... and I had the following thoughts, maybe others can add more...I was surprised how bad Daltry's voice sounded.
BigBear.
I was surprised by how great Roger Daltry's voice was, considering it was a live performance and the guy's in his 60s.
Dennisg
I've been casually tracking the rise and fall of some of the greatest voices over the years and it's clear that most performers have more flexibility, power and range in younger years. After 50 or so, there can really be a drop off in ability. Of course, health, age and personal habits have a huge effect on the voice. Voices are not like great guitars, they don't age well. Paul McCartney and Elton John have stood the test of time well and I've experienced them live in the past decade and have to say they are fantastic live performers. If you listen to Yellow Brick road or Band on the Run you will hear that they used to sing much higher and I sometimes wonder if there was not some technical/mechanical voodoo in play. If you have heard Madonna sing live and compare with her studio tracks, you know what I mean! I think it was Dennis who mentioned that Harry Nielson's voice was devastated by booze and cigs... and I have to agree with McCartney, Without You is one of those all time hammer songs. Gordon Lightfoot's voice has suffered with his health in late years and Dylan's disintegrated fast in the 80's - 90's. The beautiful and haunting voice of Justin Hayward has not waned over the years and I have the feeling that the voice is like a glove to the soul: your spiritual well being and state of soul supplies the underlying strength and structure of what is heard. If I listen back to Sinatra's last performances, it would have been better if we'd been spared that thin slice: I cannot overhear the bitterness and darkness.
Of course, the voice is greatly effected by training and use. When I've had the opportunity to sing with a friend's band over several days, I've noticed that after 2 days I have a much greater range, especially at the top end. I've also noted that I used to be able to sing along with the Beatles, Moody Blues or Dan Fogelberg in the same key but these days have to drop down a half or full step. An example would be Elton's Don't let the Sun go down on Me which is in G and I have to tune the guitar down a half step to get it.
I'm looking forward to hearing from our singing coach Jim, and am really enjoying the voices that are coming out of the closets (so to speak!) here at TG: Gary, Tony, Dennis and Suzie to mention just a few. Love to hear any thoughts and comments on voices in this thread.
Chris
EDIT: Of course, if I'm mentioning The Who and Elton John in the same thread, I have to say, go back and listen to Pinball Wizard... no way Elton can sing that in the same key without dropping an octave these days!