Music Radar Rates the Best Lead Singers Ever

Music Radar has rated the 30 best lead singers of all time. Let’s quickly cut to the chase: they rated Axl Rose as number 1. Hmmmm. It’s sort of a shame, considering that while most lists are usually way off, this one sort of makes us cringe overall. And this is why: they set up a bunch of rules that sort of makes it impossible for the best of the best to be included. The rules set forth were, as the site explains,

“Solo artists don't count. Apologies to Marvin Gaye. Your nominations had to be for a frontman, or frontwoman of a band. And we mean a proper collaborative band, not just a vehicle for a solo artist like Jimi's Experience or The Boss's E Street Band. And it's not just about who is the best vocalist, it's about the whole package, got that? Right?!”

Right… I guess. Not to say there’s not a ton of good singers here; there are. But I mean, come on -- Iggy Pop is a good frontman, but a singer? Also, we are not really sure John Lennon was that much of a better singer than Paul McCartney. Usually they sang at the same time. And you’re seriously telling me James Hetfield is a better singer than Maynard James Keenan? Who voted on this thing? Anyways, here’s what they found, based on reader’s votes: 1. Axl Rose (Guns N' Roses) 2. Freddie Mercury (Queen) 3. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelon) 4. Ronnie James Dio (Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell, Rainbow, Elf) 5. John Lennon (The Beatles) 6. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) 7. Thom Yorke (Radiohead) 8. Kurt Cobain (Nirvana) 9. Matt Bellamy (Muse) 10. Paul McCartney (The Beatles) 11. Jim Morrison (The Doors) 12. James Hetfield (Metallica) 13. Maynard James Keenan (Tool, A Perfect Circle) 14. Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones) 15. James LaBrie (Dream Theater) 16. Bon Scott (AC/DC) 17. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) 18. Roger Daltrey (The Who) 19. Geddy Lee (Rush) 20. Morrissey 21. Liam Gallagher (Oasis) 22. Jack White (The White Stripes) 23. Joe Strummer (The Clash) 24. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac) 25. Iggy Pop (The Stooges) 26. Smokey Robinson 27. Black Francis / Frank Black 28. Diana Ross 29. Debbie Harry (Blondie) 30. Martha Reeves