Lead Singers

Here's something that gets to me.  Great bands that succeed in spite of lead singers with little or no real talent; only to play backseat to the lead singer because the lead singer's ego needs the fuel.  

First off, the ability to showboat and the ability to sing are two very different things that are far too often confused as being synonymous.  Being a vocalist, I can't handle poor singers being told they're stunning when they aren't.  Many "great singers" who have made it big are actually mediocre at best.

Don't get me wrong.  My general approach to all music to find an excuse to believe it's good until I simply get proven wrong one too many times.  As a lover of artistic expression, I like to give artists the benefit of the doubt.  I don't believe "different" is bad.  There are many singers out there who may not sound like the result of classical training or have the gift of a golden voice; singers who still move you and make you want to listen because they are unique or soulful or honest.  Top of my head right now at 10:12 pm on a Friday, I think of Jamie Cullum, James Blunt, Eddie Vedder, G. Love & Amy Winehouse. 

Let's get one thing out of the way now.  Macy Gray is horrible.  Belching, choking, gagging, coughing, and grumbling into a microphone only counts as singing when accompanied by some form of musical supplement.  I still haven't heard any music in what she does.  She can rock a pair of ridiculous bellbottoms like nobody's business and she has a solid rack if I am remembering her correctly in "Idlewild."  But I still haven't found the singing voice she allegedly has.  Maybe I will pencil in holding out hope if I find some spare time.

My top offender right now is Axl Rose.  Guns & Roses is a stellar band and a perfect example of a band succeeding in spite of its front-man's lack of talent.  He moans, screams & squawks with the best of them.  I will grant he's very charismatic, which is definitely of benefit when performing.  But each time I hear him try to since, he sounds like he's just screeching at different pitches hoping to hit a note in there somewhere.  But someone must like him if he's lasted this long in the business.

Alright... I've had enough on the issue for now.  Mostly because my arm is starting to get tired from the particular angle at which I am sitting and typing.  But it's likely the skills of a band's lead singer will be a common topic in many of my future posts.