What vocalist do you love because they sound so unique?

Question

Not necessarily the most talented. I'm looking for answers like people with uniqueness and they may be considered terrible vocalists by other people.

My pick would be Danny Stills of Drop Dead, Gorgeous.

Answer 1

Bob Dylan... it's kind of nasal... kind of mellow..... it's hard to describe.
Who else can sing like Bob Dylan?

Answer 2

I like Gackt and Miyavi and An Cafe the best. ^.^'' They are Japanese bands so they may be rejected by some people, but, they're pretty cool. Alll of their song styles and vocals are unique as well as their lyrics. Especially Miyavi's. I don't quite know how to explain it, but he's just different. In a good way ^.^ For people who don't listen to Jrock, I would really reccommend it. The music is jsut so cool! [not to mention that their all hot/cute >.>]
I would most reccomend the songs:
Jibun Kakumei - Miyavi, Kekkonshiki no Uta - Miyavi, Maple Gunnam - An Cafe, Smile Ichiban Ii Onna - An Cafe, and any songs from Gackt :P

Answer 3

Joe Cocker
Nick Drake
Peter Steele
Sandy Denny
Jimi Hendrix
Peter Green

Answer 4

ZP Theart-DragonForce
Ronnie Radke-Escape The Fate
Serj Tankian

Answer 5

for the more obvious ones there'd be the likes of Axl Rose and Layne Stayley.

I have to mention Kory Clarke of Warrior Soul. Unique but definitely not terrible. And Warrel Dane of Nevermore - same story - great/unique but not terrible.

Hmmm trying to think of a vocalist that would be considered fairly bad that I still love. Some people would vote for Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) I suppose, but I can't say I love his vox.

Just browsed my music collection for other ideas..
- Andi Deris of Halloween (and previously of Pink Cream 69). Dunno how this guy got his foot in the door, he's got kind of a strange voice, but yet it's hard to imagine Helloween without him now. Especially as I'm a fan of his era of Helloween and not the Michael Kiske era.
- Aaron Stainthorpe of My Dying Bridge. The average person would listen to their "Angel & The Dark River" album and probably dislike the vocals (and the music for that matter). But I love how he sounds like he's about to break into tears most of the time. His voice isn't the strongest on some of the earlier 'clean' vocals that he does, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
- last but not least, Max Cavalera of Sepultura. The guy doesn't have any particular vocal talent, but on albums like Arise and Chaos AD it simply doesn't matter. The power and conviction of his vocals along with the music on those albums means it seems like a perfect fit.

Answer 6

Glenn Danzig
Ronnie James Dio
Dani Filth
King Diamond

Answer 7

Here's two from the 70's that were considered by many to be among the worst rock vocalists that the 70's ever produced! And if you've ever heard them, you'd surely agree...and I'd get best answer! Haaa!
David Surkamp - Vocalist for 70's prog band 'Pavlovs Dog'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pavlov's_Dog
His voice has been compared to Geddy Lee's, but many feel it grates on their nerves far worse! They were a pretty good American progressive rock band, (if you could look past the singer) and employed 'Yes' drummer Bill Bruford on their 2nd album. I've always found his voice somewhat of a task to listen to, and I can appreciate that in a weird way.
Here's a Youtube video of one of their mellower tunes, 'Julia'. Try to get through the first 2 minutes or so, and you'll see just how unique (and annoying to some) this mans voice was!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKRsJA5GgCo

Colin Carter was another progressive rock vocalist for the 'Yes' spin-off band called 'Flash'. For some, his vocals could really distract from the the great music this band played.
Many of Flash's instrumentals and compositions rivaled that of 'Yes' in my opinion.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_(band)
Come to think of it, some people really have a difficult time with 'Yes' because of John Anderson's vocals.

Oh yeah, and don't forget Yoko Ono! I guess I've grown to love her voice because it's so awful! Clearly she MUST have known she was bad! And while many hate her for various reasons including her voice, I've come to like her...in the same way I like sticking my tongue to a frozen pole!
Watch Eric Clapton trying his hardest not to laugh!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYqCpvzXGTE

Answer 8

I love Joe Strummer's voice. It's really far from a conventional singing and it's great. It's garbled and rough and perfect for the Clash's more aggresive songs, like "1977" "What's My Name" "Cheat" "Garageland", well, basically the entire first album. What a great album. I'm going to go listen to that album.

Jonothan Richman is another favorite. If you don't know him go download "I'm Straight" and "Roadrunner" to get a good taste of his voice. Nasally and incredibly neurotic sounding.

Bob Dylan as mentioned is the only person who can pull off singing like Bob Dylan. And it makes me angry when people say he's a bad singer. That's subjective, and if the vocals work well with the music and you want to listen to it and that's still not enough, what do you have to do to be considered a good singer?! Be more mainstream/radio friendly? That's a good quality to encourage *sarcasm*.

Richard Hell has an odd voice that works well with his music. "Blank Generation" wouldn't be the same by anyone else.

Joey Ramone's less than usual poppy vocals are very endearing.

Answer 9

Bob Dylan
David Lee Roth
Neil Young

Answer 10

Tom Waits
Tom Petty
Les Claypool

Answer 11

Jeff Buckley
Nina Simone
Nick Drake
Alana Davis
Gibby Haynes (Butthole Surfers)
Glen Danzig
Jimmy Urine
Elliott Smith