Man, Glenn Hughes lives about 4 miles from me. LOL



Tim

Oh yeah, forgot my favorite..

JAMIE VEN F'N DERA!!!

1. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) - Love his character to his voice. Great power, not a very flexible guy but way heavy voice and loud as.

2. Geoff Tate (Queensryche) - In his hayday, the absolute fucking best. Power, Range, Emotion, Vibrato. Absolutely amazing, saw Queensryche 2 days ago as well and it was amazing. Best Middle - Middle High range ever!

3. Michael Kiske (Ex-Helloween) - Amazing power, range and tone. Very flexible and cool sound. Love the songs, so catchy.

4. Lord Tim (Dungeon, LORD) - Aussie singer, amazing power, range and tone yet again. Combines the top 3 singers I mentioned plus own style. He can hit a D6 in full voice, apparently it will be on the new album. The songs are way cool and he plays guitar too.

5. Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) - Just amazing, tone, range and attitude. I still think he is great and he has a very dramatic voice with perfect tone and vibrato. Should hear him sing Children of the Damned; Sweet!

1. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) Just a cool ass sounding voice, incredible style, and great entertainer.

2. Freddie Mercury (Queen)Same as above

3. Miljeko Matijevik (Steelheart)ummm, holy shit? HUGE range and LOTS of power

4. Robert Plant (led ZEp)Kinda quirky, but cool style

5. Axl Rose (GnR)Yeah, he's an ass hole, and yeah a lot of singers think he sounds like shit, and yeah, %95% of the time he sings in a screechy falsetto, but he's really the only rocker i can think of that based his entire career on it.

Unfortunately half my list have had vocal nodes at some point in their careers, and have terrible singing technique.

Although my top singers have all pretty much been named, here it goes:

1) James LaBrie (Dream Theater) - I just have so much respect for James in temrs of his dedication to the instrument. He told me that he would neevr stop training as there si always mroe to learn and you can always get better. That's a humble servant of the vocal apparatus. ;)

2) Rob Halford (Judas Priest) - THE METAL GOD! - Ok, only the best metal tenor ever. :) His vocal control is inhuman and his use of registration in different songs is so nuanced and masterful, it's sickening at times. His versatility of tone and command of range. Listen to "Sad Wings of Destiny" and tell me youre not inspired.

3) Steve Perry (Journey) - This man makes me cry. Nuff said! No, seriously, when i was 8 years old, my older sister had "Escape" and I sang along to "Dont Stop Believin", "Open Arms", "Stone In Love", "Whos Cryin Now" and "Still They Ride". I knew that this was what i wanted to do witht he rest of my life cuz of Steve. His voice is so beautiful, expressive, fluid and powerful.

4) Sebastian Bach (Skid Row) - I love Sebastian for many reasons not the least of which is his dynamic personality and boundless energy. He is the ultimate frontman and very dedicated to his vocal craft. yes, he can sound like shit at times live, but man when he's on he is ON! "Wasted Time" and "Quicksand Jesus" are like vocal performances from another planet. From soft to loud, low to high, clean to dirty, and everything in between - its in there. :)

5) Phil LaBonte (All That Remains) - Ok, not yoyur typical pick but hear me out. Thsi guy is a student of Melissa Cross and has such a versatile voice. He sings three part vocals with himself one doing low death growl, another singing melodic clear vocals and a third doing the high demon shrieks. That is kick ass to be able to do it all like that. I believe Phil is the best of the new breed of metal singers.

Obviously, there are like 30 other singers I love and oculdve just as easily put in here but these are the guys I was feeling at the moment. For my complete list of vocal idols, hit me up. LataH! :=)

Yours In Music,
Denis J. Lanza
Tenor Metal Vocalist
http://www.myspace.com/denisjlanza

Rob Halford is not a tenor. No way, he sound very baritonal.

This is very interesting to me. I have never, ever heard anyone refer to Halford as anything but a tenor. In fact, he is ocnsidered a lyric tenor. Remember, fach is based on timbre. To whcih song or songs are you referring that he sounds liek a baritone? If you mean like "Epitaph" or the beginnin of "Dreamer Deceiver" or the breakdown of "Victim of Chnages", Rob is using his masterful technique and creativity to create a tonality similar to a bariton by singing with a slightly imposed larynx. In other words, he is singing with a lowered larynx to create that tonality. Honestly, Dickinson and Tate are far more baritonal in timbre than Halford although they are considered dramamtic tenors I believe. But if you listen to Rob's natural tone, (which si sometimes hard ot pin down cuz he can sing with so many different seasonings on his voice being the vocal god that he is), you will hear a light tenor. Try "Unleashed In the East" as it is a live album. Or you can go with "The Ripper" as he tends to sing with his natural tone in it aside from a few vocal effects he does.
Quite interesting, though. I have truly never heard Mr. Halford mentioned in the same sentence as baritone in my life from any reputable vocal teacher or professional.

Yours In Music,
Denis J. Lanza
Tenor Metal Vocalist
http://www.myspace.com/denisjlanza

Dickinson is a dramatic tenor, and that's supposed to imply a baritonal quality throughout the range. Which is definitely there.

What's your opinion Jaime on the Halford ordeal. Listen to him speak. Listen to the ripper, I don't think thats very tenor like at all. The beginning of Blood Red Skies, Breaking the Law, You've Got Another Thing coming. Doesn't sound like Tenor timbre at all to me. Compare to Bach or Mercury. That is a tenor sound.

Freddy Mercury a tenor? No way. Oh this is fun, lol. We should get a thread going about it. What exactly do you think defines a tenor or baritone voice?

I think we can all agree that Bach is a tenor however...

From what I understand, Freddie Mercury is definitely a baritone, even though he frequently likes to sing way up high. I'm a Freddie fanatic, and I im almost positive he's not a baritone. Although...maybe not? Haha, who knows.
I think someone needs to abolish that damn classification system though. It seems to just create psychological range barriers for many singers(including myself, before I started RYV)

As it was related to me, your timbre or tonality determines the voice classification in regards to either the Italian school or German fach system. The fach system gets very complex wherein you get into categories such as heldentenors who are like tenors who peel paint off walls. LOL! No, to me helden tenors are lyric baritones. But as was said, voice classification can do a number on one's psyche. Since I have always been labeled a light or lyri tenor, i always believed that I could never sing anythign dark or heavy or raspy, ya know. Now I do cuz I transcended that belief system. The really good teachers like Jaime and let's says a Seth Riggs or Mark Baxter, just speak of voice category in temrs of tonallity/timbre and nothing to do with range. That's how it should be or, not even mentioned at all. Now, the quesiton is, is there a point in here somewhere? I hope so! ;)

Yours In Music,
Denis J. Lanza
Tenor Metal Vocalist
http://www.myspace.com/denisjlanza

I guess to do with Vocal Weight, Darkness/Lightness and how one sounds throughout places in their range. I definitely think Freddie is a tenor. I haven't heard anyone call him a baritone before.

I think Halford is Baritone for sure.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=NbMWpAlXtj0&search=diamonds%20and%20rust

Do you think he sounds Tenor there. I think I have that heaviness to my tone.

I'm certainly no fach expert, but to me, Freddie sounds like a baritone who's trying to sound like a tenor. Later on in his career there's really a drastic change. Listen to early Queen stuff from the first 2 albums and he sounds kind of feminine, listen to later stuff and he sounds incredibly deep and manly, so it's hard to really tell what he is naturally. He never sounded to me like what i'd think of as a tenor. Maybe he's a very light baritone, who knows. He was incredibly versatile, so in one song he might've sounded like a tenor, in another, a baritone.

He got aids later and his nodes worsened.

Aloha,
I`m comin` up with total different singers..
My style is more 50`s Rockabilly, 1940`s/1950`s Rhythm`n`Blues, Western Swing...
1.Little Richard
2.Johnny Horton
3.Elvis Presley
4.Nat King Cole
5.Warren Smith
But the list is not the ranking..and there are a lot more..

Freddie's nodes did worsen, but I think that's further proof that he's not an actual tenor. His nodes were horrible, making me think that most of the stuff he sang was forced and not sung naturally, so it would be difficult to say that when you hear Freddie sing notes that sound like a tenor that these were his natural voice.

No point really arguing about it though. All I know is that Freddie was real good. And I'm quite sure he wasn't too concerned with his fach either.

Yeah, vocal fach means nothing to rock n' roll music. You can sing what you want! Do what you want! Whether Freddie was a tenor or a baritone, he had a killer voice. Were we all opera singers, this would matter, whether or not we were all basses, baritones, sopranos, tenors, or subclassifications. But the idea of singing nowadays is that you can get as high or low as you want if you're dedicated, and you can even indeed sound like whatever you want.

Here is my five in no particular order: Rob Halford, Freddie Mercury, Bruce Dickinson, Robert Plant and Michael Sweet. All of these guys are very versatile and powerful.

1 - Bon jovi (i dont know his name btw)
2 - Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith from tears for fears
3 - Alex Band (from the calling)
4 - Whigfield (what's her name?)
5 - Dani Filth (from the cradle of filth)

Ah i know a lot. just putting some i like. you see..
there's a lot of contrast in the list but...

I know this makes six, but this guy is sick. Van Morrison is a kickass, soul singer, belter.

lol,

what a funny argument in the middle of this thread. I'm with James on this one, pointless to argue who is a Tenor or Baritone, and I'm sure Jaime would ring in on the same point as well, that's the whole point of raise your voice. Voice classification is old school. Besides Jaime was told he was a Bass, I guess he can't sing above c4 it's just not allowed (sarcastic comment)..

At any rate here's my top 5.

Steve Perry & Augeri- Nuff said, you know their high notes..enough to make you want to slap them upside the head, they get me so frustrated..lol

Rob Halford- I'm a big Halford fan, he hits some stuff that makes me want to kick him in the nads, he gets me so mad sometimes when I practice..lol

Geoff Tate- If there's one guy that's mastered the whole is he singing in full voice or mixed? This is the guy. One of my vocal heros.

Gary Cherone- I just like his tone, great rocker

so many to log into the 5th slot, but for sake of space I'll grab

Sebastian Bach- Again a great rocker voice

matt corey matty corey matt corey mattcorey matttttt corey the greatest singer of all time besides joe retta

1) Ronnie James Dio - DIO
2) Eric Adams - ManOwaR
3) Ozzy Osbourne
4) ???
5) ???

Dan thanks for the accolades, its not easy being as great as I am. Unfortanately my album "Voice of Steel"
won't be out till next year so you bitches have to wait you can check out Joe Retta at www.queennation.com

Favorite Singers: I tried to pick different singers from everyone else. I really like all of these guys voices.

Jorn Lande
Leif Sunden
Ville Valo (HIM)
Gregg Analla (Tribe of Gypsies)
Goran Edman (Ex Malmsteen)

1. Jim Gillette (6 octaves, c'mon)
2. Brent Smith
3. Mariah Carey (Insane whistle voice)
4. Brandon Boyd
5. Chris Cornell

1) Mariah Carey
2) Regine Velasquez
3) Christina Aguilera
4) Lee Ryan
5) Adam Lopez

1. Jim Gillette
2. Tony Harnell
3.Milenko Matijevic
4.Steve Perry/Augeri
5. Jeff Buckley/Prince
6.Marq Torien/Ray West
7.Singer from Train
8. LaBrie
9. Sahaj Ticotin
10. Myles Kennedy

1. Glenn Hughes - has the power, range, tone, and incredible riffs and runs.

2. Stevie Wonder - perfect tone and extremely flexible voice.

3. James LaBrie - from singing breathy, to belting in a strong clean voice, to screaming, his voice can do it all. I've never really heard anyone who sounds like him, and very few singers have as much versatility as he has.

4. Geoff Tate - incredible power, phrasing, tone, and a huge range.

5. Patti LaBelle - i'm not a big fan of a lot of her songs, but there is no better female singer. She has more power than any other female singer I have ever heard, but still can be flexible and sing soft and breathy or do complex riffs. She also is in her 60s and sounds better than she ever has.

Theres a lot more like Halford, Dickinson, Seal, Timo Kotipelto, Joe Elliot, Aretha Franklin, Joe Lynn Turner, Mark Slaughter, Kip Winger, Joacim Cans, Midnight, Gillette, and Paul Stanley, but those 5 in my opinion are the best at what they do.

Metal - Eric Adams of Manowar

Rock - Matijevic of Steelheart

Pop - Celine

R & B - Mariah/Whitney

Country - the guy from Lonestar I guess

-Steve Perry
-Jimi Jamison
-Kip Winger
-Stevie Wonder
-Richard Marx

1. Ronnie James Dio (DIO) - The original, this guy has been around since the late 1950's!!! An unmistakable voice that can't be ignored, truly powerful. He can still hit it after all these years. The guy must be almost 70! What a vocal god!
2. Eric Adams (MANOWAR) - Great range and a unique vocal sound. Conveys emotion flawlessly, and writes powerful vocal patterns. He began singing for MANOWAR in the late 70's and he's never let up once.
3. Michael Sweet (STRYPER) - I can't believe more people haven't mentioned this dude, he has the most commanding voice ever. Perfect technique and an amazing upper register. And even now his voice still sounds great!
4. Ian Astbury (THE CULT) - another guy I'm surprised people haven't brought up more. This guy proves beyond a doubt that you don't need crazy 6 octave range to be a devastating singer. Listen to the Sonic Temple album and tell me you don't get goosebumps when the chorus of "Fire Woman" or "Sweet Soul Sister" kicks in.
5. Jim Gillette (NITRO) - I had to put this guy because the topic is "Best metal singers". This is the guy I'd say is "technically" the best, that is he has the best technique, best range, most diversity of sound, and greatest breath control of any singer I know of. But any true musician or music lover knows that the measure of a singer is more than just their potential for highlow notes and vocal effects. Jim's vocal patterns, lyrics, and ability to convey emotion leave a lot to be desired. Still, a truly remarkable singer.

Best?Well,these folks I think are best(in my world)

In no order(except the first one)

1.Dolores O'Riordan(The Cranberries)--She's my fricken idol.
2.Sinead O'Connor
3.Pat Benetar
4.Scott Stapp
5.Marie Fredriksson(Roxette)

I had a bad slip and neglected to put David Phelps on my list. So scratch the country category and put Phelps down as the best gospel singer I've heard.

1.Steve Perry

2.Sting

3.The guy from Survivor

4.The guy from Europe

5.Jamie Vendera!

I don't count ;)

JV

1. Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) - Possibly my favourite singer. Beautiful tonality and a unique ability to work with lyrics. He has a great range and uses it tastefully.

2. David Phelps - Unbelievable control and range! He can sing well above C5 while maintaining a very chesty tone. I'd recommend everyone to check out his videos on YouTube.

3. James LaBrie (Dream Theater) - This is the guy who has inspired me the most. After recovering from a nasty vocal rupture caused by food poisoning, the man is still going strong and he's almost 50 (I think). I love his tonality and power in the upper range, as well as some of his vocal inflections.

4. Brandon Boyd (Incubus) - Very nice tonality, sort of similar to Keenan's. Incubus is the first band of all of these singer's bands that I got into, so naturally, I was inspired by this guy quite a bit.

5. Daniel Heiman (Lost Horizon) - AMAZING range and power. I've heard him sing powerful A5's WITH GRIT. If there's anyone else who has the potential to shatter a glass with his voice, it's him.

1. bruce dickinson....maiden
2. sebastian bach....skid row
3. geoff tate...queensryche
4. david coverdale...whitesnake
5. chris cornell...audioslave
6. paul shortino...rough cutt
7. ray gillan.....badlands
8. john cowan....newgrass revival
9. freddy mercury...queen
10.jeff keith...tesla.........and "cobbie"

These are my own personal favorites:

1. Josh Groban
2. Hayley Westenra
3. David Phelps
4. Richard Marx
5. Harry Chapin
(6.) Corrinne May (A BRILLIANT songwriter, IMO. Check her out at www.corrinnemay.com.)

Meagan

1.Steve Perry
2.Sting
3.Robert Plant
4.Tony Harnell
5.Paul Rodgers
6.Rob Halford
7.Miljenko Matijevic
8.Jim Gillette
9.Axl Rose
10. Nick Cave

I know the thread just says 5, but it's hard do