Who else would you add to this list of singers with unusual singing voices?

Leonard Cohen Everybody Knows
And at the other end of the spectrum….
Joni Mitchell Big Yellow Taxi

Joan Armatrading
Tracy Chapman
Suzanne Vega

Completely forgot Joe Strummer

Minnie Riperton.

Bobcat Goldthwait.

Buffy St. Marie

Tiny Tim

Minnie Riperton @zenvelo mentioned her already (lalalalalah)
Brad Roberts (Crash Test Dummies)

Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals)
Jimmy Somerville (The Communards)
Sam Smith
Adele
Rod Stewart
Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
Lemmy (Motorhead)
Kate Bush

Peter Murphy
Geddy Lee
Maynard James Keenan
Robert Smith
Billy Corgan
Shirley Temple

Cher
Miley

^^I don’t think their voices are unusual at all. I might listen again though.

Ripperton was already mentioned so…maybe Waaktar of the 80’s group AHA?

Ivan Rebroff

Roy Orbison
Freddie Mercury

Richard Thompson

Pop music:
Bjork
Another vote for Roy Orbison

In jazz:
For using their voices as an instrument, Anita O’Day and Ella Fitzgerald are the standouts for musical sophistication. They sat with the brass and reed men as equals.

I always have been in awe of the bell-like voices of Ella Fitzgerald and Joe Williams. No rough edges, no fuzz, no rasp. Most people have overtones and undertones, but those two project the primary tone to the back of the room. In technical terms, they could almost sing a sine wave.

Not many remember her…what about…

Eva Cassidy

Don’t forget Carole King

Perry Ferrell

Rufus Wainwright
Emiliana Torrini

Billy Holliday
Louis Armstrong
Cass Elliot

Billy Eckstine, Sarah Vaughn should be added to @Call Me Jay ‘s superb list.

George Strait
Randy Travis
Dolly Parton
Loretta Lynn
Johnny Cash
Bonnie Raitt
Hank Williams Sr

Whoever sings on Canned Heat’s ‘Going Up the Country’, with that ridiculous Muppet voice.

How have none of us mentioned Neil Young? A truly distinct funky voice.

What about Joe Cocker???

^^ Good one.

I’m not sure if Van Morrison has an unusual voice or just sings in an unusual way when he’s drunk.

Frank Black, The Pixies
Thomas Yorke, Radiohead

Cat Stevens

Freddie Mercury

Bernadette Peters

I may take that back after listening to her sing. It’s her speaking voice that is more distinct. She has a lovely singing voice.

Colin Blunstone

Stevie Nicks