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[poodaddy]

I prefer Ozzy's catalogue above anyone else there, but in terms of vocal ability and if we're excluding the quality of their catalogue of music, it's Pavarotti followed by Prince then Mercury. These vocalists are in different oceans of ability from the other choices, to the extent that comparing them seems odd.

Also, if you threw Ozzy in there to just get some metal representation, why not go for Rob Halford instead, who is an incredibly talented vocalist who would easily stand against anyone in that list, but of course can't compare to Pavarotti. Ozzy is such a strange choice here. The poll seems like you couldn't decide between pop charts success or vocal range and control as the factors for consideration.

 

[Werewolf Jones]

RIP Mark Hollis.

 

[Pegasus Actual]

 

[LegendOfKage]

From that list in terms of vocal talent and ability, easily Kate Bush.

I can sing most most Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Depeche Mode songs, and there's a good chance most of us here can to a point. On the other hand, try to hit these notes:

 

[Alex11]

Not to take away the merits of other musicians, but for me this one is without any doubt.



He was dead before I was able to appreciate and understand music, my parents showed me a VHS tape (I know, lol) of him and I was mesmerized on the spot.

Don't know, I usually don't like that much live perfromances, but it's almost the other way around with Queen/Freddy, that quality of his voice is the same in any live that I have watched.

 

[Insane Metal]

Too many to choose from. Those were the times when artists actually had talent.

 

[Laptop1991]

On that list, i'm choosing Ozzy because i'm a Hard Rock and Heavy Metal fan, as for the the best singer, if i'm being honest it is Freddie Mercury.

 

[XXL]

 

[XXL]

fuck wacko that pedo the answer is Sade.

 

[intbal]

Neil Finn
or
Neil Tennant

Definitely one of the Neils.

 

[simpatico]

If Pavarotti is on the list, Pavarotti wins. I don't even see how it's close. It's the best voice humanity has an audio recording of. We can only assume history has singers on his level. We certainly haven't had one since.

 

[Agent_Nobody]

If Pavarotti is on the list, Pavarotti wins. I don't even see how it's close. It's the best voice humanity has an audio recording of. We can only assume history has singers on his level. We certainly haven't had one since.

Freddie Mercury had a voice that pretty much topped anybody.

 

[belmarduk]

Bowie is the better singer... but Queen's music in the 80s was better so I'm going with Freddie.
Man, I want to listen to Under Pressure.

 

[Agent_Nobody]

And Bruce Dickinson from Iron Maiden should get a mention, he always had broadway level vocals.

 

[EverydayBeast]

REM, Metallica, U2 pass as 80s bands with good singers I could listen to those bands for hours, now music is more accessible thanks to streaming. Music’s story isn’t complete without those bands I listed.

 

[Artoris]

Bowie is the better singer... but Queen's music in the 80s was better so I'm going with Freddie.
Man, I want to listen to Under Pressure.

 

[NeverYouMind]

I have a soft spot for Colm Wilkinson. His vocal performance in Les Miserables (1985) was genuinely moving. Here is a 10th anniversary version of one of his most heartfelt numbers:

 

[Artoris]

 

[DarkArterialGore]

Pavarotti?! You have Pavarotti in the same poll as fucking pop singers?! ​

One of the greatest operatic tenors of all time, competing against George Michael and Madonna? Really?

oh, and calling him an 80s singer as well? *smh*

I'm so triggered that I need to take some time out.

Sure Madonna wasn't very good but George Michael was actually an extremely skilled singer.

 

[Artoris]

Bowie is the better singer... but Queen's music in the 80s was better so I'm going with Freddie.
Man, I want to listen to Under Pressure.

 

[Artoris]

 

[Neff]

If this is a list of pop vocalists who were prominent during the '80s (which it mostly seems to be, regardless of debut), then I'm going for

1. Michael Jackson
2. Freddie Mercury
3. Debbie Harry
4. George Michael
5. David Bowie

Prince just narrowly missed out

 

[Mr Reasonable]

Obviously Phil Collins with his drum skills.

Can't deny that this is his best song.

Perfectly observed, controversial, but 100% correct.

 

[RoboFu]

Actual singer? Then Freddie by a mile. It's not even close.

 

[AudioSlave92210]

 

[mitch1971]

plus best guitarist, best quad neck guitar, best eggplant in pants, and best hairdo

That has to be one of the worse written, produced and mixed song I've ever heard.

 

[AudioSlave92210]

 

[LordofAllThatIsEvil]

Bow to the Pint-Sized Pavororatti of metal, Ronnie James Dio

 

[Artoris]

one of the coolest songs I have heard for a long time

 

[mitch1971]

 

[Brigandier]

Ronny James Dio
Rob Halford
Bruce Dickinson

These guys are in another league but if I was to pick someone from the list I'd say Freddy Mercury but George Michael and Prince were amazing too.

 

[Peggies]

God, I hate the 80s. What was wrong with people? 90s were also shitty. And don't even get me started with now.

 

[Little Mac]

Guess I'm alone on this one ...

 

[GeekyDad]

From that list Sinead O Conner was the most moving to me.

 

[Toots]

That has to be one of the worse written, produced and mixed song I've ever heard.

Said the snob, who obviously only ever heard 2 and a half song in his life, about a youtube 360p vid ripped of a vhs

 

[Artoris]

God, I hate the 80s. What was wrong with people? 90s were also shitty. And don't even get me started with now.

Is this more to your liking

 

[AJUMP23]

God, I hate the 80s. What was wrong with people? 90s were also shitty. And don't even get me started with now.

Listen to some synth beats bro.

 

[mitch1971]

Said the snob, who obviously only ever heard 2 and a half song in his life, about a youtube 360p vid ripped of a vhs

Snob?! Don't know what you mean.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Poll immediately disqualified for not having whitney houston and mariah carey.

 

[kanjobazooie]

Poll immediately disqualified for not having whitney houston and mariah carey.

Mariah isn't 80s.

 

[Reizo Ryuu]

Mariah isn't 80s.

If you're only counting when she rose to fame, sure I guess not, but she started in 1988 and was immediately exceptional.

 

[DeafTourette]

Do you mean vocal range or popularity or just songs?

As far as pure vocalists:

Whitney Houston (how was she not on the list?)

Luther Vandross

Between these two, almost no one compares in the 80s. Their vocal ranges were unmatched back then. It wasn't until the 90s they had actual contenders. MAYBE Freddies Jackson and Mercury could be contenders with Luther but none came close to Whitney.

Everything else is subjective.

I feel like I'm in a thread with a bunch of kids born in 2010.

 

[Brigandier]

Do you mean vocal range or popularity or just songs?

As far as pure vocalists:

Whitney Houston (how was she not on the list?)

Luther Vandross

Between these two, almost no one compares in the 80s. Their vocal ranges were unmatched back then. It wasn't until the 90s they had actual contenders. MAYBE Freddies Jackson and Mercury could be contenders with Luther but none came close to Whitney.

Everything else is subjective.

I feel like I'm in a thread with a bunch of kids born in 2010.

Very good singers, I'd throw Alison Moyet in there too she had serious power in that voice!!.

I think the list is more of a popularity contest though because as entertaining as MJ was he couldn't hold a candle to George Michael as a pure singer I'll get laughed at but it's just the truth and he had nothing on Luther.

Prince with 2 votes is absolutely fucking criminal.

 

[The Stig]

Glad to see Freddie in the lead

 

[DeafTourette]

Very good singers, I'd throw Alison Moyet in there too she had serious power in that voice!!.

I think the list is more of a popularity contest though because as entertaining as MJ was he couldn't hold a candle to George Michael as a pure singer I'll get laughed at but it's just the truth and he had nothing on Luther.

Prince with 2 votes is absolutely fucking criminal.

I agree with you on 80s MJ but 60s kid MJ had some SERIOUS pipes! His vocal range, while high, was still impressive!

I'm going to look up Alison Moyet!

 

[squeakywheel]

MJ and Freddie are my top 2

 

[Agent_Nobody]

Mariah isn't 80s.

Her first album came out 1990 exactly…so you missed your deception roll you dirty gen z heathen

Not an uncommon mistake though; the Sex Pistols always got taken for an 80’s band but they broke up before the 80’s. With the Clash most of their iconic songs are from the late 70’s but get included in 80’s hits.

 

[Radioskugga]

Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance is my choice.

 

[Agent_Nobody]

And if you have to wonder why George Michael is on the list, then listen to him do a Queen song (somebody to love) in rehearsal and concert (for the Freddy Mercury tribute concert). He was frankly the only one who could hold a candle to Freddy vocally.

Rehearsal (David Bowie oddly enough can be seen having a smoke on the sidelines at 4:10):

Live:

 

[Agent_Nobody]

Gotta include ‘Lemmy’ too, he has the sweet voice of a baby…