No. 8: Steven Tyler - Aerosmith
If you are looking for vocal acrobatics and showmanship, no one did those things better than Tyler. His vocals on the 1975 classic album Toys in the Attic almost defy logic. Songs like “Sweet Emotion,” “Walk This Way,” and “Dream On” showcase the range of his performance and the incredible uniqueness of how he used his instrument.
After substance abuse threatened to derail the band, they bounced back in the late 80s, and for more than a decade and a half, they produced hit after hit. Songs like “Dude(Looks like a Lady),” Love in an Elevator,” “Cryin',” “Crazy,” and “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” solidified Tyler and his band as one of the greatest in rock history.
While his vocals were still top-notch, he didn’t rely as much on the acrobatics late as he did early in his career, though they are still present in ”Dude...” and other tunes. Their songs tended to become more melodic over time. This was probably part of the band's evolution, and it relieved some strain on Tyler’s vocal cords. Regardless of the reasons, the band stayed relevant well into the 2000s and beyond.
Tyler’s voice is instantly recognizable, and he did things no other singer could do. Steven Tyler deserves a place as one of the best male rock and roll singers ever.
No. 7: Roy Orbison - solo artist, Traveling Wilburys
Not everyone may know this name, especially younger fans, but Orbison had one of the smoothest voices ever. He started his career as a country western singer in the 1950s but evolved into more of a rock musician in the 1960s.
He had incredible success with his songs, like “Only the Lonely” and “In Dreams.” Many of his songs were covered by more modern acts. These include “Oh, Pretty Woman” (Van Halen), “Blue Bayou” (Linda Ronstadt), and “Crying” (Don McClean). He also covered other songs that may have been better than their original versions, like “Love Hurts” (by the Everly Brothers and Nazareth).
After 1964, Orbison faded away as rock and roll evolved. His compilation album, The All-Time Greatest Hits of Roy Orbison, was released in 1972 and again in 1989, and reached gold status.
In the late 1980s, Orbison formed a supergroup with George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, and Tom Petty. They produced an album, but Orbison died of a heart attack shortly thereafter.
He made a solo album while in the studio with the Traveling Wilburys. After his death, the song “You Got It” was released in 1989. It reached number nine on the Billboard charts, his tenth top-10 hit and his first since 1964. The song also earned a Grammy nomination.
This Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had an incredibly silky and rangy voice. He was equally good on ballads and more up-tempo songs, and his vocals set him apart.
No. 6: Prince
Prince may be the most outstanding musician of our time. There was little he couldn’t do. For his album For You, released in 1978, Prince played all 27 musical instruments used in the recording. Prince’s music crossed genres, making it hard to label him into one musical box.
One genre in which Prince could fit is rock and roll. From a power ballad like “Purple Rain” to a lusty song like “Darling Nikki,” the performer displayed his ability to be a rock star.
Vocally, he was as versatile as he was instrumentally. He was as good in his lower registers as he was with his soaring falsetto. His talents knew few bounds. As a performer, he was known for his trademark style and energy. He was a true musical genius and was beloved by fans regardless of their preferred musical tastes.
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