Your Top 5 Greatest Black Singers?

[Historian]

Let the discussion Begin!

[Historian]

HL’s Top 5 Greatest Black Singers

HL’s Top 5 Greatest Black Singers
(As posted by HL earlier today)

My random list:

Marvin Gaye
Sam Cooke
Curtis Mayfield
Barry White
Michael Jackson

(this is much tougher than I thought Historian)

[Historian]

Historian’s Top 5 Greatest Black Singers

Historian’s Top 5 Greatest Black Singers

I could justify each of my selections below, but maybe that’s not necessary. So, here is Historian’s list of those he views as the Greatest Black Singers. Please note that the names are not listed in terms of perceived greatness, but rather, in simple alphabetical order.

Solomon Burke
Ronnie Dyson
Larnelle Harris (gospel)
Tony Williams (lead singer for the Platters)
Jackie Wilson

Others Who Just Barely Missed Making The List:
Sam Cooke
Donnie McClurkin (gospel)
Luther Vandross

[Sir X]

1)Marcia Griffiths-Phyliss Dillion
2)John Holt
3)Dennis Brown
4)Mahalia Jackson-Gospel
5)Teddy Pendegast.

[HL]

I am considerig adding David Ruffin and removing someone on my list......

[Stonigut]

Where does your black line stop and start, I already see a massive English language based Western Hemisphere bias in pretty much everything I have seen so far. So by black do you specifically mean people of mostly african descent in the United States/canada and the english speaking Caribbean.

[Stonigut]

1. Celia Cruz
2. Billie Holiday
3. Louis Armstrong
4. Leontyne Price
5. Gilberto Gil

[Gamma]

Paul Robeson
David Ruffin
Teddy P
Donnie Hathaway
Minnie Ripperton

Toots Hibbert

[Historian]

Good Point

Where does your black line stop and start, I already see a massive English language based Western Hemisphere bias in pretty much everything I have seen so far. So by black do you specifically mean people of mostly african descent in the United States/canada and the english speaking Caribbean.

Interesting question/point, Stoni , and you are correct in your comment on the Western-biased nature of my personal list. Remember, though, that a listing such as this is very subjective, as there are no real parameters that define “greatness” in the arts. Maybe I should have titled this thread “Top 5 Favorite Black Singers.” Also, the only singers I listen to are men and women who sing in the English language or any of its variations.

The singers I have selected are those who have impressed me most of all. For example, just listen to the lead vocalist (Tony Williams) in the 1950s group the Platters. He has a naturally beautiful tone combined with a great range.

By the way, if Elton John and Tom Jones were black, they would make the “Top 10” of this list.

WHAT IS MY CRITERIA FOR GREATNESS? Here, for the forumites to judge, is an example of a singer I consider truly “great” - Larnelle Harris . This man is an incredible singer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHnHEY8pHU0

[Rockman]

For me Whitney Houston IS deserving.....

[Hortical]

With a general question like that, these are my sort of top 5 in no particular order.

Nat King Cole
Aretha Franklin
Ray Charles
James Brown
Whitney Houston

[Lazie]

Let's correct this thing once and for all.

1. Luther Vandross (mawga one! as the fat one would take all 5 slots).
2. Aretha Franklin
3. Whitney Houston
4. David Ruffin.
5. Dennis Brown

[Lazie]

Historian’s Top 5 Greatest Black Singers

I could justify each of my selections below, but maybe that’s not necessary. So, here is Historian’s list of those he views as the Greatest Black Singers. Please note that the names are not listed in terms of perceived greatness, but rather, in simple alphabetical order.

Solomon Burke
Ronnie Dyson
Larnelle Harris (gospel)
Tony Williams (lead singer for the Platters)
Jackie Wilson

Others Who Just Barely Missed Making The List:
Sam Cooke
Donnie McClurkin (gospel)
Luther Vandross

Luther Vandross barely missed making the list? Historian put down those beer mugs.

[Sir X]

Correction for my * 3) Beres & Dennis.

[HL]

Gilberto Gil...

Hmmmm good one S-gut.

Brazilian right?