Hall of Fame Singers Through my Years

I was born in 1964 so I am not forgetting the singers who pre-dated me. Certainly Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee, to name just a few, made a tremendous mark in the music and entertainment world before the days I remember and up until the present.

Also it is important that I point out I am highlighting the voices that stuck out in my ears. That is not to say or suggest that my favorites are the only great singers over the last 35 – 40 years. So I hope you like my personal choices and also have your own choices to add or subtract from my list.

As a young lad I remember Aretha Franklin as having the coolest and the most soulful of voices. I was only 3 in 1967 and still remember trying to sing Respect. Ray Charles I feel also had a unique voice to my young ears. Also Paul McCartney and John Lennon I felt added personality with their singing. Where as I never was impressed with Mick Jagger or say Bob Dylan as far as singing was concerned. I didn’t think they were bad but they didn’t wow me.

Some of the stars from before my time that still were strong in the “60″s like Ella, Frank, and Ray Charles who I mentioned got my notice. Elvis was great but I was never one who caught the King “fever.” I was a huge Hendrix fan but his voice wasn’t what made him great. It did work in his songs though. He had the delivery and uniqueness but lack raw ability or quality. I liked though very much.

Into the 1970’s some great vocalists really stood out to me. I had the pleasure to meet Burton Cummings of the Guess Who. He had an outstanding voice and knew how to use it. Paul Rodgers is also a big time singer. First known for “All Right Now” by his band Free, he became a legendary singer with his band Bad Company. On the ladies side Karen Carpenter had such a beautiful and different voice for a female. Also Carole King had such an amazing delivery and command of her lyrics. Tina Turner was and still is a great singer and entertainer. She stood out to me also. Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates had a gift also. I am bias though because he is from the same area as I am.