Greatests hard rock vocalists and musicians

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around identifying the greatest hard rock vocalists and musicians of all time. Participants share their personal favorites and engage in a broader conversation about various artists across different eras and styles, including hard rock, progressive rock, and other related genres.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight Steven Tyler, Freddy Mercury, and Mick Jagger as key vocalists who set the standard for hard rock.
  • Others include Simon LeBon and Paul McCartney, although some question their classification as hard rock artists.
  • Robert Plant is frequently mentioned as a top hard rock vocalist, with some proposing additional names like Roger Daltrey and James Dewar.
  • Jim Morrison is noted by multiple participants as a significant figure in the genre.
  • There are mentions of various musicians, including Eric Burdon, Greg Lake, and Axl Rose, with differing opinions on their classification within hard rock.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the genre classification of certain artists, such as those from Duran Duran and the Beatles.
  • Discussion includes a variety of guitarists, with names like Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, and Joe Satriani being mentioned as influential figures.
  • Participants also discuss the distinction between personal favorites and widely recognized great vocalists, with some expressing that personal preference does not always align with technical skill.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on a definitive list of the greatest hard rock vocalists and musicians. Multiple competing views and classifications exist, with participants expressing differing opinions on which artists belong in the hard rock category.

Contextual Notes

Some participants acknowledge mistakes in categorizing artists, indicating a lack of clarity regarding genre definitions and the criteria for greatness in vocal performance.

Ivan Seeking
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Who are the greatest hard rockers of all time?

A few of my favorites volcalists are:

Steven Tyler - Aerosmith
Freddy Mercury - Queen
Mick Jagger, of course.

I think these guys pretty much set the standard.
 
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Simon LeBon - Duran Duran

Paul McCartney - The Beatles

Freddy Mercury and Steven Tyler are a given...
 
I wasn't aware that Duran Duran and the Beatles did hard rock!

As for greatest hard rock vocalist, it's got to be Robert Plant. Guitarists-- tie, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.
 
hypnagogue said:
I wasn't aware that Duran Duran and the Beatles did hard rock!

As for greatest hard rock vocalist, it's got to be Robert Plant. Guitarists-- tie, Jimmy Page and Jimi Hendrix.

Definitely Robert Plant for vocals, but how about Roger Daltrey (The Who) and James Dewar (bassist for Robin Trower)?

And don't forget Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) and Janis Joplin!
 
Astronuc said:
Definitely Robert Plant for vocals, but how about Roger Daltrey (The Who) and James Dewar (bassist for Robin Trower)?

As far as The Who and bassists go-- I was fortunate enough to see The Who in concert shortly before John Entwhistle died. Wow, he did one devastating bass solo that must have lasted at least 10 minutes. Blew everyone away, just insane. A true virtuoso. He has to be high on the list as well.

(as an aside... did anyone ever know that the ordering of terms put into Google makes a difference to the search results, even without quotation marks? Try out 'the who bassist' and 'bassist the who')
 
Let's not forget Jim Morrison.
 
Integral said:
Let's not forget Jim Morrison.
I thought about the Doors and Morrison while tending bar in the Tiki. Definitely up there in the top 10.

How about Eric Bourdon of the Animals?

Thoughts about Steve Windood from Traffic?

Greg Lake (bassist) from Emerson, Lake & Palmer, although not necessarily hard rock, but progressive rock.

Justin Hayward and John Lodge from the Moody Blues - mostly progressive, but they could rock too.
 
hypnagogue said:
I wasn't aware that Duran Duran and the Beatles did hard rock!

Yeah, I realized after I posted, my mistake on not catching hard rock vocalists ( :redface: )...I just saw the part concerning talented musicians and vocalists...so that's what I meant, though it may not be placed in the right thread :rolleyes: !

Sometimes I don't always read things through (you should see how I am with things when I don't read the instructions properly!)...
 
Lemmy - Motorhead
Joe Cocker
Janis Joplin
Ozzy
Tommy James
Little Richard
Jerrey Lee Lewis
Eric Burden
Rob Halford
Joey Ramone
 
Last edited:
  • #10
Vocalists:
Sebastian Bach - Skid Row
Rob Halford
Mike Patton - Faith No More, Mr Bungle, Fantomas...

Musicians:
Tony MacAlpine
Devin Townsend
 
  • #11
who's the guy from AC/DC... angus young?
shagrath from dimmu borgir is good too. so is glen benton from deicide.
 
  • #12
hypnagogue said:
As for greatest hard rock vocalist, it's got to be Robert Plant.

No doubt; he should have been on my list of personal favorites.
 
  • #13
fourier jr said:
who's the guy from AC/DC... angus young?
shagrath from dimmu borgir is good too. so is glen benton from deicide.

Yeah Angus Young

While Dimmu Borgir is good to listen to it doesn't quite fit into the genre of hard rock. It's black metal and Deicide is death metal.
Have to distinguish between a good vocalist and a vocalist you like.
For example, I wouldn't say that Jens Kidman of Meshuggah is a good vocalist, but I would say he is one of my favourite vocalists.
His style suites the music and it's what I like, but when someone is asking for great vocalists he just isn't that.
 
  • #14
Bono from U2 for vocals.
 
  • #15
hypnagogue said:
As far as The Who and bassists go-- I was fortunate enough to see The Who in concert shortly before John Entwhistle died.
I went to the first concert they did, just a day or two after Entwistle died. It was sad day, but that concert was my best concert experience to date. And Townsend was totally electric - windmills and all !
 
  • #16
Maynard James Keenan - Tool/A Perfect Circle (vocals/frontman)
Bruce Dickinson - Iron Maiden (vocals/frontman)
Cliff Burton - Metallica (bass/songwriting/inspiration and anchor, and dearly missed by me :frown: )
Steve Grimmett - Onslaught (vocals)
 
  • #17
Axl Rose (vocals) from Guns 'n' Roses
Slash (guitar) from Guns 'n' Roses
Mick Jagger
Jim Morrison
Mark Knopfler from the Dire Straits(i know, this is not really hard rock but i really like 'em)


ps : I once hear Simon LeBon 'sing' together with Pavarotti (song was 'ordinary world') and he really sucked, as usual.

marlon
 
  • #18
guitar: Eddie Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Joe Satriani, Yngwie Malmsteen, Angus Young, Tony Iommi, Ritchie Blackmore, Steve Vai
 
  • #19
I am glad someone besides me mentioned Joe Satriani. Definitely top 10 in guitar with Hendrix, Page, Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughn.
 
  • #20
Soilwork said:
Rob Halford
I second that one!
 
  • #21
A couple of drummers who i happen to think are astounding:

Carl Palmer, of ELP.
Danny Carey, of Tool.

Vocals:
Eddie Vedder, of Pearl Jam.
 
  • #22
Chester bennington of Linkin Park is great. He can scream and sing damned well .But LP is overrated tho.
Cristina Scabbia from Lacuna Coil has great vocals. Dun really like goth tho , but she's just so hot... :!)
 
  • #23
Bon Scott! Bon Scott! He's the best.
 
  • #24
I think I make a pretty good hard-rock vocalist when I hit the karaoke scene. Aside from me, though, these guys are all excellent:

Chris Cornell - Soundgarden, Audioslave
Maynard Keenan - Tool, A Perfect Circle
Trent Reznor - Nine Inch Nails
Tom Verlaine - Television

Freddy Mercury and Robert Plant definitely set the bar, however. Plant I can emulate fairly well, but I can't touch Freddy.
 

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