Distinctive & unique vocalists/singers?
 

So I was sitting here listening to Tiny Tim's "Livin' in the Sunlight, Laughin' in the Moonlight" (at YTMND of all places) and I realized that I have an odd liking for odd vocalists.

That's one of the (many) reasons I don't like American Idol. Everyone on there sounds exactly the same to me. That carries over to a lot of "modern rock" radio, especially with the "harder" acts where the vocals could be interchanged without any difference in the music. I use quotes because these are the people that call Chad Kroger a "metal" singer. But I've digressed.

Which vocalists do you consider truly unique, or distinctive enough? I mean more in tonal quality and delivery as opposed to pure skill (say, Minnie Ripperton). I'd like this to not turn into a "favorite" singers thread because we've done that already. I'm more interested in discovering new vocalists.

Not in any particular order:

Tiny Tim, Daniel Johnston (The Devil and Daniel Johnston), Wesley Willis
Brian Molko (Placebo)
Antony Hegarty (Antony and the Johnsons)

And to a lesser extent (only because their style/influence is so widespread):

Ian Curtis (Joy Division)
Morten Haket (a-ha)
David Byrne (Talking Heads), Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel), Alec Ounsworth (Clap Your Hands Say Yeah)
Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)
Bob Dylan
Johnny Cash

I can't think of any others at the moment. Thoughts...?

Bjork
Tom Waits
Danny Elfman
Mike Patton
Michael Stipe

Billy Corgan
Matt Bellamy
Layne Staley

Morrissey
Freddie Mercury
Steve Winwood
David Gray

First ones that came to mind:

Joanna Newsom
P.J. Harvey
Victoria Williams
Thom Yorke

Also:

John Fogerty
Colin Meloy
Karen O.
Ted Leo
Jay Farrar
Frank Black
Kevin Barnes
Chan Marshall

Not all favorites, but when I hear one of them, I know who it is.

Justin from the Darkness

Does Paul Westerberg or Bob Mould fit your criteria?

Kelly Jones from the Stereophonics.
Cerys Matthews from Catatonia. ( I think they've Split now )

Prince
Vince Gill
Alison Krauss
Lyle Lovett

Neil Young
Steve Forbert

Jason Molina (from Songs: Ohia & Magnolia Electric Co.)
Conner Oberst
Imogen Heap

Donald Fagan (Steely Dan)

Klaus Nomi (that's your winner right there)
also
Russell Mael (Sparks)
Anne Clark
Milan Fras (Laibach)
Sinead O'Connor
Midge Ure
Billy Mackenzie (Associates)
David Sylvian (Japan)
and Gary Numan, of course.

Carey Mercer of Frog Eyes is like if you completely overdramatize Ian Curtis and make it sound like he was trying to sign opera or something like that.
Baby Dee is the female counterpart to Antony with hints of Tiny Tim (all of them have back catalogs from Durtro)
Marianne Faithful
Jay Munly (gothic folk and member of Slim Cessna's Auto Club)
Kimya Dawson
Jaime Stewart (Xiu Xiu)
Man Man
Danny Cohen (Daniel Johnston meets Tom Waits)

I forgot about Nora Keyes, she is this bizarro freak folkster that sounds like a witch. And also, Nommy Lamm is a fat one legged Jewish woman and has this dronish pace that is unsettling.

One that comes to mind is British singer Amy Winehouse. She has a slurry beautiful voice that fits well with her jazzy-type music. Another is the always strange but amazing Kate Bush.

Has no one mentioned Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins?

Jimmy Scott
Chris Cornell
Howlin' Wolf/Captain Beefheart

King Diamond

Michael Jackson - Even though most of the upcoming slick male rnb-artist try to copycat him

Rufus Wainwright
Elton John
Bono (but truth be told it might just be my familiarity with his voice at this point)
Anastacia (but not in a good way..... Her voice makes my teeth hurt. Which is quite unique)
Tina Turner
Michael Stipe
Damian Rice
Leonard Cohen

From rough to really rough:
Rod Stewart
Tom Waits
Louis Armstrong
Howlin' Wolf
Captain Beefheart

Nasal:
Woody Guthrie
Bob Dylan
Leadbelly
Del McCoury

Screamers:
Little Richard
James Brown
Screamin' Jay Hawkins
Prince

A Cappella:
Mint Juleps
Manhattan Transfer
Bobby McFerrin

Brian Wilson has a very distinctive voice.

Mike Love has a nasal voice.

Bingo.

24 posts and no one mentions...

Lemmy Kilmister

?????

THE most distinctive voice in Rock and Roll - or any other genre for that matter.

Joanna Newsom
Bjork
PJ Harvey
Hope Sandoval (Mazzy Star)
Siouxsie Sioux (Siouxsie & the Banshees, The Creatures)
Kristin Hersh (Throwing Muses, solo, 50 Ft. Wave)
Elizabeth Fraser (Cocteau Twins)
Kasey Chambers
Lucinda Williams

25 posts and no Beth Gibbons?!? For shame.