The lists keep on coming. Screeching yells are such a fundamental part of classic rock music. They’re what differentiate the wannabes from the true performers, the guys who bare their souls on stage and have lived their lyrics. Rock music is as honest an art form as can be expressed, which is one reason why I’ve been playing it non-stop for my kids since they were born. In Part One of this series I described a “rock scream” game I play to help introduce them to the greats of rock. Be sure to catch Part Two as well. Here are three more lead singers who can scream with the best of them.

Dave Grohl – Foo Fighters
Although considered a part of the newer generation as opposed to classic rock, Grohl got his start hitting the drums for Nirvana before writing and releasing the self titled debut album in 1995. The best thing you can say about Grohl’s frontman status is that he’s a throwback and knows how to wail with the best of them. Check out the end of “Breakout,” the second track off of 1999’s There Is Nothing Left To Lose.

Brian Johnson – AC/DC

Johnson has a voice that sounds like at any second he will rupture a vocal chord, which translates into a perfect rock and roll voice. The amazing thing about Johnson is that he was a replacement for Bon Scott, the original singer of AC/DC. Check out the end of “Thunderstruck” around 4:30 to hear what I’m talking about. No other lead singer in rock sounds like him, though many have tried.

David Lee Roth – Van Halen

The guys in Van Halen just looked the part of Rock and Roll even before they plugged in or Diamond Dave opened his mouth. Of course once they did start to play their music was rock in its purest form with Dave leading the charge. His voice always seemed to sound like he was laying it all out there on the line for the sake of the music. Check out their Kinks cover of “You Really Got Me” to see what I mean.

Let’s be honest, most of us will never play guitar like Jeff Beck, hit the drums like John Bonham, or craft a song like Bob Dylan. The one thing we are all capable of doing is attempting to sing along with our favorite songs. Can we hit the same notes as Mariah Carey? Probably not, but there are a few rockers out there who didn’t get the job based on hitting the high notes. Here are the top three singers whose voices are probably just as imperfect as yours. That way, you and your kids can sing along and sound just like the rock stars.

3) Bruce Springsteen

Even Springsteen has admitted that his first band wouldn’t let him sing. We don’t put on The Rising because of its vocal qualities, we put on Springsteen for his moving lyrics and passionate songs. Singing along with Bruce never makes you feel inadequate, it does however make you want to get in your car and drive somewhere.

2) Brian Johnson

When your first album with a new band is Back In Black, it’s hard to top it. Johnson stepped in to lead AC/DC after Bon Scott passed away and he brought with him a voice that sounds like he started singing after screaming his throat raw for the past four hours.

1) Joe Cocker

I don’t know what is up with Joe Cocker’s voice, but I do know it works. Usually Beatles’ covers don’t live up to their originals but Cocker’s version of “A Little Help From My Friends” is a whole new song with a gravelly voice that gives it a new kick.  Also check out “When The Night Comes,” you’ll be able to sing along and sound just like Joe himself.

It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock ‘n’ roll. Are these stories about AC/DC before they were rockstars TRUE or FALSE? Leave your answers in the comments!

1. Australia’s AC/DC was founded by two Scottish brothers, Angus and Malcolm Young.
2. There were nine siblings in the Young family.
3. Angus began learning the guitar at five years old, practicing on a banjo he’d re-strung like a guitar.
4. Angus’ sister Margaret suggested he wear a school boy uniform on stage, because he didn’t like school.
5. Before the uniform became his trademark, Angus performed dressed as Spider Man and in a gorilla costume.
6. Margaret also suggested the band’s name, which stands for Alternating Current/Direct Current, after she read it on their sister’s sewing machine.

Can’t get enough AC/DC? Check out Rockabye Baby! Lullaby Renditions of AC/DC.