[BobK]

Levon Helm, Richard Manuel The Band
Dr Hook
Meatloaf
Janis Joplin
Tina Turner
Ray Charles
James Brown
John Fogerty
Talking Heads
Stevie Nicks , Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac

Yes a bit bored but what the heck. Anyone? Anyone?

[BobK]

Levon Helm, Richard Manuel The Band
Dr Hook
Meatloaf
Janis Joplin
Tina Turner
Ray Charles
James Brown
John Fogerty
Talking Heads
Stevie Nicks , Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac

Yes a bit bored but what the heck. Anyone? Anyone?

[Brickcity]

Levon Helm, Richard Manuel The Band
Dr Hook
Meatloaf
Janis Joplin
Tina Turner
Ray Charles
James Brown
John Fogerty
Talking Heads
Stevie Nicks , Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac

Yes a bit bored but what the heck.  Anyone?  Anyone?

I know your question was more focused on the groups, but I'll focus on my favorite voices:

BB King
Aretha Franklin
Paul McCartney
Elton John

For great voices in the context of their music, though perhaps not as universally as appealing as ones above, I'd have to add...

Mick Jagger
Jim Morrison
Louis Armstrong
John Lennon

[Brickcity]

Levon Helm, Richard Manuel The Band
Dr Hook
Meatloaf
Janis Joplin
Tina Turner
Ray Charles
James Brown
John Fogerty
Talking Heads
Stevie Nicks , Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac

Yes a bit bored but what the heck.  Anyone?  Anyone?

I know your question was more focused on the groups, but I'll focus on my favorite voices:

BB King
Aretha Franklin
Paul McCartney
Elton John

For great voices in the context of their music, though perhaps not as universally as appealing as ones above, I'd have to add...

Mick Jagger
Jim Morrison
Louis Armstrong
John Lennon

[stupac2]

Stanford alum Vienna Teng:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rikj0WMGbDU

[stupac2]

Stanford alum Vienna Teng:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rikj0WMGbDU

[SamuelMcF]

Robert Plant
Freddie Mercury
Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane
Clare Torry (bonus points if you know what she sang!)

[SamuelMcF]

Robert Plant
Freddie Mercury
Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane
Clare Torry (bonus points if you know what she sang!)

[Brickcity]

Robert Plant
Freddie Mercury
Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane
Clare Torry (bonus points if you know what she sang!)

Clare Torry. I had no idea who she was. But I should have! One of my all-time favorite performances on one of the greatest rock 'n roll albums of all time ...and she never sang a "word" (literally.) Ok, I can't resist...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAcDOpd0Lv0

P.S. there's a great story about the recording of Gimme Shelter. I don't remember all the details but I believe the Stones called up the female singer in the middle of the night as they were set to record the tune in their studio (I think in L.A.?). She was in hair curlers, was awoken but...given that she was relatively undiscovered and she had the impromptu chance to appear on a Stones tune, she got up, rushed to the studio. Her voice cracking when hitting the high note on "murder!" apparently gave Mick Jagger chills...you can actually hear him yell "yeah!" right after her voice cracks... and the rest was history. It gives me chills too!

[Brickcity]

Robert Plant
Freddie Mercury
Grace Slick, Jefferson Airplane
Clare Torry (bonus points if you know what she sang!)

Clare Torry. I had no idea who she was. But I should have! One of my all-time favorite performances on one of the greatest rock 'n roll albums of all time ...and she never sang a "word" (literally.) Ok, I can't resist...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAcDOpd0Lv0

P.S. there's a great story about the recording of Gimme Shelter. I don't remember all the details but I believe the Stones called up the female singer in the middle of the night as they were set to record the tune in their studio (I think in L.A.?). She was in hair curlers, was awoken but...given that she was relatively undiscovered and she had the impromptu chance to appear on a Stones tune, she got up, rushed to the studio. Her voice cracking when hitting the high note on "murder!" apparently gave Mick Jagger chills...you can actually hear him yell "yeah!" right after her voice cracks... and the rest was history. It gives me chills too!

[Papa John]

When you go Clare Torry, I go Edda Dell'Orso:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Q8h-fDfEI

[Papa John]

When you go Clare Torry, I go Edda Dell'Orso:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i3Q8h-fDfEI

[pefloresjr]

Stanford alum Vienna Teng:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rikj0WMGbDU

Love this.  It makes me cry every time.  I work in Civic Center and pass by City Hall on the way to and from work.  When they legalized gay marriage, I would stop for 15 to 20 minutes a day just to join in the pure joy that people were feeling and to help them celebrate finally being recognized as full fledged members of society.  This song really captures what it felt like to be there.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

Stanford alum Vienna Teng:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rikj0WMGbDU

Love this.  It makes me cry every time.  I work in Civic Center and pass by City Hall on the way to and from work.  When they legalized gay marriage, I would stop for 15 to 20 minutes a day just to join in the pure joy that people were feeling and to help them celebrate finally being recognized as full fledged members of society.  This song really captures what it felt like to be there.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[Phogge]

Jimmy Jones, The Drifters, Bill Haley and the Comets, The Coasters, Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

When Buddy was killed I stopped listening to rock. So now it's the three B's, Greig, Barber, Mozart............

[Phogge]

Jimmy Jones, The Drifters, Bill Haley and the Comets, The Coasters, Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

When Buddy was killed I stopped listening to rock. So now it's the three B's, Greig, Barber, Mozart............

[82lsju]

P.S. there's a great story about the recording of Gimme Shelter. I don't remember all the details but I believe the Stones called up the female singer in the middle of the night as they were set to record the tune in their studio (I think in L.A.?). She was in hair curlers, was awoken but...given that she was relatively undiscovered and she had the impromptu chance to appear on a Stones tune, she got up, rushed to the studio. Her voice cracking when hitting the high note on "murder!" apparently gave Mick Jagger chills...you can actually hear him yell "yeah!" right after her voice cracks... and the rest was history. It gives me chills too!

if you have not, you should check out the documentary "20 feet from stardom"

her name is Merry Clayton

[82lsju]

P.S. there's a great story about the recording of Gimme Shelter. I don't remember all the details but I believe the Stones called up the female singer in the middle of the night as they were set to record the tune in their studio (I think in L.A.?). She was in hair curlers, was awoken but...given that she was relatively undiscovered and she had the impromptu chance to appear on a Stones tune, she got up, rushed to the studio. Her voice cracking when hitting the high note on "murder!" apparently gave Mick Jagger chills...you can actually hear him yell "yeah!" right after her voice cracks... and the rest was history. It gives me chills too!

if you have not, you should check out the documentary "20 feet from stardom"

her name is Merry Clayton

[CowboyIndian]

Any list of best voices that doesn't include Linda Ronstadt has little credibility.

[CowboyIndian]

Any list of best voices that doesn't include Linda Ronstadt has little credibility.

[BobK]

Buddy Holly
The Coasters
The Olympics
Freddy Mercury

Very high on my list just not top 10

[BobK]

Buddy Holly
The Coasters
The Olympics
Freddy Mercury

Very high on my list just not top 10

[Bampa]

Sissel Kyrkjebo (she can sign any style)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6DpMiT7uCE

Elton John
Elvis
Luciano Pavarotti
Doors
Patrick O'hearn
Chris Issak

[Bampa]

Sissel Kyrkjebo (she can sign any style)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6DpMiT7uCE

Elton John
Elvis
Luciano Pavarotti
Doors
Patrick O'hearn
Chris Issak

[Brickcity]

P.S. there's a great story about the recording of Gimme Shelter. I don't remember all the details but I believe the Stones called up the female singer in the middle of the night as they were set to record the tune in their studio (I think in L.A.?). She was in hair curlers, was awoken but...given that she was relatively undiscovered and she had the impromptu chance to appear on a Stones tune, she got up, rushed to the studio. Her voice cracking when hitting the high note on "murder!" apparently gave Mick Jagger chills...you can actually hear him yell "yeah!" right after her voice cracks... and the rest was history. It gives me chills too!

if you have not, you should check out the documentary "20 feet from stardom"

her name is Merry Clayton

Ah yes, I DID watch that doc. That's where I probably heard this story. Here's the Wikipedia entry:

Clayton is best known for her 1969 duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter", though on some releases her name is misspelled as "Mary". According to Jagger, this collaboration came about due partially to chance. Jagger states that they thought "it'd be great to have a woman come do the…chorus." They called Clayton "randomly" in the middle of the night, and she showed up to the studio "in curlers" and did the verse in a few takes, which Jagger remarked is "pretty amazing."[6] Clayton performed the duet while pregnant, and soon afterward suffered a miscarriage; some have attributed the miscarriage to the physical strain from her exertions during the recording.[7] The Stones had asked Bonnie Bramlett to sing on the song, but Bramlett's husband Delaney refused to let her perform with the Stones.[8] Along with her frequent partner Clydie King,[9] Clayton also sang backing vocals on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama".[10]

[Brickcity]

P.S. there's a great story about the recording of Gimme Shelter. I don't remember all the details but I believe the Stones called up the female singer in the middle of the night as they were set to record the tune in their studio (I think in L.A.?). She was in hair curlers, was awoken but...given that she was relatively undiscovered and she had the impromptu chance to appear on a Stones tune, she got up, rushed to the studio. Her voice cracking when hitting the high note on "murder!" apparently gave Mick Jagger chills...you can actually hear him yell "yeah!" right after her voice cracks... and the rest was history. It gives me chills too!

if you have not, you should check out the documentary "20 feet from stardom"

her name is Merry Clayton

Ah yes, I DID watch that doc. That's where I probably heard this story. Here's the Wikipedia entry:

Clayton is best known for her 1969 duet with Mick Jagger on the Rolling Stones song "Gimme Shelter", though on some releases her name is misspelled as "Mary". According to Jagger, this collaboration came about due partially to chance. Jagger states that they thought "it'd be great to have a woman come do the…chorus." They called Clayton "randomly" in the middle of the night, and she showed up to the studio "in curlers" and did the verse in a few takes, which Jagger remarked is "pretty amazing."[6] Clayton performed the duet while pregnant, and soon afterward suffered a miscarriage; some have attributed the miscarriage to the physical strain from her exertions during the recording.[7] The Stones had asked Bonnie Bramlett to sing on the song, but Bramlett's husband Delaney refused to let her perform with the Stones.[8] Along with her frequent partner Clydie King,[9] Clayton also sang backing vocals on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Sweet Home Alabama".[10]

[Bruce Wang]

My favorite band is Joy Division/New Order, who is the most influential band from the 80s.

Ronnie Spector is my favorite singer.  I love that vibrato and the soul in her voice.

If you haven't listened to it already, I highly recommend the new album by The Strokes: The New Abnormal.  They announced the name back in February.  Prescient.  They have a knack for releasing albums during momentous and insane times.  Their stunning debut was released right before 9/11.  I would wager this album will win at least Best Rock Album at the Grammys.  Even if it did, I would still love it.  I've probably listened to this album straight through more times than even Lost in the Dream by The War on Drugs.

[Bruce Wang]

My favorite band is Joy Division/New Order, who is the most influential band from the 80s.

Ronnie Spector is my favorite singer.  I love that vibrato and the soul in her voice.

If you haven't listened to it already, I highly recommend the new album by The Strokes: The New Abnormal.  They announced the name back in February.  Prescient.  They have a knack for releasing albums during momentous and insane times.  Their stunning debut was released right before 9/11.  I would wager this album will win at least Best Rock Album at the Grammys.  Even if it did, I would still love it.  I've probably listened to this album straight through more times than even Lost in the Dream by The War on Drugs.

[Mick]

Levon Helm, Richard Manuel The Band
Dr Hook
Meatloaf
Janis Joplin
Tina Turner
Ray Charles
James Brown
John Fogerty
Talking Heads
Stevie Nicks , Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac

Yes a bit bored but what the heck.  Anyone?  Anyone?

I know your question was more focused on the groups, but I'll focus on my favorite voices:

BB King
Aretha Franklin
Paul McCartney
Elton John

For great voices in the context of their music, though perhaps not as universally as appealing as ones above, I'd have to add...

Mick Jagger
Jim Morrison
Louis Armstrong
John Lennon

Actually preferred Eric Burdon of The Animals for lead vocals.  "House of the Rising Sun."  Had a nice stint with War, too.

Loved the Beach Boys, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Who, AC/DC, Ramones, The Clash, San Jose's own Smashmouth, Doors, Cars, Blue Oyster Cult, Go-Go's, Bangles, Heart, Thompson Twins, Greg Kihn and a million one-hit-wonders, Rick whatshisname, etc.

Best concert, I was 18 years old on the 4th of July, 1981.  Day on the Green w/Heart, Loverboy, Blue Oyster Cult, Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Travers (Boom-Boom, Out Go the Lights).  Closest I ever came to getting arrested, it was that much fun...

[Mick]

Levon Helm, Richard Manuel The Band
Dr Hook
Meatloaf
Janis Joplin
Tina Turner
Ray Charles
James Brown
John Fogerty
Talking Heads
Stevie Nicks , Lindsey Buckingham Fleetwood Mac

Yes a bit bored but what the heck.  Anyone?  Anyone?

I know your question was more focused on the groups, but I'll focus on my favorite voices:

BB King
Aretha Franklin
Paul McCartney
Elton John

For great voices in the context of their music, though perhaps not as universally as appealing as ones above, I'd have to add...

Mick Jagger
Jim Morrison
Louis Armstrong
John Lennon

Actually preferred Eric Burdon of The Animals for lead vocals.  "House of the Rising Sun."  Had a nice stint with War, too.

Loved the Beach Boys, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, Who, AC/DC, Ramones, The Clash, San Jose's own Smashmouth, Doors, Cars, Blue Oyster Cult, Go-Go's, Bangles, Heart, Thompson Twins, Greg Kihn and a million one-hit-wonders, Rick whatshisname, etc.

Best concert, I was 18 years old on the 4th of July, 1981.  Day on the Green w/Heart, Loverboy, Blue Oyster Cult, Ozzy Osbourne, Pat Travers (Boom-Boom, Out Go the Lights).  Closest I ever came to getting arrested, it was that much fun...

[BobK]

Too many just misses
Linda Ronstadt for sure. I’ve seen her several times

Warren Zevon

Mick the Doobie Brothers from San Jose

[BobK]

Too many just misses
Linda Ronstadt for sure. I’ve seen her several times

Warren Zevon

Mick the Doobie Brothers from San Jose

[qwerty49]

Ha ha this is definitely a YMMV thread.....

Best lead singers on my playlist ("Alexa, play xxxxx"):  Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Luther Vandross and....Don Henley.

Best harmonies (on record): Beatles, Beach Boys, CSNY, Everly Bros, Trio (Linda, Dolly, Emmylou).

Best live performances I've seen:  Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Janis Joplin, Earth Wind and Fire, Elton John.

Best groups (I wanted to see in their prime but never got to):  Elvis, Temptations, Miracles, 4 Tops, MJ, Prince.

Best concert at Stanford: Summer '68 at Frost -- (It's a Beautiful Day, Sons of Champlin, Santana, Creedence, The Chambers Bros, Quicksilver).

Best video clip online: Aretha singing "Natural Woman" to Carole King at the Kennedy Center Honors. 

True Musical Genius: Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell.

Trivia: Buckingham and Nicks played at Stanford a lot, outside at Tresidder and at fraternity parties when their band was called "Fritz".  Stevie was the HS girlfriend of one of my friends.

[qwerty49]

Ha ha this is definitely a YMMV thread.....

Best lead singers on my playlist ("Alexa, play xxxxx"):  Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Luther Vandross and....Don Henley.

Best harmonies (on record): Beatles, Beach Boys, CSNY, Everly Bros, Trio (Linda, Dolly, Emmylou).

Best live performances I've seen:  Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Janis Joplin, Earth Wind and Fire, Elton John.

Best groups (I wanted to see in their prime but never got to):  Elvis, Temptations, Miracles, 4 Tops, MJ, Prince.

Best concert at Stanford: Summer '68 at Frost -- (It's a Beautiful Day, Sons of Champlin, Santana, Creedence, The Chambers Bros, Quicksilver).

Best video clip online: Aretha singing "Natural Woman" to Carole King at the Kennedy Center Honors. 

True Musical Genius: Stevie Wonder and Joni Mitchell.

Trivia: Buckingham and Nicks played at Stanford a lot, outside at Tresidder and at fraternity parties when their band was called "Fritz".  Stevie was the HS girlfriend of one of my friends.

[PVTree]

Best voices:
-Elvis
-Freddie Mercury
-David Bowie
-Annie Lennox  
-Ana Torroja  
-José José  

Best groups/individuals:
-Stones
-Meatloaf
-Aerosmith
-Mana
-Cafe Tacvba
-Lady Gaga

[PVTree]

Best voices:
-Elvis
-Freddie Mercury
-David Bowie
-Annie Lennox  
-Ana Torroja  
-José José  

Best groups/individuals:
-Stones
-Meatloaf
-Aerosmith
-Mana
-Cafe Tacvba
-Lady Gaga

[pefloresjr]

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have always been my favorite band.  

Beth Hart has a great voice.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHch2KDaHjE

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers have always been my favorite band.  

Beth Hart has a great voice.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHch2KDaHjE

Cheers,
Pete F.

[Mick]

Mick the Doobie Brothers from San Jose

Loved the Doobie Brothers.  Also Elton John.  And Stevie Nicks.  Lindsey Buckingham is my second cousin.

[Mick]

Mick the Doobie Brothers from San Jose

Loved the Doobie Brothers.  Also Elton John.  And Stevie Nicks.  Lindsey Buckingham is my second cousin.