Axl Rose voted greatest lead singer of all time

GUNS N’ ROSES star Axl Rose, who kept the world waiting 15 years for his comeback album, has been declared the greatest lead singer of all time.

He beat showmen such as the late Freddie Mercury and Robert Plant in a poll conducted by musicians’ website Musicradar.com.

Axl was a huge star in the late ’80s but — apart from occasional live shows — faded from view for many years until 2008, when Guns N’ Roses released the long-awaited but poorly received Chinese Democracy album.

The hard rocker is known for his shrieking performances on tracks such as Sweet Child O’ Mine and Welcome To The Jungle.

Musicradar said: “We can’t think of a more contentious choice for the greatest lead singer of all time.

“Forget the moustachioed, cornrowed croaking caricature of recent years and think back to the late 1980s. Axl Rose: dangerous, lean, angry, confrontational, controversial.”

No female stars figured in the list until 24th place, which was taken by Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks.

Mercury, who died in 1991, was runner-up in the poll, with Led Zeppelin star Plant in third position.

Beatles stars John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney both figured in the top 10, in fifth and 10th places respectively.

Top 20 greatest singers

* 1. Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)

* 2. Freddie Mercury (Queen)

* 3. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)

* 4. Ronnie James Dio (Rainbow, Dio, Black Sabbath, Heaven & Hell)

* 5. John Lennon (The Beatles)

* 6. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)

* 7. Thom Yorke (Radiohead)

* 8. Kurt Cobain (Nirvana)

* 9. Matt Bellamy (Muse)

* 10. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)

* 11. Jim Morrison (The Doors)

* 12. James Hetfield (Metallica)

* 13. Maynard James Keenan (Tool)

* 14. Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones)

* 15. James LaBrie (Dream Theater)

* 16. Bon Scott (AC/DC)

* 17. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)

* 18. Roger Daltrey (The Who)

* 19. Geddy Lee (Rush)

* 20. Morrissey (The Smiths)