[jaxson50]

Another poster, James Beam, brought up The Moody Blues, one of the great bands of the 60s. On this forum when we think of Rock, we always focus on the guitar, as we should as the forum is about Gibson. But there is another side of pop and rock, the vocals, and when you think about it, the best bands have always had great vocals. That is not say that all great guitar players were great singers, SVR is one of my favorite acts, I liked Jimi and Dylan but they were not always the best singers, I would say they are more like story tellers that use the vocal part to set the stage, in the case of Jimi and SVR they used the voice to set up the guitar part. Blind Faith did this, the words were good,,the singing was good, but it was a vehicle for the solos.
But most of the best bands were great vocal groups. The Everly Brothers, The Beatles, The Moody Blues, Simon and Garfunckle, ELO all were built on a foundation of solid vocals.
Some of the best songs have been forgotten by us pickers because we focus so much on the guitarist.
The Hollies never really had a stand out guitarist, CSN&Y had good pickers but we really remember them more for the words the harmonies, lte's see where this takes us;

[damian]

http://youtu.be/bGZVMa4zWY0

[RaysEpiphone]

One of my all-time fav group's, they didn't write song's but they are one of the few group's with 3 lead singer's that actually made it work!

[Searcy]

[RowdyMoon]

One of my fav classic performances....

[pippy]

P.

[Cruznolfart]

[Cruznolfart]

[pfox14]

[Cruznolfart]

[Rabs]

Surely the Beach Boys have to go down as having some of the best harmonies ever


and of course

[Rabs]

but rock not included I think these two go down for me as the best voices ever


and it just so happens this version has Jeff Beck in it too


(I could go on but wont )

[charlie brown]

Don't forget these guys!







CB

[charlie brown]

CB

[Searcy]

[milod]

Hi Jax...

Good topic.

I guess to me one difficulty on this one is that the great "rock" vocal groups seemed to be in the '50s and followed largely more of a "pop" thing in an updated style.

Fifth Dimension and Mamas and Papas were ... Rock????

I guess a bit of difficulty in definition arises. I'm not sure I'd even consider a lotta Beatles stuff as "rock," either, at least in terms of late '50s and after.

m

[guitar dog]

[heymisterk]

Great groups are already posted here. I would say that Simon and Garfunkel is my first obvious choice. Beatles and Beach Boys were also amazing.

[BigKahune]

.
These guys put on a great show, and they usually include an a'capella bit - here's some of it live, the first one with rhythm section -

[Dub-T-123]

For a modern band check out Deerhunter. I saw them live and they busted out some a'capella stuff..