The Best Singers Of All Time
Who are the best singers of all time? That's a tough question to ask. This list includes many of the greatest, most famous vocalists ever, from all genres of music. From the old guard to new legends in the making, these talented singers are among the most popular in the world thanks to their commanding live performance and powerful singing voices. Whether it's the incomparable, late, great Whitney Houston with her extraordinary pop and R&B tones or rock icons like Freddie Mercury from Queen, Jim Morrison from The Doors or John Lennon and/or Paul McCartney from The Beatles, this list spans decades of incredible musicians. What singers do you feel are the greatest of all time? What are some of the greatest voices in music? Who's the best singer alive today? Which late powerhouse has cemented their place in history? Vote for your favorites, and vote down any whom you don't like.
Vote: The Best Rock Vocalists
Putting together the top singers in music history is a tall order. Everyone has an opinion. Some might lean more toward rock vocalists as their personal favorite (think Ann Wilson, Stevie Nicks and Mick Jagger), while others might prefer excellent pop or R&B vocalists like the late Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, or even Stevie Wonder, James Brown or Aretha Franklin.
Rank: The Top Female Vocalists of the Last Decade
Country musicians could also easily be included on this list. Musicians like Johnny Cash and Keith Whitley gave new meaning to great vocals with outstanding country songs. Female country artists, including modern era vocalists like Carrie Underwood, are also featured below. So, what are you waiting for?! Help us decide who the greatest singers of all time are, and please vote based on the quality of their talent and music releases rather than just their popularity or fame.
- Pop music, Rock music
Albums: The Solo Collection, Barcelona, Mr. Bad Guy, Time, Guide Me Home
Nationality: Zanzibar, United Kingdom
- Motown Sound, Rock music
Albums: Thriller, Bad, Off the Wall, Dangerous, Michael
Nationality: United States of America
- Pop music, Dance-pop
Albums: The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album, Whitney Houston, My Love Is Your Love, I'm Your Baby Tonight, The Preacher's Wife: Original Soundtrack Album
Nationality: United States of America
- Opera
Albums: The Tenors, Tutto Pavarotti, Rigoletto (Luciano Pavarotti, Renata Scotto, Rome Opera House Orchestra & Chorus feat. conductor: Carlo Maria Giulini)
Nationality: Italy
- Pop music, Rock music
Albums: Lady Soul, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, Young, Gifted and Black, Respect
Nationality: United States of America
- Swing music, Traditional pop music
Albums: Christmas With the Rat Pack, In the Wee Small Hours, Christmas Songs by Sinatra, A Jolly Christmas From Frank Sinatra, Nothing but the Best
Nationality: United States of America
- Christian music, Pop music
Albums: Jailhouse Rock, The Sun Sessions, From Nashville to Memphis: The Essential '60s Masters, Can’t Help Falling in Love / Rock-A-Hula Baby, Elvis Presley (Legacy Edition)
Nationality: United States of America
- Adult contemporary music, Pop music
Albums: Falling into You, These Are Special Times, Miracle, Loved Me Back to Life, Céline Dion chante Noël
Nationality: Canada
- Opera
Albums: 100 Greatest Arias, Artists of the Century - Caruso, the Greatest Tenor in the World, The Best of Caruso, The Complete Recordings
Nationality: Italy
- Pop, R&B
Albums: 21, 19, Make You Feel My Love, Adele Live at the Royal Albert Hall, Cold Shoulder
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
- Hip hop music, Synthpop
Albums: Purple Rain, Sign 'O' the Times, 1999, Love Symbol Album, Around the World in a Day
Nationality: United States of America
- Adult contemporary music, Pop music
Albums: Carmen - Duets & Arias, Georges Bizet, Sentimento, Romanza, Amore
Nationality: Italy
- Pop, Contemporary R&B
Albums: Daydream, Music Box, Mariah Carey, The Emancipation of Mimi, Butterfly
Nationality: United States of America
- Ballad, Swing music
Albums: Côte d'Azur Concerts on Verve, Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas, Ella Fitzgerald's Christmas, The Stockholm Concert, Porgy & Bess
Nationality: United States of America
- Motown Sound, Psychedelic soul
Albums: Songs in the Key of Life, Innervisions, Talking Book, Stevie Wonder's Original Musiquarium I, Music of My Mind
Nationality: United States of America
- Synthpop, New Wave
Albums: Faith, Listen Without Prejudice, Volume 1, Careless Whisper, Older
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
- Pop music, Rock music
Albums: Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Disney's Sing-Along: The Lion King, Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy, Madman Across the Water, Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player
Nationality: England
- Pop music, Traditional pop music
Albums: Merry From Lena, Stormy Weather, Seasons of a Life, Classic Ellington, Lena and Gábor and Guitar: A Study in Elegance
Nationality: United States of America
- Disco, Pop music
Albums: Shine, Something's Going On, Frida 1967–1972, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Frida ensam
Nationality: Sweden, Germany, Norway
- Chicano rock, Rock music
Albums: The Complete Ritchie Valens, The Very Best Of Richie Valens, Greatest Hits, The Very Best of Ritchie Valens, La Bamba
Nationality: United States of America
- Pop music, Rock music
Albums: Aerial Ballet, The Point, Personal Best: The Harry Nilsson Anthology, Without You: The Best of Harry Nilsson, Aerial Pandemonium Ballet
Nationality: United States of America