A young person of today wouldn’t believe it, but in the olden days a singer could step up to a mic and sing a melody. He wasn’t lip-synching to a track where he had laid down his own backup vocals and harmony. He had great pitch because he was a natural singer, not because he was auto-tuned in the studio. They weren’t screaming their lungs out. They were just singing. I’m no expert, but I’m guessing the guys on this page weren’t studio created wonders. I think these guys could do it without electronic manipulation. I think they could have walked into your bathroom and belted out a song. I’d love to talk to one of the old time DJs who knew for sure. I do know I’m very tuned to auditory magic, “silkiness” if you will. Some people get into lyrics, I get into voices. Instrumentals are the same way. There are probably 7 wildly different genres I get into that have nothing in common but tonal beauty.

Robert Goulet is a great example. Technically a great singer, but does nothing for me. John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger; nothing. Elton John, Billy Joel, Huey Lewis, nope. For the most part my choices had several hits to chose from. And with just one exception they are all from 40 – 50 years ago (1 was ‘just’ 35 years ago).  Some like Allan Clarke of the Hollies, or a group like The Happenings were groups or individuals with a wonderful sound but not quite what I’m talking about here. Just not quite that oral ‘honey’ I’m trying to describe. Probably half are English. The Ray Conniff Singers are a perfect examples of that beautiful harmony. Another were the Cowsills. People whose voices were an instrument unto themselves. There was even an Iowa group that was just pure vocal gold, Rock, Paper, Scissors.

This was written mainly for the younger person who has never been exposed to these artists, as they surely won’t be from what the oldies stations consider ‘popular music’. Next to each name below I included the group if they weren’t a solo artist and what I consider to be their best song. On some I included a YouTube link to their song. If you hear anything before you die, hear that song. Its heaven to the ears. Oh, and these guys had a LOT of hair! Haircare products were big back then. I like to think I’m pretty good at putting words together, but I completely failed to describe these guys.

Engelbert Humperdinck – After The Loving

Neil Sedaka – Laughter In The Rain

Paul Anka – Put Your Head On My Shoulder

Elvis Pressley – Anything

Dennis Yost – The Classics IV – Traces

BJ Thomas – I Just Can’t Help Believing

Frankie Valli – The Four Seasons – My Eyes Adored You

Billy Idol – Eyes Without a Face

Rod Allen – The Fortunes – Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again

Gilbert O’Sullivan – Alone Again Naturally

Dan Hamilton – Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds – Don’t Pull Your Love

Eric Carmen – All By Myself

Tony Orlando – Tie A Yellow Ribbon

Ronnie Milsap – Any Day Now

Dwight Yoakam – Guitars, Cadillacs

Alan Jackson – Chattahoochee

Gordon Lightfoot – If You Could Read My Mind

Ronnie Hammond – Atlanta Rhythm Section – Spooky

Dan Fogelberg – Missing You

Peter Frampton – Baby I Love Your Way

Pat Upton – Spiral Starecase – I Love You More Today Than Yesterday

Michael Jackson – Jackson 5 – Never Can Say Goodbye

Jay Black – Jay and the Americans. I can’t believe I left him out of the original post. Such a monumental oversight. Just a beautiful voice. So he makes 23. (This Magic Moment, Come A Little Bit Closer) As I was listening to his songs tonight I initially thought, “That’s the most beautiful thing I ever heard!” Then I looked at the 22 men above him and thought, “Nope.” I don’t have a clue what makes the singers be on my list. But they are.