I so agree about the blend. Without one or the other, FM would not have been FM. Still, nothing that Nicks does as lead comes near, for me, McVie's performance  in, say, "Song Bird" or "Warm Ways." I guess it's McVie's blues background coming through that elevates these songs, in particular, above and beyond the more pop sound of Nicks. 

Agree that his (Valli's ) falsetto was better suited to his own songs and visia versa. .  Imagining Frankie and Brian singing falsetto on each other's songs gave me a smile!

I saw Stevie mentioned as a favourite singer in the thread of that title. In my experience, people tend to have strong opinions regarding whether she or band mate Christine "does it" for them. IMO, McVie has a gorgeous voice (seems trained?) and uses it it is such a laid-back sexy way that Nicks can't even compare. I know that Nicks has the looks, the presentation, the "stuff" that makes her attractive in a commercial way, but Christine...

Yes, a vibrato that never seems forced. It was unfortunate when the group used it less when Barry's falsetto came to the fore. IMO, it was good i n moderation,  but a bit overused. While I'm not really as familiar with Andy's voice (and so probably would not find it remarkable with another listen), I would suggest that Barry was also a really good singer, especially when in his comfortable baritone range. Maurice  was no slouch, either, but was usually relegated to harmonies (which, BB fans, we realize is of value). Give a listen here to a Mo lead: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghA-XQfOgts

My favorote live BG performance making the most of everyone's gifts follow. Note how Mo actually does the falsettos here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2SDf42guB4

Love Simon and Garfunkel! Never really enjoyed Simon on his own, though . Together? Magic. Transcendence  is such a way that I experience with the work of few other artists (say, the beach Boys)!

Yes, JK. And I looked at more recent videos, as well as older ones. A salient difference is that in the newer ones, he doesn't breathe as one would when singing. Example: "Call her ...rag Doll..." (expect to breathe as others sing refrain, then big breath and ...)"Such a pretty face..." The chest  barely moves; he simply breathes as one would during a close-range conversation. As an advanced age, I'm thinking that he should have to breathe even harder than in his youth.  Perhaps with Leonard Cohen-style of "singing"  this might be real, but...However, I'll defer to those who know more about these things. By the way, I give Frankie all due respect for his body of work. While not a fan per se, I could never do what he did! And  "Your Just Too Good to be True " is over-the-top-great, IMO.

Colin Blunstone of the Zombies - not too shabby for a guy who must be a bit older than the aforementioned.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nektg43Enw

Goodness, yes! Here's something recent...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAzvNBZtZZs

mea culpa - Leon Huff very much alive. Thinking of another local musical artist...

Another thread addresses singers who have lost their voices, but still soldier on. I thought it would be interesting to talk about those who actually still sing really well in their twilight years. I'll start with Cat Stevens. He was born in 1948, so is now about 70. I have heard on in various performances in recent years and am utterly amazed at his voice's tone and control - still a pleasure to listen to. Here is a concert from just a year ago. "Father and Son" shows most clearly that his lower baritone (father part) has become "smokier," while the higher register he reaches for the son part, is just a shade lower than it was, not as "tinny" as it used to be. It works, and makes his performance, IMO, as satisfying as ever. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvWGwl1aLN8

As of the end of last year, the music program was cut from the high school's offerings. Pretty shocking, given the fact that the founder of the organization is Kenny Gamble!

Here it is!

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=fendertones+with+beach+boys

For what it's worth, this thread brings back memories of one of the best concerts I've ever seen, at the Tower Theater outside of Philadelphia. It was in the mid 80s (or so) and featured members of the Byrds, the Band, and the Beach Boys. I clearly remember that it was shortly after Richard Manuel took his life, and included Rick Danko and Blondie Chaplin; no Robertson or McGuinn, of course, but some others. They did a mix of songs from all three bands are were just incredible. I missed Manuel, though, as he was, in my mind, the most beautiful singer.

Somewhere in the General Music section is a poster who saw them live and confirmed our suspicion, but I couldn't find it. couldn't find it. Trust me...

Yeah, from everything I've read, Garth was the fully-formed/trained musician/multi-instrumentalist in the band who is respected in the industry as such. His parents did not like him hanging with the others in the band, so the guys had to pay him for "lessons!" As far as issues between Robertson and the rest (mainly Helms), I guess we'll never know the whole story. But some who were close to the situation do indicate that Robbie, who was married with babies at the time of say, Big Pink, did not indulge in extreme substance abuse, as did Helms, Manuel, an Danko, until toward the end of the band and after (See info on Robertson and Scorcesse, who became big coke-heads). As such, it was he who did the consistent grunt work in terms of pushing through the songwriting/creative process and took credit. For example, when the guys were in Helm's hometown of Arkansas, Helms told Robertson about the experience of the poor White Southern man surrounding the Civil War and Reconstruction, and directed Robbie to the local library, where he took it from there. In Helm's mind, that was enough participation in "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" to warrant a co-writing credit. As someone who has had to work with people actively engaged in substance abuse, addicted or not, I understand how difficult it is to take control when no one else is able to participate in a meaningful way, back off when they decide to not be under the influence, then clean up the mess and continue on when they check out again. Yet in each case, they would certainly claim that they were part-and-parcel to the process.

There is one on YouTube with the Fendertones in the living room accompanied by some of Mike Love's Beach Boys, including Carter and Cowsill.

Mr. Huff died a few years ago, stabbed to death, I think. Kenny Gamble founded an organization focused on revitalizing neighborhoods from a holistic standpoint in Philly. (Universal Companies).  I taught last year in one of the charter schools they run.

And Vicki Peterson was in the Dwight Twilley band , back in the day, with her future husband's sister, Susan Cowsill.

I can't really come up with a short list of favorite singers, but I am surprised, after looking at those listed, that no one said Robin Gibb. His voice and his use of it was truly unique and unforgettable. RIP.

Lest we forget: Keith Moon was a rabid Beach Boys fan, hoping to run away to America to join them. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f29jcB1bZLI

'Night on Broadway" is a song that I always liked, but when I saw them perform it on the Midnight Special, I was simply blown away. It's on YouTube - I revisit it when I want to be mesmerized.

I don't like the sound of my singing voice, either, but people keep asking me to sing a their weddings! Guess we'll have to agree to disagree on that one...  I don't think that the Four Top's version of WAR  was an "epic fail," really; my only criticism is that the song seems so clearly an expression of a kid closer to puberty than manhood, and sounds more comfy sung by a younger guy with a sweeter tenor. Theirs, on the other hand,  had a very manly vibe.  Otherwise, it was an excellent cover that they truly made their own. 

You did not deserve to be ridiculed or ripped to shreds and whatever other indignity you suffered!  A quick perusal of performances in recent years on YouTube make your assertion blatantly obvious. And while I like a few of his songs and he is undeniably talented, he's not so special that I would  blindly fight for his honor.  

Hi! I'm Betsy, AKA on here as Buckethead. I've always loved the BBs growing up as part of my general Jersey Shore beach obsession.  In recent years, however, I've taken a deep dive into their work and  "love" has turned to "obsession" as I've matured and learned more about music in general and the back stories of the Boys in particular. Reading this board has been an enjoyable diversion from (hopefully short-lived) unemployment, so I though I'd just jump in and join the fun.

Your welcome! I have always loved the Cowsills, so was so excited when John joined the Boys.  He was in one of the episodes where Uncle Jesse had the Rippers over - you can really hear his vocal talent there, as well as on records and youtube performances over the years. I've been to two M & B shows, but was disappointed i n how little he was used beyond  thickening of the harmony. His vocal talents are wasted, IMO. especially since he shows no signs of aging in  that way!