20 Greatest Rock Singers Of All Time

9. Little Richard

Axl Rose of Guns n' Roses on stage during the Freddie Mercury tribute concert at Wembley. *23/08/02 Axl Rose of Guns 'n' Roses on stage during the Freddie Mercury tribute concert at Wembley.: The band, who haven't played live in the UK
Yui Mok/PA Archive

Having honed his voice with gospel in church, Little Richard basically invented high-octane, feverish rock vocals.

And as testimony to his majesty, without him, there probably wouldn't be John Lennon or Jimi Hendrix, who found inspiration for his string-work in Richard's voice. Now that's boast-worthy.

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