Choosing the greatest singers in history can feel like an impossible task. There are countless voices that have shaped music, each with unique qualities that resonate with different people. However, a more objective approach can help in narrowing down the list.
When evaluating the top vocal group lead singers, it’s not just about popularity or record sales. The power, emotion, and technical skill behind the voice are crucial factors in making a lasting impact. These elements elevate certain performers to a level where their place as lead singers is undeniable.
This list highlights 10 lead vocalists who have proven time and again that they deserve their position. Their ability to command a group while delivering iconic performances solidifies their status in music history.
1. Clyde McPhatter (The Dominoes, The Drifters)
Clyde McPhatter’s career began in the early 1950s as the lead tenor of Billy Ward & The Dominoes. He left the group in 1953, with Jackie Wilson stepping in. McPhatter went on to co-found The Drifters, where he recorded hits like “Money Honey” and “Such a Night.”
After serving in the military, McPhatter went solo and signed with Atlantic Records in 1956. His singles like “Treasure of Love” and “Without Love” became best-sellers, cementing his status as a leading figure in R&B. He later moved to MGM and Mercury Records but struggled with personal issues, including alcoholism.
Tragically, McPhatter’s life was cut short at the age of 39 due to a heart attack in 1972. Despite his early passing, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, solidifying his lasting impact on music.
2. Tony Williams (The Platters)
Tony Williams is best remembered as the lead singer of The Platters, bringing a unique tenor voice to the group. His style was distinct for its ability to blend classical tenor qualities into the pop and R&B genre, a shift from the traditional approach.
Williams’ influence came from his predecessors, notably Bill Kenney of The Ink Spots. The Ink Spots were groundbreaking in the 1930s for their use of a tenor voice within a vocal group, setting a standard that would influence groups like The Drifters and The Coasters.
His mastery of this vocal style helped The Platters achieve legendary status. Tony Williams’ voice, both smooth and powerful, remains a defining feature of the group’s success and the vocal group genre as a whole.
3. Bill Kenny (Ink Spots)
Bill Kenny’s professional career began in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where he first performed at the Ritz-Carlton Gardens. His talent caught the attention of Milton Berle’s brother, Phil, who signed him to a contract after hearing him sing ballads. However, due to difficulties finding work in New York City, the contract was short-lived.
During this time, Kenny entered an amateur contest at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem, where he performed the ballad “Trees.” His victory in the contest earned him a place in the renowned vocal group, The Ink Spots, marking the start of his lasting influence on the group.
Kenny’s signature tenor voice helped shape The Ink Spots’ distinctive sound. His contribution to the group’s success cemented his place as one of the most important figures in early vocal group music.
4. Levi Stubbs (Four Tops)
Levi Stubbs’ journey began in Detroit in 1936 when he formed The Four Aims with friends in 1954. The group later renamed themselves The Four Tops and signed with Motown. Their first album, however, didn’t capture the R&B sound they desired, leading them to seek a new direction.
The turning point came with their collaboration with the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting trio. Stubbs’ powerful voice became the driving force behind the group, leading to a string of successful hits. His dynamic performance helped define the group’s signature style.
In 1967, after the Holland-Dozier-Holland trio left Motown due to a financial dispute, The Four Tops followed suit in 1972, signing with ABC-Dunhill. There, they worked with producers Dennis Lambert and Brian Potter, continuing their success despite the changes.
5. Sonny Til (The Orioles)
Sonny Til led The Orioles, a vocal group formed in Baltimore in 1947. Often credited as the first group to bring Rhythm-and-Blues (R&B) into the mainstream, The Orioles took the pop vocal style of The Ink Spots and added a rhythmic, more energetic twist.
Their unique sound was a game-changer, blending smooth vocals with a rock-inspired approach. This innovation paved the way for the many vocal groups that followed, cementing The Orioles’ place in R&B history.
Their success influenced the rise of groups with ornithological names, a trend that became synonymous with R&B. Sonny Til and The Orioles laid the groundwork for the evolution of vocal group music.
6. Smokey Robinson (The Miracles)
In 1957, Smokey Robinson began his musical journey with a group called The Matadors, formed with his classmates. The following year, he met Berry Gordy, the founder of Tamla Records, which later became the iconic Motown label. Robinson’s talent quickly caught Gordy’s attention.
The Matadors, renamed The Miracles, were among the first groups to join Motown’s roster. By 1961, Robinson had risen to become vice-president of the label, helping shape its success. His contributions went beyond performance, as he was instrumental in Motown’s growth.
The Miracles hit their stride with the release of “Shop Around” in 1960, Motown’s first number one R&B hit. This success was just the beginning, with more chart-topping hits like “Who’s Loving You” solidifying Robinson’s legacy as one of the key architects of Motown’s dominance.
7. Russell Thompkins Jr. (Stylistics)
The Stylistics represented the lighter, more carefree side of the 1960s Philadelphia music scene. Their music wasn’t always deep in message or consistent in style, but their appeal lay in this very simplicity. This vocal quintet’s charm was in its superficiality, which helped them capture the attention of audiences.
The group was made up of three Philadelphia natives—Arrion Love, James Dunn, and Russell Thompkins Jr.—along with James Smith from New York and Herbie Murrell from South Carolina. Thompkins, Love, and Smith had previously sung with The Monarchs, while Murrell and Dunn had experience with The Percussions. In 1968, they came together as The Stylistics, starting their journey with the backing group Slim and The Boys.
In 1969, they recorded “You’re a Big Girl Now” for Sebring Records, a track that was somewhat out of step with the trends of the time. Despite this, the song found success in the Northeastern U.S., thanks to the region’s lingering doo-wop tradition. The Stylistics’ next album, Stop, Look, Listen to Your Heart, produced by Thom Bell, charted at number thirty-nine and earned them a Gold Record.
8. David Ruffin (The Temptations)
David Ruffin was born in Mississippi in 1941 and began his music career at a young age, writing songs and performing at Memphis talent shows. His big break came when he signed with Motown Records and joined The Temptations, where he quickly became the group’s lead voice.
With Ruffin leading the way, The Temptations achieved massive success with hits like “My Girl” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg.” His powerful voice was a key element in the group’s rise, but his personal struggles began to take a toll, leading to his firing from the band due to drug use.
As a solo artist, Ruffin saw occasional success, but his career was marred by difficulties, including substance abuse. Tragically, he died from a cocaine overdose just two years after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
9. Eddie Kendricks (The Temptations)
Eddie Kendricks, born on December 17, 1939, was a co-founder of The Temptations and became renowned for his unique falsetto voice. His smooth, high-pitched vocals made him one of the most distinctive singers of the Motown era.
Kendricks’ voice was featured on some of The Temptations’ biggest hits, including “The Way You Do The Things You Do,” “Get Ready,” and “Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me).” His ability to carry these songs with his falsetto made him a key element of the group’s success.
Throughout his career, Kendricks earned a reputation as one of the finest vocalists of his time. He continued to perform as a solo artist after leaving The Temptations, but his legacy is forever tied to his unforgettable voice in the group’s classic hits.
10. Frankie Valli (Four Lovers, Four Seasons)
Frankie Valli is a legendary figure in music history, renowned for his role as the lead singer of The Four Seasons in the 1960s. His distinctive falsetto voice became synonymous with the band’s success, helping them produce iconic hits like “Sherry,” “Who Loves You,” and “My Way Back to You.”
The Four Seasons’ music made a lasting impact on the pop and rock scene, with Valli’s powerful vocals at the forefront. These unforgettable songs propelled the group to fame, making them one of the most popular bands of the era.
Thanks to his success with The Four Seasons, Valli went on to have a prosperous solo career. His continued success as a solo artist further cemented his place as one of the most decorated performers in the history of music.