Featured here are the best rock bands having more than one lead singer, two or three vocalists that sing the the band's own songs. These are pop and rock bands with multiple lead singers who regularly shared vocal duties. We did not included duets, as those tend to be 2 solo artists pairing for a single song, or bands where a lead singer was replaced (not in the band at the same time). We also excluded boy bands. Here are the top 20 rock or pop bands with two or more lead singers as regular members of the band at the same time:
Ties are listed alpabetically, including the 3-way tie for first.
1/tie - The Beatles. All four members sang at one time or another.
John, Paul, Ringo and George. Every fan has their favorite, but all four got a shot at the mic. It was a good combination.
1/tie - Fleetwood Mac sported three lead singers. Stevie Nicks, Lindsay Buckingham and Christine McVie. On record, they sounded well together, a nice blend that took them to the top.
1/tie - Queen had three lead singers. Freddie Mercury powered the engine but each album also featured at least one or two songs sung by Brian May and one by Roger Taylor. Perfect harmony and genius.
2 - Pink Floyd. While Roger Waters sang most of the vocals, David Gilmour always had a song or two of his own, until he completely took over in the late 80s.
3 - Styx. Another band with 3 lead vocalists. Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw took turns on lead, and once per album James Young sang on one song (usually one he penned).
4 - Jefferson Airplane had the lovely Grace Slick and Marty Balin on vocals. A perfect combo.
4/tie - Jefferson Starship and Starship ... in all their incarnations, they had two lead singers. Grace Slick paired with Marty Balin first and later with Mickey Thomas.
5 - The Byrds - Roger McGuinn (lead guitar, vocals), Gene Clark (tambourine, vocals), David Crosby (rhythm guitar, vocals).
6 - Kansas - the 70s arena rock band had Steve Walsh and Robbie Steinhardt (also on violin!). For a while they had John Elefante as well.
7 - Supertramp - Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson did well sharing vocals until their disagreements broke up the band.
8 - Chicago. Peter Cetera may be best known (due to his solo career) but Lamm and Kath shared the duties of singing their hit songs.
9 - The Cars. While Ric Ocasek sang more of their songs, Benjamin Orr sang their biggest hit, Drive.
10 - The Eagles. Glen Frey and Don Henley sang most of their hits, but Meisner took it to the limit on occasion in the lead.
11- Cream. Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton. Legends.
12 - The Beach Boys with Mike Love on most of the vocals, but did give Brian Wilson and others their time at the mic too.
13 - The Bee Gees. Both Maurice and Robin sang lead on different songs.
14- .38 Special - favored Don Barnes but sometimes Donnie Van Zant sang.
15 - The Band. The legends with three leads, they brought is The Weight, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and more.
16 - The Grateful Dead. Garcia and Weir.
17 - The Who (yes, Pete Townsend sometimes sang lead).
18 - The Allman Brothers.
19 - The Go Gos - Jane Wiedlen and Belinda Carlisle
20 - Kiss - had Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons and Peter Criss at one time. Criss sang Beth, their only hit single. They also had Eric Carr for a bit.
Bonus: 21:
* Journey had 2 lead singers in the early years: Greg Rolie and Steve Perry. Check out their dual action on Feeling That Way / Anytime.
Bonus 22: ABBA featured both Agnetha and Frida on lead.
See Also:
Honorable Mention: The Clash, Blink 182, Linkin Park, and symphonic metal band Nightwish.
Those are the top bands with more than one lead singer. Two lead vocalists are better than one. Such bands are unique.
No comments:
Post a Comment