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Jagger, Plant, Sting, Gabriel, Lee Roth, Grohl, Mercury, Hendrix, Daltrey, Yorke. All of these spring to mind as great front men. There are many more but not many of them are new musicians as I see very few charismatic singers/frontmen these days.

Roger Daltrey, Robert Plant, and Jimi Hendrix will always be rock's most legendary frontmen. Liam Gallagher is the best of the past twenty-odd years.

You could also add Ian Anderson often thought of as Jethro Tull, although it must be understood that JT were actually the band and not the individual at the front of the stage. He had huge charisma as a front man and as an accomplished musician.

Or how about Bryan Ferry as the front man for Roxy Music ? may be not to everyone's liking, but definately a very good front man.

After Peter Gabriel left, you could even say Phil Collins was a good front man for Genesis (took over that spot, filled in very well and then went on to massive success as a solo artist).

Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) surely has to be one of the most distinctive and memorable............

Mark King (Level 42), Karen Carpenter, Stuart Adamson (Big Country), Ray Wilson (Stiltskin & Genesis), Fish (Marillion)

Forgot to mention Jim Morrison of The Doors.

It has to be Freddie Mercury, of course! He was the only one of the above with any real talent as a singer. The rest were just good.

Dio, Plant, Coverdale, Hughes. End of!

Robert Smith. Dave Gahan for his energy. 2 of the most under appreciated men of British music.

Bit young to remember some of these names, but from the performances I've seen, Hendrix (Just for his guitar playing, he was always more bothered about people hearing that than his voice) and Freddie Mercury were incredible. Hendrix had such charisma even with his quiet and reserved personality. and of course Freddie was just Freddie, I don't think I've seen anyone else like him.

Matt Bellamy is a fantastic frontman, as is Tom from Kasabian, both guys who can really get a crowd going, especially at festivals. Dave Grohl is such a legend of modern rock I think he could front Jedward or the next Glee rip off song and they'd gain credibility.

Freddie.

What about the incredible Paul Rodgers not only with Bad Company and Free but also in his stint with Queen as well as leading his own band. Simon Fowler with Ocean Colour Scene, and Ben Ottowell with Gomez. Steve Marriott with The Small Faces. All amazing front men.

Bob Calvert, occasional frontman of Hawkwind was astounding because of his theatricality. Ian Gillan in Deep Purple mark 2 had the charisma plus a vocal range only rivalled by Arthur Brown. For quirky coolness and fun Steve Marriott of Small Faces was hard to beat, but I'd have to plump for Viv Stanshall for being such a ginger genius.

Jagger was the original frontman. This was the early sixties. Dangerous and anti- establishment, he was the first to emerge from his crisp suited and over choreographed contemporaries, arrogantly pouting his trademark lips at the front of the stage, no instrument in tow and weave a relationship with the audience to which the music was coincidental. Mercury, Daltrey and Plant also magnificent but all take a bow to Jagger in my opinion. The fact that he's not in the top 25 just shows how uneducated our kids are! If Gallagher was the best of the last 20 years, we haven't had much have we?

Ther is only one Roger Daltry, maybe followed by Freddie

.. and no one has yet mentioned Joe Strummer or Shane MacGowan.

DAVE GAHAN. The most underrated front man of the most underrated British Band. Masses of energy and charisma!!

None of you are thinking outside of the box and just prove to me you
a) only register with 'big' branded bands and names that is so typical of spoon fed music 'fans'.
b) probably read and believe everything on Radio and Global Music Press
c) don't listen to anything other than bands in the end of year top 20 polls.

In the recent 10-20 years there has been a huge overwhelming display of frontman/front women (let's not get sexist here okay?!).

Now I don't want to sound idealist and elite, but here are my favourite front men that have paved the way in the underground world who influenced all the more current and bigger bands.

Here are my favourite, in no particular order:
Henry Rollins (Black Flag/Rollins Band), David Yow (Scratch Acid/Jesus Lizard/Qui), Buzz Osbourne (Melvins), Iggy Pop (Stooges..obviously), Neil Fallon (Clutch), James Maynard (Tool), Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Phil Anselmo (Pantera), Mike Patton (Faith No More), Atilla Csihar (Sunn/Mayhem), Cedric Bixler (Mars Volta/At The Drive In), Tim Harrington (Les Savy Fav), Pete Simonelli (Enablers), Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat/Fugazi), Josh Homme (Kyuss/Desert Sessions/QOTSA), Lisa Kekaula (The Bellrays)...

See where I am coming from? David Yow and Rollins wipe the floor over your old gods like Mick and Plant.

18. "who influenced all the more current and bigger bands".

I get your drift but you also emphatically prove my point. Who do you think influenced your favourites?

What about Mr Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister??

Marc Bolan T.Rex brought the fun back to music in the early 70s, he started Glam Rock, although his music was more than that, go back to his Tyranosaurus Rex days. Freddie Mercury/Queen a brilliant front man. The thing is with front men when they die the group is no more, no freddie Mercury no Queen, No Marc Bolan no T.rex, no Rodger Dawltry no Who.

Jello Biafra.

Karen Carpenter, Jim Morrison, Frankie Valli, Marc Bolam, Billy J. Kramer, Gerry Marsden, Chip Hawkes, Charlie Daniels, Bob Marley, Desmond Decker, Suggs, Wayne Fontana, Steve Winwood,Noddy Holder, Tony Hadley, Martin Fry, Davy Jones, Clem Curtis, Rod Stewart in the Faces, John Lennon & Freddie Mercury he was such a fantastic showman.

Ian Gillan - by miles. A true showman and who else has a range that even comes close?

Only one RAY DAVIES

I forgot Ian Gillian, the fantastic Roger Daltrey & Ian Anderson

and Ray Davies of course there's so many to choose from.

Ian Brown - so good he doesn't even have to sing in tune. Ring and ding ding ding.

I've got more JT than anything else and so I heartily support Ian Anderson. But though great I'm not sure he's the greatest. Freddie Mercury has to be in the running but I'm surprised no one's mentioned David Bowie?

No other than the wonderful and sadly missed Steve Marriott

bon scott!!

Dave Gahan and Michael Hutchence and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

thought about some more Alan Parsons, Reg Presley, Elvis, Colin Blunstone, Alan Price, Georgie Fame & Eric Burdon.

There have been many but nobody gets close to Freddie Mercury. After a few light years further on, you get to Mick, Ray Davies, Alice Cooper, Robert Plant, Ian Hunter, Steve Tyler, Brian Johnson (AC|DC). These are examples of rock giants who could twist you round their little finger. Today's bands are fronted by largely forgettable blokes - names and looks. The legends have been and gone.

Paul Rodgers, Phil Lynott, Ronnie Spector, Huey Lewis, Jon Bon Jovi & Bruce Hornsby.

There are alot of worthy frontmen mentioned...but it surely has to be Freddie Mercury !!!!!!

Kurt Cobain must surely be worth a mention at least.

Ray Davies ahead of a crowded field. A brilliant lyricist, a unique voice and a risk taker. I recently posted on my Rockaeology blog at the story of how Ray produced "You Really Got Me." Unwilling to follow the dictates of a Pye Records, which wanted a Merseybeat-style sound, Ray said he would succeed or fail on his own terms and created this groundbreaking hit his own way.

May not be a popular choice but richard ashcroft, all be it only between 92-97 but those early gigs were in my opinion some of the best ever and he had so much energy

Iggy! No one else comes close.

Freddie Mercury...no contest!!

P.S....John Lydon...come on??!!

Well, I would have said David Bowie, but as a solo artist he's not technically a "front man", is he?

I also don't think this is about simply voting for your favourite band/singer: there can be brilliant frontmen who you don't necessarily like: in that category, I'd nominate Pete Murphy, from Bauhaus, who, whilst I don't rate their music as amongst my all-time greats, was undeniably one of the most amazing frontmen of his day.

But overall, I'd have to say Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols), Iggy Pop (Stooges), Lux Interior (The Cramps), Ian Dury (The Blockheads), and Ian Curtis (Joy Division).

Ade Dovey....


I'm all for thinking outside of the box, but if you're going to be quite as condescending, at least back up your argument...Trent Reznor, Cedric Bixler??!!

Just because someone is alternative (etc) doesn't make it 'cooler'....I'd take a John Lennon or a Freddie Mercury over Trent Reznor any day! [shakes head...]

Status Quo - Francis Rossi, Sting, Ian Hunter & Good old School Out Alice Cooper who was a member of the Alice Cooper Band if you don't believe me ask Paul Gambaccini.

@ number 18 - you're the biggest cliche on this blog.

It's a shame no one has mentioned Michael Stipe, who has really grown into the role over 30 years. As for you Gallagher lovers - shame on you, anyone who is part of what is essentially a 60's tribute band should not be eligible! ;-) Drives me bonkers, put Oasis in any other decade and they wouldn't sell a single album.

Also, you can't have Lennon 'cos McCartney was the frontman towards the end, and why oust Lennon from that spot if he was better?!

Dylan had The Band for a bit, there's no question he is the biggest self-promoter of all time (and I love him for it), so he has to be in with a shout. Dave Grohl is the best of the past 10 years, Thom Yorke is underrated, but Freddie had everything - Go on - deny it.

P.s also Jack White

MORRISSEY. Without a doubt. Very few artists ever have got to 50 without looking and behaving like a performing seal and a self parody. Morrissey is every bit as real as he ever was, every bit as enthralling on the stage and every bit as important. The world needs Morrissey. Does the world still need Jagger strutting on stage playing the old tunes to the mums and dads and bank managers in soulless stadiums? I think not. Viva Morrissey, the greatest frontman of all time

Freddie Mercury
Paul Stanley
Roland Orzabal
Glenn Hughes
Geddy Lee
Lemmy
Dave Brock
Phillip Bailey
Phil Collins
Robert Plant
Dan Reed
Roger Daltry
Phil Lynott
Bon Scott

All excellent - but Freddie was the best

Jon Bon Jovi was a joke when I saw them (at their peak).

what about Tony Blackburn, Chop Chop anyone ?

Bono, Brett Anderson, Dave Gahan

In the top twenty five of All Time, my list would definitely include Mick Jagger, Ray Davies, Ian Hunter and U.F.Os Phil Mogg. All are still working their craft today after so many years, you know they're mind, heart, body and souls are that of genuine performers! Keeping their fans inspired through so many years, is a gift only a few can deliver. These guys enjoy what they do, we fans are blessed to have them share it with us!

I've seen almost everybody talked here live and in person about but no one compares to Ray Davies. I've never seen anyone command an audience like him. Also, Bowie and definitely Bryan Ferry were clearly influenced by his onstage mannerisms.

No Bono? That's fine with me. How about Ian Curtis for originality? Or even David Byrne, especially in the Stop Making Sense tour and film?

well there is one one winner,

Freddie Mercury, no question but Springsteen is the best front man from across the pond

i cannot believe throughout this noone has mentioned Bruce Dickinson he has to be one of the most energetic front men around even today and after more than 30 years at the top of his game. Freddie was a true artist no doubt there and is probably epitomy of what a frontman/woman is but i feel Bruce Dickinson should be right there in the top 5

John Lennon in his time, was a great frontman..

Who is the greatest frontmen ever?
Freddie Mercury.
Who is the second greatest frontman ever? Now that would be a VERY hard question.

1. david bowie
2. iggy pop
3. kate crash
4. mick jagger
5. lila downs
6. karen o
7. pelle from the hives
8. patti smith
9. lux
10. Bjork
11. nick cave
12. Poly Styrene
13. debbie harry
14. Tiombe Lockhart

why only 3 women in their list... no lila downs???
sexist nme.... not many non whites on the list either...

I should add that surely the most sensational Alex Harvey would knock all your boys and girls into a cocked hat! Vambo Roolz!

Without a doubt in my mind, Sammy Hagar, particularly when he was with Van Halen, is the best front man closely followed by Bon Scott..........

Have we finished? How I loathe celebrity lists.....

I'm surprised to read there's still an NME. Who reads that these days (apart from Mr. Gompertz - but he gets paid to do it)?

Mick Jagger,Janis Joplin,Freddie Mercury and Roger Daltrey!!

DAVID LEE ROTH - The greatest frontman of the all, no one had his energy his persona or his hyperactivity

Freddie Mercury, Roger Daltrey, James Hetfield, Steven Tyler, Joey Ramone, Eddie Vedder, Anthony Kiedis, Zach De La Rocha, Dave Grohl, Brian Johnson
I hate the rolling stones so I can never say that Mick Jagger is a great frontman (I think its the belly shirts!)

Van Halen (not Van Hagar) were electric, they were fresh, original and completely reinvented the world of rock with their orginal self titled album in 1978 and Lee Roth played a hugely significant part of this

@5 Simon Merritt:
Ray Wilson? Really? He's a good singer and has written some nice songs - I remember him from his days in Guaranteed Pure at Fingers and Maddogs in Edinburgh and you could see he was going places - but Greatest Frontman Ever??

There can be only one. If you follow me.

Levi Stubbs from The Four Tops , Midge Ure, Errol Brown & Sir Bob Geldof.

Completely agree with Ade Dovey comment 18.

Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom, Mondo Cane.....etc)

By far the greatest and original frontman ever, would eat Liam Gallagher for breakfast!

Ziggy Stardust

1. Marc Bolan
2. James Brown
3. Prince

Freddie Mercury, Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Hendrix and Jim Morrison to name but a few.

David Van Day.

I can't believe no one got this right. Jim Morrison, John Rotten, Liam Gallagher, Bruce Dickenson, Roger Daltrey, Mick Jagger...in that order. And to the kook who threw Henry Rollins into the mix, I can tell you, I saw Black Flag pre-Henry and with Henry...HE RUINED THE BAND! As Dez Cadena, ask Greg Ginn, ask Chavo, ask anybody who was there!!!

Debbie Harry, she brilliant & Clare Grogan.

Will Gompertz .

populism is alive and well, don't you agree? ;-)

63. I'm no fan of the Tories but recognise what a great Prime Minister Winston Churchill was.

Steve Tyler is just a Jagger clone......surely you've spooted that one?!