Top 10 Greatest Classic Broadway Singers
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Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 30
David
Sorry, but Mary Martin is the greatest performer Broadway has ever seen. As much as I adore Julie, Bernadette, Patti, Betty, and Carole, the greatest talent simply belonged to Mary Martin. The precision with which she could sing a difficult tune was astonishing. She could sing circles around Merman. She had a physical stage presence and ability to move more gracefully than everyone else on this list.
Carole Cook was by far the best vocalist in her heyday. Anyone who can do Candide has to have the voice of a great opera singer. She didnt have the acting and dancing skills of some of the others, though.
Id argue that Julie Andrews, while one of the greatest performers of all time, is more known for her films than for her Broadway work. She had the most beautiful voice, by far, in terms of tone, but she wasnt the best singer in the technical sense. Not that she was bad she was phenomenally talented but Mary Martin and Carole Cook were more technically precise as vocalists.
Patti and Bernadette are living legends who continue to amaze me. Betty Buckley as well, although her voice hasnt held up as well. Ive seen Bernadette several times over the years (Sunday in the Park, Into the Woods, Annie Get Your Gun) and I simply adore her. Sadly, I wouldnt count her as one of the best vocalists in Broadway history; shes a great singer, but her technique isnt the best.
As for the men, as much as I love Mandy, my top spot goes to John Raitt. I love listening to him. He could sing anything and make it his own.
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Sorry, but Mary Martin is the greatest performer Broadway has ever seen. As much as I adore Julie, Bernadette, Patti, Betty, and Carole, the greatest talent simply belonged to Mary Martin. The precision with which she could sing a difficult tune was astonishing. She could sing circles around Merman. She had a physical stage presence and ability to move more gracefully than everyone else on this list.
Carole Cook was by far the best vocalist in her heyday. Anyone who can do Candide has to have the voice of a great opera singer. She didnt have the acting and dancing skills of some of the others, though.
Id argue that Julie Andrews, while one of the greatest performers of all time, is more known for her films than for her Broadway work. She had the most beautiful voice, by far, in terms of tone, but she wasnt the best singer in the technical sense. Not that she was bad she was phenomenally talented but Mary Martin and Carole Cook were more technically precise as vocalists.
Patti and Bernadette are living legends who continue to amaze me. Betty Buckley as well, although her voice hasnt held up as well. Ive seen Bernadette several times over the years (Sunday in the Park, Into the Woods, Annie Get Your Gun) and I simply adore her. Sadly, I wouldnt count her as one of the best vocalists in Broadway history; shes a great singer, but her technique isnt the best.
As for the men, as much as I love Mandy, my top spot goes to John Raitt. I love listening to him. He could sing anything and make it his own.
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Greg
I am somewhat surprised that you leave out the most successful Broadway star of all time - the one who went on to a successful movie career as the no1 female box office draw in the early 70s, a director, a producer, a song writer, a political activist, a philanthropist and above all a multi- award winning artist, a Tony, a Grammy, an Oscar and an Emmy all part of her collection of talent achievements spanning 60 years in the business - Barbra Streisand. All 10 of those have never achieved the greatness of that - and yes her origins are Broadway - I can get it for you wholesale and of course, Funny Girl - all of that should have propelled her to fill the no 1 position! .
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I am somewhat surprised that you leave out the most successful Broadway star of all time - the one who went on to a successful movie career as the no1 female box office draw in the early 70s, a director, a producer, a song writer, a political activist, a philanthropist and above all a multi- award winning artist, a Tony, a Grammy, an Oscar and an Emmy all part of her collection of talent achievements spanning 60 years in the business - Barbra Streisand. All 10 of those have never achieved the greatness of that - and yes her origins are Broadway - I can get it for you wholesale and of course, Funny Girl - all of that should have propelled her to fill the no 1 position! .
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Joseph
To highlight Ethel Merman and NOT include her surprise appearance in the 1980 comedy classic, Airplane! seems almost, well, wrong.
Ted Striker to Elaine: Lt Hurwitz. Severe shellshock. Thinks he's Ethel Merman. Ethel Merman (Lt Hurwitz) rising from a bed singing/belting You'll be swell, you'll be great/Gonna have the whole world on a plate/Startin' here, startin' now (at this point, medics come over and grab him and pull him back to the bed and inject him with a sedative) Honey, everything's coming up roses (with the last words fading out as the sedative starts working. The scene cuts back to Ted and Elaine with Ted stating, War is hell.
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To highlight Ethel Merman and NOT include her surprise appearance in the 1980 comedy classic, Airplane! seems almost, well, wrong.
Ted Striker to Elaine: Lt Hurwitz. Severe shellshock. Thinks he's Ethel Merman. Ethel Merman (Lt Hurwitz) rising from a bed singing/belting You'll be swell, you'll be great/Gonna have the whole world on a plate/Startin' here, startin' now (at this point, medics come over and grab him and pull him back to the bed and inject him with a sedative) Honey, everything's coming up roses (with the last words fading out as the sedative starts working. The scene cuts back to Ted and Elaine with Ted stating, War is hell.
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Brian
A suggestion for MOJO, when you decide to pick a topic, find SOMEONE, who actually knows the subject matter well before you post crap. You are picking people who's careers barely qualify in the timeframe because their first role just slides in, and ignoring people who's entire careers qualify. You HAVE to have Mary Martin, Alfred Drake, and Gertrude Lawerence. You cannot subjugate Channing to an also ran without being laughed at. But you do not NEED to have Panakin, or Patty Lapone who's first effort just barely meets the definition.
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A suggestion for MOJO, when you decide to pick a topic, find SOMEONE, who actually knows the subject matter well before you post crap. You are picking people who's careers barely qualify in the timeframe because their first role just slides in, and ignoring people who's entire careers qualify. You HAVE to have Mary Martin, Alfred Drake, and Gertrude Lawerence. You cannot subjugate Channing to an also ran without being laughed at. But you do not NEED to have Panakin, or Patty Lapone who's first effort just barely meets the definition.
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Sicilia928
I will soon be 71, so all of these names are familiar. And I loved Pearl Bailey when she would appear on The Ed Sullivan Show and others. I also understand the desire to include a person of color on this list and I have no problem with it being Pearl. Unfortunately, in those days roles for people of color were rare. But to do so and thereby IGNORE, let me repeat that - IGNORE Mary Martin, and to push Carol Channing on to the Honorable Mention list - I don't think so!
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I will soon be 71, so all of these names are familiar. And I loved Pearl Bailey when she would appear on The Ed Sullivan Show and others. I also understand the desire to include a person of color on this list and I have no problem with it being Pearl. Unfortunately, in those days roles for people of color were rare. But to do so and thereby IGNORE, let me repeat that - IGNORE Mary Martin, and to push Carol Channing on to the Honorable Mention list - I don't think so!
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Nancy
When I was very young and heard Merman for the first time, I couldn't understand why she was so revered. She had plenty of belt and range, but I found the sound of her voice itself to be unpleasant. When I asked my parents about it, my dad explained that it was her voice's distinctive New York brashness that appealed to Broadway audiences. Made sense then and 60 years later it still does.
PS - does anyone else remember Bernadette Peters' bra commercial from the 60's?
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When I was very young and heard Merman for the first time, I couldn't understand why she was so revered. She had plenty of belt and range, but I found the sound of her voice itself to be unpleasant. When I asked my parents about it, my dad explained that it was her voice's distinctive New York brashness that appealed to Broadway audiences. Made sense then and 60 years later it still does.
PS - does anyone else remember Bernadette Peters' bra commercial from the 60's?
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Wilson
I heard almost all of these singers either in the shows you indicate [e. g, Pearl Bailey as Dolly etc. ]. It is a shame you left our Mary Martin [saw her in The Sound of Music]. One of my most memorable theater experiences has been that I heard Merman in Gypsy [I was 12] and Peters in a Gypsy revival and Tyne Daly in a Gypsy revival. You might have mentioned Tammy Grimes in your honorable mentions [The Unsinkable Molly Brown and High Spirits].
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I heard almost all of these singers either in the shows you indicate [e. g, Pearl Bailey as Dolly etc. ]. It is a shame you left our Mary Martin [saw her in The Sound of Music]. One of my most memorable theater experiences has been that I heard Merman in Gypsy [I was 12] and Peters in a Gypsy revival and Tyne Daly in a Gypsy revival. You might have mentioned Tammy Grimes in your honorable mentions [The Unsinkable Molly Brown and High Spirits].
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Jeanne
All great- though Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone I would not have included on the list because theyre right on the borderline between classical and modern Broadway.
Im, sadly, not familiar with Barbara Cook.
And what about Richard Harris, Theodore Bikel, Mary Martin and Elaine Stritch? They should all have been mentioned here!
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All great- though Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone I would not have included on the list because theyre right on the borderline between classical and modern Broadway.
Im, sadly, not familiar with Barbara Cook.
And what about Richard Harris, Theodore Bikel, Mary Martin and Elaine Stritch? They should all have been mentioned here!
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J.
What? Where is Alfred Drake, who with his legit voice originated the roles of Curly in Oklahoma, Mr. Graham/Petrucchio in Kiss Me Kate (a Shakespearean musical, no less, and Hajj in Kismet? Where is Mary Martin, better known as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Peter Pan, and who shared a 2-woman show with Ethel Merman?
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What? Where is Alfred Drake, who with his legit voice originated the roles of Curly in Oklahoma, Mr. Graham/Petrucchio in Kiss Me Kate (a Shakespearean musical, no less, and Hajj in Kismet? Where is Mary Martin, better known as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Peter Pan, and who shared a 2-woman show with Ethel Merman?
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fuzzylon
Wow! Thanks for putting this video together!
I'd forgotten how much I love musical theater and thank you for introducing me to some of these wonderful voices I'd never heard before.
However, I think I might have put Julie Andrews at No. 2.
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Wow! Thanks for putting this video together!
I'd forgotten how much I love musical theater and thank you for introducing me to some of these wonderful voices I'd never heard before.
However, I think I might have put Julie Andrews at No. 2.
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Marcus
This is one of those lists that should have been longer. Wheres Melba Moore? Stephanie Mills? Mary Martin? Chita Rivera? Alfred Drake? Gwen Verdon? Ann Reinking? Jerry Orbach? Nell Carter? Betty Hutton? Zero Mostel? Chaim Topol? Barbra Streisand!
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This is one of those lists that should have been longer. Wheres Melba Moore? Stephanie Mills? Mary Martin? Chita Rivera? Alfred Drake? Gwen Verdon? Ann Reinking? Jerry Orbach? Nell Carter? Betty Hutton? Zero Mostel? Chaim Topol? Barbra Streisand!
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morelandance
Mary Martin, Mary Martin, Mary Martin! Honestly, how could you leave her off the list? But apart from that sinful ommision, the post is a pleasure to watch. Such voices - and diction. No microphone to mumble into in those days.
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Mary Martin, Mary Martin, Mary Martin! Honestly, how could you leave her off the list? But apart from that sinful ommision, the post is a pleasure to watch. Such voices - and diction. No microphone to mumble into in those days.
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GoddessNeith
Merman did not need or want microphones, if you couldn't hear her clearly in the last row of the upper balcony, she wasn't doing her job. try telling that to the new crop, they have NO idea of how to PROJECT their voices.
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Merman did not need or want microphones, if you couldn't hear her clearly in the last row of the upper balcony, she wasn't doing her job. try telling that to the new crop, they have NO idea of how to PROJECT their voices.
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Stephen
Yes No Mary Martin! Gertrude Lawrence; Jan Clayton: Joan Roberts; Alfred Drake; John; John Battles; Roberta Jonay; Ezio Pinza, Yul Brynner; Isabel Bigley; Bill Hayes; Judy Tyler; Bill Johnson; Julie Andrews Pat Suzuki.
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Yes No Mary Martin! Gertrude Lawrence; Jan Clayton: Joan Roberts; Alfred Drake; John; John Battles; Roberta Jonay; Ezio Pinza, Yul Brynner; Isabel Bigley; Bill Hayes; Judy Tyler; Bill Johnson; Julie Andrews Pat Suzuki.
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DavidAsset78
Most y our choices I'd agree with, but Ethel Merman's voice and acting were both atrocious. I would actually rate her as singularly devoid of talent. She would never be able to get away with this today.
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Most y our choices I'd agree with, but Ethel Merman's voice and acting were both atrocious. I would actually rate her as singularly devoid of talent. She would never be able to get away with this today.
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Andrew
Jerry Orbach should have made this list. The v Fantastics, 42nd Street, Promises Promises, and Chicago are what made a name for him. Yes, he was great in TV and film, but the stage is where he got his start.
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Jerry Orbach should have made this list. The v Fantastics, 42nd Street, Promises Promises, and Chicago are what made a name for him. Yes, he was great in TV and film, but the stage is where he got his start.
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postscript67
The Winter Garden is a Broadway theatre, and from 1911 to the 1920s Al Jolson starred in a series of musicals there which were sensationally popular, so I think he should be included in your list.
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The Winter Garden is a Broadway theatre, and from 1911 to the 1920s Al Jolson starred in a series of musicals there which were sensationally popular, so I think he should be included in your list.
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Nunofurdambiznez
I agree with all of them, with ONE exception. NOT Patti Cornpone! all she does is SCREECH! Don't care if she's a Julliard graduate. she must have slept with her professors to get her degree!
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I agree with all of them, with ONE exception. NOT Patti Cornpone! all she does is SCREECH! Don't care if she's a Julliard graduate. she must have slept with her professors to get her degree!
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Sean
Im sorry, but how does BARBARA STREISAND not even get an honorable mention, let alone be put on the list. I was totally prepared for her to be number one. But she didnt even get listed! Im shocked!
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Im sorry, but how does BARBARA STREISAND not even get an honorable mention, let alone be put on the list. I was totally prepared for her to be number one. But she didnt even get listed! Im shocked!
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Frederick
As usual, I agree with your number one pick. But again, some of your honorable mentions shouldn't be there. They should be mentioned most of them should be mentioned, not honorable mention.
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As usual, I agree with your number one pick. But again, some of your honorable mentions shouldn't be there. They should be mentioned most of them should be mentioned, not honorable mention.
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Stephen
Making lists like this is inherently flawed. The western concept of rating art is, IMO, anti-art. Really, honorable mention for Lansbury? There are so many others not even acknowledged.
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Making lists like this is inherently flawed. The western concept of rating art is, IMO, anti-art. Really, honorable mention for Lansbury? There are so many others not even acknowledged.
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Jay
The singers I would add appeared after Broadway's golden age, but still great voices, nonetheless: Rebecca Luker, Brent Barrett, David Carroll, Judy Kaye, and Jason Graae, among others.
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The singers I would add appeared after Broadway's golden age, but still great voices, nonetheless: Rebecca Luker, Brent Barrett, David Carroll, Judy Kaye, and Jason Graae, among others.
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Louis
All 10 are/were superb performers, but my favorite is Barbara Cook. At least an Honorable Mention should have recognized Gwen Verdon, and Alfred Drake should be in the top ten.
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All 10 are/were superb performers, but my favorite is Barbara Cook. At least an Honorable Mention should have recognized Gwen Verdon, and Alfred Drake should be in the top ten.
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Sotzume
Sorry but Pearl Bailey was always annoying. and more a TV star. she had a great success in Dolly but there were many other black performers who could have excelled in it.
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Sorry but Pearl Bailey was always annoying. and more a TV star. she had a great success in Dolly but there were many other black performers who could have excelled in it.
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Mikki
Not even mentioning Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, the greatest triple-threats in Broadway history is criminal! Someone already took notice of leaving out Alfred Drake.
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Not even mentioning Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, the greatest triple-threats in Broadway history is criminal! Someone already took notice of leaving out Alfred Drake.
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Michael
Msmojo once again shows her complete uneducated knowledge of Musicals. No Mary Martin, but Carol Channing who cant sing and Mindy Potstinking. No Alfred Drake?
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Msmojo once again shows her complete uneducated knowledge of Musicals. No Mary Martin, but Carol Channing who cant sing and Mindy Potstinking. No Alfred Drake?
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Rick
Julie Andrews - whie great - is NOT better known for Broadway which was the criteria stated at the beginning. She is much better known for her film work.
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Julie Andrews - whie great - is NOT better known for Broadway which was the criteria stated at the beginning. She is much better known for her film work.
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Emily
Julie Andrews and Bernadette Peters had a beautiful voice and Bernadette Peters met Chuck Wagner and they did Into the woods together in 1987 and 1991
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Julie Andrews and Bernadette Peters had a beautiful voice and Bernadette Peters met Chuck Wagner and they did Into the woods together in 1987 and 1991
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daniel
MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN
That wasn't just an oversight. That was an idiocy.
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MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN MARY MARTIN
That wasn't just an oversight. That was an idiocy.
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Jacqueline
Whos Patti Lapone? Must be very very recent. They should have spent more time on people like Carol Channing and those of the 60s in my opinion.
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Whos Patti Lapone? Must be very very recent. They should have spent more time on people like Carol Channing and those of the 60s in my opinion.
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