The Top 10 Greatest Live Singing Performances of All Time
The MullerOver.com editorial team again decided to open ourselves to the ire of frustrated fans worldwide by publishing the Top 10 Greatest Live Singing Performances of All Time. Understanding that it’s very difficult for us to gather all the best performances, this list is currently unranked and only features nine performances, with your comments to finalize the list.
If you have a favorite not included, please take a moment to comment.
U2
Pride (In the Name of Love)
1984 Dortmond, Germany
The hauntingly powerful U2 tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This is early U2, before the rose colored glasses and fame started to change the group.
Black Eyed Peas
I’ve Got a Feeling
Sept. 8, 2009, Oprah Winfrey Show
Black Eyed Peas always steal the show, but in this case, the audience participation makes this performance awe inspiring.
Michael Jackson
Man in the Mirror
1998 Grammy Awards
We pored through dozens of Jackson performances, and this one from the Grammys in 1998 was considered quintessential Michael. .
Eminem and Elton John
Stan
2001 Grammy Awards
The song that has been called “a cultural milestone”, and paired perhaps the two most unlikely performers on one stage. This performance was met with protests, but was one of the most important in rap.
Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band
Born to Run
1984-1985 Born in the U.S.A. Tour
Watching this video makes us yell out, “Bruuuuuce!”. Consistently ranked as one of the greatest songs in history, Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band’s performance of Born to Run set the standard for rock performances. Although this is a compilation of several performances, we decided that it best shows the energy and consistency of a Springsteen show. YouTube blocked the embedding code for this video, so we switched to MyPlay.com
17 Jean Valjeans
Do You Hear the People Sing?
1995 Les Misérables – Finale “10th Anniversary Concert”
London’s Royal Albert Hall was the site for what our editors unanimously agree was the greatest gathering of international singing talent, perhaps ever. Fans of the Japanese TV Show Iron Chef might recognize the Chairman, Takeshi Kaga.
Elton John
Candle in the Wind – Goodbye England’s Rose
1997 Princess Diana’s Funeral, Westminster Abbey
After the death of the Princess, Sir Elton John rewrote the lyrics to his hit originally about Marilyn Monroe, Candle in the Wind. This version has only been performed once, and Elton John has said he’ll never perform it again unless requested by both Princes William and Harry.
The Beatles
I Want to Hold Your Hand
1964 Ed Sullivan Show
When you think of memorable performances, the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show surely come to mind. On February 9, 1964, the Beatles started what’s now known as the British Invasion. In their first performance on the show, they performed All My Loving, Till There Was You, She Loves You, and finally this performance.
Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti
Nessun Dorma
1994 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Seriously – people can sing like that? Even for those who aren’t exactly fans of opera as myself, a list of greatest performances would be replete without the Three Tenors. The Tenors brought opera to the masses, although opera purists derided this performance in a stadium as detracting from the “whole work” that Wagner envisioned. Domingo replied, “… I don’t want the purists to go to the Three Tenors.”
Whitney Houston
Star Spangled Banner
1991 Super Bowl
Few dispute that this is the best rendition of the American National Anthem of all time. This performance was released as a single and reached #20 on the Billboard Hot 100 – the world’s only national anthem to do that. Unfortunately, this performance was followed by the most heartbreaking game of all time (in the opinion of our editors).
Hi Chris,
Great list! I had not see the Michael Jackson performance before. Thanks for the link to ONE of the great performances.
The other is Marvin Gaye singing the Star Spangled Banner at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. Check it out.
Your friend,
Doug
Hi Doug – I hadn’t seen that Marvin Gaye performance before. That’s just plain cool. For others reading this list, check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A
Thank You for your great list of wonderful performances. They are all great.
I would like to add Anthony Callea and The Prayer to these top performances.
Thank You
Pat
Chris,
I was telling Robin about your website, so here we are visiting. We just checked out a couple of performances (she loves Bruce) but wow, we were just blown away by Whitney singing our national anthem. I still have chills. Robin said it was the best she’s ever heard. Keep up the great work here.
Dan
Super information,I have Digged this site to my list for future and will keep a eye on your other postings.
Gavin Rosdale performing “Glycerine” live in the rain at spring break 1996.
Great blog post.Really looking forward to read more.
Elton John is a very good musician and has been my idol ever since.`,.
Elton John is actually a living legend, what a great musical artist he is.::`
this list is a complete joke. no offense, but clearly the editors taste in music serious inhibited
No Hendrix at Monterey or Woodstock? No John Coltrane at The Village Vanguard or Live in Japan?
Fail.
The editor obvuisly doesnt know anythign about music, black eyed peas? really?! what a joke of an article
What a terrible list. Black eyed peas? This has to be a joke. Where is Jimi at Montery? Roger Waters and Van Morrison at The Wall? Come on
We completely understand that there are nearly an infinite number of inferior opinions on music. We appreciate you sharing yours.
Was there a better live performer than Jackie Wilson?
elton john is already a living legend with his great musics’,,
MAN YOU FORGOT SCORPIONS
you have to see mary j blige’s grammy awards 2007 performencing bewithout you/stay with that’s one of the graetest
elton john can be only be the best singer and composer that i know. i like the song Candle In The Wind ~,:
What about a torrential downpour in downtown Buffalo Independence Day 2004.Goo Goo Dolls played a free concert to over 150K+. Their performance of “Iris” was truly unforgettable.
Click to see the Goo Goo Dolls live in Buffalo 7/4/04 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOHsGobBGPg
My only complaint is that that Beatles performance is NOT sung live. You’ll notice that they have no microphones.
I like the list. Whitney Houston’s performance almost brings me to tears every time I watch it. Another good one that at least deserves a look is The Strokes live performance of “Take It Or Leave It” on Letterman back in 2001. They were just making it big, and they sounded amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csD4ZgMPgvg
all men except one? bias or gay?
Nice list. However, the Whitney Houston performance was not live but was lipsych to pre-recording.
KD Lang singing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah 2005 Juno Awards in Winnipeg.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE
How is Queen’s 1985 Live Aid performance not on this list?
no mariah carey? hmm
Wagner isn’t the composer of Turandot and Nessun Dorma neither. It’s a Puccini work
You should at least acknowledge that the Whitney Houston performance wasn’t performed live by the artist. She totally lip-synced that, making it unworthy of consideration, in my opinion, of a spot on your list. I agree with the other posters wondering where the Queen at Live Aid performance ranks on your list.
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WHITNEY HOUSTON ONE MOMENT IN TIME – THE GRAMMYS. HANDS DOWN.