Two weeks ago, Rolling Stone published their list of the 100 greatest singers of the Rock era as picked by a panel of people from the music industry. This past Friday, they asked their readers to let them have it. Tell them the names of all the singers that they felt should have been on the list.
The list is interesting in that it didn't totally skew towards modern artists, as so often happens when the general public is asked to name lists of "greats." There is also at least one questionable singer on the list in Billie Holiday who, while truly one of the great singers of all time, is more of an influence on rock music than a singer of the era. The same could be said of Ella Fitzgerald, although she was recording after 1955.
The following are the top vote getters from the follow-up poll:
Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
Chris Cornell (Soundgarden)
Michael Stipe (R.E.M)
Maynard James Keenan (Tool)
Joe Strummer (Clash)
Paul Westerberg (Replacements)
Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle)
Ian Curtis (Joy Division)
Ella Fitzgerald
George Michael
Harry Nilsson
Frank Black (Pixies)
Peter Gabriel
H.R. (Bad Brains)
Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age)
Billie Holiday
Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
Joey Ramone (Ramones)
Chris Isaak
Richard Manuel (Band)
As with any 'best of' list, there are names on both lists that can be debated. I had posted the list and had to question the inclusion of several artists- including Bob Dylan, who I suggest can't sing a lick. I saw him in concert and I was so disgusted that I even paid for the tickets, we walked out, it was that bad. A poet and songwriter? One of the best, but as a singer he belongs on the 'worst of' list in my book.
Then the readers include Maynard James Keenan (Tool). I guess if screaming into a micrphone constitutes 'singing' then he belongs I guess- certainly an acquired taste (like diarrhea on Christmas)
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