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Eddie Vedder 8th best frontman of all time?

Vedder_Girl77Vedder_Girl77 Posts: 4,340
edited July 2010 in The Porch
http://www.411mania.com/music/columns/146587

"8. Eddie Vedder

When your lead singer is willing to climb up to insane heights and then launch himself into the crowd for pure enjoyment, you're pretty much guaranteed to have a thrilling live act, one that continues being great long after the stage diving stops. Eddie Vedder is as dynamic a live concert presence as there is in rock and roll, and it's part of what makes Pearl Jam a must-see live act. His persona extends beyond just the stage, though, as his booming baritone vocals dominate many of the best Pearl Jam songs, as do his immense skills as a songwriter. In many ways, Vedder is what makes Pearl Jam the band they are.

In terms of the band's musical identity, Vedder has always been front and center, but maybe even more so when it comes to their political identity. He spearheaded the band's lawsuit against Ticketmaster, and has been outspoken in his political views for years. In the end, for better or worse, Eddie Vedder has always been, and likely always will be, the public face of Pearl Jam. But even for those who may not agree with those political stances, all of that is immediately forgiven when you hear his voice on record, or get a glimpse of the band's thrilling live show. Few frontmen have been able to control a crowd better than Vedder can, and that right there is enough to get a spot on the list."
8/29/00, 7/3/03, 5/24/06,6/28/08 & 6/30/08, 10/9/09,10/28/09, 10/30/09 & 10/31/09, 5/15/10, 5/17/10, 5/18/10, 5/20/10 & 5/21/10, 10/23/10 & 10/24/10, 9/3/11, 9/4/11, 9/11/11, 9/12/11, 9/23/11, 9/22/12, 9/30/12, 7/16/13, 7/19/13
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Comments

  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Washington DC Posts: 7,360
    I would put Mick Jagger first. Robert Plant, Eddie Vedder, and Roger Daltry closer together, and definitely before Jim Morrison. By looking at the Robert Plant and Roger Daltry excerpts I realized that the total band makes the front man. I disagree with what the writer wrote.

    This is an example of a great front man of a great band. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3343661434653893275&q=pearl+jam+mexico
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
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  • DollarDollar Posts: 244
    Any list without Springsteen is bogus!
  • Ms. HaikuMs. Haiku Washington DC Posts: 7,360
    edited July 2010
    Dollar wrote:
    Any list without Springsteen is bogus!
    I was wondering why BRUUUUUUUUUCE wasn't in there, and maybe it's because he's not the front man for the E Street Band, but plays with the E Street Band, as in Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxuThNgl3YA&feature=avmsc2
    Post edited by Ms. Haiku on
    There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous
    The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
  • pandorapandora Posts: 21,855
    I would put Eddie first, he is exceptional. His voice above all others first off, it is lovely. Songwriting, lyrics, knock the contenders out of the running. His charisma, charm and good looks are unmatched. He drives and unites and excites his band mates, friends. You see a real union on stage when you watch Pearl Jam. And reach the crowd, there is no one who gets his fans going like Eddie :D Go singalongs!
    Number 8 please Numero Uno by a freakin landslide
  • UpSideDownUpSideDown Posts: 1,966
    I thought it was Stone and Jeff who were the driving force against Ticketmaster?
  • JasonEJasonE Posts: 531
    Bono sucks.
    "If you're not confused, you're not paying attention."

    "Rise above principal and do what's right."
  • CranMalReignCranMalReign Posts: 1,928
    Dollar wrote:
    Any list without Springsteen is bogus!

    False
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  • Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    If we're lookoing at entertainment value as a whole, I'd put Jim Morrison first. He was by and large the most unpredictable and entertaining there ever was. Eddie circa 1993 was close behind. I wouldn't even put Daltry on that list at all. Cobain should have made that list. How many frontmen jumped into the drumset on a nightly basis?

    Vocals alone? Plant and Chris Cornell (yes, even today).

    My fave of all time? Hugh Dillon.
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  • Hugh Freaking DillonHugh Freaking Dillon Posts: 14,010
    so did I.
    UpSideDown wrote:
    I thought it was Stone and Jeff who were the driving force against Ticketmaster?
    Gimli 1993
    Fargo 2003
    Winnipeg 2005
    Winnipeg 2011
    St. Paul 2014
  • geckogecko Posts: 1,712
    Those people in front of Morrison don't look compelled to me. :lol:
    The list doesn't matter, it is just some guy's list anyway. For me, I see Bono, I am out.

    Go Pandora. We have the same numero uno.
  • BlahBlah Posts: 469
    If 8th means 1st then I agree with this list.
  • StoneAmentStoneAment Posts: 393
    I think Bruce is out because he doesn't front a band he's a solo artist with a backing band. A lot of people on that list wouldn't make my list, not a fan of Bono, Morrison, Pop, Rotten or Bolan. My list would have to include, Axl, Ozzy and Bruce Dickinson

    Ed would be top though
    Mike McCready makes the energizer bunny look tired.
  • mikalinamikalina Posts: 7,206
    pandora wrote:
    I would put Eddie first, he is exceptional. His voice above all others first off, it is lovely. Songwriting, lyrics, knock the contenders out of the running. His charisma, charm and good looks are unmatched. He drives and unites and excites his band mates, friends. You see a real union on stage when you watch Pearl Jam. And reach the crowd, there is no one who gets his fans going like Eddie :D Go singalongs!
    Number 8 please Numero Uno by a freakin landslide


    Well said Pandi, I agree with you completely !!!! :thumbup:
    ********************************************************************************************* image
  • DollarDollar Posts: 244
    CranMalReign wrote:
    Dollar wrote:
    Any list without Springsteen is bogus!

    False
    CranMan How many times have you seen Bruce live to back up your False post? Tell me why it's false? You see,I've seen him live 161 times so I have a little bit of knowledge about his performances. How about you? Or are you just a hater?
  • KinseyKinsey Posts: 197
    161? Awesome. Just 6 for me. Best frontman I've seen yet. Anybody with any sense knows the E St Band are more than just a backing band.

    James Hetfield is another excellent frontman.
    When we found the things we loved,
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    But they caught us at the state line,
    And burned our cars in one last fight,
    And left us running burned and blind,
    Chasing something in the night.
  • ClaireackClaireack Posts: 13,561
    Why is Simon Le Bon not number 1?
    <a href="http://s952.photobucket.com/albums/ae8/catkinson_2009/?action=view&current=domo.jpg&quot; target="_blank"><img src="http://i952.photobucket.com/albums/ae8/catkinson_2009/domo.jpg&quot; border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
  • BlahBlah Posts: 469
    Beach Bum wrote:
    If 8th means 1st then I agree with this list.


    Check that. If 8th means 1st and you put Daltry or Plant 2nd and 3rd and put Staley somewhere and put Bono 357th, then I could agree with that list.
  • pandorapandora Posts: 21,855
    Jim Morrison lost me, he was way out there, drugged up, starting to do over the top stupid stuff that I just couldn't admire let alone watch. His voice was beautiful so yes I love the music, but for me, watching him was like watching the other rock stars that followed, like Steven Tyler. They seem to need to be a slimey sex image to make it, with lyrics to match.
    Give me Eddie any day. He is a pure talent that doesn't need any hype. A real person that you feel is just like you see him 24/7. I like that. Someone who would be a joy to know, someone to be proud of.
    I've watched him grow from a disillusioned but determined young man to a simply magnificent man who appreciates life and love and shares the very best of himself with the world and makes it a better place.
  • CranMalReignCranMalReign Posts: 1,928
    Dollar wrote:
    CranMalReign wrote:
    Dollar wrote:
    Any list without Springsteen is bogus!

    False
    CranMan How many times have you seen Bruce live to back up your False post? Tell me why it's false? You see,I've seen him live 161 times so I have a little bit of knowledge about his performances. How about you? Or are you just a hater?

    Just a hater. :)

    Seriously, tho... I wasn't saying whether or not he belonged on this list. I was saying omitting him from any list does not automatically invalidate said list.

    I do not like Bruce. Never did. His omission does not invalidate this list. I also do not like Iggy. Never did. His inclusion does not invalidate this list. *shrugs*

    Personally, I think David Lee Roth should be on the list (and not as an Honorable Mention), even though I think he's a douche and I hate him. :)
    • 98 Pgh
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    • 04 Boston 1|Reading
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    • 06 Camden 1+2|Pgh
    • 08 Camden 1+2|Hartford|Mansfield 2
    • 09 Philly 1 [EV]|Toronto|Spectrum 1-4
    • 10 Cleveland|Buffalo
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  • mysticweedmysticweed Posts: 3,710
    pandora wrote:
    I would put Eddie first, he is exceptional. His voice above all others first off, it is lovely. Songwriting, lyrics, knock the contenders out of the running. His charisma, charm and good looks are unmatched. He drives and unites and excites his band mates, friends. You see a real union on stage when you watch Pearl Jam. And reach the crowd, there is no one who gets his fans going like Eddie :D Go singalongs!
    Number 8 please Numero Uno by a freakin landslide


    I agree 1000% on all counts
    I thought about you in London, Pandora
    The show was good, but Columbia 08 was still better
    Your sister in pearl jam
    Gayle
    fuck 'em if they can't take a joke

    "what a long, strange trip it's been"
  • the wolfthe wolf Posts: 7,027
    pandora wrote:
    Jim Morrison lost me, he was way out there, drugged up, starting to do over the top stupid stuff that I just couldn't admire let alone watch. His voice was beautiful so yes I love the music, but for me, watching him was like watching the other rock stars that followed, like Steven Tyler. They seem to need to be a slimey sex image to make it, with lyrics to match.
    Give me Eddie any day. He is a pure talent that doesn't need any hype. A real person that you feel is just like you see him 24/7. I like that. Someone who would be a joy to know, someone to be proud of.
    I've watched him grow from a disillusioned but determined young man to a simply magnificent man who appreciates life and love and shares the very best of himself with the world and makes it a better place.

    Morrison was really only big into drugs early on for the doors, by the 2nd album it was alcohol and drugs, by the middle it was mostly just alcohol. The last two albums, he was drunk off his ass all the time.

    If you read some interviews, and some of his poetry, he hated the sex god rock star image, he wanted to be seen as a poet. if anything, that slimy sexy rockstar image that the media helped create around him is what sent him over the edge with the drinking.

    that's my take on Morrison. either way, he is in my top 3 singers/front man of all time list.... ;)
    Peace, Love.

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    to not question your government is unpatriotic."
    -- Sen. Chuck Hagel
  • NickyNoochNickyNooch Posts: 629
    No David Lee Roth = article fail.

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  • curmudgeonesscurmudgeoness Brigadoon, foodie capital Posts: 4,123
    My list, in no particular order, would include Ed, Roger Daltrey, Freddie Mercury, Iggy Pop, Paul Weller, Bryan Ferry and David Lee Roth. I guess I feel that Cobain and Morrison were not active long enough to make such a list. And this is my personal list: not a big Bruce fan, sorry, and Led Zep is something I am only beginning to tolerate after serious overexposure as a child. I actually really like U2, think Achtung Baby might have been the best album of the 90s (sorry), but Bono's stage presence is too much for me.

    I never was a big fan of Van Halen, but if anyone was born to be a frontman for a rock band, it was David Lee Roth.

    I imagine someone will wonder why I included Paul Weller. I've seen him live a few times, and each time I was blown away. I tagged along to a Style Council concert in Berlin in 1985, knowing maybe one song, and that ended being one of the top five or ten nights of my life.

    Anyway, I generally don't like to ranking things or people. I would wonder how one evaluates a "frontman." Our reviewer refers to a number of non-crowd-surfing activities that make Ed great -- but are we looking at songwriting skills or stage presence?
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  • dannydanny Posts: 2,283
    he is number no1!
    danny d
  • pandorapandora Posts: 21,855
    lettinggo wrote:
    pandora wrote:
    I would put Eddie first, he is exceptional. His voice above all others first off, it is lovely. Songwriting, lyrics, knock the contenders out of the running. His charisma, charm and good looks are unmatched. He drives and unites and excites his band mates, friends. You see a real union on stage when you watch Pearl Jam. And reach the crowd, there is no one who gets his fans going like Eddie :D Go singalongs!
    Number 8 please Numero Uno by a freakin landslide


    I agree 1000% on all counts
    I thought about you in London, Pandora
    The show was good, but Columbia 08 was still better
    Your sister in pearl jam
    Gayle
    :wave: Hi Gayle, sister in PJ I like that!
    Hey thanks for thinking of me and happy for you that you made the London show 8-) Funny my son was trying to win me tix to London from the morning guys radio show here in Atl. No such luck this time around.
    Yes, Columbia was an awesome show and one of my best memories, great preparty with great people! :D
    Hope to see you at a show in the future.
    I'm still wishin for a 20th meet up but patiently we will wait for our future fun memories, however long it takes.
  • unlost dogsunlost dogs Greater Boston Posts: 12,553
    This list cries out for Springsteen. Saw both of his shows at Fenway Park and I still get goosebumps remembering how he held the whole park in the palm of his hand with "Spirit in the Night." It was nothing short of magical.

    I'm glad Robert Plant is so high on this list. Funny, I was listening to Zeppelin on my way to work this morning and my God, his voice is nothing short of amazing. That's saying a lot considering the mighty guitars and drums behind him.

    Having said that, in my opinion there is nobody that can front a band and enrapture a stadium like Eddie can. What other shows do you go to that the crowd knows all the words to virtually every song, even the obscure ones, and lustily sings along as invited?

    Definitely #1.
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  • Gary CarterGary Carter Posts: 14,077
    i'm shocked ed even is in the top 10. shame that robot bono is on this list and springsteen isn't. springsteen can hold a crowd on his every word.it's sorta like when you go to church and the priest is really getting into it and you see that and feel it and you just wanna stand up and yell praise jesus. to me that's what a front man is and should be.

    this is why bruce is,was and always be #1 to me

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PTJHhUeAfc
    Ron: I just don't feel like going out tonight
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  • AnarionKingAnarionKing Posts: 170
    Dollar wrote:
    CranMalReign wrote:
    Dollar wrote:
    Any list without Springsteen is bogus!

    False
    CranMan How many times have you seen Bruce live to back up your False post? Tell me why it's false? You see,I've seen him live 161 times so I have a little bit of knowledge about his performances. How about you? Or are you just a hater?

    161 times? Then you're just a fanboy and you're opinion doesn't matter :lol: j/k

    I've only seen Eddie live out of the top 10, so no idea if 8th is correct or not.
  • zootownzootown Posts: 666
    thats actually a good list...although I may disagree with the ordering. One missing though is the proverbial Bob Marley---an amazing front man who completely controlled the music, crowd, energy.
    I hold the pain, release me!
  • gregkitefangregkitefan Posts: 1,122
    Mercury should be ahead of Morrison.
    Marc Bolan over Bruce....that's a reach.
    38
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