Comparing Lou Gramm's voice to Perry's

by **conversationpc** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:27 am

They're both about the same age (Perry is older by only a little over a year and three months). However, it seems like Lou's voice held up longer that Perry's. There was a noticeable difference in Perry's voice by the time "Frontiers" was released in '83. Lou's voice sounded pretty much the same through at least '93 when they re-united and toured. Even on "Mr. Moonlight" in '95, his voice was only barely noticeably different. My guess is that they both performed approximately the same number of shows through '86-'87, at which point Lou released two solo albums and toured for both of those through 1990.

Anyway, they are my top two favorite singers and I can't really pick one over the other. Both had great vocal range back in the day. Both had a soulfulness to their voices that most of their contemporaries didn't have. The only real differences, in my opinion, is that I prefer Gramm's voice on songs that are more rock-oriented and I prefer Perry's slightly on R&B-type stuff.

Any other thoughts or nuggets of wisdom?

by **Red13JoePa** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:39 am

I see a LOT of similarities, actually.

Minute, barely perceptible to me differences as their bodies of work progress from 70s, to 80s, to 90s.

Gramm's voice is so much deeper now because of the steroids he's been on since the tumor removal.

by **Art Vandelay** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 12:52 am

I remember either Kevin Chalfant or Gregg Rolie making mention of the two singers during the Storm era. I forget who the interview was with, but they were comparing Kevin's voice to Perry's, and they said that Kevin sang with more of a natural voice like Lou Gramm.

It may have been in a Force newsletter.

Lora/Cyndy - do you recall this?

by **Saint John** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:04 am

I give Perry the edge because he was able to sing in so many different "voices." Lou basically always had the same voice, but Perry's voice changed from album to album and he was still able to make incredible music. Perry's voice on Infinity isn't the same as Escape, which isn't the same as Frontiers, which isn't the same as ROR, which isn't the same as TBF. However, no matter how his voiced changed, the artist in him was always able to produce a unique, emotive, soul-touching sound that you recognized as a Steve Perry vocal. Both of these guys are/were tremendously talented artists. One has simply chosen to retire and the other has chosen to forge ahead. I respect both decisions.

by **StoneCold** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:22 am

Perry's control over his voice really made it an instrument.

Gramm's voice was so strong it was as if two people were singing. He's hitting high notes while still having a lower register come through. The Beatles cover live clip is a good example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM1vZLh2RrQ

Blasphemy I know but I'm leaning towards Gramm's voice as more listenable now.

by **Angiekay** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:22 am

conversationpc wrote:Any other thoughts or nuggets of wisdom?

Yeah, you just shouldn't do it, cuz there is no comparison!!! Two TOTALLY different voices.

by **Granny** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:43 am

But both have voices that you can listen to all day and not get tired of them.

by **sniper16** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:58 am

both top 5/10 in anybodies lists.
i give perry the slight edge because he could do the more soulful thing.
but i think only paul rodgers is better than lou on rockers,
then delp fromj boston for the sustain.
then hagar would round out my top 5

by **Rick** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:12 am

sniper16 wrote:both top 5/10 in anybodies lists.
i give perry the slight edge because he could do the more soulful thing.
but i think only paul rodgers is better than lou on rockers,
then delp fromj boston for the sustain.
then hagar would round out my top 5

Nice list.

by **Liquid_Drummer** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 5:37 am

Weird Al for his ummm.... uhhhhhh. Ability to emulate excrement..

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:36 am

I'd like to take this moment to announce that I have a friend who brags about his musical knowledge and expertise, yet claims he can never tell the difference between Journey and Foreigner when they play, and says that Perry/Gramm are "identical," "interchangable," "run of the mill" singers.

What a moron, eh?

by **Art Vandelay** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:37 am

ProgRocker53 wrote:I'd like to take this moment to announce that I have a friend who brags about his musical knowledge and expertise, yet claims he can never tell the difference between Journey and Foreigner when they play, and says that Perry/Gramm are "identical," "interchangable," "run of the mill" singers.

What a moron, eh?

you need better friends.

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:39 am

Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I'd like to take this moment to announce that I have a friend who brags about his musical knowledge and expertise, yet claims he can never tell the difference between Journey and Foreigner when they play, and says that Perry/Gramm are "identical," "interchangable," "run of the mill" singers.

What a moron, eh?

you need better friends.

True, haha. This friend's best friend, who is also in my circle, claims Perry is "very average" and "no more better than any other singer." Buh.

by **Art Vandelay** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 6:43 am

ProgRocker53 wrote:
Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I'd like to take this moment to announce that I have a friend who brags about his musical knowledge and expertise, yet claims he can never tell the difference between Journey and Foreigner when they play, and says that Perry/Gramm are "identical," "interchangable," "run of the mill" singers.

What a moron, eh?

you need better friends.

True, haha. This friend's best friend, who is also in my circle, claims Perry is "very average" and "no more better than any other singer." Buh.

Ha! Just messing with you, bro.

Yeah, I've been in crowds when I've gotten slammed or the rolling eyes for digging Perry. But ask them who they like? Christ, I've heard dogs bark better!

by **Rick** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:05 am

Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:
Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I'd like to take this moment to announce that I have a friend who brags about his musical knowledge and expertise, yet claims he can never tell the difference between Journey and Foreigner when they play, and says that Perry/Gramm are "identical," "interchangable," "run of the mill" singers.

What a moron, eh?

you need better friends.

True, haha. This friend's best friend, who is also in my circle, claims Perry is "very average" and "no more better than any other singer." Buh.

Ha! Just messing with you, bro.

Yeah, I've been in crowds when I've gotten slammed or the rolling eyes for digging Perry. But ask them who they like? Christ, I've heard dogs bark better!

I get comments a lot too. One friend at work said it's fag music. When we would get paired up in a truck together, he'd break out his iPod dock and would play shit that you can't even understand. HARD rock where the singer is just screaming and even grunting sometimes. WTF is that?

by **ProgRocker53** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:07 am

Rick wrote:
Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:
Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I'd like to take this moment to announce that I have a friend who brags about his musical knowledge and expertise, yet claims he can never tell the difference between Journey and Foreigner when they play, and says that Perry/Gramm are "identical," "interchangable," "run of the mill" singers.

What a moron, eh?

you need better friends.

True, haha. This friend's best friend, who is also in my circle, claims Perry is "very average" and "no more better than any other singer." Buh.

Ha! Just messing with you, bro.

Yeah, I've been in crowds when I've gotten slammed or the rolling eyes for digging Perry. But ask them who they like? Christ, I've heard dogs bark better!

I get comments a lot too. One friend at work said it's fag music. When we would get paired up in a truck together, he'd break out his iPod dock and would play shit that you can't even understand. HARD rock where the singer is just screaming and even grunting sometimes. WTF is that?

I love me some heavy metal music but absofreakin'lutely hate it whenever a singer growls or screams.

by **Rick** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 7:09 am

ProgRocker53 wrote:
Rick wrote:
Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:
Art Vandelay wrote:
ProgRocker53 wrote:I'd like to take this moment to announce that I have a friend who brags about his musical knowledge and expertise, yet claims he can never tell the difference between Journey and Foreigner when they play, and says that Perry/Gramm are "identical," "interchangable," "run of the mill" singers.

What a moron, eh?

you need better friends.

True, haha. This friend's best friend, who is also in my circle, claims Perry is "very average" and "no more better than any other singer." Buh.

Ha! Just messing with you, bro.

Yeah, I've been in crowds when I've gotten slammed or the rolling eyes for digging Perry. But ask them who they like? Christ, I've heard dogs bark better!

I get comments a lot too. One friend at work said it's fag music. When we would get paired up in a truck together, he'd break out his iPod dock and would play shit that you can't even understand. HARD rock where the singer is just screaming and even grunting sometimes. WTF is that?

I love me some heavy metal music but absofreakin'lutely hate it whenever a singer growls or screams.

Yep, and the guy I'm talking about is 55 years old. :lol:

He's a trip.

by **Aaron** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:35 am

Dave,

I don't think there is any wisdom here, it just comes down to personal preference. After seeing the Gramm post last week I've spent some long overdue time reviewing Lou's early work off of the first Foreigner record. The guy was a true talent in every sense of the word.

Personally I'd give the nod to Perry on the best vocalist front as I don't think there will ever be anyone that can cover rock and ballads as well as he could. His voice changed over his career but the guy was the best ever in my mind. The 91 mini Journey re-union for Bill Graham is a good example. Those songs were detuned a bunch, maybe 2 steps I'm not sure, and Perry still had it. There is something about that guy's voice that just fucking amazing.

Lou covering Eight Days a Week is a good example of what Lou could do. I HATE cover songs but Lou kicked that song's ass and sounded better than the Beatles. Anyone that can do a cover that is better than the original has some real shit going on. Lou's early work with Foreigner is just awesome. He is truly one of the best vocalists ever in rock.

My top vocalist list would be:

1. Steve Perry
2. Brad Delp
3. Lou Gramm
4. Hugo
6. Bon Scott
5. Chris Robinson (when he's not drugged out)

There is something each of these guys have that just can't be reproduced. Here are some good examples:

Perry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBqKk_Bv5U

Delp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pWpZjMr ... ed&search=

Gramm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npeahgdz ... re=related

Hugo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfmeOdxNJbU

Scott
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEywfR7M ... re=related

Robinson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Oob6vf ... re=related

And Sniper, nice list dude.

L8r,

Aaron

by **Journey/Survivor** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:27 pm

I have a friend who is a singer and who has a very similar voice to Steve Perry, and he does sometimes perform Journey songs in his band, but he's a much bigger Lou Gramm fan than he is of Perry.

Perry is second on my list and Gramm third.

by **G.I.Jim** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 1:39 pm

Journey/Survivor wrote:I have a friend who is a singer and who has a very similar voice to Steve Perry, and he does sometimes perform Journey songs in his band, but he's a much bigger Lou Gramm fan than he is of Perry.

Perry is second on my list and Gramm third.

What band does he play in, and does he have any samples? I'd love to hear him. If he has a website, let us know. Thanks.

by **7 Wishes** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 2:06 pm

Bon Scott? Bon Scott?!! One of the WORST voices in the history of music. A garbled screamer. He couldn't have kept it up more than a few more years anyway.

by **StoneCold** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:03 pm

7 Wishes wrote:Bon Scott? Bon Scott?!! One of the WORST voices in the history of music. A garbled screamer. He couldn't have kept it up more than a few more years anyway.

Scott, one of the BEST voices in hard rock. While Johnson's carried them on well, Scott's cuts will always be my favorite AC/DC.

Perry in one of his interviews mentioned how much he respected him/them, saying that on one of their tours, AC/DC kicked there asses regularly.

If You Want Blood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3wXkv1VW54

Touch Too Much
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjcU1Pq ... re=related

Love Hungry Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yjD7ZX_3nA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqLTCemBwt8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwuDZTAM ... re=related

Here's some vintage Scott BEFORE AC/DC (not the hard rock voice)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3q-T2Rg ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJF8h_fE ... re=related

by **StoneCold** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:24 pm

Aaron wrote:Dave,

I don't think there is any wisdom here, it just comes down to personal preference. After seeing the Gramm post last week I've spent some long overdue time reviewing Lou's early work off of the first Foreigner record. The guy was a true talent in every sense of the word.

Personally I'd give the nod to Perry on the best vocalist front as I don't think there will ever be anyone that can cover rock and ballads as well as he could. His voice changed over his career but the guy was the best ever in my mind. The 91 mini Journey re-union for Bill Graham is a good example. Those songs were detuned a bunch, maybe 2 steps I'm not sure, and Perry still had it. There is something about that guy's voice that just fucking amazing.

Lou covering Eight Days a Week is a good example of what Lou could do. I HATE cover songs but Lou kicked that song's ass and sounded better than the Beatles. Anyone that can do a cover that is better than the original has some real shit going on. Lou's early work with Foreigner is just awesome. He is truly one of the best vocalists ever in rock.

My top vocalist list would be:

1. Steve Perry
2. Brad Delp
3. Lou Gramm
4. Hugo
6. Bon Scott
5. Chris Robinson (when he's not drugged out)

There is something each of these guys have that just can't be reproduced. Here are some good examples:

Perry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftBqKk_Bv5U

Delp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pWpZjMr ... ed&search=

Gramm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Npeahgdz ... re=related

Hugo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IfmeOdxNJbU

Scott
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEywfR7M ... re=related

Robinson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8Oob6vf ... re=related

And Sniper, nice list dude.

L8r,

Aaron

That Hugo clip was great. Talk about a Perry look a like. All he had to do was let his hair grow. :shock:

If he'd found his Schon, we would've had Journey 2.0.

Here's one of my favorites of his solo work.

Tell It To My Heart
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gqs244SUTOg

by **cyndy!** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 3:47 pm

StoneCold wrote:
7 Wishes wrote:Bon Scott? Bon Scott?!! One of the WORST voices in the history of music. A garbled screamer. He couldn't have kept it up more than a few more years anyway.

Scott, one of the BEST voices in hard rock. While Johnson's carried them on well, Scott's cuts will always be my favorite AC/DC.

i agree. i love the nastiness in bon scott's voice. i can just picture the sleazy smirk on his face as i listen to those clips.

by **Vladan** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:14 pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYqWpgeDeNA this guy is still better than anyone in those lists in my opinion.

He still sounds the same, unlike all the other legends who lost their voices. Farnham can still sing brilliantly, and has been more consistant as a vocalist and a performer as well.

by **Aaron** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 8:56 pm

That's what I'm talking about ...

StoneCold wrote:If You Want Blood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3wXkv1VW54

by **Aaron** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:04 pm

And numero uno is?

Journey/Survivor wrote:I have a friend who is a singer and who has a very similar voice to Steve Perry, and he does sometimes perform Journey songs in his band, but he's a much bigger Lou Gramm fan than he is of Perry.

Perry is second on my list and Gramm third.

by **Saint John** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:04 pm

Aaron wrote:And numero uno is?

Journey/Survivor wrote:I have a friend who is a singer and who has a very similar voice to Steve Perry, and he does sometimes perform Journey songs in his band, but he's a much bigger Lou Gramm fan than he is of Perry.

Perry is second on my list and Gramm third.

I'm guessing Jimi Jamison...which will send Red13JoePa pirrouetting around his office like Mikhail Barishnikov.

by **X factor** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 10:05 pm

StoneCold wrote:
7 Wishes wrote:Bon Scott? Bon Scott?!! One of the WORST voices in the history of music. A garbled screamer. He couldn't have kept it up more than a few more years anyway.

Scott, one of the BEST voices in hard rock. While Johnson's carried them on well, Scott's cuts will always be my favorite AC/DC.

Perry in one of his interviews mentioned how much he respected him/them, saying that on one of their tours, AC/DC kicked there asses regularly.

If You Want Blood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3wXkv1VW54

Touch Too Much
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tjcU1Pq ... re=related

Love Hungry Man
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yjD7ZX_3nA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqLTCemBwt8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwuDZTAM ... re=related

Here's some vintage Scott BEFORE AC/DC (not the hard rock voice)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3q-T2Rg ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJF8h_fE ... re=related

Agreed. Bon's was a ROCK AND ROLL voice! All rock voices don't have to be soaring and majestic, folks! There's room for both..

by **7 Wishes** » Tue Apr 15, 2008 11:02 pm

Well, his voice gives me headaches. And I like screamers, too.

Just not Bon Scott.

MR

Comparing Lou Gramm's voice to Perry's

Comparing Lou Gramm's voice to Perry's

Re: Comparing Lou Gramm's voice to Perry's

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