The Best Frontmen in Rock History

Rock music is generally based on the sounds of an electric guitar and rhythm section. However, some of the best rock bands rely heavily on the charisma, style and voice of their frontman. The frontman will traditionally just sing vocals, although some have played instruments such as the guitar or moog synthesiser.

The perfect frontmen must be captivating and demand the audience's attention with outrageous or intriguing behaviour. An example of this would be the Sex Pistol's Johnny Rotten who would provoke the audience with aggressive language and threatening behaviour. This style of frontman worked wonderfully in punk rock but wouldn't be as successful in rock.

One of the most successful frontmen in music history is The Rolling Stones' main man, Dartford's very own Mick Jagger. Jagger relied heavily on attitude, pomposity and rebelliousness and would often be contrasted with the clean-living Beatles, this was the early 1960s.

Jagger would strut across the stage with microphone stand in his hand, this distinctive would be copied and imitated for decades to come. Mick Jagger's colourful private life only added to his reputation as a great frontman, as stories added to the rebel-image that had been created.

If the role of the frontman is to epitomise the band's style, direction and attitude then Rage Against The Machine's Zack de la Rocha is one of the very best. Rage AGainst The Machine produce politically-aggressive rap-rock with Rocha as the key spokesman. He personifies their beliefs and is the perfect voice for their outspoken views.

The best frontmen in history, not just music, would be David Lee Roth and Freddie Mercury. David Lee Roth is the frontman and lead singer of sensational rock band Van Halen. With guitars and tight trousers, Van Halen took the rock world by storm in the 1970s and 80s.

Roth was a flamboyant and charismatic frontman, perfect for the glam, colourful music that Van Halen were playing. Unfortunately, band members fell out with Roth about his behaviour and caricaturish persona, leading to him leaving in 1985. Roth recently rejoined the band as they took part in a massively successful universal world tour of North America.

Freddie Mercury fronted the overtly camp British rock band Queen until his death in 1991. Mercury possessed a powerful voice, capable of reaching notes that others couldn't as well as an ability to demand attention. He performed with such enthusiasm and vigour, evoking similar emotions from the audience.

Mercury was perfection in the arena-filling pomp rock of Queen, but he rarely reached the dizzying heights of superstardom of Chad Kroeger. Kroeger is the bearded frontman of rock gods Nickelback. This post-grunge band, have taken all the best bits from Nirvana and added pop sensibilities to produce music that will live on for eternity.

Kroeger's voice is a rasping, angelic growl that tugs on the heart strings while simultaneously making you weep with excitement. How You Remind Me and Rock Star are two of the best songs ever written but the recordings are nothing compared to the buzz and anticipation that Kroeger creates at live gigs. He is the best.

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