So recently, xfm listeners voted on the greatest frontman of all time. So the parameters are pretty much set and clear. All time (alive or dead). Frontman (so not greatest singer). Greatest.
The list as follows:
01. Liam Gallagher
02. Freddie Mercury
03. Dave Gahan
04. Dave Grohl
05. Matt Bellamy
06. Brandon Flowers
07. Morrissey
08. Jim Morrison
09. Kurt Cobain
10. Alex Turner
11. Paul Weller
12. Mick Jagger
13. Tom Meighan
14. Eddie Vedder
15. Joe Strummer
16. Ian Curtis
17. Caleb Followill
18. Ian Brown
19. Thom Yorke
20. Chris Martin
Now this list is sorta interesting. Of course this is a very British list which would explain the very British heavy list. Now my personal list would have had Mercury at #1. But that's my own personal opinion.
But what is more interesting is Liam at #1 and (through the grapevine) the gripe I hear about Grohl being #1. Now for the Grohl part, I understand why people think he's this awesome "rock star" blah blah blah, hell even Lemmy likes him. However, being a great frontman has nothing to do about being liked. There's no doubt that Grohl comes off as a great person and someone you would want to hangout with, however that has little bearing on if you are a great frontman. People who are liked generally are suited to a profession in politics; there is no connection with being a great frontman. Is Grohl a great frontman? welll............................................................... ya, sure why not? :P
look, Grohl doesn't command the stage like most frontmen. He commands the stage because he is the band The Foo Fighters (keep dreaming if you think people still remember him as the drummer for Nirvana). Grohl doesn't "ooze" of anything, he's just good, not great. If you think of people that just "ooze" greatness you think: Jagger, Bowie, Kiedis, Farrell, Weiland, Plant, etc.
And Grohl doesn't command power on stage like: Dio, Dickinson, Hetfield, Johnny Rotten, etc. Grohl is just good, nothing more. Combine that would him being a likeable person and there lies the bias for Grohl. Nothing against him, just against all those people who think that he is the greatest thing ever.
Now for Liam, well, certainly not my choice for #1 however, he does have a place at the top. Let's get this one thing straight, Liam doesn't have a good voice. It's like John Lennon... but worse. He might that as a complement... anyways. Liam does one thing like one else does. He commands the stage, he demands it. Liam is probably one of the only frontman ever, that could get up on any stage, and with both hands behind his back, have the crowd in the palm of his hand. It's a crazy phenomenon. Liam is the definition of a defiant rock star. That pose he gives behind the microphone, as an audience instantly draws your attention and then you're trapped. Ya, I've seen all the hate Liam gets. However, that doesn't take away from the fact that Liam is one hell of a frontman and there aren't many who can just walk up on stage and already have the show won over.
