THE 100 GREATEST LEAD SINGERS. This post: #60-51. Continues next week.

As the focal point for the groups they sing out front of, these figures loom larger than the other members. Caffè Lattè pays tribute to the all-time…

100

GREATEST LEAD SINGERS 

60

🎤Iggy Pop   

[The Stooges]

Few lead vocalists used shock and unpredictability as effectively as Pop does, either as a band member or soloist. He has exposed himself on stage. At various times, he can be a hazard to his own safety as well as those in the crowd.

59

🎤Lionel Richie

[Commodores]

Richie penned most of the Motown group’s biggest hits, including “Easy”, “Three Times A Lady” and “Still”. By the end of the 1970s, his talent was too big for the confines of a band. After a worldwide hit duet with Diana Ross in 1981 (“Endless Love”), Richie embarked on a solo career. 

58

🎤Tom Petty  

[Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers; Traveling Wilburys]

Petty recorded quality tracks as a soloist and as a member of supergroup The Traveling Wilburys (with Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Jeff Lynne) and with his own backing band The Heartbreakers.

57

🎤Lindsey Buckingham  

[Fleetwood Mac]

Buckingham helped Fleetwood Mac repivot following the spectacular success of its ‘Rumours’ album, spearheading the follow-up LP ‘Tusk’. On disc and stage, he is an energetic and skilled vocalist/ guitarist.

56

🎤Chrissie Hynde  

[Pretenders]

Although born in Akron, Ohio, Hynde relocated to England in her twenties where she formed The Pretenders. She has scored hits as a soloist and as the pivotal member of the group.  

55

🎤Ben E. King  

[The Drifters]

The male vocal group The Drifters was at its magical peak when fronted by Ben E. King. He sang lead on seminal soul staples “There Goes My Baby” and “Save The Last Dance For Me”. As a soloist, he offered the world another gem: “Stand By Me”.

54

🎤Joe Strummer  

[The Clash]

The Clash frontman penned the bulk of the group’s material (Mick Jones handled the others). Doing so, Strummer was a key figure in the development of punk rock and new wave.

53

🎤Thom Yorke  

[Radiohead]

Yorke’s vocals inject humanity into the group’s catalogue, evident on the breakthrough smash “Creep” and on subsequent albums and solo projects.

52

🎤Grace Slick  

[Jefferson Airplane]

Slick was the female lead singer in the band that changed names from Jefferson Airplane to Jefferson Starship and, later, Starship.

51

🎤Curtis Mayfield

[The Impressions]

Mayfield was at the helm during The Impressions’ golden period, producing soul classics such as “People Get Ready” before pursuing a solo career which saw him unleash his amazing ‘Superfly’ film soundtrack.

*ELIGIBILITY: No soloists; only regular bands with 1+ lead vocalist/s.