Who do you think is the greatest frontman of all time?

[Thumpalumpacus]

I'll get flamed for it, but DLR was an entertainer. Not nearly so talented as Freddy, but his model of frontman held sway for over a decade. And yes, he ripped Jim Dandy off, but that's cool, because Jim Dandy wasn't worth a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out of.

And yeah, Jimi, Stevie Ray, Robin Trower, and the others who both sing and play great six-string stand above most lead singers. One reason why Freddy was so amazing was that aside from an astounding range and great songwriting chops, he could play some fine piano while singing, which is no mean feat -- both hands, both feet, and your mouth working simultaneously.

 

[mdubya]

Bon

Iggy

Rob

Stiv

Lux

H.R.

 

[Eric Smith]

For me it's Paul Stanley. Never really got into Queen beyond being a greatest hits kind of guy and to me Freddie's flamboyance is often mistaken for frontman skills. Plant would be number two in my opinion.

Opinion, now there's a funny word. Subjectivity and opinion go hand in hand, don't you think?

 

[El Pablo]

Interesting that I have seen other versions of this thread and I just don't recall ever seeing Elvis or Chuck Berry.

My vote is a tie: Freddie M. and James Brown.

 

[mdubya]

Steve Marriott!

Truth! Bon AND Malcolm in one package.

 

[THDNUT]

Fee Waybill

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

[...] and to me Freddie's flamboyance is often mistaken for frontman skills.

Dude, flamboyance is a frontman skill. How else are you gonna hold the attention of the thousands in the audience?

 

[sk8rat]

For me it's Paul Stanley.

I always liked paul stanley, though im not much into kiss anymore I still think he is great.

 

[Eric Smith]

His flamboyancy was very specific. I'm not arguing it.

Edit to add: Liberace was very flamboyant and put on an awesome show, but I wouldn't call that being a great frontman even if it were only for himself.

 

[mdubya]

For me it's Paul Stanley.

I always liked paul stanley, though im not much into kiss anymore I still thing he is great.

I always thought Ace was the frontman?

 

[WhatLiesBeyondWall]

Subjectivity and what have been exposed to are definitely hard to overcome on this topic. So far, I think there have been great champions of the front-man persona mentioned in this thread.

What comes to mind for me--based off the singer transcending to iconic status for not just their voice but also their perspective that they brought to the position--are these legends that pop into my mind at midnight...

- Bob Marley
- Kurt Cobain
- Axel Rose
- Freddie Mercury
- Elton John
- Jim Morrison
- Michael Jackson
- James Brown

 

[KP11520]

Hopefully we can add these to the growing list, although many of the Greatest have already been mentioned:

Ronnie Van Zant
Chuck Negron, Cory Wells and Danny Hutton (Frontmen... When they were all together)


Not really Front MEN, but you know what I mean....

Pat Benatar
Karen Carpenter

 

[Pennyman]

People who are voting for Mick over Freddie need to remember one thing.


Mick is onstage for Mick.


Freddie was onstage for the audience.

 

[markbastable]

People who are voting for Mick over Freddie need to remember one thing.


Mick is onstage for Mick.


Freddie was onstage for the audience.

It's this kind of insight that really points up the advantages of being telepathic. The rest of us are jealous as hell.

But even so, I'd say that the motive for doing it is irrelevant - it's the effect that makes a great frontman. In fact, that's pretty much the definition of the rating of a frontman - what's the effect?

 

[Quill]

Freddie is always the first to come to my mind ...

... but then,

 

[circles]

Frank Zappa?

 

[{JAKE}]

This guy gets my vote:

 

[riffhard]

Bill Wyman for his great dancing.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC2C4hFAqHE[/ame]

 

[JCM900MkIII]

This guy gets my vote:

Top 10 at the very least.

I vote for Scott Weinrich. He also plays some guitar....

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-5eyVeEbhk[/ame]

And my second vote goes to Orange Goblin's Ben Ward

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHxiouKy8Ho[/ame]

 

[Pop1655]

Not putting him in the running, just making a side comment....
Years ago I stumbled into an opportunity to see the Rev Al Green.
When that show was over the stage was pretty much totally covered with bras and panties. That's a skill!