Top 100 rock vocalists : 30 – 21

  30.  Bruce Springsteen

He commands the stage, his presence and aura are second to none, and tracks like Thunder Road, Born to Run and Backstreets  just confirm this.

  29.  Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)

Whether she was performing with Fleetwood Mac or on her own, Nicks’ voice is captivating.  Edge of Seventeen is one of the greatest songs there is, and the number of Mac songs that she comes into her own on are just too many to mention.

  28.  Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)

Thin Lizzy are one of the best live bands of all time, and the reason has to be Phil Lynott.  Granted, Brian Robertson and co obviously played their part but Lynott’s mesmerizing performances (despite being off his head) turned Lizzy into a much coveted and well-respected rock band.

  27.  Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

I once saw Tyler place a whole orange in his mouth on TGI Friday with Chris Evans.  If you can open your mouth that wide, you are sure to have a powerful voice yeah?  Love in an Elevator, Janie Got a Gun, Amazing, Pink, I don’t wanna miss a thing, Dream On, Walk this Way, Sweet Emotion, Crazy.  Need I go on?

  26.  Eddie Veder (Pearl Jam)

Illinois’ finest, ukulele-plying, head banging, grunge rocker Eddie Veder, born Edward Louis Stevenson III.  No wonder he changed his name.  Pearl Jam’s main man has just released an album with him and his ukulele – shows he doesn’t need anything else….

  25.  Brian Johnson (AC/DC)

Just because Back in Black was #1 in the rock album’s top 250, doesn’t mean Johnson would walk this countdown.  Far from it – I hugely respect the Geordie, and think he has a tremendous vocal range but he is most certainly the best vocalist.  Thank you for Wembley 2010 tho – what a gig!

Replacing Bon Scott in AC/DC must have been one of the hardest jobs ever in music, however, the former lead singer of Geordie instantly gelled with the Young brothers, and before you could scream “Hells Bells” the first album was out in 1980.  The rest, they say, is history…..

  24.  Jimi Hendrix

Not renowned for his vocals, but more than held his own.  Whether we were just mesmerized by his guitar playing and didn’t actually concentrate in his voice, I don not know.  Ah well….

  23.  Ronnie Van Sant (Lynryd Skynryd)

He sang Sweet Home Alabama……..I hear pennies drop everywhere.  Lead singer of southern American rockers Lynryd Skynryd.

  22.  Elton John

Not technically a rock vocalist, granted.  Some of his earlier tracks had a rock feel to them didin’t they?  No?  Just me then…

  21.  Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath, solo)

How can there be a rock vocalist countdown without Ozzy?  There can’t – impossible.  Black Sabbath weren’t the same with any other lead singer (as much as I love Dio – sorry!), and his first two solo albums, Blizzard of Oz and Diary of a Madman were mighty fine.  And he was back to form with 2007’s Black Rain.  Ozzy and Randy Rhodes together were a superb partnership which was over far, far too soon.

Top 100 rock vocalists : 40 – 31

  40.  Bob Dylan

Ok, I may be being a slight hypocrite here, as Dylan did not have a great voice by any stretch of the imagination.  But, the voice seemed (and still does) to work for the blues/folk tunes he was and still is producing.  A legend in his own right and an artist I would still love to see live.

  39.  Phil Conalane (Million $ Reload)

You may not have heard of Phil Conalane yet, but in time you will I am sure.  His band, Million $ Reload are going to be huge – check out my review of their album Anthems of a Regeneration.  Conalane has a truly remarkable voice – powerful, endearing, heartfelt and his range is phenomenal.  You have been warned.

  38.  Chuck Berry

He wanted Beethoven to roll over, played with his ding-a-ling and reckoned a certain Mr B. Goode could play the guitar just like a ringing a bell.  Berry was supposed to perform in my hometown of Swansea a few years back at the tender age of 82 – I was gutted when he pulled out.  A true rock ‘n’ roll legend.

  37.  Robbie Robertson (The Band)

He looked like a hillbilly (can I say that?), he sounded like one, in fact he may have been one – who knows?  It certainly worked.  The Band were the deep south’s version of the Rolling Stones, and Robertson was a genius songwriter as well as vocalist.

  36.  Little Richard

In the same vain is Chuck Berry, only difference is that Little Richard had a superior voice.  Tutti Fruitti anyone?

  35.  Jim Morrison (The Doors)

The front man of The Doors, Morrison sadly passed away at the tender age of 27 and his loss was a travesty to music.  He had the looks, the swagger, the personality and most importantly the voice.

  34.  Ray Davies (The Kinks)

The Kinks had legendary status in the 60’s, and the reason for that was the ingenious song writing skills of brothers Ray and Dave Davies, while they both had a pop and singing it was Ray’s voice that really captured the moment of each song.

  33.  James Hetfield (Metallica)

Whether you loathe or adore Metallica, you cannot ignore them.  They haven’t been around for 25 years for nothing.  Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield are the stars of the show.

  32.  David Bowie

Watching him perform as Ziggy Stardust actually really creeps me out.  As does most of his music if I am honest.  Still a great singer tho…

  31.  Eric Clapton (Cream, Derek & the Dominoes, Travelling Whillbury’s, solo)

Slow hand himself is regarded as one of the best guitarists there is, and they would be right.  He is.  He also can sing.  And play the drums, mouth organ, piano, xylophone, triangle and spoons.  Is there no end to this mans talents?

Top 100 rock vocalists : 50 – 41

  50.  Liam Gallagher (Oasis, Beady Eye)

The presence he commands on stage is second to none.  Not the greatest singer as such, but a rock vocalist top 100 would be a lesser place without Liam.

  49.  Frank Zappa (Mothers of Invention)

Weirdly wonderful.  That is all.  I don’t have to justify it, ok?

 

  48.  Meatloaf

Oh dear.  This may cause some controversy…….he may not look the part, but you cannot help sing to every word of Bat out of hell and I would do anything for love……..admit it.

 

  47.  Paul Stanley (Kiss)

Somebody once said “no-one likes Kiss”.  Well, I do.  In fact, I really like them, and I love the vocals of Paul Stanley – especially on Forever, Love Gun, Beth and God gave rock and roll to you.

  46.  Alice Cooper

After recently witnessing Alice Cooper at Download Festival 2011 I have found a new respect for the hellraiser.  His presence on stage was quite remarkable and that’s exactly what you need from a front man.  Is he a front man?  Or is he a solo artist?  Answers on a postcard please….

  45.  Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Despite his recently formed facial hair which quite frankly looks ridiculous, Kiedis still remains one of the most recognisable lead singers of the last 20-odd years.  By the Way and Califofnication have been the band’s top albums to date, but Kiedis excels himself on Under the Bridge.

  44.  Brandon Flowers (The Killers)

Very tough to separate Kiedis and Flowers in my opinion, and having seen them both live I would come to the conclusion that Kiedis has more presence but Flowers has the slightly better voice.  But only just…

 43.  David Lee Roth (Mammoth, Van Halen, Cinderella)

Legendary Van Halen singer, Roth needs no introduction.  Nor does he need justification on being here.  Gene Simmonds had hoped to recruit him for Kiss, but ended up joining Van Halen instead as he had previous links with Eddie and Alex with a band called Mammoth.  This was the best decision he ever made, surely?

 42.  Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones)

Now, I am sure a lot of you would place the Rolling Stones catalyst higher than #43.  He certainly has the stage presence, he certainly has the swagger which every lead singer should have, but has he got the voice?  I am not so sure….

 41.  David Coverdale (Deep Purple, Whitesnake)

Lead singer with Deep Purple before he left and created Whitesnake.  He probably had more success with the latter, and they are still going strong today with a UK tour.  A great rock vocalist, but did he beat other DP singers.  You will have to wait and find out….

Top 100 rock vocalists : 60 – 51

  60.  Buddy Holly

Simple but mesmerizing lyrics, Buddy Holly should have been around for much longer than he was.

  59.  Billy Idol

Hellraiser from the 80’s Billy Idol is still touring with guitarist Steve Stevens today, and still has a massive worldwide following.

  58.  Jerry Lee Lewis

Another from the early days of rock and roll – unfortunately the Great Balls of Fire singer will probably be best remembered for marrying a 14 year old.  Oh dear….

  57.  Jack Black (Tenacious D)

The musician turned actor has a huge range of vocals and his spontaneity makes him unique.  His acting and singing in School of Rock is sublime.

  56.  Greg Allman (The Allman Brothers Band)

The Allman Brothers Band were huge back in the day, and Greg’s voice on The Whipping Post is sensational.  Brother Duane isn’t far behind…

  55.  Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana)

The former Nirvana drummer is now the singer of the fabulous Foo Fighters has now come into his own.  The Foo’s are probably the biggest rock band in the world right now.

  54.  Caleb Followill (Kings of Leon)

You probably will know Caleb Followill by voice or maybe by face rather than name, but he is the lead singer from the Kings of Leon.  His unique Tennessee twang makes him instantly recognisable and is unfortunate to narrowly miss out on the top 50

  53.  Chris Cornell (Soundgarden)

Of Soundgarden fame, and recent singer of one of the James Bond movies….i think.  Anyway, Cornell has one of the most powerful voices I have ever heard.  Frankly, he scares me, so I had to include him.

 52.  Bono (U2)

You either love him or hate him, but Bono has to be in this RC on his legacy alone.

 51.  Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi)

Just missing out on the top 50, is Jon Bon Jovi – a hugely underrated singer, and quite frankly I don’t care if it’s sad to like him – I do.  Ok, there I said it.

Top 100 rock vocalists : 70 – 61

  70.  Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)

Legendary front man of bearded American rockers ZZ Top.  Massive ZZ fan, so maybe a bit biased as his vocals are actually probably not that good.  Any neutral views here?

  69.  Michael Stipe (R.E.M)

Very sad news not so long ago that R.E.M have split after a mammoth 31 years.  Automatic for the People is still, and always will be a first class album.  God bless R.E.M and in particular Michael Stipe.

  68.  Matthew Bellamy (Muse)

Muse have been voted “best live act” thousands of times.  Ok, maybe not thousands, but you catch my drift.

  67.  Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Montrose, Chickenfoot)

Sammy has had two spells with Van Halen, been the lead singer of Montrose, sung with Joe Santriani and numerous others and is now making very good progress with his latest venture, Chickenfoot.

 

66.  Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols)

Have placed the Sex Pistols singer in here on stature, not necessarily for his vocals.  I hear the complaints coming already….

  65.  James Dean Bradfield (Manic Street Preachers)

Since 1993, the Manic Street Preachers have been at the forefront of british pop rock, and long may it continue…

  64.  Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)

Make-up wearing singer from Green Day.

 

  63.  Marc Bolan (T-Rex)

Now, Marc Bolan was a lunatic.  On stage at least.  His mad hatters tea party for Born to Boogie will always be remembered.

  62.  Johnny Ramone (The Ramones)

Very underrated singer of The Ramones, where his vocals are most impressive on My Brain is Hanging Upside Down, Sheena is a punk rocker and Blitzkrieg Bop.

 61.  Debbie Harry (Blondie)

She was a stunner in her time and the envy of many a young boy.  Sadly, I was too young to remember her in her prime…….

Top 250 rock albums : 50 – 21

Into the top 50….

Pronounced Leh-nerd Skin-erd by Lynryd Skynryd

50 – Pronounced leh-nerd skin-erd – LYNRYD SKYNRYD
49 – Toys in the attic – AEROSMITH
48 – Metallica (black album) – METALLICA
47 – Anthems of a degeneration – MILLION $ RELOAD
46 – Jailbreak – THIN LIZZY
45 – Highway to hell – AC/DC
44 – Highway 61 revisited – BOB DYLAN
43 – Van halen – VAN HALEN
42 – Pet sounds – THE BEACH BOYS
41 – Dookie – GREEN DAY
40 – A hard days night – THE BEATLES
39 – Hot fuss – THE KILLERS
38 – Exile on main street – THE ROLLING STONES
37 – The joshua tree – U2
36 – Ok computer – RADIOHEAD
35 – In rock – DEEP PURPLE
34 – Bat out of hell – MEATLOAF
33 – Led zepellin II – LED ZEPELLIN

The Joshua tree by U2

32 – Imagine – JOHN LENNON
31 – Rictchie Blackmore’s rainbow – RAINBOW
30 – For those about to rock (we salute you) – AC/DC
29 – Born to run – BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
28 – Green river – CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
27 – The white album – THE BEATLES
26 – Fire and water – FREE
25 – Paranoid – BLACK SABBATH
24 – Let it be – THE BEATLES
23 – A night at the opera – QUEEN
22 – Brothers in arms – DIRE STRAITS
21 – Number of the beast – IRON MAIDEN

Top 250 rock albums : 250-201

Ok, here we go.  The first countdown.  Fair play, this is such a tough one to do as there are so many stunning rock albums over the years, but here goes anyway……

Vagabonds of the Western World by Thin Lizzy

250 – We’re only in it for the money – FRANK ZAPPA & THE MOTHERS OF INVENTION
249 – Vagabonds of the western world – THIN LIZZY
248 – Reveal – R.E.M
247 – Tres hombre – ZZ TOP
246 – The man who – TRAVIS
245 – The Blue ridge rangers – JOHN FOGERTY
244 – Kasabian – KASABIAN
243 – Three cheers for sweet revenge – MY CHEMICAL ROMANCE
242 – Who made who – AC/DC
241 – Loveless – MY BLOODY VALENTINE
240 – Bark at the Moon – OZZY OSBOURNE