Vocal Ability: Paul McCartney vs. Freddie Mercury

well?


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The Beatles

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Not according to the votes so far.;)

Don't get me wrong, I think Paul McCartney is one of the greatest artists of all-time and good singer. But on pure singing ability he doesn't even make my top 10 while Freddie Mercury is top 3 if not #1.

Of course, that's just my opinion...:D

I'm pretty sure everybody's voting based on his range, which, while it has its problems, as I illustrated on the first post and a couple of posts down (of course nobody read it, but whatever). As for being the straight rocker, Paul wins hands down.
 

The Beatles

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Thought I'd put this up since it's a back and forth discussion on who has the vocal ability..

Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942) is an English musician, singer-songwriter and composer. Formerly of The Beatles (1960–1970) and Wings (1971–1981), McCartney is the most commercially successful songwriter in the history of popular music, according to Guinness World Records.

McCartney gained worldwide fame as a member of The Beatles, alongside John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. McCartney and Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and wrote some of the most popular songs in the history of rock music. After leaving The Beatles, McCartney launched a successful solo career and formed the band Wings with his first wife, Linda Eastman, and singer-songwriter Denny Laine. McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the "most successful musician and composer in popular music history", with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles in the UK.

BBC News Online readers named McCartney the "greatest composer of the millennium", and BBC News cites his Beatles song "Yesterday" as the most covered song in the history of recorded music—by over 2,200 artists—and since its 1965 release, has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio according to the BBC. Wings' 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre" became the first single to sell more than two million copies in the UK, and remains the UK's top selling non-charity single. Based on the 93 weeks his compositions have spent at the top spot of the UK chart, and 24 number one singles to his credit, McCartney is the most successful songwriter in UK singles chart history. As a performer or songwriter, McCartney was responsible for 32 number one singles on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, and has sold 15.5 million RIAA certified albums in the US alone.

McCartney has composed film scores, classical and electronic music, released a large catalogue of songs as a solo artist, and has taken part in projects to help international charities. He is an advocate for animal rights, for vegetarianism, and for music education; he is active in campaigns against landmines, seal hunting, and Third World debt. He is a keen football fan, supporting both Everton and Liverpool football clubs. His company MPL Communications owns the copyrights to more than 3,000 songs,including all of the songs written by Buddy Holly, along with the publishing rights to such musicals as Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, and Grease. McCartney is one of the UK's wealthiest people, with an estimated fortune of £475 million in 2010.


Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara (Gujarati: ફ્રારુક બલ્સારા*), September 5, 1946 – November 24, 1991) was a British musician, best known as the lead vocalist and a songwriter of the rock band Queen. As a performer, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and powerful vocals over a four-octave range. As a songwriter, Mercury composed many hits for Queen, including "Bohemian Rhapsody", "Killer Queen", "Somebody to Love", "Don't Stop Me Now", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" and "We Are the Champions". In addition to his work with Queen, he led a solo career, penning hits such as "Barcelona", "I Was Born to Love You" and "Living on My Own". Mercury also occasionally served as a producer and guest musician (piano or vocals) for other artists. He died of bronchopneumonia brought on by AIDS on 24 November 1991, only one day after publicly acknowledging he had the disease.

Mercury, who was a Parsi born in Zanzibar and grew up there and in India until his mid-teens, has been referred to as "Britain's first Asian rock star". In 2006, Time Asia named him as one of the most influential Asian heroes of the past 60 years, and he continues to be voted one of the greatest singers in the history of popular music. In 2005, a poll organised by Blender and MTV2 saw Mercury voted the greatest male singer of all time. In 2009, a Classic Rock poll saw him voted the greatest rock singer of all time. In 2008, Rolling Stone editors ranked him number 18 on their list of the 100 greatest singers of all time. Allmusic has characterised Mercury as "one of rock's greatest all-time entertainers", who possessed "one of the greatest voices in all of music".



So if you hold these articles valid.. Paul is best known for being a songwriter and a successful musician..
Freddie is known as one of Rocks greatest singers ever.. Numerous times...

Number 18 isn't one of the best, as for the rolling stone article. I guarantee that I could find just as many articles that list Paul as the best singer as well.
 

Slip'nn2Darkness

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^^^^ Here's the list and I'll include the link so you can see I didn't doctor it up..

1. Freddie Mercury (Queen, Solo)
2. Jackie Wilson
3. Jeff Buckley
4. Sam Cooke
5. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin, Solo)
6. Ian Gillan (Deep Purple, Solo)
7. Steve Perry (Journey, Solo)
8. Roy Orbison
9. Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, Solo)
10. Clyde McPhatter (Drifters, Dominoes, Solo)
11. Elvis Presley
12. Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
13. Marvin Gaye
14. Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle)
15. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden, Solo)
16. Stevie Wonder
17. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Solo)
18. Al Green
19. Tim Buckley
20. Tony Williams (Platters)
21. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
22. Smokey Robinson
23. Curtis Mayfield
24. Roger Daltrey (The Who, Solo)
25. Roy Hamilton
26. Solomon Burke
27. Little Willie John
28. Michael Matijevic (Steelheart)
29. Little Richard
30. Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, Queen)
31. Roy Khan (Kamelot)
32. Burton Cummings (The Guess Who, Solo)
33. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings, Solo)
34. Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
35. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations, Solo)
36. Dan McCafferty (Nazareth)
37. Brad Delp (Boston)
38. Dennis DeYoung (Styx, Solo)
39. Wilson Pickett
40. Sam Moore (Sam & Dave)
41. Joe Cocker
42. Ben E. King (The Drifters, Solo)
43. Luther Vandross
44. Carl Wilson (Beach Boys)
45. Van Morrison (Them, Solo)
46. Peter Cetera (Chicago)
47. Richard Manuel (The Band)
48. Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers, Solo)
49. Barry White
50. Levi Stubbs (Four Tops)
51. Eric Burdon (Animals, War, Solo)
52. David Ruffin (The Temptations, Solo)
53. Billy Joel
54. David Bowie
55. Axl Rose (Guns N Roses)
56. James Brown
57. Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
58. David Byron (Uriah Heep)
59. Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire)
60. Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
61. Layne Staley (Alice In Chains, Mad Season)
62. Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple)
63. Elton John
64. Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)
65. Otis Redding
66. Frankie Valli (The Four Seasons, Solo)
67. Jimmy Beaumont (The Skyliners)
68. Prince
69. John Farnham (The Little River Band)
70. Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Perfect Circle)
71. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
72. Rod Stewart (The Jeff Beck Group, Solo)
73. Dion (Dion and The Belmonts)
74. Jimi Jamison (Survivor)
75. Greg Lake (ELP, King Crimson)
76. Del Shannon
77. Philip Anselmo (Pantera)
78. Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel, Solo)
79. Dennis Edwards (The Temptations)
80. Cedric Bixler-Zavalla (At The Drive In, The Mars Volta)
81. Jimmy Gnecco (Ours)
82. Bono (U2)
83. Neil Diamond
84. Bob Seger
85. Jack Bruce (Cream)
86. Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Mayfield 4)
87. Steve Winwood (Traffic, Solo)
88. Bill Withers
89. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
90. Russell Allen (Symphony X)
91. Todd Rundgren
92. Klaus Meine (Scorpions)
93. Meat Loaf
94. James Taylor
95. Steve Marriott (Humble Pie)
96. Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Solo)
97. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
98. David Coverdale (Deep Purple, Whitesnake)
99. John Lennon (The Beatles, Solo)
100. John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solo)


And notice.. Paul is 33.. But all this talk about hyping up Freddie and wanting proof of video's is senseless. Because you have already made up your mind so why waste anyone's time proving there is video's to back up why some voted for Freddie.. The dude who started this thread proves all the time he is Biased and gets bent when he loses a poll to anybody over the Beatles.

But here is a little something that shows Queen and Freddie can Rock.
 

The Beatles

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^^^^ Here's the list and I'll include the link so you can see I didn't doctor it up..

1. Freddie Mercury (Queen, Solo)
2. Jackie Wilson
3. Jeff Buckley
4. Sam Cooke
5. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin, Solo)
6. Ian Gillan (Deep Purple, Solo)
7. Steve Perry (Journey, Solo)
8. Roy Orbison
9. Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Temple Of The Dog, Solo)
10. Clyde McPhatter (Drifters, Dominoes, Solo)
11. Elvis Presley
12. Geoff Tate (Queensryche)
13. Marvin Gaye
14. Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle)
15. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden, Solo)
16. Stevie Wonder
17. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Solo)
18. Al Green
19. Tim Buckley
20. Tony Williams (Platters)
21. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
22. Smokey Robinson
23. Curtis Mayfield
24. Roger Daltrey (The Who, Solo)
25. Roy Hamilton
26. Solomon Burke
27. Little Willie John
28. Michael Matijevic (Steelheart)
29. Little Richard
30. Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company, Queen)
31. Roy Khan (Kamelot)
32. Burton Cummings (The Guess Who, Solo)
33. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings, Solo)
34. Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
35. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations, Solo)
36. Dan McCafferty (Nazareth)
37. Brad Delp (Boston)
38. Dennis DeYoung (Styx, Solo)
39. Wilson Pickett
40. Sam Moore (Sam & Dave)
41. Joe Cocker
42. Ben E. King (The Drifters, Solo)
43. Luther Vandross
44. Carl Wilson (Beach Boys)
45. Van Morrison (Them, Solo)
46. Peter Cetera (Chicago)
47. Richard Manuel (The Band)
48. Bill Medley (The Righteous Brothers, Solo)
49. Barry White
50. Levi Stubbs (Four Tops)
51. Eric Burdon (Animals, War, Solo)
52. David Ruffin (The Temptations, Solo)
53. Billy Joel
54. David Bowie
55. Axl Rose (Guns N Roses)
56. James Brown
57. Brian Wilson (Beach Boys)
58. David Byron (Uriah Heep)
59. Philip Bailey (Earth, Wind & Fire)
60. Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
61. Layne Staley (Alice In Chains, Mad Season)
62. Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple)
63. Elton John
64. Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)
65. Otis Redding
66. Frankie Valli (The Four Seasons, Solo)
67. Jimmy Beaumont (The Skyliners)
68. Prince
69. John Farnham (The Little River Band)
70. Maynard James Keenan (Tool, Perfect Circle)
71. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
72. Rod Stewart (The Jeff Beck Group, Solo)
73. Dion (Dion and The Belmonts)
74. Jimi Jamison (Survivor)
75. Greg Lake (ELP, King Crimson)
76. Del Shannon
77. Philip Anselmo (Pantera)
78. Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel, Solo)
79. Dennis Edwards (The Temptations)
80. Cedric Bixler-Zavalla (At The Drive In, The Mars Volta)
81. Jimmy Gnecco (Ours)
82. Bono (U2)
83. Neil Diamond
84. Bob Seger
85. Jack Bruce (Cream)
86. Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge, Mayfield 4)
87. Steve Winwood (Traffic, Solo)
88. Bill Withers
89. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
90. Russell Allen (Symphony X)
91. Todd Rundgren
92. Klaus Meine (Scorpions)
93. Meat Loaf
94. James Taylor
95. Steve Marriott (Humble Pie)
96. Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Solo)
97. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
98. David Coverdale (Deep Purple, Whitesnake)
99. John Lennon (The Beatles, Solo)
100. John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival, Solo)


And notice.. Paul is 33.. But all this talk about hyping up Freddie and wanting proof of video's is senseless. Because you have already made up your mind so why waste anyone's time proving there is video's to back up why some voted for Freddie.. The dude who started this thread proves all the time he is Biased and gets bent when he loses a poll to anybody over the Beatles.

But here is a little something that shows Queen and Freddie can Rock.

What list is that? Since you failed to provide the link you were so excited about showing us...

The rolling stone list (which is what I was talking about) had Freddie at 18.
 

The Beatles

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Oh, and now because I don't agree with you, that makes me biased? :grinthumb

Thats mature.
 

kath

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i am chiming in late, i suppose, but i will chime all the same...

i have been a macca freak since i first got exposed to the beatles via older sibs before i even hit school (bam bam.) i became a queen freak some years later, circa age 11 or 12, via my dearest, closest older brother, a guy with incredible musical taste and gweetar-playing skills that he tried to pass on to me (the poor misguided schmuck.)

paul's a genius, in many respects, and i love him dearly.

but for pipes alone?? freddie's all over that, folks. in my ever-questionable opinion, this competition is not even close.

i love paul's voice, don't misunderstand me... he can rock, of course. i especially love his voice when he's... what's a good word... serenading... into balladry. but freddie's up there in the top three rock pipes in rock history, in the minds of all kaths. as much as i dig paul, he wouldn't make my top ten list, just on vocals alone.*

*disclaimer: i say this, but it is very hard for me to take apart paul piecemeal, if ye know what i mean. he's a whole package with me, his talent. and so few people can touch that package. (even though i've spent a goodly part of my life wanting to get my hands on that package. ahem.)
 

Prime

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I don't think TB is biased at all. Because you could say the same about the people who voted for Mercury. It's all opinion, be it strong or weak opinions. Not saying anybody has a weak opinion. TB obviously has his strong opinions toward McCartney, and the only thing you can really do in this situation is respect it. Besides, this thread isn't for changing people's opinions, I see it as people expressing their opinions toward which vocalist they like more.

Just my 2 cents.
 

LG

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I am somewhat bemused by the passionate debate posed by a seemingly innocuous thread like this one. It's almost like reading a Metallica vs Megadeth thread...:lmao:

As long as you all stay calm and don't hurl insults carry on, as far as being called Biased if you are a fan of one or the other...I have no problem with that, I voted for Paul knowing Freddie would win this one, so I am biased in Paul's favor and admit it.:grinthumb
 

The Beatles

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I don't think TB is biased at all. Because you could say the same about the people who voted for Mercury. It's all opinion, be it strong or weak opinions. Not saying anybody has a weak opinion. TB obviously has his strong opinions toward McCartney, and the only thing you can really do in this situation is respect it. Besides, this thread isn't for changing people's opinions, I see it as people expressing their opinions toward which vocalist they like more.

Just my 2 cents.

This.

Thank You.
:grinthumb
 
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