The top 40 AOR vocalists of all time

Prime

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You have a very good sense on vocalists. A lot of those I hadn't heard of until this thread, but I like them a lot. Very cool, can't wait to see more.
 

Soot and Stars

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You have a very good sense on vocalists. A lot of those I hadn't heard of until this thread, but I like them a lot. Very cool, can't wait to see more.

It seems good vocalists are exclusive to having existed before I was born...

Keep in mind guys that the OP says this is a list from a magazine called Classic Rock Magazine! :heheh:
 

TheFeldster

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37

Jimmy Barnes


Antipodean vocal legend with a long, checkered history of misfortune that is no reflection upon the quality of his voice. In 1987 he turned his attention to the USA, recording one of the greatest AOR albums of all time, "Freight Train Heart" featuring Journey's Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon , who also chipped in songwriting duties,it was a triumph,thus securing Barnes a place in our AOR hall of fame.

Finest vocal moment

"Too Much Ain't Enough Love" (from "Freight Train Heart" 1987). Barnes takes this one all the way to the bank.

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:bow::bow::bow:

Jimmy is a legend. :D Still has his voice too :)

Before the Devil Knows Your Dead (2010)


I believe he holds the record for most #1 albums in the Australian charts as well, between his solo career and his work with Cold Chisel :)
 

That 70s Guy

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21

Terry Brock

Although the band were predominantly Scottish, it was American vocalist Terry Brock who turned out to be Strangeways' ace in the hole. Brock's range was immense, flying high as a kite one moment before swooping back down to earth with a whisper the next on utterly exquisite songs that provided him with a launching pad to Jupiter and beyond.

Finest vocal moment

"Goodnight LA" (from Strangeways' "Native Sons" 1987)
Journey couldn't have written a better song, and Steve Perry couldn't have sang it better.

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That 70s Guy

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20

Keith Murrell

Keith Murrell is the best of a tiny handful of British AOR vocalists who can give the Yanks a run for their money. With Airrace, he helped craft one of the definitive melodic rock albums of the mid 80s. Murrell was later poised to replace Lou Gramm in Foreigner, only to be beaten out at the eleventh hour by Johnny Edwards. Not Mick Jones' brightest move.

Finest vocal moment

"Brief Encounter" (from Airrace's "Shaft Of Light" 1984). Displays Keith's full range, from sultry whispers to cloud climbing highs.

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That 70s Guy

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19

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis wasn't your average lead singer but his vision, passion and dogged determination to succeed made his dreams come true. His onstage theatrical shtick gave Styx's songs just that right amount of depth to separate them from the pack, arguably turning him into one of the world's great live performers.

Finest vocal moment

"Come Sail Away" (from Styx's "The Grand Illusion" album, 1977)
Dennis excels at delivering this storybook tale of quasi-self discovery, masquerading as intergalactic space travel.

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18

Kevin Cronin

As a kid, Kevin Cronin must have been hooked on Phonics. With a unique style based on extending every syllable of every word of every sentence, the effect is quite mesmerizing and sometimes a little perplexing. Still, after an uncertain tenure at the very start of the REO Speedwagon story, Kev's distinct style came in handy when, against all odds, they started having massive hit records like "Keep On Loving You" in the early 80s. They had been a perennial support act, but suddenly became arena fillers, basking in multi-platinum success and notching up an incredible string of singles, all propelled by what seems like Cronin's extraordinary speech impediment.

Finest vocal moment

"Heavy On Your Love" (from REO Speedwagon's "Nine Lives" 1979)
Hard rock with pop overtones, allowing KC to exercise those cognitive vowels to the max.

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