#3: MARTHA REEVES (of Martha and the Vandellas); Listen to her lead on HEAT WAVE, greatest song of the legendary girl group era ! #2: LINDA RONSTADT (of the Stone Ponies). Listen to DIFFERENT DRUM, and then her operetta in PIRATES OF PENZANCE. Amazing vocal range ! #1: KAREN CARPENTER (of the Carpenters). Smoothest, silkiest vocals, EVER. "WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUN", played at more weddings than any other song !
While in music it's hard to say "best", my personal favorites are Van Morrison and Karen Carpenter. Also, early Rod Stewart, solo, The Faces, and Jeff Beck group is great.
I think Aretha Franklin would get the most votes if you put it to the US.
Michael Jackson should get some votes of course. Seeing him sing in the documentary about USA for Africa was amazing. Dude lived on a different level than the rest of us.
If we go with total package lead vocalist we are back to Brian Wilson, John lennon then everyone else.
Brian Wilson was a "lead vocalist" on in the sense that every Beach Boy or Beatle got a few turns at it. He wasn't even close to great at it.
All any of you know about is pop music, which is a dumping ground for mediocre singers. Morton Hack wows you with a sustained high E. Hard rock and metal screamers by going above that the easy way. Opera stars with their wind and bluster and o solo mio emoting.
Ann Wilson is the only one mentioned who really was good. But the best are people you've never heard of