But why no Castronovo

[Big J]

I thought with that perm hair style and ear rings, Augeri definetly tossed the salad.

LMFAO

[Saint John]

Sorry, that is the most idiotic statement ever written. There was a guy from 77 to 96 was pretty fucking good. In fact, he was the best male singer of all time.

Good, yes. Best male singer of all time? No. There are many who would be in the pantheon and it boils down to how you define best, and in what genre. Is Perry better than Sinatra? McCartney? Pavoratti? They may not all be rock, but you can't say their voices are not considered timeless.

In the rock genre, fans of other bands would argue with you. You may think Perry was the best ever (and before you bring it in, no I don't think Dennis DeYoung or Tommy Shaw are the best rock singers ever), but I think even you can concede there may be better singers out there.

McCartney? A joke. Sinatra..talked his way through songs...and Pavoratti is pretty much a one trick pony...could he sing Mother Father...I fuckin' doubt it. I respect yuor opinion...even if it is stupid.

[StyxCollector]

McCartney? A joke. Sinatra..talked his way through songs...and Pavoratti is pretty much a one trick pony...could he sing Mother Father...I fuckin' doubt it. I respect yuor opinion...even if it is stupid.

It's not about Macca or Luciano being able to sing "Mother Father". Macca has one of the best rock voices that has held up fairly well for 40+ years - much better than either of the Steves. Macca is far from a joke.

The point if you actually read what I was saying is that Perry isn't the be-all-end-all of singers. In his prime was he good? Absolutely - and better than most. Each type of genre has "best of breed" singers, so to say one is better than another is absolutely ridiculous.

[A Fire Inside]

Paul McCartney is a JOKE?

Are you high?

[Vladan]

I thought with that perm hair style and ear rings, Augeri definetly tossed the salad.

LMFAO

Ofcourse I don't mean that, I really don't. Just thought it would be funny to write

[Saint John]

Paul McCartney is a JOKE?

Are you high?

Compared to Steve Perry, yes. As far as range and style go he can't touch Perry. He couldn't come close to hitting the notes Perry did. The Beatles had tremendous harmonies. Journey had Steve Perry up front and in your face. No comparison between the two...none at all.

[johnroxx]

Paul McCartney is a JOKE?

Are you high?

Compared to Steve Perry, yes. As far as range and style go he can't touch Perry. He couldn't come close to hitting the notes Perry did. The Beatles had tremendous harmonies. Journey had Steve Perry up front and in your face. No comparison between the two...none at all.

This one ranks right up there with the teenage girl I met a few months back who said that Jimi Hendrix was a "shitty guitar player."

;^)

[JrnySuxBalls]

This one ranks right up there with the teenage girl I met a few months back who said that Jimi Hendrix was a "shitty guitar player."

Nice. I think Steve Perry is the very best


...at being Steve Perry.

[Lilla_Forever]

In fact, he was the best male singer of all time.

Ronnie James Dio and Joe Lynn Turner.

Then again I'm more of a metalhead. LOL

Just watched Perry on the 7/31/81 show and it WAS off the hook!!!!!!!

As good as Turner and Dio are, I think Perry was maybe a more complete singer. I think Joe Lynn Turner is close, but Dio is just a Heavy Metal singer, can do soft rock, but he's no diva.

Its a tough choice between Turner and Perry, because obviously Turner can grind it out and also have soaring vocals... so its a tough call. But after hearing Raised On Radio or Frontiers, Perry was pretty much on top.

I agree with you Vladan, its an extremely close tie between Turner and Perry. Sure, Perry kicks ass, especially on songs like Escape, Separate Ways, Wheel in the Sky and Lights. But have you ever heard Turner doing Can't Let You Go or Stranded on the Rainbow album Bent Out of Shape? The man reaches celestrial heights there

But I guess on technical merits, Perry wins out, since his range and ability to shift between highs and lows is incredible. Also, I think perhaps its unfair to compare others to Perry because his voice is very unique. Its very rare to hear that lightness and purity in a tenor voice used in rock music, I think (both Turner and Dio, and Soto for sure have more or less rasp in their voices). Of course all this only applies to Perry in his prime as his voice got raspier with age.

And I would certainly agree with anyone defending Dio's abilities as going beyond his 80's output as a solo artist. I recommend anybody to take a listen to the early Rainbow stuff, where he sings some beautiful ballads, like Rainbow Eyes and Catch the Rainbow. A magnificent vocalist also.

[Saint John]

Paul McCartney is a JOKE?

Are you high?

Compared to Steve Perry, yes. As far as range and style go he can't touch Perry. He couldn't come close to hitting the notes Perry did. The Beatles had tremendous harmonies. Journey had Steve Perry up front and in your face. No comparison between the two...none at all.

This one ranks right up there with the teenage girl I met a few months back who said that Jimi Hendrix was a "shitty guitar player."

;^)

I can just hear Perry singing the Beatles songs. Heck, I think they'd sound pretty good. Now I''m trying to listen to McCartney sing Open Arms, Patiently and Mother Father. Doesn't really work for me.

[conversationpc]

And I would certainly agree with anyone defending Dio's abilities as going beyond his 80's output as a solo artist. I recommend anybody to take a listen to the early Rainbow stuff, where he sings some beautiful ballads, like Rainbow Eyes and Catch the Rainbow. A magnificent vocalist also.

Dio has been around for FOREVER. No one really seems to know how old he really is but it ranges anywhere from his early 50s to near 60. Regardless, he did sound fantastic while he was in Rainbow. I thought that original band suited his voice better than almost anything else he's done.

[NealIsGod]

Dio has been around for FOREVER. No one really seems to know how old he really is but it ranges anywhere from his early 50s to near 60.

Yeah, here's Wikipedia's take on that. Looks like today is his birthday, ironically. Happy birthday, Ronnie!

There is a long-standing dispute regarding Dio's age. His most likely birth date is listed above as July 10, 1942. Dio himself has said in the past that he was born July 10, 1949, and at other times, outright refuses to give the year of his birth. The general consensus is that the 1942 date is probably correct, due to the following:

He was in his first band in 1958, which means that if the 1949 date is correct, he would have been 9 years old. This would be unlikely, but not impossible. (Dio has also said that he started his first group around age 10). According to classmates from his high school, and reportedly also a yearbook, Ronald James Padavona graduated from Cortland High School in 1960. His first band photo, with "Ronnie & The Redcaps" from ca. 1960 or 1961, is also widely circulated on the Internet. In the photo, he looks to be somewhere in his mid teens, and probably older than the 12 years old he would have been, if the 1949 birth date is correct.

British/Australian singer Graham Bonnet, who replaced Dio in the band Rainbow, has said that Ronnie is younger than him. Bonnet was born September 23, 1947. However, in a 2005 interview, while discussing guitarist and former bandmate, Ritchie Blackmore, Dio said that Ritchie "isn't that much younger" than him. Blackmore was born in 1945. Online public records searches (done in 2005) list Ronnie as 63 years old under the name "Ronald Padavona" and as 56 years old under the name "Ronnie James Dio". Another search shows a "Ronald and Wendy Padavona" in Studio City, CA (presumably a business address), ages 64 and 58 (as of February, 2006), which would fit with the assumed birth years of 1942 and 1947 for Ronnie and his wife, Wendy. This also suggests that Dio's legal name is still Ronald Padavona. Interestingly, Blackmore has said that Ronnie is younger than him at other times, although this could easily be attributed to Dio's maintaining a false birth date that Blackmore (and others who know Dio) assumed was correct.

As a result, most of Dio's fans agree that the 1942 date is the most likely the correct one. The 1949 date is second most likely. 1944 is another possible date, and 1947, 1940, 1939 and even 1937 have been suggested, but there is no real evidence to back these dates up. The age of Ronnie and his son also builds the case for 1942 although a 20 year age difference wasn't that rare in the 1960's. In one interview Ronnie was very emphatic about the 1949 year saying "Well, I was born in '49, and I never told anybody anything other than that"

[conversationpc]

As a result, most of Dio's fans agree that the 1942 date is the most likely the correct one.

That would make him a 64 year-old metalhead! If recent live performances are any indication, his singing career may finally be nearing an end. His voice didn't sound too awfully bad on the new Queensryche track, though (Operation: Mindcrime II).

[Lilla_Forever]

Dio has been around for FOREVER. No one really seems to know how old he really is but it ranges anywhere from his early 50s to near 60.

Yeah, here's Wikipedia's take on that. Looks like today is his birthday, ironically. Happy birthday, Ronnie!

Congrats Ronnie

[Todd H]

"Dio has rocked for a long, long time."
"But now it's time for him to pass the torch."

A little Tenacious D for your afternoon pleasure.

[Lilla_Forever]

"Dio has rocked for a long, long time."
"But now it's time for him to pass the torch."

A little Tenacious D for your afternoon pleasure.

True, Dio has been rocking for a long time, and sometimes I must admit that I wish for him to be a little more creative musically, especially lyrically (tooo many wheels and rainbows popping up in them). But his voice is still brilliant, holding up better than many of his generation.

I actually think that he and Tenacious D are buds, he has a part in their movie The Pick of Destiny.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0365830/

[conversationpc]

I actually think that he and Tenacious D are buds, he has a part in their movie The Pick of Destiny.

OK...Dumb question. Who or what exactly is Tencious D? I've seen one of their album covers and my guess is they're a Spinal Tap-ish type band. Correct? Don't have time to Google it right now...

[whocares]

Jack Black's band. (School of Rock, Shallow Hal...)

They NEVER take themselves seriously, infact I think that they'd stop if they ever did.

[Lilla_Forever]

I actually think that he and Tenacious D are buds, he has a part in their movie The Pick of Destiny.

OK...Dumb question. Who or what exactly is Tencious D? I've seen one of their album covers and my guess is they're a Spinal Tap-ish type band. Correct? Don't have time to Google it right now...

Yes, Tenacious D is kinda like Spinal Tap, except for the fact that I believe that Jack Black really is a major rock fan, and plays as a real hobby. I am not sure you can say as much for Christopher Guest and the other guys. I would call them a humor band, a Weird Al of heavy metal if you will.

[whocares]

I saw Spinal Tap back in the 90's for a tribute to Queen, what they were REALLY doing there I don't know, because they sounded like shit. I've read that they are serious about music, but did it for the comedic effect more than anything, not to mention being put together for the movie. I tend to think that T.D. is pretty serious since they opened up for Def Leppard a few years ago, where I live.

[swepett]

I tend to think that T.D. is pretty serious since they opened up for Def Leppard a few years ago, where I live.

So, in short, Tenacious D is pretty much like Journey.

[knox]

My opinons:

Steve Perry in his 20's could sing anything from pop, soul, reggae, to opera - yes, I said opera. Heck, I am sure he could throw out some country if he had wanted to.

Sinatra? Very smooth and controlled voice. I still love to listen to him.

Pavorati? Talented man, but limited in what he could do. EXCELLENT voice for opera - one of the best.

McCartney? One of the best writers of rock/pop music. Very distinctive voice and a pleasure to hear. He and Lennon were a talent unmatched in the history of rock music. I only like the hits, however. Much of their stuff was foreign to me.

Never heard Dio or those other heavy rock / metal singers.

Other talented singers I enjoy: Bryan Duncan, Rick Florian - rivals Perry in his delivery, Andrea Coors, Paul Stanley, Kenny Loggins, George Michael (sue me - the man can sing), Sting, Simon LeBon. I know I am leaving very talented singers out, but this is what I can come up with at the moment.

I am partial to Perry because his voice affects me like no other ever has. I have heard tenors who can sing higher, sure. However, I have never heard a voice sound so distinctive, smooth, pleasureable, controlled, and awe inspiring at the same time. To me, Perry in his 20's had the best voice I have ever heard.

This is all subjective, and there is no correct answer. It all depends on what you have an ear for.

Fun to debate, however.... no?

[whocares]

I tend to think that T.D. is pretty serious since they opened up for Def Leppard a few years ago, where I live.

So, in short, Tenacious D is pretty much like Journey.

oh yeah, definately. But you got what you paid for with them.

[Lilla_Forever]

I saw Spinal Tap back in the 90's for a tribute to Queen, what they were REALLY doing there I don't know, because they sounded like shit. I've read that they are serious about music, but did it for the comedic effect more than anything, not to mention being put together for the movie. I tend to think that T.D. is pretty serious since they opened up for Def Leppard a few years ago, where I live.

You're right, I think. I know that Spinal Tap was a comical satire above all, and was conceived by the actors/comedians in the band along with the director Rob Reiner (When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, Rumour Has It), who co-wrote the music and lyrics along with the band (they are gut-wrenchingly funny: "I met her on Sunday it was my lucky bun day...the looser the waistband, the deeper the quicksand, or so I have read").

Guest has had a major hand in nurturing this whole mockumentary (mock documentaries) genre with cultural issues as subjects (A Mighty Wind about folk music, Best in Show about dog breeding and shows and Waiting for Goffman about amateur theatre). All of these humorous mockumentaries poking fun at culture are very dear to my heart because I actually wrote my master thesis on them (it was especially fun to write about the parody of the heavy metal sub culture hey, self irony is a must right?).

[Saint John]

My opinons:

Steve Perry in his 20's could sing anything from pop, soul, reggae, to opera - yes, I said opera. Heck, I am sure he could throw out some country if he had wanted to.

Sinatra? Very smooth and controlled voice. I still love to listen to him.

Pavorati? Talented man, but limited in what he could do. EXCELLENT voice for opera - one of the best.

McCartney? One of the best writers of rock/pop music. Very distinctive voice and a pleasure to hear. He and Lennon were a talent unmatched in the history of rock music. I only like the hits, however. Much of their stuff was foreign to me.

Never heard Dio or those other heavy rock / metal singers.





Other talented singers I enjoy: Bryan Duncan, Rick Florian - rivals Perry in his delivery, Andrea Coors, Paul Stanley, Kenny Loggins, George Michael (sue me - the man can sing), Sting, Simon LeBon. I know I am leaving very talented singers out, but this is what I can come up with at the moment.

I am partial to Perry because his voice affects me like no other ever has. I have heard tenors who can sing higher, sure. However, I have never heard a voice sound so distinctive, smooth, pleasureable, controlled, and awe inspiring at the same time. To me, Perry in his 20's had the best voice I have ever heard.

This is all subjective, and there is no correct answer. It all depends on what you have an ear for.

Fun to debate, however.... no?

Oustanding post. Perry has a voice that you "feel." McCartney was good, just not as good as Perry. As you said, Perry could sing anything. I don't think McCartney came close to him as far as all the different types of music he could sing.