Thread: Best Front-man in Music History

I've had the pleasure of seeing a lot of bands live: Metallica, AC/DC, Guns N' Roses to name a few. A lot of their front-men had charisma and stage presence. To borrow a hackneyed cliché from every reality singing show out there: "They owned the stage". Funny enough, one of the most memorable live performances I've ever seen was by Ozzy. The man has a way of making your remember his tour!

But for me, the person who was the best front-man I've ever seen (but sadly never live) was Layne Staley. Not only did he own the stage, he also owned the chairs, the wooden floor, the bar, the beers, and everything else in whatever arena he played in. He was a nonpareil front-man.

Who is yours?

Peter Gabriel has his own way of making sure all eyes are on him. It used to be outlandish costumes and nowadays it's inventive visuals.
Vince Furnier (Alice Cooper) has long been one of my favorite frontmen for his raconteur manner and visual schtick.
David Bowie is another that had ways of remaining visible at all times...two of the three have had formal theater training. All are innovators as well as fine performers and musicians.
Nobody beat Freddie Mercury for stage presence. Layne was awfully good, as was Frank Zappa.
That's just for rocknroll.
Alltime, I'd give the nod to either Tom Lehrer or Victor Borge. Maybe Django Reinhardt.

Hands down Eric Burdon if you're taking that 'man' stuff serious. Otherwise Janis.

Jagger's in the running. I saw the Stone's a while back, and even as an old man he puts on quite a show. He was in excellent physical condition, moving non-stop while he sang, for however long they played. It was pretty amazing. His voice was in top form too. Of course, Keith, barley moved, except to change gutars or light a cigarette.

Originally Posted by moderan

Nobody beat Freddie Mercury for stage presence.

...beat me to it.

He is more of a showman than a front man, but Angus Young deserves mention.

I saw Ozzy years ago. I actually wasn't overly impressed by him. He seemed to do little more than stand in front of the mic and screech. But I admit that I've never been a huge fan. The opening bands were Blind Melon and Alice In Chains. Layne Staley was in a wheelchair at the time (apparently he'd injured himself during a prior show) and he didn't move around much. It's ironic that Ozzy managed to outlive both his opening bands' singers. I have to agree with Edgewise. I saw AC/DC recently and Angus Young put on one of the most impressive performances I've ever witnessed.

Of course, you can't have two front-men, I suppose, but Daltrey and Townsend put on a good show in their day. Now days -- not so much. I thought it was little a embarassing and awkward when they played the Super Bowl last year.

Jeff Tweedy, of Wilco. He engaged the crowd, was funny, really wanted to be there, and gave one hell of a tight performance. He wasn't the sort to jump off walls and do garish solos (thank god, that is NOT Wilco), but his presence just drew you in and engaged.

Daniel Johns of Silverchair also surprised me, for the opposite reasons. He was very bombastic and manic, but in that instance it really worked.

Jeff Tweedy, of Wilco. He engaged the crowd, was funny, really wanted to be there, and gave one hell of a tight performance. He wasn't the sort to jump off walls and do garish solos (thank god, that is NOT Wilco), but his presence just drew you in and engaged.

Daniel Johns of Silverchair also surprised me, for the opposite reasons. He was very bombastic and manic, but in that instance it really worked.

All those people suck, except Eric Burdon. But he aint butt splatter compared to Jim Morrison.

Iggy Pop w/ the Stooges.

I was lucky enough to see Barenaked Ladies before Steven Page left (last year). Him and Ed Robinson have been the best front men I have seen because of the banter on stage. It was different from the rock front men. It wasn't putting on a show like you get with Alice Cooper or Meat Loaf. It wasn't the stunned awe of seeing Megadeath and Metalica on the same stage (about 14 years ago now, I think it was a Monsters of Rock festival). It was... inclusive. There was a real camaraderie between the band members and, as a member of the audience, I felt included, as if they were actually having a meaningful dialogue with the fans at the same time. It's like when you see a comic going wrong and he suddenly stops his act and just starts talking to the audience, connecting with them. It was quite powerful.

Eric Burdon? He was a good performer with a unique sound and a certain amount of stage presence. But that's about it. Not sure why anyone would put him in the running for best in history. Jim Morrison -- definitely up there.

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Chuck Berry yet. Jerry Lee Lewis also.

How about bluesmen?

T-Bone Walker was a prototype for every guitar showman who followed in his wake.