Having seen him live in his pomp Ian Anderson of Jethroe Tull was/is an absolute master of communication with a crowd. makes Freddie Mercury (also good at working the crowd) seem half asleep. BTW there are not my favourites, but I'm talking frontman/woman, not best singer. Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood mac fame could deliver, and of course Tina Turner and Mick Jagger. In terms of being absolutely compelling but not trying then I would suggest the very much missed Jeff Buckley, check out Lover You Should have Come Over from Chicago 1995 Mystery White Boy tour. There is of course the incomparable James Brown, but also Jerry Lee Lewis, and believe it or not another amazing front man was/is Arthur Brown of 'Fire' fame, complete with theatrics and an astonishing vocal range.
Influential, in the way that they inspired others/a loyal following:
Bob Marley Robert Smith (sorry, personal favourite so has to be in every top 5/10 etc) Lennon/McCartney Debbie Harry Kurt Cobain
The best....hmmm...different IMHO
Robert Smith (see above) Freddie Mercury Thom Yorke Mick Jagger But then could have Damon Albarn, Ian Brown, Shaun Ryder etc etc as all very good at what they do....
Having seen him live in his pomp Ian Anderson of Jethroe Tull was/is an absolute master of communication with a crowd. makes Freddie Mercury (also good at working the crowd) seem half asleep. BTW there are not my favourites, but I'm talking frontman/woman, not best singer. Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood mac fame could deliver, and of course Tina Turner and Mick Jagger. In terms of being absolutely compelling but not trying then I would suggest the very much missed Jeff Buckley, check out Lover You Should have Come Over from Chicago 1995 Mystery White Boy tour. There is of course the incomparable James Brown, but also Jerry Lee Lewis, and believe it or not another amazing front man was/is Arthur Brown of 'Fire' fame, complete with theatrics and an astonishing vocal range.
I recently re bought " the crazy world of arthur brown" and was amazed at how good his voice was.
Hmmm, perhaps despise was an inappropriate word. Not aimed at the individuals (well except for Bono), but I loathe their music, far too happy for an old misanthrope :-)
Harry MacGregor Woods who in 1926 wrote that much loved song "When the Red, Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin' Along"
U.S. - Hank Williams, Dylan, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Hendrix.
U.K. - Long John Baldry, Dusty Springfield, Syd Barrett, Robert Plant, Mark Knopfler
Great question @i_b_b_o_r_g thanks for being the catalyst for many good thoughts and memories.
@seth plum it was hard not to include Jeff Buckley as he's one of my favourites too, did you read he has a new (never been released) album coming out in March? Early cover stuff, can't wait
As far as front men goes the best for me was David Lee Roth. Total performer. !980 at the Rainbow was awesome. near misses: Roger Daltrey Steve Marriot David Bowie (if you can count non 'band' artists) Ray Davies
good to mention: Stuart Adamson Bono (There goes what little credibility I had)
As far as front men goes the best for me was David Lee Roth. Total performer. !980 at the Rainbow was awesome. near misses: Roger Daltrey Steve Marriot David Bowie (if you can count non 'band' artists) Ray Davies
good to mention: Stuart Adamson Bono (There goes what little credibility I had)
Not at all, there's a big difference between favourite recording artist and top front man. I strongly suspect many commenting on this thread have never seen the people they are championing, even though many of them may have been amazing when seen "in concert" on a video. I saw Gary Numan once, as my wife was a fan from childhood. He was extremely good, even though his music would not be my first choice, I would certainly go and see him as a performer again.
Comments
Please therefore close this thread now -:)
and Marriott, Gary Numan (influential), Paul Weller and Dave Gahan.
Wombles Crossroads
Jim Morrison
Bono
Freddie Mercury
Mick Jagger
1 had talent, despise the rest but can't deny their influence
BTW there are not my favourites, but I'm talking frontman/woman, not best singer.
Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood mac fame could deliver, and of course Tina Turner and Mick Jagger.
In terms of being absolutely compelling but not trying then I would suggest the very much missed Jeff Buckley, check out Lover You Should have Come Over from Chicago 1995 Mystery White Boy tour.
There is of course the incomparable James Brown, but also Jerry Lee Lewis, and believe it or not another amazing front man was/is Arthur Brown of 'Fire' fame, complete with theatrics and an astonishing vocal range.
U.S. - Hank Williams, Dylan, Ray Charles, Johnny Cash, Hendrix.
U.K. - Long John Baldry, Dusty Springfield, Syd Barrett, Robert Plant, Mark Knopfler
Great question @i_b_b_o_r_g thanks for being the catalyst for many good thoughts and memories.
@seth plum it was hard not to include Jeff Buckley as he's one of my favourites too, did you read he has a new (never been released) album coming out in March? Early cover stuff, can't wait
Morrissey
The following have gone on record to say they were influenced by Elvis
John Lennon
Paul McCartney
James Brown
Bruce Springsteen
Cliff Richard
Billy Fury
Vince Eager (sic)
Morrissey
Not a bad list :-)
Bruce Springsteen
Madonna
Mick Jagger
Michael Jackson
Probably the best 5 front people I've seen, that have influenced many others.
Well it's Elvis isn't it.
Would also say Iggy Pop, Robert Plant, Mick Jagger & John Lennon were influential as well.
On the subject of best front man, Mike Patton and Freddy Mercury.
near misses:
Roger Daltrey
Steve Marriot
David Bowie (if you can count non 'band' artists)
Ray Davies
good to mention:
Stuart Adamson
Bono (There goes what little credibility I had)
Crissie Hynde
Janis Joplin
Dusty Springfield
Annie Lennox
Kate Bush