'Bad' rock singers...
Discussion
we've had a few threads of good rock singers - I was just curious if there are any people who like groups despite the vocals?
In this case I'll go for, sorry, Joe Elliot. In truth I can't imagine Def Leppard without his vocals, but they were never of the highest quality and now that he's older he's struggling to even reach those levels. Weirdly still one of my favourite groups!
In this case I'll go for, sorry, Joe Elliot. In truth I can't imagine Def Leppard without his vocals, but they were never of the highest quality and now that he's older he's struggling to even reach those levels. Weirdly still one of my favourite groups!
You know what?
Ozzy Osbourne
I love Black Sabbath; From Tony Iommi's riffage and lead playing (I don't think I'll ever nail his solo work on Warning), to Geezer and Bill's locked in rhythm section there are too many great moments to mention.
Yet.
Ozzy's vocals are perfect for Sabbath, but I've always thought - as a rock singer and performer - he is criminally over-rated.
Ozzy Osbourne
I love Black Sabbath; From Tony Iommi's riffage and lead playing (I don't think I'll ever nail his solo work on Warning), to Geezer and Bill's locked in rhythm section there are too many great moments to mention.
Yet.
Ozzy's vocals are perfect for Sabbath, but I've always thought - as a rock singer and performer - he is criminally over-rated.
cherryowen said:
You know what?
Ozzy Osbourne
I love Black Sabbath; From Tony Iommi's riffage and lead playing (I don't think I'll ever nail his solo work on Warning), to Geezer and Bill's locked in rhythm section there are too many great moments to mention.
Yet.
Ozzy's vocals are perfect for Sabbath, but I've always thought - as a rock singer and performer - he is criminally over-rated.
I agree he is a terrible singer, but an incredible front man for the band, 2 very different skills and it's rare to have both. Ozzy Osbourne
I love Black Sabbath; From Tony Iommi's riffage and lead playing (I don't think I'll ever nail his solo work on Warning), to Geezer and Bill's locked in rhythm section there are too many great moments to mention.
Yet.
Ozzy's vocals are perfect for Sabbath, but I've always thought - as a rock singer and performer - he is criminally over-rated.
I can't stand Dave Mustaine vocals in megadeth, but some of the music is amazing.
Funk said:
James LaBrie (Dream Theater). Most live recordings of him are....well...hmm.
He is terrible. I laugh when I think about how bad Dream Theater became after "Awake". They really went to s
t, and then Mike Portnoy started trying to sing and he is absolutely terrible at it. It added nothing to the music, he just wanted the spotlight on him. Seconded for Bernard Sumner - I've some bootleg New Order gigs from the 1980s and god he was awful. Saw then at Glastonbury and I think he was only saved as the crowd sang better over the sound system (wouldn't be suprised if the vocals weren't broadcast on the amps).
Seems to be a Manc thing, I'm sure the Fall were not particularity overproduced on records in the first place and taking into account MES being lathered some performances were still dire.
Ian Brown and Shaun Ryder ditto for the Mancs crowd.
Kurt Cobain, Steven Wilson, Julian Cope, Ian McCulloch and David Hasselfoh for the non Manchester scene (and all Punk bands - but wasn't that their point!).
Seems to be a Manc thing, I'm sure the Fall were not particularity overproduced on records in the first place and taking into account MES being lathered some performances were still dire.
Ian Brown and Shaun Ryder ditto for the Mancs crowd.
Kurt Cobain, Steven Wilson, Julian Cope, Ian McCulloch and David Hasselfoh for the non Manchester scene (and all Punk bands - but wasn't that their point!).
I'd agree Bernard Sumner is generally "less than average" live, seen them 3 times and only once (Reading 89) were his vocals half decent. After the last time I saw them at Brixton I swore I'd never go and see NO again especially without Hooky.
I am however going to defend Biff Byford as he seems to be getting slightly unfair flak above, saw Saxon quite a few times in the very early 80's and his vocals were always really good. He's got (had?) a really good range and not once did I ever think he was bad, the fact they appear to be still going strong probably indicates he really isn't that bad....in fact in a pang of middle aged nostalgia I'm going to see them in October.
Not seen a proper metal gig since '85 Ozzy at Monsters of Rock (now that was shockingly bad and finished metal and me off permanently) so should be interesting to see if the posts above are indeed right.
My nomination for a truly bad rock singer would be Andrew Eldritch in the latest incarnation of the Sisters of Mercy, utterly utterly awful..the worst vocalist I've ever seen in nearly 4 decades of going to gigs.
I am however going to defend Biff Byford as he seems to be getting slightly unfair flak above, saw Saxon quite a few times in the very early 80's and his vocals were always really good. He's got (had?) a really good range and not once did I ever think he was bad, the fact they appear to be still going strong probably indicates he really isn't that bad....in fact in a pang of middle aged nostalgia I'm going to see them in October.
Not seen a proper metal gig since '85 Ozzy at Monsters of Rock (now that was shockingly bad and finished metal and me off permanently) so should be interesting to see if the posts above are indeed right.
My nomination for a truly bad rock singer would be Andrew Eldritch in the latest incarnation of the Sisters of Mercy, utterly utterly awful..the worst vocalist I've ever seen in nearly 4 decades of going to gigs.
Walter Sobchak said:
Is Bernard Sumner that bad live then?, he doesn't sound that bad on the albums, although I have to admit I'd have preferred it to still be Ian Curtis.
Unfortunately yes he is, on albums I think his vocals are excellent but live it isn't good at all. I'd recommend going to see Peter Hook and the Light if you haven't already, Hooky's vocals are pretty close to Ian Curtis's when doing JD stuff. Gassing Station | Music | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff