Home » Music » Music Genres » Heavy Metal

The 10 Best Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Singers

Ranked #660 in Music, #16,069 overall

Here Are My Picks for the Top 10 Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Singers

Note: See our companion page - Polls: Who were the best vocalists for these groups, the originals or "the replacements"? (Ozzy vs. Dio, Brian Johnson vs. Bon Scott, Roth vs. Hagar, and many more).

If you get inspired (or angry), you can put together a better list, or a complementary list, and create your own Squidoo lens.

Here are some notes about my choices:

1) If you're looking for speed metal, it's not here.

2) My formative metal years were in the 80's. Many of my choices may be seen as more hard rock, than metal. Although Ozzy, Rob Halford, and Bruce Dickinson are hard to argue with on the metal side.

3) My choices are based on things like - Power, Vocal Range, Variation in Tone, etc.

4) Monotone, or almost monotone, voices do not appeal to me - this means that almost all speed metal singers are out, and someone like Brian Johnson of AC/DC (who is awesome) probably doesn't make the cut.

This lens is very much a work in progress, so I'll make sure to add more as I go. In the meantime, leave your Feedback at the end of this page about your top vocalists. And vote on the list in the poll I added toward the end of this page.

Books From The Front Lines...

Below are biographies & memoirs of some of the singers on this list. At the moment, Dave Mustaine is not in the Top 10 on this page, but He may make it here when I finally sit down and put some more energy into re-listening to (and finding new) music. But, Mustaine's book is a must-read...
Loading

10. Dave Mustaine

(Note: I finally got my act together and move Scott Stapp out of the Top 10 List, and actually moved him down below to Dishonorable Mention? Crap, It's Scott Stapp)

After some great feedback in the Guestbook below, I went back and listened to some Megadeth, and I agree that he deserves a spot on this list! While Mustaine doesn't exhibit one of my favorite qualities, which is using his range to add tons of variety to his vocals, there is no denying that he is a Metal God. The pure evil that seems to pour out of his voice is enough for me!

Megadeth Unleashed

Loading

9. Perry Farrell

Farrell might be on this list simply for the unusual quality of his voice. On the other hand, it might be Pigs in Zen that made me want to list him here in the Top 10.

Jane's Addiction, Porno For Pyros, & Perry Farrell Solo

Loading

8. Ozzy Osbourne

How can anyone argue about the Prince of Darkness being included on this list?!?

Although it's been pointed out (see in the Guest Book below) that he really doesn't fit the range and power criteria I state at the beginning of this page. OK, maybe this lens should be more about "my favorite singers" instead of "the best" singers...

For a bit of vocal variety for Ozzy, check out "Nowhere to Run" with Dmx & Ol Dirty Bastard on Ozzy's "Prince of Darkness" 4-CD box set, as well as some other cool collaborations like "Stayin' Alive" with Dweezil Zappa.

Ozzy CD's

Loading

7. Geoff Tate

Lead singer of Queensryche.

Tate has always had range, power, and great tone.

But, it's the very early work on their self-titled EP that really captures my attention. Listen to Lady Wore Black (check it out on iTunes) and Queen of the Reich and I think you'll get it.

Queensryche CD's

Loading

6. Vince Neil

The earlier you look at Vince Neil, the better. Too Fast for Love, Shout at the Devil, and Theatre of Pain are the albums where he shines the most. Almost every song on Too Fast. Forget about Looks That Kill on Shout, but take the rest. Think Home Sweet Home (yeah, I know it's a ballad) and Use It or Lose It on Theatre.

Motley Crue CD's

Loading

5. Robert Plant

While I'm not a die-hard Led Zeppelin fan, it seems impossible to leave Robert Plant out of any list of the Top 10 hard rock singers. Take some time, listen to just a song or two (I'd suggest Whole Lotta Love and Ramble On) and you can appreciate Plant's passion, range, and power.

Led Zeppelin CD's

Loading

4. Ronnie James Dio

Such a small man, with such a big voice! I prefer his solo work, but Black Sabbath's Heaven & Hell was amazing as well. Some of his older Rainbow songs were great as well - think "Man on the Silver Mountain"!

MAY 16, 2010 - Ronnie James Dio, we will miss you.

Dio, Black Sabbath, & Rainbow(!) CD's

Loading

3. Rob Halford

Halford is a rock god. Pure and simple. If you don't think so, You've Got Another Thing Coming...

Judas Priest CD's

Loading

2. Bruce Dickinson

I'm hard pressed to think of another metal frontman that has (had) as much range and could hold a note as long as Dickinson... Hallowed Be Thy Name. 'Nough said.

Iron Maiden CD's

Loading

1. Axl Rose

Axl has always been one of my favorites. Great range and variation to his voice. Wish he hadn't imploded so soon!

Think of Welcome To The Jungle, Patience, and Civil War.

Guns 'N Roses CD's

Loading

Honorable Mention

Biff Byford, Saxon

Not sure if I'll end up leaving Biff Byford in this list, but I do enjoy listening to his voice, and in particular I've always liked Dallas 1pm (Lyrics, iTunes).

Saxon CD's

Loading

More Honorable Mentions

James Hetfield
Love James and Metallica, but not enough range for me to put him on the list.
Kurt Cobain
Honorable mention only because he had such a profound impact on the hard rock scene. Not enough of what I look for to make the list.
David Draiman
I'm a huge fan of Disturbed, and David Draiman. I'm just not sure there is enough range in what I've heard to put Draiman in my Top 10.
Ed Kowalczyk
Absolutely incredible power!

Great "Ladies of Metal" List!

Even though I have my own brief "nod to the ladies of metal" further down on this page (here), I came across this awesome list, The Women of Metal, Volume 1, when it was shared with me on StumbleUpon by MisterRJ45.

Dishonorable Mention? Crap, it's Scott Stapp

When I first put this list together I had Scott Stapp at #10. What?!?

If you're a fan of metal or hard rock, that's likely what you just said. But, every time I hear Scott Stapp I feel energy and inspiration. I'm not talking from a religious standpoint (that much should be obvious if I am also choosing Ozzy and Dio on this list).

I suppose having Stapp on this list might discredit it automatically for many of you. But, hopefully you'll read on, see the other picks, vote for your favorite, and make some suggestions.

Creed CD's

Loading

But Who's The Best ROCK Vocalist of All Time?

Freddy Mercury. Bar none. He just doesn't fit for me in a list of heavy metal and (even) hard rock singers.

But, there is no denying that Freddy had the best range, power, variation, and spirit of them all!

And, "no", I don't think he's overrated.

VOTE For Your Favorite Lead Singer

I know this list is very, very incomplete, please let me know who should be here that I'm missing in the Feedback area below.

1

Vote Up

James Hetfield, Metallica

18 points

2

Vote Up

Robert Plant, Led Zeppelin

16 points

3

Vote Up

Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden

11 points

4

Vote Up

Ronnie James Dio, Himself, Black Sabbath, & Rainbow

10 points

5

Vote Up

Rob Halford, Judas Priest

8 points

6

Vote Up

Klaus Meine, Scorpians

8 points

7

Vote Up

Axl Rose, Guns & Roses

8 points

8

Vote Up

Sebastian Bach, Skid Row

7 points

9

Vote Up

Ozzy Osbourne, Himself & Black Sabbath

6 points

10

Vote Up

Bon Scott, AC/DC

5 points

11

Vote Up

Brian Johnson, AC/DC

4 points

12

Vote Up

Geddy Lee, Rush

4 points

13

Vote Up

Scott Stapp, Creed

4 points

14

Vote Up

Blackie Lawless, W.A.S.P.

4 points

15

Vote Up

Curt Cobain, Nirvana

3 points

16

Vote Up

Chris Cornell, Soundgarden

3 points

17

Vote Up

Jonathan Davis, Korn

3 points

18

Vote Up

Bret Michaels, Poison

3 points

19

Vote Up

Miljenko Matijevic, Steelheart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miljenko_Matijevic3 points

20

Vote Up

Jim Morrison, The Doors

3 points

21

Vote Up

Scott Weiland, STP & Velvet Revolver

2 points

22

Vote Up

David Lee Roth, Van Halen

2 points

23

Vote Up

Paul Stanley, Kiss

2 points

24

Vote Up

Gene Simmons, Kiss

2 points

25

Vote Up

Kevin Dubrow, Quiet Riot

2 points

26

Vote Up

Joe Elliott, Def Leppard

2 points

27

Vote Up

Ian Gillan, Deep Purple & Black Sabbath

2 points

28

Vote Up

Dave Mustaine, Megadeth

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Mustaine2 points

29

Vote Up

Steve Perry - Journey

2 points

30

Vote Up

Alice Cooper

The king of shock rock still can get it done vocal more...2 points

31

Vote Up

Jani Lane - Warrant

R.I.P.2 points

32

Vote Up

Corey Glover - Living Colour

2 points

33

Vote Up

Geoff Tate, Queensryche

1 point

34

Vote Up

Dee Snider, Twisted Sister

1 point

35

Vote Up

Phil Anselmo, Pantera

1 point

36

Vote Up

Steven Tyler, Aerosmith

1 point

37

Vote Up

Eddie Veder, Pearl Jam

1 point

38

Vote Up

Trent Rezner, Nine Inch Nails

1 point

39

Vote Up

Marilyn Manson, Himself

1 point

40

Vote Up

Lemmy Kilmister, Motorhead

1 point

41

Vote Up

David Coverdale, Whitesnake & Deep Purple

1 point

42

Vote Up

Don Dokken, Dokken

1 point

43

Vote Up

Stephen Pearcy, Ratt

1 point

44

Vote Up

David Draiman, Disturbed

1 point

45

Vote Up

Leon

Lead singer of RainFire1 point

46

Vote Up

Von Goat

Satanic Blood (1991), Satanic Blood Angel (2003), more...1 point

47

Vote Up

Mark Slaughter, Vinnie Vincent Invasion & Slaughter

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Slaughter1 point

48

Vote Up

Free Itunes Gift Cards

Get Free Itunes Gift Card Codes, Updated Weekly!! more...1 point

49

Vote Up

Layne Staley- Alice In Chains

1 point

50

Vote Up

Vince Neil, Motley Crue

0 points

51

Vote Up

Sammy Hagar, Himself & Van Halen

0 points

52

Vote Up

Perry Farrell, Jane's Addiction

0 points

53

Vote Up

Zack de la Rocha, Rage Against the Machine

0 points

54

Vote Up

Ed Kowalczyk, Live

0 points

55

Vote Up

Jeff Keith, Tesla

0 points

56

Vote Up

Marc Storace, Krokus

0 points

57

Vote Up

Tim "Ripper" Owens

Judas Priest's godly vocalist from 1996 to 20030 points

58

Vote Up

Jim Gillette, Nitro & solo, and a bunch of other bands

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Gillette0 points

59

Vote Up

0 points

60

Vote Up

David Draimen - Disturbed

0 points

61

Vote Up

humbertsanitary.com

a> - Serving North Centon Pride more...0 points

62

Vote Up

humbertsanitary.com

septic tank cleaning - Serving North Centon Pride more...0 points

63

Vote Up

Lajon Witherspoon - Sevendust

Chronically underrated metal vocalist...0 points

64

Vote Up

Roy Khan

Quite simply one of the best vocalists I have ever more...0 points

65

Vote Up

Fresatube.com | Porno Mexicano, Videos Porno, Amateur Mexicano

El mejor porno mexicano amateur ONLINE, descarga videos more...0 points

Feedback - How did I do with my picks?

Who should I have had in the Top 10, Honorable Mention, and who am I missing in the Poll?

  • GuitarForLife May 22, 2012 @ 10:46 pm | delete
    So many good ones its hard to pick, but I would have to say Ronnie James Dio, Geoff Tate, or Blackie Lawless.
  • nsenko May 1, 2012 @ 12:34 am | delete
    Wheres Diamond Dave? He's not the best, but he's definitely top 25.
  • kelly-ann2 Apr 29, 2012 @ 4:55 pm | delete
    I just saw Creed live and they blew me away. Scott Stapp's voice was incredible live. He has such a deep voice it just sounds so cool when they play the heavy Creed songs. Not the few slow songs that radio plays repeatedly but the majority of Creed songs that are heavy, those songs rule! And live it was beyond amazing. There are even concert reviewers who dont like Creed who have gone to shows on the Creed 2012 tour that the band is currently on and they left the show blown away and admitting it was a great concert. Stapp gets hated on for really old things when he had an addiction problem. I think people need to move on, I mean he is a father of 3 kids now who has his life going in a good direction with addiction in his past. The dude even recently stopped smoking. Get past the few songs radio plays alot and listen to the songs on the Creed albums, they have ALOT of good songs. And live Stapp sounds exactly like the albums. I love that the band has evolved too, they get better and better. I can't wait for the new Creed album :)
  • GuitarForLife Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:16 pm | delete
    nice list
  • Spectresoft Apr 23, 2012 @ 10:51 am | delete
    Hey great list! I am happy to see Dave Mustaine in there, and Axl. Two of my favorite bands of all time.
    I HAD to rank up both Axl and Bon Scott too :)
  • ltsephiroth Apr 16, 2012 @ 12:47 pm | delete
    All in all not a bad top ten. However I personally think we're missing one of the greatest metal vocals of all time. Roy Khan. The man has such range, power, style, everything. He is amazing, and the albums produced with him in Kamelot, are some of the best pieces of metal i have heard.
  • glmarcum Apr 14, 2012 @ 9:06 pm | delete
    Pretty solid top 10, although I disagree with Axl at #1. I'd put Dickenson or Dio there.
  • Cinnamonbite Apr 11, 2012 @ 12:08 pm | delete
    And now that I'm thinking about it, Jon Oliva.
  • Cinnamonbite Apr 11, 2012 @ 12:03 pm | delete
    Warrel Dane. Specifically when he was in Sanctuary. Google, "Battle Angels." And hey, what about King Diamond? Seriously!
  • niceguy13 Mar 30, 2012 @ 2:08 am | delete
    I say David Draiman is good.
  • metaldad Feb 16, 2012 @ 7:51 am | delete
    great lens! But Axl? Really? He should be on the list I agree. But with guys like Geoff Tate with a 5 octave range, or Plant's emotional perfomances on the list Axl just doesn't measure up to some of the vocal Gods you suggested he bests. I love Metallica but agree James doesn't belong. Thanks for keeping the list real with the honorable mention of Stapp. Granted he's not real metal but an awesome rock vocalist.
  • edgukator Feb 2, 2012 @ 10:57 pm | delete
    Two who should be on the list: Corey Glover from Living Colour and Lajon Witherspoon from Sevendust. Easily better range, more power and greater variation than most other metal / rock vocalists, but tend to get overlooked. I love Mustaine, but not because he's a great metal vocalist.
  • Iain84 Jan 20, 2012 @ 5:38 pm | delete
    Gotta be Freddie Mercury!
  • southridgefarmsinc Jan 19, 2012 @ 3:08 pm | delete
    Definitely agree with Freddie Mercury!
  • Hypersapien Jan 18, 2012 @ 12:35 pm | delete
    What, no Gene Simmons/KISS in thwe Top 10???!!! Still a good list.
  • FloraVesta Mar 1, 2012 @ 3:53 pm | delete
    You're not kidding, huh? Never heard the guy sing a note that wasn't all covered up by the band.
  • ruggersfool Jan 7, 2012 @ 12:08 am | delete
    Layne Staley-Alice In Chains- "his command of his voice and natural charisma was a very rare combination indeed."
  • Jan 6, 2012 @ 8:47 am | delete
    Nice interesting lens with good content, nice choice of the 10 best metal people!
  • xdeputy101 Jan 4, 2012 @ 2:22 am | delete
    Wow not once did i see a mention for Myles Kennedy. That man has an amazing voice. A way better voice than many on this list. For those of you that dont know who Myles Kennedy is, He is the lead singer for Alter Bridge.
  • FloraVesta Mar 1, 2012 @ 3:44 pm | delete
    I agree. Myles Kennedy is phenomenal. Just got turned on to Heavy Metal after mostly a classical background.
  • durham Dec 27, 2011 @ 1:06 pm | delete
    I think the list is complete, hard to think who is missing from a list of 58:)
  • mannasugar Dec 24, 2011 @ 12:48 am | delete
    I Love the "VOTE For Your Favorite Lead Singer". I voted for James Hetfield.
  • MistyOakes Dec 19, 2011 @ 3:45 pm | delete
    Great lens! I woulda had Kiss on my Top Ten. Kiss rocks! They are all great artists and bands though. I like all their music - Heavy metal rocks all the way!!
  • CarolynSimonsen Dec 12, 2011 @ 6:38 am | delete
    and Alice Cooper? ??
  • CarolynSimonsen Dec 12, 2011 @ 6:38 am | delete
    Ozzy's fine..But Where is Chris Cornell? JD of Korn?
  • ruggersfool Jan 7, 2012 @ 12:15 am | delete
    I agree, where is Chris Cornell & Layne Staley as well
  • audreannaga Dec 9, 2011 @ 1:45 pm | delete
    ozzie all the way
  • smicks Dec 4, 2011 @ 12:53 pm | delete
    This lens ROCKS!,:)
  • jim_scott Nov 26, 2011 @ 3:39 pm | delete
    Listen to Vinnie Vincent Invasion songs like ''Naughty Naughty'', while at it listen to every song of their second album ''all systems go'' by them and listen to Mark slaughter's voice, try a song like ''Dangerous'' by his band slaughter.. Me? i wouldnt have put Alx Rose n1, because most of the singers you have there beats him like Bruce dickinson, Robert Plant and Rob Halford.. I also like Dio's voice and i do like the spot you put him in.
  • jim_scott Nov 26, 2011 @ 12:58 am | delete
    Mark Slaughter beats all of them, no one on this list can beat Mark's high notes and range, plus he has a very powerful voice, i would have put him on here because he's so underrated, i mean Slaughter could sing easily like Axl Rose if he wanted. In this list i chose Robert Plant, i mean this guy sang his butt off untill he lost his voice which was only a few years after the band started lol.
  • jewellery-junkies Nov 14, 2011 @ 10:03 am | delete
    I agree with Axl Rose - however I do like AC/DC so it's too hard to call I'm afraid
  • Psykryph Nov 13, 2011 @ 11:51 pm | delete
    This list is complete rubbish. As usual, filled with all the stereotypical picks, just like how the overrated Jimi Hendrix is always on the top of best guitarist lists.

    I agree wholeheartedly with what user Retrosurrection said: "You don't know the 1st thing about Power or Vocal Range if this is your list, this is beyond laughable."

    Sad to see such poor quality lenses like this. No Jorn Lande? No Kelly Sundown Carpenter? Of course not, just all the overrated crappy singers of the most popular bands.
  • LD_1975 Nov 8, 2011 @ 9:11 pm | delete
    i can't believe u forgot Jani Lane :(
  • TransplantedSoul Oct 29, 2011 @ 9:58 am | delete
    These guys have some amazing talent. Thanks for putting this together.
  • wcjohnston Oct 17, 2011 @ 2:20 pm | delete
    I agree "Freddy Mercury" he may not fit, but that is because his rang and talent was so vast
  • Shivani09 Oct 12, 2011 @ 4:12 am | delete
    Good informative lens! Good list
  • SaintFrantic Oct 4, 2011 @ 5:59 pm | delete
    Good List.Bruce Dickinson
  • despinadesign Sep 29, 2011 @ 11:52 am | delete
    You did well with your list
  • 2paulm Sep 23, 2011 @ 4:13 pm | delete
    I loved metal growing up. I kind of grew out of it but still like some like 5 finger death punch.
  • MamaBelle Sep 19, 2011 @ 10:16 am | delete
    Great lens and a great list!
  • dnmarket Sep 15, 2011 @ 12:17 am | delete
    Not a fan of Axl of GNR.
  • djeby Sep 13, 2011 @ 2:14 am | delete
    Hey. Good lens. how did you do? Awesome. I really enjoy them.
  • computer_repair Aug 27, 2011 @ 2:20 pm | delete
    Dio baby, just heard him last night with my friends.
  • jtaw Aug 27, 2011 @ 11:49 am | delete
    Great! I enjoyed reading but Axl on the first place..... not my choice :-)
  • Ibiza1 Aug 23, 2011 @ 6:40 am | delete
    God Save Freddy...
  • Close2Art Aug 22, 2011 @ 11:38 pm | delete
    great lens very cool thanks for sharing it, likes it:)
  • tstandiford Aug 19, 2011 @ 9:32 pm | delete
    If you like queensryche you'd probably like Kamelot too. They remind me a lot of one another.
  • troyreed23 Aug 17, 2011 @ 11:02 am | delete
    Your Picks were awesome
  • riff999 Aug 13, 2011 @ 3:29 pm | delete
    Awesome! Blessed.
  • CDT Aug 11, 2011 @ 4:55 am | delete
    AWESOME! It's Rob Halford from Judas Priest all the way for me...I saw Priest only last month and Halford is truly amazing - the man is the absolute epitome of a Heavy Metal God. His vocal range and delivery is simply spine-tingling...they had Queensryche as a support band and Geoff Tate is pretty damn good too! Great lens about the BEST music on the planet! Blessed by this Metal-loving Squid Angel as part of the "Back To School Bus Trip" \m/
  • tonigrundstrom Aug 9, 2011 @ 12:09 am | delete
    Great list of rock vocalists. Good lens.
  • SeraphicDeviltry Aug 5, 2011 @ 8:37 am | delete
    Axl Rose on numer 1? :( Love them all, anyway.. especially Geoff Tate! Great lens! keep it true \m/
  • wildanimal86 Aug 3, 2011 @ 11:08 pm | delete
    brian ross
  • Jul 22, 2011 @ 7:20 am | delete
    Awesome List. My only additions would be Chester Bennington from Linkin Park and Maynard Keenan from Tool/ APC.
  • Resjes Jul 18, 2011 @ 7:27 pm | delete
    Great lens - I agree with TopTenLists, where are the females?
  • TopTenLists Jul 14, 2011 @ 4:32 am | delete
    Great Lens but where are all the female rock stars?
  • TopTenLists Jul 14, 2011 @ 4:29 am | delete
    Love this Lens!
  • MaxL Jul 11, 2011 @ 3:49 am | delete
    Awesome lens! I wonder how many comments you got with "Why didn't you put this one, that one... etc". Keep up the good work! :)
  • Obscure_Treasures Jul 7, 2011 @ 6:33 am | delete
    Great leans...I love Axil rose...he is my favorite. Bt why didnt you mention kurt Kobain????
  • bensen32 Jul 6, 2011 @ 9:54 am | delete
    great list but check out Steve Grimmett, of Grim Reaper. Dude has a voice.
  • IanLauder Jul 3, 2011 @ 12:27 am | delete
    Ozzy, Ozzy, Ozzy.
  • willduke Jun 29, 2011 @ 3:36 am | delete
    Super cool. Ever heard of Dream Evil? Superb Vocalist.
  • fionamckay9 Jun 28, 2011 @ 12:37 pm | delete
    Great list
  • manfield3 Jun 23, 2011 @ 4:31 pm | delete
    Love some of these, Nice job on the lens!
  • danieljcurrie May 24, 2011 @ 4:40 pm | delete
    Lou Gramm, Phil Mogg, John Lawton, David Byron, Eric Bloom, and Jimmy Kunes
  • danieljcurrie May 24, 2011 @ 3:20 pm | delete
    Plant and Mercury would be my only choices above Ian Gillan. His body of work through five decades deserves at least a top ten rating. Listen to the unique delivery, technical mastery, vocal range, powerful capabilities with tone control, pioneering style and the fact that he rocks out, and if you hear all his work, you will agree he should get some better recognition. David Coverdale, Chris Cornell, Joe Lynn Turner, Ronnie James Dio, and many other prominent heavy metal band front men were influenced by Gillan. Gillan wasn't just the voice of Deep Purple, he was the voice of the evolution of heavy metal!
  • danieljcurrie May 24, 2011 @ 3:00 pm | delete
    How can Ian Gillan not be in the top three? He extended a vocal career through five decades! If anyone really listens to his entire body of work, it should not be hard to understand why I feel the way I do ... his unique delivery, vocal range, pioneering style, and skillful talent as a technician should not be matched by almost any other proclaimed heavy metal band front man. Robert Plant and Freddie Mercury would agree with me.
  • phoenix-arizona-friends May 22, 2011 @ 12:42 am | delete
    Disappointed to not see any hard metal in here like Obituary, Slayer, etc.
  • thegogreenpeople May 19, 2011 @ 11:02 am | delete
    Great job on your lens! Nicely done, and interesting!
  • reasonablerobinson May 15, 2011 @ 6:17 am | delete
    Hi came by from Darcie's Fan Lens. Love this. and LR'd to my Rock Drummer quiz. I had the good fortune as a kid to hear Black Sabbath at our local youth club before they got famous. I was sitting on the door step of my house a mile away too!!
  • RawBill May 12, 2011 @ 11:06 pm | delete
    If it was my list, I would have had Bon Scott in there. I know he did not have a great range, but he just rocked! Yep, Bon with only one "" not two like in your intro!
  • Ashly_Rain May 13, 2011 @ 11:10 am | delete
    Thanks for the comment, and thanks for correcting the spelling of Bon Scott! Much appreciated. I would have really liked to see where Scott went with another couple of albums. A life cut way too short.
  • mrniceguy11 May 9, 2011 @ 7:54 pm | delete
    Nice work. My list would have Chris Cornell, Eddie Veder, and Steven Tyler on it. But it's your list and I just wish I had thought of it first. :) Also, I'm not sure how to bring it up to Squidoo, but it's not letting me vote on your poll because it says I'm not logged on which clearly I am.
  • CashProBusiness May 2, 2011 @ 9:07 pm | delete
    Really nice lense. Lets rock!
  • pimbels Apr 28, 2011 @ 4:38 am | delete
    Very nice lens. I like the Klaus Meine and Freddy Mercury.
  • Zakmoonbeam Apr 26, 2011 @ 4:37 am | delete
    Brilliant lens, nice to ssee so many of my faves mentioned here!
  • akumar46 Apr 13, 2011 @ 10:42 pm | delete
    Thanks for such a wonderful lens.
  • lynne_girl Mar 24, 2011 @ 1:22 pm | delete
    Love Joe Elliott from Def Leppard!
  • CDT Mar 17, 2011 @ 7:16 am | delete
    Oi...you forgot Lemmy! ;)
  • TheBestGadgets Feb 16, 2011 @ 12:39 pm | delete
    Interesting choices - some obvious like ozzy, and some less so. I voted for Hetfield and Plant in the poll.
  • pepperland Feb 16, 2011 @ 9:44 am | delete
    Hi, leaving Freddy out of the question, Plant has to be my # 1 choice, Dickinson # 2. And Hetfield's voice may not be the best technically by it's what makes Metallica special imo.
  • CHalloran Feb 1, 2011 @ 3:51 pm | delete
    DIO is, IMO, the best male singer of all times. Thanks for the article...
  • Angel_Lou Jan 31, 2011 @ 6:53 am | delete
    David Coverdale is the man!
  • Angel_Lou Jan 31, 2011 @ 6:41 am | delete
    Great job dude! I really have to dig into this lens, it's very entertaining and aducational.
  • buchle Jan 25, 2011 @ 1:52 pm | delete
    Alice Cooper.
  • InnaTsv Jan 25, 2011 @ 3:18 am | delete
    very well-done lens!
  • Russell-Shaw Jan 20, 2011 @ 1:52 pm | delete
    Never going to be easy. I know he's not metal but I love the grit in Kelly Jones (Stereophonics) voice, and how could you forget Ian Astbury??:-)
  • RascalO Jan 11, 2011 @ 12:29 am | delete
    Dude, awesome, list, really took me down memory lane. Not sure what Lucia84 is talking about. I've seen all of those guys in concert and they all rocked!. James Hetfield was as good as any of them, same with Mustaine, but he just always seemed so pissed at Metallica for dumping him, kinda made him hard to like personally. I saw GnR at Fenders in Long Beach when they opened for Cheap Trick and got BOO'ed OFF STAGE!!! Guaranteed those booing now call themselves a number one GnR fan! Also used to listen to them rehearse in La Habra, before they made it and Axl always had a killer voice. Unique but strong and he could carry that all night. Number 1? Dunno it's really to hard to choose.
  • jackiebolen Jan 7, 2011 @ 6:44 pm | delete
    Cool...I'm going to check some of these out.
  • JamesPittman Jan 4, 2011 @ 8:46 pm | delete
    This is a terrific lens. I really think it is a great topic. Of course, I have to disagree with you on a few points, but hey, I have an opinion too. I must say that Rob Halford is one of my favorites and am happy to see him up there in the #3 spot. Axel Rose though? Not sure about that #1. All in all a wonderful job thank you for sharing!
  • Lucia84 Dec 26, 2010 @ 5:57 pm | delete
    I respect your opinion but it seems you haven't went to a lot of concerts? I think that every singer mentioned on the list (except Ozzy) would agree that Dio was the master as far as power, range and tone, especially when performing live on stage. Never a bad show.... for more than 40 years! Most of the guys you mention were great at the top.... Ronnie just stayed there forever and ever. Dave Mustaine and Vince Neil are by no means great singers and I doubt that Axl Rose would make top 50 on my list and you guys talking Hettfield: Honestly, he can barely carry tune on stage so please don't list him here just because Metallica is popular!
    The most obvious singers missing IMO are: Ian Gillan!!!, Tim "Ripper" Owens, Jorn Lande, Chris Cornell, Glen Hughes, Tony Martin and the mighty Russ Anderson!!!
  • Cinnamonbite Apr 11, 2012 @ 12:25 pm | delete
    That's a fact.
  • debbieann19 Dec 10, 2010 @ 11:58 pm | delete
    Great Lens, it rocks too lol, only theing that would make it better would be James Hetfield, i love the fact that i became a metallica fan in my teens and now my 17yr old daughter and her friends are too, not to many genres of music have gone from generation to generation.... i know i never lived my mothers elvis or charlie pride lol :-)
  • FloraVesta Mar 1, 2012 @ 3:51 pm | delete
    James Hetfield because his voice, while not tonally beautiful, is so unusual, and he makes his baritone, unusual for a rock frontman, stand out front and center, with feeling! He gets it across for sure!
  • fbaum818 Dec 8, 2010 @ 6:22 pm | delete
    Great top 10. Wish James Hetfield was in there, though.
  • gravityx9 Dec 8, 2010 @ 11:20 am | delete
    love your picks! you rock and so does your lens! great lens! THUMBS UP AND FAVE!
  • Ashly_Rain Dec 8, 2010 @ 12:05 pm | delete
    Thank you!!!
  • outsource123 Nov 29, 2010 @ 11:47 pm | delete
    Excellent lens. Thank you
  • wvgeert Nov 21, 2010 @ 4:28 am | delete
    If you like Ronnie James Dio, I suspect one would also like Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.) and Kevin Dubrow (Quiet Riot)...
  • Ashly_Rain Nov 21, 2010 @ 8:10 pm | delete
    Back in the day, I loved Quiet Riot, and every time I heard Kevin Dubrow's voice at the beginning of "Cum On Feel The Noize" and "Bang Your Head (Metal Health)", it was awesome. But there's no way I could ever put him on a Top 10 list. Honestly, I'd have to think if he's in my Top 50 (or 100?). As far as I'm concerned, there were 2 worthy songs, and they were just plain fun. Blackie Lawless is another story. I was never a fan of W.A.S.P. Not sure why (probably just too much of the violence schtick at the beginning of their run). I saw Blackie being interviewed recently on one of those VH1 "Metal Hour" shows (which rock!). I started thinking I should go back and check out W.A.S.P. again (which I will). One thing's for sure, I always thought of Blackie as one of the smartest/most-cerebral of the metal guys out there (and honestly, that's hard to do because there's probably a higher ratio of "highly intelligent", and cerebral, people in the world of metal than in most places). Ronnie James was also one of those wicked smaht people.
  • Load More
Show All

The Ladies of Rock

A Nod & a Shout to Women Who Kick Ass

I feel terrible that I don't have any women in my personal top 10 list of rock/metal singers. At this very moment I don't have any in "Honorable Mention".

The truth is that I just never had much exposure to listening to leading lady vocalists. In fact the only ones that come to mind right away are Lita Ford, Ann Wilson (Heart), Joan Jett, and more recently Amy Lee (Evanescence). And it could be pretty easy to wonder about the music genre of Evanescence in relation to rock/metal.

Of those women listed above, Ann Wilson comes the closest, but before the days of Alone and other ballads. Barracuda illustrates her relevance to rock very well!

To add insult to injury, I have searched extensively for lists of the top/best hard rock/metal female singers, and so far I haven't seen anything that does the trick for me. See for yourselves:

Hard & Heavy Reading

Well, it never hurts to promote a few books. I only selected the books about heavy metal/hard rock that seemed interesting and worth a look...

This Ain't The Summer Of Love: Conflict And Crossover In Heavy Metal A

This Ain't The Summer Of Love: Conflict And Crossover In Heavy Metal

Book examines he roles of heavy metal and punk in rock history. Instead of considering metal and punk as aesthetically opposed to each other, Steve Waksman shows that a there is deep connection between them. Metal and punk influenced each other in terms of sound, image, and content. This Ain't the Summer of Love traces this connection back to the early 1970s, when metal first asserted its identity and punk arose independently as an ideal about what rock should be and could become.

More books the might interest you...
Loading

Other People's Lists

Hit Parader, 2006 - Hit Parader's Top 100 Metal Vocalists of All Time

"Mark" on Epinions.com - My Top Ten Heavy Metal Singers

by

Ashly_Rain

Substream Music Press magazine focuses on the best new artists in Alternative, Screamo, Indie, Metal, Hardcore, Emo, Pop, and Electronic Music. Each issue... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Get Your Metal On! 

... with a subscription to Heavy Metal Magazine

Heavy Metal - Option a

Heavy Metal - Option a

Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 05/22/2012)Buy Now

OK, so the magazine's not technical about heavy metal music. But, the inspiration for the magazine definitely came from the music genre. Besides, most metal fans love the tweaked art and stories in this magazine!

Featured Lenses 

Loading

Related Tags