Is Bono the greatest rock frontman ever?

[tigerfan41]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

[bahkey]

   #1 . Plant
   # 2. Vedders
   #3 . Bono
   # 4 . Freddie
   # 5 . Janis

[jick]

There are two possibilities:

1. Bono should not be ranked because U2 are not a rock band but just a loud folk band according to Bono himself; or,

2. Bono is the greatest rock frontman ever and if you think otherwise, go and start lurking in that other band's fan forum.

Jon Bon Jovi would be a close second though.

Cheers,

J

[Borack]

I'll not venture into the distinction between frontman and band member, as I agree that Prince is a leader of backing musicians, though I would not diminish the role of the E Street Band members in a similar manner.  However, if I were to rephrase the question as the most iconic singer, I'd have to go for:
1. Bowie
2. Plant
3. Mercury
4. Jagger
5. Daltry
6. Bono
7. Springsteen
8. Garrett
9. Sting
10. Hutchence

I think he's remarkably great on many dimensions, and I also admire how U2 is so egaliatarian, but I just wouldn't rank him as the the very best.  As for Oasis, they may have been iconic and great, but I often associate them with themes of arrogance and sibling rivalry almost as high as their quality musicianship. If I lived in the UK, I'd be more familiar with their greatness.

[Sugarcube]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

Young man, in the context of a live experience, most people would agree the frontman is the focus of attention. Doesn't matter if the front man is fronting a bunch of hired musicians or a well stablished band. A frontman is someone who fronts something - it doesn't matter what he's fronting - he's still a frontman.

For example Oasis are a well stablished band but no one gives a toss who the other musicians are - all eyes are focused on Liam Gallagher and the non existent bulge in his trousers.

Chris Martin is a frontman for Coldplay (and a better one than Boon) - one could argue the rest of his band are a bit anonymous too.

Your argument as usual is pointless and badly researched. As for your dictionary definition, let's see...

1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.

The word 'group' refers to any group of people. Could be a political party, a backing band, anything.

2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

I think it would be fair to say Leonard Cohen or the Boss lead a group of musicians. Equally Bowie led a group of musicians when he played live. The context those musicians take is irrelevant.

[theocean]

Yes!!!!

[@lmighty DS]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

[Sugarcube]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

Tigerfans argument is ludicrous - ignore him

[@lmighty DS]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

Tigerfans argument is ludicrous - ignore him

noted. +1000000000000000

[JTBaby]

NO-ONE worked a crowd like Freddie Mercury.

He just oozed charisma, stage presence, and had the pipes and musical chops to go with it.

No-ONE

Ever

End. Of. Discussion.

Disclaimer. Not a huge Queen fan.

[tigerfan41]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

Not too separate solo careers, rather, they tour either with or without a specific backing band. Petty's toured without the Heartbreakers; Bruce has toured without the E Street backing band. I never said they were two separate solo careers.  And I'm only the fourth or fifth person in this thread to point out that Springsteen isn't a frontman because he is not in a band. He's always been recognized as a solo artist. Always. And I like him, but to say he's a frontman is ridiculous because he's not. A top rock solo artist? Yeah, that's accurate. But not a top frontman.

[mdmomof7]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

Not too separate solo careers, rather, they tour either with or without a specific backing band. Petty's toured without the Heartbreakers; Bruce has toured without the E Street backing band. I never said they were two separate solo careers.  And I'm only the fourth or fifth person in this thread to point out that Springsteen isn't a frontman because he is not in a band. He's always been recognized as a solo artist. Always. And I like him, but to say he's a frontman is ridiculous because he's not. A top rock solo artist? Yeah, that's accurate. But not a top frontman.

You got it, Tigerfan

[@lmighty DS]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

Not too separate solo careers, rather, they tour either with or without a specific backing band. Petty's toured without the Heartbreakers; Bruce has toured without the E Street backing band. I never said they were two separate solo careers.  And I'm only the fourth or fifth person in this thread to point out that Springsteen isn't a frontman because he is not in a band. He's always been recognized as a solo artist. Always. And I like him, but to say he's a frontman is ridiculous because he's not. A top rock solo artist? Yeah, that's accurate. But not a top frontman.

You got it, Tigerfan

Mom has spoken. And it is good.

[mattressjedi]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

You ever heard Springsteen's Lucky Town? Human Touch? Nebraska? Ghost of Tom Joad?
Where's the E Street Band? OMG, did they break up? No. Bruce didn't include all of them (Roy Bittan was usually included though). The E street Band is not a group. They back him on some albums when he decides to include them and not on others.

[@lmighty DS]

From the dictionary:

Frontman:
1. A person who leads or represents a group, in particular.
2. The leader of a group of musicians, esp. the lead singer of a pop/rock group.

Bruce Springsteen doesn't "lead" the E Street Band--they back him. Tom Petty doesn't "lead" the Heartbreakers--they back him. Prince doesn't "lead" his group of backing musicians--they back him. They're known as backing bands....and Springsteen, Petty, Prince and a slew of other artists are recognized as SOLO artists. How anyone can recognize a solo artist as a "frontman" is beyond ridiculous. They're not.

As for eyes on the "Boon's bulge".....maybe yours are, Dreamboat.  Everyone else is focused in on the whole show and the actual music.

i didn't know an artist can have two separate solo careers? TP and the Heartbreakers and TP solo?

You ever heard Springsteen's Lucky Town? Human Touch? Nebraska? Ghost of Tom Joad?
Where's the E Street Band? OMG, did they break up? No. Bruce didn't include all of them (Roy Bittan was usually included though). The E street Band is not a group. They back him on some albums when he decides to include them and not on others.

no never heard em