ROCK VOICES THAT TURNED TO S**T! (With Clips)

[@Rassskle]

Ya lost me at Paul McCartney having a great rock voice..... He could never rock or sing rock even if petrified. He could only sing the purile dribble he wrote for 10 yo girls.......3rd rate POP.

[@classicalbum]

I don't know about 'losing you'... I'm not entirely sure you were worth hanging onto.

[@peteb1206]

I Saw Her Standing There and Long Tall Sally must have been low-key ballads then... I guess 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@anthonyhainan4567]

What about who darling or helter skelter great vocals

[@lawrencewheat1290]

If Paul McCartney couldn't sing rock, then only about 10-20 people in the world ever could. If your definition of rock is different than mine, then maybe he's never tried to sing some of the material you are thinking of. Finally, who are your favorite rock singers?

[@kevinb3812]

Boy, nasty opinions! Live & Let Die, bro!

[@Dan.50]

The really sad part is that these singers aren't being replaced by young people. The music biz is in the toilet at this point.

[@sheldoncooper8199]

@Dan_50 Look Up Band Maid they are the greatest Thing happening to Rock in the Last 10 Years. Thank me later.

[@LaughWhileItsStillLegal]

You can't replace what's in high demand.

[@teastrainer3604]

They're being replaced by rappers and auto-tuned "singers." Britney Spears was auto-tuned from the beginning.

[@sheldoncooper8199]

@@teastrainer3604 What ? I thought Believe By Cher was the first Autotune Song but Yeah Brittany Sounds pretty Autotune.

[@teastrainer3604]

@@sheldoncooper8199 There are some leaks of Britney's real voice on KZbin. It's too bad for Milli Vanilli. If they came along now their producer would autotune them and everybody would be OK with it.

[@josemiguelfernandezdemarti7799]

Better hearing those true voices than autotune!

[@WiserInTime]

Old men who sound old. I don't hold anything against them except maybe not knowing when to retire. Many die hard fans are just happy to see their heroes on stage. If they're happy then I'm happy for them.

[@thehighllama8101]

That's why I don't care too much about aging musicians who use backing tapes. It's really just about seeing them while they're still alive.

[@phillipanderson7398]

The irony is that Ringo's voice is better than Pauls these days.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

It's obvious, too.

[@michaelwills1926]

Baby juice

[@pulsarlights2825]

Ringo aged better too, he is now, finally, the best looking Beatle

[@marklewis1750]

Ooof harsh! 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@graniterhythm53]

Really? - with his shocking range I'd like to hear him attempt ANY song sung by Paul!

[@sakaridis]

And then you have someone like Paul Rodgers who still manages to sound absolutely amazing in his 70s!

[@niakav6975]

Also, Robert Plant and Tom Jones!

[@John-k6f9k]

@@niakav6975 Robert Plant HAS kept his voice! It's been unchanged since about 1972. In others words, absolute shit!

[@jaxflfreebird]

@@John-k6f9k Robert Plant has NOT, NOT, NOT kept his voice. What bullshit. Only fanatical Zep and Plant fans hear the voice of old. The rest of us here whispering vocals, feeble attempts to sound as he once did. Plant sounded bad when he toured with Jimmy Page, the page/plant tour. I would collect those shows if Robert Plant sound the way he used to. By Fate of Nations, which is a solid but creepy album, plants voice was waning. Anyway, to each his own.

[@richardprescott5939]

Paul Rodgers took a long break from performing

[@tebo1958]

@@richardprescott5939 Thank god! He's not all that...

[@michaelmalone7231]

Robert Smith for the most part still sounds the same as he did in the 80s. Still sings in key, still projects. Which is all you ask for, for a man in his 60s.

[@raggeragnar]

In key ????? Really ???? …..and then you floated ashore on a cast iron stove , right ?

[@maxsonthonax1020]

​@@raggeragnar 😄

[@christoguichard4311]

All of which makes that well-known Las Vegas "cabaret singer" Tom Jones...the more remarkable. Well into his 80s...and he can STILL belt it out like no-one else!

[@stephenagnew670]

Yeah but tom like Paul rodgers were great great singers to start with

[@dhalsim-1]

Tom had risky surgery on his vocal cords to allow this. If it didn't work out he would have quit singing.

[@SurreyMan0409]

Up to a point, Lord Copper. The last time I heard him try Delilah he had shifted it from the original A minor down a fourth (5 notes!) to E minor. It was ridiculous and pointless.

[@candelise]

AGEING? Any surprise?

[@frankshailes3205]

Tom had nosejob surgery back in the 60s? early 70s? His voice noticeably changed for the worse as a result. So did his looks.

[@mikescully6972]

You can’t expect an 80 year old man to sing like he did at 30

[@anachronistofer]

Then stop singing. Because of age I can't play football worth a damn now, so I don't.

[@mikescully6972]

@@anachronistofer if you could play good or bad football at 80, I’d say you’re doing good, j/k

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Captain Obvious has entered the chat.

[@greggibson33]

@@anachronistofer So you're in charge whether someone should stop their career? Who are you again?

[@michaelwills1926]

Ticket prices oddly do not reflect this reality

[@stephenagnew670]

Paul rodgers is the one who stands head an shoulders above the rest still sounds fabulous the voice still the king hands down

[@messi8921]

And Glenn Hughes

[@rsviews2167]

@@messi8921 Glenn Hughes' voice is stil jaw dropping insane !

[@phillipanderson7398]

Paul had some real problems with his voice about six months ago. His health crisis nearly silenced his voice and he couldn't speak- but he's alright now.

[@jdekong3945]

See what you did there 😸

[@harrynewiss4630]

@@rsviews2167 Glenn tries a bit too hard though

[@andyparnham7542]

As an avid Genesis fan, the best decision I ever made was to not go and see them live on the last tour. I’d seen them live on every UK tour since 1976 and thought I’d said a final goodbye to them when they unexpectedly toured in 2007 when it looked like they’d retired. I knew this last tour was nothing but a cash grab, and I knew that Phil Collins was really unwell, so I didn’t go. I recently tried watching their final gig on KZbin but turned it off after 10 minutes, Collins’ voice had completely gone. Very hard and sad to watch.

[@sspbrazil]

I don’t think it was a cash grab so much as it was a true final goodbye due to Phil’s ill health. None of them are hurting for money, especially Phil.

[@bastidface]

As bad as his voice was, the show was still brilliant. The band sounded great and the visuals were outstanding. Honestly, I was more disappointed that Phil couldn't drum more than his less than par singing. Genesis has always been more about the music for me.

[@bastidface]

​@@sspbrazilYeah, Rutherford seems to have been the driving force behind the tour. I think he felt the nostalgic urge to reform again after playing with Phil on his final solo tour. I'm glad they did it despite Phil's limitations. The question is, what if Banks and Rutherford get the itch again and Gabriel or Phil's son Simon is willing to give it a go. Not likely to happen, but they certainly were trying to do a one off with Gabriel in the last decade.

[@williamgiesen4910]

@@sspbrazil Phil did get hit hard by s series of divorces

[@sspbrazil]

@@williamgiesen4910 he’s still very well off though despite 3 divorces, he is still one of the wealthiest pop stars in the world.

[@pedroV2003]

The only one that I care about is Paul McCartney and sadly I must agree.

[@johngriffiths118]

Yep , shame

[@mrshawn4192]

My frustration with McCartney is he is still a terrific musician & songwriter. Adjusting to lower keys would help, but, he is on his 80s after ll.

[@pedroV2003]

@@johngriffiths118 age catches up with all of us.

[@CherylzaLoufan]

This is so sad. Makes me thankful for all the concert videos where we can watch our idols sing the songs we love the way we want to hear them.

[@needfoolthings]

Axl Rose has always sounded likea weasel on meth. Now the meth has gone.

[@Attmay]

Pop goes the weasel.

[@aardvaarkmaark]

That's funny. I got a visual of a weasel on meth and I can see the connection with Axl Rose.

[@safersects4633]

Axl Rose stole from Ron Tabak. Listen to Prism & See Forever Eyes.

[@badgasaurus4211]

@tankmacnamara3734 How many other baritones can nail songs like There Was a Time and Better well into their 40s and 50s? The disrespect in this comment section is shameful. Overrated compared to who?

[@frankmurphyburr3598]

😅

[@jameslindsay24601]

Steve Winwood still sounds the same! Wow!

[@christineobrien7707]

Love his voice His voice sounds like a brass instrument, at times. That's a unique gift to have.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Can he sing Higher Love and Valerie in the original key?

[@davidtoups4684]

If he ever does a video about 60's and 70's singers that still sound great, Steve would have to be near the top of the list!

[@wayneelliott7011]

Had a Million Miles on anyone on this List to start with.

[@philbrown1474]

@@ThomasmemoryscentralI saw him with steely Dan about 5 years ago. He did the songs in the very same key as in the 60s.

[@TheLastOilMan]

Getting old is a pain

[@officialWWM]

Getting old is not the reason why their voices are failing.

[@davidlee6720]

maybe they should just retire from singing and write for others. the talent doesn't usually fade. Some great young singers might appreciate their input. Name can go on the label.

[@officialWWM]

@@davidlee6720 but the singing is the fun part!

[@MM1717mm]

​@officialWWM well it sure ain't helping, mate

[@officialWWM]

@@MM1717mm I’m 59. I’m singing better now than I was in my 20s. I’m a vocal teacher and I can assure you, it’s all about technique. If you learn correct technique, your voice will last as long as the rest of you!

[@IheartDogs55]

Geddy Lee addresses his voice issues in his fantastic autobiography, "My Effing Life." He blames smoking & substance abuse; it's a cautionary tale for aspiring singers. Geddy is brutally honest about many things in his book.

[@martinhaigh8345]

He uses his lower register to great effect on the later Rush albums. But in live performance of the older songs he was as the man put it, reaching for notes that just weren't there, or he would alter the vocal lines out of all recognition. It became a little embarrassing.

[@Makai77]

Never much of an Axl fan I always equated his voice to nails on a chalkboard. Seems it's evolved over the years, to its final form of a drowning cat.

[@SPY1964-LL]

Yes, he sang in a fake voice anyway.

[@willhemmings]

I don't know how anyone, band members included, was able to attend the final Genesis tour. It was an embarrassing end to a sparkling career. In contrast, Peter Gabriel's voice is the vocal equivalent of the DeLorean in Back to the Future, with the dials set all the way back to good ol' 1973

[@petercseszarik6552]

he probably takes good care of it not to mention he actually sings as opposed to screech like some on the list

[@Modernaire]

Sting. David Lee Roth. Lou Gramm. Paul Simon. Joni Mitchell. Billy Joel. Who now depends on AI to re-create his voice or at least process it in order to release a new single. BONO. Who seems to talk or rap the lyrics to their song live and employee the old holding out the mic to let the audience sing the parts they can’t sing trick. Bono is now both Insufferable and Sufferable. It would be interesting to explore whose voice is still or were still excellent and perhaps expand a little bit outside classic rock into other genres area and like soft rock.

[@chrisbergonzi7977]

I'm a singer and let me tell you...the key of "E" is the breaking point of the male tenor voice. If you try and live in this range it will eventually fry your voice...thanks pal...great stuff as usual.

[@drumhaver223]

See John Fogerty.

[@chrisbergonzi7977]

@@drumhaver223 yeah, he didn't tour for 25 years. Besides, these are not hard and fast rules....

[@drumhaver223]

@@chrisbergonzi7977 I'm agreeing with you. Most of CCR is in 'E' and the songs are vocally ripping.

[@chrisbergonzi7977]

@@drumhaver223 absolutely right my man...sorry for the mix-up...be well

[@drumhaver223]

@@chrisbergonzi7977 👍

[@andywalker9646]

Ian Anderson is the saddest for me followed by David Coverdale (how did he not make this list?)

[@seanharrison933]

Don Dokken is someone else that should be on here. Also, in regards to Coverdale, I believe that's reason the band brought in Jelusick.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Can't get everyone on any of these lists.

[@8ackbiter434]

Yes, his voice is painful to listen to. It was magnificent in the 70s but is awful now.

[@ctcards2636]

I agree !

[@johngriffiths118]

Heard him a couple of years ago . Some people did not return after the interval 😢

[@Sungodv]

Macca's voice has been gone for 15 years....I miss it

[@buddyneher9359]

and then.... you find videos on YT using AI to put Paul's 1965/66 voice into songs he never sang. That's bad enough, but there will probably be (or maybe already are) some of his newer songs with his younger voice put in by AI. I get why people would do that.. but I don't like it.

[@NewFalconerRecords]

The effect of smoking (any sort of smoking) cannot be understated when it comes to the deterioration of vocal abilities. Vocal cords naturally harden as we age, so it helps if you don't help the deterioration by inhaling a whole lot of toxic smoke. But hey, when you're young, you're indestructible. I wonder how many of these artists gave any thought to the idea that they'd still be performing the music of their 20's into their 70's and 80's?

[@teastrainer3604]

The real problem is the fans who will throw money at them even if they sound bad.

[@KennethBlum-sl6rx]

Smoking has even killed my speaking voice let alone my singing. And I'm not even that heavy a smoker.

[@KennethBlum-sl6rx]

None of them thought they'd even be alive this long.

[@E-BikingAdventures]

Paul McCartney quit smoking in 1979. Edit- ciggarettes.

[@sigmanfloyd7179]

He still smokes pot regularly though.

[@padistedor]

Whats next? Compare their prostate size at age 25 to age 75?

[@iananderson3799]

I would pay to watch that ! 😊😊😊😊

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

Yeah but you'd have to do the examinations. And I bet you'd love it.

[@SheptonDavies]

Justin Hayward still sounds amazing at 77.

[@owltracker3030]

I love the honesty here. Stevie Nicks pretty much became a baritone in the early 80's. Tears For Fears are a good example of guys that kept their amazing voice quality all these years.

[@canalesworks1247]

Stevie Nicks has always sounded like a goat. She now sounds like an old goat.

[@clivesilver463]

I will add Ian Gillian Dave Coverdale, and the worst of the bunch Brian Johnson, they should use his voice for a constipation advert.

[@brassteeth3355]

People get older and can't do what they once did. Nothing unusual but it's tough to see your heroes crumble.

[@nathanaelpeace9550]

I’m amazed you didn’t mention Fish. The man has the songs tuned down so low he’s basically just speaking at this point.

[@yesacoustic]

He used to sing with such gut-wrenching passion, but I suppose there's only one way to go from there.

[@mikebull1972]

This. Plus, he's now missing a lot of his front teeth and will be touring again soon with a denture plate! No voice left whatsoever, it's a hell of a grift.

[@frankshailes3205]

Didn't harm Leonard Cohen...

[@greg-warsaw4708]

As I see it, Fish had demolished his voice long ago, in early 1990s, due to devastating lifestyle and being untrained (not knowing he was damaging it the way he used it, which he readily admits). His voice was largely gone by the Suits album. Then, he bravely battled on, making the most of what was left and bypassing the deficits. He managed to find his suggestive, compelling manner of vocal delivery even doing without the voice he had lost. At the same time, his two last albums are great. In fact, he has arguably achieved what VERY few have: his very last album may also be his best. The Beatles achieved that (Abbey Road was their last recorded, despite Let It Be being the last released), but really, who else did? Not counting careers untimely cut by premature deaths? Rush were close; Priest are close unless the Shield occurs not their last word.

[@nathanaelpeace9550]

@@greg-warsaw4708 Agreed about Fish's last album. I like how his voice changed for that. My issue was him performing Marillion. There's several live albums/videos in a row of him doing Misplaced Childhood and every subsequent release has the tuning lower and lower. Lavender shouldn't sound scary.

[@GlenStevenson-t7z]

Jon Anderson still sounds amazing

[@phillipanderson7398]

he's a smoker and still has that alto tenor voice.

[@greggibson33]

The exception proves the rule. Thanks.

[@pulsarlights2825]

Sammy Hagar was born in 1947 and can still seem to hit the high notes

[@BarrySanchez]

@@phillipanderson7398he no longer smokes & hasn’t smoked in years.

[@phillipanderson7398]

@@BarrySanchez I didn't know that . Thanks.

[@2ToneWalt]

At least we've got the back catalog of all that great music. 👍

[@blanketjackson8075]

Dishonorable mentions - Ian Gillan - Brian Johnson - Billy Joel - Kevin Cronin - David Coverdale - Ozzy

[@glen871]

I was scrolling the comments looking for a Kevin Cronin mention. His voice has been shot for a long time. Sounds like he inhaled helium when he sings. Should have retired years ago but seems to like playing state fairs and such.

[@SPY1964-LL]

@@glen871 Puppet show and Kevin Cronin at 3pm after the Hog Contest! He- Haw!

[@baron_von_brunk]

Maybe Genesis should just change their name to Revelations at this point.

[@malemesjager41]

Damn!!!😅😅😅

[@phillipanderson7398]

Amen.

[@greggibson33]

Weak.

[@tomy8339]

​@@greggibson33Nope. That was pretty good. 8/10.

[@greggibson33]

@@tomy8339 Nop.

[@mikenorman2525]

Nice one, and spot on! The greatest tragedy with Phil Collins is the more time he spent singing, the less time he spent drumming. IMHO he is the most underrated prog drummer of all time.

[@davidf6326]

So Phil Collins is an underrated drummer, yes? When will people look up the definition of the word 'underrated'? It's following close on the heels of 'unique' as the most misused word in the English language.

[@slowmarchingband1]

Yes, and 'legendary' which now seems to include anyone who hasn't actually died yet.

[@mikenorman2525]

@@davidf6326 Yes he is an underrated drummer. He's by no means unique, nor is he the absolute best, but he definitely doesn't get anywhere near the credit he deserves. Which is pretty much the very definition of the word underrated. Perhaps you should look it up.

[@davidf6326]

@@mikenorman2525 Phil Collins certainly isn't underrated. As for 'best' there is no such thing; ranking musicians is a ridiculous concept. He is though, a very fine drummer and widely recognised as such. I never even mentioned him being unique. You need to read my comment more carefully.

[@davidf6326]

@@slowmarchingband1 Yes, that's another one.

[@patbrennan6572]

Thanks for the memories Sir Paul , but it's time to relax now bud.

[@buddyneher9359]

😢

[@christiejohnston8538]

NEVER! He still fills arenas and everyone knows his voice isn’t the same. No one cares. He’s in his 80’s and he’s an absolute joy to millions of people still. It’s more than his voice that people love.

[@dredhead117]

6:50 - Phil Collins looks and sounds like my 92 year old great aunt singing along at my cousin's wedding last year

[@lorrainebennett7528]

Phil's voice was magnificent back in the day, sad to see him like this.

[@gumbycat5226]

As a Beatles expert people wonder why I don’t go to Paul McCartney’s concerts. You have nicely explained why. You can hear his voice weakening on his great 1997 album Flaming Pie already.

[@altairsp]

Just went tô McCartney 's last year and it was amazing. I dont expect him tô sing as in his Wings years But amaze me how good is his singing for his age. But he should not Sing high tones tunes anymore, like "helter skelter" or "she's a woman".

[@EnglishStrippedBare]

Well, I'm not sure how Brian Wilson didn't make this list, or even be at number 1. One of the most angelic voices in rock history, reduced to ashes by the late 70s because of drug use, and he never recovered.

[@christopherharris3229]

Brian Wilson sure lost a lot over the years but he wasn't even the best singer in his band........Carl was.

[@EnglishStrippedBare]

@@christopherharris3229 well, in fairness, they could all sing a tune.

[@Fabbydabby1]

I saw Brian Wilson in 2003 & he was still good could still sing. But in the last couple of years I take your point

[@EnglishStrippedBare]

@@Fabbydabby1 Sure, he could still sing, but by 1977 his range was severally diminished and no more falsettos.

[@Peterthepainter66]

​@@christopherharris3229l always thought Al was!

[@marianoarnaiz]

Oh Come on! Yes Geddy got older, but I would argue his voice became softer with the years. Best with age like the wine he loves so much.

[@rsviews2167]

Yèè but if he could sound like he did in the seventies, wouldn't you like it better ? I know I would. In fact, signals was the last straw for me. No more surprises, no more chills.

[@chrisgross2043]

​@@rsviews2167you can't stop your voice from changing

[@michaelmalone7231]

A number of Rush fans actually preferred his 80s singing voice. But yeah. It sounds strangled now.

[@uapuat]

Geddy stopped shouting and learned to actually sing. I prefer his later voice.

[@Scottdrums]

@@uapuat Totally agree. I really like how matured his voice got.

[@johnalden7746]

Correction, Elton’s polyps on the vocal cords removed in 1987 not 2007. As for substance abuse clean since July 1990.

[@PhilJonesIII]

I saw him with Ray Cooper at Grenoble in 2009. I wasn't expecting the same energy as the 1970s concerts. And the change in voice was already clear. What got to me was the fact that neither of them seemed to be trying very hard.

[@michaelpavlovich2241]

While I agree with his characterization of Elton’s voice, this wasn’t the best example of it. I actually preferred Elton’s lower voice after that surgery. His albums in the 90’s weren’t my favorites by any stretch but even with a lower timbre, I thought he had very good mastery of his voice. It was a mature sound. But I have to say in the last 5-10 years or so, the way he sings certain songs sounds just flinty and scratchy, almost as if he’s trying to sing them that badly, which I hate to say because he’s been a favorite of mine almost my whole life. I used to really like his vibrato when singing a long “I” sound. Maybe due to age and deterioration he sings those same notes as long “E’s” and without the vibrato. But I don’t think it’s through any fault of his own, just a side-effect of being 77.

[@BarneyRq1d]

Both Elton and Billy Joel sound like they've been smoking cigarettes for 60 years. Same with Mellencamp. That btw is substance abuse lol.

[@candelise]

​@@michaelpavlovich2241He was warned by doctors not to tour Australia back in the early Eighties, he refused and trouble started then, especially with the cocaine use. Oh, and also something called AGE!

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

It's the massive ego polyp he needs to have removed.

[@ndlouder]

Now you know kids, If you want that eternal voice, stay away from the Cosmic Broccoli 😅

[@chetthebee1322]

I saw Rush on their final tour and Lee sounded better than his few previous tours. He sounded great on the songs within his present vocal range like Subdivisions but he definitely did struggle at times. I would add Steven Tyler to this list.

[@AXE668]

I feel for singers who aren't consistent and have been unable to maintain the voice they started out with. This has never been a problem for me. My singing was shit 40 years ago and today, it's still shit.

[@sicotshit7068]

LOL I love it, me too.

[@VegasAlien1]

Jeff Keith from Tesla sounds like Eric Cartman now. You can't un-hear it. Vince Neil looks AND sounds like Cartman, too.

[@j.r.shartzer]

The lead singer of Tessla now sounds EXACTLY like Cartman.

[@michaelbagnall5288]

I heard him in Gatlinburg last month. It sounded like he was singing through a traech

[@markwellman3124]

Yes all not what they once were. As a big Tull fan its difficult to hear his voice live these day.

[@ctcards2636]

GO see Martins band ;-)

[@philbrown1474]

@@ctcards2636Yes his vocalist is excellent!

[@williamfarr8807]

People age, and eventually they die. That’s life. If the artists still have a desire to perform and enjoy it, and there is an audience that wants to see them, I say more power to them. I saw Count Basie, Woody Herman, Artie Shaw, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin Hopkins and many others in the 1970s. They were all past their prime, but I consider myself lucky to have seen them at all.

[@stephengilbert851]

I heard that Anderson’s problems stem partly from the way he used to play the flute, in such a way that he was straining his vocal chords even when not singing. In any event, and despite my love of Jethro Tull, I had to stop seeing them live a few years ago. It just depressed me.

[@thomasrobinson182]

McCartney's voice is shot. His songwriting muse has also left him. Which is a total shame.

[@Peterthepainter66]

Paul Rodgers voice is just the same as when he was in Free. Fantastic singer well into his seventies despite having a series of mini strokes

[@davidGPS95]

Yes but who the hell wants to listen to Paul Rodgers ? 🙄

[@portcullis5622]

​@@davidGPS95Well, me and a few million others. He has sold over 90 million albums and has probably influenced more rock singers than any other vocalist.

[@portcullis5622]

I don't think it is quite the same as when he was in Free. It changed gradually through the 1970s and 1980s and became smoother. He still sounds the same as when he was in The Firm 40 odd years ago and is probably a better technical singer than he was in his Free days, but, for me, that is when his voice was at its best.

[@Peterthepainter66]

@@davidGPS95 You'd better off sticking to Ed Sheeran!

[@davidGPS95]

@@Peterthepainter66 Ed Sheeran oh man get a grip , just because I don't like Paul Rodgers don't insult me 😂 if you want a great singer listen to Geoff Tate Queensryche

[@stefanrobijn2655]

I love the young voice of Geddy Lee and I like his later voice as well. Jeff Lynne still sounds young and fresh... 😄

[@MisterTMH]

Jeff Lynne can still sing. Roger Daltrey is past his peak but can still sing. Graham Nash sounded vocally tired after one hour of a two hour concert this year.

[@H-mu4bo]

​@MisterTMH Jeff Lynne is sounding good live. But he only plays the occassional concert.

[@olganesterowicz]

Geddy Lee started sounding like Cher in his old age. Not bad. Change my mind. I always wanted to hear him sing "Believe". 😂

[@dirish709]

Obviously Don Henley ...why else would he be lip syncing?

[@greggibson33]

Voices for the most part don't get better with age. File that under duh.

[@michaelwills1926]

@@greggibson33tickets still going for top dollar, which can be filed under “ripoff”

[@greggibson33]

@@michaelwills1926 Not the artists fault fans are dum dums. Nobody's forcing you.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

Roger Waters as well.

[@rickyboy591]

@@greggibson33 but they still charge ridiculous prices ‘ file that under Derr

[@johncalvo1743]

My sister saw Heart about a year ago and she said Ann can still belt it out.

[@MrBonified66]

Glad to hear that, going to see them this summer!

[@gwts1171]

I see them about once a year (including about a month ago) and both of the sisters still sound like they're 20.

[@robadams1645]

I wonder if it's because male rock singers have to force their voices into the high range while female rock singers are already there. So it's not as much of a strain on their vocal cords.

[@greggibson33]

I saw a video of their last tour. Let's be accurate. She is still great but clearly not like she used to be. It's called age.

[@ctcards2636]

Ann still has it, just saw her live recently. Awesome stuff. :-)

[@michaelme1548]

I know a lot of people probably like it but this video seems like the right place to admit that your voice grates on my nerves. I watch your videos with the sound off. I turn on the captions.

[@minners71]

Vince Neil could never sing I have no idea how he ever became a frontman to a rock band.

[@ArtieFufkinPolymerRecords]

Pound Shop/Dollar Store version of David Lee Roth. Motley Crue suck and always will. Good guitar player and drummer, Neil never could sing and Sixx is still not even a competent bassist.

[@rsviews2167]

THANK YOU BRO !!!

[@michaelwills1926]

Motley was a social engineering project not a band.

[@rsviews2167]

@@michaelwills1926 So were The Beatles, and many more that we'll probably never know. People laugh at this theory not realizing we are being socially engineered all the time. First time for me hearing about the Crue. Interesting.

[@dohanddonuts5716]

​@@michaelwills1926Well we can say thank you MTV.

[@harrytavitian1864]

Many thanks for the video and the observations. Much appreciated.

[@timwood8974]

Saw Jethro Tull for the first time a few days ago. Despite Ian's problems with his vocal parts, I still enjoyed the gig.

[@coltseavers6298]

You left off my #1 going all the way back to the beginning of the 90's: AC/DC's - _Brian Johnson._ Thunderstruck, Big Gun . . . UGH!!!

[@rightchordleadership]

Could have easily been on this list

[@toxsickdog]

hahaha totally.

[@SurreyMan0409]

Don Henley’s voice sounds exactly the same as it did in 2015! How incredible! Exactly the same! Exactly… 😉

[@tommyzai7038]

LOL!!! It hasn't changed at all . . . almost identical. LOL

[@johnnyscarecrow71]

Ha.

[@buddyneher9359]

nudge nudge, wink wink. Say no more!

[@rikkinadir7979]

@@buddyneher9359 Wonder if his wife is a 'goer' knoworrimean, nudge nudge,,,,,, 🙂

[@Macygal]

and he is so technically skilled he can hit the exact same notes every time he sings a song.....

[@donovankelly1966]

Please do one about singers that are aging well with their voices .

[@Terrahoskins]

You know who sounds great? John Oates. It was striking to me. I saw Billy Idol last year- he sounds pretty amazing. Pat Benatar, but she’s always taken really good care of her voice…

[@rodhamm8484]

Rob Halford still sounds great.

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

What about those that sounded old when they were young? Johnny Lang sounded like he was 50 when he was 15.....

[@janbanan5936]

Rob Halford sounds great still

[@nancyjones6780]

Of all of them, Geddy Lee sounds the best ❤

[@geoffw1209]

Greg Lake comes to mind as a singer who’s voice deteriorated markedly in the 1980s largely I suspect as a result of chain smoking. After he finally gave up the ciggies, he seemed to get some of his vocal range back.

[@loftlegacy]

I’d agree with them all except Elton and to a certain degree Geddy Lee. OK, Elton sang in a much lower key in the later years, but he was still in tune and it wasn’t painful to listen to. As for Geddy, he had to sing certain songs that he struggled with, but the Rush catalogue was so vast, there were plenty of songs that humans as well as dogs could hear. His voice actually got better on the last couple of tours due to diet. I read once Ian Anderson blamed heavy smoking for his vocal decline.

[@axelborner3460]

David Crosby sounded really great in his last years, and he made really good music before his passing

[@pulsarlights2825]

Crosby was basically a back up singer to Steven Stills for 50 years...lol

[@chrisblower8868]

​@@pulsarlights2825Total nonsense.

[@jeffreykoger3978]

Some of these, though not all, were heavy smokers. That certainly takes a toll on the voice.

[@IndigoJo]

Joni Mitchell and Emmylou Harris are classic examples. Especially Joni whose voice started to go in the early 80s.

[@englishciderlover7347]

The actors Jack Hawkins and Jack Wild (The Artful Dodger in "Oliver"), among others, were heavy smokers and lost the ability to speak. I've seen YT vids listing heavy smokers in Hollyweird, and I was struck by how many died in their 50s or 60s.

[@Attmay]

Jack Wild was also drinking, not just smoking. He must've learned that from Oliver Reed.

[@TJR-ClassicRockCorner0124]

Roger Waters was not the dominant singer in Pink Floyd until Animals which ironically was the first Pink Floyd album he recorded after quitting smoking cigarettes but what did his voice in was the screaming he did on Animals, The Wall, The Final Cut and The Pros and Cons of Hitchhiking. His voice in fact gave out on the first Wall concert so David Gilmour sang the last verse of Hey You on the second night of The Wall concerts in Los Angeles in 1980 and Roger had to record a vocal track for The Trial so he was lip syncing as early as The Wall concerts from New York forward.

[@RjBenjamin353]

Wow, now Don Henley, he sounds great live, mainly because he lip syncs to prerecorded tracks. What a fraud. People who pay 15 hundred to 2500 hundred to see them live should sue that fraud

[@216trixie]

I saw the breakdown on wings of pegasus

[@RjBenjamin353]

@@216trixie Yes, as a musician myself, i am a fan of WOP. He does great analysis of recordings

[@Macygal]

love the Eagles, was really sad to watch that video about lip syncing to Desperado. Saw them about 10 years ago in Grand Forks and he sounded great singing that song, Now I understand why... Am not a musician, but a music lover and watching WOP is very interesting...

[@chrisbotelho7212]

@@216trixie Fil has a great show. Very interesting and entertaining whatever he's talking about.

[@216trixie]

@@chrisbotelho7212 Yes he's a good one.

[@mcolville]

I was blown away by how good Ged sounded in a recent live appearance, I think maybe it was the Taylor Hawkins tribute? And I realized that I almost always see them near the end of their tour (SoCal) and he'd been hammering his vocal cords for months.

[@roymeadows1708]

Two more to add..Springsteen and David Coverdale. Some people just don`t know when to quit.

[@jasonali4122]

Coverdale's is grim.

[@RushfanUK]

I saw Coverdale live back in 2004 and it was bad then, his vocals were buried back in the mix more than in his prime and were not good, recent times he's used a secondary singer to cover his vocals and even lip synced.

[@nicholasalese738]

I’ve heard the raw vocals for born in the USA without the reverb, delay and modulation. They are almost unlistenable without the effects and you’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t think that was his peak.

[@michaelcottle6270]

+1 for Coverdale. He was one of the best white blues singers from 74-85 possibly better than Paul Rogers. Since then, well Paul still sounds great...

[@pulsarlights2825]

Springsteen never really had a good voice, even in the 70s and 80s

[@jimbelton]

Geddy Lee sounded great in 2011 on the Time Machine Tour (AKA Moving Pictures Retour). The previous tour (Snakes and Arrows, in 2009), his voice was album quality.

[@classrockin]

How in the world did Diamond Dave not make the top 10 ? Lol Great channel friend, always look forward to new content. I loved the rant/troll video, your comebacks were Epic !

[@216trixie]

Because he wasn't a good singer to start with.

[@eltorpedo67]

@@216trixie On the albums he was fantastic. There was no AutoTune back then, or any type of corrective software. Live, he was worse because of the energy he put into the acrobatics and physical entertainment rather than vocals (and being drunk on stage - lol).

[@216trixie]

@@eltorpedo67 he was a good rock front man with some good rock vocals here and there but he was really not a good singer ever.

[@williambennettofficial]

How about a list of voices that are still great despite their age? Rob Halford for example.

[@nickbaggins7942]

Ronnie Dio RIP

[@IndigoJo]

Richard Thompson - gets better and better.

[@karenmandeville7116]

Gary Brooker's voice was still fine til the end.

[@skooshy621]

Sting

[@WhizzRichardThompson]

Obviously Paul Rodgers.

[@peteb1206]

Ian Anderson was exactly my choice for #1. Unfortunately he damaged his voice on tour in 1978 and it's been on a decline since then. It's very sad. He literally can no longer sing. I saw him in Melbourne a few years back and it was really agonising.

[@sciwiz57]

All valid choices-Ian hurts the worst- SFTW and HH were the best

[@james1658]

Ian Gillian anyone? Early 70's one of the best rock singers on earth. Now bang avg pub singer. New Deep Purple single is quite good though IMO.

[@EchoesDaBear]

Good video and analysis! Really agree with most of these. I'm a huge Rush fan, and I really think R30 was the last 'GREAT' concert where Geddy still sounded good. Cracks in his range really came after that - and very noticeable at R40. Besides Neil's passing (RIP), and the vocal degradation, I'm okay with Rush being done! Elton has done surprisingly well IMHO - while he's nowhere near what he was in the 70's - he's adjusted his songs to still sound very pleasant - his tone is still good, albeit lower. Axl & Vince never had good voices to begin with, so any decrease from that, and you're really at the bottom, aren't you?! I'd love to see another video on longtime voices that have stood up well! Votes for David Gilmour, Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode - but not so with Martin Gore), Lawrence Gowan (solo & Styx), Justin Hayward (Moody Blues - his has maintained quite well! John Lodge - not so much) & finally Morten Harket (a-ha). Cheers!

[@63mckenzie]

Phil Collins' voice really shocked me. He sounds like an 90 year old man.

[@simpleman5688]

From his time on “the island”.

[@rcpsammy7186]

And looks it

[@slidetek]

We used to joke about him coming out on a walker 20 years ago, who knew that would be the good old days?

[@TheDavidtk240]

Ironically, Phil looks like that mask that Gabriel used to wear at the close of Musical Box.

[@Fear2Stop]

@@TheDavidtk240🤣

[@webman1956]

I just went to see Mark Farner of Grand Funk fame not long ago and I have to tell you, that man can still hit every note like he`s 25 years old but what really blew me away was a concert my wife dragged me out to see. She got two free tickets to see 84 year old Tom Jones and I have to tell you that I have never heard anyone even close to that age that was as spot on with every single note, no lip sync crap at all. Hats off to these two amazing performers.

[@mattoverbee7632]

Robert Plant and Brian Johnson are unfortunately part of this club. They were untouchable in their primes.

[@michaelperkins6747]

Brilliant for saying what we all wanted to say but were too afraid. May I suggest you do one on singers whose voices have not deteriorated that much over the years - I'm guessing Paul Rodgers may be on that list somewhere.

[@Terrahoskins]

Pat Benatar sounds amazing. She takes impeccable care of her voice. They did lower the key of Shadows of the Night, but she and Neil rearranged a few songs to make them work a bit better. Pat can still blow the roof off the place, but she mixes too.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Can she sing Heartbreaker and We Belong in the original keys?

[@superhet7281]

Did we EVER think we would see the day when Ringo Starr could out-sing Paul McCartney?? That day has arrived! Excellent presentation, especially with the clips for comparison.

[@martinbarrios7920]

To hear some of Rush songs in the Geddy 2011 voice was a painful experience

[@thepman1964]

Flash: People's bodies change as they age. In other news: Water wet.

[@yesacoustic]

At least they're not lip sinking, eh? 😁

[@chuckm4540]

Thanks for the insightful video. Have you considered profiling classic rock vocalists who still got it? Paul Rogers and Rob Halford come to mind.

[@CraigBettinson]

Dave Mason as well still has it

[@josephyoung2593]

Anderson developed a terrible throat problem on the Under Wraps tour of 1984, on which he evidently pitched a lot of songs outside his natural range. He had to put Tull on hiatus for two years on the advice of doctors who evidently warned him he was on the verge of losing the power of speech altogether. This would have been an excuse to retire then; I salute him for soldiering on, diminished though the results may be. I saw him live in 2016 and recall noticing the strain, but hoping I was still that good at what I did when I was 69. He's since developed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which may explain the decline documented here. Note however the lack of any accompanying discussion of lip- syncing or backing tracks. Whatever else may be said of him, he's a consummate professional in a field not noted for that quality.

[@johnandrus3901]

Just like Ian Gillan. He is just a shadow of his former self, but no lip syncing. Credit where credit is due.

[@Meddled]

Tull were miming the intro to Songs from the Wood live in 1977. Ian even makes a quip about it on one live recording. There's another video from the early '90s where they do the same. Ian switches on his radio mic to sing the vocals proper after the intro, and his voice sounds completely different.

[@Slammy555]

I really like your t-shirt. I remember when my friends went to see Fuel, it'd been a while since they released anything and I passed figuring the lead singer's voice had to be going given how he sang. After the concert my friends talked about how great he sand, maybe a month later they had the lip sync scandal.

[@BJM3497]

Geddy Lee's voice has prevented me to listening to anything live after Counterparts. Its very sad that he continued to sing live past 2000....depressing.

[@badger500]

Ian Anderson sounded good for the first 15 years (and that span's end is charitable) and then varying degrees of not-so-good for the next *42* years!

[@philipdr88]

It makes me sad to see this list of great singers who voices in their prime were incredible, nowadays don't have it anymore.

[@classicalbum]

Rocky Balboa said 'time beats us all' ...

[@greggibson33]

And that's a shock? Do you think they get better when they're 80?

[@philipdr88]

@greggibson33 It's called "getting old." I know that.

[@greggibson33]

@@philipdr88 Cool. Just checking.

[@robertpeers3742]

Recently heard Plant do Stairway...Shabby,shame,happens to the best.

[@hevmet8386]

Biff Byford still sounds good

[@skaboosh]

Paul's screaming was fabulous back in the day, Oh Darling, so so heavy

[@patrickbarry6273]

Time Waits For No One

[@Apo458]

You could also include John Fogerty from CCR in there. He forced his throat a lot to get that raspy and howling voice when he was young. Now he has lost it completely. Although you gotta give the man some credit, he's constantly touring and hitting those high notes, not with the same voice but impressive for an almost 80 year old

[@stephenfranklin8258]

Yup, Ian Anderson has to be there - so sad, Tull are one of my favourite bands of all. I have seen them well into double figures but I saw IA when he was touring TAAB and TAAB 2 together and decided that was enough - I haven’t seen him/them since. Of course, there’s also the usual comment that Tull aren’t Tull with out Martin Barre - but that’s another story!

[@nyrocks5580]

Yes, both sad developments. For a good number of years, one of the greatest bands to see perform live.

[@greggibson33]

@@nyrocks5580 Agreed. Back to back #1 albums. Biggest live act in the world.... but no Hall of Fame. Disgrace.

[@nyrocks5580]

@@greggibson33, yes, they are many such objective reasons like album sales (particularly 69-79) and excellent concert attendance for much longer than that, that they should be a no-brainer shoo-in, without having to get into ANY musical subjectivity. It just shows what BS it is.

[@chrisbotelho7212]

They haven't been Tull since Anderson fired Glen Cornick. They held serve for a couple of records but never the same after Benefit.

[@smythharris2635]

​@@chrisbotelho7212thank you Chris for that, I agree totally.

[@MidnightCarp]

Fully agree about Anderson. Tull is one of my favourite bands but even in the late 90s his voice was cactus. McCartney I would still go and see - he was here in Australia last year, and the concert started off with him in poor voice, but then it strangely got better then long the gig went, with the Helter Skelter encore being almost sublime.

[@drmusic3641]

Another one you can add is John Mellencamp, after years of chain smoking it took a heavy toll on his voice,

[@michaelwills1926]

Lack of baby juice does that too

[@kbstabs5982]

Always interesting. I agree with your list with the exception of Geddy Lee, who I thought was great to the end.

[@johnandrus3901]

Nice list. I would put Ian Gillan near the top, though. His magnificent voice from In Rock and Jesus Christ Superstar through the end of DP MKII is now just a harsh whisper. No range anymore and he sounds like a scalded cat when he tries to hit even some of the easier notes from his prime. I give him credit, though. He still goes out and gives it his best, no lip syncing or anything else, other than Morse and now McBride, using his guitar to hit some high notes. An excellent video, as always.

[@toxsickdog]

I would not like to hear old Ian attempt to sing Child In Time at his age.