Flamboyant Rock Band Frontmen - Part 1

One of the greatest yet most realistic clichésThe tragic death of their drummer John Bonham
of the proverbial rock band would be the colourfulmarked the heartbreaking end of their touring years
and extroverted singer. Often the livewire of thebut Plant will always be remembered as the voice
band, the frontman screams and shouts, swinging hisand face of Led Zeppelin.
microphone as the struts on stage as the other2) Axl Rose
members of the band stand motionless in theWith Axl Rose, it's a love or hate affair. He was the
shadows behind him.original vocalist of Guns 'N Roses and only remaining
The band, the stage, the arena, the crowd - they alloriginal member left in the new lineup touring today.
obey the frontman; this is his kingdom, and he callsRose shot to fame (pun intended) during the
the shots as he sees fit.illustrious years of the band in the early 90s -
Frontmen also help establish the stage presence andespecially after the release of their landmark album
overall aura of a band; and it would be disastrous forAppetite For Destruction - and helped bring immense
a band to have a talented vocalist who lacks thecommercial success to the band with his soulful and
people skills required to lead the band into a rockenergetic singing in songs like Welcome To The
show night in and night out. It's their duty to not onlyJungle, Paradise City and Sweet Child O'Mine.
carry out a shining vocal performance for the band'sIt was not all fine and dandy for Rose, though. His
songs, but to also be the middleman between thetemperamental attitude got him and the rest of the
crowd and the band, bridging the gap betweenband in hot soup in trouble several times, and was
mortal men and rock superstars.probably the reason why all the other members of
Let's take a look at some of the greatest livewirethe band started quitting Guns 'N Roses one by one.
singers rock music has ever seen.Rose has landed the band in hot soup numerous
1) Robert Planttimes, but one infamous incident involving a fan who
Fabulously fashionable with equally fabulous looks andwas videotaping a Guns show allowed the world to
vocal proficiency, Plant was probably rock's greatestsee Rose rear his ugliest head yet. He was also
frontman. He made his fame and fortune with Britishcriticized by gay rights activists, who accused Rose
rock legends Led Zeppelin, and played a vital role inof being disseminating anti-gay propaganda.
helping the band sell their 300 million albumsFans of the band will never forgive Rose for not
worldwide.allowing the name of their beloved band to rest in
Robert Plant, alongside guitarist Jimmy Page, werepeace after having "created" a preposterous Guns 'N
the dynamic duo of the band; and with their flareRoses alternate with a forgettable lineup. Not only
jeans and chest-baring shirts they captured thethat, Rose is entirely responsible for the band's most
hearts and minds of millions over the world. Theirexpensive album never released, entitled Chinese
chemistry on stage, coupled with the raw energyDemocracy - which has swallowed over $13 million in
from the rhythm section of John Paul Jones and Johnproduction costs over the course of several years,
Bonham, cemented Led Zeppelin's place in the annalsand with no release date in sight. To make matters
of rock history.worse, Rose has said many times previously that the
Plant's admirable vocal prowess allowed him to addalbum will be out soon - but with most of the
another dimension of mystique and charm to thefairly-forgettable material readily available on the
band's emotionally-charged tunes, and his trademarkinternet it's no surprise that the album will not revive
stage presence and energy was unparalleled at thethe bands seemingly futile existence.
time. He can be heard doing what he does best onEven though Rose allowed his personal turbulences
such Led Zeppelin hits like Stairway To Heaven,get the better of him, he will be remembered as one
Whole Lotta Love and Black Dog.of the most unique rock 'n roll voices of the 90s.