Gary's Voice vs. Sammy's Voice

**FatStrat85** · 03.26.07, 12:40 PM

Who has the better voice? I know this is pretty subjective, but we can use criteria such as range and intonation. They both have reputations as being great vocalists with good ranges, but I'm not sure who is typically regarded as being stonger around here or in general.

My vote goes to Sammy. His voice has really grown on me over the years. His screams at the end of Feelin' give me chills. I just listened to Gary singing Dreams off the Cincinnati '98 boot and compared it to Sammy's version on the '04 tour. Although the '98 performance was better overall, the vocals sounded a bit stronger in '04 and also gave me the impression that Sammy might have the higher upper range.

I also just like the timbre of Sammy's voice. He's got that bluesy powerhouse thing going on. Gary to me sounds like he's always straining and comes off almost fake sounding, like he's imitating a real singer. This might also be partly because of the mediocre song/melody-writing on III and that I'm used to hearing him cover VH songs by other vocalists. It'd be useful to hear Sammy do a few Gary songs.

While we're at it, how do Sammy and Gary compare to other great rock vocalists like David Coverdale, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, Chris Cornell, Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury, Ronnie James Dio, Sebastian Bach, etc...?

**fullbug5150** · 03.26.07, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by FatStrat85

Who has the better voice? I know this is pretty subjective, but we can use criteria such as range and intonation. They both have reputations as being great vocalists with good ranges, but I'm not sure who is typically regarded as being stonger around here or in general.

My vote goes to Sammy. His voice has really grown on me over the years. His screams at the end of Feelin' give me chills. I just listened to Gary singing Dreams off the Cincinnati '98 boot and compared it to Sammy's version on the '04 tour. Although the '98 performance was better overall, the vocals sounded a bit stronger in '04 and also gave me the impression that Sammy might have the higher upper range.

I also just like the timbre of Sammy's voice. He's got that bluesy powerhouse thing going on. Gary to me sounds like he's always straining and comes off almost fake sounding, like he's imitating a real singer. This might also be partly because of the mediocre song/melody-writing on III and that I'm used to hearing him cover VH songs by other vocalists. It'd be useful to hear Sammy do a few Gary songs.

While we're at it, how do Sammy and Gary compare to other great rock vocalists like David Coverdale, Steven Tyler, Robert Plant, Chris Cornell, Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury, Ronnie James Dio, Sebastian Bach, etc...?

wow, which is better being stabbed or shot?

**bsbll4** · 03.26.07, 01:02 PM

It's a tough comparison, because if Gary had written better songs (or Ed written better songs for him), it would be easier to compare. Unfortunately, since Gary was left to sing Sam and Dave's hits, you always thought the original was better. Sam seems to have a better rock and roll voice. Gary can sing (more than words), but as far as the styling goes, it's gotta go to Sam.

The REAL question is, who is the better singer, Sam or Dave? This issue never gets mentioned around here......

**darthadv** · 03.26.07, 01:11 PM

obviously, the best singer in vh is mike...

**scs5150** · 03.26.07, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by darthadv

obviously, the best singer in vh is mike...

Used to be Mike

**YankeeRose** · 03.26.07, 01:59 PM

Sammy is the best singer to me. I didn't like how Gary covered any Sammy era song live. His voice didn't suit them at all. Gary sang Roth era songs much better than Sammy era imo.

**charlesresta** · 03.26.07, 02:27 PM

Sammy...give a listen to SAMMY's LIVE WABOS CD when GARY and SAM trade off verses on WHEN ITS LOVE, or hear GARY sing DREAMS or RIGHT NOW...OUCH!! Although I do like how Gary sings the ROTH ERA songs.
As far as vocalists..I like both SAM and GARY better than Sebastard Bach.

**lil'devil** · 03.26.07, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by fullbug5150

wow, which is better being stabbed or shot?

hahahaha!

wow, great line.

i hate the fuckers too. gary is a lounge singer, he does that EXTREMELY well (no pun intended) and sammys shitty singing simply has no personality or dynamics.

some people like their singing, but goddamn they sound awfull to me.

now dave could never sing except on a few boots and the studio albums but you don't listen to dave for singing you listen to dave for the attitude.

**Little Dreamer** · 03.26.07, 07:35 PM

lil'devil, so you basically dislike any singing ever sung on any VH records?

You must be a pretty good singer yourself to be so picky.

**FORD** · 03.26.07, 07:42 PM

Any post that puts Covercheeseball and Sebastian Bitch in the same category with Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant, let alone pretends to ignore the true vocalist of Van HALEN, isn't even worth the response I just gave it.

**LLFHS** · 03.26.07, 08:39 PM

Sam......hands down. Gary had no place in the band. He was great with Extreme. He fit them. Hell, he'd fit Queen better than Paul Rodgers.

**ZachenFoot** · 03.27.07, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by LowLifeFlatHeadScum

Sam......hands down. Gary had no place in the band. He was great with Extreme. He fit them. Hell, he'd fit Queen better than Paul Rodgers.

Phew, now I can say that without fearing the threat of being thrown to the dogs

AT · 03.27.07, 12:43 AM

There was all the talk when word got out that Gary was the new singer about how his range was "right in between Sam and Dave." I barely knew Extreme out side of their hits, so III was mostly my main introduction to Gary. I liked the guy's positive attitude towards all things VH, and the band sounded incredible on the tour show of the III tour that I saw, but Gary's heavy scream and two modes of dynamics (scream and falsetto) didn't do it for me. One way or the other I was ecstatic to hear "Mean Street" and "Romeo Delight" live (and unlike Dave, Gary remembered AND sang all the words), but his goofy stage dancing thing made me look away.

When Sammy is coached right ("Dreams," "Best Of Both Worlds," "Mine All Mine," "Right Now," "Seventh Seal," etc.) he sounds amazing. I've always liked the sound of his voice as a gritty, blues, and raw tone.

**marcin** · 03.27.07, 07:43 AM

Of course GARY is better, but I can add that Sammy shouldn't be worry, because he is better than Dave who CAN'T SING outside the studio, which means he can't at all.
In studio even Milli Vanilli can sing good.

**lil'devil** · 03.27.07, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Little Dreamer

lil'devil, so you basically dislike any singing ever sung on any VH records?

You must be a pretty good singer yourself to be so picky.

well you know, you don't haveto be a world class chef to appreciate good food.

the same goes for music.

i will agree that there is a certain amount of relativism involved, if one grows up on rap i can totally see how nuances of hard rock singers would simply escape that person.