Singers Who Defined Music Without Being “Perfect” Vocalists....

[Mahesh]

In today’s pop music landscape, where autotune and flawless vocal precision often set the industry standard, I think it’s important to reflect on artists from the past who weren’t necessarily perfect vocalists but still had an undeniable influence on contemporary music.

 

While we can all admire singers like Aretha Franklin, Frank Sinatra, and Freddie Mercury for their vocal mastery and versatility, there’s also something to be said about artists like Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen, who weren’t technically perfect singers but had a unique ability to express themselves authentically. Even genres like Reggae allows for the imperfections to be freely expressed. Despite their vocal imperfections, they connected with their audience in profound ways, leaving a lasting legacy that shaped the music world.

 

What I’m curious about is: can you think of other artists who, despite not being considered “perfect” singers by technical standards, were exceptional performers and profoundly influenced the music we hear today?

 

The purpose of this discussion is not to suggest that good technique or vocal accuracy isn’t important—quite the opposite. As a vocal coach, I believe in the value of vocal technique. But it’s equally important to separate unrealistic expectations of perfection from the genuine, raw expression of an artist’s message. Let’s talk about singers who have found that sweet spot and made their mark!

[john]

I think the qualities people seek without necessarily doing it on purpose, are character and vulnerability. The imperfections and flaws we often see are seen as character by others. Through vulnerability we display emotion and emotional response. The combination of flaws and emotion make the singer very real, one of us.

 

People seem forever caught pursuing visions of perfection or witnessing the crucible experience of flawed individuals trying to transcend their flaws or destroying themselves. Vocal flaws reveal our humanity, our imperfection. It makes us approachable.

 

In the recent past there was a trend towards perfectionism (which is flawed as a concept!), with superficial tweaking and plastic surgery, inches of make up, perfect clothes, perfect insta lifestyle, perfect singing voice autotuned to within an inch of it’s life. Plastic. Fake. Superficial. These people have been crafted to appear worthy. Stars to be worshipped.

 

The reality is much more disappointing.

 

Interestingly I’ve seen an increase in imperfect stars at the discovery level. Flawed individuals, and those flaws are central to their appeal. (Side note, also reassuringly, a significant increase in the amount of young teens into heavy rock and heavy metal!)

 

Fashions ever move. I do hope the drive for perfection is over as a fashion choice. I don’t like seeing so many doomed to dissatisfaction, pursuing something so unattainable. Cue now a race to the bottom, with an “I’m more flawed than you” scorecard recording the points.

 

Don’t get me wrong, it is good to drive yourself forwards, to improve. Yet, to be so obsessed with perfection is toxic.

 

Just my 5 cents lol

 

Cheers

 

John

[MisterB]

Shane MacGowan of the Pogues was pretty dreadfully out of tune, and had a lack of clarity, but definitely had personality in his voice. I can't think of any others specifically, but if I may add an instrumentalist - Miles Davis was technically pretty bad on the trumpet and even his tone was pretty dreadful. Compare to his peers, and its a real wonder that he is a known name. Except that there is a reason he is known, and that's soul. Kind of Blue became the record to love... the soul of that album is just incredible. Honestly, I could never get into his playing in general, because as a trumpet player, tone was very important to me and I kind of wrote him off because of that. I'm also not a big fan of mutes to largely hide the need for a good tone. But listening to Kind of Blue gives me goosebumps!

[David in WV]

Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Stevie Nicks, Tom Petty, Lou Reed (Velvet Underground), Randy Newman, Rick Ocasek (Cars), Ray Davies (Kinks), David Johansen (NY Dolls), Joe Strummer (Clash), Belinda Carlisle (Go-Go's), Joey Ramone (Ramones), Brian Johnson (AC/DC), Axl Rose (GnR), Paula Abdul, Janet Jackson . . .