Who is the greatest British male vocalist of all-time?

Sure you are - but if your opinion is flipping Rod Stewart is a better singer than Bruce Dickinson, it's not an opinion I'm going to pay an awful lot of attention to. ;)

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jam_scot@reddit

Yeah, its Plant. I can't believe I had to scroll down so far to see him mentioned.

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Forsaken_Currency673@reddit

I called my (late) black labrador 'robert' after Mr Plant.

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Rusty_M@reddit

There's a Black Dog joke there somewhere

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Forsaken_Currency673@reddit

No man. I loved my dog. It's not even worth a country western song.

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rocketshipkiwi@reddit

Sorry to hear he is gone. Has it been a long time (since he rock and rolled)?

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Coolnamesarehard@reddit

We have a house plant, for many years or only one. We call it Robert.

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LostinShropshire@reddit

I was surprised not to see him mentioned earlier.

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egg7808@reddit

Paul Rogers still going strong nearly 60 years on

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TooMuchBrightness@reddit

There’s no competition it Freddie. No one comes close.

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ienjoyfootbal@reddit

Tom jones is a significantly better singer

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No_Atmosphere8146@reddit

Who else stands at Wembley stadium and goes

BEEEEEEEEEEEEEE DOP

and has 90,000 in the palm of his hand in response?

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Wretched_Colin@reddit

And not only did he have the voice, he could hold a stadium audience in the palm of his hand. One of a kind.

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ienjoyfootbal@reddit

It's Tom jones and it's not particularly close.

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JacquesBlaireau13@reddit

Joe Cocket

Roger Daltrey

Robert Plant

Freddie Mercury

Brian Ferry

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Sundial360@reddit

If you put Ferry and Lennon in the same competition you are just going to get two jealous guys.

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PresidentPopcorn@reddit

https://youtu.be/88am-ZnQ5Yc?si=Ag4M2V0lxUy4X9Sx

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Puzzled-Special8730@reddit

I'm surprised Joe Cocker hasn't been mentioned more, I'd go him and Freddie

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Sundial360@reddit

It’s Amazing to see George Michael on the list.

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adwards555@reddit

Can’t believe I had to scroll down this long for this, Macca by a mile

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kcvfr4000@reddit

Freddie for me, though he is foreign born.Tom Jones is an English arselicker I'd has zero credibility

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Lucky_Sentence_8845@reddit

Tom Jones is very famously not English.

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kcvfr4000@reddit

Didn't read, said he licks Engish arse. He is a plastic Welshman.

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Lucky_Sentence_8845@reddit

Ah, I see what you mean. Fair enough!

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PsychologySpecific16@reddit

With all that I've seen live I'd go with Brian Johnson or surprisingly....Ozzy.

Never knew Ozzy had that sort of range till I saw him live. Pitch perfect and sounded so much better than on a recording.

Brian can do it all though and can drastically change his singing style at the drop of a hat.

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HMSWarspite03@reddit

Freddie has the greatest singing voice of all.

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I remember that tribute concert where they had all sorts of people singing Freddie’s part with the rest of Queen and people saying they were struggling because he had such a huge range it was hard to come close.

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bitterlemon80@reddit

Though George Michael sounded incredible doing Someone to love

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MamaJody@reddit

That’s probably my favourite cover of all time.

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ThickTadpole3742@reddit

George Michael actually sang Somebody to Love better I would say.

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Daillustriousone@reddit

The correct answer 👆

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given2fly_@reddit

And not just British, he's the greatest singer and front-man of all time.

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HMSWarspite03@reddit

Indeed, his performance a LiveAid stole the show.

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ashleebryn@reddit

Freddie Mercury? He's South African, no?

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triz___@reddit

Craig?

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JCDU@reddit

Sha-mon!

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theavocadolady@reddit

This made me proper LOL

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yurtyahearn@reddit

David Bowie? Nowhere close to Freddie

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Just_Eye2956@reddit

But Bowie was hugely more talented.

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Lost-Variation7075@reddit

I quite like davids music and from what ive seen hes a very honourable guy but thats genuibely one of the worst takes ive ever seen in my life mate. The only comparison to freddie is jim morrison and MJ the only two w the same volume of 10/10 songs with 10/10 vocals

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actualinsomnia531@reddit

Bowie was a visionary creator of songs, but for vocal talent, he wasn't even close.

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Just_Eye2956@reddit

I do understand that and Mercury had a brilliant voice and vocal talent but Bowie (and Mercury would agree with this) had a voice that changed like the chameleon he said he was so it suited so many ‘identities’ he chose. I love Mercury’s voice but Bowie blew him out of the water.

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Rydeeee@reddit

Not going to downvote for a differing opinion, but Freddie clearly had one of the best vocal talents I’ve ever heard. Bowie was an innovator, a creator, an artist.

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Just_Eye2956@reddit

Thank you. Good to have a discussion without down voting. Bowie to me has a certain something that is timeless. I bought Bohemian Rhapsody in 1975 and played it over and over on my record player with the arm off ( do people remember that? The record played over and over if you had the arm off! ) 6 minutes of brilliance.

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Rydeeee@reddit

Fuck, I’m not young and I know how record players work but how did it make any sound without the needle in the groove? Arm off

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Just_Eye2956@reddit

The arm was the guide/holder. If you left it open the record would play it again..

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Embarrassed_Law_6737@reddit

Freddie is not British.

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Acrobatic-Shirt8540@reddit

He may not have been born here, but I fail to see how you can say he's not British. Educated here as a child and was part of one of the biggest British bands ever.
He spent long enough in this country to be considered just as British as you.

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jamatri@reddit

Does he count? He's not ethnically British

(Not that I disagree of course!!)

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Paul_my_Dickov@reddit

He sounded local. That's enough I reckon.

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jamatri@reddit

Hardly! Nobody round here sings that well!!

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HMSWarspite03@reddit

I know what you mean but, he was British, just not by birth, like any immigrant, he or his parents chose this country, so yeah, he's a Brit.

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jamatri@reddit

I'll buy that!! He's ours 😁

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HMSWarspite03@reddit

A bit like Andy Murray 😉

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Negative_Touch_3956@reddit

Yes, by definition. As Scotland is part of Britain.

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HMSWarspite03@reddit

Only when they start winning something cool.

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Plus-Desk-737@reddit

Andy Murray is British.

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jamatri@reddit

Probably more like Greg Rusedski but yeah I see your point!

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Neffwood@reddit

It's Freddie and it's not even close, by like a clear million miles.

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prickly_pink_penguin@reddit

Absolutely no contest for Freddie.

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LiverpoolFCIsBest@reddit

Freddie followed by Bruce Dickinson.

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DivePotato@reddit

It’s not unusual to see Tom Jones on these lists.

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kcvfr4000@reddit

He's a prick. Unionist arsehole. Anti Cymru as it gets

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DivePotato@reddit

Thanks for the info.

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Chorus23@reddit

Why, why, why?

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yurtyahearn@reddit

My, my, my.

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Jimmyboro@reddit

Why, why, whhhhhhhhyyyyyyy??????

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ReddityKK@reddit

I saw an aged Tom Jones at the Isle of Wight festival a few years back. He was amazing.

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nonsequitur__@reddit

I see what you did there 👏

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Trick_Photograph9758@reddit

Freddie, for sure. His voice was insane.

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nonsequitur__@reddit

Freddie Mercury undoubtedly.

For underrated I’d say Mick Hucknall and Rick Astley

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Norphus1@reddit

Rick Astley, maybe. You can keep Mick Hucknall.

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ComplexBeautiful7852@reddit

Hucknall has a beautiful voice. Shame about his music, personality, hair and everything else.

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Cute_Researcher_6578@reddit

I can't argue with that!

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ChipCob1@reddit

Flies under the radar because his songs are throwaway pop but Rick Astley had a cracking set of pipes

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Cute_Researcher_6578@reddit

he'll never let you down

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boredproggy@reddit

He still does

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ChipCob1@reddit

He seems like a pretty cool bloke as well, really down to earth

https://www.reddit.com/r/Music/s/ewcG0Ee93l

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bumlove@reddit

This story always makes me laugh.

https://youtu.be/Muh51PTBf7k?si=DQaRbt9hi4vfCv8d

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BabaJosefsen@reddit

No Robert Plant?

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Plenty_Coast_9999@reddit

Ask a NZer:

Freddie Mercury
Robert Plant
Tom Jones
George Michael

(In no particular order, depending on the mood.)

Now, where are those old records and CDs...

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ApprehensiveArmy7755@reddit

Elton John or Paul mccartney

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That_Razzmatazz679@reddit

Freddie could sing anything with anyone and not look out of place. So Freddie it is.

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PressureBeautiful515@reddit

You've actually pinpointed exactly why everyone is misdescribing him as the greatest vocalist, when he was more the greatest performer. He stole the show at Live Aid not by being a great singer (though he was possibly the best on the day) but by the incredible force of his charisma and control over an entire stadium of people. But if you put him next to Montserrat Caballe, as on 'Barcelona', he sounds surprisingly strained and weak in comparison.

Not even on OP's list, but Robert Plant, Paul McCartney and peak John Lennon (early Beatles) are all better singers than Freddie.

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BeginningKindly8286@reddit

Hadley

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bostaff04@reddit

Gareth gates

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DeadlyBear999@reddit

Robert Plant by a black country mile

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superspur007@reddit

Of course Freddie was Tanzanian Born to Parsi parents in Zanzibar.

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superspur007@reddit

Hmmm tough one, Freddie mercury is the obvious, Sir Tom Jones is amazing but for me George Michael

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TheOpalGarden@reddit

I think it has to be Freddie but I'm quite surprised I've not seen Elton John mentioned anywhere.

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

He's a great pianist

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Old_Brief_2602@reddit

Elton John deserves a mention

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SirPooleyX@reddit

Barry from Eastenders.

His rendition of 'Something Inside So Strong' brings tears to my eyes.

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

Mustang Sally!

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ThickTadpole3742@reddit

Bit loud isn't it

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KingoftheMay@reddit

Didn’t even need a microphone

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Vast_Cycle6990@reddit

Just having a sing song

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No_Wrap_9979@reddit

Agreed, it’s definitely Ba.

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ThickTadpole3742@reddit

George Michael

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Bittercraig@reddit

The fact that nobody has said Joe Pasquale is proof that culture is dead.

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Electrical_Flower757@reddit

John Lennon

David Bowie

Robert Plant

Tom Jones

Thom Yorke

Michael Kiwanuka

Van Morrison

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slb609@reddit

Van can’t sing. He can write, but doesn’t have a great voice. cf Bob Dylan.

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Electrical_Flower757@reddit

I disagree

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slb609@reddit

Clearly. And it’s just as well everyone has different tastes because otherwise I’d never get to see the people I love doing gigs.

(No offence intended, by the way).

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Weary-Carob3896@reddit

I see you've left the oft called 'Greatest Rock n Roll singer of all time' Sir Paul McArtney off your list...

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Electrical_Flower757@reddit

Oft called indeed, but I didn’t want to include two Beatles and I prefer a John’s voice

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PresidentPopcorn@reddit

Glad to see Yorke and Kiwanuka in here.

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lucylucylane@reddit

Isn't van Morrison Irish

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Electrical_Flower757@reddit

He’s from Belfast, so his nationality can be described as British , although it’s contentious point.

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eroticdiscourse@reddit

Paul Potts

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sharkkallis@reddit

Paul Shane on Pebble Mill.

Baybeh bayBEH!

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InfectedFrenulum@reddit

Freddie is God tier.

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WilliamofKC@reddit

The answer depends a lot on your age and type of music. Greatest also does not necessarily mean most popular. As someone much older than the average Redditor, I think Matt Monro would be high on an older person's list.

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Poo_Poo_La_Foo@reddit

Erm, Bowie?!?? How is this even a question.

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Boroboy72@reddit

Ain't no way Bowie was a better vocalist than Freddie. I'm a fan of both, but there ain't no way.

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Various-Mix8158@reddit

so you like David Bowie Talent he definitely louder than snoop dog mic mumbling

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Boroboy72@reddit

What?

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Various-Mix8158@reddit

Bing Videos

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Various-Mix8158@reddit

"There is" no way -> but there Aint no way
Seeing's how you like to correct spelling how about correct your etiquette
Ain't no Way >-< But there Aint no way
okay you "Aren't" that important are you

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moofacemoo@reddit

Even Bowie said his singing was the weakest part of his act

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illarionds@reddit

From OP's list, absolutely.

But better than Bruce Dickinson or Robert Plant... not for me, however much I love his music.

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ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

Steve Marriott voice of a god

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Weary-Carob3896@reddit

Small Faces were an incredible band. So underrated in the retrospective. I think everyone should listen to Tin Soldier.

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ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

100% mate

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Lammyrider@reddit

Came to say the same

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Nooms88@reddit

TIL Seal is British. But yea it's Freddie Mercury

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Weary-Carob3896@reddit

Seal was the only one I could think that is/was close to Freddie.

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Expensive-Estate-851@reddit

Freddie tribute concert, I believe it was him who said I can't sing that, it'll be the end of my career

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whizzdome@reddit

The correct answer

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Weary-Carob3896@reddit

Freddie Mercury.

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StuartHunt@reddit

How tf is Freddie Mercury British, he was born in Tanzania to Indian parents.

https://share.google/35st0tmKLLCgPri2b

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StuartHunt@reddit

Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics

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Jennifersausage@reddit

George Michael for me.

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UKAOKyay@reddit

Robert Plant?

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claridgeforking@reddit

Jeff Buckley.

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Meanz_Beanz_Heinz@reddit

Completely agree, he blows everyone out the water but he's American.

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claridgeforking@reddit

STB he is. Don't know why but I always thought he was English.

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TheHootOwlofDeath@reddit

Lee Ryan from Blue. I am not a Blue fan (I like some of their songs) but his voice is amazing.

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Retiredandrelaxed@reddit

As mainly pop stars have been mentioned, going to throw in Sir Bryn Terfel as an alternative genre..

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Meanz_Beanz_Heinz@reddit

Paul Rodgers, Free

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No-Presentation-7236@reddit

Thom Yorke David Bowie Elton John Root Manuva Jay Kay Sting

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Meanz_Beanz_Heinz@reddit

Roots Manuva? Only heard a few of his and I liked them but I couldn't say he struck me as a particularly good vocalist. What makes you say him?

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Bajovane@reddit

Freddie. No contest

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LibrarianOrdinary596@reddit

Out of those: Freddie. There are too many you haven't included though. Paul Rodgers, Bruce Dickinson to name two...

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Select_Scarcity2132@reddit

You mean so far.

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Inucroft@reddit

My father, former member of a male voice choir.

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Jolly-Ad-8088@reddit

Yep your dad gets my vote

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parsuval@reddit

I used to work in a small country hotel/pub, here in Scotland. Once a year, a Welsh choir would come to stay on tour. They'd get leathered in the bar, then hand out song sheets and sing through the evening. All the locals used to turn up to hear it, and the pub would be heaving. Lovely lads and lassies, and they always bought me a drink each round. Some voices your lads have.

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NoPaleontologist7929@reddit

My grandad was Welsh. He was choir trained. Very tuneful, very powerful! My gran (Scottish) was tone deaf. They would both sing along to Songs of Praise. It was an experience.

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tadpole3159@reddit

This guy's dad.

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Civil-Artist@reddit

Freddie Mercury was the first that came to my mind when I saw the title.

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Cosmic-Hippos@reddit

Tony Angelino.

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Apple2727@reddit

Ian Brown

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TalkingDonkey07@reddit

Steve Marriott

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r_keel_esq@reddit

Freddie wins by a country mile.

But the Air Raid Siren himself Bruce Dickinson also deserves a mention

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bigmoxy@reddit

Brian Johnson

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MelkorTheCorruptor@reddit

Freddie Mercury had / has the greatest voice.

If he were alive to this day and still in his youthful pomp, his voice would easily.. laughably.. blow all other current day singers voices out of the water and also planet earth

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Aromatic_Concept_763@reddit

No adele? Wild

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debrisaway@reddit (OP)

Male......

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_abstrusus@reddit

Give me Dave Gahan over the OP's poor taste.

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Insufficient_Funds-@reddit

This is pretty narrowly focussed on pop singers so I’m going to chuck Bruce Dickinson into the mix!

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Open_Sentence_@reddit

Freddie. But followed quite closely by Robert Plant.

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front-wipers-unite@reddit

Wow, sir Elton didn't even make the list

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shebasmum49@reddit

Freddie Mercury. Hands down the BEST in my opinion.

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Mind_if_I_do_uh_J@reddit

Why is this limited to pop singers??

Also, why is Mick Hucknall not on the list?

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Jimmyboro@reddit

Freddie Mercury, no competition, no doubt, travel straight to Go, collect £200.

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Grand_Carob_2512@reddit

Joe cocker gets overlooked.

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whiskeysmoker13@reddit

Tom Jones & David Bowie for me.

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benroon@reddit

George Michael

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Straight_Block_8752@reddit

Boris johnson

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ProAtTresspass@reddit

Yeh it's Freddie. I wish there was a George Michael movie what a power house that man was. Well handsome, kind, intelligent (as far as I'm aware anyway). Ain't even gay and I'm in awe. Wish I was him.

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JCDU@reddit

Yeah, George deserves to be up there for "Somebody to Love" at the Freddie Mercury tribute concert alone.

But it's Freddie all the way and it's not even close.

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ProAtTresspass@reddit

Yeh that's one of my favourite performances. Delivered with such power and emotion. You can feel the song energising him and in return we get energy from it too.

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MerlinAW1@reddit

There’s a documentary on Netflix about Wham that is at least 75% about him with Andrew Ridgely taking a bit of a backseat

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ProAtTresspass@reddit

Ay cheers I think I will do.

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Infamous_Box3220@reddit

Are you sure? He's dead.

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ProAtTresspass@reddit

Yes I knew that. Yes I'm sure.

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Hairs_are_out@reddit

All of his good deeds coming to light after he died was so heartwarming. I remember that in the 90s ,he put on a concert for NHS nurses to say thank you for the care his mother received. He was a wonderful man.

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Morganickal@reddit

I unabashedly love Bowie infinitely more than anyone else listed but I wouldnt say he was a great Vocalist... Amazing and unique but not textbook by any means.

In terms of technical ability and variance its hard to downplay how great a voice Geeorge Michal had

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dickiebow@reddit

Tom Jones, Freddy Mercury, Michael Ball and Alfie Bow. Pick one

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Tilly828282@reddit

My Mum and Dad met Alfie Boe in a bar. They loved him after watching him in the Les Mis anniversary concert, and went over to say hello and get a picture.

After Alfie left, his manager came over to my parents and said Alfie had asked him to arrange for free tickets to his concert that weekend.

Now they love him even more.

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LemonAffectionate907@reddit

Wow this is so great to see. He’s performing Les Mis in Shanghai right now, and I’m going to see him tomorrow. So excited…

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Prestigious_Fix_5948@reddit

Michael Ball

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Expert-Firefighter48@reddit

Mark Knopfler Dire Straits.

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Majestic_Matt_459@reddit

No Elton?

But yes Freddie for voice, George for voice plus songwriting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goroyZbVdlo

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Neill78@reddit

Eric Burdon of The Animals

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Witty_Ad_2098@reddit

I would say Freddie Mercury, although some may argue that he's technically not British, but to me, he is.

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Historical_Stress_64@reddit

Matt Monro.

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FizzbuzzAvabanana@reddit

Yeah, if Frank Sinatra thought he was decent then it's a fair shout 'on days like these'.

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JCDU@reddit

That opening on The Italian Job is *chef's kiss*.

We played the soundtrack while driving that road.

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FizzbuzzAvabanana@reddit

Well played, on both counts.

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Alecmalloy@reddit

Questi giorni quando vieni, il bel sole...

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NoLifeEmployee@reddit

Came to say the same thing. His nickname was the man with the golden voice

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HMSWarspite03@reddit

The singing bus driver, amazing voice.

Born free is an absolute banger.

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GorillaSplash@reddit

I’m not a huge fan of his music, and he’s a bit of a sour git, but Mick Hucknall had/has a fantastic voice and can truly sing.

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JCDU@reddit

Sorry but I'm with Tony Wilson and God on this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfXzvCrn9c

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Rich-Cake6306@reddit

Harry Secombe

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JCDU@reddit

Seagoon?

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zydr_drinkr@reddit

Rob Halford deserves a mention

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JCDU@reddit

His car shops are rubbish though.

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AudioLlama@reddit

Rob halford is right up there. He's my vote.

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CourtneyLush@reddit

Was waiting to see his name mentioned. The man has an impressive set of pipes on him. Saw him not that many years ago and he's still impressive.

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KTDWD24601@reddit

I am going to be controversial and say that it is NOT Freddie Mercury.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy, but the reason people think he is so great is that he stopped touring while his voice was still good. If you listen to just his speaking voice in the late 80s you can hear that he had damaged his voice and it would never have held up to a tour even if he had been well enough for one.

Also, Queen would go back and overdub vocals on their ‘live’ releases to fix any mistakes. Old-school Queen fans would tell you that Freddie’s voice would be great on night 1, ok on night 2, and cracking on night 3 of a run.

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Good-Community-5035@reddit

Bruce Dickinson

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Cat-guy64@reddit

Can I choose one who isn't on that list? I vote Jeff Lynne (main singer of electric light orchestra)

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-mister_oddball-@reddit

It's noddy holder, if you think otherwise you are wrong.

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West-Homework8915@reddit

Harry styles 😂

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BuncleCar@reddit

Freddie the Zanazibarian :). We were lucky he was born in a British Protectorate :)

Who's next in line? Ummm Tom Jones, Lennon and/or Macartney, Matt Monroe, Englebert Humperdinck, Ken Dodd ... I really can't think of anyone for the number place

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Classic-Scarcity-804@reddit

Bruce Dickinson

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Mikeyod86@reddit

Ian Anderson from Jethro toll Tim smith from cardiacs

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PromptCorner@reddit

Freddie wasn’t British. Potentially best vocalist of all time but born in Zanzibar I believe. Sorry. From your list I’d saw Bowie. But there’s many others we could list I think.

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Icy_Consideration409@reddit

So people who move to the UK (even as children) can’t be British?

That’s just absurd.

Is John Barnes not British?

Is Trevor McDonald not British?

Was Bob Hope (born in London) not really American?

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PromptCorner@reddit

Oh no I didn’t mean that! But I don’t think Freddie became naturalised.

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Tuscan5@reddit

He is British. Take another look at Zanzibar when he was born.

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PromptCorner@reddit

Technically Zanzibar was never a colony. It was a protectorate so practically under British control but not part of the empire so probably not considered British. Also most places under British colonial rule would not consider themselves “British” Indians were Indians. While their British rulers maintained their Britishness. So I’m not saying you’re completely wrong. But I’m not sure either of us are completely correct! 😂

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Tuscan5@reddit

These things are always arguable. I live outside of Great Britain in a part of the world not colonised or conquered by the British (in fact my ancestors conquered England) and yet I’m fiercely British.

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PromptCorner@reddit

Is this because of your family rather than the collision of gynaecology and geography when you were born? 😂

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Tuscan5@reddit

No. I live in Jersey

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PromptCorner@reddit

Ah I see. Jersey is a crown dependency isn’t it? So not part of the uk but has the King as head of state? That will make you feel British.

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Tuscan5@reddit

Yes, it’s a Crown dependancy. The link to the King is that he is the current Duke of Normandy. The Channel Islands are the last part of the Duchy of Normandy.

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everythingscatter@reddit

He was born in a British protectorate which, in the 1940s, would have made him a British protected person. This made his nationality British by royal prerogative at the time of his Birth, then by statute once the British Nationality Act 1948 was passed.

Since the passage of the British Nationality Act 1981, British Protected Person has been legally defined as one of six types of British nationality, alongside Citizen, Overseas Citizen, National (Overseas), Overseas Territory Citizen, and Subject. I don't know if Mercury's nationality status changed over the course of his life, but if not, he would have been born and died a British Protected Person under the above legislation.

British Citizenship did not exist as a legal concept at the time of Freddie Mercury's birth, nor at any point up to the 1981 Act.

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PromptCorner@reddit

There’s the detail we were looking for. Thanks! Well in light of further information he gets my vote! 😂

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Mikeyod86@reddit

Frankie Stubbs

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Vanblue1@reddit

Tom Jones.

Is longevity is something else.

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HandToeKneeUK@reddit

Paul Heaton

Absolutely criminal that he has not been mentioned.

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ju5tmy0pinion@reddit

Freddie has my heart, but there's still a large soft spot there for Robbie Williams

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lucylucylane@reddit

Eric Burton

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nickgardia@reddit

Freddie

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AndOneForMahler-@reddit

Mick

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Emily_Postal@reddit

Tom Jones deserves to be in the mix.

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zestinglemon@reddit

Brian Blessed. He certainly has some vocals lol.

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furniguru@reddit

Eric Burdon, lead man for the Animals is under rated

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EUskeptik@reddit

Matt Monro.

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trevpr1@reddit

Bryn Teyrfel.

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CocoRufus@reddit

Kelly Jones, love or hate his music (I love it)the man can sing

Bono. Always loved his voice but thought he was a bit of a prat till I heard him on Desert Island Discs. Changed my mind completely. Running to Standstill from the Sydney Zooropa concert video is just epic

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SlitheryBuggah@reddit

Bono is quintessentially not fucking British

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CocoRufus@reddit

Yep, my bad

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hime-633@reddit

It's Freddie, I think.

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SparkleWitch525@reddit

Freddie, obviously. No one comes close.

However someone criminally underrated who should definitely be in the top 10 is Tunde Baiyewu (Lighthouse Family). His voice is incredible.

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mearnsgeek@reddit

Freddie Mercury for sure.

Also, David Coverdale and Fish deserve a mention.

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Fatzombiepig@reddit

Freddie Mercury, but your shortlist is also missing Bruce Dickinson

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Gloomy_Team7691@reddit

Bruce Dickinson has to be on the list of top five.

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Soukchai2012@reddit

Mark E Smith

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Weird_Surprise6221@reddit

Vocalist = George Michael Music artist = David Bowie

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DimensionSame3982@reddit

Freddie them Tom.

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Warm-Parsnip4497@reddit

Zavid

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slawesomeness@reddit

Tons of incredible choices on this list and I’d like to add Dave Gahan for consideration to it!

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DeliciousUse7585@reddit

Barry from Eastenders

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GhostFaceRiddler@reddit

Surprising not to see Robert Plant on this list.

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wickedhotfart@reddit

Im not a brit but I thought the same right up there with the others.

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Glad_Possibility7937@reddit

Richard Thompson

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belowtheheavens@reddit

Freddie Mercury

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Markfish@reddit

Paul McCartney

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ClevelandWomble@reddit

Paul Rogers. Ex Free, Bad Company and even Queen for a while. Blues, rock, you name it.

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RepublicOfSamsung@reddit

Absolutely this

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RepublicOfSamsung@reddit

For rock/metal:

Paul Rodgers Bruce Dickinson Robert Plant

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Wossname76@reddit

Sting

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Alecmalloy@reddit

No love for James Dean Bradfield? Maybe not the best but the boy can sing.

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vulgarandmischevious@reddit

Paul Young has an amazing voice.

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emax4@reddit

Phil Collins. Bring on the downvotes.

Just my personal favorite but even Mercury praised Steve Perry.

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Alecmalloy@reddit

If I had my way, you'd be either imprisoned, or birched, or imprisoned then birched.

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Coolnamesarehard@reddit

Never understood the Perry adulation. Wails like an old lady with her tit in the wringer.

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Shitelark@reddit

Rod Stewart is incredibly overrated.

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The-Rambling-One@reddit

u/Inucroft father, he was a great choir singer

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Sinocatk@reddit

Aled Jones is a good example, but probably not the greatest outside of his wheelhouse. Freddie had range, I’d probably go with the lead singer of AC/DC.

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borokish@reddit

Freddie

Justin Hayward

Paul Rodgers

Robert Plant

Roger Daltrey

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MCDCFC@reddit

Paul Carrack deserves a mention

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Mind_if_I_do_uh_J@reddit

Boy George 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

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Boggyprostate@reddit

Peter Gabriel

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Spjug@reddit

Amazing singer and song writer.

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Diplomatic_Gunboats@reddit

Of that list, only George Michael and Freddie Mercury have range. Followed by Bowie and seal. Everyone else is impressive in their own way, but not in the same league.

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ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

You think George had more range than Marriott,Plant or Windwood ?

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Diplomatic_Gunboats@reddit

Well I was talking about range as in singing styles & ability rather than specifically keys they could sing in. Regardless more than Marriott or Winwood (Steve) - I personally think better than Plant, who was a very fine singer but had issues. Given the amount of drink and drugs he was doing in his prime who knows what he could have done sober. But yes, Michael raw could out sing any of them. (And certainly Mercury could.)

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ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

We’ll agree to disagree my friend,but that’s the beauty of music it’s subjective I suppose.

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illarionds@reddit

Bruce Dickinson, Iron Maiden, and it's not even close.

The only reason he's not top voted is that relatively few people listen to metal.

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Benjin42@reddit

100% agree with this, the man’s range and energy is incredible and has been for 40+ years.

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Necessary_Opening_24@reddit

Paul Rodgers, John Martyn, Frankie Miller Take your pick

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Representative-Bass7@reddit

Tom Jones?

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Dic_Penderyn@reddit

Yep. Born before both Bowie and Mercury and still singing today. My sister went to see him performing in Cardiff Castle 3 months ago.

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reginalduk@reddit

It's Freddie, but taking Freddie out of it, Roger daltrey.

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seven_green_toes@reddit

To many comments but did anyone mention George Michael?

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Lopsided_Soup_3533@reddit

I agree with everyone who has said Freddie Mercury.

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IceBankMiceElf@reddit

Bruce Dickinson.

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JalasKelm@reddit

Bruce Dickinson

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OpeningDealer1413@reddit

100% Van Morrison. He’s a twat but he’s a genius with an absolutely remarkable voice

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ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

The performance at The Bands farewell show is incredible,sings Caravan and brings the house down.

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Efficient-Humor-5648@reddit

George Michael

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Coolnamesarehard@reddit

Steve Marriott!

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ZookeepergameOk2759@reddit

I’ve upvoted you three times lol what a fucking voice he had

https://youtu.be/tp0jZ4BGuDw?si=Ob4ISWsda6rT3xgx

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Ashamed_North348@reddit

What about Tom Jones?!

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Stotallytob3r@reddit

Anyone said Freddie yet.

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Right-Good-2455@reddit

The correct answer is George Michael. I love Freddie and his vocal range was incredible but George could do different genres (pop, soul)

And fuck off with yer rod stewart 🤮 Or boy George rubbish

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Plus-Desk-737@reddit

Robert Plant

David Bowie

Graham Bonnet from Rainbow is very underrated.

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shpdoinkle@reddit

My mind went to completely the wrong Rainbow for this, and I couldn’t match the name with George, Zippy & Bungle.

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boredproggy@reddit

Joe Talbot

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Wasps_are_bastards@reddit

Freddie.

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Zacatecan-Jack@reddit

Robert Plant

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Cats_oftheTundra@reddit

Rick Witter

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morris_man@reddit

Martin Carthy

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Kagitsume@reddit

Good one. I always liked hearing Dave Swarbrick's voice, too.

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Greyday67@reddit

Rod Stewart has been so consistent for a very long time.

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Sin_nombre__@reddit

Mark E Smith?

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Aggravating-Day-2864@reddit

Susan Boyle

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TrueBlueMind@reddit

Freddie Mercury - no-one else comes close. I stopped listening to music when he died.

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take_01@reddit

Robert Plant

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Different-Try8882@reddit

Harry Secombe deserves a mention

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fartingbeagle@reddit

I get Freddie Mercury, but my vote would go to Joe Cocker.

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scummy71@reddit

Freddie mercury and it’s not close

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rosssjackson@reddit

Bruce Dickinson!

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Tiny-Distribution133@reddit

Way too far down this list.

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illarionds@reddit

JFC, thank you! I thought I was going mad.

Most people here have clearly never heard him.

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Turd_Aspic_Salad@reddit

Paul Rodgers

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Angryleghairs@reddit

Bruce Dickinson.

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kedgeree2468@reddit

Robert Plant and Paul McCartney want a word

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Coolnamesarehard@reddit

Steve Marriott!

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Coolnamesarehard@reddit

Steve Marriott!

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Far-Fun4526@reddit

Morrissey

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Coolnamesarehard@reddit

Daltrey in his prime. Guitar god David Gilmour doesn't get enough props for his singing. Going way back, Chris Farley was damn good. Later Paul Young was more than just a pop idol.

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Professional-Lack-79@reddit

Paul McCartney and it's not even close.

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Starboard_1982@reddit

I think McCartney suffers a bit from the fact his voice is shot now - poor Freddie died before we could see the impact age would have on his voice, we remember him as Wembley Freddie whereas Macca is still going and nowhere near as good as he was.

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Professional-Lack-79@reddit

Not as good as he was but still very good IMO.

Of course not what he once was, but I know for his recent tours he worked with a vocal coach to change the way he was singing to protect his voice/improve the sound.

Would do anything to hear early 70's Macca in the flesh though!

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LloydCole@reddit

This is the right answer. The man of a thousand voices.

Much better range in terms of style (if not hitting raw notes) than Freddie. Paul could very convincingly do syrupy ballads like I Will, sound like a cowboy from North Dakota on Rocky Raccoon, could belt out power ballads with his Fats Domino Lady Madonna voice. He does about 4 voices on You Never Give Me Your Money alone. Golden Slumbers he's ridiculous too. Rich and note perfect every time. Unreal at singing harmony on songs like The Ballad of John and Yoko too.

Freddie Mercury always sounded a bit jarring when he attempted anything that didn't require big rock vocals. His vocals on the Queen Christmas song are so out of place with the vibes.

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After-Competition380@reddit

Steve Marriot is better than all of these ^

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Just_Eye2956@reddit

Are you just including pop vocalists?

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Crafty-Strength1626@reddit

Dave from the red lion

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SnoopyLupus@reddit

I genuinely hate to say this. The guy and his music piss me off in a million different ways, but Coverdale needs to be in the list. Awesome voice.

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wintermute023@reddit

Good shout, I would add Gillan as well.

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Coolnamesarehard@reddit

Gillian over Coverdale, a million to one.

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TaffWaffler@reddit

Maybe I’m just biased? But I always felt that Freddie’s voice was amazing, don’t get me wrong, but his showmanship elevated his voice. Like, he put on such a good show he sounded better because it was so entertaining.

In terms of just vocal talent, I’d have to say Tom jones

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sossighead@reddit

Robert Plant had an incredibly powerful expressive voice but I’d say Freddie Mercury.

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Low_Wolverine_2818@reddit

Out of these choices it’s Freddie Mercury followed by Tom Jones followed by George Michael, not even sure why Boy George is on the list he can hold a tune but he doesn’t have a powerful voice

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suspiciouspixel@reddit

Phil collins

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Remarkable-Volume615@reddit

Tom Jones imo

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vctrmldrw@reddit

WTF is Seal doing on this list?

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elbomboclato@reddit

Well we’re never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy

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sc0toma@reddit

George Michael

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CeeBee29@reddit

George Michael!

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Agreeable_Medium_905@reddit

Joe cocker

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justeUnMec@reddit

Probably someone classically trained like Bryn Terfel, rather than a pop artist

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MattDubh@reddit

Peter Pears was highly thought of.

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Upbeat_Map_348@reddit

Personally, I think that George Michael just about had the better voice but Freddie was the better all-round performer.

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Dans77b@reddit

Gotta be BB King, surely?

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pompokopouch@reddit

The BB doesn’t stand for British Born, I'm afraid.

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Dans77b@reddit

Oh touché, yeah I missed that, I wondered why the responses all seemed almost mediocre!

I struggle to think of a single British vocalist that really stuns me.

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pompokopouch@reddit

Freddie Mercury?

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Dans77b@reddit

He's a good singer, there's plenty of good singers here, just none that would probably be in my top ten if I thought much about it.

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FuMancunian@reddit

Bruce Dickinson & Ian Gillen deserve a mention too!

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Economy-Fox-5559@reddit

Freddie is arguably the greatest male vocalist of all time globally.

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Marvel--Jesus@reddit

Michael Ball, Brian Johnson.

All great at what they do.

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Orangutan_Latte@reddit

Brian Connolly (from The Sweet not the comedian) Steve Marriott Noddy Holder Brian Johnson Justin Hayward

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ghotiboy77@reddit

Bruce Dickinson?

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flippertyflip@reddit

How are you measuring greatness?

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Affectionate-Fix-733@reddit

Scott Walker

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happymisery@reddit

Daz Sampson

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PossibleGlad7290@reddit

I don’t even like Queen, but yeah it’s Freddie.

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ShameSuperb7099@reddit

Peter Gabriel 70s

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pcor@reddit

I can’t believe I have an opportunity to post this sincerely, in the year of our Lord 2025.

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triz___@reddit

George Michael for me. Perhaps I just prefer his style to Freddie but he’s loads better imo

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Dico80@reddit

Love me some Al Bowlly personally but I'll accept Freddie as the popular answer

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Antique_Caramel_5525@reddit

Are you joking with Boy George? George Michael is liquid chocolate. Freddie is unique and undoubtedly up there. Joe Cocker live at Woodstock gives me shivers. Paolo Nutini is beautiful. I could go on!

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