In rock and roll, having a powerful voice isn’t always a prerequisite for being a great frontman. While singers like Freddie Mercury set the gold standard for vocal ability, sometimes pure charisma is enough to captivate a crowd. David Lee Roth, the ever-animated leader of Van Halen, was never the most technical singer, but he had the kind of stage presence that made him unforgettable. Still, even with all his showmanship, there was one singer he believed stood above everyone else.
Roth was integral to Van Halen’s success. His ability to command an audience was as crucial as Eddie Van Halen’s legendary guitar work. Yet, when it came to his personal taste, Roth’s influences were more diverse than just the hard rock titans of the day. While his bandmates leaned into heavy rock acts like Black Sabbath, Roth had an ear for all kinds of music, from blues to pop. And when it came to vocalists, one name stood out: Rod Stewart.
“Rod Stewart, probably one of the best vocalists in the history of any genre, all together,” Roth once said. “His songs, you can have other people sing them, but it becomes something other.”
While many associate Stewart with his pop and disco-leaning hits of the 1980s, his early career as a blues-rock singer featured some of the most raw and soulful vocal performances of the era. Before Robert Plant emerged as the voice of Led Zeppelin, Stewart was already making waves with his gritty, expressive delivery. His work with The Faces, especially tracks like Stay With Me, showcased his ability to belt out rock anthems, while songs like Maggie May proved he could bring nuance and storytelling into his performances.
Roth, despite his flamboyant stage antics, always valued the emotional connection a singer could bring to a song. He admired how Stewart’s voice carried both power and vulnerability, a combination that made him one of rock’s most compelling vocalists. Roth himself thrived on energy and attitude, but he recognized that Stewart had something even more vital: authenticity.
Though Roth experimented with various styles throughout his career, he understood the importance of evolving as an artist—something Stewart mastered. Stewart’s ability to adapt and redefine his sound over the decades was a testament to his talent, and Roth knew that kind of longevity required more than just a strong voice.
For all of Roth’s bravado, he never hesitated to give credit where it was due. In Rod Stewart, he saw not just a singer, but a performer who could make any song his own. And in Roth’s eyes, that made him the best of the best.
