Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I was a boy soprano in a church choir, looking for ten buck wedding gigs, when I was eight...when my voice changed at 14, I trained myself to sing falsetto and it really got a workout when I lead-sang for my Beach Boys tribute band.

I kept the falsetto through present day, in my late '50s. But I went from "lead singer" to "lead sander" (guitar refinishing joke).

It is possible to keep a good falsetto through life. Don't smoke ciggies, drink in moderation, and avoid shouting, which stresses the vocal cords. Common sense, really.

Brian Wilson (Mr. Falsetto) had a beautiful falsetto until his binging mid-years. In September 2001, though, I heard him live and he needed vocal support from a lady, who picked up his high notes. These days he tours and records, and although the quality of his "product" has gone down IMO, the quality of his voice has gone up!

Call me stupid... but i don't really dig falsetto! I'll take baritonal, "smoked" voice (and a bass solo!) over a falsetto any day... well, okay, it's just my opinion, and i know, tastes differ...
(oh yeah... and i love reading Stephen King's books as well...)

My nominee for "best male voice" in pop singing would be Johnny Hartman, with Nat Cole a close second. Hartman's 1959 album with John Coltrane is possible the best Jazz/Pop album I own. I never get tired of hearing it. His version of Kurt Weill's "My Ship" just flat knocks me out!

My list of best voice nominees would not include anyone with a falsetto, Sheena. But Frankie Valli and Brian Wilson are both strong contenders for widest range--male.

Yes i agree, when somebody has a range so wide he can do both baritonal and falsetto parts, it's amazing, and when falsetto is "right time, right place", when it's harmony parts, it's okay, but IMHO, sometimes male singers just over-use it. And when it's over-used, it breaks my ears. That's just my opinion - very subjective.

As far as male singers go, Nat King Cole is one of my all time favorites. The qualities of his voice shone through on every song he ever sang.

McCartney in his prime was incredible as well, albeit on a different level. IMO

Nat King Cole had one of the greatest voices of all time.

Agreed on Nat King Cole. But humbly, I must suggest my favorite, Tony Bennett. He sure can wail on them high notes!

The big question is: will Dane be able to shovel snow when he's 63? Will he be able to do it as well as when he was in his twenties? Shoveling snow is for young men.
But, like rock, men in their 20's can't do it as well.
Ringo, Macca and Dane rule.

Dane? If you mean Dane Terry, then i'm sure he'll be able to shovel snow as well as do many other things even when he's 64!
(sorry Dane - looks like you're discussed again in your absence... oh well... it's a compliment anyway...)
One of my personal favorites is Art Garfunkel... a great voice! IMHO...

I do mean Dane Terry, and mean no malice, just fiddling with the way the topic meanders. from Macca to shoveling snow. Ya gotta love it.
Dane Terry has said some of my favorite things on this forum.

Oh well... i got it, was just kiddin'... a bit...
Hmmm... everybody here rule, in fact... so to say... with the minor exception of myself, perhaps... nah, kiddin' of course
Oh well... and young women can shovel snow, too... now i'm no kiddin'...

Record-Setting Snow Buries Northeast

Wish I were there.... NOT

Man, it's been in the 80's here...

When I'm 63...I plan on living in a little house somewhere in Southeast Asia with a banana tree out the front door and a rice field out back...and the only thing I'll be shovelling at that point will be the kind of 'stuff' I routinely shovel into this forum...

Welcome to Denver, Stuart! (or whatever your final destination might be)...in true Colorado fashion, the snow was gone by Saturday and yesterday was 50 degrees: just for you! I'm playing a gig up in Boulder tonight, actually...

Boulder Dane? Would that be like, a "rock" show?

Just kidding.

On another note, I see you have lots of other friends here so now I feel that I can take a backseat in terms of sticking up for you. LOL