# 1980s Metal - Anyone have better range than Randy Jackson? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 29, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628 "2013-05-29T15:09:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/1 "2013-05-29T15:09:33Z")
Was just listening to Zebra’s (the 80s “metal”/hair band) song “tell me what you want” and always marvel at the range of Randy Jackson. First question - any chance Randy’s vocals were digitally altered to get that high? Never heard Zebra live. Second question - If indeed he has that range, can you think of any rock/metal vocalist that has that impressive of a vocal range? I think Chris Cornell might be the best rock/metal vocalist ever, but even he does not reach that upper range (and I have seen him live, many times). ---
**Author:** ![ultrafilter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3d9bf3/32.png) [@ultrafilter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ultrafilter)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/2 "2013-05-29T15:46:38Z")
He’s no [King Diamond](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdJKLE58FUM). ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/3 "2013-05-29T16:03:48Z")
This will quickly become a list thread for high metal vocalists. **Rob Halford** of Judas Priest and **Geoff Tate** of Queensryche are always at the top of list. Both had/have amazing range and technique… ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/4 "2013-05-29T16:52:42Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > This will quickly become a list thread for high metal vocalists. > > **Rob Halford** of Judas Priest and **Geoff Tate** of Queensryche are always at the top of list. Both had/have amazing range and technique… Excellent examples! How do they compare to the aforementioned Randy Jackson? I am not a huge Zebra fan, but in that one song in particular it is hope to believe that is a natural range. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Righteous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Dr.Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Righteous)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/5 "2013-05-29T17:38:10Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > First question - any chance Randy’s vocals were digitally altered to get that high? Never heard Zebra live. I love Zebra! I’ve seen them many times live and yes, he hits those notes live. They hold a dear place in my heart as they were the first ‘metal’ band I was into as a wee young lass on Long Island… ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/6 "2013-05-29T17:52:49Z")
Seriously? It took 6 posts before anyone mentioned Bruce Dickinson? ---
**Author:** ![Yodalicious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yodalicious/32/8195_2.png) [@Yodalicious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yodalicious)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/7 "2013-05-29T18:28:28Z")
> [@chargerrich](#): > > I think Chris Cornell might be the best rock/metal vocalist ever, but even he does not reach that upper range (and I have seen him live, many times). Yes, Chris is good. Dio was better. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/8 "2013-05-29T18:47:07Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Seriously? It took 6 posts before anyone mentioned Bruce Dickinson? Oops. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2013, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/9 "2013-05-29T23:18:16Z")
Michael Kiske from Helloween had a great range, although there weren’t that many songs where he got to use the lower end of it. ---
**Author:** ![chargerrich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chargerrich/32/5399_2.png) [@chargerrich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chargerrich)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/10 "2013-05-30T13:41:51Z")
> [@Daddypants](#): > > Yes, Chris is good. Dio was better. You will never get me to say a bad word about Ronnie James! Holy Diver might be the best Metal Album ever. I remember playing that cassette - and Rainbow in the Dark particularly - until the tape actually broke and the writing on the case was not longer legible. RIP RJD ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/11 "2013-05-30T16:13:10Z")
You might enjoy perusing this website / forum, “The Range Place” : [http://therangeplace.forummotions.com/](http://therangeplace.forummotions.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Righteous](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Dr.Righteous](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Righteous)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/12 "2013-05-30T17:24:46Z")
Had the ol’ ipod on shuffle on the way to work and [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixAa5EjZzTc) came up… Randy on vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/13 "2013-05-30T21:38:04Z")
Steelheart! Sorry, I can’t add a link because I’m at work. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/14 "2013-05-30T22:16:28Z")
Just watched that Zebra video and I don’t think his range is really all that impressive. he gets pretty scratchy at the higher end of his range and I didn’t really hear him hit any particularly high notes…not in the same realm as early Halford (like the Ripper) or Geoff Tate do/did. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [May 30, 2013, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/15 "2013-05-30T22:19:21Z")
Here’s a nice compilation of high notes from heavy metal singers. Dio’s “Mob Rules” opening note is pretty amazing live! > **[10 Mesmerizing High Notes by Metal Vocalists](https://loudwire.com/10-mesmerizing-high-notes-by-metal-vocalists/)** ---
**Author:** ![Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/f08c70/32.png) [@Uncle\_Brother\_Walker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uncle_Brother_Walker)\ **Post date:** [May 31, 2013, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/16 "2013-05-31T23:52:59Z")
Man, that’s the top 5 right there… [Geoff Tate](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRAFYiN9Iao) Bruce [“Air Raid Siren”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3YhkvbUjB4) Dickinson [King Diamond](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fOprNSFCX4) [Rob Halford](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKSU1W0ZUmQ) [Ronnie James Dio](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-og87crqsCE) I’m not going to even bother to try to make any order rankings…They’re all in the top of the class. All I’ve got to add is Ronnie Munroe from [Metal Church](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgiEIO4wiOM). Maybe not as well-known, but I think they’re great. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/17 "2013-06-01T00:53:51Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > He’s no [King Diamond](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdJKLE58FUM). y’know, I have every Mercyful Fate and King Diamond album I could find. He does good on the albums, but the few times I’ve seen him live (and any of the live albums he’s put out) he isn’t that great. Live, he can hit the high notes but when he has to handle the mids his voice falls apart. and that’s not a slam; I’m guessing if you want to sing like he does, the rigors of touring with a metal band aren’t conducive to putting on a sterling performance every night. > [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > Seriously? It took 6 posts before anyone mentioned Bruce Dickinson? Bruce Dickinson doesn’t have that great a vocal range. He (and Rob Halford) kicked off the “operatic” style of metal vocalists, but if you pressed me I’d have to say Halford had a greater range, but (just like King Diamond) the music they played meant touring took an inevitable toll on their voices. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/18 "2013-06-01T01:23:09Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > Bruce Dickinson doesn’t have that great a vocal range. He (and Rob Halford) kicked off the “operatic” style of metal vocalists, but if you pressed me I’d have to say Halford had a greater range, but (just like King Diamond) the music they played meant touring took an inevitable toll on their voices. [This opera singer might differ with you](http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2010/07/ask-a-real-musician-5-classic-male-metal-singers/). Note that Halford is her favorite, tho. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/19 "2013-06-01T11:54:53Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [This opera singer might differ with you](http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2010/07/ask-a-real-musician-5-classic-male-metal-singers/). > > Note that Halford is her favorite, tho. That was a great read; thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 1, 2013, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628/20 "2013-06-01T12:49:48Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > [This opera singer might differ with you](http://www.invisibleoranges.com/2010/07/ask-a-real-musician-5-classic-male-metal-singers/). > > Note that Halford is her favorite, tho. Great article. Time to listen to _Sad Wings Of Destiny_ I think. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/1980s-metal-anyone-have-better-range-than-randy-jackson/659628.md?page=2)