Top 10 Greatest Classic Broadway Singers
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- čas přidán 3. 08. 2023
- We can't sing these classic Broadway stars higher praise. For this list, we’ll be looking at the best musical theater voices of the classic era. Our countdown includes John Raitt, Richard Kiley, Julie Andrews, and more! Who’s YOUR favorite performer from the Golden Age of Broadway? Sing their praises in the comments!
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Who’s YOUR favorite performer from the Golden Age of Broadway? Sing their praises in the comments below, and check out our video of the Top 10 Hardest Classic Broadway Songs to Sing - czcams.com/video/om6W2uhrMLc/video.html
You should probably learn when the Golden Age was because it most certainly does not extend until 1980.
Everyone agrees that it's the 1940s and '50s with some saying it ended in 1965, but no one claims it went longer than that.
. STREISAND?????????????
@@voozoo1606 She only ever did two Broadway musicals, and abandoned the theatre completely. I'd say she doesn't qualify as a result.
Classically trained Julie Andrews ofcourse.
Julie Andrews, Debra Bader
I would have considered Mary Martin somewhere on this list even an honorable mention
She was a friend and rival of Ethel's!
Jerry Orbach should have made this list. The v Fantastics, 42nd Street, Promises Promises, and Chicago are what made a name for him. Yes, he was great in TV and film, but the stage is where he got his start.
i saw him in 42nd street. he was amazing.
Excuse me but how on earth could you leave out Mary Martin? Not even an honorable mention?
Listen, they don't even know that the golden age ended before 1965. Four of the people on this list are undeniably contemporary performers, not classic/ golden age. They were off by 15-20 years, depending on which definition of the golden age you use.
Hey, you gotta admire their commitment to acting like they know what they're talking about!😂 I mean, a list of the "greatest singers of Broadway's golden age" that doesn't include Barbra Streisand??
@@smichelle65 Barbra Streisand was only in two Broadway shows and then left the theater completely, so I believe that disqualifies her from being on this list, given that they said it's for people who spent the majority of their career in the theatre.
@@carr0760 If we're going by that criteria, then Barbra's two shows places her at one fewer than Julie Andrews (if only counting the shows released during the "golden era"). And still, like Streisand, Julie has had a much bigger career onscreen than on the stage. I would still put Andrews and Streisand on the list for creating some of the most iconic roles of the era (and I would place Carol Channing on the list over Mandy Patinkin -- he's too modern); in Barbra's case, so iconic that it took nearly 50 years to mount a revival.
How dare you leave out Mary Martin s great actress
Alfred Drake - an inexcusable omission. Probably the finest male singer in Broadway history!
Preach it brutha! No one is anywhere clsoe to his stage presence.
The Original Curly in Oklahoma, Fred in Kiss Me Kate, and Hajj in Kismet.....he actually went on for Yul Brynner as the King a few times.
@@maestroclassico5801 IIRC, Drake was R&H's first choice to play the King. Drake and Mary Martin are certainly egregious omissions. What about Ezio Pinza -- international opera star who starred in SOUTH PACIFIC and FANNY?
@@maestroclassico5801: Alfred Drake didn’t go on “a few times” but replaced Brynner when he was on backfire six weeks in the summer of 1953. When Brynner came back, he was joined with Patricia Morrison until the show closed and then they started the National Tour.
Absolutely!
Bernadett Peters is by far one of the greatest legendary performers. Shes in her 70's and still sounds and looks fabulous. Peters is defiantly one of my inspirations, i am a performer myself. I have that old fashioned Hollywood star vibe, just like peters.
NO ALFRED DRAKE???!!!!! Kismet, Oklahoma, Kean, Kiss Me Kate and so many, many more. I was so fortunate to see him (twice) in a revival of Kismet. That voice could do anything.
Amen to that! I saw him in Gig as a teenager.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate how many of these performers were/are able to put it across without amplification - which in my opinion is the curse of today’s Broadway, making most voices sound tinny and pushy.
I'll never forget Ethyl Merman in "Airplane" coming up and singing Everything's Coming Up Roses like she was the patient
"What's his problem?"
"It's Lieutenant Hurwitz. Severe shell shock. Thinks he's Ethel Merman."
Exactly! Mary Martin played many roles first including South Pacific and the sound of music
John Cullum. The man's voice in his heyday was magnificent.
His "On a Clear Day" always moves me to tears.
@@smichelle65 I fell in love with his voice when NY television used to show commercials for "Shenandoah". I was around 11 years old then. The note he holds at the end of "Meditation" gives me chills.
I had the privilege of meeting him when he was touring a number of years ago.
@@kathleencummings8081 I've met him a number of times at various stage doors in NY. He's always gracious -- even posed for photos with my sister & I. He seems to be as nice as he is talented.
Ethel Merman's voice was absolutely incredible. She was an icon behind some of Broadway's greatest hits, and pretty much set the standard for other performers.
Once again, thank you for your generosity :)
OK...everyone praises Merman for her voice. I never saw her on Broadway, but I did see her in concert...and her "Everything's Coming up Roses" was one of the greatest ACTING I have ever seen. She may have been just "phoning it in" on Broadway, but the depth of her performance with a symphony orchestra was other-worldly.
ABSOLUTELY NOT!, THAT SEA HAG SCREAMED AND ALL SHE COULD SING WAS NO BUSINESS LIKE SHOW BUSINESS!,
Always loved Robert Goulet. His voice and talent coupled with his good looks were a heckuva combination!
Not even mentioning Chita Rivera and Gwen Verdon, the greatest "triple-threats" in Broadway history is criminal! Someone already took notice of leaving out Alfred Drake.
They were both GREAT dancers, but they were not great singers.
In the 70's, I was fortunate enough to attend a Bernadette Peter's performance and was blown away by this beautiful lady's voice!
Julie Andrews is an international treasure. She's simply impossibly not to like!
She’s everything
I agree that both Julie Andrews and Barbara Cook should have been before Pat Lupone and Bernadette Peters but they prefer the belters before the sopranos.
Where are Alfred Drake and Mary Martin?
Barbra Streisand is also everything. In fact far more than Julie Andrews, who got a mention along with Liza Minnelli. Who compiles these so called Mojo whatever’s, when one of Broadways biggest stars, went further in the field of entertainment as an actor, singer, director, producer, songwriter, author, philanthropist, Tony, Grammy, Oscar, Emmy award winner to mention but a few of her accolades, than all those 12 put together, and yet doesn’t even get a mention!
@rcmkps4528 sorry what is this about ?- it isn’t about the golden age, as Bernadette Peters and Patti LuPone weren’t neither - this is about the top 13 Broadway stars and has absolutely no reference to the Golden age whatsoever - where did you find that reference may I ask ? Or maybe it is simply your understanding of it?
Wanna bet?
I have loved Barbara Cook since THE MUSIC MAN. But Dame Julie Andrews is still my favorite.
Dame,Julie and Barbara are my two favourite Broadway sopranos.I cant choose one of them
What a delightful composite! I have been fortunate enough to hear several of these artists in person: Pearl Baily, Richard Kiley, Betty Buckley, Julie Andrews, Bernadette Peters, Ethel Merman, Carol Channing, and Joel Grey. I'd vote, but they're all equally wonderful.
Thank you for including the phenomenal Barbara Cook. She tends to be overlooked because so many view her as just a cabaret singer, but having originated roles in quite a few Broadway musicals and every one impeccably, whether the shows were great or horrible.
My sister was a Broadway nerd as a teen in the 1970's. She had the recording of "Candide" and we heard Barbara Cook every day. What a voice!!!
Cabaret Singer yet could basically do operetta in CANDIDE....
I wish she had landed the role of Marian in the film version of The Music Man.
@@jaygatz4335 Her voice is every bit as powerful as Shirley Jones but ah...Shirley had the Hollywood "look" ......
@@maestroclassico5801 So true. Hollywood was often too timid to take a chance.
I have watched Bernadette Peters “Annie, get your gun” on Broadway in 1998. I still clearly remember that I fell in love with her charming voice in a moment.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ethel merman, in of all places, blairsden California. She was and remains number one with me! The year was 1979
Betty Buckley just killed it as Griselda in Cats,just thinking about it makes me tear up!💘💘💘
Grizabella
Griselda!?! Lmfao 😂😂😂
I know patti lupine is great, but in my book Betty Buckley outshines her
This is one of those lists that should have been longer. Where’s Melba Moore? Stephanie Mills? Mary Martin? Chita Rivera? Alfred Drake? Gwen Verdon? Ann Reinking? Jerry Orbach? Nell Carter? Betty Hutton? Zero Mostel? Chaim Topol? Barbra Streisand?!
I agree, Mary Martin should be on the top 10.
How could you not have ALFRED DRAKE (Broadway's "Oklahoma!", "Kiss Me, Kate") on this list?
@BroadwayGuy: The a**hole who put the list together also omitted MARY MARTIN but included Pearl Bailey? Julie Andrews sang in a minor show (THE BOY FRIEND), a classic mega hit (MY FAIR LADY) and a moderate one (CAMELOT). Mary Martin had ONE TOUCH OF VENUS, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN national touring, SOUTH PACIFIC, PETER PAN, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, I DO I DO, HELLO, DOLLY! London company and National TOUR.
To include Bernadette Peters, Betty Buckley and Mandy Patinkin and omit Alfred Drake, ROBERT PRESTON and give honorable mention to Angels Lansbury only means Miss Mojo don’t know anything about the business called show. She is one stupid b**ch. Sorry, but she is!!
Robert Preston who performed the only true "The Music Man".
Mary Martin
I'm shocked no mention of Chita Rivera.
And Gwen Verdon.
@@soooff1331I'd say their strengths were dancing rather than singing.
She was more of a dancer than a singer
Liza Minnelli has won 4 Tony Awards. HOW can she only get honorable mention?
What about Mary Martin? PeterPan, The Sound of Music, South Pacific.
Jerry Orbach. I saw him in 42nd Street when I was in high school and he was amazing.
Of course Ethel Merman is #1. No one else comes close!!
Liza Minnelli.
Angela Lansbury
What, no Mary Martin?
Patti Lapone is and will always be a Legend.
No Mary Martin? No Chita Rivera? Not even as honorable mentions?!
I would have put Angela Landsberry in the top 10 over Barbara Cook. Barbara was good but, in the end, theater goers would not know her. Angela set the standard for several musical ladies and is legendary.
There was plenty of room for both of them because Patinkin, Peters, Lupone, and Buckley are contemporary performers, not Golden Age/classic. The Golden Age was over by 1965 at the absolute latest. Debatably 1960, but most certainly not 1980.
No-one was better than Barbara Cook. No-one. And to have seen her live was an extraordinary experience. Many years ago I told her that she was the best in the world at what she did and I haven't had reason to change that opinion.
Can't agree. Much as I love Angela (even once shook her hand backstage at Sweeney), Cook's voice is/was unmatched.
The designation is best SINGERS. Landsberry was a fabulous actress and performer, but her voice cannot be compared to the power, tone and facility of Cook's.
@@marbouleAnd don't forget her vocal beauty. I don't think there's been a singer since Cook with that glowing bell-like tone.
Fun fact - Betty Buckley played the villain in Carrie (Margaret White) but she actually played the gym teacher in the 1976 movie...
All of f these people have such beautiful voices.
Mary Martin, Mary Martin, Mary Martin!!! Honestly, how could you leave her off the list? But apart from that sinful ommision, the post is a pleasure to watch. Such voices - and diction. No microphone to mumble into in those days.
What about Mary Martin
Totally agree.. Not even an honorable mention
I love when you do these lists, thank you Ms Mojo 🎉😊
And why no Mary Martin???
Where is Mary Martin?
Exactly! The Original Queen of Musical Broadway!
Ethel Merman is the only one I know who is both on-key and off-key at the same time when she sings.
Her voice is ghastly. People who love her have no holes in their ears.
She had a great ear. She was never off key.
What no Alfred Drake?
Richard Kiley in "Man of La Mancha."
Wow!! Thanks for putting this video together !
I'd forgotten how much I love musical theater and thank you for introducing me to some of these wonderful voices I'd never heard before.
However, I think I might have put Julie Andrews at No. 2.
I am somewhat surprised that you leave out the most successful Broadway star of all time - the one who went on to a successful movie career as the no1 female box office draw in the early 70s,, a director, a producer, a song writer, a political activist, a philanthropist and above all a multi- award winning artist, a Tony, a Grammy, an Oscar and an Emmy all part of her collection of talent achievements spanning 60 years in the business - Barbra Streisand. All 10 of those have never achieved the greatness of that - and yes her origins are Broadway - I can get it for you wholesale and of course, Funny Girl - all of that should have propelled her to fill the no 1 position! .
Agreed. There certainly was no other Broadway star who ascended to her level of superstardom.
@@marcevan1141 and she doesn’t even get a mention - I fail to see the purpose of these so called mojo top whatever when an artist in her calibre and prominence is completely overlooked - I wonder who compiles these so called mojo top whatever’s ?
Great list. Thanks.
#5 “The Voice of Broadway” Outstanding! Thank you Betty Buckley!
♥️Xxxooo
Mary Martin? Alfred Drake? Cyril Ritchard?
I am so happy that Patti is on this list
I love Mandy Patinkin!
I always say that, if I had Bernadette Peters' singing voice and hair, I would be a lucky girl.
And it is amazing to think that Betty Buckley was in both the movie version of "Carrie" AND the Broadway musical.
And her figure!
My favorite musical is "Kismet" and it fills my heart whenever it's mentioned! "Kismet" is bonkers and the music is perfection!
Ms. Bailey's voice was so incredible, I always looked forward to her being on Merv Griffin or Mike Douglas.
I truly didn't expect to love this list so much. I mean, for me these choices are perfect... I even love the clips that they chose. Kkkkkkkkk
I love that clip of Patti on Ladies who lunch.
Thank you so much!!
The Winter Garden is a Broadway theatre, and from 1911 to the 1920s Al Jolson starred in a series of musicals there which were sensationally popular, so I think he should be included in your list.
Nell Carter, Ann Reinking, Barbara Streisand & Betty Hutton
The biggest problem with this list is that you don't actually know what the golden age of Broadway is or what is defined as a classic Broadway performer. You have completely different generations of performers on the same list.
There is a debate on the exact end of the Golden Age, but it is universally considered not to be any later than 1965. Most consider it to be only the 40s and 50s.
Mandy Patinkin, Bernadette Peters, Patti Lupone, and Betty Buckley are unquestionably contemporary performers.
I noticed that immediately.
I agree, 100%.
Everyone is star 🌟 awesome
Love this. But perhaps we need to split it up. Leading ladies and leading men !! ❤️❤️❤️
I was concerned that your list was going to miss Ethel Merman. I shouldn’t have been worried. Such a magnificent voice. Whenever I think of Broadway singers I always think of Merman belting out the standards
I want to see Queen Latifah in the Pearl Bailey story. That woman had a fascinating life!
A top 10 is really not the way to go with this list. The greatest are more than 10. In this video you missed Mary Martin, Alfred Drake, Chita Rivera, John Cullum, Jerry Orbach, and Gwen Verdon. Ethel Merman is certainly #1.
Shirley Jones
I like Shirley a lot. I also like Sandy Duncan.
Ms Babra Streisand no equal
Great picks! Ethel was the greatest. Mary Martin deserved a mention, however. But I loved the video!
Seriously….no mention AT ALL of Mary Martin? That’s simply ridiculous!
Also…..please, PLEASE will Americans learn that you don’t appear ON the West End. You appear ON Broadway because it is a street, but you appear IN the West End because it is an area of town. Thanks!
You do know that not all Broadway theatres are on Broadway, yes?
Oh, for heaven’s sake @carr0760!
My point is that if, for instance, I were to say that Josh Groban was appearing IN Broadway, Americans would roll their eyes because the English person would be using a phrase which doesn’t make sense; the same is true in reverse if an American says Kelli O’Hara is appearing ON the West End - but hey, if you Americans want to continue saying it wrong, knock yourselves out!
@@jonathanhaye2953 I'm not even American so you're condescension is completely unnecessary.
You made a mistake. Just admit it.
@@carr0760 Oh, this is getting to be such fun!
Please do explain exactly what mistake it is that I made? Thinking that you were an American, when in fact you're not? That would certainly be my incorrect assumption, but I'm fascinated to know what difference that makes to ANYTHING I said above about using the phrases "ON Broadway", but "IN the West End".
Was it that I made the mistake of thinking that all NY theaters are on the thoroughfare known as "Broadway"? Absolutely not, as I've lived in Manhattan for over 24 years, so I'm perfectly aware of that.
However, before you leap to the conclusion that I therefore must be an American - I am not. I am a Brit who has been working ON Broadway for much of that time, and who was working IN the West End for much of the 15 years before that, so I do actually have some experience of BOTH places. I therefore also find it hugely amusing that you accuse ME of being condescending, when your original comment was to ask - condescendingly - if I realised that 'not all Broadway theaters are on Broadway'.
Having said that, I WOULD like to suggest that the word you were looking for in your reply above was probably "your", rather than "you're"? You're welcome!
Now that WAS condescension.
@@jonathanhaye2953 "you appear ON Broadway because it is a street."
Not all Broadway theatres are on Broadway Street. Those theatres are, in fact, in an entire area of Manhattan, just like the West End. Your comment quite clearly implied that you don't know that and think that every single theatre is on the same street.
I corrected you and instead of just admitting your mistake, you decided to turn into a giant asshole. I hope you have exactly the kind of day you deserve.
Richard Kiley is my choice as the Greatest Male singer on Broadway
My goodness, I didn’t realize there were so few great women singers in the 30s 40s and 50s
I knew that Mandy Patinkin played the piano, but I didn't know that he could sing.
WHAT?
🤯😱
Nor did I. What a beautiful voice.
Pearle Bailey was amazing! Didn't know she did Hello, Dolly too.
Where's Barbra?!
I love Julie Andrews and Bernadette Peters (she plays the evil step mother in Rodger's and Hammerstein's Cinderella with Brandy)
Barbara Cook is here: the Best!
@@michellelekas211 was talking about Streisand lolol
@@kimsteinruck5613 Oh. She was not really a Broadway regular
Jennifer Holiday
Amazing video! Julie Andrews and Patti LuPone 💞
My two favourite musical actresses, too😍!!!
Only #9 for Patinkin??? I went to see Evita knowing nothing about him and his singing entrance as Che blew me out of my seat like no-one had ever done before or since.
The problem is that he shouldn't be on this list at all because he's a contemporary performer. His career is nowhere close to the Golden Age/classic Broadway. Perhaps he would be higher where he belongs if he was actually in a list with the right generation of performers.
What? Where is Alfred Drake, who with his legit voice originated the roles of Curly in Oklahoma, Mr. Graham/Petrucchio in Kiss Me Kate (a Shakespearean musical, no less), and Hajj in Kismet??? Where is Mary Martin, better known as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific and Peter Pan, and who shared a 2-woman show with Ethel Merman???
No Mary Martin?! No Alfred Drake?! No Gertrude Lawrence?! Also, several of these belong after the classic age ended around 1965-ish.
Belters have an edge, and all the best singers can belt out a tune with the best of them!
John Raitt is a graduate of the University of Redlands where I went. I got to meet him
I would have put Julie Andrews on top, then let Bernadette Peters and Patti Lupone claw it out for second.
Peters and Lupone shouldn't even be on the list because this is supposed to be Golden Age/classic Broadway and neither one of them actually had careers then.
Mojo's definition is wrong by 15 to 20 years.
Did you forget Jerry Orbach?
How could you possibly not include Mary Martin????
Wasnt that great a singer
Julie Andrews and Bernadette Peters had a beautiful voice and Bernadette Peters met Chuck Wagner and they did Into the woods together in 1987 and 1991
Some of these are not Golden Age - -and where was Alfred Drake?
Jennifer Holliday!! Enough said
The singers I would add appeared after Broadway's golden age, but still great voices, nonetheless: Rebecca Luker, Brent Barrett, David Carroll, Judy Kaye, and Jason Graae, among others.
I heard almost all of these singers either in the shows you indicate [e.g., Pearl Bailey as Dolly etc.]. It is a shame you left our Mary Martin [saw her in The Sound of Music]. One of my most memorable theater experiences has been that I heard Merman in Gypsy [I was 12] and Peters in a Gypsy revival and Tyne Daly in a Gypsy revival. You might have mentioned Tammy Grimes in your honorable mentions [The Unsinkable Molly Brown and High Spirits].
Mary Martin?
All 10 are/were superb performers, but my favorite is Barbara Cook. At least an Honorable Mention should have recognized Gwen Verdon, and Alfred Drake should be in the top ten.
Love Pearl Bailey.
Julie Andrews! Ethel Merman! 💗💗💗💗💗💗💗
So few men's voices on this list and so far down? Not sure about that. Mandy and John are two of my absolute favorites. Also, love me some Bernadette and Julie.
And no Alfred Drake!
I think they should have done an all-women list.
Well formulated list.
Julie Andrews!
I never knew as a kid that Abby from "Eight Is Enough" (Betty Buckley) could belt songs...
Mary Martin?? South Pacific and the Sound of Music and Peter Pan and I Do I Do. Come on........................
All great- though Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone I would not have included on the list because they’re right on the borderline between classical and modern Broadway.
I’m, sadly, not familiar with Barbara Cook.
And what about Richard Harris, Theodore Bikel, Mary Martin and Elaine Stritch? They should all have been mentioned here!