I was born in 1964 so I am not forgetting the singers who pre-dated me. Certainly Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee, to name just a few, made a tremendous mark in the music and entertainment world before the days I remember and up until the present.
Also it is important that I point out I am highlighting the voices that stuck out in my ears. That is not to say or suggest that my favorites are the only great singers over the last 35 - 40 years. So I hope you like my personal choices and also have your own choices to add or subtract from my list.
As a young lad I remember Aretha Franklin as having the coolest and the most soulful of voices. I was only 3 in 1967 and still remember trying to sing Respect. Ray Charles I feel also had a unique voice to my young ears. Also Paul McCartney and John Lennon I felt added personality with their singing. Where as I never was impressed with Mick Jagger or say Bob Dylan as far as singing was concerned. I didn't think they were bad but they didn't wow me.
Some of the stars from before my time that still were strong in the "60"s like Ella, Frank, and Ray Charles who I mentioned got my notice. Elvis was great but I was never one who caught the King "fever." I was a huge Hendrix fan but his voice wasn't what made him great. It did work in his songs though. He had the delivery and uniqueness but lack raw ability or quality. I liked though very much.
Into the 1970's some great vocalists really stood out to me. I had the pleasure to meet Burton Cummings of the Guess Who. He had an outstanding voice and knew how to use it. Paul Rodgers is also a big time singer. First known for "All Right Now" by his band Free, he became a legendary singer with his band Bad Company. On the ladies side Karen Carpenter had such a beautiful and different voice for a female. Also Carole King had such an amazing delivery and command of her lyrics. Tina Turner was and still is a great singer and entertainer. She stood out to me also. Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates had a gift also. I am bias though because he is from the same area as I am.
The 1970's dominant singers and front men to me were clearly, not in any special order, Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Lou Gramm(Foreigner), Steve Perry (Journey), Brad Delp (Boston), Geddy Lee (Rush), Jon Anderson (Yes), Freddie Mercury (Queen), Pat Benatar (Pat Benatar), Ann Wilson (Heart), Dennis Deyoung (Styx), and Mickey Thomas (Jefferson Starship). Some would add Roger Doughtry of The Who but he was not as good as these in my opinion.
Steve Perry, Brad Delp, Mickey Thomas and Ann Wilson had a range and power that blew you away. They were what was described as soaring vocals. They were my personal favorites.
Many of these continued strong into the 1980's and have performed admirably into the new millennium. Some of them are no longer with us though. Brad Delp will be missed for example.
The 1980's brought some great singers also. Bon Jovi can flat out sing. He is the total package. And I am not a huge fan of their songs. Axl Rose of Guns n' Roses made a big splash as did Whitney Houston. Freddie Mercury still had a stranglehold on the music scene in the "80"s. That was a guy who had such charisma and vocal diversity. I always thought Daryl Hall continued to display his tremendous voice and style through this decade also. Although not known for their vocals per say, I thought Peter Gabriel and Huey Lewis had solid quality with very unique and top notch delivery. I also would include Michael Hutchence from INXS in this elite group.
The 1990's brought a couple amazing gals to the front row. Celine Dion has a showstopper voice as does Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. Lenny Kravitz rose to elite status for me. But frankly not any other new male singer arrived in the 1990's of special note. Groups like Boyz II Men though blew me away with their harmony.
Into the new millennium I really am impressed with Beyonce' Knowles and Alicia Keys from the female singer world. Chad Kroeger (Nickleback) and Rob Thomas (Matchbox 20 ) are great singers.
As I have stated throughout though, there are many other singers I love but don't quite rise to the Hall of Fame voice level for me. Take Elton John, Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Prince, Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain and so on.
The singers I have pointed to in this article brought a style that is unique to them and coupled with immense talent and showmanship. They are singers that can't be duplicated.
Best wishes.
Sincerely,
-Liane Schmidt.