WHO IS THE GREATEST GRUNGE FRONTMAN?
3 June 2009
81 Comments
Who is the greatest Grunge frontman of all time?
I’ll post the final results in a week or so from now, so get to voting! Also you can post your reasoning for who you voted for in the comment box, I’ll be sure to put them in the article with the results.
i think weiland really brought grunge to the forefront with STP. aside from his drug problems he is an amazing singer. not going to hate on the others they all did their part but i like weiland
Layne Staley is by far the most awesome singer of the grunge era or from any era for that matter. NOBODY could sing like this man could. The talent Layne Staley had was untouchable. God Bless Layne!
No way anyone can match Layne Staley!!! Or beat him for that matter!! The man had such charisma and unlimited talent!! He is still touching souls to the very core of their beings today, whether it be new people of all ages who have never heard of him before and are just now checking him out, or his faithful long time fans from the very beginning!!
I picked Weiland because I thought he had the most vocal range and was the best pure singer. I think Vedder, Cobain and maybe Cornell have more recognizable faces than Weiland, though. Looks like Cobain will win which is just silly because he wasn’t half the singer Weiland was.
This era produced a lot of great bands and frontmen. But for me it’s not hard to choose, even if I like the others too. My vote goes without hesitation to Layne Staley. He was not only a singer, but a poet and a true frontman, putting both his great voice, his ability to reach out, and his charsima etc into that word. He could do very different styles, from Metal to acoustics, from Alice in Chains to Mad Season from Pink Floyd to Dylan, putting his soul into all of them. Rest in peace, you will never be forgotten!
Since it’s hard to tell the standings as of now I’ll post the current standings:
Layne Staley- 37%
Eddie Vedder- 26%
Scott Weiland- 16%
Mark Lanegan- 10%
Chris Cornell- 7%
Kurt Cobain- 2%
Kurt Cobain just gained a lot and Mark Lanegan moved into 2nd place.
Layne Staley- 25%
Mark Lanegan- 21%
Kurt Cobain- 20%
Eddie Vedder- 17%
Scott Weiland- 13%
Chris Cornell- 4%
I don’t associate Weiland with “grunge” post core, so I cant really vote for him in this poll. Went with Vedder, he is the ultimate flannel and shorts, I don’t give a hoot grunge lead singer imo. He kept the look and the sound from then til now.
Layne Staley number #1 HELL YEAH!!!!!!!
Layne Staley was a amazing singer live, and a true icon that is missed but never ever ever forgotten.
Layne was a diamond in the ruff , his voice had such power and vibrato
he was truley blessed , he had such control over his voice its amazing
plus the things he wrote about millions could relate to and identify with
There is not a single song he song that was not worthy of a grammy
He was a true original in a era of clones
Only 4% for Chris Cornell?
I voted Layne Staley but my second choice would be Cornell…. (despite of his poor solo works)
haha how is eddie not number one. in his prime he was the best vocalist, pearl jam was by far the most influential/diverse/recognized band of the 90’s, and in his early days eddie vedder was the coolest guy to watch on stage.ive never seen anyone else climb on top of stage lights and sound systems and 100 foot towers and then stage dive other than him. and he didnt become a sell out like chris either. therefore eddie is number 1
the best singer was chris, the best all around was Eddie, layne had the best vocal melodies, weiland had the craziest stage presence, kurt had the most distinct style, and mark had the grungiest voice
oh yea, and why the hell were mark arm, tad doyle, and andy wood not on this list, Mark Arm was like the definitive proto grunge frontmen, Tad was just badass and pure grunge, and Andy.. holy sh** that could could belt, and his lyrics were awesome
I think Layne Staley is the best singer, but not as an all around frontman. To be a good frontman, you have to have that energy to be up on stage and have an ego. Which is why I chose Weiland
Despite fitting the criteria of a good frontman to a “T”, I cannot in good conscience vote for Scott Weiland. He was a bandwagon jumper whose success with STP opened the door for bands like Silverchair, Creed and Nickelback. And his voice and style around Core and Purple was shamelessly ripped off of Eddie Vedder.
I’m voting for Eddie. Fits the bill all around and his band wasn’t a cheap cash-in on the grunge scene like Stone Temple Pilots were.
I love layne but vedder is the best,with his history and the people still following him the answer is easy.great vocals by layne,one of the most tecknical voices by chriss and the influence of Kurt are all grea but eddie is the best!
I voted for Eddie. Layne was the best singer, but the question is “who’s the best frontman”, not the best singer. So I chose Eddie. He’s the best frontman IMO.
The fact that Weiland & Vedder are even competing blows my mind. Layne & Cornell were 2 of the greatest frontmen EVER. My vote goes to Chris Cornell. People need to youtube some of Soundgardens early performances if it’s even a question. Find a live version of Slaves and Bulldozers from the motorvision video. Nobody from any period can top stuff like that.
Eddie Vedder is the best singer for many reasons! Not only is he the best singer but he is also a great example, good family man and doesnt do drugs. Hes never stops working either! Plus Cornell has lost his voice now, he cant scream like he used to. Scott tried to be eddie on core.
EDDIE IS GOD
and Eddie is winning now
Please explain those “many reasons” cause I don’t see/hear em. I’m a fan of Eddie Vedder but he didn’t have nearly as strong a voice as Staley or Cornell. You’re right Cornell can’t “scream” like he used to but he’s still a better singer then Eddie ever was. Lyrically, stage presence, and overall vocals goes to Cornell. Easily. lmao at Eddie winning this and Weiland even being mentioned.
Vedder is the best for the following reasons.
Though I agree with Junior that Cornell has a technically better voice than Ed, Eddie’s faults are his advantages. The fact his voice isn’t as polished as Cornell’s adds to the emotion and genuine feel of his vocals. Chris’ voice, if anything, is too perfect. He doesn’t have a vulnerability factor.
I would say lyrically, it’s a toss up between Cornell and Vedder. With the “best†being down to each individual’s preference. I prefer Ed’s lyrics. As for stage presence, I have seen both Vedder and Cornell live and Eddie wins hands down. I’ve never seen anyone command a crowd’ attention so much without asking to. Cornell isn’t bad. But Eddie’s better.
So Vedder wins this for me, with Cornell and Staley following him.
I never said Cornell had a better “technical” voice then anyone. If anything Vedder and Layne had better “technical” voices then Cornell if you’re really looking at it from a real “singers” point of view. Cornell just had a stronger, meaner & more powerful voice in my opinion. He had a different tone of feeling behind his voice that most people look over. If you’re going for feeling then again I would place Layne above EVERY one cause nobody had more feeling in their voice then him. So again you’re wrong. lol to say that Eddie wins stage presence “hands down” makes me believe that you’re not giving and honest unbiased opinion on it because although I like how Eddie puts on a performance Cornell just brings you into his songs without any lame gimmicks.(not saying that Vedder used any lame gimmics) Go study a few Soundgarden, AIC & Pearl Jam vids from around 91/92 & come back & try again. or even 94/95 Cornell was at the tiop of his game. “Beyond the Wheel” live is just insane. Weiland & Vedder were good, but Layne and Cornell were up on an entirely different level in their prime.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Q4NUH5TXIY
bye bye Vedder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wO18jd0bqvM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdO6ho_JFm8 <thats how you command a crowd imo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckRsIy4Zqgo&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUyJoojCLnc
I’d like to vote but I’m still waiting for somebody to put Scott Stapp on the goddamn list. How disrespectful.
lol those videos you posted just further proved my point. Maybe we just take their performances differently because those videos of Pearl don’t hit nearly like the videos of Soundgarden. Way more feeling and more overall greatness in Chris Cornells shit.
Want to say Vedder, but I gotta go with Staley. Weiland is pretty high on the list too.
Layne was too far gone to ever be compelling live. He had to literally be propped up, or roll out in a wheelchair, to even exist on stage.
And who CAN’T sing in that bellowy voice-echo way that he did??
Wieland. Period.
uhhh nobody can lol. Layne had one of the most unique voices ever AND an amazing stage presence. It’s obvious that people post comments blindly and don’t know anything about the music. Please post a video of you easily singing these songs like he does.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PYegfhgiZo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9jX1KAKp78
Wow! All these guys are great singers and lyricists in there own right. But for me, Layne Staley is the best grunge vocalist of all time! Layne’s dark, eerie yet incredibly loud clear voice always gives me goosebumps every time I hear him. His vocals on Rooster, Damn That River, Rotten Apple and Nutshell are epic! His songwriting abilities were flawless and made me respect the fact the he was a songwriter with integrity who wrote about real-life issues from the heart. He is the reason why I am a singer/songwriter today. His stage presence was masterful until the drugs caught up with him. Layne’s vocal octives are and forever will truly be one of a kind. Chris Cornell is a close second since has always been a favourite of mine. Saw him live in 07 and he was perfect! Oh, and of course how could you forget King Vedder!!!!!
Definitely Layne Staley. There’s no doubt about it. He may not have been as crazy on stage as the others, but his voice was so haunting and beautiful that I will vote for him.
Layne Staley was absolutely the best!
None of these guys can compare to Layne Staley…especially Kurt Cobain..Layne had that unique voice that you could just feel in the pit of your soul…give you goose bumps…
Layne Staley by a long shot! He was the most uniqe out of all of them. He is also the only one who can stand on a stage with the Plants, and Mercury’s. There really is no reason for this poll b/c Layne is and always will be the best… Even when he lost it, he still sounded better than anyone of these guys!
R.I.P. Layne
Oh yeah, Alice in Chains was the best band as well, they could of been big no matter what era they came out 60s,70s,80s it wouldn’t matter!
“Put You Down” & “Sickman”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7F3FBKIBpIc
Layne Staley all the way. He has the most uniquie out of all of them.
Layne staley hands down. He had the best vocal range out of everyone on this list, and he put so much heart into his songs.
——- LAYNE STALEY———
EV
What does greatest mean? That could be taken so many different ways: most superior vocals, most admired vocals, most influential person, best lyrics, most interesting person, most interesting vocal style. This poll is ridiculous.
This is for best frontman, not lead singer, not best stage presence, front man. Band Leader, songwriter, these should come to mind just as much. That’s why i didn’t vote Staley. I voted Eddie Vedder because he thicks these boxes for me, so does Cornell i suppose, but Vedder just takes it for me. Personally always considered Jerry Cantrell as the frontman of AIC. Also the fact that Staley was fucked on stage for all but two tours for AIC and wasn’t relevant towards the latter years of AIC. My fav. singer though and a cool dude!
Kyle Luther, Layne had the best vocal range? really? if you’re going to vote for someone don’t post reasons that aren’t true. please stop voting and posting blind comments people. This poll isn’t ridiculous, the voters are.
All frontmen on the list are excellent in many different aspects but only one has a great cult-like following… and that’s one of his many advantages.
Hey, Layne sucked live….this really sucks to you??
Watch Layne shake it, boy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVqQ2yLKmws
I loved all the “grunge” band singers, but Staley had something that put him over the top. Maybe it was the vulnerability, or the fragility of his life. But, Layne by no means, sucked live. He wasn’t always propped up and he had a broken foot when he was in the wheelchair…and never missed a show. Check your facts before you spew your filth. Regardless of who anyone thinks is the best front man, a little respect goes a long way.
Even Anthony Keidis from RHCP’s Loves AIC and Layne!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGiTnzY7g14
I think Layne Staley is the best. Sure miss him.
What, no TAD? Screw those mainstream folk, it was all about TAD!
layne staley was second to nobody,vocal speak for them self. there will never be another layne…..
Layne and Cornell are a close 2A & 2B…but there is one clear winner in my mind.
Eddie Vedder
Why?
- Most if not all of PJ’s songs are written by EV. You can’t say the same for Layne or CC. Jerry Cantrell wrote most of AIC’s tunes and CC did write quite a few, but no where near the amount of EV. I can’t find it right now but there are some quotes from members of PJ and other musicians that have worked with EV and they all say the same thing…”when it comes to writing songs and thinking up lyrics, EV is on a whole different planet.”
- Has anyone heard of the “Into The Wild Soundtrack”??? Easily one of the best cd’s to come out over the past decade. This in my mind was the defining fact of how talented EV is. I believe he is my generations Bob Dylan. Everything on that cd originated with EV.
- PJ will go down as the greatest American Rock Band of all time when it’s all said and done. 20 years later and they’re still selling out arena’s. Can’t say that for any other “Grunge” band.
- As someone pointed our previously, EV’s stage presence is hands down one of the best in all of music…not just Grunge or Rock.
How can anyone doubt it?
Kurt Cobain is grunge’s biggest manifestation. is grunge in person. he is one of the greates muscicians of all time. all his perfomances were magical. HE IS GRUNGE. that’s it. the rest are great, too. i like all of them, actually, but Cobain is bigger than anyone.
scott weiland and kurt cobain are my faves.
anyone else think so? they’re both pretty good for me.
layne maybe wasn´t the frontman who jump or anything else, but the essence that he show in concerts was to much powerful. layne lives 4 ever man.
Layne Staley is the best frontman ever !
Personally, I love Vedder and Layne. As a FRONTMAN I usually would go with Layne. He always played the crowd well. Until I heard this and realized onstage antics will never surpass pure talent… THIS IS GRUNGE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTr8BNLqrOM
Eddie Vedder. Best singer in the best band.
Where is my comment? Anyway, for me it will always be Kurt Cobain. As Pato said, HE IS GRUNGE!
HAHA how could you guys vote for anyone besides Kurt Cobain. He was pure passion and as real as they came. While the others do have decent music they dont even compare to kurt and nirvana. I am hardpressed to find even 1 nirvana song i dont like. As for the rest of those bands…they have whole albums of crap.
Plus …oh yeah kurt cobain single handedly invented grunge. The rest just copied what he did. Eddie vedder when he was wearing flannel shirts was a joke. Trying to be something hes not just like the rest of these frontmen. Kurt was the only genuine grunge rocker as far as im concerned and the rest just followed along. He was the last great rock star and his creativity was far above the rest.
The statement “_________ created grunge” is as ignorant as it can get. How the fuck does any one person/band “create grunge”? And if we’re going to say “the rest just copied” please explain how that would be possible when AIC and Soundgarden were both putting out heavy music way before your savior Kurt even thought about music. In Utero = great album. The rest of Nirvana releases = punk/pop bullshit. I’d respect you if you really felt that Kurt was the better of the choices, but don’t ramble on and knock others opinions and follow your points up with blatant nonsense to back them. Badmotorfinger, Dirt, Facelift, Superunknown, Louder Than Love, Ten, Vs., = all superb albums. Don’t just blindly ramble, do your research.
Its Layne and Layne thats it. Please check unplugged, apart from Sludge factory mixup his stage performance was perfect. It sounded like a recording – thats perfection. No one can be compared with him.
Layne Staley, hands down.
Who has a voice like his? Not a soul.
The only contest is between Layne Staley and Kurt Cobain, and I personally would have to go with Layne Staley, though I adored Kurt as well.
nobody beats eddie vedder!!!! They are still around never had drug problems plus he can sing and perform his ass off!!!! I love Pearl Jam BTW!
eddie vedder. there will never be a better singer.
Gotta be Staley, hands down. Best voice, best presence, best style. Everyone copies it.
Layne Staley will always be my favorite vocalist of all time. To the idiots who thought Layne sucked live and hardly had any energy, go fuck yourselves. You should check out AIC’s earlier shows and you’ll see what I mean.
@norman………you are the first person that I have ever seen, heard , or read that questions the emotion in a vedder song/performance. the guy is all emotion on stage. its like his body and voice tell the story together. gossard and mcready called him maniachal (spelling?) on stage when he is performing his songs. they don’t know how he does it every show. as far as commanding the attention…….people watch him smoke his cigarette during instrumental breaks for god sakes. this guy has the crowd in his palm from 1st to last song. not to mention the ridiculous shit he used to do in his younger days. I love all of those frontmen btw.
Layne!
Where the fuck are Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland on this list? You guys are sexist.
Courtney Love
where the hell is Courtney Love?
LAYNE STALEY!!!!!!
Eddie leaping off of camera cranes and hanging from rafters. Even today, the raw emotion, power, and authenticity is just without peer.
It’s not just about voice, it is about stage presence.
Forget about “grunge”, Vedder is the best front man of all time.
IMHO, of course.
If we’re judging vocal talent, Cornell wins hands down and it’s not even a competition. Otherwise, Eddie wins and Weiland isn’t far behind.
Really it is pretty sad to even put Weiland in the ring w/ the others listed. I mean if Weiland is there, you might as well add Gavin Rossdale. Regarding the rest listed, listen guys and gals, we’re all on this site cause we collectively love all of these bands and are saddened to see the state of rock music as it exists today. Each band in it’s own way has done/continues to do great things. Kurt, Layne, Eddie, Chris & Mark all did there part to make the scene a great thing. Imagine your life musically if all you could listen to was what was/is available to kids in the 2000’s. I know I feel fortunate, how about you?
God all of these singers are so good in such different ways.
I am going with Weiland due to his versatility.
Mark Lanegan and Layne Staley are unique and impossible to replicate. They are tied for 2 and 3 in my opinion.
I’d say Layne Staley and Andrew Wood!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwzwdJ8ofI4 God I love this song!
punk pop nirvana? thats completly wrong Nirvana is a very heavy band aic is good but Nirvana is just better and just put In utero on
FRED COLE
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