Best Male Singers of the 20th Century

Waltersalas

"His pain is sometimes palpable to the point of being unbearable--in this particular area, he has only one peer, and that is Billie Holiday"

When you speak about pain, unbearable, heartbreaking, gut wrenching you are forgetting Janis Joplin

Boy George, George Michael, Freddie Murcury, oh wait you said men. Never mind.

waltersallas , you're entirely correct about George Jones ,one of the most devastating singers I've ever heard. For those who (rightly) love Johnny Hartmann, also try Arthur Prysock and Ernie Andrews

Tubegroover,

Good point. Janis sings with as much intensity as anyone I have heard. Aesthetically, I would not put her in the same category with Holiday and Jones, but that is an entirely different conversation. Your point is well taken. Janis was a great one.

Best Regards.

Pbb..yep Chet Baker is truly great but you were right about the trumpet. They probably had to let him play it in order for him to agree to sing.