
Gibson dot com has unveiled their Top 50 Frontmen/Frontwomen in Rock History…as chosen by Gibson dot com’s editoral and writing staff, and several participating musicians (Josh Todd – Buckcherry; Chad Kroeger – Nickleback; Ric Olsen – Berlin). They’ve also revealed a Top 25 list voted on by readers. Both lists are shown below. What poll do you think is more accurate? What changes would you make?
Gibson.com’s Top 50 Frontmen (and Frontwomen) of All Time
1. Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones)
2. Freddie Mercury (Queen)
3. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
4. Elvis Presley
5. James Brown
6. Jimi Hendrix
7. Michael Jackson (The Jackson 5)
8. Roger Daltrey (The Who)
9. Prince
10. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
11. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
12. David Bowie
13. Tina Turner
14. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
15. Johnny Cash
16. Iggy Pop (The Stooges)
17. Bruce Springsteen
18. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)
19. Bono (U2)
20. Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
21. Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) (Sex Pistols, Public Enemy Ltd.)
22. Rod Stewart (Faces)
23. David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
24. Joe Strummer (The Clash)
25. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
26. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
27. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
28. Janis Joplin (Big Brother and the Holding Company)
29. Debbie Harry (Blondie)
30. Chuck Berry
31. Little Richard
32. Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
33. Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)
34. Cab Calloway
35. Alice Cooper
36. Morrissey (The Smiths)
37. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
38. Joey Ramone (The Ramones)
39. Elton John
40. Neil Diamond
41. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
42. Otis Redding
43. John Lennon (The Beatles)
44. Howlin’ Wolf
45. Stevie Wonder
46. Jackie Wilson
47. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
48. Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
49. Tom Waits
50. Garth Brooks
Gibson.com Readers Poll – Top 25 Frontmen (and Frontwomen)
With their votes, the Gibson.com readers crowned Freddie Mercury the Queen of all Frontmen. While many of the readers’ choices are reflected in the overall list, a few didn’t make the cut – Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Metallica’s James Hetfield, KISS’s Paul Stanley and the late, great Ronnie James Dio.
And at least one choice caught the Gibson.com editorial staff off-guard. Who knew that the readers had this much love for Jim Kerr of Simple Minds? You certainly took his advice and didn’t forget about him.
1. Freddie Mercury (Queen)
2. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
3. Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
4. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
5. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
6. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
7. Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones)
8. Bono (U2)
9. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
10. Elvis Presley
11. Jim Kerr (Simple Minds)
12. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
13. Paul Stanley (KISS)
14. Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd)
15. Bruce Springsteen
16. Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
17. Angus Young (AC/DC)
18. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Heaven and Hell)
19. Jimi Hendrix
20. Roger Daltrey (The Who)
21. David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
22. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
23. James Hetfield (Metallica)
24. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
25. Billie Joe Armstrong (Green Day)