Vintage Rock's Best Vocalists

Vintage Rock Vocalists

It was a struggle to compile my top ten vintage rock guitarists. Top vocalists will be a little easier, as there are a few more to pick from. Being a frontman is not easy but these guys made it look easy.

Again, this list is nothing more than my personal likes but I think I'm on the right track here and hope you'll agree. I think the vocalists I've picked are among the best rock has or ever had to offer.

Ian Gillan

Deep Purple

Ian Gillan is my all time top pick for best rock vocalist ever. Ian's early work with Deep Purple and Ritchie Blackmore was simply astounding. Despite their huge differences, Ian and Ritchie produced some of the best rock music ever. 'Child in Time' is a work of excellence. I could go on forever but Ian Gillan is simply the best Hard Rock vocalist, bar none.

Paul Rodgers

Bad Company

Paul Rodgers has that classic tone you'd want in a hard rock band. Bad Company had a ton of hits and all great vocals. But I think Paul Rodgers truly shined when he teamed up with Jimmy Page to form The Firm. 'Radioactive' and 'All the King's Horses' are classic rock at its finest.

Chris Cornell

Solo

The first time I heard Chris was on the song 'Can't Change Me' and from that time on I was hooked. Then I discovered the Badmotorfinger album by Soundgarden. The whole album is great but 'Rusty Cage', 'Outshined', 'Jesus Christ Pose', and 'Drawing Flies' are my favorites. Chris will be sadly missed.

Robert Plant

Sensational Space Shifters

Robert Plant, the former frontman for Led Zeppelin is still producing relavent music today and earning awards to boot. That searing voice when he played with Zep will never be forgotten.

Freddy Mercury

Queen

Freddy put an operatic spin on rock with his own very unique style that will never be replicated. Mercury was a true genius with a style so his own that no one has even tried to copy it. A true Rock master. R.I.P Freddy

Ronnie James Dio

Dio

What can be said about Ronnie James that hasn't been said already. Ronnie packed a huge punch from such a small package. Dio had the perfect sinister heavy metal voice as showcased on the 'Rainbow Rising' LP. He was also a good fit with Black Sabbath. Ronnie James Dio, gone but not forgotten.

James Dewar

Robin Trower

I just noticed that nearly half of the vocalists I've picked are no longer with us. That's sad. James Dewar's smoldering blues voice was pure excellence. The 'Bridge of Sighs' album is one the best Blues/Rock albums to ever hit the shelves and the title track features Dewar at his best.

Mickey Thomas

Starship

Not the Heavy Rock voice like the others I've picked, Mickey has a more Pop tone. Still, I think he ranks among the best. Grace Slick and Mickey Thomas are the perfect complimentary duo on Starship's 'Winds of Change'. This might be Starship's best song of all time.

Klaus Meine

Scorpions

Scorpions lead vocalist Klaus Meine comes in at number nine. I've read some of the criticism but I don't agree, I think Klaus had a classic Metal voice. 'Big City Nights', 'Breakout' and 'The Zoo' are just a few of the Hard Rocking greats by this classic German Rocker.

Davey Pattison

Gamma / Schenker / Trower

Davey Pattison is another vocalist with that classic Rock tone. Davey has played with Ronnie Montrose / Gamma, Michael Schenker and Robin Trower. I really liked his work with Gamma and apparently he did too as he reformed the band, playing classic Gamma. Mean Streak is one of my favorites.

David Byron

Uriah Heep

David Byron was the original lead singer for Uriah Heep. David had a sweet tone and dynamic range as showcased on 'July Morning', a classic Heep ballad. 'Rainbow Demon', the hit 'Easy Livin' and 'Look at Yourself' are among some of Byron's best vocals. It seems as if the best die young, as David was only 38 years old when he left us.

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