Debarup MukherjeeIn the 1950s, rock and roll music became mainstream in the United States and eventually spread to the United Kingdom a decade later. This new genre introduced the world to many talented singers who personified the way we think of classic rock today.
Some of these singers changed the fabric of what is considered “appropriate music” in society. They sang lyrics and moved their bodies on stage in ways that had never been done before. These are the things that make them so memorable. Not only that, but they inspired a future generation of singers to take more risks as well.
A lot of people define “classic rock” in different ways. Basically, according to chill out radio it refers to rock and roll music from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. As the world was slowly becoming more liberated, the singers took more liberties with their music too. Some notable singers include Ozzy Osbourne, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Morrison.
If you had to choose the 5 best classic rock singers of all time, who would you pick? Everyone’s choice might not be exactly the same, but try to think about who changed rock and roll music the most. That is what we thought about when we came up with this list here.
Below are the top 5 classic rock singers
1. Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley is a name that anyone would recognize. He is called “The King of Rock and Roll” because he was the first singer to modernize certain musical genres, such as bluegrass, country, and blues. Not only that, but his songs had a profound influence and effect on American youth as well. Even his stage performances involved a lot of shaking and dancing, which was viewed as obscene during the 1950s. However, his sexually provocative moves drew attention from the young ladies.
Presley’s most famous songs include Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel, Jailhouse Rock, Suspicious Minds, Shake Rattle and Roll, and Unchained Melody. He continues to be the best-selling solo artist in music history, even after he’s been dead for nearly four decades.
2. Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry was another rock and roll music pioneer. Some people refer to him as the Father of Rock and Roll. He incorporated certain elements of rhythm and blues music into his own style of rock and roll music. Some of his breakthrough songs include Johnny B. Goode, Rock and Roll Music, Maybellene, and Roll Over Beethoven.
The lyrics of his songs centered around consumerism and teenage lifestyles. One thing that made Chuck stand out from Elvis was the fact that he played the guitar and sang at the same time. Chuck also wrote his own songs, whereas Elvis did not write his songs. In fact, Elvis’s songs were heavily influenced by other African American singers and songwriters.
3) Freddie Mercury
Freddie Mercury was a British rock singer and songwriter who is best known as the lead vocalist of the band “Queen” Mercury stands out in rock and roll music history and is regarded as the most powerful lead singer of any rock band. On top of that, he had a very flamboyant performance style on stage which you couldn’t help but love. His biography was recently made into a film called Bohemian Rhapsody.
Mercury’s most famous songs include Bohemian Rhapsody, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, Don’t Stop Me Now, We Are the Champions, Somebody to Love, and Killer Queen.
4. John Lennon
John Lennon was a famous singer and guitarist who is credited for founding the legendary British rock band “The Beatles.” The band was an influence to many other rock and roll artists of the 1960s.
Lennon and bandmate Paul McCartney wrote most of their songs together. The band was only around from 1960 to 1970, which prompted Lennon to pursue a solo music career. He collaborated on his solo music with his second wife, Yoko Ono.
Lennon released a number of songs which became international hits. Some of which included Imagine, Instant Karma!, and Give Peace a Chance.
5. David Bowie
David Bowie was an influential English singer and musician of the 20th century. He is credited for reinventing the visual performance and style of rock and roll music during the 1970s. He sold over 140 million albums throughout the world, with 9 gold certifications and 5 platinum certifications in the United States alone.
Bowie is best remembered for his songs Fame, Starman, Ashes to Ashes, and Under Pressure. He also had a bit of an acting career too.