You won’t find Fergie on this list of great voices

Part One of a two-part series on American singers who possessed the greatest musical voices.

The sounds of the pop singer, simply known as Fergie, still pierce the eardrum. She was chosen, inexplicably, to sing “The Star Spangled Banner” at the NBA All-Star game in February. To say it was like listening to fingernails dragging across a chalkboard would be a grossly unfounded compliment.

And this is aside from addressing the issue of showing respect for America’s National Anthem, rather than attempting some offthe-wall version. That is another topic altogether.

The rub comes from the NBA selecting someone with a voice that is completely incapable of handling a very difficult song. It would be akin to putting actor Danny DeVito in the annual Slam-Dunk Contest.

So, with images of Fergie — a pathetic example of what is supposedly the best America has to offer to sing its National Anthem on a very national/international stage — the question arises. Where are we going to find the next great American voices?

We’re not talking about performers … entertainers … showmen … singer/dancers who dazzle with a multi-faceted performance. We’re talking about simply the next great American voice. The one that stops you in your tracks … paralyzes you in your seat, as the mere quality, passion and emotion of a voice captivates every one of your senses.

We’re talking about the next American version of a Luciano Pavarotti or an Edith Piaf.

Sadly, the view on the horizon looks bleak.

With that in mind, thoughts wandered to the great American voices of today and yesterday. And, as often happens when conversations of that kind are generated … a list also is generated.

To help with this task, a panel of accomplished local musicians was surveyed. All were asked the same question – provide two lists of the 10 best American voices, one male and one female. Again, only the voice was to be considered. No other performance qualities – just the rich, captivating, passionate and enthralling voice.

The panel, who provided the lists that were then melded into a consensus list included:

Steve Ritrovato – famous crooner and lead singer for the City Rhythm Orchestra.

Andy Petruzelli and Cheryl Petruzelli – the husband and wife team that is part of the sensational acapella group, A Perfect Blend.

Christina Triglia – lead singer