Kory Grow of Rolling Stone reports that Guns N’ Roses Frontman Axl Rose has responded to an unscientific, albeit virally popular, list of The World’s Greatest Singers, which placed him in the top spot. The list claimed he had a range that spanned nearly seven octaves, with his lowest note allegedly appearing in the 2008 Chinese Democracy song There Was a Time and his highest in his cover of the Dead Boys’ Ain’t It Fun, which appeared on the group’s 1994 covers album The Spaghetti Incident?. He said that he found the recognition flattering and humbling, according to Spin, though he wouldn’t top his own list of the greatest singers.
“If I had to say who I thought the best singers were, I’d say first that I don’t know there’s a definitive answer as in my opinion it’s subjective, and second that my focus is primarily rock singers,” he told Spin. “That said, I enjoy Freddie Mercury, Elvis Presley, Paul McCartney, [Nazareth singer] Dan McCafferty, Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson, Elton John, Roger Daltrey, Don Henley, [Electric Light Orchestra frontman] Jeff Lynne, Johnny Cash, Frank Sinatra, [jazz singer] Jimmy Scott, Etta James, Fiona Apple, [Pretenders frontwoman] Chrissie Hynde, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and a ton of others (predominantly Seventies rock singers) and would rather hear any of them anytime rather than me!”
Guns N’ Roses are currently in the middle of a 12-date residency at Las Vegas’ Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
additional source: rollingstone.com
19 Responses
The shame of it all is that it is him who has the talent. He s an awful human being. He treats bandmates and more importantly audience members like garbage. Not to mention his domestic violence issues. At least Michael Vick makes an effort to improve himself as a person. Mickey Rourke turned himself around and is by all accounts a nice man. Axl is the bottom of the barrell. Eddie Trunk had to do that interview at like 5 in the morning. It was a good interview but why not do an interview at a normal time. He is in his own stupid world and surrounds himself with ass kissers. If Ronnie James Dio is metals standard of a great guy, Axl is maybe the worst villain ever. Ask members of METALLICA.
So, you know him personally, right?
I know that there was a riot in Montreal that could have been prevented had he just dealt with less than perfect conditions and not have to act like a dickbag. People who spent a lot of money to see him got hurt ’cause of a situation that he couldn’t rise to the occasion to relax an already hostile audience. An asshole never changes his spots and this guy needs to go away. That all being said, yes I got CHINESE DEMOCRACY the day it came out and I liked it.
Why does one need to know him personally? His reputation has been well established by those who do.
Agreed, he also earned 1st place on the “Top 10 self-absorbed Wanker Morons of Metal List.”
When I’m dead I’m sure Dio, David Wayne (among many) and I will have a laugh about the list making Rose 1st.
But then none of us think Ipod earphones is actually listening to music. Must be the same kiddies who voted for some categories at the recent Golden Gods awards. Avenged Sevenfold for anything ? Give me a break clueless children 🙂
He has a great voice no matter what octaves he has. Chinese Democracy is awesome and I hope he starts putting out more albums. I have listened to Use Your Illusion 1 and 2 thousands of times and am ready for that kind of music from GNR–something more edgy like the old days even if its with his current lineup. Also love Slashes band with Myles Kennedy!
At the Golden Gods W. Axl Rose looked like a W. Axl Rose impersonator trying way too hard to be W. Axl Rose. That stage outfit, hat, mustache, lol…. And he sounded undoubtedly horrible.
He’s NOT the world’s greatest singer.