10 Greatest Punk Vocalists of All Time
Iggy Pop is among Audio Ink Radio’s greatest punk vocalists of all time – Story by Anne Erickson, photo by Vincent Guignet
Audio Ink Radio presents our list of the 10 greatest punk vocalists of all time
One of the keys to being an incredible punk vocalist is having a shocking amount of energy on the stage. Another factor is having strong charisma and something to say that has meaning. If said punk vocalist is singing against the establishment and social norms, even better. So, who are the greatest punk vocalists of all time?
Unlike many musical genres, in punk, being a vocalist depends on those aforementioned factors more than having a perfect, powerful singing voice. That’s what makes punk rock vocalists so endearing and relatable. They’re the kind of guys and gals that seem so normal and down-to-earth, yet, they’re rock stars.
Here’s Audio Ink Radio’s list of the 10 greatest punk vocalists of all time. Reach out to us with your picks for the best in punk via social media.
10. Henry Rollins – Black Flag
Henry Rollins is a force when doing anything solo, and he’s even a bigger force in Black Flag. Rollins brings a fierce energy to the stage that’s pretty much unrivaled. His live performances are always intense and hardcore, which make for an invigorating experience. Rollins is also just a really interesting dude, and that certainly counts for something in punk rock.
9. Siouxsie Sioux – Siouxsie and The Banshees
Susan Janet Ballion, known best as Siouxsie Sioux, is one of punk’s most influential vocalists. With a body of work in not only Siouxsie Sioux and the Banshees but also The Creatures, Sioux has inspired countless other female artists to create punk music and dabble in a plethora of other genres. She was a big part of the birth of post-punk in the U.K., so she’s a trendsetter. Being a trendsetter is pretty much the definition of punk, to boot. Hence, Sioux absolutely deserves a spot on this list of the greatest punk rock vocalists of all time.
8. H.R. – Bad Brains
Bad Brains’ original lead vocalist Sid McCray, no doubt, was a bit part of the band’s success and the rise of punk, in general. But, when H.R. joined Bad Brains, the train really got rolling. H.R., which stands for “Human Rights,” brought a unique hardcore edge to Bad Brains, as he hailed from the growing Washington D.C. hardcore scene. As the leader of Bad Brains, he rose up to be one of the most notable voices in punk rock, and he really shaped the part of the genre that was more geared to hardcore.
7. Billie Joe Armstrong – Green Day
We know. Many punk fans roll their eyes at Green Day being listed on any punk best-of list. But, there’s no way to ignore how Green Day brought pop-infused punk to the masses. For those who forget Green Day’s punk roots, the band released their 1990 debut on Laytonville, California, independent record label Lookout! Records, a label that centered on punk rock. From there, Green Day hit the bigtime with their 1994 Reprise debut, “Dookie,” and the rest of pop-punk history. Billie Joe Armstrong has been at the helm of Green Day for the full run, as have bass player Mike Dirnt and drummer Tré Cool. Without Armstrong’s jaw-dropping energy and the what’s-he-going-to-do-next flavor to this shows, Green Day would never have popped.
6. Johnny Rotten – Sex Pistols
Of Johnny Rotten of Sex Pistols deserves a spot on this tally of the greatest punk vocalists of all time. Rotten created political and controversial music with Sex Pistols, the kind of music that got them banned from the BBC. His wild persona brought an excitement and spontaneity to new wave and post-punk. Couple Rotten’s wild onstage persona with his cutting voice, and it’s obvious why Sex Pistols stood out and helped shape the post-punk movement.
5. Jello Biafra – Dead Kennedys
Dead Kennedys singer Jello Biafra is known for telling it like it is. Biafra never sugarcoats anything, and that’s makes anything he touches turn to punk gold. Biafra, whose proper name is Eric Reed Boucher, was a huge pioneer in the West Coast punk scene. He and Dead Kennedys brought a chaotically beautiful blend of punk rock and “quivering” vocal delivery that stood on its own. Like many punk bands, Biafra and Dead Kennedys weren’t scared to get political, either, whether that meant singing against Nazis or standing up for underrepresented groups. He had the courage to truly be himself.
4. Joey Ramone – Ramones
Joey Ramone took center stage in the New York City punk scene in the 1970s, making him one of the genre’s earliest champions. From one electrifying, underground show to the next, Ramone eventually became America’s punk darling. Sure, Britain is often referred to as the home of punk, but Ramone almost made New York City that epicenter. What’s more, the Ramones never compromised their music and ethics to make a buck. They refused to give into any mainstream leanings and kept their music real and 100% them. Joey Ramone was a huge part of that legacy.
3. Debbie Harry – Blondie
The punk movement embraced female heroes in the early days of the movement, more than many other genres did at that time. After all, feminism and women’s rights rose up right when the punk movement was gaining steam, and a genre about going against the societal norms and championing the little guy (or gal) fit with the feminist ethos. That said, it comes as little surprise that Deborah Harry, lead singer of Blondie, was one of the most heralded figures in all of punk music. Her soprano voice and imaginative musical style inspired many other rock bands to follow. She also worked in a range of influences to Blondie’s punk music, from new wave to hip-hop to reggae.
2. Iggy Pop – The Stooges
Iggy Pop is the “Godfather of Punk,” so he obviously deserves a spot high on this tally. Of course, Pop’s shows were nothing short of legendary, and his onstage antics were unrivaled. How many singers are covered in blood by the end of the set, and how many smear peanut butter all over themselves mid-song? Not many, but Pop did. His brand was shock value, but he also had the emotive vocals and smart lyrical writing that made him a quality musician. And, now in his 70s, Pop is still releasing quality new music and playing concerts.
1. Joe Strummer – The Clash
Without The Clash, punk music would have never taken off and thrived the way that it did. Joe Strummer of the band will always be seen as the protagonist of the genre, as he headed up The Clash with its captivating blend of passionate, justice-driven lyrics and fun, loose-sounding guitars. In The Clash, Strummer sang about the oppressed and brokenhearted. He used his music as a medium for his message, and there’s nothing more punk than that. For his legacy and influence in the punk genre, Strummer is No. 1 on our list of the greatest punk vocalists of all time.
Check out Audio Ink Radio’s list of the 12 best punk songs of all time here.
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