Top ten favorite male vocal group harmony lead singers

[JIVE FIVE Mary G.]

Hello Everyone,

I know we've done similar lists in the past, but thought this would be fun. We all have our favorites and musical taste is subjective. Please list your top 10 favorite male vocal group harmony lead singers. I'll begin with mine.

1. EUGENE PITT [[Jive Five, Ebony, Ivory & Jade, Shadow, Showdown, Sting & solo [[beach music album). I picked Eugene as my number 1 because he has been my favorite male vocalist since I first heard "My True Story" in 1961. Pitt has perfect pitch, excellent diction, knows how to roll a note, has a superb vibratto and a four octive range. He is a versatile singer who began in gospel who can sing "doo wop", R&B, soul, gospel, disco. Pitt knew how to progress with the times and not get locked into one genre. His voice moves me and I can always recognize him when I hear him. That's the hallmark of a great singer IMHO - they don't sound like anyone else. Their voice is unique and they may be emulated, but never duplicated. Terry Stewart, former CEO of the Rock Hall of Fame has called Pitt "the most underrated soul singer in America".

2. DAVID RUFFIN [[Temptations). David has one of those voices you never forget, and you always recognize immediately. He's one of the kings of the beggers. So much emotion in every note he sings. His solo work is superb as well.

3. JACKIE WILSON [[Dominos). Jackie had one of the best voices God ever made. The man could sing opera. He has the same uniqueness to his voice as Pitt & Ruffin. You always know Jackie Wilson when you hear him. He had a tremendous body of work with the group and as a solo artist.

4. GEORGE "SMITTY" SMITH [[Manhattans). Along with David Ruffin, Smitty is a king of the beggers. What a unique vocal styling he had and could bring you to your knees with one note.! Sadly, he left us too soon, but his recordings are unforgetable, and I much prefer the early Manhattans with him on lead.

5. MARVIN JUNIOR [[DELLS). Man, what a powerful voice and superb emotional delivery this man has! I just love him and all the Dells recordings. Another one of those vocalists you know instantly when you hear him.

6. FRANKIE LYMON [[Teenagers). I think Frankie is sometimes forgotten because he was with us such a short time. His voice is pure, clear and absolutely superb.

7. BOBBY TAYLOR [[Vancouvers). I LOVE Bobby Taylor. His voice is so powerful and moving. He did some fabulous recordings, and like the others on my list, has one of those voices you recognize immediately.

8. RUDY WEST [[Five Keys). Rudy had a beautiful voice and has to be one of the best of the so-called "doo wop" singers.

9. DENNIS EDWARDS [[Temptations). He took over for Ruffin with the group, and did not disappoint. I've always called Dennis the 6th Temptation. Power and emotion are how I describe his vocals.

10. ALI "OLLIE" WOODSON [[Temptations). Ollie had a great voice, and he could sing with great power and emotion [[seems to be a theme with me). He certainly sang with a gospel feel that gives me chills when I hear him. He was excellent technically as well.

Those are my top ten. I could add at least ten more to my list. I'm looking forward to your lists.

~~Mary~~

[Soul Sister]

Mary, too many so I have to seperate the era's. Male leads ~
Starting with the late 1940's on up ~

Late 1940's ~ 1950's:
1. Rudy West [[The 5 Keys)
2. Willie Winfield [[The Harptones)
3. Carl Feaster [[The Chords)
4. Jackie Wison [[The Dominoes)
5. Clarence Palmer [[The Jive Bombers)
6. Bobby Lester/Harvey Fuqua [[The Moonglows)
7. Pookie Hudson [[The Spaniels)
8. Nate Nelson/Sollie McElroy [[The Flamingos)
9. Marvin Junior [[The Dells)
10. Tony Williams [[The Platters)

* Special Mention: Lee Andrews [[The Hearts), James Sheppard [[The Heartbeats & Limelites), Nolan Strong [[The Diabloes), Smokey Robinson [[The Miracles), Ray Pollard [[The Wanderers).
__________________________________________________ __________


1960's ~ early 1970's: Male leads ~
Starting with my Top 5 favorites of all-time ~

1. George "Smitty" Smith [[The Manhattans)
2. Eddie Levert [[The O'Jays)
3. Clarence Burke [[The Five Stairsteps)
4. Little Sonny [[The Intruders)
5. John Gary Williams [[The Madlads)
6. Eugene Pitt [[The Jive Five)
7. Herbert Butler [[The Players)
8. Sonny Turner [[The Platters)
9. Sam George [[The Capitols)
10. Freddie Gorman/etc... [[The Originals)

Special Mention: Mark Greene [[The Moments), Tandy Rondalis [[The Van Dykes), Lead of [[New Birth), Bobby Taylor [[The Vancouvers), Richard Street [[The Monitors), ? [[Dynamic Superiors), R.J. Reynolds [[The Dramatics), Smokey [[The Miracles), Levi Stubbs [[The Four Tops), David Ruffin [[The Temptations).

That's all for now.
,
S.S.
***

[nosey]

Rudy Lewis is no slouch either.

[robb_k]

1950s
1) Sollie McElroy-Flamingos
2) Rudy West-Five Keys
3) Ray Pollard-Wanderers
4) Clyde McPhatter-Dominoes/Drifters
5) Tony Williams-Platters
6) Willie Winfield-Harptones
7) Cleve Duncan-Penguins
8) Eugene Mumphord-Larks
9) Arthur Lee Maye-Crowns
10) Bobby Lester-Moonglows

1960s
1) Ray Pollard-Wanderers
2) Richard Street-Distants/Monitors
3) Rudy Lewis-Drifters
4) Billy Butler-4 Enchanters
5) Johnny Moore-Drifters
6) Eugene Pitt-Jive Five
7) Eddie Levert-OJays
8) David Ruffin-Temptations
9) Bobby Smith-Spinners
10) Nate Nelson-Flamingos/Starglows

[JIVE FIVE Mary G.]

Bumping.

[tjl]

Smokey Robinson [[Miracles)
Rudy West [[5 Keys)
Bobbie Smith [[Spinners)
Tony Williams [[Platters)
Willie Winfield [[Harptones)
Bobby Lester [[Moonglows)
Homer Dunn [[Rivieras R&B group)
David Ruffin [[Tempts and solo)
Eddie Kendricks [[Tempts)
Levi Stubbs [[Tops)

[tjl]

oops...forgot Rudy Lewis [[Drifters

[StuBass1]

Tony Williams - Platters [[Greatest of all IMO)
David Ruffin - Temptations
Levi Stubbs - Four Tops
Teddy Pendegrass - Blue Notes
Marvin Junior - Dells
Eddie Kendricks - Temptations
Curtis Mayfield - Impressions
Willie Winfield - Harptones
Russell Thompkins Jr - Stylistics
Ben E King - Drifters

R&B/Doo Wop groups

[JIVE FIVE Mary G.]

I'm loving all your choices. Every singer mentioned is superb. Thanks for participating. I hope more will join us.

~~Mary~~

[JimBagley]

Dennis Edwards
Marvin Junior
Levi Stubbs
Eddie Levert
Richard Street
Tony Williams
Teddy Pendergrass
David Ruffin
Russell Thompkins, Jr
Eugene Record

[tallone]

Can't forget about the late, great Ron Banks of the Dramatics.