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Vocalists you feel epitomize rock n' roll


The architect, A gay Black man from the segregated south kickin ass with a brand new sound, Thats about as rebelious as it gets, and that my friends is the true soul of Rock n roll, its why your parents hated it and why they would scream at you to turn it down, and of course that just made you want to turn it up even more. Long live the King! Mm Hm !
 
Janis.
Grace.
Sir Paul.
Joan Jett.
Ozzy.
Kurt Cobain (even if the lyrics are nonsense :hiding:)
Fred Schneider from the B-52's (say what you will, I love it)
Dylan (love it or hate it - I love it)

Some great modern voices?
Ben Gibbard.
Tegan Quin and Sara Quin (their harmony and interplay can be seriously amazing).
Conor Oberst (like Dylan you love it or hate it)

Edit: How could I forget Thom Yorke!
 
(Freddy Mercury) The best vocalist to ever grace a rock stage. By far. No contest.
You're right, but to me that's the answer to a slightly different question. The question was "who epitomizes rock & roll", and to me the essence of rock is a little more rough-edged and raw.

If I had to pick one singer, in fact one moment that epitomizes rock vocals, it would be Roger Daltry's blood-curdling scream on "We Dont Get Fooled Again". You know, this one:
 
The architect, A gay Black man from the segregated south kickin ass with a brand new sound, Thats about as rebelious as it gets, and that my friends is the true soul of Rock n roll, its why your parents hated it and why they would scream at you to turn it down, and of course that just made you want to turn it up even more. Long live the King! Mm Hm !

Preach On!
 
Epitomize rock 'n' roll? OK, I've got one for you all:

About 25 years ago, I attended a Steppenwolf concert - at least one version of Steppenwolf, as opposed to the original band from the late 60s. Point is that John Kay was still fronting the band.

I'd seen the original Steppenwolf on television numerous times during the late 60s, while I was growing up. But this was the first time ever in person.

I've gotta say, television does no justice to the man's sheer charisma. I'd never seen anything like it before - or even since. John Kay was simply the most magnetic personality ever, with what amounts to a sort of animal instinct as a performer. He absolutely owned the stage - you just couldn't take your eyes off him; as if he had cast a magic spell on the audience, or something.

I imagine this is something of how it was at a Doors concert, while Jim Morrison was still alive. Same kind of thing... :hmm:

MM
 
I've long felt Elvis Presley 's original studio version of Jail House Rock is one of the ultimate rock vocal tracks of all time.

Also;
Ronnie James Dio
Trent Reznor
amongst so many others.
 
Here's my top 10 rock vocalists.

#1 Freddy Mercury
#2 Robert Plant
#3 James Brown
#4 Anne Wilson
#5 Bono
#6 Michael Jackson
#7 Roy Orbison
#8 Prince
#9 Johnny Cash
#10 Bob Dylan

This is not to say that I think that Bob Dylan is a greater vocalist than all other vocalists not on the list, but I think any "Rock" top 10 needs to represent all facets of rock, not just hard rock. When it comes to singer songwriters, one would have to consider everyone from Tom Petty to James Taylor as well, and while the best singer of the three might be James Taylor, Tom Petty exemplifies "Rock" better, but then where would petty be without Bob Dylan who paved the way for odd nasal singing.

And before anyone says Johnny Cash isn't rock and roll, you need to look closer at Johnny Cash and less at genre labels. The man exemplified Rock and Roll in his life and his lyrics much more than Elvis ever did IMO.
 
You're right, but to me that's the answer to a slightly different question. The question was "who epitomizes rock & roll", and to me the essence of rock is a little more rough-edged and raw.

Indeed. Allow me to add another two to the mix (who have not yet been mentioned), in addition to John Kay:

- John Fogerty
- Burton Cummings

Although I rarely listening to either Creedence Clearwater Revival or The Guess Who anymore, these two guys are to me consummate examples of the pure rock 'n' roll singer. :cool:

MM