Greatest Male Rock Vocalists (Revision Version)

[Lew]

Criteria: These rock music vocalists were selected and ranked for their ability, in their prime, for vocal Control, Power, Range, Articulation, Phrasing, use of Dynamics, Uniqueness, plus Impact & Influence in the Rock Music category.

Edited By: Lew
Last Updated: 2023-11-03

https://digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_vocalists.html


Freddie Mercury

1. Freddie Mercury (Queen, Solo)
2. Elvis Presley
3. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin, Solo)
4. Jackie Wilson
5. Roy Orbison
6. Sam Cooke
7. Ian Gillan (Deep Purple, Solo)
8. Stevie Wonder
9. Jeff Buckley
10. Steve Perry (Journey, Solo)
11. Clyde McPhatter (Drifters, Dominoes, Solo)
12. Roger Daltrey (The Who, Solo)
13. Marvin Gaye
14. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
15. Little Richard
16. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings, Solo)
17. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden, Solo)
18. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Solo)
19. Al Green
20. Roy Hamilton
21. Tony Williams (Platters)
22. Otis Redding
23. Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, Solo)
24. Little Willie John
25. Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, Queen)
26. Smokey Robinson
27. Geoff Tate (Queensrÿche)
28. Burton Cummings (The Guess Who, Solo)
29. David Bowie
30. Adam Lambert
31. Solomon Burke
32. Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses)
33. Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
34. Brad Delp (Boston)
35. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations, Solo)
36. Dan McCafferty (Nazareth)
37. Sam Moore (Sam & Dave)
38. Levi Stubbs (Four Tops)
39. Wilson Pickett
40. Ben E. King (The Drifters, Solo)
41. Roy Khan (Kamelot)
42. Dennis DeYoung (Styx, Solo)
43. Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers, Solo)
44. Luther Vandross
45. Van Morrison (Them, Solo)
46. Peter Cetera (Chicago)
47. Joe Cocker
48. David Ruffin (The Temptations, Solo)
49. Carl Wilson (Beach Boys)
50. Michael Matijevic (Steelheart)
51. Eric Burdon (Animals, War, Solo)
52. James Brown
53. Billy Joel
54. Richard Manuel (The Band)
55. Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle)
56. Tim Buckley
57. Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
58. David Byron (Uriah Heep)
59. Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
60. Layne Staley (Alice In Chains, Mad Season)
61. Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple)
62. Elton John
63. Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)
64. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
65. Frankie Valli (The Four Seasons, Solo)
66. Jimmy Beaumont (The Skyliners)
67. Jimi Jamison (Survivor)
68. Barry White
69. John Farnham (The Little River Band)
70. Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Perfect Circle)
71. Curtis Mayfield
72. Rod Stewart (The Jeff Beck Group, Solo)
73. Dion (Dion and The Belmonts)
74. Meat Loaf
75. Greg Lake (ELP, King Crimson)
76. Del Shannon
77. Serj Tankian (System Of A Down)
78. Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel, Solo)
79. Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire)
80. Prince
81. Dennis Edwards (The Temptations)
82. Bono (U2)
83. John Lennon (The Beatles, Solo)
84. Bob Seger
85. David Coverdale (Deep Purple, Whitesnake)
86. Steve Winwood (Traffic, Solo)
87. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
88. Neil Diamond
89. Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Solo)
90. Bill Withers
91. Todd Rundgren
92. Cedric Bixler-Zavalla (At The Drive In, The Mars Volta)
93. Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones)
94. Klaus Meine (Scorpions)
95. Steve Marriott (Humble Pie)
96. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
97. Jack Bruce (Cream)
98. Bruce Springsteen
99. Don Henley (The Eagles)
100. John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solo)

101. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
102. Lou Christie
103. Philip Anselmo (Pantera)
104. Jerry Lee Lewis
105. Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon)
106. Jimmy Gnecco (Ours)
107. Jon Anderson (Yes)
108. Peter Gabriel (Genesis, Solo)
109. Steve Walsh (Kansas)
110. Nick Cave
111. Gregg Allman (Allman Brothers Band)
112. Russell Allen (Symphony X)
113. Jon Bon Jovi (Bon Jovi)
114. David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
115. James Taylor
116. Aaron Neville
117. Sting (The Police)
118. Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)
119. Lindsay Buckingham (Fleetwood Mac)
120. David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)
121. Screamin' Jay Hawkins
122. John Kay (Steppenwolf)
123. Ray Davies (The Kinks)
124. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
125. Joe Elliot (Def Leppard)
126. Cat Stevens
127. Jeff Lynne (ELO)
128. George Harrison (The Beatles)
129. Chuck Negron (Three Dog Night)
130. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
131. Mitch Ryder (Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels)
132. Paul Simon (Simon & Garfunkel, Solo)
133. Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo)
134. Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
135. Bryan Adams
136. Phil Collins (Genesis, Solo)
137. Eric Clapton (Cream, Blind Faith, Solo)
138. David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat, & Tears)
139. Don Mclean
140. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
141. Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
142. Gary Cherone (Extreme)
143. Adam Duritz (Counting Crows)
144. Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
145. Steve Miller
146. John Wetton (King Crimson)
147. Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)
148. Graham Nash (Hollies, CSNY)
149. Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
150. James Hetfield (Metallica)
151. Michael Hutchence (INXS)
152. Michael McDonald (Doobie Brothers, Solo)
153. Levon Helm (The Band)
154. Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots)
155. Johnny Rzeznik (Goo Goo Dolls)
156. Morrissey (The Smiths)
157. Robert Smith (Cure)
158. James Labrie (Dream Theater)
159. Mark Lanegan (Screaming Trees)
160. Leslie West (Mountain)
161. Doug Pinnick (King's X)
162. Denny Doherty (The Mamas & Papas)
163. Aaron Lewis (Staind)
164. Felix Cavaliere (The Young Rascals)
165. Paul Weller (The Jam, The Style Council)
166. Joe Lynn Turner (Deep Purple)
167. Chris De Burgh
168. Mark Farner (Grand Funk Railroad)
169. Tommy Shaw (Styx)
170. Thom Yorke (Radiohead)
171. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)
172. Matt Bellamy (Muse)
173. Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Solo)
174. John Sebastian (Lovin' Spoonful, Solo)
175. Elvis Costello
176. James Dewar (Robin Trower)
177. Peter Wolf (J Geils Band)
178. Dave Mason (Traffic, Solo)
179. Graham Bonnet (Rainbow)
180. Peter Frampton
181. Robert Palmer
182. Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze)
183. Billy Squier
184. Warren Zevon
185. Billy Idol (Generation X, Solo)
186. John Popper (Blues Traveler)
187. Tommy James (Tommy James & the Shondells)
188. Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
189. Brandon Boyd (Incubus)
190. Greg Kihn
191. Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Mayfield 4)
192. Tom Petty
193. Joe Strummer (The Clash)
194. Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode)
195. Ian Astbury (The Cult)
196. Chris Robinson (The Black Crows)
197. Geddy Lee (Rush)
198. Corey Glover (Living Color)
199. Lou Reed (Velvet Underground)
200. Edward Kowalczyk (Live)

[AmadeusD]

Prince and Vedder seem criminally low... Lambert is awkward, because he outshines almost everyone, except has basically no impact or influence. In all honesty, Axl Rose is also far too low imo..

[DmitryXenon]

Michael Jackson should be here. And I don't think Lambert is influential enough to be so high on the list.

[AmadeusD]

Michael Jackson should be here. And I don't think Lambert is influential enough to be so high on the list.

He was initially split off into 'pop' before the integration of soul/rnb where he obviously was able to be brought in. Seems like this list was not the list users were working on in the previous forum..

[AmadeusD]

Roy Khan is above Van Morrison. Can we not...

[Fido]

There was never a consensus for this list in the old forum. This is the last compromise I think (includes both male and female):

1. Aretha Franklin
2. Freddie Mercury
3. Elvis Presley
4. Clyde McPhatter
5. Sam Cooke
6. Whitney Houston
7. Jackie Wilson
8. Robert Plant
9. Roy Orbison
10. Etta James
11. Little Richard
12. Marvin Gaye
13. Solomon Burke
14. Michael Jackson
15. Mariah Carey
16. Roger Daltrey
17. Roy Hamilton
18. Patti Labelle
19. Ian Gillan
20. Steve Perry

[AmadeusD]

Yikes. I think some of that's sort of indefensible. I'd say something more like this is reasonable:

1. Freddie Mercury
2. Elvis Presley
3. Aretha Franklin
4. Clyde McPhatter
5. Sam Cooke
6. Roy Orbison
7. Jackie Wilson
8. Robert Plant
9. Whitney Houston
10. Michael Jackson
11. Little Richard
12. Marvin Gaye
13. Etta James
14. Solomon Burke
15. Mariah Carey
16. Roger Daltrey
17. Roy Hamilton
18. Patti Labelle
19. Ian Gillan
20. Steve Perry

[ManPerson]

I think if the criteria are influence, acclaim and skill Aretha should be #1 tbh.

Clearly more influential than Freddie and probably more skilled and acclaimed than Elvis.

[AmadeusD]

I think if the criteria are influence, acclaim and skill Aretha should be #1 tbh.

Clearly more influential than Freddie and probably more skilled and acclaimed than Elvis.

Quite obviously not, though, for either?? She is much more skilled than Elvis, i'll give you that.

[Fido]

Yeah, Aretha should be numero uno. If there was a spot that was argued to death it was that one.

[Bruno]

Stevie Wonder, Barbra, Ann Wilson, Céline ...

[AmadeusD]

Hmm - well, there is absolutely nothing that could support the idea that Aretha should be above Freddie. If it was 'argued to death', I can only surmise it was argued in bad faith because there is no good argument. I do not expect to change the minds of those who have come to a conclusion, adverse to the evidence. That is not a reasonable position, so generally cannot be reasonable combated. But here you go..

Aretha: 75million records
Queen: 300million records (and we know this largely because of Freddie).

I could also quote plenty of other metrics like the ridiculous (in a good way), camp stylings of performers like Gaga, Adam Lambert (obviously), Benson Boone - hell, even a Beyonce is heavily influenced by Freddie (most of whom are not influenced by Aretha in any significant way). Pink designed tours around Freddie and Queen, covering Queen. Maynard Keenan has also covered Queen (along with a uncountable number of others). Yes, Plenty of people have covered Aretha - generally, black women. Nothing wrong with that, but shows a clear delineation in reach. Queen touches everyone. Most people don't really care about Aretha these days. Fwiw, there was a similar ridiculous stouche in the 'old, old' forum around You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling by the Righteous Brothers. Literally no one - I mean no one- under the age of 40 - gives a flying fuck about that song. But some people still pretending it was culturally unassailable. This is simiar.

We could also look at that a bit closer: almost all singers who cite Aretha a soul or blues singers (even in the pop vein, they are a particular type of singer

We could also look at the fact that Queen's set of singles (thanks to Freddie) comprises
We Will Rock You
We Are The Champions
I Wnat To Break Free
Another One Bites The Dust
Bohemian Rhapsody (the 'greatest' song and vocal performance of all time, without any doubt)
Under Pressure
Don't Stop Me Now
You're My Best Friend
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Radio Ga-Ga
Fat Bottomed Girls..

You know what, I'll stop there.

Aretha has:

Respect
A Natural Woman
Chain of Fools
Ain't No way
I Never Loved A Man
and a couple of later, much less popular tracks like Ever Changing Times

I recognise that on paper, she has something like 20 #1s. These are on the RnB chart. And most people aren't aware of those songs. There is almost no one alive who isn't aware of at least six or seven of Freddie's big numbers. Another way to look at this, is she has a couple of massive songs, and one massive album. She's had two no. 2s, one no.3 and no no.1s on the Billboard 200. Queen had one, at least.

There is no comparison, unless you're intent on deny Freddie his rightful place. The only argument that could, prima facie, get off the ground is that Aretha is cited by singers in multiple genres. So is Freddie, and he absolutely changed the face of Rock and Pop music. Queen and Freddie are far-better known/loved internationally also. Aretha did neither of these things - she is a towering figure in gospel, RnB and a relatively big figure in pop music if you go back about 25 years. But she is not on the level of Freddie and Elvis in these ways, at all.

I can also understand wanting to combat what was obviously extant during many of the relevant decades: racism. But that is not a reason to re-write history. Sympathy shouldn't result in dishonesty.

A pretty comprehensive prompt into ChatGPT concludes this way:

"If I had to pick one as more influential overall considering all dimensions (sales, popularity, citation, longevity), I lean toward Freddie Mercury / Queen slightly edging out in terms of total global imprint—because Queen’s catalogue, sales, inter-genre reach, and continuing cultural presence are very large.

That said, Aretha Franklin is arguably more influential if you narrow the scope to vocal technique, soul/R&B genre, women singers, or impact on civil rights era music. So it depends on how you define “influential.”"

which, it seems, I have been quite clear about: Globally and in terms of the wider picture of vocalists, Freddie is inarguably a 'greater' singer than Aretha. Like.. it really is semi-risible to argue the other way. Perhaps you are Americans? And if not, perhaps you are compensating for not being American? Either way, its a perspective problem.

NB: Freddie was a better singer too, but that's subjective, so leaving it at the bottom here.

[Zach]

I think part of the disconnect here is that you're using a very different set of measures than the ones the list was built on. The criteria weren't sales figures, cultural ubiquity, or how many casual listeners today can hum along to the hits. The "greatest rock vocalists" lists specifically note vocal control, range, articulation, phrasing, dynamics, uniqueness, and then influence within rock singing.

On those terms, Aretha at #1 makes more sense, in my view.

Freddie was of course extraordinary -- his theatricality, range, and power made him one of the greats. But Aretha’s technical mastery has been studied and emulated by singers across genres for decades, including rock singers like Robert Plant, Janis Joplin, Steven Tyler, and Elton John. Her influence isn't just confined to soul or R&B, even if that's where her catalogue largely sits.

Also, sales and recognizability don't necessarily equal vocal influence. If they did, artists like Madonna or Michael Jackson would automatically outrank both Freddie and Aretha, which isn't what this list is about. The point is not whose catalogue is more universally known, but who set benchmarks for vocal technique and inspired other rock singers in their craft. It's widely documented that Aretha's phrasing, melisma, dynamics, and emotional control directly shaped how singers learned to use their voices. Much of Freddie's influence was about stagecraft, showmanship, and operatic flair rather than setting the foundational vocal techniques that generations of rock singers would emulate.

So, really, it's less a question of "rewriting history" and more one of keeping consistent with the stated framework. If the list were about global cultural reach, then sure -- Freddie would clearly have the edge. But when it comes to sheer vocal ability and the depth of her influence on how people sing -- even in rock -- Aretha's placement above Freddie is entirely reasonable and defensible.

I will say, though, that acclaim and peer recognition should be considered as part of the criteria that were laid out, and in that respect Freddie is nearly peerless -- but Aretha ranks exceptionally highly there as well.

[Fido]

Exactly. Most of the arguments you provided have little to do with the criteria used for the list. Popularity, especially focusing on current audiences (ignoring the time when the artists were actually alive and making an impact) was never the focus. If we did that, all the early rock singers would go the hell down. You also dismiss the R&B charts, when those were the ones that reflect the popularity of black artists.

The only thing Freddie wins is skill imo. Aretha's musical impact/acclaim are top tier in terms of vocals alone. You claim Freddie touches everyone and Aretha doesn't, which is crazy. Aretha's reach stretches over ALL R&B STYLES and classic rock to modern pop. She is still acclaimed as the #1 singer a la Hendrix on guitar, and it's the least controversial opinion in the world. Just look at the last (god awful) RS list. She also has like 18 Grammys, compared with Freddie's zero, and she's 50 spots higher on AcclaimedMusic (that's Aretha vs the whole band). Not that this stuff means a lot, but you were the one who brought up "metrics".

Influence is the clearest Aretha win. She completely shook the world with her gospel influenced high-belting, which was influential not only on most r&b/soul singers after her, but also on all the Mercurys, Plants and the like.

So yeah, I'd put Aretha first. That being said, they are obviously close, which is why they are at the top.

Bohemian Rhapsody (the 'greatest' song and vocal performance of all time, without any doubt)

Lol, not this again. Agree on greatest vocal ever though.

[ManPerson]

Stevie Wonder, Barbra, Ann Wilson, Céline ...

I feel like Barbra and Celine aren't really rock. Ann Wilson and Stevie should probably be top 50 at least, though. Maybe even higher than that.

[ManPerson]

Influence: Aretha clearly (record sales or popularity don't really have much to do with this category)
Acclaim: Close
Skill: Probably Freddie but it's much closer than influence