Best Male Singers of the 20th Century


There is an interesting current discussion about the best female vocalists on CD. I have my own ideas about the best male singers (any category) of the 20th Century, but would like to hear other opinions.
sdcampbell
You got it Paul, the Great Irish Tenor, I'm impressed. Now I wonder, how many have even heard of him? His first recordings were made when Louie Armstrong was a little boy.
No one has heard of him. Proves your point, I suppose. Although, everything that happens in popular culture now is preserved on videotape and computer discs and there is so much interest in "historical" retrospectives on film and tv, I would guess that someone like Sinatra, who with his movies and tv appearances had a wider audience, might still be remembered 100 years from now.
The interest is only to those interested. I guess if the material 100 years is as dated as McCormick's recordings are today the interest may be left to a small minority of those that "discover" it in the archives. Greatness and general acceptance by the masses only comes through broad appeal. I'm not so certain Sinatra will stand the test of time. We won't be around then to know for sure. My bet his his appeal will be more as a personality than as a great artist.
Oh, Tubegroover, I agree. Sinatra as a personality. One issue is the material. Some people do still sing and listen to Danny Boy and I Hear You Calling Me. I can't imagine anyone listening to anything Sinatra did 100 years from now. Maybe someone else would be a better example.