Rock:
Brad Delp
Ann Wilson

Pop:
Gary Puckett
Karen Carpenter

Country:
Marty Robbins
Patsy Cline

…the best of the best.

EclipseAg said:

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Funny. I don't think of Michael Jackson as a great vocalist.

Artist, yes. Dancer, yes. And he's not a bad singer. But I wouldn't put him in the same category as those 70s powerhouses.

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The only reason you think that way is because he insanely talented as a dancer as well.

Michael Jackson is the greatest pop singer of all time. No, he's not the most technically gifted vocalist, but it's not just about who has the greatest vocal range. I'd put Freddie Mercury ahead overall, but he's not a pop singer.

George Michael. He's covered Freddie and Elton live and easily holds his own.

And I think Alison Moyet (yaz and solo) and Martha Davis (Motels) are great in the women's division

swimmerbabe11 said:

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Kelly Clarkson

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She's a beast

Head Ninja In Charge said:

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I'm sorry but a prepubescent Michael Jackson would absolutely mop the floor with 98% of the vocalists listed in this thread.

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Let's just say "young" Michael. That's creepy.

If we are talking of all time you need Paul McCartney in here. I mean come on. Maybe not John although for harmonies it is hard to top the Beatles as a group too.

Brenden Urie from Panic at the Disco can hang with any pop vocalist.

If singing ability is the #1 criteria, then you might as well make Josh Groban #1.

Ariana Grande has a tremendous voice.

Has no one mentioned Linda Ronstadt?
Pure vocal talent.

EclipseAg said:

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swimmerbabe11 said:

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Kelly Clarkson

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KC can sing anything.

Her Kellyoke segments usually demonstrate that she do covers better than the original artists.

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That's how I feel about Lzzy Hale. Exhibit A:

Ag87H2O said:

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veryfuller said:

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I can't believe it's a debate. It's Whitney Houston. She even made the national anthem a banger hit in the 90s.

Sure MJ is probably the best pop artist, but Houston's vocals are unbeatable.

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Whitney Houston had one of the purest but powerful voices I've ever heard. This is my favorite rendition of the national anthem, and if you watch this video, she makes it look effortless, almost playful. Still hurts we lost her at such a relatively young age.

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It is effortless when you're lip syncing.

Full props to her for the pre-recording of it though.

I'll throw in some from 80's and 90's:

Kurt and/or Roland from Tears for Fears
Rick Astley
Pat Benatar
Harriet Wheeler from The Sundays
Lauryn Hill

maverick2076 said:

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EclipseAg said:

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swimmerbabe11 said:

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Kelly Clarkson

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KC can sing anything.

Her Kellyoke segments usually demonstrate that she do covers better than the original artists.

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That's how I feel about Lzzy Hale. Exhibit A:

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This is terrible.

All-time? Frank Sinatra.



Any Best Pop Vocalist list without Sinatra is irredeemably flawed.

I'm sorry you're deaf.

maverick2076 said:

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I'm sorry you're deaf.

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I wish I was so I didn't have to listen to that.

G Martin 87 said:

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All-time? Frank Sinatra.



Any Best Pop Vocalist list without Sinatra is irredeemably flawed.

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I'm okay with that.

Frank and Dean Martin were both amazing song stylists. They didn't do all the melisma (dipsy doodle) stuff that is popular today but they didn't need it.

Brian Wilson/Beach Boys would be my top pick

Peter Cetera (Early Chicago)
David Clayton-Thomas (Early Blood Sweat & Tears)

Its hard to argue against Elvis as the best pop male vocalist of all time. Guys like Andy Williams, Sinatra, etc. come close, but I don't think get there. As much as many of us may not care for his music, you can't say Barry Manilow isn't near the top of this list. He doesn't sing as well in recent years as he did when he was younger, but his vocal tone and range were really good back in the day.

I'm not sure Sammy Hagar had the best sounding voice, but he had one of the better ranges. Contrary to popular myth, Van Halen was far improved with Hagar -- not just vocally but musically as well.

For country and even a little bit of pop, Glen Campbell. I'd put him right under Elvis.

91AggieLawyer said:

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Its hard to argue against Elvis as the best pop male vocalist of all time. Guys like Andy Williams, Sinatra, etc. come close, but I don't think get there. As much as many of us may not care for his music, you can't say Barry Manilow isn't near the top of this list. He doesn't sing as well in recent years as he did when he was younger, but his vocal tone and range were really good back in the day.

I'm not sure Sammy Hagar had the best sounding voice, but he had one of the better ranges. Contrary to popular myth, Van Halen was far improved with Hagar -- not just vocally but musically as well.

For country and even a little bit of pop, Glen Campbell. I'd put him right under Elvis.

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We can go there to Vernon, TX and discover Roy Kelton Orbison if you'd like,,,,,,