Frank! I was out of the country and @Hicksy rang me to say he was sat in the 7 after getting a tip off.
He’s brilliant. Just leads the band, engages the crowd, smashes the hits, and nails the storytelling although I can see it being too intelligent/jackanory for some in hindsight. Loads of energy. That last gig/homecoming show was immense.
As an impressionable teenager back in 1977, I was captivated by the front person of an unknown group who were back up to a band called Television. It was Debbie Harry & Blondie, about two or three months before they had their first chart success. For some reason, I couldn't get her out of my mind.
Really? I’ve seen him over 30 times and only seen him sit down at the front of the stage to engage the crowd maybe once or twice in a 3 to 4 hour set, what concert was this mate? Everything available on YouTube so I need to check this out,
Has to be Freddie, doesn't it? A few more to chuck into the mix. Dave Grohl Ozzy Osbourne Alex Turner
Another vote for Ian Gillan with special mentions for Ronnie Van Zant (Lynyrd Skynyrd) , Bon Scott (AC/DC).Ronnie Dio , Biff Byford , Brent Smith(Shinedown) Fee Waybill (The Tubes) Steve Tyler (Aerosmith) Not being over keen on Queen I accept Freddie Mercury is an icon for a lot people , the only time I saw Queen live at Bradford Georges Hall mid 70s he was truly dreadful , Brian May carried the band for a long time live in the early days .
Favourites: Roger Daltrey - still dripping sex appeal in his 70's, though missed the boat on Brexit Springsteen was immense But for holding a crowd, having the voice of an angel one minute and screaming her heart out the next, it has to be Skin, amazing rock voice and woke before it was a thing. Also have a soft spot for Bono (though obviously soured a bit now) but no time at all for Freddie
The Elvis impersonations and the lack of enthusiasm for the crowd or the classics, makes him one of the worst for me. Not sure what he does that’s any good? And I love the Arctic Monkeys.
Totally true. He has performed all around the world, Matt Helders with his ‘0114’ drum skin to boot, announcing ‘Alrayt, we’re The Arctic Monkeys from High Green, Sheffield’, even in Buenos Aires, never ditching his Yorkshire accent. Then, I took my then 7 year old son to see them at Leeds Fest 2013, Alex Turner back in Yorkshire…and he spent all evening pretending to be American!!!!
Lost it big time and almost disappeared up himself. He never ‘owned’ the stage like a proper frontman but his energy and love for the crowd and songs was always clear. Then LA happened, his hair was slicked back, and he would just mumble words between songs - sometimes trying to be Elvis and other times just uttering rubbish. All became a bit style of substance for me. I’ll still be buying tickets whenever they tour but he’s just not on the radar anymore.
I saw them on the Suck It and See tour and they were very good. Not fussed about seeing them now though. I'd take Turner with a pinch of salt, I think a lot of it is parody, and I don't think he takes himself seriously, although he may come across that way to some. The Elvis thing was a bit weird, but maybe he just thought why not? I think it's just satire with him, a bit of fun. Even when he's putting on the Sheff accent every now and then.
Sorry but it has to be said; out of everyone Iv seen Chris Martin of Coldplay has to be considered, as far as modern day frontmen goes. They are currently in Monterrey Mexico on the first leg of their sell out tour & from the clips Iv seen so far he’s still got the audience in the palm of his hand. Such a nice bloke too.
Rick witter of shed 7,off to see him and guitarist Paul banks do an acoustic gig at birdwell venue in a few weeks should hopefully be a good un.