Greatest rock frontmen and women of all time
FROM Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger and Michael Hutchence to Bono, Blondie and Bon Scott, here’s our highly subjective guide to the greatest rock frontmen — and women — of all time.
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MUSIC has the ability to leave an indelible mark.
It can move, motivate or mesmerise you, lift you up, tear you down or take you on a rollercoaster ride through your life’s most traumatic — and treasured — times.
This is why great moments in music history — and the musicians who created them — never leave us. Iconic vocal chords and unforgettable guitar riffs are as embedded into our souls as the years to which they are the backing tracks.
So, just weeks out from what would have been Freddie Mercury’s 70th birthday (September 5) celebrations, as well as the opening of the Queen-inspired musical We Will Rock You in Melbourne next month, we are on a mission to crown a rock king.
We want to find the rock artist who has, over the years, left the biggest mark on our memories and our music collections; to decide once and for all who is the greatest rock band frontman — or woman — of all time.
And any rating of rock’s most inimitable ringleaders needs to factor in the captivating, charismatic and courageous enigmas who penned, performed and permeated the soundtracks to our lives.
Is Freddie’s four-octave vocal range surpassed by Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant or Foo Fighter’s Dave Grohl?
Is his command of the stage equal to Michael Hutchence or Chris Martin?
Is he even in the same league as Mick Jagger?
We’ve sought expert opinion from Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum and Herald Sun music writers Nui Te Koha and Mikey Cahill to help us compile a list of the greatest — or, perhaps, most memorable — rock superstars of all time. But we also want to know which artists you think have left the greatest legacy.
So here it is; our highly subjective list of the greatest rock stars of all time. Make sure you get your copy of next Sunday’s Herald Sun to find out who our experts will rank number one.
Meanwhile, have your say on who you think is rock music’s most epic frontman and go in the running to win a customised Red Special guitar signed by legendary Queen strummer Brian May plus tickets to see We Will Rock You when it opens in Melbourne.
FOR THOSE ABOUT TO ROCK — WE SALUTE YOU.
FREDDIE MERCURY — Queen
This fierce, flamboyant and unforgettable performer is arguably one of the most recognisable rock names of all time. His inimitable brand of glam, almost operatic rock made his performances seem more like a stage show than rock concert. When it comes to picking a quintessential rock icon, Freddie fans will show no Mercury.
GENE SIMMONS — KISS
Gene Simmons is the embodiment of sex, drugs and rock and roll. He is best known for his freakishly long tongue, demonic stage makeup and penchant for sleeping with groupies; more than 4800 of them, to be exact. If that doesn’t catapult you into the rock halls of fame, we don’t know what does.
JOHNNY ROTTEN — The Sex Pistols
Born Johnny Lyndon, according to an interview with the Daily Telegraph in 2007, the English singer assumed his stage name in the 1970s after poor oral hygiene led to his teeth turning green. He is now a national treasure.
So British. So rock star.
MICK JAGGER — The Rolling Stones
That’s Sir Michael Philip Jagger to you, thanks. This rock and roll superstar was knighted for his services to popular music in 2002, which — to make it even more rock and roll — got up the noses of fans who declared it a contradiction of his anti-establishment stance. Pretty sure Mick’s response was; “Haters gonna hate”.
No wait, that was Tay Tay. Whatevs, you can’t always get what you want.
The Rolling Stones has released twenty nine studio albums, eighteen live albums and numerous compilations, with estimated sales being more than 250 million.
That Jagger is still making records, filling stadiums and touring like a trouper is the ultimate showing of rock God-dom. He is rock, personified.
CHRISSIE HYNDE — The Pretenders
There’s no pretending that Chrissie Hynde isn’t a bona fide rock babe. The guitar-playing animal rights activist has collaborated with everyone from Frank Sinatra to UB40, and her band, The Pretenders, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005.
BILLY THORPE — The Aztecs
One of the original Aussie rock idols. Billy Thorpe’s most awesome claim to fame was that time he beat the Beatles at being number one on the Aussie rock charts. His cover of the Leiber and Stoller classic Poison Ivy famously kept the British four piece from the No. 1 spot on the Sydney charts when the group was making its first — and only — tour of Australia. The Fab Four were so impressed by their ladder-topping rival they even invited him to their hotel for a meet and greet. Well, ob la di da.
MICHAEL HUTCHENCE — INXS
Long, flowing locks? Check. Overtly sexual stage moves? Check. Love affairs with a string of famous actors, models and singers? Check. If greatness was defined as much by sex and swagger as it was music skills and stage presence, Hutchence would have it in the bag.
The enigmatic Aussie artist has it all: Sex, drugs, money, songs and suicide.
Regardless, we’ve got to let you know, Hutchence is one of our kind. See what we did there?
CHRIS MARTIN — Coldplay
In a sky full of rock stars, we think we saw you, Chris Martin.
Because no list of great frontmen would be complete without the consciously uncoupled Coldplay heart-throb.
Few modern rock bands have achieved what Chris — and Coldplay — have. How many other frontmen have sold more than 80 million records, won a tonne of Grammy Awards, had a bunch of number one hits, performed with the queen (Bey, that is) at the Super Bowl AND been named the World’s Sexiest Vegetarian?
Exactly.
Case closed.
BONO — U2
He might be one of the most revered (see: hated) rock artists of all time, but there is no denying Bono is one of the greats. For one, his name is Bono. Just Bono. Like Madonna, Moby and Beyonce, he is so rock star he doesn’t even need a surname.
The outspoken, guitar-smashing political activist is now one of the world’s best-known philanthropic performers, using his musical power for the good of humanity.
He is also a managing director and co-founder of investment company Elevation Partners, which reportedly has a 2.3 per cent stake in Facebook. So basically, Bono owns the stage and you.
BON SCOTT — AC/DC
Scott is perhaps one of Aussie music’s most loveable larrikins. And it seems the world agrees.
In the July 2004 issue of British music magazine Classic Rock ranked him number one in a list of the “100 Greatest Frontmen Of All Time”, trumping both Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant for pole position.
Scott embodies the rock and roll lifestyle, his death-by-heavy-alcohol-consumption only serving to further cement him in the frontmen halls of fame.
JIM MORRISON — The Doors
Morrison is widely regarded as one of the most influential rock frontmen of all time. His wild personality and counterculture rebellion saw him become a sort of anthematic leader in the bohemian anti-establishment movement, with politically inclined protest music his weapon of choice. Morrison was also one of the original members of the 27 Club, joining fellow music greats Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Brian Jones, after an accidental heroin overdose in 1971 saw him become the fourth music prodigy to die aged 27.
JIMMY BARNES — Cold Chisel
Not only is Jimmy Barnes a rock legend, he is also some kind of rock magician. Few other artists can lay claim to a song they released in 1978 re-entering the charts in 2011 — more than 30 years later.
Enter Khe Sahn. Sure, it might be the most covered song in the history of pub bands, but it is also the song that defines a nation. And, when it comes to Cold Chisel and its inimitable frontman, she was like so many more from that time on.
PETER GARRETT — Midnight Oil
Peter Garrett has had a colourful career. From being the frontman of Midnight Oil to a member of Kevin Rudd’s inner ministry, the Aussie musician, environmental activist and former politician has been there, sung that.
ROBERT PLANT — Led Zeppelin
Robert Plant is more than just climbing a stairway to heaven; he built the friggin’ thing.
The Led Zeppelin lead singer and lyricist is what we in the biz like to call the original frontman. He inspired — nay, pioneered — a whole new generation of rock and roll. Literally. It’s because of Plant that frontmen the likes of Freddie Mercury, Axl Rose and Chris Cornell even exist.
We have a whole lotta love for Bobby P.
EDDIE VEDDER — Pearl Jam
Who doesn’t love a lead singer who can bust out a rad rock tune, then pull out a ukulele and sing you a sweet, simple acoustic serenade? Oh Eddie Vedder, your talent never ceases to amaze us and we can no longer hide our love away.
DAVID LEE ROTH — Van Halen
This American rocker deserves a medal not only for his music but for his years of service to the industry. He’s been gracing our ears as the lead singer of Van Halen since the early 70s and is still releasing music, touring and making debut TV appearances. Talk about a great innings.
DEBBIE HARRY — Blondie
There is nothing like a serious punk rock chick to show the boys how it’s done. And Debbie Harry, the memorable megababe from new-wave punk rock band Blondie, definitely fits that bill.
The former Playboy Bunny traded the mansion for the microphone and went on to become one of the greatest female frontmen of all time. Even Andy Warhol couldn’t resist her rapture. Forty years on, the Blondie bombshell is still refusing to retire. You go girl.
DAVE GROHL — Foo Fighters
We’ve got another confession to make. We’re Grohl’s fool.
He may have cut his teeth as the drummer in 90s grunge group Nirvana, but Dave Grohl is a legend in his own right. The too-talented multi-instrumentalist is the founder and frontman of the wildly successful Foo Fighters. He has performed as a session drummer for music’s biggest names, including Paul McCartney, Garbage, David Bowie, Slash, Iggy Pop and Stevie Nicks.
In his hometown of Warren, Ohio, a 409kg pair of Guinness World Record-breaking drum sticks was erected in his honour.
Rumour has it Grohl can’t read sheet music and writes his music only by ear. My hero.
ANTHONY KIEDIS — Red Hot Chili Peppers
A chart-topping, multi-times platinum artist and a New York Times bestseller?
Anthony Kiedis is, universally speaking, one of the greatest gifts ever bestowed on the music industry.
His music is catchy, his performances energetic, his presence indescribable and his lyrics infinitely unfathomable. He is such a rock star that he can just string words together so that they are about as sensical as directions from the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland and they’ll still end up being a smash hit.
So Fox hole love pie in your face, Kiedis. You sure have got us by the soul to squeeze.
KURT COBAIN — Nirvana
Talented, troubled and tragic pretty much sum up Kurt Cobain who, until the recent addition of Amy Winehouse, was one of the most famous members of the 27 Club.
The Nirvana lead singer was the quintessential, charismatic frontman. Though his contribution to modern music was relatively limited — especially when compared with long-serving artists the likes of Jagger and Mercury — his impact was immeasurable.
ANNIE LENNOX — Eurythmics
With eight Brit Awards — including six for Best Female British Artist — Lennox is the real deal when it comes to rock and roll queens. She is one of the most awarded artists ever. As well as her eight Brit awards, she also has four Grammy Awards, and MTV Video Music Award, a Billboard Century Award, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award. Top that.
She’s also a rad entertainer and, having performed at the London Olympics and Buckingham Palace, has definitely earned some serious humblebrag points. Pretty hard to beat.
BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN — E Street Band
When your nickname is “The Boss”, you can be fairly confident you’ve kicked some serious life goals. And anyone who can perform for more than three hours in concert definitely deserves that title. Springsteen is widely known for his brand of poetic lyrics, Americana, working class and sometimes political sentiments. Oh, and for being an absolute mad dog.
ROGER DALTREY — The Who
With a career spanning more than 50 years and countless hits, it’s hard not to have a soft spot for Roger Daltrey. You better you bet that he would be among any ranking of the world’s greatest rock artists and I can’t explain how glad we are that he has made the cut in ours.
AXL ROSE — Guns N’ Roses
Axl Rose is so rock and roll that when he gets inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame he boycotts the event and then requests to be excluded from it. ‘Nuff said.
JOE STRUMMER — The Clash
The Clash was part of the original wave of British punk and its frontman, Joe Strummer, was the man leading the charge. He is one of the iconic figures of the British punk movement and his influence is still evident in modern music.
IGGY POP — The Stooges
Iggy Pop is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actor. He was the vocalist of influential proto-punk band The Stooges and is well known for his outrageous and unpredictable stage antics. He also likes to perform sans shirt.
LOU REED — Velvet Underground
Though the Velvet Underground was a commercial failure in the late 1960s, the group gained a considerable cult following in the years since its demise and went on to become one of the most widely cited and influential bands of the era.
CHRISSIE AMPHLETT — The Divinyls
Christine Amphlett was an Australian singer, songwriter and actor who was the frontwoman of Australian rock band Divinyls. She left home as a teenager and travelled to England, France, and Spain. She was detained for three months in Spain for singing on the streets.
STEVIE NICKS — Fleetwood Mac
Between her work with Fleetwood Mac and her extensive solo career, Nicks has produced over 40 top-50 hits and sold more than 140 million albums. She was named the Reigning Queen of Rock and Roll and one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone. As a solo artist, she has garnered eight Grammy Award nominations, and with Fleetwood Mac, a further five. She has a net worth of $75 million.
JON BON JOVI — Bon Jovi
During his career, Jon Bon Jovi has released two solo albums and twelve studio albums with his band, to date selling more than 130 million albums worldwide making them one of the world’s best-selling music artists. He has appeared in a string of films and TV series, including being cast as Katherine Heigl’s love interest in romantic comedy New Year’s Eve.
Think we’ve missed someone? Have your say in the comments section below.
Pick up your copy of next week’s Sunday Herald Sun to find out how to vote for your favourite frontman. Or woman.
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