Best symphonic and progressive singers
Printed From: Progarchives.com
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URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=135421
Printed Date: August 15 2025 at 10:24
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Topic: Best symphonic and progressive singers
Posted By: Fercandio46
Subject: Best symphonic and progressive singers
Date Posted: August 09 2025 at 19:37
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I don't know if they've ever done this in so many years, but it never hurts to refresh one's artistic criteria. Symphonic and Progressive music is so demanding from an instrumental, compositional, lyrical perspective... and, if that weren't enough, also from a vocal perspective. Although there are plenty of examples of great bands with less accomplished vocalists, who are equally popular, of course. But in this case, the dual criteria of "best" (perhaps from a technical perspective) and the one you like the most or who's most popular, based on a "more personal" judgment, would be good. Ian Anderson, especially since Benefit, seemed to me to exhibit lyrical skills, reaching a wide range that he would increasingly enrich, arriving at increasingly complex and demanding pieces, in Thick as a Brick, A Passion Play, or Minstrel in the Gallery. Greg Lake (I always refer to the classic period of the first five years of the 70s) seemed to me to be a singer with the cleanest voices I have ever heard, from low to high, imposing the emotion required at the moment, owner of an exquisite subtlety, and as examples, "Take A Pebble" or "The Sage". For me, Annie Haslam couldn't be missing. Not only her soprano talent, but also the emotional impact that makes her performances almost theatrical. Turn of the Cards and Scheherazade and Other Stories are albums that attest to those performances that have gone down in history and memory. And the candor and sweetness of her voice were the ideal companion to her technical perfection. Peter Hammill has been with me for so many decades now...and perhaps this is where it's not so much the technical correctness that matters, but the emotion he awakens. However, "Darkness (11/11)", "A Plague Of Lighthouse Keepers", and subsequent Van der Graaf Generator albums such as Godbluf, and Still life, as well as Chameleon in the shadow of the night, his great solo album, make me think that his versatile vocal range does indeed make him worthy of a place among the best, with the personality to also boast a personal and widely recognizable style. David Sylvian has been an inquisitor, questioning the limits of his Japan era, with the energy of experimental new wave and Fripp-esque funk, all the way to maturity and that ethereal state, as unclassifiable as it is beautiful, in Secrets of the Beehive. With Ryuichi Sakamoto at his piano, he created vignettes that successfully unite East and West, classical, ethnic, and experimental avant-garde music. All with that distinctive voice... that makes us travel and dream. Of course, there are many more, and it's as arbitrary as it is personal. However, the criteria for quality and versatility of recording are not subjective. The list is long, but not endless! |
Replies:
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 09 2025 at 20:47
I don't think we can forget about this fellow!  ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: August 09 2025 at 23:33
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I'd add Sonja Kristina to the names already mentioned (possibly the next best female prog singer after Annie). A rare picture of them both together, with that old rogue Thijs!  ------------- "Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour |
Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: August 09 2025 at 23:35
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For emotional impact I think Todd Rundgren is excellent. You can feel the empathy in his voice. The duo vocals and harmonies of Steve Walsh and Robby Steinhardt are magical. |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 00:08
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John Wetton . Not only for KC but many of his solo and shared works, of which Many are ballads admittedly. But a wonderful voice. Greg Lake of course, as well. Jon Anderson probably the best of the bunch. The vocalist from Sylvan I heard this morning blew me away. Don’t know his name. ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 00:19
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Chris Thompson of Manfred Mann's Earth Band is very often overlooked when we talk about 'best vocalists'. I think he had great technical skills, range, phrasing and delivery. He'd sing in a slightly raspy voice but it never felt accidental or forced. He was able to perfectly control the amount of that rasp whenever the song demanded it. Honestly, one of the top prog singers if you ask me. Chris Hamlet Thompson. ------------- 
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Posted By: Guldbamsen
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 02:41
I prefer my prog singers Italian. Faves include Gianluigi Di Franco from Cervello, Demetrio Stratos off Area, PFM’s Franco Mussida, Delirium’s Ivano Fossati and Franco Battiato  ------------- “The Guide says there is an art to flying or rather a knack. The knack lies in learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss.” - Douglas Adams |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 03:51
| Jon Anderson will always be in our hearts, from his jazzy beginnings to his raspy rock 'n' roll singing voice, and his almost operatic solemnity in the more intricate aspects of Yes! |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 03:54
I love Sonja's work in Curved Air, which in the beginning owed a lot to Jefferson Airplane, and I agree that after Annie she is "the other great female vocalist." |
Floydoid wrote:Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 04:05
Great work in Kansas, it's true that his vocal harmonies seemed to go hand in hand with the violin. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 04:18
John Wetton joins the select group of great singers and bassists that Mr. Fripp recruited throughout the 1970s for KC. Anyone who has heard pieces like "The Night Watch" and later "One More Red Nightmare" will never forget him. Like Boz Burrell, another of the great singers/bassists, he owes much of the spirit of Islands. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 04:31
I think he replaced Mick Rogers starting in 1976...I like both, but for the musical direction taken it was a success, and after listening to "The Road To Babylon" or "Starbird", no one can deny it. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 04:52
As always, Italian progressive bands take things one step further. How can we forget Demetrios! Area brought their Arabic heritage into the equation, along with the operatic style so dear to the Italian DNA. Jimmy Spitaleri of Metamorfosi also contributed to the Italian phenomenon. |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 05:33
Sadly overlooked, my favourite would be the lead vocalist of Triumvirat, the late Helmut Koellen, "the man with the golden voice", and delivery. A big reason why that group made an impact in Symphonic Prog.
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Posted By: Grumpyprogfan
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 06:52
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As for singers that aren't from the 70's, I think Mariusz Duda is excellent. |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 07:41
In terms of Triumvirat band members, I think that Barry Palmer is the one that is truly overlooked. People usually favor Köllen, but I personally find Palmer's vocal work quite good. Plus, as a matter of fact, Palmer had the advantage over Köllen that he was a native English speaker. Yeah, while Köllen had some accent flubs here and there, overall he was undeniably much more charismatic/memorable as a performer, well, and of course he was better songwriter/instrumentalist imo. But, in terms of pure vocal abilities, I put both Köllen and Palmer in the same league. -------------
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Posted By: octopus-4
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 08:06
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My #1 singer is Greg Lake. ------------- I stand with Roger Waters, I stand with Joan Baez, I stand with Victor Jara, I stand with Woody Guthrie. Music is revolution |
Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 08:38
Thanks for your response. I find Helmut's English pronounciation quite good, actually, and amazing since he had to learn the lyrics phoenetically. Barry is also a fine singer, but Helmut was, vocally in itself, in a league almost by himself, in my books. And as you have pointed out, a great songwriter/ instrumentalist.... |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 09:00
I stand by my opinion that hiring a native English speaker (Barry Palmer) as the lead singer, replacing the late Helmut Kållen, was a goodmove for Triumvirat. ---- PS: *Yeah, I know you're simping for Helmut, so I kinda understand why you're so defensive, Doug. No problem with that. To each their own. ;) -------------
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Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 09:06
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Anyhow, Lešek Semelka (Modry Efekt, Bohemia) would turn in gorgeous vocal performances. My favorite vocal work of Semelka's is Zazrak Jedné Noci by M. Efekt. -------------
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Posted By: presdoug
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 09:38
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Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 09:52
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Julie Driscoll, with Brian Auger & The Trinity. The 1969 album Streetnoise is ample proof of this. And Miller Anderson, of the Keef Hartley Band. They're not on Progarchives, but their fusion of jazz, funk, and psychedelia, combined with an epic-tinged rock that couldn't be anything other than progressive, in both The Time Is Near (1970) and Overdog (1971), prove it. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 10:49
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One common theme I've noticed is the amazing contribution of Robert Fripp and King Crimson to prog vocal music! Greg Lake, John Wetton, Gordon Haskell (  can't win them all!), Adrian Belew, and most recently, Michael "Jakko" Jakszyk (a fine guitarist as well as vocalist!) and lately, Toyah Willcox ( )Pretty amazing influence on the art form I'd say! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: ThyroidGlands
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 11:11
Francesco di Giacomo, Demetrio Stratos, Jon Anderson.
Amazing singer ------------- ⋆la faulx⋆ |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 11:38
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Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 12:22
Absolutely...Fripp's judgment has been great these past few years...you could say that as a conductor too! Adrian Belew is also another great singer who isn't appreciated enough. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 16:23
I agree about Adrian as a vocalist! Not to be overlooked is the contribution that Tony Levin sometimes makes with vocal harmonies! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 17:13
On Levyn's latest solo album, he does a track with vocal harmonies dedicated to his favorite drummers, and it's a must-see. 
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Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 10 2025 at 18:36
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Ian Anderson Jon Anderson Adrian Belew Frank Bornemann (for style/timbre over range/power) Kate Bush Loreto Chaparro (the powerhouse vocalist on Gritaré by Matraz) Phil Collins Annie Haslam Greg Lake Geddy Lee Geoff Mann Hiroko Nagai (Pageant) Peter Nicholls Doug Pinnick Todd Rundgren Michael Sadler Billy Thorpe Steve Walsh (in his prime, unbeatable) John Wetton Lenny Zakatek (APP) ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 11 2025 at 11:16
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I also think Kevyn Ayers had a great deep voice, and on the right tracks, he really enhanced the mood. He also sang in French, like Bryan Ferry, who shone on Roxy Music's first five albums with a style that went beyond glam, which was already very good. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auOBhaXEDvA&list=RDauOBhaXEDvA&start_radio=1" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auOBhaXEDvA&list=RDauOBhaXEDvA&start_radio=1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8uYxNgGxzY&list=RDW8uYxNgGxzY&start_radio=1" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8uYxNgGxzY&list=RDW8uYxNgGxzY&start_radio=1 |
Posted By: Lewian
Date Posted: August 11 2025 at 15:55
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Surprised that nobody has listed Peter Gabriel yet. I'm not even one of the bigger Genesis fans around here, but I always loved his singing. Other than that, good calls for Kate Bush, Chris Thompson (!), David Sylvian (!!). I'm also fine with most of the usual suspects (Annie! Jon!). Another one among the very best singers if not the best, who I haven't yet seen listed here, is Björk. ------------- I make typos so you see I'm not a machine, but I may be a machine pretending to not be a machine. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 11 2025 at 17:32
Borders and limits blur until they atomize! There are voices that reach the heart... but they are not technically correct registers, or what is called a "clean color" of voice. Precisely for this reason, I tried to establish the double criterion: vocal quality or feeling, both equally valid, although they don't validate everything. Gabriel has a particular tone... but within it, he has been able to demonstrate talents. Something similar happens to me with Bowie, but knowing what songs to listen to... he has been a great singer (apart from being an all-around musician). And Bjork... I'm not that familiar with her work, but I don't know if it falls into symphonic or progressive categories, and on a personal level, her voice is not so much my style, although I remember the album with the big band as something pleasant. Gabriel is present, of course, with Foxtrot and Selling England, The Lamb and his first solo volumes, which are enough to sample. 
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Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 05:56
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Apologies if anyone has already menetioned him but I find it quite surprising that Justin Hayward is often not mentioned much (if at all) in these types of discussions. Also Rick Davies of Supertamp would be a close second. I'm extremely proud that both come from my home town of Swindon! Greg Lake was superb in Crimson and did some good work in ELP for sure. Unfortunately way too much smoking virtually killed his voice far too early. Sorry I don't like Ian Anderson's voice at all. Female vocals I love: Sonja Kristina Kate Bush Natasha Khan (Bat For Lashes) Christina Booth (Magenta) Suzie Bogdanawicz (Glass Hammer) Magda Berg (Par Lindh Project , sadly no longer with us) Amy Darby (Thieves' Kitchen) Annie Haslam is of course great but I don't listen to Renaissance that much tbh. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 10:27
Thanks for contributing, Richard! We're building it little by little, and the idea is to uncover a great, overlooked voice, since fortunately, music never runs out and there are always treasures to be discovered. Since I haven't listened to The Moody Blues that much, I wasn't familiar with Justin Hayward, but I'm going to give him a listen. Beyond the famous "Nights in White Satin." I couldn't agree more with Greg Lake... he's one of the best voices... he's completely changed over the years. It's just a mix of bad habits and genetics, or how one processes adversity... life! Ian Anderson also lost that great voice; he was also a smoker. And while of course it's a matter of taste, from Thick as a Brick to Minstrel in the Gallery, I think he did an impeccable job as a performer. Several have mentioned Kate Bush, and of course they have. From the first time I heard Never Forever, I became a fan. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 11:04
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I'd like to give Christina Booth from Magenta a shout-out! I always felt that prog rock was a perfect medium for female vocalists, but we haven't had nearly as many as I would have enjoyed hearing! The band Glass Hammer has done a great job of cultivating excellent vocalists, including Jon Davison (now with Yes) and ladies including Michelle Young, Susie Bogdanowicz, and the current lead vocalist, Hannah Pryor. ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: TenYearsAfter
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 11:14
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My favorite singers in the English language are Peter Gabriel, Greg Lake and Roger Waters. My favorite non-English singers are Pepe Roca from legendary Rock Andaluz formation Alameda, and Francesco di Giacomo from Classic Italian Prog legend Banco. |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 11:40
My favourite prog female singers: 1) Annie Haslam (Renaissance) 2) Sonja Kristina (Curved Air) 3) Jenny Haan (Babe Ruth) My favourite non-prog female singers: 1) Karen Carpenter 2) Mama Cass 3) Dusty Springfield ------------- "Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour |
Posted By: Psychedelic Paul
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 12:21
| ^ I like all of those singers too and with the addition of Jane Relf (Renaissance & Illusion) and Heather Findlay (Mostly Autumn) |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 12:50
Thank you for mentioning Karen Carpenter, she's a favorite of mine as well! I cried when she passed away, such a tragic loss (eating disorder). ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 13:16
There are quite a few, but they don't sing in English, like: Laura Basla of the Italian band Tale Cue — only one album, but a new one is rumored to be past the planning stage; Hiroko Nagai (aka Risa Ohki) of Pageant — one of the most incredible voices I've ever heard, but she retired; Loreto Chaparro of Chilean band Matraz — after a few years, the band resumed activity (new music, but no new album, so far), and she sings on Jaime Rosas' latest album; Takako Sugawara, the second singer for Providence, also retired. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 13:17
The Carpenters were always a bit of a guilty pleasure of mine - Karen's voice wraps around you like warm chocolate covered velvet. ------------- "Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 13:18
Still hard to believe she's gone. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 17:31
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How about a shout out to some amazing prog-related singers!! - Freddie Mercury, of course! - Ian Gillian - amazing set of pipes in his prime! - Ronnie James Dio - he had range, power, and emotion! - Rod Evans (Captain Beyond) - I wish the Captain lasted a bit longer! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: verslibre
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 19:21
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In that case, I have to mention Ann Wilson. She's one of the greatest. ------------- https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_ipg=50&_sop=1&_rdc=1&_ssn=musicosm" rel="nofollow - eBay |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 20:31
No question! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Valdez
Date Posted: August 12 2025 at 21:02
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Linda Perry Johnette Napolitano And I second Bjork! (Especially the 0lder sugarcube days) None of which are symphonic or prog but Great Singers ------------- https://bakullama1.bandcamp.com/album/maxwells-submarine |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 13 2025 at 01:33
Alameda is a great group! Just like Triana or Guadalquivir, they have great flamenco voices. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 13 2025 at 01:37
Of course. http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmyqduUUd6g&list=RDMmyqduUUd6g&start_radio=1" rel="nofollow - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmyqduUUd6g&list=RDMmyqduUUd6g&start_radio=1 |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 13 2025 at 01:42
Queen's early albums are very progressive to me. And Mercury and his voice were an additional instrument like no other. |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 13 2025 at 22:52
Queen 2 is my favorite of all of their releases!!  ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: cstack3
Date Posted: August 13 2025 at 22:53
Drummer Roger Taylor-Meadows was instrumental in their vocal harmonies, he provided some of the highest range vocals! ------------- I am not a Robot, I'm a FREE MAN!! |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 01:58
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^ I certainly have a preference for the early albums 'Queen', 'Queen 2' and 'Sheer Heart Attack'. IMO Freddie was the best front man any band could have. ------------- "Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour |
Posted By: someone_else
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 07:25
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The Archetypes of Prog: Jon Anderson Peter Gabriel Peter Hammill (ok, an acquired taste) Others: David Longdon (I am surprised no one mentioned him so far) Ross Jennings Greg Lake Prog Related: Freddie Mercury Roger Daltrey Female vocalists: Annie Haslam Jerney Kaagman ------------- 
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Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 16:45
They're my favorites. Something changed afterward. And Mercury wasn't just an unparalleled singer, but a performer as well (remember the 19th-century genres they were revisiting at that time), and while each contributed their own thing, he was the spirit of the group. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 16:57
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Robert Lamm and Peter Cetera from Chicago (I always clarify that for me the first four albums, up to 1972), alternating well between calm moods and more pyrotechnic ones. Also David Clayton-Thomas of B,S & T. |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 17:11
I didn't know Earth & Fire, they are Dutch and at one point Bert Ruiter from Focus passed through the band. Roger Daltrey stays active and in great shape! |
Posted By: Hrychu
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 17:52
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Beau West (Evership). Man, what a range! Listen to Isle of the Broken Tree mov. II: The Hall of Visions, which is imo one of his best vocal performances. -------------
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Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 22:46
Indeed, Freddie was a showman - had he not been a rock singer, he could have easily pursued a carer as an operatic performer. No-one could hold an audience in the palm of their hand quite like Freddie could. ------------- "Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour |
Posted By: Floydoid
Date Posted: August 14 2025 at 22:52
I can highly recommend their first three albums, 'Earth and Fire', 'Song of The Marching Children' and 'Atlantis' when they were genuinely proggy. From the fourth album onwards they started incorporating elements of disco into their sound, which for me is far less interesting. https://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1174" rel="nofollow - https://www.progarchives.com/artist.asp?id=1174 ------------- "Christ, where would rock & roll be without feedback?" - D. Gimour |
Posted By: Fercandio46
Date Posted: August 15 2025 at 04:53
Quite a find, there's always something to discover. There are some very interesting melodies on those early records. Thanks, Mike! |