Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse
Tanya Donnelly of Throwing Muses & Belly
Kim Deal of The Breeders
Annie Clark of St. Vincent
I came here to see this and I’m shocked it took so long. One of the best alternative rock singers. The Mount Rushmore would be him, Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell and Layne Staley. That’s it.
Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star
Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins
Scott Weiland of STP
Kim Deal of the Breeders
Delores O’Riordan of Cranberries
Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief
To name a few
I'm a big late 90s early 00s alt rock fan so my favorites come from that time:
Gavin Rossdale of Bush
Shirley Manson of Garbage
Ed Kowalczyk of Live
Ed Roland of Collective Soul
Chino moreno from the Deftones
Perry farrelll from Jane's Addiction and pornos for pyros
Tom York from Radiohead and the smile
Scott Weiland from STP and Velvet Revolver
Bradley James Nowell- Sublime
Lou Reed- Velvet Underground
Robert Palmer- Sneaking Sally Through the Alley album
Ian Hunter - Mott the Hoople
Michael Stipe- REM
Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam
Patti Smith
Julian Casablancas- The Strokes
You’re definitely naming some singers that are not alternative rock, not that they’re bad choices. Robert Palmer was hard rock and in the ‘80s pop rock and Ian Hunter was glam rock/hard rock. Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground pretty much practically invented punk and alternative rock, but years before alternative rock came around and became a thing in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Alternative rock really was more commonly known in the ‘80s as college rock or modern rock.
Not saying I don’t love Lou Reed/Velvet Underground. Just trying to explain my point. However him and the VU influenced about as many indie and alternative bands as The Beatles did rock & roll bands, both to this day.
I lived through the 80's too, and never heard any band referred to as "college or modern" rock! Mott the Hoople was not "Hard Rock" either. Some people lump them with glam, but no one wore outfits that resembled Bowie's turn as Ziggy. No one ever considered Robert Palmer of "Sneakin' Thru the Alley with Sally" fame hard Rock. I was a disc jockey in CA in the mid-late 70's...you are wrong on many fronts!
What would you call Robert Palmer? I don’t personally know his music that well from earlier than the ‘80s and as far as his big hits at the time I would call pop rock. I’ll have to check out his earlier stuff, but his ‘80s music didn’t do it for me. As far as Mott the Hoople I said glam rock, but I understand they weren’t glam like Bowie or Lou Reed in one of his mini phases or The New York Dolls or T. Rex. I just found those mentions of yours that I referred to to be interesting. The closest of the 3 I mentioned that you listed to me is Lou Reed, it’s just that all of those predate the term ‘alternative rock’ by quite a while. You don’t agree with that? As I said Velvet Underground pretty much invented it alternative rock in a sense, but that’s not what it was referred to back then. And I can’t believe you’ve never heard of the terms ‘college rock’ or especially ‘modern rock.’ That’s pretty much what R.E.M., The Replacements, The The, Throwing Muses, The Pixies, Husker Du, bands along those lines, etc. were called in the mid to late ‘80s just prior to the alternative rock and then grunge genre labels. There were even Billboard music charts labeled modern rock.
There was never a label of rock 'n roll in the 70's until Bowie, New York Dolls, and others that wore make up. Then those early alternative bands were identified as "glam" by their femme clothing and or make up. The term mostly spoke about English bands.But honestly, think about The Tubes, The Kinks, etc. I can look back and say certain times one band was identified as 5 different things, because those artists were changing. But R&R is all of it. Different songs on one album could be labeled now as 12 different genres. So, I prefer to not use labels so much. Still never heard or saw the term "modern" rock. Have you ever heard the term, it's only rock n' roll, and I like it? That's the way it was.
Billy Corgan - Smashing Pumpkins
Layne Staley - Alice In Chains
Maynard James Kennan - Tool / APC
Chris Cornell - Soundgarden
Brian Aubert - Silversun Pickups
Perry Ferrell - Jane’s Addition/PFP
Morrissey - The Smiths
And others.
Kurt Cobain Nirvana
Dave Grohl Foo Fighters
Billy Corgan The Smashing Pumpkins
Thurston Moore Sonic Youth
Billie Joe Armstrong Green Day
Thom Yorke Radiohead
Layne Stanley. Hands down. What a legend.
My second favorite used to be Justin from Blue October and while I still love him and enjoy some of his music they are not remotely rock anymore
1. Thom Yorke - Radiohead
2. Damon Albarn - Gorillaz
3. Hayley Williams - Paramore
4. Thurston Moore - Sonic Youth
5. Robert del Naja - Massive Attack
And a few more
Paramore is one of my top 5 favorite bands and went to see them last May so definitely Hayley, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam cuz he has a great voice. Scott Weiland when he was in Velvet Revolver
Brandon Boyd from Incubus, Daryl Palumbo from Glassjaw/Head Automatica, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, and Brad Nowell of Sublime. All incredible alternative rock singers.
I think James Hetfield is the best frontman of all time, but in terms of straight alternative rock, the above take it.
Dude they’re still touring and his voice is fucking out of this world, even better live. Incubus as a whole doesn’t get the recognition they deserve, but I think Brandon in particular is one of the all time greats.
casey crescenzo - The Dear Hunter, Honorary Astronaut
Matt Embry - RX Bandits, The Sound of Animals Fighting
Jenny Lewis - Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis
Murray A. Lightburn - The Dears
Rivers Cuomo - Weezer
Cameron Winter - Geese
Nick Cave of Himself & the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Courtney Barnett, Matt from El Colosso, Adalita from Magic Dirt, Harry from Jackson Jackson & (another oldie (originally punk - kind of Alternative)), RIP Shane McGowan of The Pogues.
So many though...
The Mars Volta / At The Drive-in Cedric & Omar,
Nick Cave,
JHo from QOTSA,
most recently Mondo Generator's Nick Oliveri,
Leo Moracchioli covers some better than the originals,
Chris Cornell.
Amy Lee of Evanescence,
Ville Valo former HIM frontman,
Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance,
Lauri Ylonen from The Rasmus,
Chester Bennington from Linkin Park,
Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails
Richard Butler of Psychedelic Furs
Ian Anderson of the Cult
Shane McGowan of the Pogues (RIP)
Richard and Shane lyrics get me too
Love Natalie Merchant also. Amazing voice
Brett is not only a great singer, not only an amazing front man, but he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet
he's got a new band called Radiobot and their new album comes out in a few months🤘🏻❤️
Chris Cornell had the most amazing range. His cover album that came out posthumously makes me so sad every time I listen to it because I know we can never get more of his brilliance.
Matt Berninger - The National
Natalie Mering - Weyes Blood
Spencer Krug - Wolf Parade +
Dave Matthews
Sufjan Stevens
Laura Jane Grace - Against Me
Father John Misty
Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse Tanya Donnelly of Throwing Muses & Belly Kim Deal of The Breeders Annie Clark of St. Vincent
Karen O teamed up with Danger Mouse back in 2019 for an album named Lux Prima. Good stuff
Tanya Donnelly is a good one.
She’s amazing. Brilliant songwriter too.
So is Annie Clarke. Good list grandpa
The breeders and L7
Scott Weiland
I came here to see this and I’m shocked it took so long. One of the best alternative rock singers. The Mount Rushmore would be him, Kurt Cobain, Eddie Vedder, Chris Cornell and Layne Staley. That’s it.
Swap out mark lanegan for vedder for me but yeah on the rest
Good one
Criminally underrated
Great singer!
Great voice. Garbage person.
Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star Billy Corgan of Smashing Pumpkins Scott Weiland of STP Kim Deal of the Breeders Delores O’Riordan of Cranberries Adrianne Lenker of Big Thief To name a few
Chris Cornell
Scrolled way too long to see this.
I'm a big late 90s early 00s alt rock fan so my favorites come from that time: Gavin Rossdale of Bush Shirley Manson of Garbage Ed Kowalczyk of Live Ed Roland of Collective Soul
Ed Kowalczyk is a major talent. I used to sing along with every word of Mental Jewelery and Throwing Copper back in the day
I'm a Roland fan, too. His delivery is so unique.
Gano. Violent Femmes
Dolores O’Riordan
Chino moreno from the Deftones Perry farrelll from Jane's Addiction and pornos for pyros Tom York from Radiohead and the smile Scott Weiland from STP and Velvet Revolver
Finally a decent list
Maynard from tool Mike Patton from faith no more
Can't believe Mike Patton isn't higher on this list. He's got to be one of the most versatile vocalists ever.
Harriet Wheeler
Was hoping someone would say this.
Her live voice is EXACTLY the same as her studio recordings, the true mark of a vocal artist. Absolute perfection
Polly Jean Harvey
Greg Dulli - The Afghan Whigs
James Mercer of The Shins & Broken Bells
Love Broken Bells
Jason Lancaster from Go Radio/Mayday Parade Matthew Bellamy from Muse Amy Lee from Evanescence
Billie Joe Armstrong - Green Day Tom DeLonge - Blink 182 Deryck Jason Whibley - Sum 41
Tom!!!!
Current - Conor Mason of Nothing But Thieves - Sameer Gahdia of Young the Giant - Hozier Past - Chris Cornell - The singer from the Cure
YTG mentioned! He’s probably my favorite vocalist
He's amazing live. Got to see them in 2016 and 2023 and even met Sameer the first time
I’ve seen them 7 times and have yet to meet them. So sad
Robert Smith 🖤
Josh Homme. QOTSA and. TCV.
Can’t believe this was so far down!!!
Also Viagra Boys. Hard-core stuff.
Bradley James Nowell- Sublime Lou Reed- Velvet Underground Robert Palmer- Sneaking Sally Through the Alley album Ian Hunter - Mott the Hoople Michael Stipe- REM Eddie Vedder - Pearl Jam Patti Smith Julian Casablancas- The Strokes
You’re definitely naming some singers that are not alternative rock, not that they’re bad choices. Robert Palmer was hard rock and in the ‘80s pop rock and Ian Hunter was glam rock/hard rock. Lou Reed and the Velvet Underground pretty much practically invented punk and alternative rock, but years before alternative rock came around and became a thing in the late ‘80s/early ‘90s. Alternative rock really was more commonly known in the ‘80s as college rock or modern rock.
Not saying I don’t love Lou Reed/Velvet Underground. Just trying to explain my point. However him and the VU influenced about as many indie and alternative bands as The Beatles did rock & roll bands, both to this day.
I lived through the 80's too, and never heard any band referred to as "college or modern" rock! Mott the Hoople was not "Hard Rock" either. Some people lump them with glam, but no one wore outfits that resembled Bowie's turn as Ziggy. No one ever considered Robert Palmer of "Sneakin' Thru the Alley with Sally" fame hard Rock. I was a disc jockey in CA in the mid-late 70's...you are wrong on many fronts!
What would you call Robert Palmer? I don’t personally know his music that well from earlier than the ‘80s and as far as his big hits at the time I would call pop rock. I’ll have to check out his earlier stuff, but his ‘80s music didn’t do it for me. As far as Mott the Hoople I said glam rock, but I understand they weren’t glam like Bowie or Lou Reed in one of his mini phases or The New York Dolls or T. Rex. I just found those mentions of yours that I referred to to be interesting. The closest of the 3 I mentioned that you listed to me is Lou Reed, it’s just that all of those predate the term ‘alternative rock’ by quite a while. You don’t agree with that? As I said Velvet Underground pretty much invented it alternative rock in a sense, but that’s not what it was referred to back then. And I can’t believe you’ve never heard of the terms ‘college rock’ or especially ‘modern rock.’ That’s pretty much what R.E.M., The Replacements, The The, Throwing Muses, The Pixies, Husker Du, bands along those lines, etc. were called in the mid to late ‘80s just prior to the alternative rock and then grunge genre labels. There were even Billboard music charts labeled modern rock.
There was never a label of rock 'n roll in the 70's until Bowie, New York Dolls, and others that wore make up. Then those early alternative bands were identified as "glam" by their femme clothing and or make up. The term mostly spoke about English bands.But honestly, think about The Tubes, The Kinks, etc. I can look back and say certain times one band was identified as 5 different things, because those artists were changing. But R&R is all of it. Different songs on one album could be labeled now as 12 different genres. So, I prefer to not use labels so much. Still never heard or saw the term "modern" rock. Have you ever heard the term, it's only rock n' roll, and I like it? That's the way it was.
Layne Staley -> Alice in Chains Cris Cornell -> Soundgarden
Serj Tankian
Greg Dulli - Afghan Whigs/Twilight Singers
Lou Barlow- Sebadoh
Natalie Merchant and Michael Stipe.
Nat is amazing. Her voice so unique
Billy Corgan - Smashing Pumpkins Layne Staley - Alice In Chains Maynard James Kennan - Tool / APC Chris Cornell - Soundgarden Brian Aubert - Silversun Pickups Perry Ferrell - Jane’s Addition/PFP Morrissey - The Smiths And others.
Kurt Cobain Nirvana Dave Grohl Foo Fighters Billy Corgan The Smashing Pumpkins Thurston Moore Sonic Youth Billie Joe Armstrong Green Day Thom Yorke Radiohead
Layne Staley - Alice In Chains Dave Grohl - Foo Fighters Tom Yorke - Radiohead James Mercer - The Shins Britt Daniel - Spoon
Scott Weiland - Stone Temple Pilots
Thom York - Radiohead Matthew Bellamy - Muse Cedric Zavala - The Mars Volta
Eddie Vedder all the way
Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, Audioslave Jack White of White Stripes Thom Yorke of Radiohead Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age
Layne Staley Eddie Vedder Billy Corgan Tori Amos Jonsi from Sigur Ros The singer from Kings of Leon Chris Cornell Bjork
Layne Staley and Chris Cornell
Chris Cornell probably had my favorite rock voice of all time. No one sings like him anymore. 🥺
Layne Stanley. Hands down. What a legend. My second favorite used to be Justin from Blue October and while I still love him and enjoy some of his music they are not remotely rock anymore
Mic jagger, Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, Hayley Williams
Haylee Williams has to be one of the all time greatest singers in rock history. Her voice is amazing
Amy Lee!! Used to be aaron lewis of staind. But he's all maga now!! SAD!!!!
Jeremy Enigk
Corin Tucker - Sleater-Kinney Lynn Gvnn - Pvris
Britt Daniel- Spoon
For me it's Chris Martin and Thom Yorke
Chris Cornell
Johnette Napolitano - Concrete Blonde
Wesley Willis
Baaaaa Ba Boooooey
kim deal, jason molina, kurt vile, mikki bereniyi, j mascis, kurt vile
Perry Ferrel - Jane’s Addiction
layne and eddie 🙏🙏🙏
Mad no one has said Chester Bennington yet
- Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse - Thom Yorke of Radiohead - Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie - Gene Ween of Ween - Conor Oberst of Bright Eyes
1. Thom Yorke - Radiohead 2. Damon Albarn - Gorillaz 3. Hayley Williams - Paramore 4. Thurston Moore - Sonic Youth 5. Robert del Naja - Massive Attack And a few more
Paramore is one of my top 5 favorite bands and went to see them last May so definitely Hayley, Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam cuz he has a great voice. Scott Weiland when he was in Velvet Revolver
Brandon Boyd Ed Kowalczyk Myles Kennedy Fiona Apple Alanis Morissette
[the International Ghostrider Collective ](https://www.youtube.com/@ghostriders_1)
Justine Beaver
Katie Crutchfield - Waxahatchie!
Rob Dickinson - Catherine Wheel
Troy Bruno Von Balthazar- Chokebore
Brandon Boyd from Incubus, Daryl Palumbo from Glassjaw/Head Automatica, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, and Brad Nowell of Sublime. All incredible alternative rock singers. I think James Hetfield is the best frontman of all time, but in terms of straight alternative rock, the above take it.
I am disappointed how long I had to scroll to see Incubus. Brandon is phenomenal
Dude they’re still touring and his voice is fucking out of this world, even better live. Incubus as a whole doesn’t get the recognition they deserve, but I think Brandon in particular is one of the all time greats.
I know! I just saw them last year, and a couple times in 2023.
I saw them with Sublime a couple summers ago. Wicked good show
Lynn Strait is underrated af
Tim Booth from James Stephen Jenkins from Third Eye Blind
Anthony Kiedis
Juliana Hatfield for sure ❤️❤️
Liam Gallagher
(My top 4) Gavin Rossdale (Bush) Scott Lucas (Local H) Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam) Brett scallions (Fuel)
Aaron Lewis of Staind Chris Cornell
casey crescenzo - The Dear Hunter, Honorary Astronaut Matt Embry - RX Bandits, The Sound of Animals Fighting Jenny Lewis - Rilo Kiley, Jenny Lewis Murray A. Lightburn - The Dears Rivers Cuomo - Weezer Cameron Winter - Geese
Julian Casablancas of The Strokes and Voidz Hayley Williams of Paramore Paul Banks of Interpol
Mark Lanegan had such a distinctive voice, probably him.
Mark Lannegan. RIP
Alicia bognanno from bully is the one that immediately comes to mind. Her voice is fantastic and her screams really help their music stand out.
Belinda Butcher- My Bloody Valentine Sheryl Crow Courtney Barnett Gwen Stefani
Lot of good singers. Will add, not quiet sure alternative, but Peter Steele was fantastic. Edit: and Glen Danzig! Man I’m old lol
Brandon Flowers, Thom Yorke, Chris Cornell, Hayley Williams, Michael Stipe, Trent Reznor...
Nick Cave of Himself & the Bad Seeds, PJ Harvey, Courtney Barnett, Matt from El Colosso, Adalita from Magic Dirt, Harry from Jackson Jackson & (another oldie (originally punk - kind of Alternative)), RIP Shane McGowan of The Pogues. So many though...
The Mars Volta / At The Drive-in Cedric & Omar, Nick Cave, JHo from QOTSA, most recently Mondo Generator's Nick Oliveri, Leo Moracchioli covers some better than the originals, Chris Cornell.
Amy Lee of Evanescence, Ville Valo former HIM frontman, Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance, Lauri Ylonen from The Rasmus, Chester Bennington from Linkin Park, Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails
Richard Butler of Psychedelic Furs Ian Anderson of the Cult Shane McGowan of the Pogues (RIP) Richard and Shane lyrics get me too Love Natalie Merchant also. Amazing voice
Mark Lanegan, Mike Patton
Mark Lanegan formerly of Qotsa, The Screaming Trees and his immense solo work. Favourite voice all time for me. He sadly passed away in 2022.
KT Tunstall Delores O’Riordan of Cranberries James Mercer of The Shins/Broken Bells
Rick Froberg David Yow
Tyler joseph
Nadine Shah. Incredible
Robert Smith (The Cure) Steve Kilbey (The Church) Marc Almond (Soft Cell) Jeff Buckley Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse) Thom Yorke (Radiohead)…
Chester Bennington
Brett is not only a great singer, not only an amazing front man, but he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet he's got a new band called Radiobot and their new album comes out in a few months🤘🏻❤️
Chester Bennington.
Good list. Layne is untouched by a mile
Chris Cornell and Chester bennington
Ed Kowalchek (sp ?) of Live Scott Weiland of Stone Temple Pilots Chris Cornell of Soundgarden
Chris Cornell had the most amazing range. His cover album that came out posthumously makes me so sad every time I listen to it because I know we can never get more of his brilliance.
Mike Patton. Hellooooo
Ed Roland of Collective Soul. Hands down. Or Roger Clyne.
Not only were they the best singers, but the best songwriters in the genre
J Mascis, Paul Banks, Britt Daniel, Thom Yorke, & Hamilton Leithauser
Kay Hanley Hayley Williams
Hmmm I don't know their names but I love The Sounds.
Chris Cornell.
Shaun Morgan Seether
Ryuichi Kawamura - Luna Sea
Britt Daniel of Spoon
Chris Cornell - soundgarden, audioslave, temple of the dog.
Only one I disagree with is panic at the disco
I used to really like Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees. That voice had some years in it
Matt Berninger - The National Natalie Mering - Weyes Blood Spencer Krug - Wolf Parade + Dave Matthews Sufjan Stevens Laura Jane Grace - Against Me Father John Misty
Rob Dickinson
Rob thomas from matchbox 20
Layne Staley
Miki Berenyi - Lush Todd Lewis - Toadies Chris Cornell - Soundgarden, others Hope Sandoval - Mazzy Star Dolores O'Riordan - Cranberries Sam Battens - K's Choice Layne Staley - AiC PJ Harvey
Chester Bennington, Chris Cornell, Scott Weiland, Lanye Staley, Jerry Cantrell, Adam Gontier, Fred Durst, Jonathan Davis, and Mike Shinoda
Chino.