20 Of The Best Frontmen In Rock History
At the heart of every legendary rock band lies a figure who embodies the essence of rock ’n’ roll itself: the frontman. They’re the ones who command the stage, electrify the crowd, and ultimately etch their names into the annals of music history. From Mick Jagger’s iconic strut to Freddie Mercury’s magnetic allure, these frontmen — and frontwomen — possess a rare blend of attitude and energy that captivates their audience. Let’s look at some of the very best.
1. Paul Stanley
Though Gene Simmons' fire-breathing “Demon” often stole the show, it was “Starchild” Paul Stanley who really spearheaded KISS through their prime years. With his wide-ranging vocals and ear for rhythm, Stanley was the relentless heartbeat of the high-octane glam group. But, beyond the stage, he’s much more than a legendary frontman.
Hailing from the bustling streets of New York, Stanley has also showcased his versatility through the years as a bestselling writer, an artist — with a whopping $15 million worth of sales to his name — an accomplished designer, and even a thriving restaurateur.
Designer of an imperfect logo
Stanley’s skills as a designer were put to good use when it came to making KISS what it is. He actually sketched out the band’s famous logo himself! “The KISS logo,” he told The Huffington Post in 2019, “as it appears today, I did with a Sharpie and a ruler.” The logo really caught on, of course, but, as Stanley admitted, it’s far from perfect.
“If you look at the two S’s, they’re not perfectly parallel because I did it by eye,” he said. “When we got our record deal, the art department asked if we wanted it to be redrafted to be perfect and I said, ‘It got us this far, let's leave well enough alone.’”
2. Axl Rose
Whether melodic in “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” or screaming like a banshee through “Welcome To The Jungle,” Axl Rose’s voice is undoubtedly one of music’s most recognizable. Paired with a trademark attitude, it’s not hard to see why the Guns N’ Roses frontman is considered rock royalty.
But Rose’s intense personality isn’t exactly an act he puts on when he’s on stage. He’s a genuinely controversial figure who has, at times, made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Never far from chaos
Renowned for showing up late, Rose’s performances with Guns N’ Roses often kicked off hours later than they should have — much to the annoyance of fans. When the band released their G N’ R Lies record, accusations of racism and homophobia circulated because of Rose’s lyrics in the song “One in a Million.” And during a gig in 1991 Rose incited a full-on riot in St. Louis that led to damages of $200,000 and a city-wide ban for the group.
Rose had jumped into the audience that night to snatch a video camera off a concertgoer. The devices were prohibited from the show, so Rose was clearly annoyed. But when he made it back on stage, he then started mouthing off about the venue’s security — and things got crazy from there. He really was never far from chaos at any given moment.