The Musicheads ask you to define a good band leader

In no order:

Lura, from Cape Verde. She's beautiful and graceful and talented. She leads her band--all men--with a feminine touch that compells respect.

With finese as mentioned above, Rokia Traoré, from Mali, now migrated to France, extols such grace and beauty, all the while leading a male band. What makes both these women unusual is that they are leading out of a patriarchal society. Particularly in Mali, male domination runs strong.

A with their latest grammy that only confirms what us Cajun-lovers already know, Michael Doucet leads his band to success and has done so for over 33 years.

I want to point out specifically the qualities that exemplify a good band leader:

success, no bones about it. A good bandleader must be musicially successful, not in a monetary way, although that's part of it, but in chosing substantial music for the band to perform.

respect from bandmates goes a long way in my eyes. I can hardly say enough about how important it is for a leader to command respect in those whom are being lead.

respect for the music is imperative. Along with this, respect for their instruments and voices.

My nominee for best band leader and qualities is: Jenny Lewis of Rilo Kiley.
-Interacts with audience
-Takes the music seriously
-Interacts well with the band
-Original style and personality
Jenny Lewis' music stands out from anyone else's. She is pure talent and doesn't seek the spotlight. She makes music because she loves to do it. And ...she is just amazing.

Thanks for sharing, gave you a 10.

How can we talk about frontmen/women without mentioning Iggy Pop? It's amazing how far he and the Stooges got without really being a technically great band. I've alway wondered if Iggy wore a shirt to his own wedding?!

adding to Susan's list of qualities of a good band leader, I'd saying being a good listener, both to music and to what people say; discopline, and being able to keep your eye on the main purpose while being flexible on how you get there are all necessary. there are many different styles of leadership, of course, but that's what a band leader is -- a leader.

What about the argument that started about the suggestion that Jagger 'invented' the role of band leader??!!? I agree. Chuck Berry doesn't count as he had to play his guitar too. I always admire those singers who can keep visually entertaining even when not singing! Not many of those around anymore are there?

Iggy-- roflmao! I think Dave Grohl is a good leader and frontman. There is no question who's band it is (foo fighters) and that seems to work for their particular dynamic. He writes their stuff, fronts, has personality +, and they've enjoyed about 10 good years of success. Not bad for a post Nirvana career.

I agree with all of the above..from history..Miles Davis, Buddy Holly, Elvis, then Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, John Lennon, Mick Jagger, The 70's were filled with great front men..David Bowie, Bryan Ferry, David Lee Roth...yep..its about performance, and musicianship, and interaction with the audience..Kiss, Gene Simmons..Robert Smith, Johnny Rotten, Sid Vicious..And Energy..maybe looks, and abs..the ladies like the Abs, and the ladies are the reason guys go to see bands..Prince did ok too, even if he was a freak.

If you say Dave Grohl, you have to mention Kurt Cobain, Jimi hendrix, and Jim Morrison, and Chan Poling.

Chrissie Hynde, Alice Cooper, and Ike Turner

My lab mates and I talked this over at lunch yesterday and came up with a list that looks a lot like Frick's.

We would add: Davy Jones and David St. Hubbins ;)

On this morning's commute, Debbie Harry came to mind while listening to Blondie on the iPod.

I'm with you Craig....David St. Hubbins is the consumate frontman. Spinal Tap would have been as big as the Stones if not for their drummer issues!

Frick, I agree with you regarding Mr. Urata. He is a fab frontman. Very charismatic & soulful!

Kathy P, It's good you mentioned Freddie Mercury. He seemed to reinvent the possibilities of being a frontman!

It's funny that nobody has mentioned this fellow they call "the boss"...He sure knocked 'em dead at the biggest show on earth, the Super Bowl!

A great front man, is flamboyant, wild and charismatic ,a great showman with a huge ego. Iggy is one of the best. David Lee Roth also. And my all time favorite, David Johanson. In the 80's before his Buster Poindexter phase. I saw the David Johansen Group many times in Boston. He kept the audience spellbound, He was worshiped , and brought down the house every show.

Right on Mark...except for Diamond Dave I agree with you.

I've seen David Jo several times myself. He is a very dynamic front-dude with the Dolls, solo, as Buster Poindexter, & his underappreciated blues act!

Wonder if David will ever bring back Buster Poindexter from the moth balls?

Bill I was going to say Iggy and his Children... Stiv Bators and Lux Interior (a moment for the fallen) who took his energy and diverted it for their own...

Your comments about Mick J, I have always thought that Eric Burdon was the model for what Mick became. Just to give some props I have to throw out:
Robin Zander - Cheap Trick
now some love for the women
Ellie Vee from the Charms, when I saw them at the first ave, I couldn't take my eyes off of her, and it was the energy she as giving off.

The front man that has stayed in my brain for year was a guy named Spike who fronted a group called Mind Over 4, the music wasn't anything special, but he had these eyes that no one could look away from.

I was watching Tv..and Motown had lots of great Front Men: Mavin Gaye, and James Brown, and Aretha Franklin for instance. George Clinton almost invented Rap, and Funk. lots of energy, and audience interaction. Strong Magnetic personality. If popularity is a criterion, then Syd Barrett, Madonna, and Michael Jackson. All of them are 50 Million sellers or something. Duke Ellington was a front man in the 30's and 40's, and a Band leader. Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby were very popular in the 40's and 50's. Jello Biafra(Dead Kennedys),Bono(U2),Jon Bon Jovi, David Byrne, Belinda Carlisle, Billy Corgan, Chris Cornell, Ian Curtis, Roger Daltrey, Steven Tyler, Zack de la Rocha, Brian Setzer, John Fogerty, Michael Hutchence, Liam Gallagher, Bob Geldof, Lowell George, Billy Gibbons, David Gilmour, Rob Halford, James Hetfield, Chrissie Hynde, Billy Idol, Joan Jett, Mick Jones, Janis Joplin, Al Jourgenson, Anthony Kiedis, Chad Kroeger, Simon LeBon, Amy Lee, Geddy Lee, Lemmy(Motor Head), Shane McGowan(Pogues), Marilyn Manson, Shirley Manson, Bob Marley, Chris Martin(Cold Play), Dave Mathews, Ian McCulloch(Echo and the Bunnymen), Klause Meine(Scorpions), Steve Miller, Morrissey, Bob Mould, Peter Murphy(Bauhaus), Vince Neil (Motley Crue), Bradley Nowell(Sublime), Ric Ocasek, (the Cars), Ozzy Osbourne, Tom Petty, Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin), Joey, Dee Dee, and CJ Ramone, Lou Reed(Velvet Underground), Trent Reznor(NIN) , Henry Rollins(Black Flag), Axl Rose, (GnR), Bon Scott(AC/DC), Peter Shelly(Buzzcocks), Siouxse Sioux, Gwen Stefani, Sting, Michael Stipe(REM), Sly Stone, Joe Strummer(Clash), Bernard Sumner(New Order), Midge Ure(Ultravox), Tom Waits, Scott Weiland, Paul Weller(Jam, Style Council), Thom Yorke, Neil Young, Rob Zombie, Ian Astbury(The Cult), Billie Joe Armstrong(Green Day). Some of my favorites from over the years..there is a certain quality of personality, energy, and creativeness..It seems like back in the good old days there were more true Rock Stars..I like a lot of the new music too..I just cant think of that many really really powerful magnetic Rock stars from this decade.

Peter Gabriel and Freddie Mercury I consider the greatest frontmen in the history of Rock music. Robert Plant a close 3rd.

I'll add:

Midnight Oil's Peter Garrett.

Hank III

And a local salute:

Run Westy Run's frontman (Name? Help. Anyone? I want to say Kurt Johnson?? Is that right?)

C. Y., You are correct. "Kirk" Johnson is a great frontman. Peter Garrett is definately the greatest frontman over 7 foot tall!

I say Johnny Rotten. When asked about the Sex Pistols infamous tour of the south, he said this: "Better to go where your not wanted, there's more to achieve."

A great front man is one who wants to start a new religion.