Deciphering the greatest vocalist of all time is difficult, especially when you have so many choices. For many, the one that immediately comes to mind is Freddie Mercury, but what about all of the other singers who managed to epitomise the good and bad of an entire generation? What about Nina Simone, Dolores O’Riordan, Tracy Chapman? The list is endless, but thankfully, Kiss’ Paul Stanley seems to claim the answer.
When studying vocal virtuosos, it’s important to consider what, exactly, constitutes a great singer. Is it the ability to project and fill an entire stadium with a strong and distinctive tone? Or is it all about infusing emotional rawness and authenticity into a voice? What about range? Should a great singer be able to oscillate between notes with effortless control? Usually, the answer to all of these questions depends on the genre in question.
For instance, outside the realm of pop, most singers are completely suited to their respective arenas, like Debbie Harry and Chrissie Hynde, whose vocal talent is indisputable but entirely fitting within the rock sensibilities they pervade. O’Riordan, too, had a hauntingly beautiful voice, one which incorporated vocal flips that didn’t just align perfectly with her Irish heritage but carried a pained edge that made her melodies even more spine-tingling.
In terms of more traditional rock voices, many musicians who thrived during the late 1960s and 1970s felt particularly drawn to the ways many male rock singers blended emotive aggression with genuine vocal range, like the way Robert Plant gave Led Zeppelin its signature stadium rock sound. The kind that could reach the furthest corners of the biggest venues.
In fact, for Paul Stanley, Plant represents the greatest vocalist of all time, one that many have attempted to replicate to no avail. Stanley first experienced Led Zeppelin live in 1969, and found the whole event “transformative”. Recalling the concert during a Forbes interview in 2020, he said: “I saw Zeppelin in ’69 and that was transformative. As I would put it that was god’s work.”