The best Vocalist of all time?

[Spangles]

So, ladies and gentleman,

I am spending an evening listening to various Motown artists and others of that era, and feel the vocals are absolutely stunning when you think of people such as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson.

Who would be your favourite all time vocalist? Who's voice sends tingles down your spine?

I searched for a thread but did not see anything relevant.

The performers above get an honourable nod from me, but also got to include Pavarotti and Freddie Mercury in there too. Nat King Cole gets an most powerful vote also

 

[Subliminal Aura]

I only deal with soungbirds .... There are so many to choose from but for me Vesta Williams cuts above the top

Check out 3:40 her duet with a sax.... It still blows my mind everytime I listen to it

Lovely performance by Teena Marie

 

[Kosmiche]

Roy Orbison is the "best"

My favourites include...

Chris Cornell
Maynard James Keenan
Mike Patton
Mark Lanegan

Chris Cornell probably my favourite.

 

[Spangles]

I have to concur on Mr Cornell, Cochise and You Know My Name being particular faves

 

[RevBillyG]

Ian Gillan. Amazing range.

 

[Usher]

Roy Orbison is the "best"

+1
revered by other artists both past & present

 

[strang3r]

Roy Orbison is the "best"

My favourites include...

Chris Cornell
Maynard James Keenan
Mike Patton
Mark Lanegan

Chris Cornell probably my favourite.

Pretty much this with a bit of Eddie Vedder in the mix. I do very much like Regina Spektor too.

 

[Krisali]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYl8GRJGnBY

 

[Lysander]

Male: Blackie Lawless. The guy just is metal. His voice can have rock, grit, melody, meaning and sleaze in it all at the same time. Never tire of him.

Female: Anneke van Giersbergen. I remember the first time I heard her sing on Strange Machines, I thought, "wow, this is something special."

 

[Lartyconshayo]

Leonard Cohen. I love it when his voice tears apart in Diamonds in the Mine

 

[Robosapien]

Ian Gillan. Amazing range.

I must say, I didn't expect anyone to beat me to it.

 

[Fulax]

Hardly a controversial choice among metalheads, but I can't look past Ronnie James Dio. Such a distinctive and powerful voice.

Honourable mention to Daniel Heiman, for his epic screams with Lost Horizon.

 

[Malevolence]

Sir Freddy of Mercury.

/thread

 

[G-MAN2004]

Jeff Buckley.

 

[Meridian]

Hardly a controversial choice among metalheads, but I can't look past Ronnie James Dio. Such a distinctive and powerful voice.

I'd have to say that Geoff Tate is better. But the two's duet is great.

For myself I'd add Kate Bush.

 

[gregorius]

Jussi Bjorling

 

[Haggisman]

I'm going to have to go with Mikael Åkerfeldt

Everything from melodic, mournful, soulful lyrics to demonic growl, and switching between the 2 within a bar of a song

 

[Shamikebab]

Mine is Maynard James Keenan, just a great vocalist.

 

[Deep]

Matthew Bellamy from Muse

 

[Gilly]

In terms of singing talent:

Female: Minnie Riperton
Male: Freddie Mercury
All round performance: Michael Jackson