions that range from pure joy to gut-wrenching angst, and to make you feel like you're not alone in this crazy world. They're the voices that have inspired countless musicians, sparked countless sing-alongs, and made us all believe that anything is possible.

You know the names. You've heard the songs. You've maybe even seen them live. But what are the greatest rock voices of all time? That's the question we're asking you to help us answer.

1. Freddie Mercury

   

   Freddie Mercury was a Zanzibari‑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

   Anyone who places Freddie Mercury lower than #1 is just kidding himself. You either never listened to him or you never listened to someone who was trying to sing one of his songs. I dare you to do both of those things and then come share your opinion here again. Chances are, you will hear your rock idol trying to sing Freddie's song and feel sorry for him.

   Just watch The Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert from 1992 and you will get my point. To be able to make a fair comparison, watch Queen's performance at Live Aid from 1985 or any other concert of theirs and draw your conclusions. I won't even go into the topic of singing in different styles, because then it wouldn't be fair at all to the rest of the contenders on this list (or any other list for that matter). King Freddie - always in our hearts!

2. Axl Rose

   

   William Bruce Rose Jr., better known as Axl Rose, is an American singer born on February 6, 1962, in Lafayette, Indiana. He is the founding member and lead vocalist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, which rose to international fame with their debut album Appetite for Destruction (1987). Known for... read more

   What defines a great voice is what the singer can do with it. One of the most important things for a voice in rock is being able to sing loud. And I think we all know how loud Axl can be. But what makes him so special is how he seems to feel the song. You can hear the anger in Out Ta Get Me, and in Paradise City, you sense how much he wanted to go home when the song was written.

   Even in Don't Cry, no matter which version, he seems to reach out to the listener and tell them that no matter how bad something feels at the moment, it will get better. That's what makes his voice so amazing. It would be able to convey the song's message even if it didn't have any lyrics at all.

3. Robert Plant

   

   Robert Anthony Plant (born 20 August 1948) is an English singer, songwriter, and musician 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... read more

   I don't know what it is, but it's just so magical the way he sings. I can't imagine anyone else singing Zeppelin besides him. And wow, what a shock that Steve Perry is number one on this list. He is a close second to Plant, but come on, are there really that many Journey fans out there?

   Don't get me wrong, I like them, but they are overrated. Most people like Don't Stop Believin', and that's it. What's with Heart? Everyone on this site seems to like them. I like Barracuda, but not much more. They are kind of like Journey in that way.

   I used to think that there were a ton of Bon Jovi fans out there, but I guess I'm wrong. There are a lot of Richie Sambora fans. For the record, I listened to him, and he is not good at singing. Bon Jovi rocks, though. But yeah, Plant's the best.

4. Steve Perry

   

   Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry (born January 22, 1949) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He rose to fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey during their most successful periods from 1977 to 1987 and again from 1995 to 1998. Perry is celebrated for his soaring vocals on hits... read more

   The fun we saw in 1994, while he was performing in NYC without Journey, showed a different side of Steve. He had fun and looked like he had the weight lifted off his shoulders. His silky-smooth voice was even more soulful than ever before. When he sang I'll Be Alright Without You/Cupid, it was one of the best interactions with the audience and one of my favorite videos.

   No one will ever come close to that silky-smooth voice, and no one will ever touch our hearts the way Steve did. Every song takes you back to a place in time, and that is what a true singer/songwriter is all about. I hope he sings for us soon. His voice is missed more than he will ever know. We miss you, Steve. Thank you for all the memories you have given us and hope to hear from you soon. Faithfully.

5. Rob Halford

   

   Robert John Arthur "Rob" Halford (born August 25, 1951) is an English singer and songwriter. He co-founded the heavy metal band Judas Priest in 1969 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

   Crazy-ass MOFO! Rob always seems to challenge himself, and he has the guts to perform his wild vocal attacks live. That's what blows my mind. Just listen to Painkiller, the best metal song of all time.

   Hey, what the hell is Rob Halford doing at a position like 10? He should be number one! Rob is the God of Heavy Metal and all kinds of music. This guy has the best and most powerful falsetto voice ever heard in music, and a vocal range over six multi-octaves. Come on, people, he should be number one everywhere. All hail the Metal God!

6. 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

   Down at number 10? Thanks for letting me know your ears don't work, guys. Chris Cornell is obviously number 1, head and shoulders above all. Axl Rose just sounds like an old rusty tea kettle, and his voice is always the same. Freddie Mercury also sounds the same pretty much on every song, and I don't care that he can do opera and all. His voice is pretty boring to me.

   Listen to the Badmotorfinger album. I fear no vocalist, but Cornell - he scares me! There is not a voice more powerful than his. No one can scream like him. He can go super low and super high like no one else (listen to Beyond the Wheel to hear his range). Read his lyrics! Feel his emotion!

7. Bruce Dickinson

   

   Paul Bruce Dickinson (born August 7, 1958) is an English musician, airline pilot, and broadcaster. He's best known as the lead singer of Iron Maiden and for his solo career.

   Outside music, Dickinson worked as a commercial pilot for Astraeus Airlines and flew Iron Maiden's converted charter aircraft... read more

   Bruce Dickinson is such an amazing singer. He has an incredible ability to hit those high notes without sounding like fingernails on a chalkboard. He can sing with such power and still have a lot of finesse. It's like he doesn't have to put any effort into his singing, and yet he still sounds amazing. That is why he is my favorite singer.

   He is definitely one of the greatest rock voices. Like an air raid siren, he can do amazing things with that voice. I almost voted for Gillan, Dio, and Brian Johnson - all amazing vocalists. I think a rock voice should be hard and meaty, and I'm afraid Steve Perry is too soft for my liking. Go Bruce!

8. Jon Bon Jovi

   

   John Francis Bongiovi Jr. (born March 2, 1962), known by his stage name Jon Bon Jovi, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, philanthropist, and actor. He co-founded the rock band Bon Jovi with keyboardist David Bryan in 1983.... read more

   I really enjoyed Bon Jovi's songs. He's not only a legend but also a kind person, especially towards his fans while on stage. His attitude reminds me of other great people. He's versatile. He can sing various songs.

   I've always liked him, not just for his rock genre, but because his songs are genuinely enjoyable. They're the kind you can sing along with others. He's known around the world, even as far as Malaysia.

   Despite his age, he continues to perform, and I hope to hear him sing again. I first discovered Bon Jovi in 2016. I may only know a little about him, but his voice is definitely great. Always is a fantastic song.

   At its prime, which I would say was around '88-'95, his voice was untouchable. He had a bit of raspiness along with the ability to hit high notes, and no nasal voice back then. He's extremely underrated. Just listen to Blaze of Glory at the Oscars ceremony in 1991, and Always live from London.

9. Steven Tyler

   

   Steven Tyler is an American singer-songwriter and multi‑instrumentalist, best known as the lead singer of the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith. He also plays harmonica and occasionally keyboard and percussion. Tyler served as a judge on American Idol during its 10th season (2011), among other television... read more

   Are you joking? Bon Jovi over Steven Tyler? Anyone can sing like JBJ.

   Tyler is really better than Steve Perry, even Axl Rose. I understand if you prefer another band over Aerosmith, but there is no denying that with his range and gritty voice, which still holds up after all these years, Steven Tyler has the best voice in music, period.

   There is not one other lead singer who can sing like him, including Rose or Perry.

   Steven Tyler should be number one, no question.

   Steven Tyler is a beast. He should at least be in the top 5. You should listen to him often. He's not only good, he's great live. No one can sing his songs better than him. He's the best. And he's 65 years old and can still hit those high notes, which a kid would find hard to hit.

10. Ronnie James Dio

    

    Ronnie James Dio (born Ronald James Padavona. July 10, 1942 - May 16, 2010) was an American heavy metal singer, songwriter, and musician. He led and performed with several bands including Elf, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Dio, and Heaven & Hell.... read more

    From Elf to Rainbow to Black Sabbath to his own band, R.J. Dio never failed to deliver. He could sing melodically or unleash a growling gruffness, depending on the emotions he wanted to provoke. Others in the music business have nothing negative to say about the man and often comment that he was a kind gentleman.

    First, I scrolled down and saw Axl really low, so I was going to vote for him. But then I scrolled a bit more and saw Bruce Dickenson and thought, NO, he needs to be in the top 5. However, I scrolled even further and saw Dio. I had to pick Dio for being 40th. Numbers 1 and 3 are the only ones that are correct, but reverse the order.

The Newcomers
11. ?

    Daniela Villarreal

    
12. ?

    John Norum

    
The Contenders

13. Ann Wilson

    

    Ann Dustin Wilson (born June 19, 1950) is an American musician, best known as the lead singer and songwriter of the hard rock band Heart. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Heart in 2013. Wilson has been listed by Hit Parader as one of the best metal singers of all time and is... read more

    Ann Wilson deserves to be at the top. Axl Rose? He squeaks. Ann would drown him out if they ever duetted.

    She brought Robert Plant to tears when she performed Stairway to Heaven at Led Zeppelin's recognition at the Kennedy Center. The band members gave her a standing ovation, for goodness' sake. Could Axl Rose do that? I think not.

    In fact, apart from Mercury and Plant, not many on your Top 10 could equal her strength and versatility.

    This is the most incredible voice in the history of Rock and Roll I have ever heard. She will be 64 in June. Go see Heart live. If you like Heart, you know what I mean. As for the rest, you have to be kidding me. This is obviously voted on by people who have no recollection of the fifties.

    Little Richard had the most incredible voice of that era, not Elvis, who really had a great voice. Axl Rose, give me a body of work, not just one album. Isn't it amazing that the greatest female singer, to me, had Blondie go into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ahead of Heart? That just shows the hypocrisy of that deal.

    I have been listening to Rock and Roll since I was 9 in 1955. Somebody give me a voice who can sing Rock like Ann Wilson. I don't need to hear about Aretha or Whitney, because we are talking about a different genre.

14. Bon Scott

    

    Ronald Belford "Bon" Scott was a Scottish-born Australian rock musician, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the hard rock band AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. He was born in Forfar, Scotland, and lived in Kirriemuir for five years before moving to Melbourne, Australia, in 1952 at... read more

    Bon Scott had an incredible tenor range. He hit every note perfectly. He also had that Little Richard scream. AC/DC had every teenage girl wanting to chase this naughty, adventurous, diminutive frontman urging you to be bad. The power he had! He sang every note powerfully. It's so sad that he died when they could have easily carried his little body up the stairs.

    With his singing, there was no trying or screaming involved. It just came out hard. And with the Angus Brothers - oh man!

    Bon Scott, along with the Young brothers' amazing riffs, defines hard rock. They literally gave birth to the guitar shredding and headbanging everyone loves today. As Malcolm Young said, "Other bands love to rock, but we love to rock 'n' roll."

15. Sebastian Bach

    

    Sebastian Philip Bierk (born April 3, 1968), known professionally as Sebastian Bach, is a Canadian heavy metal singer. He achieved mainstream success as the frontman of Skid Row from 1987 to 1996. Since leaving Skid Row, he has taken on numerous television roles, appeared in Broadway productions such... read more

    I do really like several artists on this list and would have to agree that the order seems to reflect the popularity of the band more than the specific voice. Additionally, the band's popularity seems to carry heavier weight than the singer. It appears that it's around a 70%-30% band-vocalist split, respectively.

    Moreover, it would be difficult to completely remove the band's influence, so ultimately the ratio should be flipped the other way around so that the vocalist achieves at least 70%. Of course, my conjecture is totally subjective, just like every other comment or vote.

    Some people might actually fight over something like this. I say we just sit back, crank up the volume, and reminisce while enjoying our favorite artists. Someone like Sebastian can raise the hair on the back of my neck all while I'm trying to sing along and failing miserably. Take care!

16. Paul Rodgers

    

    Paul Bernard Rodgers is an English singer, songwriter, and musician. He achieved fame in the late 1960s and 1970s as the lead vocalist of the rock bands Free and Bad Company. Rodgers is celebrated for his powerful voice and has continued to tour and record music both as a solo artist and with other bands... read more

    Steve Marriott was an obvious influence, but in his time spent with Free, Bad Company, and The Firm, Paul Rodgers surpassed them all.

    The number one played rock song of all time on UK radio, All Right Now, means he's got to be number one for me. Paul's voice is pure rock through and through!

    Truly amazing voice. Seriously, number 37 on this list? Just wrong at all levels.

17. 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

    Kurt Cobain was the greatest artist of the 20th century. No frontman has ever brought such sincerity and passion into their music. Maybe it was his seemingly predestined suicide that compels me so much to Kurt's music. He foreshadowed his fate in so many songs with his nihilistic, unconventional lyrics, yet no one seemed to notice his true genius until his suicide, which gave his morose lyrics a powerful sting.

    His death and psychological problems just prove his sincerity. He was a messed-up dude and he put it all into his art. Kurt Cobain embodied the '90s and was a true anti-rock star. His music was almost purely instinctual, as if it flowed out of him naturally. He didn't waste time thinking up poetic lyrics he would have to make explanations for because he knew the real art is in the sound.

    He didn't care about fame or money. He just wanted to make music. He wasn't an ostentatious show-off like most rockers pretend to be. He was a humble, modest, down-to-earth individual who showed me what real music is. He taught me to trust my intuition, to not conform, to not be superficial, to not be cocky, and most of all, that anyone can make beautiful music with passion.

    It shouldn't matter the way he died or what vices he had. That's his personal life and it shouldn't matter. The only thing that should matter is the impact Kurt Cobain and Nirvana have made on pop culture. Rest in peace, Cobain.

18. 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

    He's got a unique voice, probably caused by smoking and drinking since he was like 3. And Lemmy from Motorhead - still, they rule and should be number 1.

    He has the richest and, to me, the most beautiful voice in heavy metal. Number one - James all the way!

    I think James is the definition of rock. With his natural, harsh voice, he controls the mic awesomely without hurting you. It's incredible how he makes rough seem smooth. Unforgivingly, nothing else matters than James.

19. 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

    Finally, I don't have to go down past 50 to find what I'm looking for. Eddie Vedder has such a beautiful voice that can make any mundane song seem like a masterpiece. Look up him singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

    I was only surprised to find him here when I saw Chris Cornell at 9. Anyone who knows him also knows Eddie, so why he isn't in the top ten makes no sense to me. Please vote him higher!

    Lordie, folks, you haven't listened to PJ, have you? Eddie is a stellar talent and should be near the top of this list. Even Roger Daltrey says, "I love Eddie's voice," etc. Eddie has been fantastic in every phase of PJ's long run. He is one of the greatest screamers ever. The Doors were totally prescient in choosing Eddie to sing with them at the RNR HoF. Time will tell. PJ has real staying power. Their music is totally timeless. Listen to them!

20. Sammy Hagar

    

    Samuel Roy "Sammy" Hagar, also known as The Red Rocker, is an American rock vocalist, guitarist, songwriter, musician, and entrepreneur. He rose to prominence in the 1970s with the band Montrose and later achieved commercial success as a solo artist and as the lead singer of Van Halen from 1985 to 1996... read more

    By voice alone, Sammy Hagar pushes notes and maintains a pitch that many others on this list would outright fail to match. One only needs to hear his opening war cry in Van Halen's song "A.F.U." to recognize his ability.

    I would say that at his peak, Hagar is pound-for-pound the greatest live singer the hard rock genre has ever seen. The Van Halen live double album is out of this world.

    I liked his solo career more than when he was with Van Halen. He has a good voice overall.

21. Brian Johnson

    

    Brian Johnson is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist of the Australian rock band AC/DC since 1980. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2003 as a member of the band. As of April 2016, he was unable to participate in the remainder of the Rock or Bust World... read more

    Is this a joke? I like his band, but his voice sucks. Badly.

22. Jim Morrison

    

    James Douglas "Jim" Morrison (December 8, 1943 - July 3, 1971) was an American singer, songwriter, and poet best remembered as the lead vocalist and lyricist of The Doors. He became a counterculture icon of the 1960s, known for his flamboyant stage presence and poetic lyrics. Morrison died in Paris in... read more

    HAHAHA, you're joking, right? I'm sure you don't seriously think all of these third-rate wannabes are better than Jim Morrison. The only reasonable choices above him are Robert Plant and Roger Daltrey. But Jim should be number one. No one had a more powerful, loud, and soulful voice. My top 10 would be:

    1. Jim Morrison

    2. Robert Plant

    3. Janis Joplin

    4. Roger Daltrey

    5. Grace Slick

    6. Mick Jagger

    7. Roger Hodgson

    8. Freddie Mercury

    9. Jon Anderson

    Only Elvis before him was as perfect a rock frontman as Jim Morrison. Everybody from Axl Rose to Linkin Park grew up with a Doors poster on the wall and even copied their swagger after him.

    Of course, Morrison is also a charter member of the "27 Club." RIP, Lizard King.

23. Ozzy Osbourne

    

    John Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne (December 3, 1948 - July 22 2025) was an English singer, songwriter, and television personality, often nicknamed "The Prince of Darkness." He rose to fame in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of Black Sabbath.... read more

    Most distinct voice in all of rock. Sings within his range and perfectly complements his music. Two greatest albums of all time are Blizzard and Diary.

    Not in the top 5? You have got to be kidding! Obviously, the voters aren't rock fans!

    Really one of the best metal voices of all time. Gotta love it.

24. Myles Kennedy

    

    Myles Richard Kennedy is an American musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the rock band Alter Bridge. He is also the lead vocalist in Slash's current band, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and The Conspirators. Kennedy has received critical acclaim for... read more

    This man, Myles Kennedy, has been my inspiration for a long time now. He just keeps getting better every day. Whether it's Mayfield Four, Alter Bridge, Guns N' Roses, or Slash, this guy never lets our hopes down.

    Amazing vocal quality, extraordinary vocal range, and perfect control over high as well as low notes. He is also an amazing guitarist. If I become a rock star someday, and people ask me who inspired me, Myles Kennedy will be one of the few names, including Jimmy Page and Robert Plant.

    He has rock in his blood, his soul, his voice.

    Myles has one of the greatest rock voices of our time. His character in the movie Rock Star was the only one who used their real voice. That should tell you something!

    When Guns N' Roses needed someone to sing for them when they were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he was chosen. He's the real deal!

25. Roger Daltrey

    

    Roger Harry Daltrey is an English singer and actor. He rose to prominence in the mid-1960s as the founder and lead vocalist of the rock band The Who. The group released fourteen Top 10 singles in the United Kingdom across the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s, including "I Can't Explain", "My Generation", "Substitute... read more

    Roger Daltrey has amazing range, but more importantly, a range of expression. His voice can be rough and powerful, such as on Who Are You or Love Reign O'er Me, but also capable of much beauty, such as on See Me, Feel Me. He's a high baritone, more than capable of holding his own in the tenor range. Plus, he's arguably in his prime now at 70+ years. He should be number one.

    Another singer who should be comfortably in the Top 10 but isn't, for some stupid reason, is Roger Daltrey. Listen to the song Love Reign O'er Me, and you'll be convinced that he belongs in the Top 3. The fact that Roger Daltrey put so much pressure on his voice with his emotional screams from the early days, yet still sounds good at age 76, proves he is way too low on this list.

26. 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

    His voice is soothing, dynamic, and extremely powerful. He has so many different styles and techniques. His lyrics are some of the deepest you'll come across. His voice can stand out or follow the music in a wavelike journey. You will worship this man. Surreal.

    Maynard should be in the top 5. His voice is amazing. He can go deep, he can go soft, and he can screamo. Maynard, my friends, is also one of the gods of rock!

    Listen to The Grudge, and I think he shoots to the top 5 of the list easily. Great live vocalist as well, with complete knowledge of his limitations.

27. Ian Gillian

    

    Ian Gillan is an English singer and songwriter. He first gained fame as the lead singer and lyricist for Deep Purple, contributing to iconic songs such as Smoke on the Water. Gillan also performed the role of Jesus in the original 1970 rock‑opera concept album Jesus Christ Superstar, composed by Andrew... read more

    Hands down, none better! Could sing better in his 50s than most on this list in their prime.

    Powerful, beautiful, gentle, amazing - Ian Gillan.

    I am going to quote Trump: "He is the best."