Your picks of mediocre or lousy vocals with great musicians!

Warren Zevon isn't exactly Jussi Bjoerling (well, maybe next to Dylan he could pass), but his cover of "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" blows away the original IMO. Maybe knowing that Zevon was dying of cancer when he recorded it colors my judgement here, but - for me - that is an insanely moving vocal performance.

Yoko Ono deserves special mention here.

The Plastic Ono Band included (at various times): Clapton, Jim Keltner, Alan White, Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, Billy Preston and John, George, and Ringo, among others.

Actually, this one might be tough to beat.

Eric Clapton

+1  ! HEW wrote:
"Who's the OP? Tater? Totally disagree with the entire theme of the thread. Inferior vocals compared by whose standard? Would Louis Armstrong be considered Inferior? Kate Bush? Joe Cocker? Is it inferior or different? Or is it just personal preference?"

The premise of this thread is, at best, silly. Where would so much vocal music be without those so-called "mediocre or lousy" vocals?

Just think of the possibilities: Sinatra sings "Masters of War" and other great hits.  Jussi Björling sings "Heart of Gold" ....

Tosta wrote: "Levon Helm sounded like a country hick"  

Tosta, Perhaps you might want to retract that strange and patronizing comment. 

HEW nails it.  What the hell are "inferior vocals"???  What the hell is a "superior singer?"  All those "inferior" vocalists sound like themselves, ie: "the real thing." Their voices are the essence of their songs.

                     

Too many to name!