Top 10 Progressive Rock Singers
Sure you have your Michael Jacksons and your Mariah Careys, but what about those Prog singers that never get any love?
John Roy Anderson, known professionally as Jon Anderson, is an English singer, songwriter, and musician best known as the former lead singer of the progressive rock band Yes, which he co-founded in 1968 with bassist Chris Squire. Who else could top the list? He's like the Elven King of Prog! It's funny because Yes had two superb singers. Chris Squire had a beautiful, angelic-sounding voice as well, but Jon has something else, something extra - a mercurial, joyful playfulness. He makes people happy. He makes me smile. For instance, on Walls, it's just one of those songs that makes me dance around the room. It's just delightful! He's obviously having fun, and it's infectious. I can't think of any other singer who sings about beautiful positives in such a playful and joyous way. I love him to bits. Thanks, Jon!
David Jon Gilmour (born March 6, 1946) is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in late 1967 after the departure of founding member Syd Barrett. His arrival helped solidify the band's signature sound... read more Best voice ever! Even today, now that he's 72, he still has the best voice and still makes the best solo albums. Can't wait until his next.
Peter Brian Gabriel is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and humanitarian activist who rose to fame as the original lead singer and flautist of the progressive rock band Genesis. After leaving Genesis in 1975, he launched a successful solo career with hits like Solsbury Hill and In Your Eyes... read more The voice, the emotion, the lyrics! This guy is in a class by himself. He's not known as the Archangel for nothing. He's the kind of person who seems to know something we don't.
His vocal inflection trumps just about anything from anybody else at his time, and although his flute wasn't incredibly skilled, it added quite a bit to the music.
I don't understand why he's below David Gilmour. David is not a bad singer by any means, but overall, Peter is way more accomplished.
Gregory Stuart Lake was an English bassist, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer. He rose to prominence as a founding member of the progressive rock bands King Crimson and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Lake was influential in the development of progressive rock during the 1970s. Greg Lake's voice was really like a hand of steel in a velvet glove. He was capable of delivering explosive performances like in "21st Century Schizoid Man" as well as delicate and beautiful moments, as he proved with "I Talk to the Wind" and "Still...You Turn Me On."
While I agree when somebody says that Gabriel's flamboyant performances are more peculiar, the beauty and smoothness in Greg's voice are still unmatched.
Probably the greatest progressive rock vocalist of all time. His impressive range and vocal skill are amazing. Combine that with King Crimson or ELP, and you have beautiful art.
Justin David Hayward is an English musician, best known as songwriter, lead singer, and guitarist in the rock band The Moody Blues. He joined the band in 1966 and contributed to many of their most successful songs, including Nights in White Satin. Hayward has also released solo albums and continues... read more Justin is not really the lead singer of The Moody Blues since most of the band members sang leads on the songs that they individually wrote. Justin did sing lead on more songs than any other member did, though. He has a beautiful voice.
Lead singer of the Moody Blues, who, with their 1967 song "Nights in White Satin," literally "invented" prog rock.
Annie sings artistically in the elegant songs of Renaissance.
Gary Lee Weinrib, known professionally as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush. He joined Rush in 1968 and remained with the band until its retirement in 2018. Lee is widely acclaimed for... read more Deserves top ten for sure. Despite the claims that he is simply "screechy," he uses that vocal style very well and eventually fades it out in the early '80s anyway. Even on Clockwork Angels, he is still almost as good as he was at his height in the '70s-'80s.
This guy should be at least Number Two! People hate his voice for no reason!
His voice is essential for progressive rock.
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 Not really a prog singer. But hold on. We're talking about Freddie Mercury. He can sing almost all rock genres.
Again, not truly a prog singer, which is why he probably only deserves numbers 8-10, but his vocal style is definitely pretty proggy on the early Queen albums.
Though not the best King Crimson vocalist, John Wetton is still very talented.
The Newcomers
Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who has also worked as a record producer and actor. He's best known as the drummer and later lead vocalist of the rock band Genesis, as well as for his successful solo career. Collins has won multiple Grammy Awards and... read more Though he was never really as much of a prog singer, he is still a great vocalist. He probably deserves top ten. He would be higher, but, like I mentioned, his work isn't usually very proggy.
Keith Noel Emerson was an English keyboardist and composer. He first gained attention performing with several local bands. Emerson achieved his first commercial success as the keyboardist of The Nice, a group known for blending classical music with rock.
Stephen Richard Hackett is an English musician, songwriter, singer, and producer who gained prominence as the guitarist of the progressive rock band Genesis from 1971 to 1977. He contributed to several of the band's classic albums, including Foxtrot, Selling England by the Pound, and The Lamb Lies Down... read more
Steven John Wilson is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, most closely associated with the progressive rock genre. He is best known as the founder and frontman of the band Porcupine Tree. Wilson has also had a prolific solo career and is recognized for his work in surround... read more I am a 19-year-old with no wish to be in a relationship or party or hang out with my friends. Yes, I have found peace. Steven Wilson gives me peace. Love you, Steven, from India!
George Roger Waters is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is best known as the co-founder, secondary lead vocalist, and bassist of the progressive rock band Pink Floyd. Waters was also the band's principal lyricist and conceptual leader through much of its most influential... read more Not the best, but too low on this list. His voice fit his vitriolic polemics quite well.
Yeah, no. He's a good singer, but nothing like Gilmour. But he can scream.
Kevin James LaBrie is a Canadian vocalist and songwriter best known as the lead singer of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater. He joined the band in 1991, replacing Charlie Dominici. LaBrie has also released several solo albums and is known for his wide vocal range and dynamic performances... read more No one like him. Versatile voice and range. No one else could front Dream Theater with more confidence and ability.
He is the best!
The singer of singers!
Robert Fripp (born 16 May 1946) is an English guitarist, composer and record producer. As a guitarist for the progressive rock band King Crimson, Fripp has been the only member to have played in all of King Crimson's line-ups from their inception in the late 1960s to the present. He has also worked... read more
Ian Scott Anderson is a Scottish-born musician, singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist whom is best known for his work as the lead vocalist, flautist, and acoustic guitarist of British rock band Jethro Tull. A very good vocalist. Deserves top ten for sure.
Listen to Thick as a Brick. Amazing voice.
Lars Mikael Åkerfeldt is a Swedish musician, best known as the lead vocalist, guitarist, and primary songwriter of the progressive death metal band Opeth. He was also the vocalist for the death metal supergroup Bloodbath, contributing to three albums before leaving the band in 2012... read more
Jeff Lynne is an English rock musician who founded the Electric Light Orchestra. He has also performed with and produced for several other artists, including George Harrison. Lynne is known for his contributions to the supergroup Traveling Wilburys and his work with Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, and Paul... read more
Maynard James Keenan, often referred to by his initials MJK, is an American musician, record producer, winemaker, and actor, best known as the vocalist for Grammy Award-winning progressive metal band Tool. He also is the singer of A Perfect Circle and Puscifer bands that vary in style.
I consider Mariusz Duda to be the greatest prog singer of all time, along with Mikael Åkerfeldt. Just listen to songs like Untamed, Gutter, Second Life Syndrome, and Lunatic Soul. His voice is bliss.