Journey fans get ready for something special planned this

[The Sushi Hunter]

Dude I like you but disagree here. If the singer isn't that important, then Journey would be on the radio today wouldn't they? IMO it takes a killer band and a killer singer to make hay. Schon, Rolie and Perry; Cronin and Richrath; Young and Scott are good examples. You need a kller guitarist and a killer singer to take it over the top.

Singers don't have to matter that much if a band just rocks the fuck out.

Aaron the focus is too much on the vocals today which is what I'm getting at. I like a great singer as much as anyone but it's over the top now.

I just saw Van Halen and had a great time as David Lee Roth was basically the MC of the show and sang when he could. It didn't matter at all.

Really? It doesn't seem to be any different now then it was back in the day. Actually it's fair to say that in most cases it's much more challenging for a band to replace the lead singer then compared to replacing any other musician in the band. Of course it also depends on who's contributing the most skills to the music that is being produced by the band. If say the drummer is the biggest contributor in regards to the band's material, then of course the drummer may be the most difficult to replace outside of the lead singer or "front man". Also would depend on the style of playing by individual members and if those styles have a big impact on what the band is putting out. Of course you all know this I'm sure.

[SF-Dano]

Singers don't have to matter that much if a band just rocks the fuck out.

...the focus is too much on the vocals today which is what I'm getting at. I like a great singer as much as anyone but it's over the top now.

I agree with this.

I grew up listening to (and still listen to) so many great bands from the 70s and 80s with singers that really weren't "Carusos". It was just as much about the jam as the song back in those days. Bands like AC/DC, Deep Purple, Skynrd, Springsteen, Van Halen, The Kinks, Allman Bros, Clapton, and so many, many more. Most did not have stellar vocalists, but for some reason to the great many fans it didn't matter back then.

[RPM]

Dude I like you but disagree here. If the singer isn't that important, then Journey would be on the radio today wouldn't they? IMO it takes a killer band and a killer singer to make hay. Schon, Rolie and Perry; Cronin and Richrath; Young and Scott are good examples. You need a kller guitarist and a killer singer to take it over the top.

Singers don't have to matter that much if a band just rocks the fuck out.

Aaron the focus is too much on the vocals today which is what I'm getting at. I like a great singer as much as anyone but it's over the top now.

I just saw Van Halen and had a great time as David Lee Roth was basically the MC of the show and sang when he could. It didn't matter at all.

Really? It doesn't seem to be any different now then it was back in the day. Actually it's fair to say that in most cases it's much more challenging for a band to replace the lead singer then compared to replacing any other musician in the band. Of course it also depends on who's contributing the most skills to the music that is being produced by the band. If say the drummer is the biggest contributor in regards to the band's material, then of course the drummer may be the most difficult to replace outside of the lead singer or "front man". Also would depend on the style of playing by individual members and if those styles have a big impact on what the band is putting out. Of course you all know this I'm sure.

What made the music of the 80's era unique (although under appreciated at the time) was the amount of lead vocalist
with exceptional vocal range and rich tone combined with hard driving guitars. It was that combo that created many
of the bands and music those from that era love. I don't think the importance of quality lead vocals can be overstated.