They don't necessarily have to be vocals with the most clarity or range, but vocals that really add a powerful element.
One that springs to mind is Daltrey in "Baba O'Riley". There's a real depth of emotion and grit to his performance. As an aside, I'll always lament the instrumental section of the song. It could have been a masterpiece for the ages with another verse and chorus, and the elision of the last 1:30-2:00 of instrumental noodling.

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^ That's my favorite era of The Who.


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Mel Torme and George Shearing, just vocals and piano.

There is more sensitivity towards dynamics from both Shearing and Torme in this live recording than in any 1000 other songs put together.

Harriet Wheeler has the most amazing voice. Just haunting beautiful.

Geoff Tate, Queensr˙che, Take Hold of the Flame

I think this has been asked here before. I have an obvious selection of a classic and a lesser known single with a vocal I have always loved since I was a kid :

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Oh yeah, Harriet Wheeler is awesome and I've always loved their cover of "Wild Horses".

Thanks for your entries so far, people. I'm sure we'll see Steve Perry and Freddie Mercury posted, and deservedly so. I'll post more favs of mine when I encounter or remember them.

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Ann & Nancy Wilson (Heart) Stairway To Heaven Live from Awesome Radio on Vimeo.

Elvis Costello - very underrated vocalist.

Love the bitterness, snarl and defiance he brings to "Riot Act." No other singer could replicate that.




Also, love his vocals on "No Dancing" as well as countless other songs.






And, obviously, Elizabeth Fraser deserves mention in any thread about great vocals.

Yaz's "Midnight". Alison Moyet's powerful vocals at their best.

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Norah Jones' beautiful vocals always soothe me:

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Wonderful vocals on this Dolly Parton cover (as part of The Little Willies):

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I think "Eve of Destruction" benefits a lot from Barry McGuire's gruff, raspy delivery:

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"Destruuctiiiiiyauughn"

"My blood's so mad, feels like coagulatin'"
"Hate your next-door neighbor, but don't forget to say grace"

You are of course spot on. He digs into those words with real conviction and disgust. It’s a great performance.

This longing song has been done many times, but Moore just destroys it ...

Always absolutely loved the singers vocals on this song.

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^ She's got a great voice. I dig the accent, too ...

I think Martha Davis has one of the most outstanding singing voices...


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Shuh

Here's the very New Wavey "All Touch" by Rough Trade, whose lead singer was Carole Pope. I like the smoky acidity of her voice. Most Canucks will know this song.

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Shifting gears completely, Kate Bush's stunningly delicate vocals on "This Woman's Work":

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^ best vibrato in the biz. Always love her vocals.