Which famous people would do well on American Idol?

from JoeUser Forums

I write weekly articles discussing the American Idol TV series.  Yesterday when I was thinking about my weblog, I had a thought: Which already famous performers (present or past) would have made good Idol contestants?

Let me set out a few criteria:

  • The artist should be American (sorry Freddie Mercury, Celine Dion, Robert Plant, Seal, and Geddy Lee.)
  • The artist should have a melodic (or at least nice-sounding) voice with the ability to sing various genres of popular music.
  • Good looks, personality, and intangibles count for a lot.
  • Major, Major superstars need not be included. (No Madonna, Michael Jackson, or John Lennon -he'd be disqualified according to prior criteria as well. The likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, or Gwen Stefani would be acceptable.)

Here's who I think would do well.  Tell me whether you agree or disagree, and feel free to add your own.

Jon Bon Jovi- Has the looks, the singing voice, a little bit of range, and tons of intangibles.

Skid Row's Sebastian Bach- Awesome voice, lots of charisma, and can probably sing a wide variety of music. Does power ballads and hard rock very well.

Styx's Denis DeYoung- Good voice, plus able to sing a few different genres.  May suffer in the "likeability" area.

I can't think of any women off-hand.  I doubt that my favorite female performers (Liz Phair, P.J. Harvey, Suzanne Vega, or a few others like that) would do very well anyway.

 

 

 

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7,975 views 18 replies
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Leave out the superstars? No fair...lol (and how do you justify including Dennis Deyoung, or Jon Bon Jovi? They were both superstars in their day).

But seriously...Deborah Gibson....a very talented individual who did well on Broadway.

Mandy Patinkin (get the ORIGINAL Broadway cast soundtrack for Evita, and you'll see what I mean)

Those are my top choices. I may think of more later.

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Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
Bon Jovi: Probably. He does come across as very likeable. That would really make him competitive.

Sebastian Bach: Amazingly powerful voice (he has done some off-Broadway stuff as well), I can see him doing well.

I think my personal reservations about Denis DeYoung prevent me from backing that one up. Plus, I just never really cared for his voice. I much prefer the Styx songs in which Tommy Shaw did vox.

Geoff Tate: One of the most amazing voices ever (especially in the younger days). Haunting, powerful and clear. Plus the guy just oozes charisma.

Got nothing on the women though.
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
I just thought of a good female entrant: Olivia Newton John. Waitaminute!  She's not American!
Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Years ago while in treatment at phoenix house hart island {1968} I met a man named phil budda that could make a guitar dance and sing. tremendous talent, lost to herion. that would be my choice.
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Phil Collins, nope, not American.

Aretha Franklin - nope a superstar and would not be considered ideal in the looks department!

Anastacia - again, not American - or is she? I can't remember, but I love her voice!

Tina Turner, Heather Headley, CeCe Winans, Norah Jones, India Arie, Shania Twain.....come on now, there ARE women singers out there -and if she were alive - Karen Carpenter - that voice!
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
Shania Twain


mmmmmmmmmmmm shania twain.................
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Shania Twain -- isn't she Canadian?

Anastasia (Newkirk) was born in Chicago

I guess all you really have to do is look at who the Idol Winners have emmulated (although Robbie Williams isn't American and thats who most of the male idols round the world tried to be)

We also had Usher, ... can't think of any Americans
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Usher????

Lets add Beyonce why don't you???


Anyway, how about some rappers who try to sing?
Ja Rule
Snoop Dogg
Nate Dogg



Back to regular singers...
POD (the whole group)
Kelly Clarkson (ehey didn't she already win this?)
Jennifer Lopez
Janet jackson
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
Let see:

Whitney Houston
Reba
Karen Carpenter (my favorite)
Carly Simon (not that great of a looker, but one H. . . of a voice)
Linda Ronsadt
Debbie Harry (Blondie)
Nicki French - Sorry!, she is british
Bette Milder

Given some more time I probably come up with a few more

This is funnnnnnnnnnnn.

Pam
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

The best one that I have read so far is Karen Carpenter.

Mandy Patinkin (get the ORIGINAL Broadway cast soundtrack for Evita, and you'll see what I mean)

I always had the feeling that Mandy had a singing requirement in his "Chicago Hope" contract.  (I do an impression of Mandy singing "gay 90s" style.)

I much prefer the Styx songs in which Tommy Shaw did vox

Dev are you serious?  Do you fast-forward your Queen cassettes to hear the Roger Taylor songs too?

Janet jackson
  

Good one.

Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
Dev are you serious? Do you fast-forward your Queen cassettes to hear the Roger Taylor songs too?


Yeah, I am serious. I never really cared for Dennis DeYoung. Tommy Shaw was pretty much the reason I listened to Styx. Songs like Crystal Ball, Blue Color Man, Renegade were the ones I preferred. But then again, I have always been more of a rocker, so Dennis' overly melodramatic voice just didn't do much for me (though there are some Styx songs that are exceptions). I suppose I am just weird that way.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
Anyway, how about some rappers who try to sing?


Nelly!

Wouldn't Janet and Whitney not be qualified because they're considered superstars?

Alicia Keys - she's got voice!

Also Queen Latifa - she's pretty good I think, especially her Dana Owens CD!
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
Jon Bon Jovi and Sebastian Bach I can definately agree with, and Bach has done a couple of shows on Broadway as well as off--Jekyl and Hyde a couple of years ago, I believe.

I think vocally I really like Ann Wilson from Heart, but she probably wouldn't fit the image they're looking for. And Sarah Jessica Parker.........I saw her on Broadway several years ago and was surprised at how talented a singer she is.

Honestly, I wouldn't wish the judges on American Idol on anyone. I prefer Nashville Star, even though I'm not really a country fan. Of course, it helps that I knew one of this season's finalists in school.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top
Alicia Keys - she's got voice!


I second that...
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
What about Paula Abdul???? She is cute, sweet, has a decent voice, dances like nobody's business. Was she too much of a superstar in her day? Or, do judges not get to also compete? I'd probably vote for Janet Jackson over Paula Abdul, though.

I think Debbie Gibson's chances would be good. She was great as Debbie but I don't know about as Deborah, I haven't heard any Deborah songs.

Bon Jovi's chances are also good. I think he's too much of a superstar, though.
I like Whitney Houston's chances but she's definitely a super star.
I think Christina Aguilera could do well if she wore more clothing. I don't think the AI audience would appreciate her look.
And Beyonce is an excellent singer. I think someone earlier was trying to make fun of her. But, she's really talented and beautiful! She'd definitely be in the top 3.

For the "rocker" entry I'd go with Sheryl Crowe over PJ Harvey or Liz Phair. PJ and Liz's words are a little explicit for network TV.. Sheryl's not too hard rockin' but she isn't too poppy sounding. Plus, her image and lyrics would go over well (although she's a little old). She was also a kindergarten teacher and the AI audience loves teachers! Frankly, let's go with Joan Jett for the rocker entry! She is the BEST! Is she a superstar, though?

Shania Twain is definitely Canadian and therefore not allowed to compete.

Karen Carpenter would do well but someone would have to make Simon stop making comments about the girls' weight. She was sensitive to the media and I think Simon would make her feel bad.

Jamie, this is fun!
Nancy
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

Good comment Nancy, but I never nominated PJ Harvey or Liz Phair.  I said that my taste in music skews their way, but I'd doubt they'd make good idol contestants.

Sheryl Crowe is a good nominee!

Joan Jett?  I doubt that she's cute enough to gather much of a following.  (However I am always happy to crank up "Do you wanna touch me? (Yeah!)")

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Showing my age here;

Male
Jim Croce and David Lee Roth.

Female
Wynonna Judd ( after trimspa ).