Rock vocals were never about having the “perfect” voice. Some of the most iconic singers built their sound around huge high notes and powerful belts, while others became instantly recognizable through rasp, distortion, unusual phrasing, dark baritone tones, or simply knowing exactly how to make their voice fit the band.

In this video, we break down some of the most iconic rock vocalists ever, including Robert Plant, Freddie Mercury, Chris Cornell, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Axl Rose, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and Jim Morrison. We’ll look at the vocal techniques, registers, range, tone, distortion, vibrato, and stylistic choices behind each voice—and what made each singer impossible to mistake for anyone else.