"In Your Opinion" who's got the best vocals in rock music, past or present?

[capnsandwich]

My vote goes to Tom Scholz of Boston and here's why.

[UncleFluffy]

I'd vote Ian Gillan (Deep Purple): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJCTrolF3CY&fmt=5

[stratovani]

For me it's a tossup between James Dewar and Paul Rogers, with Sir Paul having the best high tenor. Justin Hayward is right up there as well.

[etoncrow]

Actually Brad Delp was the vocalist for Boston; Scholz was the primary songwriter, guitarist & producer.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by etoncrow

Actually Brad Delp was the vocalist for Boston; Scholz was the primary songwriter, guitarist & producer.

Ah yes.....thanks for correcting my mistake. I knew that, I swear.

[masterfader87]

Robert Plant

[etoncrow]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Ah yes.....thanks for correcting my mistake. I knew that, I swear

It's OK man, it's a holiday...besides, you might well be right about Brad being the best....he had crazy vocals

Edit: I might also suggest two others in the same category but perhaps a step below: Peter Cetera & Steve Perry

[Droot]

Going by sales alone (let the public decide) the title goes to Elvis Presley. Although the Beatles have sold more tunes they are a group so you can't give credit to one or another, unlike the King who stands alone with his vocals.

My Two Cents,
DRoot

[fearceol]

Petera Cetera has to be a runner !

[Richland123]

Definitely some good choices listed so far.

I would like to add Freddie Mercury - what a voice!

[JimmyM]

robin zander of cheap trick. he can sing high, he can sing low, and he always sounds like a man, which is a quality lacking in a lot of high singers.

[Crabby]

We must consider David Coverdale. His phrasing, range and overall tone are really something.

[EdHunter]

It's a close one, between Bruce Dickinson and his idol, Ian Gillan.

There's a pair of guys who redefined what it is to sing, hitting and holding notes and screams few others can match. And all without sacrificing any power in the lower ranges.

[Jim Nazium]

Wow, tough call. Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury are definitely on my short list. I would also add Steve Perry of Journey.

[JimmyM]

the reason i wouldn't include freddie mercury is because live his vocals were way simplified from the recordings. didn't hit near as many high notes, changed melodies to avoid high notes, etc. he still had a great quality to his voice, but live he didn't quite deliver like he did in the studio. same with plant. plant was awesome for 4 or 5 years, then started losing it.

and steve perry sang like a girl btw, man, does neal schon hate perry! said he wanted his voice so loud in the monitors and side fills that it made him deaf.

[gjbassist]

I'm going to have to say Dennis DeYoung. I'm not even a big Stix fan but that man's voice was like butter! Honestly, I have always felt his voice was almost "too good" for rock music. He was better suited for Broadway.

[ubado]

Tuff question.

Overall thinking Paul Rogers. (at least very short list)
Ronnie James Dio for hard rock/metal

[Boira]

Former Nightwish vocalist, Tarja Turunen.

[Joe Gress]

Mike Patton.

[Fuzzbass]

No love for Ronnie James Dio??? He and Freddie Mercury are tops for me.

Also: Ian Gillan, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers, Chris Cornell.