Wetton VS Lake - Favourite vocalist ?

[KELLY WELSH]

,John Wetton vocalist with King Crimson,U.K,Uriah Heep,Roxy Music etc,and Greg Lake,vocalist with King Crimson and ELP.Two prog rock giants,but who had/has the best vocal/voice?
Wetton's vocals particularly on the three Crimson studio albums were exceptional,amongst his best vocals were the songs Fallen Angel,Book of Saturday,Starless,and Exiles.
Lake was no less impressive,and his vocals with KC,including tracks like Epitaph,21ST Century Schizoid Man,Cat Food etc,and then with ELP,with songs including From the Beginning,C'est La Vie,and Pirates,made for great listening!
Outstanding vocalists,but whose the best?

[-=RTFR666=-]

I prefer Wetton's "ballsier" approach over Lake's "folkie-r" style. YMMV.

[ProgArtist]

Personally I'd go for Lake when he was at his best, such as on "Take a Pebble". Sometimes Wetton's wavering intonation and straining for notes bother me somewhat, such as on "Exiles".

[the ferret]

They're both wonderful singers. Haven't seen Greg Lake live for years. Saw Asia last year & J.W. was still in fine voice so given that,( & also that Asia are one of my favourite bands), I'll give him the edge.

Tough call though.

[Polska]

I always thought they were both pretty close sounding vocally and I like both of their voices, but I give the nod to Wetton due to Crim and UK. As a tie breaker, I have to go with the music I enjoy more.

[Leibowitz]

They both have great voices, but Lake by far, IMO.

[Progbear]

Don’t dislike either of them (with Crimso, anyway), but I think I prefer Wetton’s more in-your-face vocalizing. Incidentally, he harmonized wonderfully with Roger Chapman on the Family albums on which he played (check out “My Friend the Sun”).

[SteveSly]

Tough one. I like them both, but would probably go with Lake in his prime. Wetton’s voice has held up better over the years though. Have seen him with both Asia and UK in the past few years and he still sounded very good.

[Leibowitz]

Wetton's voice def held up much better. All around, he remained sharper.

[Scott Bails]

Love 'em both. Lake was always the better balladeer, and really excelled at the more mellow songs, while Wetton I always thought had more power.

Wetton definitely sounds better now, or, rather, more recently. I saw him on Asia's last tour with Steve Howe and was blown away at how good Wetton still sounds.

[moecurlythanu]

Neither are close to my favorite. Like 'em both, like Wetton better.

[trurl]

Wetton, easily.

[2steves]

They both have their moments---sing in similar ranges----but like Wetton more.

[Mister Triscuits]

I like the sound of Lake's voice better, but I like what Wetton did with his better.

[PixelDelirium]

Wetton!

[arabicadabra]

Wetton

[Mstove]

Wetton, easily.

This. It isn't even close, IMO.

[PROGMONSTER]

Wetton has a crap voice imo except for the slow songs. Lake was pretty good in the very early 70s

[Rufus]

They both have great voices, but Lake by far, IMO.

Lake. It's not even debateable!

[Kcrimso]

Lake was superior in his prime but today Wetton is much stronger.

[hFx]

Lake was superior in his prime but today Wetton is much stronger.

^^^This

[flowerking]

I like the sound of Lake's voice better, but I like what Wetton did with his better.

Yeah, thats a good way to put it. Wetton has the more expressive singing style and ultimately, I think that wins out for me because neither had a really great singing voice to begin with, say when compared to Gabriel or Anderson. And Wetton's voice has definitely outlasted Lake's. When I saw UK at the last Nearfest, his voice was amazingly powerful. Can't say the same about Lake these days.

[Rufus]

Yeah, thats a good way to put it. Wetton has the more expressive singing style and ultimately, I think that wins out for me because neither had a really great singing voice to begin with, say when compared to Gabriel or Anderson. And Wetton's voice has definitely outlasted Lake's. When I saw UK at the last Nearfest, his voice was amazingly powerful. Can't say the same about Lake these days.

^^^Wow, as much as I am a fan of Gabriel I don't think anyone would say he was a great singer. Didn't he even take lessons after he left Genesis? I would agree he has a unique voice that makes him appealing but a great singer....na!!!

[Rufus]

Lake was superior in his prime but today Wetton is much stronger.

Can't disagree with this!

[BigSixFan]

Lake was superior in his prime but today Wetton is much stronger.

This. Lake could sing ballsy one song, gentle balladeer on the next, and a choir boy on the third. Wetton's voice is more raw to my ears.

But the cigs really seemed to tear up Greg's voice. Wonder how that happens to some and doesn't happen to the like of Sinatra, Martin, etc...

It's all personal preference. How does one measure "better?"

Bob