The lead singer or vocalist in a band has a hard job. The audience is mostly focused on them, and they need to put on a great show while also giving a good vocal performance. There is more to being a lead singer than just carrying a tune. You need to have a great look, great moves, and a great voice. In this video, we’re going to rank the best rock singers of all time. Make sure you stick around until the end to see who earned the #1 spot!
Facts Verse Presents: Best Rock Singers of All Time (Top 25 Vocalists Ranked)
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Gwen Stefani- No Doubt
No Doubt was one of the best punk bands of all time. The lead singer was Gwen Stafani, and she was known for her unique vocals and her crazy style. Gwen also had a fabulous stage presence. The band became a huge success, and at the height of their success, Gwen went solo. Today, she is a pop singer, and her style has completely changed. You can’t help but miss the Gwen Stefani from No Doubt when she didn’t care what people thought.
Kurt Cobain- Nirvana
Nirvana was one of the greatest bands of the late ’80s and ’90s. They were a grunge band, and Kurt was known for his unique voice. It was like no other, which is why it was so appreciated. Sadly, at the height of the band’s success, Kurt took his own life. It makes you wonder how far the group would have gone if he were still alive today.
Joan Jett
Joan Jett is known as the “Queen of Rock.” She has a legendary, unique voice. Her vocals are powerful and very balanced, and her songs were very catchy. Joan is one of the greatest female vocalists of all time.
Ozzy Osbourne- Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath is one of the greatest heavy metal bands of all time. Ozzy was the lead singer, and he had a very unique voice with incredible range. He was more than just a great singer. His showmanship was also unbelievable. Ozzy did things on stage that shocked people, and that shock value was gold. After leaving Black Sabbath, Ozzy went solo, and he continued to be incredibly successful.
Jim Morrison- The Doors
The Doors had a very unique sound, and a lot of that is due to Jim Morrison’s vocals. Jim was pretty wild on stage, and he was heavy into drugs. Sadly, Jim became a member of the “27 Club,” when he died in 1971. He will always be remembered for his exceptional voice.
Pat Benetar
Pat Benetar’s voice is incredible. She has incredible range and is a great songwriter. Two of her best are Hit Me With Your Best Shot and Love Is a Battlefield. Nobody has a voice that can compare to Pat’s, which is why her career has spanned for decades.
Chris Cornell- Soundgarden and Audioslave
Chris Cornell had one of the purest rock voices of all time. He had an incredible stage presence, and his fans loved him. Sadly, Chris took his own life in 2017, and rock music will never be the same.
Axl Rose- Guns N’ Roses
Nobody could sing/shout the way that Axl can. As the lead singer for Guns N’ Roses, he proved how talented he is. Axl has an incredible range, and he could be smooth and intense at the same time. His voice is very unique, and you couldn’t confuse him for anyone else.
John Lennon- The Beatles
The Beatles is one of the greatest bands of all time, and John Lennon was the lead. He had a very simple voice, but it was beautiful. No matter what he was singing, you could tell that he was pouring his heart and soul into it. Sadly, John was shot and killed in 1980. He was 40-years-old. After his death, the music world was never the same.
Paul McCartney-The Beatles
Paul McCartney is another member of The Beatles, and his voice was very unique. He has a very sweet and distinct sound. Paul’s voice couldn’t be compared to any other, which allowed him to have a very successful solo career after The Beatles broke up.
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash is known as a country singer, but his voice influenced the rock genre as well. Johnny’s smooth country vocals made his fans fall in love with him, and his folk/rock music vocals were legendary. He will be remembered as one of the greats.
Mick Jagger- The Rolling Stones
Mick Jagger has it all. He has an incredible, distinct voice, and incredible stage presence, and the ability to get his fans going. Mick is one of the most influential lead singers of all time and will always be known as a Rock and Roll legend.
Brendon Urie- Panic! At the Disco
Panic! At the Disco is a modern rock band, and Brendon’s vocals are incredible. He has a voice like no other, and he proved this when he performed Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody live.
Elton John
No best vocalist list would be complete without the great Elton John. His flashy clothes and his personality make him incredible to watch, and when he sings his first note, you are drawn in immediately. Elton is one of the best-selling artists of all time and has sold over 300 million albums over the course of his career.
Bob Seger
Bob Seger is the whole package. He is an incredible songwriter and has a fabulous stage presence. His voice is powerful, and when he sings, Bob can reach deep into your soul. There is no other voice like his.
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Ann Wilson- Heart
Heart was fronted by sisters, Ann Wilson, and Nancy Wilson. Ann sang lead vocals, and he has one of the most powerful voices of all time. Her classic songs like Barracuda and Crazy On You allowed her to showcase her range and the power in her voice.
Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley was the King Of Rock n Roll. His voice and sound changed the course of music forever. He combined rock, blues, country, and bluegrass, to create a musical revolution. Elvis pushed the envelope and has left an impact on the music world forever.
Stevie Nicks- Fleetwood Mac
Stevie Nicks has a hauntingly, beautiful voice. She is also one of the most iconic performers of all time. Stevie was named as one of the Top 100 Vocalists of All Time by Rolling Stone, and one of the Top 100 Songwriters. This lady can do it all.
Bon Scott- AC/DC
Angus Young is known as the most popular member of AC/DC, which is why people tend to look past Bon Scott. Bon was the frontman of the band from 1974 until he died in 1980. Brian Johnson did a great job as frontman, but you can’t compare him to Bon. He had an unusual and unique sound and was a true legend.
Steven Tyler- Aerosmith
Steven Tyler has an iconic voice that can make your heart skip a beat. He is known for his impressive and eccentric scatting between melodies, which isn’t something you hear in rock music. This scatting is more in the jazz genre, which makes Steven so unique. He made Aerosmith what they are today.
Janice Joplin
Janice has a raspy, soulful voice. Growing up, she was bullied for the sound of her voice and her appearance. Most people would let this keep them down, but not Janice. The music world is thankful that Janice kept going because she is one of the most iconic female singers in history. Sadly, at the height of her career, Janice died of a heroin overdose when she was 27-years-old. You can’t help but wonder what she would have contributed to music history had she not died so young.
David Bowe
David Bowe was one of the most influential singers of the 20th century. Not only did he have a voice that was strong and advanced, but he also had an incredible stage presence. He had the ability to draw in a crowd before even singing a note. Sadly, David died on January 10, 2016, after a long battle with liver cancer.
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson will always be known as The King Of Pop. He got his start as a child as part of the Jackson 5, and then he went solo. His voice was smooth and effortless, and it can never be matched. Michael has influenced musicians of all genres and is one of the greatest performers of all time.
Robert Plant- Led Zeppelin
As the frontman of Led Zeppelin, Robert changed the course of rock forever. Even though the band broke up in 1980, their music is still incredibly popular today. After the band’s split, Robert joined numerous groups and worked on plenty of projects. Although he was successful in all of his ventures, nothing could compare to his role in Led Zepplin.
Freddie Mercury- Queen
Of all the incredible vocalists on this list, none can compare to Freddie Mercury from Queen. He was the frontman of one of the most legendary bands in history. He had a four-octave range and a very unique sound. Critics called Freddie a force of nature. He had more than just the voice. He had a stage presence, and no other entertainer could compare. Sadly, Freddie’s life was cut short, but he is will always the best of all time.
That wraps up our list! Now we’d like to hear from you: Do you agree that Freddie Mercury is the greatest rock vocalist of all time? Or does someone else deserve the #1 spot? Let us know in the comments! And if you enjoyed this video, don’t forget to click the like button and subscribe to Facts Verse for more videos.
