Singing Better with Age?

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8len8

8len8

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Sooo many vocalists sound worse as they get older (less range, funky tone due to vocal cords aging).

What vocalists actually sound better than when they were younger?
 
Eventually everyone falls off, nobody can get better with age indefinitely and most get worse, although probably most decline due to damage from use and technique problems way before age becomes a serious factor.

Rob Halford has retained a shocking amount of range and tone for his advanced age. I wouldn’t say he’s gotten better but he DID get better with age to a point.

I also thought Bruce Dickinson got a lot better in his 30’s when he left Maiden to do his solo albums. He lost some range compared to his earliest stuff but his tone improved tenfold especially over the stuff he was doing after Seventh Son. He’s only started to sound like he’s losing it after the cancer.

Maximum range is not that important. Tone, phrasing, control and the ability to be consistent are all more important. Unfortunately age will screw everything up eventually. I mean, at some point you’re dead after all.
 
Bardagh said:
Eventually everyone falls off, nobody can get better with age indefinitely and most get worse, although probably most decline due to damage from use and technique problems way before age becomes a serious factor.

Rob Halford has retained a shocking amount of range and tone for his advanced age. I wouldn’t say he’s gotten better but he DID get better with age to a point.

I also thought Bruce Dickinson got a lot better in his 30’s when he left Maiden to do his solo albums. He lost some range compared to his earliest stuff but his tone improved tenfold especially over the stuff he was doing after Seventh Son. He’s only started to sound like he’s losing it after the cancer.

Maximum range is not that important. Tone, phrasing, control and the ability to be consistent are all more important. Unfortunately age will screw everything up eventually. I mean, at some point you’re dead after all.
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My only issue with Bruce on the latest stuff is that he doesn’t ever stop to let himself or the music breathe ;).
 
Kevin Cronin. 72 ish. REO Speedwagon

I can't say he's gotten better but from what I saw and heard (on TV) he sounded damn good.
 
Michael Sweet still belts it out, probably not as good as he did back 87 though. The dude from Steelheart still hits those highs too, but better than 35 year ago is doubtful. I don't know of any that got "better"
 
The ones that really got worse were smokers (Plant, Dave Roth, Geoff Tate). Never heard of opera singers losing it as they aged. They take care of themselves, unlike rockers.
 
stratjacket said:
Michael Sweet still belts it out, probably not as good as he did back 87 though. The dude from Steelheart still hits those highs too, but better than 35 year ago is doubtful. I don't know of any that got "better"
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Michael is the one in my mind who started sounding worse (to me) recently, and why I started this thread.
 
8len8 said:
My only issue with Bruce on the latest stuff is that he doesn’t ever stop to let himself or the music breathe ;).
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Age has crept into his voice. There’s a slight hoarseness or raspiness that didn’t use to be there. I’m sure having a tumor removed from his tongue and doing whatever horrible treatments afterwards did not help.

Look how horribly Mustaine aged after his cancer treatments. He looks like he advanced ten years in age over the course of a couple years. That shit is rough on your body.
 
Kelly said:
The ones that really got worse were smokers (Plant, Dave Roth, Geoff Tate). Never heard of opera singers losing it as they aged. They take care of themselves, unlike rockers.
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While a classical ensemble or orchestra can be loud at times (that music is extremely dynamic and quiets down frequently), opera singers don’t have to compete with screaming amplifiers and PA equipment blasting steady high decibels all over the stage.
 
thegame said:
While a classical ensemble or orchestra can be loud at times (that music is extremely dynamic and quiets down frequently), opera singers don’t have to compete with screaming amplifiers and PA equipment blasting steady high decibels all over the stage.
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Guys who last a long time with a demanding style where technique is paramount learn they have to rely on the mic and amplification. Halford, King Diamond, Ralf Scheepers, all these guys don’t sing nearly as loud as people think they must because of the tonality and intensity of their delivery.
 
The two that have always stood out to me were Paul Rodgers and Ann Wilson. At some point, every singers voice is going to give out but those two still sound great. At least the last time I watched any live footage.
I've seen Priest multiple times over the last few years and agree, Rob still has incredible pipes. Watching him on stage is sometimes painful though. You can tell it's taking a lot out of him physically to still sing like that. I have much respect for him still putting that much into it. :rock:
 
I'd say forget about being better but being consistent in lower tuning there are a few..
 
Kelly said:
The ones that really got worse were smokers (Plant, Dave Roth, Geoff Tate). Never heard of opera singers losing it as they aged. They take care of themselves, unlike rockers.
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Paul Stanley got bad and that guy never smoked. I think when Paul did the Phantom of the Opera is when he blew his voice out, he was never the same after that. Then had surgeries etc...
 
Came here to say Glenn Hughes.
Would also throw in Bryan Adams, Paul Rodgers... not necessarily better, but haven't dropped off and seem to still have the passion and hunger.
 
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