100 Greatest Rock Singers of the 60s and 70s

The 60s and 70s are decades known for the most distinctive voices in rock history. This article brings to life a list of the best rock singers from that hippy-happy era.

Rock music came into its own in the 60s, thanks to the free-form music expression in folk and blues rock. The folk rock movement and the blues rock movement paved the way for new genres in rock. Expression found new meaning in the 60s and this freedom of expression found its way in many rock genres that emerged in the 70s. Musical explorations were at another level during the 60s and 70s. Hybrid experimentation by musicians from different genres helped new sounds evolve and take shape in the form of subgenres.

Rock Singers: The 60s and 70s

Some of the best singers in rock music history shot to prominence with their unique voices in the 60s and 70s. The decades are widely regarded by music purists and critics as pivotal decades in rock music history. The lyrical dominance of singers and song writers brought to life some of the greatest rock anthems. Also, a number of protest songs and anti war songs written during the 60s and 70s have become epic anthems for world peace. From high pitched voices to the sultry baritone, rock singers showcased their vocal prowess exquisitely.

Showmanship and Live Performances

Many rock singers in the 60s and 70s embarked on solo careers while donning vocal duties with bands. While not many singers had successful solo careers, few singers had a bigger impact on music and earned critical acclaim with their solo albums. Also, singers of bands had side projects and did stints with bands from different genres. The showmanship of rock singers was at another level in the 60s and 70s. Some of the best live performances by bands were seen during the 60s and 70s. The flamboyance and charisma of stage performance by bands in these decades has become an epitome in rock history.

It’s the variety of musical influences that gave unique identity to rock singers in the 60s and 70s. Musical experiments led to a number of collaborations. Many rock singers collaborated with musicians from diverse music genres bringing in a fresh eclectic sound in the realms of rock. Many female vocalists emerged in rock through the folk movement. The folk movement helped branch the careers of many rock singers. A number of female rock vocalists came to the limelight in the 60s and 70s paving the way for a new breed of female rock singers.

What made the 60s and 70s special were the unique voices of singers. While the 60s and 70s have become distant memories, the mesmerizing voices of rock singers from that era breathe new life in sentiments and nostalgia.

The lines below showcase a list of the best rock vocalists of the 60s and 70s.

100 Greatest Rock Singers of the 60s and 70s

1. Jon Anderson (Yes)
2. David Byron (Uriah Heep)
3. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
4. Ian Gillian (Deep Purple)
5. Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane)
6. John Lennon (The Beatles)
7. David Bowie (The Hype)
8. Eric Burdon (The Animals)
9. Don Brewer (Grand Funk Railroad)
10. Mick Jagger (Rolling Stones)
11. Roger Daltrey (The Who)
12. Paul McCartney (The Beatles)
13. David Coverdale (Deep Purple)
14. Eric Clapton (Cream)
15. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
16. Janis Joplin (Big Brother and the Holding Company)
17. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
18. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
19. Bryan Ferry (Roxy Music)
20. Freddie Mercury- (Queen)
21. Patti Smith
22. Roger Waters (Pink Floyd)
23. Peter Gabriel (Genesis)
24. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
25. Eric Bloom (Blue Oyster Cult)
26. Bob Dylan (Folk Rock)
27. Donald Fagen (Steely Dan)
28. Doung Ingle (Iron Butterfly)
29. Paul Stanley (Kiss)
30. Geddy Lee (Rush)
31. Denis DeYoung (Styx)
32. Kris Kristofferson
33. Johnny Rotten (Sex Pistols)
34. Burke Shelly (Budgie)
35. Peter Gabriel (Genesis)
36. Tom Waits
37. Ronnie James Dio (Elf/Rainbow)
38. Tim Buckley
39. Paul Simon- (Simon & Garfunkel)
40. John Phillips (The Mamas & The Papas)
41. Warren Zevon
42. Burton Cummings (The Guess Who)
43. Roger McGuinn (The Byrds)
44. Paul Butterfield (Paul Butterfield Blues Band)
45. Billy Joel
46. Steve Miller (Steve Miller Band)
47. Davy Jones (The Monkees)
48. Nico
49. John Mayall (John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers)
50. Ray Davies (The Kinks)
51. Syd Barrett (Pink Floyd)
52. Van Morrison
53. Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)
54. Greg Lake (Emerson, Lake & Palmer)
55. Mike Love (The Beach Boys)
56. Keith Relf (The Yardbirds)
57. Jackson Browne
58. Rod Stewart (Jeff Beck Group)
59. John Sebastian (The Lovin’ Spoonfull)
60. Joan Armatrading
61. Marty Balin
62. Gilbert O’ Sullivan
63. Mark Lindsay (Paul Revere & The Raiders)
64. John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
65. Jimi Hendrix (The Jimi Hendrix Experience)
66. Reg Presley (The Troggs)
67. Sal Valentino (The Beau Brummels)
68. Howard Kaylan (The Turtles)
69. Allan Clarke (The Hollies)
70. Lou Reed (The Velvet Underground)
71. Steve Winwood (Traffic)
72. Justin Hayward (Moody Blues)
73. John Idan (Yardbirds)
74. David Crosby (Crosby, Stills & Nash)
75. P.F. Solan (The Grass Roots)
76. Michelle Phillips
77. Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
78. Dickie Peterson (Blue Cheer)
79. Jerry Garcia (Grateful Dead)
80. Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull)
81. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
82. Phil May (The Pretty Things)
83. Colin Blunstone (The Zombies)
84. Pete ham (Badfinger)
85. Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top)
86. Don Henley (Eagles)
87. Brian Wilson (The Beach Boys)
88. Stephen Stills (Crosby, Stills & Nash/Buffalo Springfield)
89. Micky Dolenz (The Monkees)
90. Iggy Pop (The Stooges)
91. Dennis Tufano (The Buckinghams)
92. Joan Baez
93. Alex Chilton (Box Tops/Big Star)
94. Mike Smith (Dave Clark Five)
95. Jeff Lynne (Electric Light Orchestra)
96. Gram Parsons (The Flying Burrito Brothers)
97. Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield)
98. Terry Kirkman (The Association)
99. Greg Allman (Allman Brothers Band)
100. Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)