# Your Favorite Singer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 26, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063 "2026-01-26T22:46:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2026, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/61 "2026-01-27T23:49:56Z")
For rock music, I’ve given it a lot of thought over the years. Who has the best combination of voice, skill, and (most importantly) attitude? Who exemplifies the real essence of R&R? I really like Rob Halford, but there’s no hint of humor in his mannerism or the music. (And I really think there needs to be some lightheartedness, if not subtle humor, in rock music.) Freddie Mercury and RJD? Operatic. I don’t think rock music should be operatic. So with that being said, the very best rock singer, in my opinion, was Bon Scott. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/62 "2026-01-28T00:00:44Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > So with that being said, the very best rock singer, in my opinion, was Bon Scott. That’s not a bad choice, but I thought of two singers who can hold a candle, especially in that heavier category: Ian Gillian, who is (or was, he can’t reach that high anymore) the best shouter ever in rock, and Chris Cornell, who had exceptional pipes. But for me, the most skilled rock singer ever is Mike Patton. He can sing everything, hard rock, crooning, sweet soul, rap, cookie monster style, often in one song. He’s a phenomenon. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/63 "2026-01-28T00:05:58Z")
Yea, skill. To each his own, but I think attitude and hints of humor are also important. With the exception of punk rock, most rock singers possess neither attribute. Hence Bon Scott. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/64 "2026-01-28T00:07:44Z")
Oh yes, I appreciate humor, and I confess that some of my most favorite bands lack it, and Bon had a lot of it. Mike Patton has it, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/65 "2026-01-28T00:10:31Z")
I will definitely check out Norm Lewis. Thanks for the recommendation. I’d forgotten that McDonald and Mitchell were both in the original _Ragtime_. I did not see it on Broadway, but my daughter did–I think she was about 13?–and _loved_ it. I believe she saw both of them in that performance. I have the recording of the show and need to listen to it again soon. Yes, _Gypsy_ in particular was something else–one of the two top theatrical experiences I have had, and McDonald was absolutely astonishing. I was privileged to be there! ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/66 "2026-01-28T00:28:12Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > Freddie Mercury and RJD? Operatic. I think Freddie Mercury is in the running for best singer that’s ever lived. I can’t hate on that choice. But even though I love Queen, Freddie is not my _favorite_ singer. My favorite singers are much less technically skilled than Freddie, but I just love their voices. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/67 "2026-01-28T00:56:25Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > but my favorite singer is indisputably Aretha Franklin, by far. No one can sing like her, I think her phrasing is flawless. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Burden](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/958977/32.png) [@Jack\_Burden](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Burden)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2026, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063/68 "2026-01-28T04:06:34Z")
So many, and a lot who’ve already been referenced. So I’ll go a personal fave I didn’t see above and nominate the plaintive dirge of Townes Van Zandt, particularly on _Waitin’ Around to Die_ and _Our Mother the Mountain_. He really makes you feel the music. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-favorite-singer/1027063.md?page=3)