Your picks of mediocre or lousy vocals with great musicians!


I nominate the following:
Michael Franks
Pat Benatar
Mik Jagger
Billy Idol
and...
Michael Jackson

czarivey

No doubt about it, Neil Schon is a skilled guitarist, just not one I myself consider great. But then I feel the same about Hendrix, surely even more questionable an opinion! Great for me includes considerations of taste and style, not merely skill (technique or otherwise), and taste and style are always a matter of opinion and, again, taste. Nothing wrong with that---it's why they make ice cream in different flavors, as the old expression goes.

Tostado, I couldn't agree more about Levon's voice. Not great range, but so much character and personality! But Richard Manuel's voice quirky? Unique sure, with a whole lotta soul. He's one of Clapton's favorite Caucasian singers. Speaking of Clapton and guitarists, Eric is dissed a lot, and I don't understand why. I love his phrasing.

It's always a matter of taste wouldn't we agree? EXCEPT in the case of Yoko Ono or could a fan step in and let us know what we're missing. I agree John diminished his influence by promoting her. See what love can do?

One comment  "Joni Mitchell has a poor voice? You need to get out more."  AGREED!! What I hear in her, besides her unique voice, is her experience and deep observations through her wonderful lyrics, right up there with the best songwriters of the folk/rock era, IMHO of course.

Rock is as much about swagger and appeal as it is about great voices, we're not talking about Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett here but again many would argue whether Frank had a great voice. All so subjective and based on personal biases more than anything else.
"Jim Morrison? Wait a minute! Aren't rock vocalist SUPPOSED to be lousy?"

Tell Paul Rodgers that.

Bill
bdp24: then perhaps you should have defined your use of "great" to begin with. That may have eased all of the spirited responses.
So, I ask you all... What has all of the effort expended into the Op's post accomplished? Nothing...absolutely nothing... I rest my case.