We Present to You The Greatest Rock Gods of All-Time
25. Gwen Stefani – No Doubt
Image Source: fuse.tv
No Doubt was widely recognized as one of the best Ska/Punk bands of all-time. Lead singer, Gwen Stefani, is admired for her strangely unique vocals and her incredible stage presence. Stefani is now a modern pop singer, but she was truly a rockin’ fire cracker in the ’90s.
24. Kurt Cobain – Nirvana
Image Source: birdinflight.net
Nirvana was one of the most famous bands in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Lead singer, Kurt Cobain, is adored for his haunting, unique voice. Cobain’s voice was unlike any other, and is appreciated in so many ways. Unfortunately, Cobain took his own life in 1994.
23. Joan Jett
Image Source: bbc.co.uk
Frequently described as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Joan Jett has one of the most legendary voices of all-time. Her strong, balanced vocals and her catchy, rockin’ songs made her one of the most famous vocalists of her time.
22. Ozzy Osbourne – Black Sabbath
Image Source: vice.com
Black Sabbath is easily one of the most iconic heavy metal bands of all-time. Lead singer, Ozzy Osbourne, was a large part of their success. With a vocal range that is very hard to match, Ozzy Osbourne is known to be one of the greats.
21. Jim Morrison – The Doors
Image Source: hollywoodreporter.com
Much of The Doors’ extremely unique sound can be attributed to Jim Morrison’s vocals. Morrison was a very wild character as he was heavily involved with drugs. Regardless, he will always be remembered for his sweet, exceptional voice. Sadly, Jim Morrison became a member of the “27 Club” when he passed away in 1971.
20. Pat Benatar
Image Source: pinterest.com
It’s no secret that Pat Benatar has some serious pipes. She may have written some of the best karaoke songs of all-time with “Hit Me With Your Best Shot” and “Love Is a Battlefield,” but it’s safe to say no one can sing them quite like her.
19. Chris Cornell – Soundgarden/Audioslave
Image Source: pmcvariety.com
Chris Cornell was best known for his vocals in Soundgarden and Audioslave. Cornell had one of the purest rock voices of all-time. It was a very sad day for rock music when he tragically took his own life in 2017.
18. Axl Rose – Guns N’ Roses
Image Source: thenypost.com
No one can shout-sing quite like Axl Rose. Fronting the band, Guns N’ Roses, Axl Rose has surely proven himself to be one of the most talented vocalists of all-time. Rose’s vocals are somehow ultra-smooth and intense at the same time.
17. John Lennon – The Beatles
Image Source: tvovermind.com
The Beatles may be the most famous and adored band of all-time. Front man John Lennon had a simple and beautiful voice that was impossible to dislike. No matter what he was singing, you could always feel his soul pouring through his voice. Unfortunately, we lost him too soon as he died in 1980 at the age of 40.
16. Paul McCartney – The Beatles
Image Source: history.com
It’s only fitting that the other iconic Beatle, Paul McCartney, rank right next to Lennon. McCartney’s voice is one of the most unique of them all. His sweet, distinct sound is unlike any other. While Paul McCartney is best known for being a member of The Beatles, he has had an incredibly illustrious solo career, as well.
15. Johnny Cash
Image Source: billboard.com
While Johnny Cash is generally known as a country singer, his music has greatly influenced the entire rock genre as a whole. The combination of his smooth, country vocals with his folk/rock music resulted in his legendary, unique sound. To this day, Cash continues to inspire musicians of all genres.
14. Mick Jagger – The Rolling Stones
Image Source: billboard.com
Everyone loves The Rolling Stones, and much of that is thanks to Mick Jagger’s incredible vocals. With one of the most distinct voices ever, Jagger helped to mold the all-around sound of the band. Jagger is said to be one of the most popular and influential front men in the history of Rock and Roll.
13. Brendon Urie – Panic! at the Disco
Image Source: huffingtonpost.com
Yes, modern rock vocalists have been considered for this list. However, the only one that can really compare to the legends is Panic! at the Disco’s lead singer, Brendon Urie. If you are skeptical about this ranking, watch Brendon Urie’s live performance of Queen’s untouchable song, “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
12. Elton John
Image Source: bbci.co.uk
There is no one quite like Elton John. Amidst his flashy clothes and incredible personality, he also has one of the greatest voices in music history. It is no surprise that he is one of the best-selling artists in the world, having sold over 300 million records.
11. Bob Seger
Image Source: billboard.com
Between his extraordinary power and his beautiful, smooth rasp, Bob Seger’s voice is sure to make you melt. Seger’s vocals have a way of reaching deep down into the soul. In addition to his talent as a vocalist, Seger was also an incredibly gifted songwriter.
10. Ann Wilson – Heart
Image Source: squarespace.com
Heart was fronted by sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. With Ann on lead vocals and Nancy on guitar, they were unstoppable. Ann Wilson is known to have one of the most powerful voices of all-time, making it nearly impossible to cover her classics, including “Barracuda” and “Crazy on You.”
9. Elvis Presley
Image Source: pmcvariety.com
This list simply wouldn’t be acceptable without the “King of Rock and Roll”! Elvis was the first of his time and truly changed the course of music forever. In 1954, Elvis delivered a new sound, combining genres such as rock, blues, country and bluegrass to create a musical revolution.
8. Stevie Nicks – Fleetwood Mac
Image Source: bookstr.com
Made famous by her role in Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Nicks is one of the most iconic vocalists of all-time. Nicks has stolen everyone’s heart with her sweet, haunting voice. She has been named one of the “Top 100 Songwriters of All Time,” as well as one of the “Top 100 Vocalists of All Time” by Rolling Stone.
7. Bon Scott – AC/DC
Image Source: metalheadzone.com
Since Angus Young is generally regarded as the most popular member of AC/DC, people tend to forget about the legendary Bon Scott. Scott fronted AC/DC from 1974 until his death in 1980. While Brian Johnson did a great job fronting AC/DC, no one could ever compare to Scott. Having such a uniquely wonderful sound, Bon Scott’s vocals are truly irreplaceable.
6. Steven Tyler – Aerosmith
Image Source: variety.com
If Steven Tyler’s voice doesn’t give you goosebumps and make your heart skip a beat, then you may need to do some soul searching. Tyler fronted one of the most popular bands of the ‘70s, Aerosmith. Tyler is known to include eccentric, impressive scatting between his melodies, which is rarely seen outside of the jazz genre.
5. Janis Joplin
Image Source: whosdatedwho.com
Growing up, Janis Joplin was actually bullied for her voice and appearance. Lucky for us, she didn’t let it stop her from rising up and becoming one of the most iconic female vocalists to ever live. Janis unfortunately died from a heroin overdose at the age of 27, leaving us with her soulful, raspy howls.
4. David Bowie
Image Source: welovebudapest.com
I know you have been waiting to see Ziggy Stardust somewhere on this list. David Bowie is considered one of the most influential singers of the 20th century for obvious reasons. Bowie’s voice was not only strong and advanced, but was also extraordinarily unique.
3. Michael Jackson
Image Source: variety.com
The “King of Pop” was still very much a rock singer. Combining elements of pop, rock, funk and soul, Michael Jackson was easily one of the greatest vocalists of all-time. His smooth, effortless vocals simply cannot be matched. Jackson’s vocals have influenced popular music of all genres throughout history.
2. Robert Plant – Led Zeppelin
Image Source: consequenceofsound.com
No one can resist the sweet howls of Robert Plant. Fronting the ever famous band, Led Zeppelin, Plant changed the course of rock vocals forever. Led Zeppelin split in 1980, but their music is still very much alive today. Plant joined numerous bands/projects after the band split, but nothing could match his iconic role in Led Zeppelin.
1. Freddie Mercury – Queen
Image Source: iheart.com
Ready Freddie? Our top rock vocalist of all-time is (unsurprisingly) Freddie Mercury. Freddie fronted one of the most legendary bands of all time, Queen. With a four octave vocal range and a beautifully unique sound, Freddie was known to be a “force of nature.” To this day, it is basically a universal truth that Freddie Mercury was and will always be the best of all-time.
