after a long conversation at work today, the concensus decided the it was David Bowie.

50 years and constantly changing his style and music. just perfect.

who would you choose.

Bill Bailey

Freddie Mercury.

Pop/rock? Probably Freddie.

Depends on what you mean by ‘best’, really. I mean, I think – for all his faults – that Morrissey is a phenomenal lyricist with a good voice. But I know that he is not to everyone’s taste.

But I’m going to go out on a limb here and possibly embarrass myself.

On the basis of voice quality, I’m going to nominate Boy George. I think that the gospel-style sound he has, best represented by his small bit in ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas’, is excellent, and had he ever gone down this path, he would have made a superb jazz or gospel singer.

EDIT: I would also support scotroute’s Freddie nomination.

Freddie Mercury had an astonishing vocal range, astonishing. Bruce Dickinson also has a great range, but sadly doesn’t use as much of it as he should.

Bryn Terfel has one of the most mellifluously glorious voices, especially when singing old Welsh folk songs. The same applies for Thomas Allen. A great chap, and when he sings some old Northumbrian songs, oh my…

Bryn Terfel

Rick Astley?

And a random nomination for Tom Jones. Not the best singer but a proper showman.

Rhydian

(When Bowie died there was almost universal comment that he had the most important impact on people’s lives and yet his names is conspicuously absent from the main awards – or am I missing them?)

re Boy George, a song called Victims is brilliant sung by him

Mark E Smith.

Surely it’s Robbie…

Assuming the criteria is songs popular at chav wedding receptions and funerals.

But yeah I have to agree with The OP on Bowie. I was listening to ‘sound and vision the other day and my 7 year old asked who it was, I explained who was singing and then she said, “are all his songs this good?” to which I responded “yes, but they’re all quite different”…

Sting,no hang on,Phil Collins.
Yup.
Phil should get it,he’s been through a lot over the years.
Lets give it to Phil.

Paul Gadd

Me.
Thumping out Hark the Herald at the carol service this weekend. 😉

so far, the only one near is Freddie Mercury. but i still choose Bowie. his longevity and diversity would not have been matched by Queen.

Shaun Ryder OVS 8)

Robbie is a good showman, but surely nowhere near Freddie for vocal ability?
(Or showman either)

Paul Gadd

Proper Christmas shows but maybe not the best ever singer

George Formby I think

vocal ability

Well, this is the question isn’t it? Is it about music that you like, or is it about musical ability? If it’s the latter, Mercury simply has to be in the running. Bowie less so.

Paul Gadd
Proper Christmas shows but maybe not the best ever singer

Dundee Students Union December 1982 – UK music’s finest hour 😉

(sorry bad taste)

Serious answer; Marvin Gaye, maybe Al Jarreau (ignore the genre and listen to the tone and range), Tom Jones is a contender

Marvin Gaye, maybe Al Jarreau

British?

Serious answer; Marvin Gaye, maybe Al Jarreau

Erm….

Serious answer; Marvin Gaye, maybe Al Jarreau

Serious? Just how British do you reckon?

Elton John … 😛

Steve Winwood
Eric Burdon
Steve Marriot

H, got to be H. Or one of the proclamers.

That guy from London Beat?

Bowie vs Freddie vocals only:

[video]https://youtu.be/uMQb9LCNGxs[/video]

Freddie wins this round IMO but there is a Ziggy out there too where Bowie shows his range

Tony Angelino

Paul Rodgers

Struggling a bit with this one aren’t we? If it had been singer-songwriter then obviously it’s Billy Bragg but just singer? Dunno.

David Bowie for sure

John Martyn

Yup, I’ve nailed it. Definitely John Martyn.

The late joe cocker, Shirley.

Or maybe Van Morrison.