Who is the best singer that ever lived?

[theogt]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I'm inclined to think it's Christina Aguilera. Granted, I don't know much about opera or that sort of singing, but in terms of modern artists, I have never heard anyone do what she does with her voice.

I'm curious as to what other think.

[blindzebra]

Seriously?:lmao2:

Anyone not saying Aretha Franklin is clueless.

[Gemini Dolly]

Christina Aguilera is mine. I grew up listening to her and shes my favorite female vocalist ever. I love the power and tone of her voice.

[rash]

i think rick astley is the best ;)

[mldardy]

Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston before the crack. Aguilera has a powerful voice but it hasn't been well used. It's not always how loud and long you can carry a note but how you use your voice with the music.

[theogt]

Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston before the crack. Aguilera has a powerful voice but it hasn't been well used. It's not always how loud and long you can carry a note but how you use your voice with the music.That's what I mean. She's so flexible with her voice. It's not about power or singing high. She does it all.

I think most people like Marvin Gaye aren't necessarily great singers, but great songwriters. I'm not saying he's not a great singer -- just that what he's amazing at is writing songs.

[couchscout]

This is always a fun conversation. I love Christina, but my favorite is Alicia Keys. I could listen to that girl sing all day. Of modern day artists you also still have Amy Lee (of Evanesence) and some of the R & B guys like Maxwell and Musiq Soulchild.

But I'm inclined to say probably the greatest singer ever is Michael Jackson, with Freddie Mercury being a pretty close second.

[blindzebra]

Google Aretha Grammy performance.

She took on an opera aria on two days notice when the scheduled singer got sick.

This is seriously no contest.

[ShiningStar]

this si confusing, you say "who ever lived" than say you odnt know enough about the other outlets of music and go with a modern voice. Why not just who is the best modern singer right now?"


You want a good one, Terrence Mann, im not saying hes the best, but hes very talented.

Of course its going to come down to opinion.

[Dallas]

That's what I mean. She's so flexible with her voice. It's not about power or singing high. She does it all.

I think most people like Marvin Gaye aren't necessarily great singers, but great songwriters. I'm not saying he's not a great singer -- just that what he's amazing at is writing songs.


Flexible w/ her voice? ;) It's called having a vast amount of RANGE in her voice.

:D


Amazing


BUT!!

Best modern day female vocalist. You can't deny Mary J. Blige


Flexible!! Wooo!!

[Dallas]

Seriously?:lmao2:

Anyone not saying Aretha Franklin is clueless.

Aretha has a wonderful voice. Best ever? I can't follow ya. I get your opinion. She is marvelous. Just not my style of singer.


Is she flexible? ;)

[blindzebra]

Aretha has a wonderful voice. Best ever? I can't follow ya. I get your opinion. She is marvelous. Just not my style of singer.


Is she flexible? ;)

Google her Grammy performance.

She can sing blues, gospel,rock and opera for crying out loud...not flexible?:lmao2:

[Dallas]

Google her Grammy performance.

She can sing blues, gospel,rock and opera for crying out loud...not flexible?:lmao2:


No I've seen her sing all of what you are saying. Her range is all over and she is amazing, but again, I just don't fall in love w/ her voice. :D

[bbgun]

Karen Carpenter

[CowboyDan]

Bob Dylan!

hk3mAX5xdxo

Seriously though, what about George Michael, Bono, Eddie Vedder, Tori Amos, Maria Carey, Whitney Houston, and my personal favorite singer.....

W. Axl Rose

G5x9eMsfpBE

...say what you will, but Axl can sing and scream in tune better than anybody in the rock business. I think he's at least worthy of being in the discussion.

[danielofthesaints]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I'm inclined to think it's Christina Aguilera. Granted, I don't know much about opera or that sort of singing, but in terms of modern artists, I have never heard anyone do what she does with her voice.

I'm curious as to what other think.

She lost all credibility with her Super Bowl horrid performance in my eyes. Im gonna go with Robert Plant, just for his originality.

[CliffnMesquite]

Bing Crosby.

[big dog cowboy]

9RrLQUN8UJg

[Romo 2 Austin]

Tim mcilrath & Zack de la Rocha

[Arch Stanton]

Karen Carpenter

+1

From a male perspective I'd go with Nat King Cole and Ray Charles. In the classical field the Three Tenors aren't too shabby.

[DallasEast]

Google Aretha Grammy performance.

She took on an opera aria on two days notice when the scheduled singer got sick.

This is seriously no contest.
:signmast: :hammer:

I've always wondered how dominant Mahalia Jackson or even Ella Fitzgerald would have been in this day and age. I can remember Fitzgerald performing at the Grammys in her late seventies shortly before her death. Her range and depth of voice even then was mind numbing.

[WV Cowboy]

You are never going to get anyone to agree on 1 single singer.

I'm not a huge fan or anything, but nobody has mentioned Elvis, ... his voice just flowed with no effort whatsoever.

Roy Orbison.

Barbara Streisand

Steve Perry

Freddie Mercury

She never really hit it big, and she died too young, but Laura Brannigan had an amazing voice, I loved to hear her sing.

This isn't even the tip of the iceberg.

Like I always say, I don't have to pick just one, and I'm glad.

[jimmy40]

Bing Crosby.without question

[Zaxor]

Nat King Cole

[jimmy40]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I'm inclined to think it's Christina Aguilera. Granted, I don't know much about opera or that sort of singing, but in terms of modern artists, I have never heard anyone do what she does with her voice.

I'm curious as to what other think.she would be awesome at those pig calling contests

[Zaxor]

Karen Carpenter

that is a great choice also

[Hostile]

Wow. It is impossible to answer this definitively. There are so many wonderful singers male and female. You can't go wrong with any of these.

Females

Sarah Brightman
Barbra Streisand
Karen Carpenter
Whitney Houston
Celine Dion
Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha Franklin
Billie Holliday
Patsy Cline

For sheer guts and get me out of my seat power I still love Janis Joplin. Hers was not a technically perfect voice like some, but it was magical.

One I am betting most in here have never heard of is Annette Strean of Venus Hum. Talk about power in a voice, she can blow you out of your chair when she let's loose.



Males

Frank Sinatra
Roy Orbison
Bing Crosby
Art Garfunkel
Freddy Mercury
Steven Perry
Vince Gill

The guy who never ceases to simply move me though is Andrea Bocelli. Perhaps the purest voice I have ever heard.

TAFj2-u2cGQ

[Duane]

K.D. Lang can sing as good as anyone.

[Yeagermeister]

Me....in the shower or car :laugh1:

[Signals]

William Hung's mother should be along any minute.

[zrinkill]

Stevie Nicks

I could listen to her sing the alphabet.

[urface59]

Are you all stupid? Taylor Hicks of course

[Hostile]

Are you all stupid? Taylor Hicks of coursesbk92, is that you?

[Wimbo]

coh7n6dYj5Y

[Aikmaniac]

Many good listings here. I'll add Josh Groban. The guy gives me goosebumps. Right up there with Andrea Bocelli.

[WV Cowboy]

I'll add Josh Groban. The guy gives me goosebumps.

We aren't talking about that, we are talking about how good they sing.

:laugh2:

[CATCH17]

This guy

wMmIKoC3DQQ

[WV Cowboy]

If you aren't familar with Laura Brannigan, please take a moment and listen to her sing "The Power of Love."

I'm not suggessting that she is the best ever, but she has a great and powerful voice. I loved her, but she passed away too young.

1MN7RY74NAo

[WV Cowboy]

This guy

What a great crowd, they all were either cheering throughout the entire song, or they were singing along, .. which is what I do at games.

It is hard to beat the feeling of patriotism that I feel during the SSB at a football game. That song reminds me that it is all about freedom to be where we are at that moment and doing what we are doing.

Only in America.

[Aikmaniac]

We aren't talking about that, we are talking about how good they sing.

:laugh2:

Oh, my bad! :D

[ConcordCowboy]

Karen Carpenter

Love her voice.

[ConcordCowboy]

http://www.culch.ie/images/JanisJoplin002.jpg

I laugh at all of you

[RoyTheHammer]

Zack de la Rocha

:lmao2:

[bbgun]

Other dames that come to mind: Melissa Manchester, Anne Murray, Kate Smith, Shirley Bassey, Olivia Newton John, etc.

[the kid 05]

Jonathan Davis and Corey Taylor get a vote from me (and probably only me) they both have surprising voices and can hit good ranges. both go from heavy to soft as well

[HoleInTheRoof]

Google Ke$ha.

/thread

[Achilleslastand]

Google Ke$ha.

/thread

This is a joke right.....:laugh1:

[Lodeus]

My personal favorites are Davey Havok, James Labrie, Geddy Lee, Jesse Leach, and Buddy Holly.

For the best that ever lived, Freddie Mercury is a good choice.

[DallasGirl50]

Sinatra was called "The Voice" for a reason...

my personal favorite though is Elvis. He really could sing any kind of music and make it his own.

On the unique side of vocalists I really love Johnny Cash's voice. Even at the end of his life he was putting out some great stuff.

[CowboyDan]

Sinatra was called "The Voice" for a reason...

my personal favorite though is Elvis. He really could sing any kind of music and make it his own.

On the unique side of vocalists I really love Johnny Cash's voice. Even at the end of his life he was putting out some great stuff.

This is a great post. 3 Great ones there.

[BrAinPaiNt]

For me there are just too many artists for too many styles and reasons just to name one.

I mean I love Frank Sinatra but he would not be able to do things in metal that Someone like Dio, Halford or Bruce from IM could do.

I guess I could pick someone like Whitney back in the day or Celine but personally I don't care for all of that type of music much.

As someone else pointed out I really love Marvin Gayes voice. There are others from older R&B days that I like a lot like Smokey or Otis Redding.

Although I don't listen to much opera at all, I guess you could pick out some of the best Opera Singers and throw them up there.

Just too many genres, styles and then our own like or dislike of those to name just one overall voice that everybody would just sit back and say...Yes..that's the one. Heck I imagine you could not even get everyone to agree on a top five or ten.

[MetalHead]

For me there are just too many artists for too many styles and reasons just to name one.

I mean I love Frank Sinatra but he would not be able to do things in metal that Someone like Dio, Halford or Bruce from IM could do.

I guess I could pick someone like Whitney back in the day or Celine but personally I don't care for all of that type of music much.

As someone else pointed out I really love Marvin Gayes voice. There are others from older R&B days that I like a lot like Smokey or Otis Redding.

Although I don't listen to much opera at all, I guess you could pick out some of the best Opera Singers and throw them up there.

Just too many genres, styles and then our own like or dislike of those to name just one overall voice that everybody would just sit back and say...Yes..that's the one. Heck I imagine you could not even get everyone to agree on a top five or ten.
I agree.
I'm also a big fan of Johnette Napolitano from Concrete Blonde.

[Biggems]

Best Country voice....I have to say George Jones....he can hit all the notes in the same song. I love listening to him sing. George Strait may be my favorite country singer, but no one can throw down country and western the way the Possum can. After Jones, Randy Travis, Marty Robbins, and George Strait follow....at least for me.

I know she wont win any contests, but one of my favorite voices to listen to is Dolores ORiordon of the Cranberries. I just love her voice, always have.

[pupulehaole]

I think alot of you are mixing Singing prowess and song writing... but a couple of mine would be Mariah Carey or however you spell her name, Christina aguilara, Mary J,

[MonsterD]

Google Ke$ha.

/thread

Tiny Tim

/thread

[Alumni2k11]

50 Tyson

[DFWJC]

I'll probably get flamed for this, but I'm inclined to think it's Christina Aguilera. Granted, I don't know much about opera or that sort of singing, but in terms of modern artists, I have never heard anyone do what she does with her voice.

I'm curious as to what other think.
My "modern", do you mean present day or do you mean pop singers?

I mean, someone like Andrea Bocelli burbs better than Aguilera sings.

[CATCH17]

Google Ke$ha.

/thread

hahahaha

[theogt]

My "modern", do you mean present day or do you mean pop singers?

I mean, someone like Andrea Bocelli burbs better than Aguilera sings.Does he? Or does he simply sing a style of music that leads many people to believe he must be superior?

[DFWJC]

Does he? Or does he simply sing a style of music that leads many people to believe he must be superior?
Good question.

The answers are yes and no.

[theogt]

Good question.

The answers are yes and no.I disagree. I am not amazed when I hear him sing. I think he has an other-worldly tone to his voice, but in terms of pure singing talent, I'm not sure that he does much. I could be wrong. I haven't listened to enough of his work to know and it could be that he is merely restrained.

[67CowboysFan]

0IA3ZvCkRkQ

Anne Murray and Karen Carpenter are right behind her. ;)

[DallasGirl50]

When I was a kid the Carpenters were really big time and I remember thinking some of their stuff was kind of lame. I don't think so anymore. Karen had a great voice and that was a very talented duo. It's so sad that she died so young. One always wonders what else might she have done?

And for the ones that mentioned Nat King Cole..he was a masterful singer. I'm not much for jazz but I know Nat was a jazz guy. To me his voice is just beautiful.

[Joe Realist]

Wow. It is impossible to answer this definitively. There are so many wonderful singers male and female. You can't go wrong with any of these.

Females

Sarah Brightman
Barbra Streisand
Karen Carpenter
Whitney Houston
Celine Dion
Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha Franklin
Billie Holliday
Patsy Cline

For sheer guts and get me out of my seat power I still love Janis Joplin. Hers was not a technically perfect voice like some, but it was magical.

One I am betting most in here have never heard of is Annette Strean of Venus Hum. Talk about power in a voice, she can blow you out of your chair when she let's loose.



Males

Frank Sinatra
Roy Orbison
Bing Crosby
Art Garfunkel
Freddy Mercury
Steven Perry
Vince Gill

The guy who never ceases to simply move me though is Andrea Bocelli. Perhaps the purest voice I have ever heard.

TAFj2-u2cGQ

I agree on Andrea Bocelli and not enough people know about Sarah Brightman. She is incredible.

Lp7rZEKClk4

vl6h7UWo1_Q&feature=related

[Achilleslastand]

Been some great ones mentioned along with some duds.
Just gotta mention Phoebe Snow who also sadly passed away a couple of days ago.
She had a huge hit in 1975 with poetry man
http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=643162

[jubal]

Best Country voice....I have to say George Jones....he can hit all the notes in the same song. I love listening to him sing. George Strait may be my favorite country singer, but no one can throw down country and western the way the Possum can. After Jones, Randy Travis, Marty Robbins, and George Strait follow....at least for me.

I know she wont win any contests, but one of my favorite voices to listen to is Dolores ORiordon of the Cranberries. I just love her voice, always have.

Finally a kindred spirit.
Josh Turner, Leann Rimes when she sings country after the style of Patsy Cline.

[Sam I Am]

Thats easy.

LR-MSZSLC5w

[Cajuncowboy]

Elvis Presley.

The guy is still churning out number 1s 3 decades after he died.

[DFWJC]

I disagree. I am not amazed when I hear him sing. I think he has an other-worldly tone to his voice, but in terms of pure singing talent, I'm not sure that he does much. I could be wrong. I haven't listened to enough of his work to know and it could be that he is merely restrained.
Pavarotti in his prime then?

BTW, I do not disagree that Aquilera is strong...just giving you hard time.

[CowboyDan]

Pavarotti in his prime then?

BTW, I do not disagree that Aquilera is strong...just giving you hard time.

I don't understand why opera is always valued above other forms of singing. I mean, sure you gotta have pipes, but could Pavarotti sing Paradise City? :D Plus that shake voice just gets annoying after 5 minutes. Aye Aye Aye!

[DFWJC]

I don't understand why opera is always valued above other forms of singing. I mean, sure you gotta have pipes, but could Pavarotti sing Paradise City? :D Plus that shake voice just gets annoying after 5 minutes. Aye Aye Aye!
Love me some Paradise City!

BTW, speaking of rock voices.
When Chris Cornell is on, he can be amazing...imo.

[CowboyDan]

Love me some Paradise City!

BTW, speaking of rock voices.
When Chris Cornell is on, he is amazing...io.
Yeah buddy....Badmotorfinger is the perfect example:thumbup:

[TheCount]

I agree that Aretha Franklin is the best, you ask great singers who they aspire to sing like and more often than not, they'll say Aretha.

As far as Christina, she's much improved. When she first started, her voice was just a sledgehammer she tried to club people over the head with but she's developed her range. I still can't sound the way she sounds when she's going for it though, she sounds like she's growling or screaming usually, one of the two.

[Sarge]

Ronnie Wood

k70d1Y-KaGA

[rynochop]

This guy

wMmIKoC3DQQ

Yes, that should do next years Superbowl. Gives me goosebumps

[theogt]

kzY7aoYuCfg