Top 10 AOR vocalists

by **Journey/Survivor** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:43 pm

In your opinions, who were the ten best AOR singers of all time?

Rank them in order if you can. But if you can't put them in an exact order, then just name ten of them in no particular order.

Just in case someone doesn't know what AOR means...it stands for Adult Oriented Rock. Bands like Journey, Survivor, Foreigner, Loverboy are AOR bands.

by **StoneCold** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:47 pm

1. Steve Perry
2. Lou Gramm
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Brad Delp
5. Dennis De young
6. Jimi Jamison
7. Paul Rodgers
8. Gregg Rolie
9. Robert Plant
10. Kevin Croonin
11. Bon Scott

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb2qQ-yuq6c

by **Ehwmatt** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:51 pm

SP
Jamison
Bickler
Bobby Kimball - say what you will, the guy's voice is all over a buncha hit songs and many great ones
Robin Zander
Tommy Shaw
Dennis DeYoung
John Waite - underrated
Mike Reno
Kevin Cronin - fruity, but again, all over tons of great songs and a powerful singer in his own right

by **Journey/Survivor** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:51 pm

StoneCold wrote:1. Steve Perry
2. Lou Gramm
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Brad Delp
5. Dennis De young
6. Jimi Jamison
7. Paul Rodgers
8. Gregg Rolie
9. Robert Plant
10. Bon Scott

I don't consider Plant or Mercury to be AOR singers. And I know you were joking about Scott. :lol:

by **StoneCold** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:53 pm

Journey/Survivor wrote:
StoneCold wrote:1. Steve Perry
2. Lou Gramm
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Brad Delp
5. Dennis De young
6. Jimi Jamison
7. Paul Rodgers
8. Gregg Rolie
9. Robert Plant
10. Bon Scott

I don't consider Plant or Mercury to be AOR singers. And I know you were joking about Scott.

Semi joking, "Album Oriented Rock"

Plant wasn't just LedZep, this is AOR imo

Robert Plant - Big Log
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZQL22xOmUM

Ship Of Fools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhDPgRvSaU

by **Ehwmatt** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 2:53 pm

Journey/Survivor wrote:
StoneCold wrote:1. Steve Perry
2. Lou Gramm
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Brad Delp
5. Dennis De young
6. Jimi Jamison
7. Paul Rodgers
8. Gregg Rolie
9. Robert Plant
10. Bon Scott

I don't consider Plant or Mercury to be AOR singers. And I know you were joking about Scott.

Same here, clearly great singers, but I lump them in with "classic" "classic rock" more than anything. Same with Delp, who is one of my all-time faves, even tho Boston is oft-looked at as the founders of AOR, I just don't think of Boston when I come to MR.com. So that's why I didn't put Brad in my list.

by **Rick** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:07 pm

I tried to put them in order of preference, but that's really tough. These are my favorite singers and the top 4 are definitely in order.

Steve Perry
Brad Delp
Sammy Hagar
Lou Gramm
Brian Johnson
Dennis DeYoung
Jimi Jamison
Ann Wilson
Robert Plant
Steven Tyler

by **Journey/Survivor** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:09 pm

My list....

#1 Jimi Jamison
#2 Steve Perry
#3 Lou Gramm
#4 Joe Lynn Turner
#5 Mike Reno
#6 Paul Rodgers
#7 Kevin Chalfant
# Tommy Shaw
#8 Jack Blades
#9 Bobby Kimball
#10 Mickey Thomas

If I were to have made the list of my ten favorite singers, then Dave Bickler would be fourth on my list.

Eventually Arnel Pineda may rank toward the top of my list, but I'm holding off on ranking him at all yet. I also didn't rank Steve Augeri, largely because Perry, Chalfant and Augeri are so similar in many ways, otherwise Augeri would make the list too.

And in all honesty, after my top 3 or 4, the rankings could easily be rearranged in different orders. Very easily, in fact.

by **StoneCold** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:15 pm

Richard Marx is probably as AOR as anybody. Or maybe just MOR, mellow oriented rock.

This one's not bad but I'm not putting him on my list.

Endless Summer Nights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYetyTHVFMg

by **Deb** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:48 pm

StoneCold wrote:
Journey/Survivor wrote:
StoneCold wrote:1. Steve Perry
2. Lou Gramm
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Brad Delp
5. Dennis De young
6. Jimi Jamison
7. Paul Rodgers
8. Gregg Rolie
9. Robert Plant
10. Bon Scott

I don't consider Plant or Mercury to be AOR singers. And I know you were joking about Scott.

Semi joking, "Album Oriented Rock"

Plant wasn't just LedZep, this is AOR imo

Robert Plant - Big Log
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZQL22xOmUM

Ship Of Fools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhDPgRvSaU

For sure, my favorite of his solo stuff is In The Mood. Loved that one......haven't heard it in eons....good stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjeCorEQJkM

by **bluejeangirl76** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:49 pm

Deb wrote:For sure, my favorite of his solo stuff is In The Mood. Loved that one......haven't heard it in eons....good stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjeCorEQJkM

Me too!

by **stevew2** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 3:53 pm

bluejeangirl76 wrote:
Deb wrote:For sure, my favorite of his solo stuff is In The Mood. Loved that one......haven't heard it in eons....good stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjeCorEQJkM

Me too!

i want a cheeseburger

by **Vladan** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 4:41 pm

Steve Perry
George Michael
John Farnham
Michael Bolton
Joe Lynn Turner
Stan Bush
Lou Gramm
Mickey Thomas
Jimmy Jamison
Freddie Mercury

That list is a good list, there are others worthy to be there! the reason I choose these singers is because they are all monster vocalists, if you don't think some don't belong there! well think again, because all these guys lived in the 80's and there was a time when all these guys were AOR!, at one point or another...

by **Renegade79** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 5:14 pm

Steve Perry
Tommy Shaw
Kenny Loggins
Jeff Scott Soto
Paul Rodgers
Ann Wilson
Lou Gramm
Freddy Mercury
Kevin Cronin
Pat Benatar

My list is more "Classic Rock" than AOR.

by **youkeepmewaiting** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:24 pm

Perry
Jamison
Bob Catley
Mark Free
Mercury
Hagar
Joey Tempist
Jon Bon Jovi

by **Arianddu** » Wed Nov 19, 2008 6:50 pm

My problem is I just don't get the fine line distinctions between AOR, MOR, classic rock, etc. So I'm just going to list my favourite singers and to hell with the pigeon-holing:

Steve Perry - no brainer
Phil Lynnott - man had some serious soul going on at times, serious rock-you-til-your-ears-bleed at others.
Annie Lennox - hard and rocking, soft and sweet, pure and angelic, devil's own diva - the woman can do it all and then some!
Morten Harket - and before anyone starts screaming 'a-ha? Rock?' listen to some of their albums; they did some stuff that's as rock'n'roll as stuff Journey did. The man has sweet pipes and knows how to use them.
David Essex - sweet, simple, direct, no frills or tricks; sometimes that's exactly what you need to make it work.
Freddie Mercury - the man could sing. 'Nuff said.
The Wilson sisters - can never work out which I prefer, so not going to try!
Jimmy Barnes - more than just a screamer; when you listen to his full catalogue, there's a huge range of style, emotion and qualities to what he does.
Paul McDermott - ok, few of any of you will have ever heard of him, he's better known as a comedian than a singer, and to call him a rock singer is pushing it a bit (although he has done a fair bit) but the man is one of the sweetest singers I have ever heard, and criminally under-rated.

by **conversationpc** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 12:58 am

For me...

1 - Lou Gramm...I'd put Perry here but Gramm's voice held out much longer than did Perry's.
2 - Steve Perry
3 - Steve Walsh...I don't understand why more people don't list this guy. He was as talented as anyone else on this list.
4 - Brad Delp
5 - Freddie Mercury
6 - David Coverdale
7 - Anne Wilson
8 - Dennis DeYoung
9 - Jimi Jamison
10 - Mickey Thomas

by **brywool** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:03 am

Kevin Cronin??? You can't be serious....
ugh, that guys sucks so bad.

by **brywool** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:04 am

conversationpc wrote:For me...

1 - Lou Gramm...I'd put Perry here but Gramm's voice held out much longer than did Perry's.
2 - Steve Perry
3 - Steve Walsh...I don't understand why more people don't list this guy. He was as talented as anyone else on this list.
4 - Brad Delp
5 - Freddie Mercury
6 - David Coverdale
7 - Anne Wilson
8 - Dennis DeYoung
9 - Jimi Jamison
10 - Mickey Thomas

Hey Dave- Didn't Lou lose his voice because of that brain thing he had going.

Mickey Thomas- Holy Crap, that guy had a great voice. Too bad they went all "We Built This City".

by **Suzanne** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:07 am

bluejeangirl76 wrote:
Deb wrote:For sure, my favorite of his solo stuff is In The Mood. Loved that one......haven't heard it in eons....good stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjeCorEQJkM

Me too!

BJG- please change your avatar or I will never get any work done for staring at it all day! YUM! I feel tingly. LOL

by **Tito** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:20 am

conversationpc wrote:For me...

1 - Lou Gramm...I'd put Perry here but Gramm's voice held out much longer than did Perry's.
2 - Steve Perry
3 - Steve Walsh...I don't understand why more people don't list this guy. He was as talented as anyone else on this list.
4 - Brad Delp
5 - Freddie Mercury
6 - David Coverdale
7 - Anne Wilson
8 - Dennis DeYoung
9 - Jimi Jamison
10 - Mickey Thomas

This is a very good list and may be my Top 10, I would just move a few people around. I'm with you with Walsh...back in the day. He was one of the greats at that time along with Perry, Gramm, and Delp. Ironically that is who you have in the Top 4 spots. Now, I did say back in the day. I like when bands keep original members particularly the vocalist but I do have say over the last 10 years or so, Kansas is one band that should've changed singers. Walsh does not have it anymore.

I will have to think about the list and get back to everyone with my Top 10 in order.

by **Saint John** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:31 am

Tito wrote:I will have to think about the list and get back to everyone with my Top 10 in order.

We can hardly fuckin' wait. :lol:

by **conversationpc** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:54 am

Tito wrote:I like when bands keep original members particularly the vocalist but I do have say over the last 10 years or so, Kansas is one band that should've changed singers. Walsh does not have it anymore.

His voice actually sounds better now than it did in the 90s. He was drugging it up pretty heavily at the time and just totally ruined his voice. He has sounded much better since getting clean and sober. That being said, his voice is but a mere shell of its former self.

by **Tito** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 1:59 am

conversationpc wrote:
Tito wrote:I like when bands keep original members particularly the vocalist but I do have say over the last 10 years or so, Kansas is one band that should've changed singers. Walsh does not have it anymore.

His voice actually sounds better now than it did in the 90s. He was drugging it up pretty heavily at the time and just totally ruined his voice. He has sounded much better since getting clean and sober. That being said, his voice is but a mere shell of its former self.

He sounds like a leprechaun now. Then again, he is Irish so maybe he has an Irish accent???

by **belar** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:10 am

Steve Perry
Brad Delp
Jimi Jamison
Steve Augeri
Jorn Lande
Kevin Chalfant
Toby Hitchcock
Jeff Scott Soto
Jack Blades
Harry Hess

by **Michigan Girl** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:12 am

Ehwmatt wrote:SP
Jamison
Bickler
Bobby Kimball - say what you will, the guy's voice is all over a buncha hit songs and many great ones
Robin Zander
Tommy Shaw
Dennis DeYoung
John Waite - underrated
Mike Reno
Kevin Cronin - fruity, but again, all over tons of great songs and a powerful singer in his own right

I agree, they'd be on my list too!! :wink:

by **StoneCold** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:29 am

Deb wrote:
StoneCold wrote:
Journey/Survivor wrote:
StoneCold wrote:1. Steve Perry
2. Lou Gramm
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Brad Delp
5. Dennis De young
6. Jimi Jamison
7. Paul Rodgers
8. Gregg Rolie
9. Robert Plant
10. Bon Scott

I don't consider Plant or Mercury to be AOR singers. And I know you were joking about Scott.

Semi joking, "Album Oriented Rock"

Plant wasn't just LedZep, this is AOR imo

Robert Plant - Big Log
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZQL22xOmUM

Ship Of Fools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhDPgRvSaU

For sure, my favorite of his solo stuff is In The Mood. Loved that one......haven't heard it in eons....good stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjeCorEQJkM

Here's Plant doing that with A. Krauss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pznu1g5guT0

by **youkeepmewaiting** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:31 am

belar wrote:Steve Perry
Brad Delp
Jimi Jamison
Steve Augeri
Jorn Lande
Kevin Chalfant
Toby Hitchcock
Jeff Scott Soto
Jack Blades
Harry Hess

I new i forgot someone... oh and Danny Vaughn

by **Deb** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:02 am

StoneCold wrote:
Deb wrote:
StoneCold wrote:
Journey/Survivor wrote:
StoneCold wrote:1. Steve Perry
2. Lou Gramm
3. Freddie Mercury
4. Brad Delp
5. Dennis De young
6. Jimi Jamison
7. Paul Rodgers
8. Gregg Rolie
9. Robert Plant
10. Bon Scott

I don't consider Plant or Mercury to be AOR singers. And I know you were joking about Scott.

Semi joking, "Album Oriented Rock"

Plant wasn't just LedZep, this is AOR imo

Robert Plant - Big Log
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZQL22xOmUM

Ship Of Fools
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYhDPgRvSaU

For sure, my favorite of his solo stuff is In The Mood. Loved that one......haven't heard it in eons....good stuff. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjeCorEQJkM

Here's Plant doing that with A. Krauss
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pznu1g5guT0

Thanks, I'll have to check that youtube out later.

My rock vocal list....

Steve Perry
Eric Martin
Jeff Scott Soto
Sebastian Bach
Michael Sweet
Michael Hutchins
Paul Rodgers
Freddie Mercury
Brad Delp
Jeff Keith (not quite as much nowadays, sounding a little too gritty) leprecaun-ish? :lol:

by **Tito** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:09 am

Alright, I thought about it ...a little bit. Here is my list (I hope I didn't forget someone):

10. Ann Wilson
9. Paul Rodgers
8. Steve Walsh (back in the day)
7. Freddie Mercy (probably could go higher but being gay knocks him down few spots)
6. Pat Benatar (almost forgot about her)
5. Dennis Deyoung
4. Steve Perry
3. Brad Delp
2. Jimi Jamison
1. Lou Gramm (one of the best rock voices and can also sing the ballad)

Honorable mention: Jonathan Cain for Windy City Breakdown and Back To The Innonence. Needed more of a solo catalog to qaulify.

MR

Top 10 AOR vocalists

Top 10 AOR vocalists

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