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If you haven’t been to one of his shows, you have definitely missed out.
But back to the op... I also suggest Brian Setzer, Jerry Lee Lewis and Gloria Estefan to add to my earlier nominations.
However the smart money for female lead has got to be Tina Turner.
Considering the number of male names mentioned, it’s a harder call. Surprised no one has mentioned Jim Morrison, and (forgive me if I’ve not seen his name noted in this thread) Frank Zappa.
'With my little stick of Blackpool what? C'mon I can't hear you! Everyone at the back join in. With my little stick of Blackpool what?'
'Rock!'
'Champion. Eeh, turned out nice again.'
Genius at work.
he had the place in the palm of his hand...
and he totally dominated that giant stage..
I've always quite liked Queen, but never really been an avid fan
but they were absolutely superb
the only down side is that he talks too much on stage..
I've never been that impressed by the exhibitionist type of front man. Most of them are a bit revolting.
For what it's worth, the reason I picked him and not Freddie is because great though he was, Freddie hasn't really had much of a lasting influence in terms of being emulated. Maybe he was just too unique, or too over the top...
But Morrison is the template for the archetypal rock frontman.
"Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski
"Only two things are infinite - the universe, and human stupidity. And I'm not sure about the universe." - Albert Einstein
Little Richard.
Chuck Berry.
Liberace.
Steve Waller (Steve Waller's Overload). possibly certifiable, but very entertaining.
Brian Bond (Punishment of Luxury)
Seymour Bybuss (The Shapes) I've never seen the frontman of a support band at the Marquee use the limited stage space so well.
On the smaller bands point, Oli Brown of Raveneye is worth a mention (and also an enthusiastic @thorpyfx fallout cloud user!). Bit too early to be the greatest (!) but very, very good.
Saw them last week. Great energy and showmanship, all sorts going on (crowd surfing solo, excursion into audience on bass player’s shoulders, lots of left hand legato riffing while holding the mic and singing) and just a great rock n roll attitude without being a prick. Highly recommend them live.
David Lee Roth - great frontman but like most, repeats himself ("look at all the people here tonight") most of it stolen from Jim Dandy of Black Oak Arkansas. The boxing ring at Wembley in 88 was a great example of his showmanship (the Skyscraper tour).
Freddie - a one off (sadly never saw Queen though)
Steve Marriott - a big regret that I was often asked if I wanted to go and see the "Packet of three" and declined each time, powerhouse voice and guitar playing.
Jagger - stole some moves form Tina I think from the 69 US tour but a great frontman if a little odd now watching a 70+ year old still bouncing around shouting "well, alright". Twickenham 2006, he bounced on stage and shouted "Awwww Twickenham, y'alright" (it could have been Phil Cornwell!!)
Someone mentioned Jerry Lee Lewis, way before my time and not a fan but he was destroying instruments way before the 60's (I think he burned a piano on stage?).
Unlike Gabriel and Halford et al Jimi played an instrument albeit with such wonderfulness he couldn't really prance around too much although of course he was the main man in The Experience.
Remember, it's easier to criticise than create!
Either Mick Jagger or Robert Plant.
Not sure about female front person........Tina Turner maybe!
I'm trying to think of people I've actually seen who were exceptionally charismatic, not many spring to mind although I have seen quite a lot of (mostly 1980s/90s) rock bands.
Fish was quite a presence with Marillion in the early 80s.
Alex Harvey? I'm pretty sure I saw him although I'm now not 100% sure whether I saw Alex without SAHB or SAHB without Alex....