Surprised nobody had mentioned Madonna in the overrated category.
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
I nominate Ann Wilson of Heart as most under-rated.
Totally with you on thisOverrated?
Mary J. Blige
Under-rated:Tatiana Shmailuk of Jinjer.
Gillan and Dickinson overrated? That’s probably one of the most absurd statements I read at TB.
Would you mind telling me in which universe anyone once claimed that he was was a great singer?Over-rated:
Kurt Cobain
The rating system seems to be how many records you sell.
With this definition, there are no overrated singers. Somebody bought those records.
But there are lots of very talented folks that dont find commercial success.
There is an ocean of talented professionally trained vocalists who basically work in the shadows. And a lot of African American singers in the gospel style with awesome chops. Throw Annie Lennox and Michael McDonald in for good measure.
Overrated: John Lennon
Underrated: Layne Staley
Would you mind telling me in which universe anyone once claimed that he was was a great singer?

Rolling Stone ranked Cobain as the 45th greatest singer in the history of music.Would you mind telling me in which universe anyone once claimed that he was was a great singer?
Underrated: Brad Delp (Boston), Tommy Shaw (Styx), Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad): Great voices but are rarely mentioned when people discuss lead singers.
Overrated: Axl Rose, James Hetfield, Kurt Cobain, Jon Anderson, Eddie Vedder, Scott Weiland