Remember listening with my Dad to Pick of the Pops with Alan Freeman, on the wireless - and The Seekers had a female singer with a quality voice, made singing effortless. My sister at that time might have picked Julie Andrews, but then she loved Mary Poppins.
Girlfriend's Mum loved Andy Williams - you know, "Born Free as free as the wind blows" stuff.
More of one of my sorts of music, was Sandy Denny of Fairport. Joan Baez too. Nerver knew how Roy Orbison hit those notes - and he was still doing it 25 years later for the Travelling Wilburys at the end of the 80s, just before he died.
But it's all a bit subjective anyway. My taste in music is pretty eclectic - loved the blues, R & B, folk rock, prog, you name it, and each genre had some superb vocalists.
Some great nominations on here that are very hard to argue with.I am still sticking with Scott Walker - just love his voice - but then again Matt Monroe,Sam Cooke and Roy Orbison ..... The 60's were truely a magical era. For the ladies I said Dusty - but have to admit Judith Durham comes a Very Close second IMO
Curtis Mayfield (still with The Impressions in the 60s, but still), Otis, Marvin, Aretha, Mavis Staples, Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke (even though he didn't live to see much of the 60s).
It seems to be received wisdom these days that Aretha Franklin is the "greatest female singer". Much as I admire Aretha I have always had a soft spot for Dusty Springfield. Was it Aretha or somebody else who famously said "I couldn't believe she was white" about Dusty. Here's an amusing anecdote from Martha Reeves - "Dusty allowed me to sing a duet with her on her big hit "Wishin' and Hopin'" with the Vandellas singing background. I could see Diane [Ross] in the wings eating her heart out because she hadn't been chosen to do it".
Some great nominations on here that are very hard to argue with.I am still sticking with Scott Walker - just love his voice - but then again Matt Monro, For the ladies I said Dusty - but have to admit Judith Durham comes a Very Close second IMO
Love the stones excellent band, great songs but Jagger isn't, imho, a great voice.
I went to the Stones exhibition last year. They had a mixing desk you could play with and when you listened to Mick with no backing then it's absolutely clear that he doesn't have a great voice, however it suits the material and his personality is perfect for the band.
I also agree with Henry with Otis and Aretha as my top two, but I'll also give honourable mention to two previously unmentioned names, Bill Medley and Lou Rawls.
Curtis Mayfield (still with The Impressions in the 60s, but still), Otis, Marvin, Aretha, Mavis Staples, Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke (even though he didn't live to see much of the 60s).
Curtis of course and Mavis Staples.
The Staple singers rarely get a mention yet produced great songs.
Bill Withers has a very distinctive, emotive voice. Great voice maybe not.but music is about the power to move not technical perfection. Otherwise Michael Ball or Pat Boone would win.
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Girlfriend's Mum loved Andy Williams - you know, "Born Free as free as the wind blows" stuff.
More of one of my sorts of music, was Sandy Denny of Fairport. Joan Baez too.
Nerver knew how Roy Orbison hit those notes - and he was still doing it 25 years later for the Travelling Wilburys at the end of the 80s, just before he died.
But it's all a bit subjective anyway. My taste in music is pretty eclectic - loved the blues, R & B, folk rock, prog, you name it, and each genre had some superb vocalists.
Btw, Im a big stones fan, just think he can't sing all that well.
See also: Ian Brown
Not my favourite, mind
I love him to bits and his warbly , smokeandbooze rock vocals.
Not the best voice though.
The 60's were truely a magical era.
For the ladies I said Dusty - but have to admit Judith Durham comes a Very Close second IMO
Much as I admire Aretha I have always had a soft spot for Dusty Springfield.
Was it Aretha or somebody else who famously said "I couldn't believe she was white" about Dusty.
Here's an amusing anecdote from Martha Reeves -
"Dusty allowed me to sing a duet with her on her big hit "Wishin' and Hopin'" with the Vandellas singing background. I could see Diane [Ross] in the wings eating her heart out because she hadn't been chosen to do it".
I also agree with Henry with Otis and Aretha as my top two, but I'll also give honourable mention to two previously unmentioned names, Bill Medley and Lou Rawls.
The Staple singers rarely get a mention yet produced great songs.
Bill Withers has a very distinctive, emotive voice. Great voice maybe not.but music is about the power to move not technical perfection. Otherwise Michael Ball or Pat Boone would win.
Jackie Wilson
Johnny Cash