Favorite Classic Rock Vocalist

[3-LockBox]

I always like Steve Miller, just cuz a few of my friends thought I sounded like him back in the day (I'm not sayin, I'm just saying). In his early daze, he could have a powerful, bluesy voice, and then slip into that velvety Como voice he donned so often.

For pure gutteral power, I like Sammy Hagar (yer not just now makin the connection are you?) - he could do the heavy metal screetch, he could sing in a ballsy rock voice, he could show some control on the poppier stuff, and he had good range. Micheal Anthony said he lost a testicle trying to sing backup for him.

John Wetton had a unique tone, but also a lot of control and range. He went from interpreting Robert Fripp's wierdo lyrics in King Crimson, to singing pop prog in groups like UK and Asia. When you listen to listen to a whistful song like Book Of Saturdays from KC's Larks Tongues In Aspic ('73), where he sound's older than his years, to Heat Of The Moment w/ Asia ('82), where sounds like a young man belting a modern pop tune (of his day) you begin to appreciate that this guy, while not ever sounding impressive, always got the job done. He's one helluva bass player too, or Fripp woulda never messed with him.

[bobsticks]

See, alot of these characters slipped into the Eightees. Is that now considered "Classic Rock" too?

[Smokey]

For pure gutteral power, I like Sammy Hagar (yer not just now makin the connection are you?) - he could do the heavy metal screetch, he could sing in a ballsy rock voice, he could show some control on the poppier stuff, and he had good range. Micheal Anthony said he lost a testicle trying to sing backup for him.

I agree. he is probably the one that is was responsible for revitalization of Van Halen after David Lee Roth left. He gave renewed energy to that band which usually face away after a band been around a while. Too bad VH couldn't keep him.

I think a couple of your choices (Kate Bush) might stretch the definition of the 'classic rock' radio format, Smokey, but that's okay.
My choices would be both Elvises, Little Richard, John Lennon, Van Morrison, Marvin Gaye, Tom Waits, Joey Ramone, Mick Jagger, James Brown, Brian & Carl Wilson along with (F*CK) Mike Love, Sam Cooke, Phil Alvin, Neil Young, Stevie Wonder, Ian Curtis, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, & Exene.

Kate Bush along with Merchant probably belong to alternative format, but after 20 years and aging of listener, the formats tend to blend. Like the format once consider contemporary adult 20 years ago now is considered oldies format

I like your list except may be Bob Dylan. Sometimes he seem to just phone it in.