[Dean's World] Shay: Best Rock Voices Ever

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Posted by Shay:
Best Rock Voices Ever
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1152118555.shtml


   I've been a fan of rock music since at least eight years old (which
   would be circa 1979). How it came about, I don't know. I did not grow
   up in a household that listened to rock music. While I attended
   schools that were mostly white, my friendship set was mostly black.
   While my relatives and childhood friends were listening to groups like
   New Edition and this new thing at the time called rap, I was mostly
   (but not entirely) listening to hard rock and heavy metal outfits like
   Rush, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Journey, AC/DC, and other groups. I
   used to get teased a bit for my musical tastes, but things have now
   come full circle. Rappers are now sampling rock cuts, and a few folks
   who used to tease me - like my older cousin, who is on his way to
   serve in Tikrit, Iraq - are now hard rock fans. My picks are based on
   good rock vocals, uniqueness, and who moves me: 1. BRIAN JOHNSON,
   AC/DC: He is not even the group's original vocalist - he is the third,
   after Dale Evans and the late and iconic Bon Scott - but I believe
   that Johnson is the best of the three. This coaliminer's son ain't
   pretty, but you immediately recognize his voice when you hear it. His
   ass-kickin', blues-tinged rock vocals howl and growl, and project an
   "I take not s___t" ethic. Johnson gets straight to the point, and with
   soul I always feel like bustin' up a few chairs after hearing this
   Brit sing songs like the classic "Back In Black" (one of the best rock
   cuts of all time), "Shoot To Thrill" or "Rock And Roll Ain't Noise
   Pollution". 2. STEVE PERRY, JOURNEY: Dude can belt out a rock ballad
   with the best of 'em, and he seemingly holds a note longer than any
   other rocker. Working-class American rock voice at one of its finest.
   3. BONO, U2: His low-key vocals approach (at least compared to, say,
   Brian Johnson) works well with the band's Irish rock sound. I turn on
   Bono's voice when I want to calm down. 4. COREY GLOVER, LIVING COLOUR:
   His soul-tinged vocals shows that brothas can get into the rock mix
   too. "Cult of Personality" is him at his finest. I was soooo glad when
   he hit the scene, as I looked like a trendsetter among my black peers.
   5. KURT COBAIN, NIRVANA: I could feel ol' boy's pain in his songs.
   When even a hip hop magazine like Vibe dedicates stuff to you after
   your death, you know you're bad as hell.

   In a closing note, I say....bring back the working-class rockers! This
   suburban (mostly) "pretty white boy" bleatin' that now dominates the
   radio and music videos just ain't cuttin' it with me. Earnestness?
   Whatever. Where are the tough guys of yesteryear, with kick-ass rock?