Time for the debate of top male voices
Part Two of a two-part series on American singers who possessed the greatest musical voices.
As predicted, the debate began almost simultaneously … at the time of the final keystroke. The list of the 10 Best Female American Vocalists sparked controversy. Any good, subjective list is certain to do that.
The first comment asked how a list of best female vocalists could not contain Lady Gaga or Queen Latifah. I took the easy way out. Since neither were mentioned by our esteemed panel of local musicians – Steve Ritrovato, Andy Petruzelli, Cheryl Petruzelli, Christina Triglia and Frankie Ewing -- I could not make the solo decision to put them among the Top 10.
Truth be known, I briefly considered Lady Gaga. She has a great voice, but dismissed her because her act is so much more than singing. I could never imagine the top vote-getter, Ella Fitzgerald, swinging from a trapeze while singing.
And the rest on the list – Etta James, Reba McEntire, Sarah Vaughan, Beverly Sills, Whitney Houston, Leann Rimes, Aretha Franklin, Carrie Underwood, Jo Stafford -- were so much more accomplished than Queen Latifah.
The next comment claimed that the list was too heavily country – three out of 10.
Certainly, that was a large percentage but country music just lends itself so well to the female voice. They can generate so much emotion, while relaying the stories of heartbreak and travail.
Moving to the American-born male list, there is not a similar emphasis on country. Only a few country singers were nominated … and only one made the final list. The males who have had great success in country music tend to have unique voices, rather than great ones. Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Garth Brooks.
The overwhelming predominance of style among the male nominations came from the great era of crooners. To show the strength of that era, great singers such as Billy Eckstine, Joe Williams, Bing Crosby, Mel Torme, Jerry Vale and Andy Williams were nominated … and did NOT make the final list.
Crosby was the one who came closest, but barely missed the cut. For all of his vocal quality, he did not generate the emotion that so many of the other crooners did – especially in their ballads. Perry Como was another who fell prey to being a bit too smooth.
Those who did make the list all possessed the ability to leave the listener breathless.
Enough with the explanations. It’s time to unveil the list.
1. Frank Sinatra – Nobody ever phrased a song like Sinatra. And his progression from swingin’ favorites to soulful bal-
lads showed his amazing versatility. His ability to move the “bobby soxers” with tunes like “Fly Me to the Moon” or “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” was equally matched by his success at striking a chord with a more mature audience when he sang “September of My Years” or “My Way.” Simply put … there never was, nor ever will there be another Sinatra.
2. Tony Bennett – None other than Frank Sinatra once said, “For my money, Tony Bennett is the best singer in the business. He excites me.” Born Anthony Benedetto, this product of Queens had the ability to make musical magic in jazz and pop circles. He is best known for his classic rendition of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco.” And his ballad “The Shadow of Your Smile” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in the 1965 movie The Sandpiper. But, when it came to the battles of love, his “I Wanna Be Around (To Pick Up the Pieces)” stands as the greatest breakup song of all-time.
3. Nat King Cole -- Almost
known as much for his jazz piano as for his vocal renditions, Nat King Cole forged a spectacular, yet short career. A heavy smoker, he died at age 45 from lung cancer. In 1940, at age 21 he recorded his first hit, “Sweet Lorraine.” Many more hit songs followed, including No. 1 hits “Mona Lisa” and “Too Young.” His most famous song was “Unforgettable,” which was re-recorded after his death as a duet with his daughter, Natalie Cole. The song that many claim is the greatest tribute to his vocal quality was the classic, written by Hoagy Carmichael, “Stardust.” His place in history stands with the fact that he was the first black man to host a national television series.
4. Dean Martin – The pride of Steubenville, Ohio, Dean Martin might be the most-loved vocalist on this list. Incredibly handsome, he certainly was a favorite with his large female audience. And the fact that he sang so many love songs didn’t hurt his appeal. His classic crooning voice added to the appeal of songs such as “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime,” “Return to Me,” “Innamorata” and “That’s Amore.”
5. Elvis Presley – A tarand-feathering
might have taken place if Elvis did not get a place on this list. While much of his act -replete with lavish stage productions -- was a distraction, there can be no denying the quality of his voice. He was a versatile singer, who reached across a wide spectrum of fans. None other than conservative political pundit William F. Buckley wrote in the National Review, “Presley brought an excitement to singing, in part because rock and roll was greeted as his invention, but for other reasons not so widely reflected on: Elvis Presley had the most beautiful singing voice of any human being on earth.”
6. Vince Gill – The high, pure tenor voice of Vince Gill made him an immediate hit when he emerged from the country rock band, Pure Prairie League, and started a solo career in 1983. He has recorded more than 20 studio albums and placed over 40 singles on the U.S. Billboard charts. He has won 18 Country Music Association awards, including two Entertainer of the Year awards and five Male Vocalist awards. His 21 Grammy awards place him above any other male country music artist. His spellbinding tenor tones
were never better showcased than in the hit song, “When I Call Your Name.”
7. Johnny Maestro – The Doo Wop era of the ’50s and ’60s was a showcase for great male vocalists, usually as the front for a group that produced unforgettable harmonies. The list includes Tony Williams of the Platters, Ben E. King of the Drifters, Jerome Anthony Gourdine of Little Anthony and the Imperials, Dion DiMucci of Dion and the Belmonts, Jackie Wilson originally of the Dominos and even the era-transitioning Frankie Valli of the Four Seasons. But standing above all was “The Voice” – Johnny Maestro. As lead singer of the Crests he made teenage girls everywhere cry with his rendition of “Sixteen Candles.” And, later with the Brooklyn Bridge, he brought tears to the eyes of countless wouldbe brides when he sang “Worst That Could Happen.”
8. Steve Perry – There were a number of nominations from the post1980 rock era – but most were non-Americans (Elton John, Paul McCartney, Freddie Mercury). Two who qualified and got the most support were Stevie Wonder and, of course, Michael Jackson. But, for the
pure quality of his voice, Steve Perry drew votes from both old and young. After first making waves as lead singer for the band, Journey, he struck out on a very successful solo career in 1987. Another singer dubbed “The Voice,” Perry’s passionate vocal quality can best be witnessed in the song “Foolish Heart.”
9. Mario Lanza – Whether singing his favorite operatic arias or pop songs in one of his many movies, Mario Lanza had a powerful tenor voice that stunned audiences. This favorite son of South Philadelphia began singing Italian standards but his good looks caught the eye of Louis B. Mayer, head of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios and he was signed to a seven-year film contract. His first movie was “That Midnight Kiss” in 1949 and one year later, in “The Toast of New Orleans,” his rendition of “Be My Love” launched him to international fame. In 1951 he played the role of his hero in The Great Caruso. The title song of his next film, “Because Your Mine,” was his final million-selling hit song. He died of a pulmonary embolism at age 38.
10. Sam Cooke – There are arguments for so many singers in the soul and R & B field. Marvin Gaye, Lionel Ritchie, Otis Redding, Smokey Robinson, Luther Vandross. But the fact that Sam Cooke was commonly known as the King of Soul says it all. His hit songs roll off the tongue and create an immediate mood – “You Send Me,” “Wonderful World,” “Chain Gang,” “Twistin’ the Night Away,” “Cupid” and “Another Saturday Night” just start listeners down memory lane. He undoubtedly would have continued to create hit songs, had not been shot to death at age 33 under suspicious circumstances at the Hacienda Motel in Los Angeles.
Let the battles begin again. The arguments for those who deserved to be on the list. And for those who did not deserve to be on the list. It is an endless debate … but most certainly, an engaging one.