Who's the ultimate front-man?

They're drawn to the spotlight like a moth to a flame. A simple wink from stage sends shivers through the first 30 rows of fans. And if that one star were to ever leave the band, you can't imagine ever seeing them play live again.

That's what it takes to be a truly phenomenal front-man. And the '80s were full of some truly great ones. Still, if you had to name the ultimate '80s front-man, who would you pick?

List time again. Leave a comment with your favorite front-men. Here's some criteria to agree on. Solo artists like Billy Idol and Rick Springfield are not eligible. By the very nature of them being solo, they already stand out. And despite the term "front-man," your picks can be either male or female. (Or, in the case of Boy George, possibly both.)

Feel free to state your case for your picks. In the meantime, here are some names worthy of the title:

STEVE PERRY (Journey): Sporting those tuxedo tails, he danced around the stage like his pants were on fire. And that voice? One in a million. The band hasn't been the same without him -- so much so that when Journey picked a new lead singer, they chose someone who sounded exactly like Perry.

DAVID LEE ROTH (Van Halen): Nobody should be allowed to sing "Running with the Devil" except Roth. Sure, he got a little too cabaret in the mid-80s, but his return to the band has reinvigorated a classic 80s act.

BONO (U2): A star from the moment he marched out with the white flag at Red Rocks during "Sunday Bloody Sunday."

SIMON LE BON (Duran Duran): Give Simon bonus points for standing out in a band already full of pretty faces.

CHRISSIE HYNDE (The Pretenders): Can you even name another member of the band?

So who else is worthy of the title?

[Times photo: Cherie Diez]

Comments

[Bassnote]

I totally agree with Steve Perry and DLR, but i'm very much over Bono.
I want to nominate Phil Collins (Genesis). Great showman, and always knows how to work a crowd. I also want to nominate Michael Hutchence (INXS). I saw them on the Kick tour, and he held the audience riveted.

[12Grain]

I want to nominate George Michael and Daryl Hall

[jane]

The original Pretenders: Chrissie, Martin Chambers, James Honeyman-Scott (RIP), Pete Farndon (RIP.) And yes, Chrissie IS the band, regardless of whatever weird lineup they sported.

Anyway... agree with Bassnote on INXS. Despite their noble attempts to move on and their Rock Star:INXS experiment, Hutchence was the band.

Without Michael Stipe's distinctive sound, I don't think REM would be the same (even though they've moved on sans Bill Berry, no Stipe would mean no REM.)

I'm torn on adding Sting to the list -- he's not my favorite member of the Police (duh) and I'm rather over his ego. But without him, again, there's no band.

[chase]

I'd go further and nominate Adam Ant, Dee Snyder, Huey Lewis, and Joan Jett.

I'm not willing to give Phil Collins the nod over Peter Gabriel in Genesis. Personally dislike Steve Perry. But applaud Diamond Dave ...

In the end, I prolly gotta come down to a DLR vs. Dee Snyder discussion ...

And for more substance, I'll go with Diamond Dave.

I don't feel tardy.

[Kurt's Krap]

Damn you, not including Rick Springfield? Say what you will, but simply the best frontman I ever saw.

Having said that...groupwise...it's hard to top DLR or Steve Perry in the 80s.

David Coverdale (Whitesnake) was always great. Jon Bon Jovi too. Joe Elliot? Vince Neil?

Does Springsteen count fronting the E-Street Band?

[Bassnote]

Chase, I agree that Gabriel was the better front man in Genesis, but since the topic is "ultimate '80s front-man", Phil was the front-man then. I saw Gabriel solo three times in the 80s, and he was phenomenal.

Joan, Huey, and Adam were more like solo acts than bands.

[Clark]

Casting my vote for David Byrne

[Brad]

I'm with Bassnote on Michael Hutchence. Charisma with a capital C.

[Pam from Rochester]

Big votes for both Michael Hutchence and Huey Lewis. Susannah Hoffs was pretty captivating too.

[Bassnote]

I'll throw in Belinda Carlisle (Go-Go's), and Annie Lennox (Eurythmics). Both ladies can really command a stage.

[Bassnote]

How about David Gahan (Depeche Mode). Saw them in '86, and he was great.

[VineyardWoman]

Timely topic, as I was listening to Van Halen this morning on my commute, in effect casting my vote for Diamond Dave all the way...the hair, the clothes, the moves, the attitude...

Ain't Talkin Bout Love, Everybody Wants Some, Jump, Panama, Ice Cream Man, Hot for Teacher...it's all good!

[Rock_Vbrg]

I do have to agree with DLR and Annie Lennox as being truly great as the frontman (or woman). But don't forget Steven Tyler of Areosmith and Dee Snider of Twisted Sister. Without those two their bands would fall very flat.

[Spears]

What's everyone's take: Should we include artists like Springfield and Billy Idol?

No frontman who ever appeared on a soap opera can be considered. Rick Springfield. Pah!

[specialk]

Bassnote I totally agree about Michael Hutchinson; I saw them on the Kick tour as well. I really wasn't too familiar with INXS at the time (great to have friends who take you to concerts) but boy was I hooked after the show. He was amazing!

[Marissa]

NO, we shouldn't include solo artists. Even though I loves me some Billy and Rick. Yee doggies! No.

[Bassnote]

No solo acts!

Rock_Vbrg, how could I forget Steven Tyler! I saw Aerosmith in 1988 (with Guns 'n Roses as opening act - and no i will not nominate Axl Rose), Steven tore up the satge. I saw them again on the 'Get a Grip' tour, and he was still awesome.

[jane]

There's a difference between being a front man and a solo artist. Different beasts, so to speak.

[Bassnote]

I meant stage, not satge. My typing stinks.

[Jeff in Cuba]

Here's a good rule of thumb:

If there's an "and the" in a band's name, he who comes before the "and the" is a front man.

For example, Adam Ant was clearly the front man of Adam and the Ants, because who would pay money to see the Ants by themselves?

In fact, how much would you shell out for an all day And-The-Palooza featuring The Ants, The News, The Range, The Attractions, the Heartbreakers, The Pacemakers, The Teenagers, and the Pips?

[Spears]

Jeff -- I'm confused. So you're saying we need to including Adam Ant and Huey Lewis? Or exclude them?

[Marissa]

I feel like Allison Reynolds.

[jane]

Please tell me you're not making dandruff snow, Miss Riss...

[Marissa]

I washed my hair today. I don't have black sh*t under my eyes. However, I did have a therapy appointment today *wink*

[Walter Cox]

Brian Johnson, because I'd bet money that he could have wiped the floor with any other guy you name, and then outdrink him.

[Marissa]

Dang it! I was just going to suggest that. Walter.. Really, seriously. Sincerely. I swear!

[Eric S]

My choice would be Bruce Dickinson of Iron Maiden. He took Maiden to new heights that Paul could never take them. He is great in concert. The guy must run several miles in each concert. Great energy and great with playing to the crowd. Iron Maiden is one of the most influential metal bands out there. They are still going strong today and may be more popular than ever around the world. So my choice is Bruce Dickinson.

[John D]

I have to second Walter's nomination of Brian Johnson of AC/DC. The man is a rock and roll machine. And being showman enough not to be completely upstaged by Angus is worth an extra 10 points, at least.

[Carla]

Ok, so obvious to most, I'm in complete agreement with Steve Perry as the ultimate frontman...

But what I'm surprised at, is that nobody has mention one that I consider a close second... Robin Zander!

Followed up by Steven Tyler, DLR and Vince Neil!

[DaveFromMN]

Steven Tyler gets a vote but I think Freddy Mercury edges him out by a mustache hair...

[Jeff in Cuba]

Steve,

I just re-read my post, and now I'm confused.

I think I meant to include Adam, Huey, Bruce and the rest of the "and the" crowd.

[Lauri Jaffe]

I think Rick Springfield is fabulous and the ultimate - but like you say - he's a single (he'll be on Oprah next Tuesday fyi).

So, I'd say Huey Lewis

[Bassnote]

DaveFromMN, how could anyone forget Freddie Mercury! Freddy was the ultimate showman. I still get chills when I see Radio Ga Ga performed at Live Aid.

[Gary]

The man who made the mold is none other than Robert Plant of the mighty Led Zeppelin !!!

[DaveFromMN]

Bassnote, well it appars at least 30 posts before mine forgot him!

[Bassnote]

Dave, I'm kicking myself for not thinking of Freddie. The funny thing is that I was listening to a lot of Queen about a week ago.

[Marissa]

Mr. Mercury gets my vote. Hands down. That's it. boom!

[jane]

Yeah. No contest. It's Freddie.

[Clark]

I have to agree on Freddie Mercury. And I too am embarrassed I didn't think of him sooner.

[Bassnote]

DANNY ELFMAN - OINGO BOINGO
Terri Nunn -Berlin
Debbie Harry -Blondie
Annabella Lwin - Bow Wow Wow
Martin Fry - ABC
Colin Hay - Men At Work
Neil Finn - Crowded House
Ian Astbury - The Cult
Robert Smith - The Cure
Martha Davis - The Motels
Midge Ure - Ultravox
Jon Anderson - Yes
Stan Ridgeway - Wall Of Voodoo
Peter Murphy - Bauhaus
Morris Day - The Time
Morrissey - The Smiths
Jim Kerr - Simple Minds
Patty Smyth - Scandal
Geddy Lee - Rush
Bryan Ferry - Roxy Music
Mick Jagger - Rolling Stones

[Tom]

Here are my two bits.

John Wetton-Asia

Iva Davies-Icehouse

These bands would not the same with these guys.

[Tonka61]

What about Hagar as an 80's front-man? Him and DLR (unquestionably better, no doubt) technically split the 80's, I do believe.

But how about Paul Stanley (KISS), Rob Halford (Judas Priest), and Phil Lynott (Thin Lizzy)?

[jill]

Definitely Steve Perry -- had several chances to see Journey without him and just wasn't interested.

Also, Joe Elliott from Def Leppard gets my vote.

[Spears]

Joe Elliot -- particularly with the sleeveless Union Jack shirt -- is an excellent addition!

[Jim]

I agree about S Perry and F Mercury.

I can't believe no one suggested Kevin Cronin. His voice defines REO Speedwagon.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest also deserves honorable mention.

[Douglas Arthur]

I think you might have to bust it down by genre, because being a front man like Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys meant something completely different than being front man for Journey.

For Arena Style rock as much as I hate the genre and Journey, I guess you have to go with Steve Perry.

For Hardcore punk I think it is a tough call between Jello and Henry Rollins with Black Flag. Ultimately though i think Jello gets the nod just because of the whole FrankenChrist controversy.

For regular punk you gotta go with Joey Ramone.

For New Wave I think that is tough. David Byrne was such a driving force for Talking Heads, and Danny Elfman in Oingo Boingo. Bryan Ferry with Roxy Music is an honorable mention, but they were more of a 70s band in my mind as they only released 2 albums in the 80's before splitting up in '82. Tough call there. I think I have to give it to Byrne though. He was Mr. 80's and was everywhere. Speaking In Tongues, Stop Making Sense, Little Creatures is a great run. Not to mention all the pioneering and great videos for MTV, He actually made a movie, True Stories, that exposed folks to John Goodman for the first time. He issued books, was in with the art crowd in NY/LA. He had his hands in everything. Even the cover of Time magazine. ( I don't think I saw Steve Perry there).
Oingo Boingo, while great were never big like Talking Heads and he had more success toward the end of the decade when he started scoring films on the side like Beetlejuice and Batman.

Sorry Marissa, another long-winded post...I can't help it. :)
I could type more but I am at work and need to get back to it!

[Bassnote]

Peter Wolf (J. Geils Band)
Lou Gramm (Foreigner)
Ann Wilson (Heart)

[Brad]

Danny Elfman had an amazing manic energy when I saw Oingo Boingo in the 80s. It was a thing to see.

Can we create a subcategory for "alternative rock?" These guys aren't going to be able to compete against the likes of Freddie Mercury and Steve Perry.

I might throw in Henry Rollins, but I'm not sure how many people had heard of Black Flag until he became big in spoken word. If he gets in then let's toss Mark Mothersbaugh in too...

[Douglas Arthur]

Black Flag was pretty big for it's scene, and as much as I love Devo, Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale were more like co-leaders. I liken then to being the Lennon/McCartney of New Wave.

[Al]

DLR. We're done with rock.

Steve Perry for pop-rock.

[Rick]

I've seen a LOT of concerts, mostly AOR, and Steve Perry was the best. He sounded just as good or better on stage than he did on the studio cuts.

[mariet]

Steve Perry, amazing in both the voice and stage presence

[John Todd]

I'll add a vote for Brian Johnson. He is a man posessed on stage.

But I'll also add a vote for David Gahan... think about it... without him, Depeche Mode are just 3 guys playing keyboards. Who the hell wants to see that? It would be as painful as watching Kraftwerk. *shiver*

[Trisha]

I'm nominating Jon Bon Jovi!!