Clan of Xymox / Xymox

Most songs were sung by Ronnie Moorings:






But I prefer the few tracks sung by former bassist Anka:

Walter "Clyde" Orange, the original lead singer, sang circles around Lionel Richie as a member of the Commodores.

Cool topic.

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Do you think that the person who ended up as Lead singer had a charisma that the 'better' singer doesn't have?

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I know there are a lot of wonderfully talented singers, but I don't think they are all meant to be outfront

Uh, Vanity 6, and Apples 6.

Cameo when Larry Blackmon was the lead singer.

Earth Wind & Fire - Maurice White was leader. Philip Bailey was the best voice.

Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes - Teddy Pendergrass was hands down the best singer

[Edited 4/29/13 11:52am]

I always thought in The Monkees that Mickey Dolenz had a better voice than Davy Jones. But that's when I thought Davy Jones was the lead singer. As I grew older I realized they both sang lead on different songs.

OldFriends4Sale said:

Cool topic.

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Do you think that the person who ended up as Lead singer had a charisma that the 'better' singer doesn't have?

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I know there are a lot of wonderfully talented singers, but I don't think they are all meant to be outfront

There’s a number of factors, bit it usually does boil down to star quality IMO...or sometimes just a hook, or gimmick if you will, like in the case of TLC. Then there are those voices that are better with the melody and interpretation, and those voices that are better with the climax of the song, belters if you will. You see a lot of that in R&B groups with co-leads.

MadamGoodnight said:

Uh, Vanity 6, and Apples 6.

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difference with both groups is for the project, Vanity was charismatic and definately had something that the other 2 connected to. When you see them together it works. Vanity was the frontman.

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Apollonia 6, Brenda or Susan could have took the front because they had the vibe for the group. Apollonia was just a fill in. Apollonia couldn't match Vanity.

Rococo said:

the smashing pumpkins. james iha and darcy had better singing voices than corgan

No Valor's Christian Death?

RAYDIO

Even though I love Ray Parker Jr's voice and songwriting and production, I kinda thought the better singer was Arnell Carmichael. Arnell is the other singer on "You Can't change That".

sexton said:

Rococo said:

the smashing pumpkins. james iha and darcy had better singing voices than corgan

No Valor's Christian Death?

oh that doesn't even count as christian death in my book. i don't totally hate valor, i never meet him, he did help make both ashes and Catastrophe Ballet. I never listened to a valor album, i really don't have the curiousity either. Not because of Rozz fans or because of Rozz. I just always imagined Valor music to be rather, i don't know, cheesy satanic music(you know similar to M.Manson). To me Rozz, was like PUNK! i mean with creepy synths. Like i love his aesthetics of Punk, like mixing male and female ascepts. visual and surreal lyrics. Something i feel valor aesthetics fail to. I listened to a pompeii 99 song once, i did not like it at all.

Rococo said:

sexton said:

No Valor's Christian Death?

oh that doesn't even count as christian death in my book. i don't totally hate valor, i never meet him, he did help make both ashes and Catastrophe Ballet. I never listened to a valor album, i really don't have the curiousity either. Not because of Rozz fans or because of Rozz. I just always imagined Valor music to be rather, i don't know, cheesy satanic music(you know similar to M.Manson). To me Rozz, was like PUNK! i mean with creepy synths. Like i love his aesthetics of Punk, like mixing male and female ascepts. visual and surreal lyrics. Something i feel valor aesthetics fail to. I listened to a pompeii 99 song once, i did not like it at all.

The Valor albums when Gitane was still in the group are okay. And of course the best songs on those albums are the ones where she sings lead. I had a few post-Gitane Valor albums for awhile--All The Love/All the Hate and Sexy Death God. Awful.

chrisslope9 said:

Nirvana

OldFriends4Sale said:

MadamGoodnight said:

Uh, Vanity 6, and Apples 6.

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difference with both groups is for the project, Vanity was charismatic and definately had something that the other 2 connected to. When you see them together it works. Vanity was the frontman.

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Apollonia 6, Brenda or Susan could have took the front because they had the vibe for the group. Apollonia was just a fill in. Apollonia couldn't match Vanity.

Vanity had more stage presence than Apples.

The Who...Pete and John over Roger.

Who says New Edition? If we're counting Johnny G, than yeah. But the originals, Ralph better than Ricky and Bobby.

Who do you pick?

The Doobie Brothers - Patrick Simmons or Michael McDonald

The Temptations - David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks

The Eagles - Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmitt, or Glenn Frey

Chicago - Terry Kath or Peter Cetera

I wouldn't say his voice is better than Michael Stipes, but it was really pleasant whenever Mike Mills led an R.E.M. song. There's something really plain and genuine about his voice.

AlexdeParis said:

The group that immediately comes to mind is the Supremes.

Sho'Nuff!!!!!!!

The Supremes

Destiny's Child
NSync

The BEACH BOYS

While Brian's the "leader", Mike Love is considered the front man and does sing lead on most of the songs. And the only one that band that didn't sing better than Mike Love was Dennis.

The Supremes-

Harold Melvin and The BlueNotes

new Edition

728huey said:

Who do you pick?

The Doobie Brothers - Patrick Simmons or Michael McDonald

The Temptations - David Ruffin or Eddie Kendricks

The Eagles - Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmitt, or Glenn Frey

Chicago - Terry Kath or Peter Cetera

With the Tempts I prefer Paul Williams to them all.

I'd also like to add The Spinners to the list. Bobby Smith was the lead singer on most of their hits, but Phillipe Wynne could hit the big notes. On a number of songs that's exactly what happens but if you didn't know better you'd think there was only one lead singer in action.

Rococo said:

the smashing pumpkins. james iha and darcy had better singing voices than corgan

Um... maybe NOW, but back in his heyday when they were in the band, Billy Corgan's voice was the shit. Totally dynamic, reaching highs and lows, sharp growls and soft whispers that James and D'arcy could never even dream to touch. Now his voice has been decimated into an unlistenable mess (yes, i hate Oceania because his voice ruins it). And to be fair, James' "To Who Knows Where" is THE ABSOLUTE BEST Smashing Pumpkins song Post 2000 Breakup Song.

Adisa said:

Other than New Edition who else falls into this category?

1. Until Johnny joined New Edition to replace Bobby, NO ONE was better at lead vocalist than Ralph. And quite frankly, I'm really getting sick and tired of some people (not necessary you Adisa because I've heard far worse from others in and out of the org) hating on Ralph for almost no professional reason at all. Granted, Ralph was in New Edition intended to be the Michael Jackson archtyped. Well excuse THIS NE fan & mark, but the Jackson 5 were the main influence of New Edition, even to point of Candy Girl being a clone of I Want You Back & ABC. The plan work and NE are legends. End of story.

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Now that I'm done ranting, let stay on topic......

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2. The Supreme, because Florence was a far more soulful vocalist than Diana. But most of you that know your music history already know this.

The Pussycat Dolls

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Have Melody been given an opportunity to be on lead vocals instead of the group (under direct orders of Robin Autin, no less) relying on Nicole on every track all the time, would PCD still exist right now?