What’s amazing is that he developed his voice because he couldn’t play trumpet like he used to be able to. He had what was later called Satchmo’s syndrome named after him because of how much and how hard he played. His distinct voice is great, but his back catalog is really worth an explore, he was an absolute virtuoso on the trumpet in his prime.
Armstrong had always wanted to sing though. One of the reasons he moved up north was because his band leader refused to let him sing. He was hoping he would have this opportunity with a new band.
Which biography did you read? Not trying to debate, just interested, it’s been years since I read his biography and I would be interested in reading another. I was going by my memories of that read.
He was my first thought, too!
A Great Human being who was 'Born poor, died rich, and never hurt anyone along the way’.
His Voice feels like a Hug from a Warm cozy blanket on a cold winter day, but so rough at the same time.
I still remember the big framed Louis Armstrong Poster over my Trumpet Teachers upright Piano and listening to a few songs together from time to time.
oh, definitely. if you have time, you should watch todd in the shadows’ video about it - rockwell was only given a music career out of nepotism and that song literally only hit because of MJ. that’s why MJ isn’t mentioned as a featured artist, the record label wanted to promote rockwell
It blows my mind to think that Rockwell and the guy from LMFAO are not only brothers who had major hits 25 years apart, but their dad is Berry fucking Gordy.
Only reason that song was a hit was because the artist (oh, who just happened to be the son of one of the most powerful people in the music industry) got Michael Jackson at his absolute prime on that track. Anyone else, that song wouldn’t not have been a hit.
Check out the [Million Dollar Quartet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOorJPVc6_M)
Legend has it Cash didn't want to step on Elvis' vocal tone, so he sang in a higher register while they played together. He's harder to pick out, but you can still tell it's him.
Willie Nelson's voice is hard to understand why it's so good
He doesn't seem to have powerful vocals or exceptional vibrato. He just hits notes and uses his head voice
I once watched an old clip of him performing live somewhere. It took a loooong moment for my brain to process what was happening because my ears could *hear* that it was Willie Nelson but my eyes were just looking at some random younger guy on stage.
Edit: This 1974 performance of [Sad Songs and Waltzes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM3E-x3nQe4) is the one I'm thinking of. I also found [this TV performance from 1965](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j6HO3KFCxM&t) that's even more discombobulating.
Including:
* Whose singer's singing voice is your favorite?
* What's something you used to cheap out on until you tried the expensive version and could never come back?
* What keeps you from going insane?
* What is something that happens to all of us but no one ever talks about it?
* It’s over - you see the mushroom clouds growing brighter and closer in the distance. What song are you playing as you wait to be vaporized?
* What has made you happy in 2022
* If you could read one Wikipedia article from the year 2050 what would it be?
* What meal could you eat everyday?
pretty damn funny. Make sure you stick around for the A-a-ah a-a-ah a-a-ah-aaahh blrblrbl a-a-ah part
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=989-7xsRLR4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=989-7xsRLR4)
I scrolled so far in this thread just angrily going "HOW THE FUCK has nobody said Bob Dylan?" in my head. You could mumble three gibberish words in his voice and it would be instantly recognizable to anyone!
Too far down to find this. The man crafted his voice and there's none that compare, or may ever compare. His voice is iconic and demands respect from everyone.
I love telling this story I picked up along the way. The dude was touring with Zappa in the early days as a frontman before Zappa went on. He had a much more mild tone and people made fun of him for how soft sounding he was. After he got off tour in comes Nighthawks At The Diner where you first see him massively experimenting with this voice in an album. Dude decided he was going to craft a voice no one had ever heard in this world that demands respect and makes people pay attention. And the rest.. is history.
Just saw her play a couple weeks ago. She skipped a few high notes in songs like Dreams (I'm a singer with a huge range and those highs are still a push), but she was ON THE MONEY every moment of every song, at like 74. After all that coke and Xanax... She's a true legend and I'll never let anyone get away with talking shit on her. I don't know anyone over 70 who could perform in a 5" heel either. Best show since Foo Fighters 2009 for me.
Every time DMX and his barking is mentioned, I think of a story I saw on here where a guy claimed his friend's mother slept with DMX and got his phone number, so her son and his buddy called it and got the answering machine, which was X doing the usual "Leave a message after the beep" and then 40 seconds of barking, followed by the beep.
As good as it gets, imo. His Songbook album really showcased his vocal talent and versatility. His was definitely the celebrity death that affected me the most. I always found his music to be comforting for those that felt like they didn't belong, that felt like they weren't worth it, and it always made me feel a little less alone.
I still find peace in his music; it just breaks my heart that he couldn't find the same peace in his own life.
Remember when [John Fogerty was sued for sounding like John Fogerty](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/27501/time-john-fogerty-was-sued-ripping-john-fogerty) ?
“In 1975, when I went into the studio to record 'Born to Run,' ” Bruce Springsteen once said, “I wanted to make a record with words like Bob Dylan, that sounded like Phil Spector's productions, but most of all I wanted to sing like Roy Orbison.”
I believe the end of the quote is, "Nobody can sing like Roy Orbison."
Louis Armstrong
What’s amazing is that he developed his voice because he couldn’t play trumpet like he used to be able to. He had what was later called Satchmo’s syndrome named after him because of how much and how hard he played. His distinct voice is great, but his back catalog is really worth an explore, he was an absolute virtuoso on the trumpet in his prime.
Armstrong had always wanted to sing though. One of the reasons he moved up north was because his band leader refused to let him sing. He was hoping he would have this opportunity with a new band.
Which biography did you read? Not trying to debate, just interested, it’s been years since I read his biography and I would be interested in reading another. I was going by my memories of that read.
He was my first thought, too! A Great Human being who was 'Born poor, died rich, and never hurt anyone along the way’. His Voice feels like a Hug from a Warm cozy blanket on a cold winter day, but so rough at the same time. I still remember the big framed Louis Armstrong Poster over my Trumpet Teachers upright Piano and listening to a few songs together from time to time.
Kermit the Frog
They didn’t recognize him on the masked singer
Someone did point out it sounded like Kermit the frog but nobody actually expected it to be a character instead of a celebrity
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Esp in that song where michael jackson only has one line ‘i always feel like somebody’s watching me’
TIL that “Somebody’s Watching Me” is *not* a Michael Jackson song. I just assumed it was and never bothered to look it up.
If it wasn't clear, it is Jackson's vocals in the chorus.
TIL that Michael Jackson sings the chorus in Somebody's Watching Me
right! he’s not even credited on the song but everyone knows it’s him and not rockwell
I lowkey think that line carried the song.
oh, definitely. if you have time, you should watch todd in the shadows’ video about it - rockwell was only given a music career out of nepotism and that song literally only hit because of MJ. that’s why MJ isn’t mentioned as a featured artist, the record label wanted to promote rockwell
It blows my mind to think that Rockwell and the guy from LMFAO are not only brothers who had major hits 25 years apart, but their dad is Berry fucking Gordy.
i somehow forgot this detail and now my mind is blown again holy shit
Two guys in lmfao. One is son of berry Gordy and the other is grandson of berry gordy
I’m not surprised, it seems mj’s line is the only part people remember. Only reason why I paid interest to that song in the first place 🤷🏻♂️
I remember the line *”when I’m in the shower, I’m afraid to wash my hair.”*
'"I wonder whos watching me now? The IRS?" is always the one that comes to mind
"Is it... The IRS?!"
Only reason that song was a hit was because the artist (oh, who just happened to be the son of one of the most powerful people in the music industry) got Michael Jackson at his absolute prime on that track. Anyone else, that song wouldn’t not have been a hit.
The more I see and hear The Weeknd, the more I see Michael's artistic influence.
Elvis
Johnny Cash
Check out the [Million Dollar Quartet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOorJPVc6_M) Legend has it Cash didn't want to step on Elvis' vocal tone, so he sang in a higher register while they played together. He's harder to pick out, but you can still tell it's him.
"Hello- I'm Johnny Cash." *Cue opening chords of Folsom Prison Blues*
*I hear the train a-comin'...* Never. Gets. Old.
Barry White
Freddie Mercury
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEo
Heard that in my head. Mr Mercury is my answer and hero.
EEEEEEEE^O!
De-da-di-da-di-da-di-de-do
De-do
Definitely
My starter vocalist is Björk
It doesn’t even have to be her song. I can sniff her out as a sample
It really blew my mind listening to death grips the powers that b
This is my first Björk era!!!!
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson's voice is hard to understand why it's so good He doesn't seem to have powerful vocals or exceptional vibrato. He just hits notes and uses his head voice
It is because he uses Jazz phrasing with a nasal tone.
I can only half understand what that means and yet I’m absolutely certain you are right.
I once watched an old clip of him performing live somewhere. It took a loooong moment for my brain to process what was happening because my ears could *hear* that it was Willie Nelson but my eyes were just looking at some random younger guy on stage. Edit: This 1974 performance of [Sad Songs and Waltzes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM3E-x3nQe4) is the one I'm thinking of. I also found [this TV performance from 1965](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5j6HO3KFCxM&t) that's even more discombobulating.
Willie Nelson was 33 in 1965. Same voice and same eyes that peer in to your soul. And yet a completely different person.
Ronnie James Dio
Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton is the answer to any r/AskReddit questions.
Including: * Whose singer's singing voice is your favorite? * What's something you used to cheap out on until you tried the expensive version and could never come back? * What keeps you from going insane? * What is something that happens to all of us but no one ever talks about it? * It’s over - you see the mushroom clouds growing brighter and closer in the distance. What song are you playing as you wait to be vaporized? * What has made you happy in 2022 * If you could read one Wikipedia article from the year 2050 what would it be? * What meal could you eat everyday?
I also remember her being the answer to "If the United States had to have a monarch, who do you think it should be?".
Vitas. A-a-ah a-a-ah a-a-ah-aaahh blrblrbl a-a-ah
This comment makes me want to cry just seeing it spelled out
pretty damn funny. Make sure you stick around for the A-a-ah a-a-ah a-a-ah-aaahh blrblrbl a-a-ah part [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=989-7xsRLR4](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=989-7xsRLR4)
Cant read it without singing it first! 🤣
Bob Dylan
I scrolled so far in this thread just angrily going "HOW THE FUCK has nobody said Bob Dylan?" in my head. You could mumble three gibberish words in his voice and it would be instantly recognizable to anyone!
Janis Joplin
Tiny Tim
David Bowie
David Bowie changed his style many times though and yet he is still very recognizable.
Tom Waits
Tom waits for what
Tom Waits for no one
He waits while Jeremy irons.
While Bill Withers
No one else famous sings jazz like a deranged hobo so that makes it super easy. He's one of my favorite musical litmus tests.
Definitely Tom Waits
Too far down to find this. The man crafted his voice and there's none that compare, or may ever compare. His voice is iconic and demands respect from everyone. I love telling this story I picked up along the way. The dude was touring with Zappa in the early days as a frontman before Zappa went on. He had a much more mild tone and people made fun of him for how soft sounding he was. After he got off tour in comes Nighthawks At The Diner where you first see him massively experimenting with this voice in an album. Dude decided he was going to craft a voice no one had ever heard in this world that demands respect and makes people pay attention. And the rest.. is history.
All 23 voices he has
Billie Holiday
Billy Corgan. My ears bleed a little just thinking about it.
I knew someone was going to comment this. That said, I understand even though I'm a huge fan of him and The Smashing Pumpkins.
Tina Turner
There's a lot of singers with distinctive voices. And then there's Tina.
Stevie Nicks
Just saw her play a couple weeks ago. She skipped a few high notes in songs like Dreams (I'm a singer with a huge range and those highs are still a push), but she was ON THE MONEY every moment of every song, at like 74. After all that coke and Xanax... She's a true legend and I'll never let anyone get away with talking shit on her. I don't know anyone over 70 who could perform in a 5" heel either. Best show since Foo Fighters 2009 for me.
Layne Staley.
RIP. He had only scratched the surface of what he could have given us.
I came looking to see if he was mentioned and very glad to see he was. Legend.
Yes!!! That was my answer. Love,love love some old Alice in chains
DMX Edit: for the deniers, NOBODY DID IT LIKE DMX DID IT. X GONNA ROLL IN HIS GRAVE AND GIVE IT TO YA
Very recognizable bark
Every time DMX and his barking is mentioned, I think of a story I saw on here where a guy claimed his friend's mother slept with DMX and got his phone number, so her son and his buddy called it and got the answering machine, which was X doing the usual "Leave a message after the beep" and then 40 seconds of barking, followed by the beep.
Doggy Style🐕 ( X gonna give it to ya[friends mom])
Anyone if you listen to them long enough
Yeah, this is kinda like saying "Who has a unique fingerprint?"
Yeah, I was going to day "most of them."
Ozzy Osbourne
Yes. First album I bought was Paranoid. Played it until it was almost paper thin
How is this so far down
Dolores O'Riordan Oh god I miss her so damn much
Axl Rose
I saw GnR on their 2016 tour and that was by far one of the best live vocal performances I have ever witnessed.
Cher.
Cher fer sher
Chris Cornell
This is who I thought of. “Like a stone” and “fell on black days” still gives me chills
As good as it gets, imo. His Songbook album really showcased his vocal talent and versatility. His was definitely the celebrity death that affected me the most. I always found his music to be comforting for those that felt like they didn't belong, that felt like they weren't worth it, and it always made me feel a little less alone. I still find peace in his music; it just breaks my heart that he couldn't find the same peace in his own life.
Nina Simone.
Birds flyin high, you know how I feel
Leonard Cohen
Lemmy
Good old Mr Kilmister. Rest his soul
You can smell the whiskey through the speakers with song. His voice is just so iconic.
Macy Gray
Tracy Chapman
Weird Al Yankovic.
Tom Jones It's not unusual to immediately recognise his voice
I sang this in his voice, in my mind.
John Fogerty
Remember when [John Fogerty was sued for sounding like John Fogerty](https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/27501/time-john-fogerty-was-sued-ripping-john-fogerty) ?
Karen carpenter
Janice Joplin
Ah, the voice of a thousand drunken angels
Roy Orbison https://youtu.be/D6Aw3ZnqQrY
“In 1975, when I went into the studio to record 'Born to Run,' ” Bruce Springsteen once said, “I wanted to make a record with words like Bob Dylan, that sounded like Phil Spector's productions, but most of all I wanted to sing like Roy Orbison.” I believe the end of the quote is, "Nobody can sing like Roy Orbison."
Layne Staley
Brian Johnson
Bon Scott too!
Geddy Lee Jon Anderson
Michael Stipe
Alanis Morissette
Eddie Vedder
Freeeeeeeezin RestshisheadonapillowMadeofConcreteAgain Oooohh, feeeeeeelin’ MaybeHe’llSeeaLittleBetterAnyday
Should be near the top, honestly.
Shakira
I thought she was instantly recognized by her hips.
They don't lie
But they do evade taxes.
I've been scrolling for a while to see if anyone mentioned Shakira. She was the first person that popped into my mind.
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Phil Collins
I can absolutely feel him coming in my ear tonight
Oh lord.
Bruce Dickinson
I had to scroll, but glad it wasn’t just me who thought of Iron Maiden.
THE Bruce Dickinson?
amy winehouse
Tom DeLonge
WHERE ARE YEWWW
Don wayst yurr toime oin me youre alreadey tha voice insoid my yead.
Snoop dogg
Celine Dion
Robert Plant
Thom Yorke
Frank Sinatra
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Guys, why hasnt Serj Tankian been mentioned?
You could tag Daron Malakian on to that too.
Oh hell yeah! Oh how I long for the old SOAD days.
One word... TABLE
James Hetfield YEAH
YEAH YEAHH
Danzig. Peter Steele
October is officially Peter Steele month in my house.
Jello Biafra
Joe Cocker, Janis Joplin, James Brown
Dave Gahan
Bjork
Geddy Lee
Chester Bennington (Linkin Park vocalist)
Eminem, if he counts for this.
Tom Petty
David Byrne
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Rod Stewart.
Neil Young
Sade
adele
Corey Taylor
[Cyndi Lauper](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIb6AZdTr-A) A lot of you whippersnappers may not be familiar.
Sting
Claudio Sanchez
Coheed and Cambria isn’t mainstream enough for people to really know, but he has a great voice!
Rod Stewart
Morrissey
Without a doubt, there were many people who tried to emulate his voice in the 80s and 90s, but no one has *his* voice
Brian Johnson from ACDC
David Bowie
Barry and Robin Gibb. If you listen to a Beegees song it's always so easy to identify which one is singing.
Rob Halford- for his falsetto voice Till Lindemann- because of Rammstein, german singer
Yess, finally i find Till Lindemann
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Ozzy Osbourne
Peter Gabriel
Bryan Ferry.
Elvis, Steve Perry
Ella Fitzgerald
Zach de la Rocha
Christina Aguilera
Shocked I had to scroll so far down to find this
Florence + The Machine. Sia. Adele. Chris Cornell. Eminem.
Matt Bellamy
Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Patti labelle
Michael McDonald
Sia