DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Everything Else... Voices That Age Well

I think all of us know how tragic it is that Robert Plant lost his iconic voice, but then we also see and hear other musicians into their 60s and 70s who still have "it".

Who are some that stick out to you that have kept their moxie? We'll have to stick with live performances.

I'll start off with two:
Stevie Nicks

One of the most underrated voices in Rock N Roll. She looks great for being in her 70s, too.

Elton John

I'd argue he's even better now. Him singing in the lower register really brings out more vocal layers to his music than in the early days.

I agree, Elton sounds better, as does Nicks.

Plant was more or less a screamer as I call them. He sounded fine, though I never thought he had a pleasant voice in a classical sense. Bob Seager was a screamer as well.

It works while it lasts, but it usually doesn't work a few decades later.

Voice help up pretty well:

Boz Scaggs

Mark King

Erykah Badu

Tom Jones still has it.

Boz Scaggs still sounds amazing.

I really didn't care for his stuff when I was younger, but I really appreciate his voice now.



He was born in Canton, by the way.

Love me some Tom Jones ... wonderful voice.

I saw Neil Diamond in the 2000's and he was still simply fantastic. Another golden oldie who sounded brilliant at an old age was Shirley Basey.

Any time I hear the name Tom Jones I hear this in my head.

I listened to Eddie Vedder a bit ago ... still great

Brian Johnson (73yo) from ac/dc still sounds good. If you didnt onow it they just put out anew album recently. Even though I still prefer Bon Scott, Brian Johnson is still good.

About 20 years ago, I did a date with Tony Bennett.
High School auditorium in a little town called Bryan.

Dude was smooth as tapioca pudding, and a cool as the flip side of the pillow. Most definitely a voice that aged well.

Tony is still on the job, but Father Time has recently taken his toll. Still, it was really something to see a man in his 70's lay it down like he was 30 years younger.


Here is a recording he made around the time when we shared the stage. Brothaman was almost 80 back then, and absolutely KILLED the gig.





Tony Bennett: the ageless wonder.

Lol. If they're younger than me, they don't belong in this discussion.

Still singing at 87 years old
[video:youtube]https://youtu.be/9C5EpYcaCZA[/video]

Bob Seger has never been a screamer and he sounds as good today as ever.

It’s gets difficult with age for vocalists who can hit the high end easily when they’re young. They get older, and can’t do it like they used to.

Plant, Steve Perry, Rik Emmett, Axl Rose - all of them lose that high-end peel.

Myles Goldwyn of April Wine still sounds like he always did, and he’s 71 or something.

Depends on the voice, and how it’s treated over the years. Country singers get better, though.

Plant: age forced him to stop the high-pitched singing in the 1980s, but he’s adjusted quite well. Won Grammy awards with Alison Krauss, had a very good solo career post-Zeppelin. I know many Zep fans who like his voice better NOW, as opposed to early LZ.

Clem mentioned Tony Bennett: I have a DVD of a Billy Joel live concert from 2008 (Last Play at Shea) and Tony killed his duet with Billy on New York State of Mind. He will be ultra-cool forever.

Gregg Allman’s voice was as solid the day he died as it was when he was 20.
Michael McDonald’s voice is still pretty solid.

Johnny Cash.

You're absolutely right with these two.

In the McDonald vein, I'd add Daryl Hall (used to watch "Live from Daryl's House" - still sounded great.)

He is still on it, but I'll let you in on a li'l secret:

When he does latter-day covers of his own originals from 'Da Copz' days, they are keyed down about one whole step to maybe a minor third from the original key signature.

It was inevitable. Dude made his reputation singing in the alto register. Old muscles don't work as tight as young ones do. Listen to early v. late Sarah Vaughan.

But you're right- he's evolved continually... and still finds new ways to not only remain relevant, but continually be a leading tastemaker in his hybrid, eclectic musical career.