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Conference napalm::heavy_metal

Title:HEAVY_METAL - Talent Round-Up DayDay
Notice:Rules-2.*,Directory-7.*,Roster-3.*,Garbage-99.*
Moderator:BUSY::SLABB
Created:Wed May 04 1988
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1238
Total number of notes:65616

1155.0. "Best & Worst Metal Vocalists" by FABSIX::K_KAMAR (Amoebas On Fleas On Rats) Sun Jun 02 1996 14:49

    I thought about starting another new topic...( I already looked for 
                                                   a topic like this, but
                                                   couldn't find one. )
    
    Who do YOU consider to be the 5 best vocalists in Metal today ?
    How about the 5 worst ?
    
    Also, what makes 'em good or bad in your opinion ?
    
    I'll start :
    
    
       B E S T ..... David Coverdale
                     Steve Tyler
                     Ann Wilson
                     Ozzy Osbourne
                & a tie between Gene Simmons and the lead singer from
                                                   STONE TEMPLE PILOTS.
    
      W O R S T ..... Joan Jett
                      Courtney Love
                      The lead singer of WHITE ZOMBIE
                      Vince Neil
                      Sammy Hagar
                                    
    
                                                 
            
T.RTitleUserPersonal
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1155.1Some of mine....POLAR::LYLEProof that evolution CAN go in reverseSun Jun 02 1996 23:2320
    
    Cool topic....
    
    BEST:
    - James Hetfield - Metallica
    - Scott Weiland - STP (I agree with you Kit!)
    - Ozzy (of course)
    - The dude in Dream Theater....
    - Tom Araya - Slayer (he can really scream!!)
    
    WORST:
    - Vince Neil
    - Eddy Veder - Pearl Jam (ain't metal I know, but I hate his voice!!)
    - Dude in Seven Mary Three (see above)
    - Paul Di'Anno(sp) - ex- Iron Maiden (he's lost it big time)
    - The dude from Rage Against the Machine (sorry everyone, just can't
      handle it...)
    
    Dave
    
1155.2uh oh here we goPOLAR::LARABIEOffer no apologiesMon Jun 03 1996 02:3319
    
    Well lessee,
    
    BEST:
    - "Sheepdog" McLaren - original Razor lead singer
    - Glenn Danzig - Danzig
    - King Diamond - Mercyful Fate
    - well everyone knows Ozzy ranks right up there so I'll pick Lemmy from
      Motorhead
    - Chris Cornell(sp) - Soundgarden  (kinda like it)
    
    WORST:
    - Dave Mustaine 
    - Sammy Hagar 
    - Blayze Bailey
    - Joe Elliott
    - Brett Michaels
    
    Rick
1155.3EDWIN::HOOKERMon Jun 03 1996 15:203
    why does everyone hate Sammy so much !!?  
    
    Shane, who just don't understand it
1155.4rocket sciencePOWDML::BUCKLEYLife is a highway...Mon Jun 03 1996 15:381
    uh, because he sucks?
1155.5on my way to MaMakins...CSLALL::MCLEMENThey is uranus hot this time of year?Mon Jun 03 1996 15:507
    
    
    	Oh oooooooo...............    There's that sux word....
    
    
    
    							Dawg~~~~
1155.6FABSIX::K_KAMARStimpy, You Eediot....Mon Jun 03 1996 16:248
    Sammy Hagar ( In MY opinion )  has an " irritating " kind of voice.
    
    It's as if he " forcing " himself too much....trying TOO hard to sound
    like a bad*ss rock-singer.
    
    He'd probably do better as a country or "lounge" singer....:-)
    
    But, that's just MY opinion.            *** Kit ***
1155.7Diamond Dave - more like cubic zirconium daveHOOPLE::FENNELLYuri! quit smooshing packagesMon Jun 03 1996 16:473
>>>    He'd probably do better as a country or "lounge" singer....:-)
    
That's what the previous employee for VH is doing...
1155.8FABSIX::K_KAMARStimpy, You Eediot....Mon Jun 03 1996 17:131
    Perhaps it is Van Halen curse, or something...:-}
1155.9Dave who?FABSIX::S_CHRISTIANMon Jun 03 1996 17:474
    No, Dave was just a pot smokin' bum who couldn't sing. He rode on the
    shirt tails of Eddie long enough, his head got to big to fit in the
    recording studio so they booted him right out of the Rock and Roll Hall
    of Fame. Diamond Dave, HA, more like Dime-bag Dave.  
1155.10Helllloooooo Baaaaabyyyyy!POLAR::TYSICKKnight of the SoundtableTue Jun 04 1996 08:4512
    RE: Shane
    
    	I'm a Sammy fan...always have...always will! (DLR fan too!)
    
    Fav Voices (some)				Steampile
    
    Geoff Tate                                  Bob Dylan (notmetalIknow)
    Scott Weiland                               DefLep's Lead Singer ???
    Layne Staley                                Steve Tyler (after Pump)
    Chris Cornell                               Guy from Bio-Hazard ???
    Sammy Hagar                                 
    
1155.11AC/DC rock & roll ain't noise pollution.OTOOA::BERNARDSTEPHEN BERNARD @OTOTue Jun 04 1996 09:574
    There is only one frontman who is worthy of the "Best" rating and
    that's Bon Scott.
    As for the worst, I'd have to say, Ronny James DIO.
    Stephen
1155.12METALX::SWANSONDefender 2000Tue Jun 04 1996 10:029
>    As for the worst, I'd have to say, Ronny James DIO.

Wahahahahahahahahaha!   Oh man.... That's funny!

Bon Scott is the "best" and Dio is the "worst".

My sides are splitting!

Thanks for the laugh!
1155.13BUSY::SLABOUNTYA Parting Shot in the DarkTue Jun 04 1996 10:139
    
    	They both rate near the top for the same, but different, reason.
    
    	Their voices are both suited to the music their respective bands
    	played.
    
    	Bon Scott has that cynical sort of voice, and Dio has that angry
    	sort of voice.
    
1155.14Laughter is the best Med.OTOOA::BERNARDSTEPHEN BERNARD @OTOTue Jun 04 1996 10:418
    .12
    
    I'm glad you found my choices funny. I think my problem with DIO is
    he had large shoes to fill when he took over as frontman for Black Sab
    and IMO he never pulled it off.
    
    
    Stephen
1155.15BUSY::SLABOUNTYA Parting Shot in the DarkTue Jun 04 1996 10:578
    
    	Oh, I beg to differ there.
    
    	Ozzy's Black Sabbath seemed to produce a bigger selection of
    	hits, but I think Dio could have pulled off the vocals if he
    	tried them.  And Dio's Black Sabbath had some great stuff as
    	well.
    
1155.16some of my picksSUBSYS::MSOUCYTue Jun 04 1996 10:5913
    
    fav's			not-so-favs
    
    geoff tate			singer for RATM
    king diamond		weiland (on new disc)
    Jon Oliva			Singer from Slayer
    Zachary Stevens		Steve Hogarth (not really metal)
    Fish (not really metal)	
    
    Can't think of anyone I REALLY hate.....have to think on that one
    awhile!
    
    
1155.17BUSY::SLABOUNTYA Parting Shot in the DarkTue Jun 04 1996 11:105
    
    	Not to blast an entire musical genre, but I don't like ANY of
    	the death metal vocalists who feel the need to growl or yell
    	into the microphone in a highly unintelligible manner.
    
1155.18Ohhh Carry home my broken bones and lay me down to rest...METALX::SWANSONDefender 2000Tue Jun 04 1996 12:1518
>    I'm glad you found my choices funny. I think my problem with DIO is
>    he had large shoes to fill when he took over as frontman for Black Sab
>    and IMO he never pulled it off.

But that's another example of two different musical styles.  Even though they
were both Black Sabbath, the music style was very different, and nobody
could have beat Ozzy as a vocalist for the early Slack Sabbath music, and
I don't think anybody could have topped DIO either for his vocals in
the "new" Sabbath.

Admittedly, today, DIO  isn't so great, but back then he had one of the best
voices on the scene IMO.  He had some kind of power in his voice that I
can't really put into words.

I like Bon Scott's vocals too though, but I can't really say that I think that
he has a "good voice".  But, singing for AC/DC you don't really need to!  :')

Ken
1155.19METALX::SWANSONDefender 2000Tue Jun 04 1996 12:177
>    	Not to blast an entire musical genre, but I don't like ANY of
>    	the death metal vocalists who feel the need to growl or yell
>    	into the microphone in a highly unintelligible manner.

Either do I!


1155.20I like some of the growlers singingSUBSYS::MSOUCYTue Jun 04 1996 12:4516
    
    Personally I like "some" of the growly vocalists, depends on the mood
    and or the music. Take Amorphis for example, they added a new singer
    to the band for their new release "Elegy" which sounds like their prior
    release "Tales from the thousand lakes" but now has more mainstream
    vocals along with the growls/low end of their original guitarist/singer
    who must be using some sort of vox box because he sounds like the
    cookie monster when you can understand him! Very good band musically
    also, and I am glad I took a chance on them.
    
    Been listening to the new "Elegy" release and it sounds pretty good so
    far! But I do like the new Tiamat also and they have some low end
    singing on some of the tunes. Shawn might like them though, but I doubt
    he would for Amorphis.
    
    
1155.21FABSIX::K_KAMARHey There, Boys n' Girls...Tue Jun 04 1996 13:0310
    I like the " huskiness " in a singer's tone...but, I like it subtle...
    NOT screaming and yelling like a lot of HM vocalists do. ( especially,
    the newer generation ).
    Ozzy O.  never had a " growling " voice at all, and he is a VERY
    effective HM vocalist.  
    I do, however, love to hear a singer  let out a good " screech " now
    and then...( like Steve Tyler, David Coverdale, & David Lee Roth ).
    But, to carry on screeching and growling thru an entire song is a BIT
    much....:-)
                       *** Kit ***
1155.22METALX::SWANSONDefender 2000Tue Jun 04 1996 13:325
    I like the " huskiness " in a singer's tone...but, I like it subtle...

Let me guess.... Umm.... like Gene Simmons?  :')

Ken
1155.24bloooorrggHOOPLE::FENNELLYuri! quit smooshing packagesTue Jun 04 1996 14:411
Oh baby - there goes my lunch...
1155.25When I'm"Gooooooooooooonnnnnnnnnne"WMOIS::MAZURKASon_Of_Dig_It_AlWed Jun 05 1996 15:045
    Speakin Of A Nice Vocal_Wail and Deep Purple...
    I Finally got Jesus Chirst Super_Star on CD and it Reminded me how
    Great Ian Gillan is!
    
      Crazy_Whats_He_Been_Doin_Lately_Al?�
1155.26Axl's not bad either...POLAR::RENAUDPjou got da stuff main?Wed Jun 05 1996 15:4410
    best: Geoff Tate
          James Hetfield
          Bruce Dickenson
    	  Ian Astbury (sorta metalish)
    and of course....
    
    		HAGAR!!
    
    Paully 8)
    
1155.27ACISS1::SCHELTERWed Jun 05 1996 16:4713
    
    Best
    
    Rob Halford
    Ozzy
    Elvis Costello
    Jonatte Napolitano (sp?)
    Gene Simmons
    
    
    Mike
    
    
1155.28METALX::SWANSONDefender 2000Wed Jun 05 1996 23:514
    > Jonatte Napolitano (sp?)
    
    Who??
    
1155.29THEMAX::SMITH_SOnly users lose drugsThu Jun 06 1996 00:223
    Worst:
    
    James Hetfield trying to carry a tune
1155.30ACISS1::SCHELTERThu Jun 06 1996 07:585
    RE: .28  Concrete Blonde singer.
    
    
    Mike
    
1155.31HOOPLE::FENNELLYuri! quit smooshing packagesThu Jun 06 1996 09:591
Do you mean Concrete Blone or 4 Non-Blondes?
1155.32POLAR::RICHARDSONKinda rotten and insaneThu Jun 06 1996 10:192
    Nobody can go "OOOOOOOOOOOOOoooooooooooooooooo......." better than
    Robert Plant, eh?
1155.33WMOIS::MAZURKASon_Of_Dig_It_AlThu Jun 06 1996 12:213
    OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHoooooHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
    I Can Quit You Babe.
    So I'm Gonna have to Put You Down fer Awhile..
1155.34ACISS1::SCHELTERThu Jun 06 1996 16:317
    RE:  .31  Concrete Blonde, 1st one self titled, Free, Blood Letting
    	      etc.
    
    
    Mike
    
    
1155.35TPLAB::VLASIUSorin Vlasiu - Brussels, BelgiumFri Jun 07 1996 04:0726
Best

David Byron (from Uriah Heep, dead in '85)
Geoff Tate
Freddie Mercury
Ian Gillan
James La Brie
Klaus Meine
Gamma Ray's singer
David Wayne
Tom Araya
Forbidden's singer
Randy Rampage (Annihilator's first singer - really raw voice)
David Coverdale
Ian Gillan
Ozzy Osbourne
Gregg Lake (Crimson King's first is somewhat an ancestor of progressive metal)
.. and many more ..

Worse

?? there is some competition here



Sorin
1155.36JUGHED::FLATTERYFri Jun 07 1996 10:048
    .....so many people have written in that they think ozzy is a great
    singer.....i have to wonder what kind of measuring stick is being
    used that would result in him being considered 'great'.....ok, his voice 
    is highly recognizable...and so that makes the songs he does very distinct.
    ..he can carry a tune in a bucket...most of the time....but a 'good singer'
    ??...i dont' think so.....vocalist i'll give him..but he's not even
    remotely close to being in the same league as G. tate. J. Labrie..and 
    many others mentioned here..../k 
1155.37VINCE IS MY FAV OF ALL TIME...KDCA01::CDCUP_TORRENGotta B Willin 2 Crash-n-burnFri Jun 07 1996 11:1713
    Best (IMO)                  Worst - More like singers I can't stand
    
    Vince Neil                  Hagar
    Ozzy                        Bon Jovi
    Stephan Percy               Joe Elliot
    David Lee Roth              John Corabi
    Rob Zombie			and although he's NOT metal-Springsteen
    				all's he does is talk...
    
    As for the question before, I prefer Ozzy's voice and his concert/total
    package better then Tate. Again, JMO...
    
    	Bobby T
1155.38BUSY::SLABOUNTYExit light ... enter night.Fri Jun 07 1996 12:224
    
    	You don't like John Corabi only because he's the new singer for
    	Motley Crue and his name isn't Vince Neil.
    
1155.39NO ARGUEMENT HERE...*))KDCA01::CDCUP_TORRENGotta B Willin 2 Crash-n-burnFri Jun 07 1996 12:274
    ya, so. He also has crappy black SoS Pad hair, and is trying to
    fill shoes that can't be filled...
    
    	Bobby T
1155.40SUBPAC::GOLDIEResident AlienFri Jun 07 1996 13:067
    
    BobbyT...I would have thought you would have put in a note about
    Tommy Lee becoming a dad...seeing how you seem to monitor every move
    he and his wife makes!
    
    
    							ian
1155.41STRATA::EMCGREWSat Jun 15 1996 14:537
    BEST:                                  WORST:
    Chris Cornell - Soundgarden            Vince Niel
    James Hetfield - Metallica             Marilyn Manson
    Phil Anselmo - Pantera                 Ronnie James Dio
    Geoff Tate - Queensryche               Tom Kiefer - Cinderella
    Rob Zombie - White Zombie              Brett Micheals - Poison
    
1155.42BBbaarrrfffffff!METALX::SWANSONLOADMon Jun 17 1996 09:393
Rob Zombie huh?

Yeah,  he's GOOD!    
1155.43Phhhhttthhhhhh...ICS::CLELANDMon Jun 17 1996 15:5011
    	The title of the note is best metal vocalist?
    
    	Meaning someone who vocalizes in the metal style?
    
    	No reference to WHETHER THE DUDE/DUDETTE CAN SING?!?!?!?!?!?!?
    
    	Ah, who cares about talent and/or ability, all that matters
    	is getting a recording contract, and being successful in the
    	music business.
    
    	Notice the word 'business' is larger than the word 'music'.
1155.44METALX::SWANSONLOADMon Jun 17 1996 18:192
    Oh,  I thought "Vocalist" meant "Singer"
    
1155.45STRATA::EMCGREWWed Jun 19 1996 08:106
    	In defense of my entry .41 and the response of .42:
    
    	I realize and freely admit that most metal singers cannot harmonize
    any better than your common bullfrog, which is exactly why they are
    great metal vocalists.  If the category would have been best metal
    singer (re .44), that would have been a different story!
1155.46FABSIX::K_KAMARHomer Simpson School Of EtiquetteWed Jun 19 1996 10:2610
    You know,...now that I think about it...Rob Halford is a pretty darn
    good vocalist.
    
    I should have added him to my " best " list. :-)
    
    I like the job he does on " Before the Dawn ".
    
    BTW...is Rob, uh, you know, a " happy " ( wink wink ) kind of fella ???
    
    *** Kit ***
1155.47A DelMonte fruit cup anyone?POLAR::TYSICKHe who hesitates...masterbatesWed Jun 19 1996 11:296
    RE: .46 Kit
    
    	"happy"??? wink wink ??? kind of fella???
    
    Oh you mean he's....
    
1155.48SCASS1::BARBER_AI guess I'm not that hungryWed Jun 19 1996 11:442
    Yep, he sure took a liking to Phil Anselmo of Pantera a while back. 
    Kinda had me wondering...
1155.49Rob no longer behind closed doorsSTRATA::EMCGREWWed Jun 19 1996 11:505
    	Yes, Rob Halford actually has come out of the closet and openly
    admits his affection for the same sex.  Whether he took a liking to
    Phil or not I don't know.
    
    Eric
1155.50RJ Dio definately in the Worst categoryWOTVAX::DAVIESGGuy DaviesWed Jun 19 1996 11:5415
    Best:			Worst:
    
    Bif Naked			Joe Lynn Turner
    Ian Astbury			Joey Tempest
    Noddy Holder		Rod Stewart (OK not Metal, but sort of rock)
    Stella (from Intastella)    Ronnie James Dio
    Mark Lannegan		Biff Byford
    
    Despite the fact he's an awful vocalist Biff's stil a good bloke. I
    have the "Encyclopedia Metallica" which came out in 1980, which Biff
    wrote the forward for! Wonderful stuff. Hmm, I think I'll go home and
    listen to "Denim and Leather", or maybe some Angelwitch or Dark Star,
    they don't make music like that any more!
    
    Guy
1155.51FABSIX::K_KAMARHomer Simpson School Of EtiquetteWed Jun 19 1996 12:367
    Hey Guy....
    
    Noddy Holder is   A W E S O M E  !!!!!!
    
    I didn't put him down as a " best " vocalist in this topic 'cause I
    didn't consider him a metal vocalist...but...he IS great. :-)
    
1155.52SCASS1::BARBER_AI guess I'm not that hungryWed Jun 19 1996 12:371
    Whodat?
1155.53FABSIX::K_KAMARHomer Simpson School Of EtiquetteWed Jun 19 1996 12:512
    Noddy is ( or should I say WAS )  the lead singer of SLADE....
    ....a glam / hard rock band from the U.K..
1155.54HOOPLE::FENNELLYuri! quit smooshing packagesWed Jun 19 1996 15:264
Noddy has pipes that are made of cast iron...  That guy could wail.

Think of Quiet Riot doing Cmon Feel the Noize and imagine vocals that would
drown out the rest of the band
1155.55How_Does_It_Feel?WMOIS::MAZURKASon_Of_Dig_It_AlWed Jun 19 1996 15:535
    Looked GREAT in his Bell_Bottom,Suit and Tall Hat,Along with that
    Sparkeled_Stuff All Over Him.That Long Curly_Hair was Kool Too.
    
    
        Crazy_Ahhhhhhhhhh_Man_Al
1155.56FABSIX::K_KAMARThank God Cows Don't Fly...Wed Jun 19 1996 16:144
    When I saw him in the video " Run Runaway " that aired on MTV back in
    '83 or '84 I thought he was ADORABLE !!!!  Very comedic guy....a joker.
    I used to have a crush on him back in my teenage years.
    
1155.57POLAR::LYLEcats in heat are NOT toysThu Jun 20 1996 03:173
    
    <-------- as well as Gene, unless I'm mistaken.. 8)
    
1155.58Wierd....POLAR::RENAUDPDiscover Wildlife...HAVE KIDS!Thu Jun 20 1996 04:193
    You had a crush on Gene Simmons, Davey?!?
    
    
1155.59Not like Paully, who likes Nikki Sixx!!!POLAR::LYLEcats in heat are NOT toysThu Jun 20 1996 04:567
    
    No boner-haed, I meant Kit does, at least that's what I read out of it.
    
    I have a crush on the chick in White Zombie. (wild girls is a turn-on)
    
    Dave
    
1155.60HUH????POLAR::BRASSINGTONSettle Down you arm pitThu Jun 20 1996 05:296
    Davey,
    
    "boner-haed"??????????????????????????????????????????????????????
    
    P
    
1155.61At least he's closer to my age!POLAR::RENAUDPDiscover Wildlife...HAVE KIDS!Thu Jun 20 1996 06:334
    There's nothing wrong with Nikki!
    
    Paully 8)
    
1155.62Noddy Rocked!WOTVAX::DAVIESGGuy DaviesThu Jun 20 1996 08:5413
    Kit,
    
    Noddy should definately be included here, back around '80, '81 Slade
    recorded some out and out HM, "Lock up your daughters", "We'll bring
    the house down" etc..., and if you ever saw them live - well, I think
    you can guess what they were like (actually I sent you a mail about
    Slade in concert about a month ago - did you ever receive it!- I forgot
    to put a mail received/read flag on it -oops!)!
    
    Guy
    
    
    
1155.63Time heals all wounds?ICS::CLELANDFri Jun 21 1996 14:447
    	Amazing how times change...
    
    	Ronnie J Dio, worst vocalist?
    
    	Back in 1988 this file LOVED Ronnie, Black Sabath topic # 38...
    
    	Eight years later, he's voted the worst././.
1155.64METALX::SWANSONLoadFri Jun 21 1996 14:574
    I think they're just putting him in the worst category to stir up sh*t.
    
    I can't understand how anyone can think he's a bad vocalist.
    
1155.65FABSIX::K_KAMARThank God Cows Don&#039;t Fly...Sun Jun 23 1996 09:385
    re.: .57  and .59
    
    Yeah, I DO have a crush on G.S. !!!! Got a problem with that ???? ;-)
    
    
1155.66POLAR::LYLEson of a silly personMon Jun 24 1996 01:519
    
    Nothin'. Nothin' at all.
    
    
    Did I ever tell you I looked like Gene?? 8)
    (just kidding, I'm much uglier!!!)
    
    Dave