Privileged Voices

In order to be concise, fair and not to extend the purpose of this thread off-limits to lead singers of unpopular yet unrecognizable bands to us, I just made a list with the top 20 that popped right into my mind without having second thoughts about it. In addition to this poll, and since there were only 20 spots to be filled (which I filled in strict alphabetical order to avoid favoritisms), I might've left out many, many outstanding lead singers which I'd like to see you name over the replies. So, whit all that said, I cast my vote to Fish on this one (Roger Waters was also in the back of my mind, but since Derek has been the only one to make burst into tears…)

Land

Note: I'm aware of the previous polls posted by lucas regarding this issue separately (best male and female voice polls), but this one is specifically directed to determine the best voice (English language vocalists only) in business. I mean, there's gotta be one out of the bunch!  

Gabriel is the MAN!

 My 2nd would be Jon Anderson, then Greg Lake, then Ian Anderson, then John Wetton, then Peter Hammill....

Ugh. Are we talking favorite? best quality? most expressive? best range? most flexible? Should I vote for someone who could make the telephone directory sound good, or someone who perfectly suits the material? Is being able to play an instrument and sing simultaneously an issue?

I'll sit this one out; none of my 10-15 favorite vocalists are in the prog genre anyway.

I voted on Peter Hammill, and I particularly think that Wetton's singing in 'Starless' helps the song deliver the emotional, eerie melancholy that precedes the delirium outburst that goes afterwards. I consider him the bes tvocalist in KC's career: even in live albums his singing sounds more virile than in the studio versiones, and doesn't get lost among the amazing noise that all instrumentalists create.

I voted for Peter Hammill, the best of the best (male voice) as Gdub says. But Landberk made this poll including just one woman, Annie Haslan. I should have voted for Magdalena Hagberg, an angel.

 "This sucks, that sucks" -- have some of you ever heard of individual taste?

Some will follow the intent of the poll, and simply praise their favourite singers, others (perhaps younger & more "virile") would rather attack others' favourites....

"It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate -- it takes guts to be gentle and kind...."

Anyone can tear down or deface, disparage, or destroy -- few can create, or seem to want to bother to.

 Gee, I just love to log on here and see well-respected artists, more talented than the vast majority of us, I'd wager, maligned by armchair experts. Some will use their review of one band and album as a platform to attack a completely different band. Very helpful! Negativity and attacking others in a personal fashion (see Reedlover vs Cert & Velvet, on the "Are MP3's Legal" thread) is so much fun, and makes this a better website for all, no?

Sometimes I wonder why I bother....

Long live humour, tolerance, and broad-mindedness! I'm starting to think that too many prog fans are narrow-minded, elitist, and have a grossly inflated sense of their own "wisdom" and (exclusivist) taste!

Yeah, I know, me too....

Peter Rideout wrote:  "This sucks, that sucks" -- have some of you ever heard of individual taste? Some will follow the intent of the poll, and simply praise their favourite singers, others (perhaps younger & more "virile") would rather attack others' favourites.... "It's so easy to laugh, it's so easy to hate -- it takes guts to be gentle and kind...." Anyone can tear down or deface, disparage, or destroy -- few can create, or seem to want to bother to.  Gee, I just love to log on here and see well-respected artists, more talented than the vast majority of us, I'd wager, maligned by armchair experts. Some will use their review of one band and album as a platform to attack a completely different band. Very helpful! Negativity and attacking others in a personal fashion (see Reedlover vs Cert & Velvet, on the "Are MP3's Legal" thread) is so much fun, and makes this a better website for all, no? Sometimes I wonder why I bother.... Long live humour, tolerance, and broad-mindedness! I'm starting to think that too many prog fans are narrow-minded, elitist, and have a grossly inflated sense of their own "wisdom" and (exclusivist) taste! Yeah, I know, me too....

Excellent. You make a personal attack on me for making a personal attack on someone else!!!

Tell me what is the point of this site if we ALWAYS agree to differ? I dont think my attack on Cert was as offensive as you make out! I found his attitude to Mr Lifeson offensive and given that Alex is unlikely to join this thread, took offense for him! Just as you did for the Cert.If we were not passionate about our music and the issues that surround it then this forum would not survive.

I have downloaded music off the web and this site too, but never full albums.But I do copy stuff and so I am as guilty as any other. However, whatever stance I intend to take in the future will be influenced by Alex's argument.

Peter:

Humans will never get it together, my friend. Dont feel bad about that. Its not your fault. Celebrate the things that DO make you happy, and the fact that you're obviously the decent sought, who doesn't go about sh!tting on people. You have a conscience.

Anyway, I voted Gabriel. Not because he happens to have sung in one my favourite bands of all time  but because of that wonderful rich Englishness that compliments all the eccentricity in the music of early Genesis. My second would probably be Peter Hammill. I like him and his voice more than I like VDGG as a whole, I guess. Followed by the brilliant Fish.