Vocalists whose voices have changed & become unregognizable

[TruthTown]

Ijahman. An artist I love so much...What a great voice he had...At some points, his voice is a total disaster here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BCOYCBNBlVY

What a pity!

[Well Charge]

I'm a fan of Johnny Clarke's voice. I think he is one of the examples where the voice has even gained in richness as he got older. Nowadays he has much more of a Lou Rawls vibe to his voice.

[sicarius23]

My dad is a singer (now retired). He refers to the effect's of age on the vocal chords as "losing your chops".

It is a natural process , and very few singers remain untouched by the toll of years! Some times it adds character to a voice,sometimes not.
Im a singer too and also expect to 'lose my chops" eventually!

Some of the artist's mentioned may have (ahem) further degraded the quality of their instruments with recreational pursuits.....

[ephteeay]

I find it crazy how some singers have managed to keep their voice.. especially Earl 16.. From what I've heard, it sounds almost identical to how it was in the 70s.. (I'd like to have heard Prince Far I 30 years later too)

[capullo]

yes ephteeay - same thing with horace andy!

[shadrach]

I find it crazy how some singers have managed to keep their voice.. especially Earl 16.. From what I've heard, it sounds almost identical to how it was in the 70s.. (I'd like to have heard Prince Far I 30 years later too)

I was about to post exactly the same comment, his voice is fully intact, amazing indeed!

[brennan]

Keith Poppin is one whose voice hasnt changed and has gotten even better!

[guillaumebougard]

guillaumebougard: I slightly disagree with you - the current condition of his voice is great:

2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4R5CB8fZ4A

1984: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fh97BUZDvDg

Here's a wicked tune by M.R. from 2005 - slightly different style I must say:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twEdQ-nEtQE

I was at that Garance concert and then the one he gave in Paris the next day or so, and believe me, his voice had nothing to do with 1981...

[sicarius23]

Agree about Earl 16!! Don't know how he does it.....
Cornell Campbell is another who sounds pretty much the same now as back in the day.

[edgar]

My dad is a singer (now retired). He refers to the effect's of age on the vocal chords as "losing your chops".

It is a natural process , and very few singers remain untouched by the toll of years! Some times it adds character to a voice,sometimes not.
Im a singer too and also expect to 'lose my chops" eventually!

Some of the artist's mentioned may have (ahem) further degraded the quality of their instruments with recreational pursuits.....

crack cocaine gives you a hoarse voice also.

[Don Cosmic]

My dad is a singer (now retired). He refers to the effect's of age on the vocal chords as "losing your chops".

It is a natural process , and very few singers remain untouched by the toll of years! Some times it adds character to a voice,sometimes not.
Im a singer too and also expect to 'lose my chops" eventually!

Some of the artist's mentioned may have (ahem) further degraded the quality of their instruments with recreational pursuits.....

crack cocaine gives you a hoarse voice also.

I heard the effects of crack cocaine when I saw Wayne Smith live last year unfortunately. Still a lively performance but a definite voice change or decrease in quality. I'm sure he is not messing with the stuff anymore but it's damage has been done.

I also agree with the poster who mentioned Sizzla.

[underated]

There are a lot of things that can degrade vocal chords.
Straining the voice through singing too loud , years of hearing musicians playing instruments too loud adds to this problem for singers.

The voice is a very sensitive thing, even climate changes, cold drinks & air conditioners can make for a hoarse voice on stage.
If someone does have a damaged voice, there are few workarounds that can help on the stage & in the studio.

Change key of song.
Let Backing Vocalists sing the high notes.
Simply turn the music down,
Stand far away from drums & brass.
Try using ear buds.

In the studio let the producer use vocal correction tools for slight corrections.
Some singers even sing in different genres in they can pull it off.

& yes the voice naturally changes through time.
It takes a new vocalist years to find their voice & as they mature & hopefully eventually grow old , it changes with them .

[beenie bongo]

Agree about Earl 16!! Don't know how he does it.....
Cornell Campbell is another who sounds pretty much the same now as back in the day.

Indeed. John Holt and Johnny Osbourne also spring to mind.

[Apostle]

Nobody mentioned the Twinkle Brothers! Norman Grant is not really the man with the huge tone range, but the quality of his voice certainly persisted.
Daweh Congo is another good example- very specific sound of voice and still sounds the same ( even though I haven't heard any recent output from him).

Maybe instead of looking back to the past, you could also ask the question who are the best and most original vocalists of today? I'm always impressed by Lorenzo and Joseph Lalibela and I love the sound of Bunnington Judah's voice, even though he's more of a lyricist than a singer.
Takana Zion also stands out to me.

[Roman]

and I love the sound of Bunnington Judah's voice, even though he's more of a lyricist than a singer.

I am currently working with Bunnington. Great lyrics and a very unique and distinctive style of singing.

No one sounds like Bunnington Judah! He's also a wicked drummer and percussionist and I am very happy to be working with him.

A mini showcase LP with 4 vox and 4 dubs mixed by Dougie Conscious (he plays some guitar 2) is soon to be released on Jah Zohar Records. Of course you'll hear Bunnington's percussion 2.

In fact, we're almost finished


Bunnington Judah + Iration Steppas + wicked TNT Roots dubplate:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ltn-LZFWzM