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
I’m glad he mentioned Nazareth’s Dan McCafferty since he clearly was most influenced by him judging by his own style. At times it’s such a rip, I feel he should be paying Dan royalties.
Never liked G n R, never liked Axl Rose’s voice. I do agree with his statement, though. Lists like this are stupid.
Frank you know what diamond Dave says,if you don’t have the voice wear bright colored clothes and shake that ass on stage!
My personal top singers would be,
1. Freddie Mercury
2. Steve Marriott
3. Rodger Daltrey
4. Robert Plant
5. Rob Halford
6. John Lennon
7. Paul McCartney
8.Bon Scott
9. Jim Morrison
10. Marvin Gaye
For me, I’d add John Sykes, Richie Kotzen, Dio, Eric Martin, Sebastian Bach, Geoff Tate and Ron Young to that list 🙂
Dana from here 🙂
This article needs to be updated.
Mike Patton was ranked above Axl Rose. See for yourself…
http://www.vintagevinylnews.com/2014/05/digging-deeper-axl-rose-is-not-singer.html?m=1
Thanks for the update.
Dana from ET.com 🙂