The effects of cigarette smoking on the voice

[Cincinnati_Kid]

I saw her in St. Charles, IL a few years ago along with her son. She is basically talk singing these days and it's such a shame. I've never seen Patty in person but isn't she one of the ones who can still hit it? There should be a thread on those that "still got it."

Patti LaBelle does more screaming and yelling than singing, IMO. I'm sure she could still hit the notes, and I doubt that she's ever smoked.

[mr_june]

Smoking cuts off the notes at the high end of the register so the effects of smoking can put a halt to screaming also. It's enough that you can naturally loose your range but Mr. Puff of Smoke seals the deal.

[Sotosound]

Smoking cuts off the notes at the high end of the register so the effects of smoking can put a halt to screaming also. It's enough that you can naturally loose your range but Mr. Puff of Smoke seals the deal.

Did James Brown smoke?

If so, perhaps that's why he suddenly stopped screaming.

His screaming on "I'm A Greedy Man" is a wonder to behold. Fabulously exciting. Smokin', even!

Wind the clock forwards five years to "Get Up Offa That Thing" and all he can really do is shout.

Such a shame.

[mr_june]

She must still have her range then as screaming would be the first thing a singer would drop after loosing the notes in the higher register. I'm a fan of screamers like Brown, Womack and Pickett.