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Original poster

To ask which current singers have the voices to match Elton John, George Michael & Freddie Mercury?

280 replies

ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 09:27

Random playlist last night, Elton John & George Michael - Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me from 1991. The duet is amazing, the power in their voices. Got to add Freddie in the same (or better) category of voice, obviously. Asked my partner who today has the voice that will still make you say wow! in 30 years time? He said the music industry has changed, the ‘stars’ go through too fast now. I can recognise the talent of Chris Martin, Ed Sheeran and others, but where are those really powerful voices?

YABU - listen to …..
YANBU - no one can match them!

OP posts:
WinterFoxes · 21/03/2025 10:44

Gymrabbit · 21/03/2025 10:42

He’s the lead singer of Keane.

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Oh yes, his voice is stunning. And still strong now. It hasn't weakened over the years.

WinterFoxes · 21/03/2025 10:43

FlyingontheGround · 21/03/2025 10:15

Joe McElderry belts it out. I also love Myles Kennedy from Alter Bridge’s voice in the same vein as Axl’s

Sam Fender can hold a tune and makes it look effortless, I love his voice.

I love Sam Fender too. There's real feeling in his voice. It's not all about technique.

Gymrabbit · 21/03/2025 10:42

ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:40

Thanks for that! Not sure I’ve ever heard of him. Great voice, certainly proves the point that the style of song helps to show off the voice.

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He’s the lead singer of Keane.

Robertplantgoddess · 21/03/2025 10:41

Try father john misty.
Very george michaelesque and some of his songs are exquisite.
Try the song goodbye Mr blue by him for a taste.
5 albums. All strong but varied

Original poster
ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:40

Theeyeballsinthesky · 21/03/2025 10:36

Tom chaplin has an amazing voice. Here singing “it’s a hard life”

Z

and Brian May’s comments So when we got into preparation for this gig with Tom Chaplin singing, it transpired that he wanted to do it in the original key (good for him – I can’t think of many singers who would have taken that on … )

Thanks for that! Not sure I’ve ever heard of him. Great voice, certainly proves the point that the style of song helps to show off the voice.

OP posts:
Christwosheds · 21/03/2025 10:40

XWKD · 21/03/2025 09:34

I don't think Elton John's voice is anything special.

Agree.
George Michael on the other hand, was an incredible talent. The most naturally musical and vocally gifted man of his generation of pop singers .

APurpleSquirrel · 21/03/2025 10:40

Agree about Teddy Swims - he has a very distinctive voice. Also Benson Boone.

I also suggest Shaboozey - his recent country album is really good, very interesting voice.

For women I’m surprised no one has mentioned Taylor Swift for star presence & performance, song writing etc. Whether you like her songs or not, she has undeniably star quality.
And Florence Welch from Florence & The Machine - amazing haunting voice, very theatrical stage presence.

Badbadbunny · 21/03/2025 10:40

Starlight1984 · 21/03/2025 10:21

He's just an exceptional performer / musician with amazing stage presence and some fantastic songs. Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones are the same.

To be honest, I think it is far more special and extraordinary to have "the x factor" than to have a good voice! Can you imagine being in your 70s and being able to entertain a stadium of 50,000 people for hours at a time?!?!

We saw the Rolling Stones 3 years ago and it was the best concert I have EVER been to (and I've been to a lot!).

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Surely they're different types of people though. You're talking about entertainers rather than singers. An entertainer will captivate an audience by far more than the singing, i.e. the special effects, costumes, chatting with the audience - i.e. a full package, i.e. "showbiz" on steroids etc etc. A top singer can do it just by singing with an anonymous backing band/singers and without special effects/extreme costumes etc. I actually hate the showbiz and spectacle type of performances and far prefer a singer with exceptional talent just singing.

blobby10 · 21/03/2025 10:38

Do you think that being a great singer like Freddie Mercury etc is also linked to being a talented musician? All those mentioned also play at least two instruments whereas many modern vocalists are just vocalists or, like Ed Sherhan excellent writers but unexceptional voice. I would add Meatloaf to the list of excellent musicians who didn't have such an amazing voice but could still create shivers down my spine when he sang a slower piece eg Heaven Can Wait.

Starlight1984 · 21/03/2025 10:36

ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:29

Which is why Freddie can’t be beaten, he had the best voice and the star quality! No one else stands a chance 😂😂

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Absolutely agree. My aunty went to Live Aid and she still talks about how it was the best day of her life.

Theeyeballsinthesky · 21/03/2025 10:36

Tom chaplin has an amazing voice. Here singing “it’s a hard life”

Z

and Brian May’s comments So when we got into preparation for this gig with Tom Chaplin singing, it transpired that he wanted to do it in the original key (good for him – I can’t think of many singers who would have taken that on … )

namechangedtemporarily123 · 21/03/2025 10:36

Jennifer Hudson is such a beautiful singer

Shmoigel · 21/03/2025 10:35

I have seen sam Ryder live and he is phenomenal.
Adam lambert is amazing!
And I have seen Harry Styles live, his range was amazing and sounded exactly the same as on his albums.

BeckyBismuth · 21/03/2025 10:32

There will never be anyone to match Freddie ever. I was just a year old when Freddie died and I am so sad I never got the opportunity to see them live.

saamantha19881 · 21/03/2025 10:32

McQueensMuse · 21/03/2025 09:42

Benson Boone reminds me of Freddie Mercury.
Excellent voice, Flamboyant stage presence.

I came on to say him too!

Starlight1984 · 21/03/2025 10:30

KimberleyClark · 21/03/2025 10:28

Shirley Bassey was 75 when she performed Diamonds are Forever at the late Queen’s diamond jubilee and she still rocked it. Also Pink said she preferred Bassey’s version of Get this Party Started to her own.

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Oh Shirley is fab!!! She has such a powerful voice 😍

Original poster
ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:29

Starlight1984 · 21/03/2025 10:21

He's just an exceptional performer / musician with amazing stage presence and some fantastic songs. Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones are the same.

To be honest, I think it is far more special and extraordinary to have "the x factor" than to have a good voice! Can you imagine being in your 70s and being able to entertain a stadium of 50,000 people for hours at a time?!?!

We saw the Rolling Stones 3 years ago and it was the best concert I have EVER been to (and I've been to a lot!).

Show quote history

Which is why Freddie can’t be beaten, he had the best voice and the star quality! No one else stands a chance 😂😂

OP posts:
Epli · 21/03/2025 10:29

Coffeeforayear · 21/03/2025 10:07

George Ezra, Chris Martin

PJ Harvey, Bjork, and Thom York - amazing voices.

Very Modern day - Chappel Roan

Thom Yorke? He's extremely talented songwriter and has a great stage presence but he can't stay on pitch. How can you compare him to Mercury or Michael?

Purplebunnie · 21/03/2025 10:29

Depends on what music genre you listen to. Floor Jansen and Sharon den Adel are amazing

Joakim Brodén has a very interesting voice

There is a whole wealth of talent in other genres

KimberleyClark · 21/03/2025 10:28

Starlight1984 · 21/03/2025 10:21

He's just an exceptional performer / musician with amazing stage presence and some fantastic songs. Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones are the same.

To be honest, I think it is far more special and extraordinary to have "the x factor" than to have a good voice! Can you imagine being in your 70s and being able to entertain a stadium of 50,000 people for hours at a time?!?!

We saw the Rolling Stones 3 years ago and it was the best concert I have EVER been to (and I've been to a lot!).

Show quote history

Shirley Bassey was 75 when she performed Diamonds are Forever at the late Queen’s diamond jubilee and she still rocked it. Also Pink said she preferred Bassey’s version of Get this Party Started to her own.

Original poster
ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:28

TessTickle0 · 21/03/2025 10:08

I like teddy swims

I enjoyed Teddy Swims cover of Nat King Cole on Radio 2. Partner suggested Teddy Swims as a possibility in this discussion, will give him some more time too.

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 21/03/2025 10:25

Adam Lambert is magnificent and an absolute fit for the rest of Queen.

BeckyBismuth · 21/03/2025 10:25

MintTwirl · 21/03/2025 09:35

Adam Lambert? I think he has a great voice. And Sam Ryder, he also seems like such a lovely man.

Yes, both these.

Original poster
ItsABeautifulDay25 · 21/03/2025 10:24

BrownieBlondie01 · 21/03/2025 10:17

Agree, I love Elton but vocally I wouldn't say he sits amongst George Michael or Freddie Mercury!

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Fair point, though I think he matches up well in Don’t Let the Sun… But agree Freddie tops the list, and George Michael isn’t far behind.

Reminds me of duets from the early 2000s where the younger stars didn’t compare well at all. I’m thinking of Tom Jones & Robbie Williams, Elton John & Blue, Sting & Craig David(?).

OP posts:
Starlight1984 · 21/03/2025 10:21

Picklepower · 21/03/2025 10:13

Me neither! Never really understood him tbh

Show quote history

He's just an exceptional performer / musician with amazing stage presence and some fantastic songs. Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones are the same.

To be honest, I think it is far more special and extraordinary to have "the x factor" than to have a good voice! Can you imagine being in your 70s and being able to entertain a stadium of 50,000 people for hours at a time?!?!

We saw the Rolling Stones 3 years ago and it was the best concert I have EVER been to (and I've been to a lot!).