hahaha excellent thread title. I wouldn't know where to begin. Your list got some top offenders. There are a lot of current singers I cant take, that croaky raspy airy whining style on radio now, man I want to projectile for sure. Sounds like constipated seals barking in pain.

1) Geddy Lee
2) Cher
3) Johnny Van Zandt
4) Lou Reed
5) John Bell

Great thread.

I love Panic but agree with BIGV that John Bell's vocals get on my nerves.

Marshall Tucker was the first band I really went nuts over but Doug Gray's vocals also can irritate me after a while.

Same with Dylan.

Crazy about Tom Waits but in small doses because of his voice.

1. Yoko Ono: Easily my #1

Yoko is a vocalist?

Frankie Valli

Bolton is definitely up there. Women really seemed to dig him but I have never found a single male who thought his singing or style was of any worth. Completely oversung fake blue-eyed soul.

And as grating as fingernails on a chalkboard- Axl Rose.

1. Yoko Ono: Easily my #1

Yoko is a vocalist?

lol. Can't remember the name but there is actually one song she did where she didn't scream and its tolerable.

The worst is if you fine Ono/Lennon/Zappa on you tube. Two of the all time great musicians playing background for a hyena being ripped to death. Used to play it for my kids as a threat if they continued to misbehave

What??? How is Donna Jean not on this list?

Waaaaaohhhhhheehhhhhhhhohhhhaahhhhhhhh!!!

Waaaaaohhhhhheehhhhhhhhohhhhaahhhhhhhh!!!

HahahAAA !!!!

Well! What an opportunity! One of the worst singers in one of the worst lip-syncs! I give you Larry Henley and the Newbeats!

This actually got to #2.

Any contenders for something even worse?

Billastro

I honestly try to find something to appreciate always, with most art, but back in the '80's, if I had been drinking or had an upset stomach and happened to flip through MTV, the band White Lion, with their "vocalist" Mike Tramp, would always make me puke!!!!! Or/and have other violent reactions...........Peace.......joe

On a side MTV note, I never will forget the Pride and Satisfaction I felt in seeing "Midnight Rider" and "I'm No Angel" get into some little semi regular rotation!

[Edited on 7/5/2019 by crazyjoe]

[Edited on 7/5/2019 by crazyjoe]

Interesting thread. Agree with some of the posts, not all. When I first saw the title I immediately thought Geddy Lee. That's why I dislike Rush so much. Regarding Panic, I also like their music (have seen them live several times) but after a little bit I have had enough of Bell. They have a HUGE following and I don't know how the die hards can take it.

I don't see White Lion as that polarizing. I really like White Lion. Met Mike Tramp at a book signing before he opened for Skynyrd many moons ago. Nice guy. They were all about the late 80s hair bands!

And not to sound like a middle aged woman but Michael Bolton's voice doesn't bother me. 😮

Geddy Lee
Steve Perry
Dennis Deyoung
Kevin Cronin

all are complete fucking torture and this why other countries hate us

Steve Perry
chad Kroger from Nickel back
Scott Stapp from Creed
Rob Thomas, Matchbox 20
most modern country

most modern country

Yeah.....that's one form or music I just don't get the appeal of.

Robert Plant

Agree with Geddy Lee

I agree with a few mentioned. I didn't see David Byrne or Eddie Vedder listed, Some of those droning vocals get to me.

Axel Rose

Well! What an opportunity! One of the worst singers in one of the worst lip-syncs! I give you Larry Henley and the Newbeats!

This actually got to #2.

Any contenders for something even worse?

Billastro

No, I don't think I can come with a contender. That's pretty bad.

But you have to look at the context: 1964, the year The Beatles hit in the U.S. so this song may have actually hit before The Beatles did. Pop music was DEAD. Still, #2?

But you have to look at the context: 1964, the year The Beatles hit in the U.S. so this song may have actually hit before The Beatles did. Pop music was DEAD. Still, #2?

Sadly this event occurred as the Beatles were actually crushing it. At this point a Hard Day's Night was still playing in theaters. Other great songs were in the top ten like House of the Rising Sun, Where Did Our Love Go, and Oh, Pretty Woman (which was #1 when the Newbeats were #2).

1. Yoko Ono: Easily my #1
2. Tiny Tim: Almost as irritating as #1
3. Michael Bolton: The King of Schmaltz
4. Barry Manilow: Schmaltz King #2
5. Geddy Lee: Please, whoever you are, let go of his balls

Rob and Others, I am not here to defend Yoko, here vocal offerings too me also are shaky at best. However please consider that a soothing, relaxing and satisfying vocal tone and delivery is NOT what she going for, of course I couldn't guess what it is? I have seen and heard Dylan shout, squack, and bark lyrics certainly meant to jostle and irritate the audience, I know others do it, it's part of their gag no?

Dammitt, bottom line is You're right Yoko F***ING brutal.........Peace......joe

[Edited on 7/6/2019 by crazyjoe]

1. Yoko Ono: Easily my #1
2. Tiny Tim: Almost as irritating as #1
3. Michael Bolton: The King of Schmaltz
4. Barry Manilow: Schmaltz King #2
5. Geddy Lee: Please, whoever you are, let go of his balls

I see we have similar taste in emetics.

As far as FM roulette goes, I cant turn the dial fast enough when I hear

That Styx elf mutant - don't know his name: Iyyyyym sayyyyleeng awwaaayyyyyyy. Physically painful
Ann Wilson
Billy Joel
Freddie Mercury

[Edited on 7/7/2019 by BrerRabbit]

Besides agreeing with several mentioned here I have to add:

Michael McDonald (walrus)

Celine Deon

all vocalizations from the B-52s

Mike Mattison
Jackson Browne
Manfred Mann
Tom Waits
Michael Buble

Phil Lesh

Some of the singers from post-grunge bands like Candlebox and Collective Soul made me cringe for sure.

Big thumbs up to the mention of Michael MacDonald. His sobby emoting always rubbed me wrong.

I wouldn't go as far as saying they make me want to vomit; but I don't enjoy hearing Yoko, Donna Jean Godchaux-for the most part she was much better in the studio and with JGB than the dead-, JB of WSP, Geddy Lee, and Marcus King.

Interesting thread. Agree with some of the posts, not all. When I first saw the title I immediately thought Geddy Lee. That's why I dislike Rush so much. Regarding Panic, I also like their music (have seen them live several times) but after a little bit I have had enough of Bell. They have a HUGE following and I don't know how the die hards can take it.

I don't see White Lion as that polarizing. I really like White Lion. Met Mike Tramp at a book signing before he opened for Skynyrd many moons ago. Nice guy. They were all about the late 80s hair bands!

And not to sound like a middle aged woman but Michael Bolton's voice doesn't bother me. 😮

yeah I think Bolton has a fantastic voice and I'm a metalhead/rock guy . when he toned it down a bit back in the day he sounded a lot like paul from kiss