Hello and thank you for being a DL contributor. We are changing the login scheme for contributors for simpler login and to better support using multiple devices. Please click here to update your account with a username and password.

Hello. Some features on this site require registration. Please click here to register for free.

Hello and thank you for registering. Please complete the process by verifying your email address. If you can't find the email you can resend it here.

Hello. Some features on this site require a subscription. Please click here to get full access and no ads for $1.99 or less per month.

Which famous singers have the best voices?

Inspired by the thread about worst voices. Adele? Whitney? Mariah? Kelly Clarkson?

by Anonymousreply 109February 19, 2019 4:22 AM

Babs

by Anonymousreply 1December 15, 2014 8:24 AM

Your question is pretty vague. Are you referring to current singers or singers from the past?

Off the top of my head, some Pop singers who I think had/have great voices are.............

Ella Fitzgerald

Billy Eckstine

Sarah Vaughan

Margaret Whiting

Fran Warren

Rosemary Clooney

Buddy Greco

Eydie Gorme

Johnny Mathis

Barbara McNair

Kim Weston

Patti LaBelle

Chaka Khan

Maureen McGovern

Jennifer Holliday

Tamia

Kelly Clarkson

Just a few off the top of my head. Versatile singers who could sound pretty but also belt 'em out.

by Anonymousreply 2December 15, 2014 9:46 AM

Julie London

by Anonymousreply 3December 15, 2014 10:33 AM

K.D. Lang

by Anonymousreply 4December 15, 2014 10:35 AM

Dinah Washington

by Anonymousreply 5December 15, 2014 10:43 AM

Karen Carpenter

by Anonymousreply 6December 15, 2014 10:45 AM

The late Eva Cassidy was astounding. That voice was so pure and precise and versatile, tender one moment and powerful the next.

by Anonymousreply 7December 15, 2014 10:51 AM

Taylor Swift

by Anonymousreply 8December 15, 2014 12:53 PM

Ann Wilson

Pat Benatar

Whitney Houston

Mariah Carey

by Anonymousreply 9December 15, 2014 1:16 PM

In popular music as we have understood it for the last several decades, I'd go with Kelly Clarkson, Whitney Houston (at her peak, '85 to '92), Mariah Carey during her first four albums, Ann Wilson of Heart, and K.D. Lang. And over on the R&B side, Chaka Khan and Aretha at their respective bests.

Susan Boyle hit that high water mark once, with her famous "I Dreamed a Dream" live vocal on the Brit Talent show, but her subsequent recordings didn't quite live up.

by Anonymousreply 10December 15, 2014 1:27 PM

Top three voicves for me are Whitney, Babs, and Phyllis Hyman.

by Anonymousreply 11December 15, 2014 6:57 PM

Are these voices or singers? In my opinion they are two totally different things.

by Anonymousreply 12December 15, 2014 7:25 PM

A lot of people mentioned here aren't singers. Many are moaners, screechers, and/or screamers.

by Anonymousreply 13December 15, 2014 7:31 PM

Whitney in her prime.

by Anonymousreply 14December 16, 2014 1:34 AM

r3 - Julie London is criminally underrated. She could do sad just as well as sexy, but she's mostly remembered for the latter, a side effect of the album covers, I suppose. One of my all-time favorites.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 15December 16, 2014 1:44 AM

My favorite is Linda Ronstadt.

by Anonymousreply 16December 16, 2014 1:45 AM

George Jones is my favorite for mournful country.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 17December 16, 2014 1:51 AM

Judy Garland, Shirley Bassey, Eydie Gorme, Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter

Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis

by Anonymousreply 18December 16, 2014 3:10 AM

Judy Garland in her prime (1935 - 61). No one else comes close.

by Anonymousreply 19December 16, 2014 3:35 AM

Babs vs Judy. Babs hands down

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 20December 16, 2014 3:45 AM

Annie Lennox

by Anonymousreply 21December 16, 2014 9:58 AM

And no mention of moi?

Fuck all of you damn hussies and the horse you rode on!

by Anonymousreply 22December 16, 2014 11:35 AM

Colbie Caillat, Amy Grant.

I like soothing voices.

by Anonymousreply 23December 16, 2014 11:44 AM

Dusty Springfield

by Anonymousreply 24December 16, 2014 11:44 AM

R22 Dionne, dearest, no, NOT your wispy willow woman voice. It's what kept people from buying all those nice Bacharach-David songs all those years.

by Anonymousreply 25December 16, 2014 2:09 PM

DONNA!!!!!

by Anonymousreply 26December 16, 2014 3:56 PM

Renee Fleming

Linda Ronstadt

Ed Ames

Paulo Szot

Roberta Peters

Larry Gatlin

Rosemary Clooney

Barbara Mandrell

Robert Goulet

by Anonymousreply 27December 16, 2014 11:44 PM

Christina Aguilera.

However, she has serious technical faults in her singing (though at the same time, some of those give her her signature sound). Nonetheless, I do think she has one of the best voices for sure.

by Anonymousreply 28December 17, 2014 8:13 AM

Eva Cassidy had a great voice, but there was absolutely nothing behind it. She could've been a robot.

by Anonymousreply 29December 17, 2014 8:22 AM

Geri Jewell

by Anonymousreply 30December 17, 2014 8:29 AM

[quote] but there was absolutely nothing behind it.

Sadly, there was cancer behind it.

by Anonymousreply 31December 17, 2014 8:36 AM

Sandy Denny

by Anonymousreply 32December 17, 2014 9:18 AM

Adam Lambert. Adam Lambert. Adam Lambert. And may I just say - ADAM LAMBERT.

by Anonymousreply 33December 17, 2014 12:08 PM

Dusty Springfield, Sarah Vaughan, Cassandra Wilson, David Bowie

by Anonymousreply 34December 17, 2014 12:16 PM

Ann Wilson absolutely rules this. Seeing her live is absolutely amazing.

Natalie Merchant was great back in the day.

Jim James of My Morning Jacket

I LOVED Layne Staley as the lead singer of Alice in Chains.

by Anonymousreply 35December 17, 2014 1:05 PM

George Michael Freddie Mercury Steve Perry

by Anonymousreply 36December 17, 2014 1:10 PM

I love Joni Mitchell's voice in her prime 1970s years

Aretha Franklin, also at her best in the 1960s

Joan Armatrading's 70s albums were bliss and I still love them now

Dusty Springfield

Barbra in her 1960s prime

Miss Peggy Lee

Dionne and Petula were good then too, and Cleo Laine.

Nancy Wilson

Judy Garland in both A Star Is Born and I Could Go On Singing.

I also flirted with Ella, Sarah, KD Laing, Bette and Liza, and Annie Lennox.

by Anonymousreply 37December 17, 2014 1:11 PM

Donna Summer, Chaka Khan, Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter, Barbara Streisand, K.D. Lang.

by Anonymousreply 38December 17, 2014 1:11 PM

George Michael and Jack Jones (again in the 1960s) had the best male voices for me, plus Marvin Gaye and Smokey Robinson.

Stevie Wonder in his great 1970s period and Donny Hathaway.

by Anonymousreply 39December 17, 2014 1:13 PM

NANCY Wilson, R37?

by Anonymousreply 40December 17, 2014 1:16 PM

r8 is clearly completely deaf.

by Anonymousreply 41December 17, 2014 1:34 PM

Yes, Nancy Wilson r40 - chanteuse of all those Capitol albums and concerts and nightclubs, maybe a lesser Peggy Lee but certainly a great singer and stylist.

by Anonymousreply 42December 17, 2014 1:36 PM

Oh R42. Not THE Nancy Wilson. I didn't realize there were two. Your reference was well before my time.

by Anonymousreply 43December 17, 2014 1:38 PM

George Michael is great. I love his "I can't make you love me" cover.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 44December 17, 2014 4:44 PM

Tina

One of the greatest voices ever. So much passion and unbreakable energy conveyed when she sings.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 45December 17, 2014 4:56 PM

Where's Stevie Nicks?

This is one of her greatest songs at the peak of her career: "Storms." Her voice was (and still is) so unique, with incredible tone. I love how she goes for the whisper effect here and sells the song completely. One of the best female singer songwriters of all time.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 46December 17, 2014 5:01 PM

I wonder what Stevie's pussy looks like.

by Anonymousreply 47December 17, 2014 5:04 PM

Is there a reason why whenever there are one of these singing threads on here that mostly only females are ever listed?

What am I chopped liver???

by Anonymousreply 48December 17, 2014 5:21 PM

Yes, you are, R48. But at least you're hung like a donkey.

by Anonymousreply 49December 17, 2014 5:40 PM

Patsy Cline, Karen Carpenter, Annie Lennox, Don Henley, Chris Isaaks, James Taylor, John Fogerty, Eric Burdon, Grace Slick, Gladys Knight, Joni Mitchell, Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Doris Day, Dean Martin, Tom Jones, Freddie Mercury, Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Peggy Lee

by Anonymousreply 50December 17, 2014 6:39 PM

Elvis's early recordings, he was sensational.

by Anonymousreply 51December 17, 2014 7:16 PM

I used to love Linda Ronstadt too r16 but now that I am older I realize that she did a bit too much hollering. She was best when singing country where hollering isn't appropriate or needed. That's where you can hear the beauty of her voice.

And r12 has a good point there is a difference between having a good voice and being a good singer. That is why I get frustrated with the singing competitions. People get up there and don't know how to sing a song. I haven't listened to Clarkson enough to know if she can sing. She has a good voice though. And Whitney and Babs both were/are great singers.

If you don't hate Streisand the best example I can think of to hear how to sing a song is to listen to her Yentl CD. She gives each song emotion and interpretation. It's a good class in how to emotionally engage the listener.

Whitney you could listen to her love songs to hear it.

by Anonymousreply 52December 17, 2014 7:27 PM

Stevie Wonder

Brian McKnight

Paul McCartney

Tim Curry

by Anonymousreply 53December 17, 2014 7:31 PM

Ella Fitzgerald

Frank Sinatra

k.d. lang

Leontyne Price (opera)

They have something beyond perfect tuning -- they have CHARISMA. They know when to intone, raise/lower the voice, pause, etc., so that you BELIEVE what they're singing.

by Anonymousreply 54December 17, 2014 7:31 PM

Carly Simon and Daryl Hall have amazing voices. I heard them sing together in Carly's pool house on the Vineyard with only 2 or 3 pieces behind them. They were sensational, clear as a bell, and completely unfiltered or produced.

by Anonymousreply 55December 17, 2014 7:32 PM

Freddie Mercury & Rob Halford.

by Anonymousreply 56December 17, 2014 7:32 PM

That's what I call knowing how to sing a song r54. That's what makes someone who has a good voice a good singer.

by Anonymousreply 57December 17, 2014 7:34 PM

Was that part of Daryl's tv show he produces r55?

by Anonymousreply 58December 17, 2014 7:35 PM

R54: I am glad someone finally added Sinatra. The only change I would make to your list would be to add Peggy Lee.

by Anonymousreply 59December 17, 2014 7:44 PM

Dear 58. No, it was a private party that Carly was throwing for the Cuomos.

by Anonymousreply 60December 17, 2014 7:58 PM

Boy George had fantastic voice when younger.

by Anonymousreply 61December 19, 2014 7:22 PM

Joan Baez, Harry Belafonte in the late 1950s and 1960s.

by Anonymousreply 62December 20, 2014 5:44 AM

DL fave Dolores Gray, whose voice was variously described as "warm brandy" and "a freight train slathered in honey".

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 63December 20, 2014 6:09 AM

Karen Carpenter for the win. Perfection. Ann Wilson of Heart for rock. Linda Ronstadt for canciónes. Sarah Vaughn and Ella Fitzgerald for jazz.

by Anonymousreply 64December 20, 2014 6:21 AM

Sarah Vaughan

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 65December 20, 2014 6:25 AM

Irene Dunne, of course

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 66December 20, 2014 6:30 AM

[quote]Yes, you are, [R48]. But at least you're hung like a donkey.

Too bad Groban also looks like a donkey.

R52, I read a great article that I've kicked myself many times for not saving. The writer talked about the difference between having a good voice and knowing how to sing. He said two examples of people who know how to sing but don't have the instrument are Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.

I would add Lucinda Williams, whose voice has been described as gorgeously flawed. She's wonderful to listen to.

I think it's why so many people with good voices are so boring I can't listen to an entire album of theirs.

by Anonymousreply 67December 20, 2014 6:54 AM

Thank you R50! Finally, someone said Gladys Knight!!

I saw her this past summer at the Hollywood Bowl, and was completely blown away by how rich her voice still sounds, at 70 years old.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 68December 20, 2014 7:06 AM

Luther Vandross

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 69December 20, 2014 7:13 AM

Maurice White. For sure, this song just doesn't sound the same without him......

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 70December 20, 2014 7:42 AM

Loleatta Holloway. Volcanic. OTT in the best way - she always sounded like she meant it, not empty showboating.

by Anonymousreply 71December 20, 2014 7:45 AM

Yes, R61, he really did. Of all the new wave stuff I listened to as a teenager, my mother (who was very much of the Big Band/WW2 generation) LOVED Culture Club! She thought Boy George had a great, croony voice, and "I can actually understand what he is saying."

For Christmas one year, in the mid-90s, I gave her a Culture Club greatest hits cd. We still throw it on now & then, and she still loves it. (at 88) "He has such a nice voice...."

by Anonymousreply 72December 20, 2014 8:08 AM

Many superb selections. Many more singers were mentioned that I ever imagined when the thread started.

by Anonymousreply 73December 20, 2014 6:39 PM

It's funny I played Lucina Wiliams' Car Wheels on a Gravel Road and Joni Mitchell's Blue to someone in our "getting to know you" phase and they bitched about both ladies' voices... We're no longer together.

by Anonymousreply 74December 20, 2014 7:26 PM

Elvis Presley, Mario Lanza, Howard Keel, Doris Day, Gogi Grant, Rosa Ponselle, Amelita Galli-Curci, Jack Jones, John Gary, Robert Merrill

by Anonymousreply 75December 20, 2014 8:03 PM

Ann Wilson, Jackie Wilson, another vote too for Elvis Presley but esp. early 60's Elvis.

by Anonymousreply 76December 20, 2014 8:14 PM

For female singers here is who I thought were the best:

Smoothness: Karen Carpenter because her voice was incredibly relaxing. Versatility: Linda Ronstadt. She probably could have done even disco but she would have never touched it. Strength: Whitney Houston. She did sing from her heart and gut. Underrated: Donna Summer, Carly Simon and Gloria Estefan. Better singers than critics think.

For male singers: Smoothness: Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble. Easy listening and mellow. Versatility: Freddy Mercury. He could have done anything Strength: Josh Groban. He feels from the heart as well. Underrated: Elton John, Billy Joel and Barry Manilow.

Singers today that will be legends in the future: Carrie Underwood, Adele, Kelly Clarkson.

Singers that are not great (good voices though) but make great music: Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Olivia Newton-John.

Singers that I would never want to hear from again: Michael Bolton, Justin Beiber, Jonas Brothers, Britney Spears

Overrated: Bruce "I swallowed a tire iron" Springsteen!

by Anonymousreply 77April 28, 2015 2:28 AM

I can't stand the screaming banshees of today. We can hear you all...in China.

by Anonymousreply 78April 28, 2015 2:34 AM

Jo Stafford

Sarah Brightman

Rise Stevens

Ella Logan

by Anonymousreply 79April 28, 2015 3:07 AM

Connie Franklin was very emotive:

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 80April 28, 2015 3:12 AM

Nancy Lamott

by Anonymousreply 81April 28, 2015 3:39 AM

Joan Osborne is very underrated.

by Anonymousreply 82April 28, 2015 5:01 AM

Tierney Sutton

by Anonymousreply 83April 28, 2015 6:15 AM

Bowie has a stunning vocal range

by Anonymousreply 84April 28, 2015 6:42 AM

Jo Stafford had smash hit records, as

A member of a vocal group, (The Pied Pipers)

As half of a duo, (with Gordon McRae; Frankie Laine)

A comedy team, (Jonathan and Darlene Edwards)

A hillbilly, (Cinderella G. Stump) And as Jo Stafford, "Feudin' Fussin' and Fightin'

Folk music, (Black is the Color)

Hymns, including Christmas classics.

Multi-track, "Make Love to Me"

Jazz

Country

by Anonymousreply 85April 28, 2015 7:25 AM

Besides most of those mentioned, I enjoyed:

Etta James

Etta Jones

Billie Holiday

Teresa Brewer

Celine Dion

Kay Starr

Lee Wiley

Mildred Bailey

Della Reese

Ruth Brown,

and many more.

by Anonymousreply 86April 28, 2015 7:29 AM

Nancy Wilson

Dakota Staton

Ethel Waters

Lena Horne

Mary Ford

by Anonymousreply 87April 28, 2015 7:34 AM

Many fantastic voices have already been listed.

Alison Moyet should also be on this list for her voice.

by Anonymousreply 88April 28, 2015 7:35 AM

Don't forget Eydie Gorme - even Aretha raved about her.

by Anonymousreply 89April 28, 2015 7:40 AM

Ann Wilson, Cass Elliot, Linda Ronstadt, Karen Carpenter, Janis Joplin, Pat Benatar, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Siouxsie Sioux, Susanna Hoffs, Theo Kogan, Heidi Ore, Terri Nunn, Patti Smith, Courtney Love, Kat Bjelland, Kristin Hersh, Johnette Napolitano, Janet Bean, Catherine Irwin, I enjoy Barbra, Whitney, Donna Summer too but I wanted to name some who sing their own damn way and maybe with the driving electric Thundah! of guitars and drums in accompaniment.

by Anonymousreply 90April 28, 2015 8:25 AM

I could listen to Steve Perry (whether in his high or later lower registers) and Peter Cetera sing the phone book. Also Dean Martin up to at least the late sixties, and his voice was absolutely sublime in his prime.

by Anonymousreply 91February 6, 2018 1:21 PM

La Streisand of course!

by Anonymousreply 92February 6, 2018 1:27 PM

Frank Sinatra

by Anonymousreply 93February 6, 2018 1:28 PM

Linda Ronstadt

Whitney Houston

by Anonymousreply 94February 6, 2018 1:41 PM

Keely Smith, Kay Starr and Melissa Manchester.

by Anonymousreply 95February 6, 2018 3:13 PM

Fans are adorable.

by Anonymousreply 96February 6, 2018 3:25 PM

I love Stevie but this is for "best voice" alone. Linda Ronstadt, Agnetha Faltskog, Ella Fitzgerald, Nancy Wilson, Dinah Washington, Judy Garland.

by Anonymousreply 97February 6, 2018 4:57 PM

Streisand, Garland, Franklin, Piaf, voices, artists, musicians- many others, Ella, Sarah, Peggi Lee (stylist), Lena, Whitney (great pipes never sang anything much good however-just pop and a bit of hip hop stuff), Celine (lousy material like Whitney), KD, the singer song-writers like Joni, Judy Collins. Eddie Gorme and Shirley Bassey are impressive, but harsh for my ears.

What about Nat King Cole- sublime, Sinatra was good but I just can't get by his being such a jerk. Love George Michael- Ray Charles is basically the template for all rock singers. Many wonderful niche singers among the guys like BB King, Luther V, Sam Cook

Leontyn Price- majestic

Pavarotti, Boccelli (sp?)

by Anonymousreply 98February 6, 2018 5:50 PM

Randy Rainbow

by Anonymousreply 99February 6, 2018 5:52 PM

Amy Grant--warm tone that envelops you

Patty Griffin--amazing strength, range and clarity

by Anonymousreply 100February 6, 2018 6:06 PM

[quote]Agnetha Faltskog

Truly, unforgettable!

by Anonymousreply 101February 6, 2018 6:19 PM

[R101] Yes! Chiquitita, The Day Before You Came, The Winner Takes It All, SOS, One of Us, Soldiers and many more - all amazing performances by Agnetha. The power of the voice, the beauty of the tone, the range, the incredible flexibility, the emotional quality, the ability to be tough and tender, etc.. Peerless in the realm of Pop.

by Anonymousreply 102February 6, 2018 6:36 PM

OMG!

I thought "Agnetha Faltskog" was someone drunk-typing "Aretha Franklin"

by Anonymousreply 103February 6, 2018 6:49 PM

Jessye Norman

Kathleen Battle

maria Callas

If you put Edith Piaf on this list you have to include Billie Holliday. They had similar styles.

by Anonymousreply 104February 6, 2018 7:13 PM

[R103] Funny :)

by Anonymousreply 105February 6, 2018 7:16 PM

Liz Fraser from the Cocteau Twins

by Anonymousreply 106February 19, 2019 3:18 AM

Whitney Houston. Her live concerts, ballads, totally cleared all comers.

by Anonymousreply 107February 19, 2019 3:33 AM

In terms of PURE tonal quality, resonance, clarity,timbre,power, pitch and intonation----60s-70s Barbra and 80s/early 90s Whitney are in a class all their own. And of the two I MUCH PREFER the sound and interpretative quality of Barbra. To me, all things considered, she still has THE greatest voice ever.

Offsite Link
by Anonymousreply 108February 19, 2019 3:37 AM

Gosh, Streisand is great, but there is no arguing that Whitney had far more range and power. Also Streisand really sings like a white lady, Whitney had a bigger diversity in her ability to interpret her stylistic techniques. What is important is that they both respected each other.

by Anonymousreply 109February 19, 2019 4:22 AM
Loading
Need more help? Click Here.

Yes indeed, we too use "cookies." Take a look at our privacy/terms or if you just want to see the damn site without all this bureaucratic nonsense, click ACCEPT. Otherwise, you'll just have to find some other site for your pointless bitchery needs.

×

Become a contributor - post when you want with no ads!