10 Rock Singers You've Never Heard Of

By Shawn Leonhardt for 30 Day Singer and Guitar Tricks

It's almost impossible to find a fantastic rock singer who is entirely unheard of, but plenty do not have the popularity they should. Throughout the history of rock, there have been a variety of great vocalists in blues, classic rock, R&B, funk, punk, and more. In this singing lesson, we'll show you ten rock singers who are unheard of to some or at least a window into new music for others.

Esquerita

If you see a picture of Esquerita, you may think it is Little Richard. Add to the fact that he was a gospel piano player, and it seems even more apparent. Little Richard was influenced by Esquerita's style, and they both capitalized on the boogie-woogie rock grooves of that era. Esquerita's vocals are more profound than Little Richard's, and his piano playing is choppy, but it is excellent early rock music.

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Sandra Nasic

There is a long tradition of outstanding hard rock German vocalists; some break into fame in the US, while others are not so lucky. Sandra Nasić of Guano Apes is enormous in many countries but never quite took off in the US. Her vocals mix alternative, indie, metal, and more complex rock styles. Given her vocal technique and the band's skills, it is surprising they do not have a more significant following; perhaps that will change.

Dave Van Ronk

Dave Van Ronk inspired a film called Inside Llewyn Davis. It followed the life of a Greenwich Village guitar-playing folk artist in NYC. His vocal range was much lower and more profound, with a stern tone than many other folk singers of the same era. He helped bring more rhythm and blues-type music into that movement even though he has yet to attain the fame of artists like Bob Dylan.

Mark Sandman

Mark Sandman played a two-string slide bass and sang for the bands Treat Her Right and Morphine. He is not unheard of and had quite the following, even a little dip into the mainstream, before he died in 1999. His band still tours without him; they are fantastic, but something is missing. His low rock, jazz, and hypnotic vocals were a glue that held their compositions together. The music of Morphine and the vocals of Sandman show you how smooth and relaxing rock can be. Once you hear him, you'll work on improving your singing voice.

Odetta

She is not unheard of, but other artists of the rhythm and blues era often overlook Odetta. Her mixture of folk, blues, and spirituals was part of the foundation of later Rock 'n' Roll. She influenced Harry Belafonte, Bob Dylan, and even modern rock singers like Brittany Howard! Many vocalists still use her techniques and mimic her gospel voice style.

Ken Andrews

For those who like the post-grunge and alternative rock scene, there are plenty of great singers, such as Kurt Cobain, or the lighter indie like Michael Stipe. Ken Andrews of Failure never saw the same level of fame, but his vocals capture that era and the feeling of its music. When you hear him singing, all of the sights and sounds of the 90s come rushing back, and that band could have used a bigger spotlight.

Janis Martin

Janis was known as the "Female Elvis" due to her similar dance moves and rockabilly singing style. Like Wanda Jackson and Brenda Lee, she helped pave the way for female rock singers. Her voice was a little more country than the other rockabilly artists. You can hear where the split would occur in the 1960s between country and rock. If you are looking for some early rock 'n' roll singers, folks like Janis Martin will make it a great listen!

Gene Ween

The band Ween has quite the cult status, so they are not unheard of, but their music has such a variety that, surprisingly, they are not even more popular. Gene (or Aaron Freeman) has a knack for styles like Steely Dan, The Beatles, Billy Joel, and more. He doesn't copy them or do impressions; he channels the vibe. Gene Ween can go from absurd punk screaming to a beautiful love ballad; he has quite the range as an underrated vocalist. Think of the vocal warmup routine he must have!

Suzi Quatro

Suzi Quatro is another artist prominent in Europe and Australia but has yet to reach the same fame in the USA. It's a shame because her rock vocals are so powerful that they allowed her to play with some greats throughout her career. Most of all, her rock singing helped pave the way for many of the 80s power ballad ladies that followed. One of her best vocal performances is in the song "The Wild One. " Her power is on display with nearly screaming the chorus.

Gladys Bentley

Rock music not only stems from the blues, but it is also about rebellion, fighting the system, and marching to the beat of your drummer. The most famous rock singers all have something that makes them stand apart from the rest due to past trauma; you can hear such pain in the person's vocals. There are few older blues recordings of Gladys Bentley, but the influence of these early singers is undeniable. One hundred years ago, it was a lot more dangerous to do your own thing and rebel; thanks to artists like Bentley, we have this vast variety of music and a much more exciting world!

Hopefully, these ten rock singers have influenced you to look into some great vocalists across the many existing styles. Finding new rock singers is possible by using streaming and playlist recommendations. However, if you want to see older or forgotten artists, you will need to look into getting used records or other older formats. Only some music has been uploaded to streaming, so there is more to find. Just keep listening to artists you have never heard before, and eventually, you will stumble upon great vocalists!