I thought about doing a poll, but the truth is there aren't really a lot of choices that come to mind, for me it's pretty clear; Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin. He just personifies everything rock was in it's heyday - the hair, the groupies, the attitude, the great rock songwriting (with the touch of mysticism unlike any other band) and of course the ridiculously powerful notes he'd belt out. I don't know, I just don't think anybody touches him when you get down to it. I'm interested in other opinions though. (Also if this was covered in a thread earlier, I just went by thread titles, sorry.)

Probably not the greatest, but an often overlooked yet very strong frontman- Phil Lynott of Thin Lizzy. From what I've heard and seen on video, he was a very charismatic stage presence. What a killer voice the man had and a writer of some very visual songs. So sad the rock lifestyle claimed him early.

crazed, a lot of what you said also applies to Family's Roger Chapman.

I don't really consider Robert Plant a frontman. To me, a "frontman" (as opposed to a "lead singer") has to be the dominant personality and songwriting voice in a band, and Jimmy Page and John Bonham were also powerful personalities (though admittedly less so than Plant) and Page was really the dominant songwriting voice. This distinction isn't meant to disparage lead singers who aren't really frontmen; it's just a distinction I make.

With that distinction in mind, my first thought for a great frontman is INXS's Michael Hutchence, though certainly Dio's/Ozzy Osbourne's/Rainbow's Ronnie James Dio, Free's/Bad Company's Paul Rodgers, Creedence's John Fogerty, and Lynyrd Skynyrd's Ronnie Van Zandt could all be the answer just as easily for me. Hutchence's immense vocal versatility is really what puts him over the top, since all of the abovementioned (as well as Lynott and Plant) have great stage presence (except Van Zandt here), charisma, and songwriting and singing ability. Hutchence could sing any type of music and be not only effective but truly excellent, which is something one cannot say for many great rock singers.

I also want to point out as an underrated frontman Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music. I think he's ignored because of the lightweight pop music he put out in his solo career, but he is at least on the fringes of the discussion.

Shatttenjager, if that is yr real name...Hutchence certainly had stage presence, but as far as songwriting goes, he just wrote a few words here and there. The Farriss Brothers and Pengilly were responsible for the melodies, arrangements etc..at least that's what Hutchence told me in my last seance with him..

And Ferry is an excellent choice.

As for the question, I'm going with the bloody obvious...who personified the frontman role more than Frederick Bulsara...Freddie Mercury to his friends...

I heard stories about INXS trying to find replacements for Mr Hutchence (before those awful TV programmes).

They tried Terence Trent D'arby and Mike Patton (ex Faith no more).

According to legend, Patton said he'd join if they let him hang from a noose in the opening number. Unfortunately he said this on Australian radio in national suicide week (or something).

Didn't go down too well.

Ahh, Mike Patton.....classic stuff.......do those INXS boys live under a rock? What were they thinking?

I suppose that's what you get if you invite Mr Patton to do corporate music these days.

Good call on Freddie Mercury by the way. I can't top that one.

I got three letters for you:

D-L-R

No contest. Distant second, Axel Rose.

Iggy Pop no contest.

quote:

Originally posted by ryanryanryan102:
Iggy Pop no contest.

May I follow this w/ Bowie?

Stephen Malkmus

To me "frontman" is the lead singer of a band, not a solo artist. I think this excludes guys like Bowie and Prince. But Iggy is a solid suggestion.

quote:

Originally posted by Count Grishnack:
To me "frontman" is the lead singer of a band, not a solo artist. I think this excludes guys like Bowie and Prince. But Iggy is a solid suggestion.

It was kind of a joke... The Ryan person said Iggy Pop, which I felt would be comical if I followed it by Bowie. You know the whole "Bowie stole Iggie's persona" thing?

The greatest rock frontman ever, no question, is obviously Mick Jagger.

quote:

Originally posted by Hophead:
The greatest rock frontman ever, no question, is obviously Mick Jagger.

i second this. love or hate him, the guy is unmistakenly the epitome of a great rock frontman