The Ultimate Frontman

I definitely think old school David Lee Roth deserves a high rating for his over the top stage presence.

This is gonna be one of those 'I can't believe I missed out' threads!

Paul Stanley, anyone?

Out of who I've seen, I'd say Paul Stanley. Great stage presence and on stage banter with the crowd.

Prince? Great showmanship, etc. but I’m not sure about stage banter. He’s one of my all-time faves but I’m not sure how he was with the audience.

GG Allin.

corplhicks wrote:

GG Allin.

akeldama wrote:

Prince? Great showmanship, etc. but I’m not sure about stage banter. He’s one of my all-time faves but I’m not sure how he was with the audience.

Yep that's another one that I can't believe that I didn't think of!!

Prince didn't really have to do the 'We love you Cleveland' thing, he was a bona-fide event in itself.

My friend was at this and people were standing there open mouthed because 'It's Prince! It's f*%king Prince!!'



Worst of all was that after he destroyed the building, The Kaiser Chiefs were tasked with following it and they looked embarrassed to be there

Total Rock n Roll Attitude...
1)Bon Scott
2)Steven Tyler
3)Kory Clarke
4)Dan McCafferty

Total Showmanship...
1)Robert Plant
2)David Lee Roth
3)Jim Dandy
4)Mick Jagger

Total Cool Factor...
1)Ronnie Van Zandt
2)Jon Oliva
3)Jack Russell
4)Jeff Keith

Total Insanity...
1)Katon De Pena
2)Mark Osegueda
3)Lemmy
4)Bruce Corbitt

tohostudios wrote:

Those are great ones and I'd add Sebastian Bach to the list.

But the greatest frontman of all-time in my opinion will and forever be...

Freddie Mercury!!!!!

Hells yes!!!!!

Jimi Hendrix anyone?

obscure answer: Gord Downie from The Tragically Hip, he had some of the most fun, engaging, idiosyncratic, thoughtful banter and lyrical improv I've ever encountered. Plus he was a repository of neurotic energy, one of the most awe-inspiring performers to watch do their thing.

more along the lines of what we all know and love: Ronnie Dio, Bruce Dickinson, Ian Gillan, Peter Gabriel in Genesis, David Byrne, Steve Walsh from Kansas, John Wetton from King Crimson, etc.

There's probably a ton of ones I'm forgetting. But I'd agree with Prince, Jimi Hendrix, Freddie Mercury, and Iggy Pop amongst others that people listed.

Jim Dandy made me think of Danny Joe Brown which made me think of Charlie Daniels. I'm really off the path now.

A big giant nod to Paul Rodgers....cool factor...great voice...and could pick up a guitar or sit at a piano/keyboard if need be. Awesome talent (IMHDO)

Rob Halford , for sure ...

anthrax_fan wrote:

Rob Halford , for sure ...

Certainly back in his prime. He's been showing his age over the last few years. He may still sound good, but his movement and energy has been sapped with his hip and back problems.

And one that hasn't been mentioned yet, Stevie Ray Vaughn. What he lacked in stage banter he more than made up for with his passionate playing. He's the only performer that I prefer his live recordings over the studio stuff.

Good call on SRV, he made me pick up the guitar and then put it down again. Gary Moore is another one who is great to watch play.

James B. wrote:

A big giant nod to Paul Rodgers....cool factor...great voice...and could pick up a guitar or sit at a piano/keyboard if need be.  Awesome talent (IMHDO)

I agree at least vocally.  I have no idea how Paul was/is as a showman and commanding a stage but I love the guy's voice.

Quote :

Steven Tyler (in his prime) was a great one too.

Yeah, even today, he puts most frontmen to shame.

Great thread!!!!


My first thought: David Lee Roth

My correction to the real answer: Freddie Mercury (Toho!)

Of those I've personally seen:

Dale Thompson - Bride - In his prime, back in the early 90's...Bride could really bring it.

Bruce Dickinson - Just so hard to argue with.

Yeah this thread is an interesting read.  It all depends on your subjective opinion of what constitutes a great frontman.  Is it the vocals?  The charisma/stage presence?  The showmanship? Some combination thereof?  Or just some unquantifiable quality that you just know when you see it? 

I can understand all points of view on this one.  Good thread!

And yeah, for my money, unless some other phenom comes along during my lifetime that has the same package of great vocals, showmanship, stage presence and everything else you could possibly want in a "frontman", Freddie Mercury owns this title forever.  

But who knows, there may be another "Freddie" out there somewhere so never say never...

James B. wrote:

Total Rock n Roll Attitude...
1)Bon Scott
2)Steven Tyler
3)Kory Clarke
4)Dan McCafferty

Total Showmanship...
1)Robert Plant
2)David Lee Roth
3)Jim Dandy
4)Mick Jagger

Total Cool Factor...
1)Ronnie Van Zandt
2)Jon Oliva
3)Jack Russell
4)Jeff Keith

Total Insanity...
1)Katon De Pena
2)Mark Osegueda
3)Lemmy
4)Bruce Corbitt

Great List, James! Lots of variety and I love the way you sub-categorized the guys.

tohostudios wrote:

Yeah this thread is an interesting read.  It all depends on your subjective opinion of what constitutes a great frontman.  Is it the vocals?  The charisma/stage presence?  The showmanship? Some combination thereof?  Or just some unquantifiable quality that you just know when you see it? 

I can understand all points of view on this one.  Good thread!

Excellent work my Metal Brothers

Mick Jagger is a classic example of the "IT factor".

Are his vocals great?  Hell no!  Is he "theatrical" in the presentation of the Stones' music?  Nope.  Is he a showman?  Hell YES!!!! 

I saw The Rolling Stones on the Voodoo Lounge Tour at Giants Stadium in 1994 and had no idea what I was in for.  Mick running all over (and climbing) a huge stage while singing the Stones' classics.  Add in the inflatable monsters, the lasers and computer graphics and I was completely blown away; best concert I've ever seen.

But the main reason was Mick Jagger.  He's a showman, plain and simple; he was born to do what he's doing.  And for me that's what makes a "frontman"; someone who just seems to slip into that role naturally, as if they were born to it.