Best Male Singers of the 20th Century


There is an interesting current discussion about the best female vocalists on CD. I have my own ideas about the best male singers (any category) of the 20th Century, but would like to hear other opinions.
sdcampbell
Kenny Rankin is exceptional.
Many great singers have been mentioned, but Kenny Rankin is one of the most talented and innovative. He truly uses his voice as an instrument as any great jazz player would.
Just looked up Kenny Rankin in the All Music Guide to Jazz. Thanks, I had never heard of him. A short quote from that book: "Kenny Rankin sings like Chet Baker would have if Baker had a voice." So I killed two birds with one stone: (1) found out the existence of Rankin ("Professional Dreamer" on Private Music as five diamonds, could be one man's opinion, but now I have two favourable ones , so I'll probably buy the album and check him out myself), and (2) somebody else agrees with me that Baker had no voice. Rather strange since someone up there in the thread chose him as the "Best". Conclusion, degustibus non disputandem and you can be the best singer and yet have no singing voice.
Its difficult to go against frank Sinatra for diction and use of a lyric but the orchestrations often beat the life out him, another good shot is Vic Damone who Sinatra always rated highly.
~~~~The late great Mr. Belchen A. Hicupburper was one of my favorite mail singers! He sang while he delivered letters in my old neighborhood.