20 Best Singers of All Time

Hank was an iconic singer who contributed immensely to the music industry. A very few singers in the world were competent enough to inspire more than one generation of country artists; Hank Williams was one of those singers. Williams raised to prominence after releasing his biggest hit singles, including ‘Hey Good Looking’ and ‘Your Cheatin Heart’.

Freddie had a soul healing voice. Not just the voice, the range, the sheer power, the showmanship! He was a Zanzibari-born British singer of Indian descent, the lead singer of the British rock band ‘Queen.’ Mercury has also become an idol and influenced several artists of the current era, including Lady Gaga and many others.

Elvis always steals the show whenever he used to perform live and in all his music videos. He has been one of the greatest inspiration to youths and adults. Presley was a versatile singer who has showcased his skills in all forms, from rockability to ballads and even soulful gospel songs.

One of the 20^th century leading artists, Frank Sinatra, was famous for his masterful phrasing and crystal clear baritone. He used to write, sing, and compose all his songs on his own. His albums have been recorded to be sold for more than 150 million copies worldwide. Some of his composed songs that turned out to be massive hit include Fly to The Moon, Walk Away, etc.

Whitney Houston has bought incredible artistry to her singing that is difficult to replicate. Her astounding ballads include ‘I Will Always Love You’, ‘I Have Nothing’, and ‘I Wanna Dance With Somebody’ has left an everlasting influence on the R&B industry.

Prince was not only mastered playing with his voice but also showcased his skills on guitar. He has crafted many of his tracks into a multi-faced tool covering an array of notes and emotions. He got immense popularity with the songs like Purple Rain and Nothing Compares 2 U.

One of the best soloist that we ever had on this planet is Robert Plant. Being the lead singer of the renowned brand ‘Led Zeppelin’, he turned many songs into decade-enduring hits; ‘Kashmir’, ‘Stairway To Heaven’, to name a few. (See 20 Best Female Singers of All Time)

Paul McCartney was a singer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist. He was an influential figure in the rock and pop industry who had an enormous range and magnificent voice. He was the main lead of the iconic band ‘The Beatles’ and entertained many people through his melodic voice, including “Live and Let Die,” “Hey Jude”, and “Maybe I’m Amazed”.

Stevie Wonder has undoubtedly a baritone voice that deeply touches one’s heart and soul, which is what makes him legendary. He was also a multi-instrumentalist who exhibited his impeccable piano playing skills in songs like “Isn’t She Lovely” and “Superstition.”

King of Sufi devotional music is none other than Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. He was a Pakistani singer who has inspired many people through her artistic voice. He gained recognition among western audiences when he collaborated with artists such as Michael Brook and Peter Gabriel.

Axl Rose is the founder of the famous hard rock band ‘Guns N’ Roses.’ Apart from being immensely popular, he was also a controversial figure in the rock world rock. His little asides in some songs added extra something that only a master can, such as “All Right, That Sucked”, “That’s Right”, and many others.

The iconic band Linkin Park’s lead singer ‘Chester Bennington’ was one of the most famous personalities in the music industry. He has the ability not only to sing but also to scream in rhythm. He has played a significant role in the industry by giving such magnificent hits including Numb, Crawling, Breaking the Habit, In The End, Waiting For The End, etc.

Michael Jackson was a remarkable singer, dancer, and songwriter. He was a philanthropist and donated circa $500 million. Jackson was commonly known as the ‘King of Pop’. Since he was a child, he just nailed many songs he sang, including “I Want Your Back”, “Rock With You,” and many more. He was famous for showcasing his singing abilities, but his breakdance moves were impossible to imitate.

John was the co-founder of The Beatles. He was a renowned English singer and songwriter who dies at the early age of 40 as Mark David Chapman assassinated him in 1980. The very best of John Lennon collection includes Jealous Guy, Instant Karma, Imagine, Love, etc.

Ann Wilson was a versatile singer who has exemplified her soaring vocals to many hit tracks such as Crazy On You and Barracuda. Apart from being a spectacular singer, she was also an accomplished flute player. (See Top 10 Blonde Female Singers)

Johnny Cash is one of the iconic figures in the music industry. He rose to prominence after composing songs like Folsom Prison Blues and I Walk The Line. The best part about his songs is that he used to put intense emotions into a song, making it legendary.

Sammy Hagar, also known as The Red Rockstar, who had a compelling voice, was a legendary singer. It was only because of his voice that made Van Halen a huge success. He gained recognition in the 1970s after releasing a few tracks such as I Can’t Drive, Eagles Fly, Red, Heavy Metal, and many others.

Chris Cornell was an American singer known for being one of the best vocalists of all time. He was a multi-talented artist who was proficient in playing the guitar for the Seattle Rock band Soundgarden. Chris’s vocal range is described as C2 to A5.

‘The Prince of Darkness’, Ozzy is a famous singer who gained popularity as the lead vocalist of the band Black Sabbath in the early 1970s. Osbourne was a singer, writer, and television personality. In 1979, he was fired from the group of Black Sabbath. Still, he was able to release 11 studio albums and be on the list of best singers worldwide.

Kelly Clarkson served as an influential figure for many female singers across the world. She was a prominent artist, and some of her best work includes “My Life Would Suck Without You”, ‘Since You Been Gone,” etc. She was also the winner of the first season of American Idol.