Music's best frontmen?

[bombermick]

After seeing Muse last night (awesome) and deciding that while Bellamy's one of rock's most talented individuals, but that he lacks charisma, I was thinking who are the best frontmen?

I found it a bit odd that Muse just played through the songs and barely talked to the crowd. Not a real complaint as it was a great gig, but it was a bit strange.

It could be in rock or any other genre. Secondly, does it matter for you if a singer isn't that alpha male type with amazing stage presence? Or is it all about the music? My list:

Eddie Vedder- Engages with the crowd regulary and often has a funny joke or anecdote to share. Isn't afraid to get political and I remember him making a funny remark about Howard during the Riot Act tour. Great stage presence.

Scott Weiland- Dances around the stage like a madman and has that cross between David Bowie and Jim Morrison thing going.

Axl Rose- A massive dick but a great frontman.

Scott Stapp- Again a massive dick, but once again it's the dominant personalities who are the best frontmen. He doesn't have the musical talents of a Bellamy, but he's very good at engaging a crowd.

Bono- He is the master. The voice. Is clever at using local references in their songs to get on a crowd's good side. The ultimate frontman.

 

[omit]

Josh Homme

 

[raskolnikov]

Freddie Mercury
John Fogerty

 

[Mofra]

Surely Lemmy deserves a mention.

Dave Wyndorf was brilliant last time I saw MM

I've waited forever to see John Garcia in the flesh so I hope he lives up to expectation

 

[HigginsHawk]

A quick few without really trying Bon Scott, Bruce Dickinson, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Jimmy Barnes, Peter Garrett and Ozzy. Wouldn't classify any of them as elite singers although Dickenson may have gone close at his peak. All are natural performers and great frontmen.

Mercury would have my vote though.

 

[bombermick]

A quick few without really trying Bon Scott, Bruce Dickinson, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, Jimmy Barnes, Peter Garrett and Ozzy. Wouldn't classify any of them as elite singers although Dickenson may have gone close at his peak. All are natural performers and great frontmen.

Mercury would have my vote though.

Dickenson would have been elite at his peak. I never saw Mercury, but you have a point in that many of the better frontmen are not elite singers. Very few of the musical nerds with amazing vocal chops also have amazing stage presence.

 

[Papa G]

Yeah Mercury wins this thread. Jagger probably second. I spose Bono would be up there.

 

[HARKER]

After seeing Muse last night (awesome) and deciding that while Bellamy's one of rock's most talented individuals, but that he lacks charisma, I was thinking who are the best frontmen?

I found it a bit odd that Muse just played through the songs and barely talked to the crowd. Not a real complaint as it was a great gig, but it was a bit strange.

Have you heard Bellamy speak?
More luck understanding a Scotsman with a skinful

Bono? You'd have to be kidding.
Sooner listen to an hour of Sting's ramblings at a concert.

Wayne Coyne from Flaming Lips goes OK, but no-one could begrudge Mercury.

 

[Cthublhu]

Not mentioned so far:

Rob Halford, Joey Ramone, Jack White, Zack de la Rocha, Noddy Holder, Roger Daltrey and Bob Marley.

 

[Jesse Custer]

Dave Wyndorf. Although before his "break" from music he was absolutely awesome as a front man.

Now even though its pure love of the band that i mention him, he has dropped off somewhat.

 

[Homer Jnr]

Dave Grohl.

Billie Joe Armstrong goes alright too.

 

[Golding]

Dave Grohl.

i remember at one of the "Rock-It" gigs here in perth, he jumped off the stage into the mosh pit, sprinted up to the lighting / camera tower then played 2 songs from there

 

[cama30]

An up and coming frontman would have to be brandon flowers from the killers!! I have seen him 3 times live and he gets better everytime i see him, last time being at good vibes just after his mum passed away!!!! What inspiring performance!!!!

 

[Roos4eva]

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(yes, two of those vids aren't live, but that's beside the point)

 

[HARKER]

Surely Lemmy deserves a mention.

Lemmy deserves no such mention.
The bastard cost me my eardrums all those years ago, although I did name my dog after him.

 

[The Passenger]

anyone who's seen the DVD of queen live at wembley in 1986 has to be impressed with freddie mercury. he has just got so mcuh energy.

 

[thurmanmunson]

Nick Cave
David Yow
Rollins
Sam McPheeters
Jon Spencer
Mark E. Smith
Iggy Pop

 

[pjcrows]

Vedder.

And I know he fronts his own band, but Springsteen aswell.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

To add a couple more.

Perry Farrell
Chris Cornell
Devin Townsend
Ozzy

 

[Madtiger2006]

Ian Anderson by a mile

 

[strung_out7]

Jon Toogood

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[Eagle Empire]

Ron Hitler-Barassi of TISM

 

[nylexbandit]

Agree with Freddie mercury. Also reckon for current guys zack de la rocha and Cedric Bixler-Zavala are pretty damn good

 

[Bennett.]

Thread should end at Freddie Mercury. Greatest ever.

Honorable mentions:

Bruce Dickinson
Bono

 

[nylexbandit]

No love for Robert Plant?