duccichucka said:

vainandy said:

I can believe it. He's definitely my favorite openly gay entertainer of all time. Not only did he make some great disco, which he was mainly known for, but he could belt out some great slow jams too. He was very diverse. He started out in a rock band and was also influenced by a lot of the divas of the early 1900s. His 40th birthday bash (although he wasn't really 40 yet) showed just how diverse he could be.

But not only that, the man was totally out there and absolutely didn't give a lovely damn at a time when hardly anyone was out there like that. He even recorded songs on his albums openly flaunting his sexuality such as Billie Holiday's "Lover Man (Where Can You Be)", without changing the word "man" to "woman" and during the intro of "Sharing Something Perfect Between Ourselves" he dedicated it not only in front of a live audience, but also on a live recording for his live album, to his male lover in the audience. Then, a few years later he recorded "Menergy". That's pure "in your face" strength that very few gay artists have done in their music.

Andy, I will admit that I am not versed in Sylvester's body of work at all other than

that tune "you make me feel, mighty real."

But c'mon, he's a better singer/musician than Rufus Wainwright, who I think sexuality

aside, is wondrously talented as a singer, songwriter/composer and pianist? Wainwright's

Release The Stars is a phenomenal album produced by a extremely gifted musician. And

as far as I know, he's openly gay.

On a crass note, I'd love to tap his sister's ass. The Lord's my shepherd, he knows what

I want.

You ain't the only one.

Lemme try this again....

Really I don't know. I can't really argue with Freddie or Elton as choices, I guess. Cole Porter was an interesting mention, too. Seems like there's probably a lot of dancers, singers, actors and actresses from the stage that are probably getting overlooked, though.

Mostly I just posted to say that Ani DiFranco is definitely not strictly a "lesbian". She's obviously very pro-woman and leans somewhat into the modern definition of feminism with her politics, but on the whole she's always been very vocal about not wanting herself or her music to be classified by her sexuality. She's been writing songs there were clearly sometimes about men, and sometimes about women, since the mid 90s (I mean, she has been married to two men now). If that works for the "rules" I'd put her near the top of the list.

Cerebus said:

Lemme try this again....

Really I don't know. I can't really argue with Freddie or Elton as choices, I guess. Cole Porter was an interesting mention, too. Seems like there's probably a lot of dancers, singers, actors and actresses from the stage that are probably getting overlooked, though.

Mostly I just posted to say that Ani DiFranco is definitely not strictly a "lesbian". She's obviously very pro-woman and leans somewhat into the modern definition of feminism with her politics, but on the whole she's always been very vocal about not wanting herself or her music to be classified by her sexuality. She's been writing songs there were clearly sometimes about men, and sometimes about women, since the mid 90s (I mean, she has been married to two men now). If that works for the "rules" I'd put her near the top of the list.

I think I read somewhere that Cole was bi, closeted bi but still. And Ani, as I said, has always identified herself as bisexual. Wendy Carlos, I don't think, goes with the rules either since it said in her biography that she's transgendered.

HuMpThAnG said:

Don't know if he's the best, but...

@ his hair. What the fuck was he thinking?

no love for Rob Halford of Judas Priest? ;P one of my first favorite bands. And Rob is seen as The Metal GOD in the metal community despite his sexual prefrence

Gunsnhalen said:

no love for Rob Halford of Judas Priest? ;P one of my first favorite bands. And Rob is seen as The Metal GOD in the metal community despite his sexual prefrence

I did forget about Rob Halford!

Dusty Springfield

[Edited 1/16/12 21:33pm]

^Nuff said. Can't believe she hasn't been mentioned. but was she out?

The gayest band in the land.

She wasn't broadcasting it on the evening news but she definately wasn't in the closet or pretending to be straight or asexual.

lazycrockett said:

The gayest band in the land.

^Fred, Keith, Ricky , and Kate. 4 out of 5. Plus they have a pretty good catalogy. At least for the modern era we have a winner.

duccichucka said:

vainandy said:

I can believe it. He's definitely my favorite openly gay entertainer of all time. Not only did he make some great disco, which he was mainly known for, but he could belt out some great slow jams too. He was very diverse. He started out in a rock band and was also influenced by a lot of the divas of the early 1900s. His 40th birthday bash (although he wasn't really 40 yet) showed just how diverse he could be.

But not only that, the man was totally out there and absolutely didn't give a lovely damn at a time when hardly anyone was out there like that. He even recorded songs on his albums openly flaunting his sexuality such as Billie Holiday's "Lover Man (Where Can You Be)", without changing the word "man" to "woman" and during the intro of "Sharing Something Perfect Between Ourselves" he dedicated it not only in front of a live audience, but also on a live recording for his live album, to his male lover in the audience. Then, a few years later he recorded "Menergy". That's pure "in your face" strength that very few gay artists have done in their music.

Andy, I will admit that I am not versed in Sylvester's body of work at all other than

that tune "you make me feel, mighty real."

But c'mon, he's a better singer/musician than Rufus Wainwright, who I think sexuality

aside, is wondrously talented as a singer, songwriter/composer and pianist? Wainwright's

Release The Stars is a phenomenal album produced by a extremely gifted musician. And

as far as I know, he's openly gay.

On a crass note, I'd love to tap his sister's ass. The Lord's my shepherd, he knows what

I want.

I can't quite place who he is but his name sounds very familiar.

Gunsnhalen said:

no love for Rob Halford of Judas Priest? ;P one of my first favorite bands. And Rob is seen as The Metal GOD in the metal community despite his sexual prefrence

Now THAT's a good one right there. That's the type of entertainer that I'd like to see a lot more of us into. The furthest thing from the "weak" stereotypes that people have of us such as classical music, showtunes, soft music, and just all around stuff that has been considered "nerdy" and "dorky" for ages. The furthest thing from what kept me in a closet for 22 years of my life because Lord knows I'm a hard funkin', jammin' motherfucker that ain't gonna take no shit off nobody and loves revenge.

I tell ya, when I heard he was gay, it made me proud as hell! He was a hard rockin' motherfucker that looks like he'd slit your damn throat if you crossed him. That's the type of image I've been hoping more of us would have for years because as long as people think we're all weak sissies that will cry when people cross us, we'll always have people shitting on us.

vainandy said:

duccichucka said:

Andy, I will admit that I am not versed in Sylvester's body of work at all other than

that tune "you make me feel, mighty real."

But c'mon, he's a better singer/musician than Rufus Wainwright, who I think sexuality

aside, is wondrously talented as a singer, songwriter/composer and pianist? Wainwright's

Release The Stars is a phenomenal album produced by a extremely gifted musician. And

as far as I know, he's openly gay.

On a crass note, I'd love to tap his sister's ass. The Lord's my shepherd, he knows what

I want.

I can't quite place who he is but his name sounds very familiar.

This gay boy is fucking awesome. The ascending/descending piano run (using octaves)

at the end is too beautiful for words.

Sorry everyone, I originally posted these from my phone, and I guess mobile videos don't work the same. If anyone is interested still, here are some of my favorite artists.

David McAlmont

John Kelly

Billy Strayhorn

Scott Matthew

Antony

And why hasn't anyone mentioned Wendy & Lisa? = )

kenkamken said:

And why hasn't anyone mentioned Wendy & Lisa? = )

Probably because that discussion is not just about gays among the artists .. and about the best Gay Singer/Musician of all time .... I can name dozens of those who are better and greater

Michael Stipe certainly deserves a mention. I mean, think of how enormous and inconic REM was during their heyday.

They WERE college/alt rock and served as a gateway to other bands outside the mainstream (yes, they did eventually become pretty mainstream themselves).

But, "best" artist (even though obviously subjective), IMO, speaks to skill (singing skill, writing skills, instrument skills) and artistic flair/originality.

"Greatest", IMO, would speak more to accomplishments, the imprint left by the artists work, their overall influence, etc., in addition to their skills.

Stipe certainly wasn't even close to the best singer and Buck and Mills wrote most of the music (while Stipe provided lyrcis), so I'm not sure if he belongs on the "best" shortlist. But, I'd certainly make a case that he belongs on any list of the "greatest" gay artists.

Just my opinion.

RnBAmbassador said:

Michael Jackson

Tevin Campbell

Dan Hartman

Carolyn Franklin

Jermaine Stewart

Elton John

Mahalia Jackson

Albertina Walker

Shirley Ceasar

James Cleveland

Billy Preston

Taylor Dane

Queen Latifah

Will Smith

MC Lyte

Missy Elliott

Dr. Dre

Bow Wow

Luther Vandross

Ray Parker, Jr.

Keith Washington

Donny Hathaway

Freddie Jackson

Nona Hendryx

Sylvester

Buddy Miles

Whether they admit it, or try experiments with the opposite sex to throw off suspicion, homosexual or lesbian it what it is. WTH is bi-sexual anyway? A sex act does not necessarily determine one's sexuality.

Adorecream said:

I am curious, I can not remember a time anyone has dealt with this top, all of that talent out there. Of course there are some rules.

1. The person must either be a singer, songwriter, artist, musician and band member, no groupies or publishers only. Groups with more than half of their members LGBT are fine.

2. They must have had at least some minor hits (Like at least one chart entry), not just as a drag talent at some clubs only, must be a proper artist.

3. Anywhere in the world is fine (If some one suggests an Egyptian drag queen, it would be pretty cool)

4. They can be gay, lesbian, transgender, transvestite, but I prefer not bisexuals or people who have switched sides like David Bowie (He's great but hes not really a 'gay artist' after the Ziggy period). Same for those who tried it for a while as a fashion accesory like Madonna

5. They have to self identified themselves as LGBT, so we can use ones who were speculated on like Prince or Michael Jackson.

6. Please no hate or Christian right wingers or anyone else being facetious.

7. This is for gay artists only, not gay appeal artists like Lady Gaga (She would be nowhere near the top anyway, her music is childish and frothy pop).

8. They can be dead as well, so Sylvester and others are fine.

9. I will allow the Village people as at least 4 of the 6 were openly gay.

Explain who you think it is and why they are the one.

Some of mine

Boy George

Rufus Wainwright

Sylvester

Village People (See above)

Scissor sisters

KD Lang

Topp Twins (NZ based Lesbian yodelling sisters and country music singers)

[Edited 1/16/12 6:16am]

I agree that there are a LOT of closeted/non-out artists that could make the list. But, I also kind of agree with OP, that they shouldn't be included. What's the point if they'll never acknowledge themselves as great gay artists? And, if we start including artists who were never out, then it the list quickly becomes bogged down with not only those artists that everyone basically agrees is/was gay/lesbian, but also a lot of artists where no one really knows for sure. It all becomes Bossip-style rank speculation leading to all the attendant arguments over whether this or that artists actually is gay. To avoid that, I like OP's idea of only incuding those who acknwoledged their sexuality at some point. Yes, that leaves many great artists out of contention, but it is what it is.

I would have to go with Elton John. It's hard to remember how great his songs are sometimes, they have become so ingrained in our minds.

Not to mention he is a fantastic piano player and singer.

NDRU said:

I would have to go with Elton John. It's hard to remember how great his songs are sometimes, they have become so ingrained in our minds.

Not to mention he is a fantastic piano player and singer.

He does tower over the whole field, has the most hits, most crossover/acceptance, probably the richest out of them all, composed some really great songs... plus he's outlived them all. That being said, I don't find myself listening to him all that often. I tend to identify with lesser known artists, but that's just me.

BUT with Elton you have to include Taupin, who is the lyricist, and straight.

Its a sticky wicket.

lazycrockett said:

BUT with Elton you have to include Taupin, who is the lyricist, and straight.

Its a sticky wicket.

Bernie Taupin was his lyricist...and straight.

lazycrockett said:

BUT with Elton you have to include Taupin, who is the lyricist, and straight.

Its a sticky wicket.

the question is about singer/musician, not lyricist. Nobody's knocking Beethoven for not writing his own lyrics.

But yeah I hear you. I was shocked when I found out he wrote NONE of his famous lyrics. Still, I think that given that he is a great musician, singer, and composer, that is certainly comparable to a Lennon who was a great lyricist, composer, and singer but NOT a great instrumentalist. And both of them are on Prince's level even though he kills them in other areas.

In other words, Elton does enough IMO.

[Edited 1/17/12 14:14pm]

kenkamken said:

NDRU said:

I would have to go with Elton John. It's hard to remember how great his songs are sometimes, they have become so ingrained in our minds.

Not to mention he is a fantastic piano player and singer.

He does tower over the whole field, has the most hits, most crossover/acceptance, probably the richest out of them all, composed some really great songs... plus he's outlived them all. That being said, I don't find myself listening to him all that often. I tend to identify with lesser known artists, but that's just me.

I agree, I am not putting on Crocodile Rock much lately, but actually I did buy two of his earlier albums, and was struck again by his talent, especially before his image took over.

He has this knack for making a bluesy melody as catchy as anything you've ever heard. And he was funky.

lazycrockett said:

From doing a lil research Freddie identified as Bi through out his life. So according to the rules HES OUT.

Do we know this self identification was made from being truly bi-sexual or made as a self-judgment about being completely gay? Virtually all my gay friends, including myself, claimed bi-sexuality as a cruth on the way to declaring full fledged homosexuality.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

lazycrockett said:

From doing a lil research Freddie identified as Bi through out his life. So according to the rules HES OUT.

Do we know this self identification was made from being truly bi-sexual or made as a self-judgment about being completely gay? Virtually all my gay friends, including myself, claimed bi-sexuality as a cruth on the way to declaring full fledged homosexuality.

Even Elton was married to a woman

ROBERT MOTHERFUCKIN' HALFORD

then

Elton John

Freddie Mercury

George Michael

Michael Stipe (bi?)

kd.Lang

I could care less whether they admit it or not. Almost all Black artists will never admit it: Whitney Houston, Little Richard, Michael Jackson, Dee Dee Warwick, Billy Preston, Luther Vandross, Freddie Jackson, Queen Latifah, Donny Hathaway, etc. all never admitted it. The Black community has major problems accepting homosexuality, especially from males and always will. It goes against The Bible, and is considered the ultimate no-no. Even Tevin Campbell, who solicited a cop to suck his pee pee denies he is. So I call a spade a spade. It is what it is.

coltrane3 said:

RnBAmbassador said:

Michael Jackson

Tevin Campbell

Dan Hartman

Carolyn Franklin

Jermaine Stewart

Elton John

Mahalia Jackson

Albertina Walker

Shirley Ceasar

James Cleveland

Billy Preston

Taylor Dane

Queen Latifah

Will Smith

MC Lyte

Missy Elliott

Dr. Dre

Bow Wow

Luther Vandross

Ray Parker, Jr.

Keith Washington

Donny Hathaway

Freddie Jackson

Nona Hendryx

Sylvester

Buddy Miles

Whether they admit it, or try experiments with the opposite sex to throw off suspicion, homosexual or lesbian it what it is. WTH is bi-sexual anyway? A sex act does not necessarily determine one's sexuality.

[Edited 1/16/12 6:16am]

I agree that there are a LOT of closeted/non-out artists that could make the list. But, I also kind of agree with OP, that they shouldn't be included. What's the point if they'll never acknowledge themselves as great gay artists? And, if we start including artists who were never out, then it the list quickly becomes bogged down with not only those artists that everyone basically agrees is/was gay/lesbian, but also a lot of artists where no one really knows for sure. It all becomes Bossip-style rank speculation leading to all the attendant arguments over whether this or that artists actually is gay. To avoid that, I like OP's idea of only incuding those who acknwoledged their sexuality at some point. Yes, that leaves many great artists out of contention, but it is what it is.