Live4MusiC

One of rock and roll’s smartest scribes once wrote, "It’s the singer not the song that makes the music move along." How true.

The frontman or frontwoman is the figurehead for the band, connecting the noise on stage with the crowds below.

Whether it’s the result of vocal greatness, a cool look, insane dancing ability or just out-and-out charisma, the best frontmen enhance the music with their performances (while sometimes turning their bandmates into the "out of focus guys," to quote Almost Famous). When you watch a great frontman, you simply can’t turn away.

In tribute to these legendary performers, Gibson.com has been counting down the Top 50 Frontmen (and Frontwomen) of All Time. Check it out below:

01. Mick Jagger (The Rolling Stones)
02. Freddie Mercury (Queen)
03. Robert Plant (Led Zeppelin)
04. Elvis Presley
05. James Brown
06. Jimi Hendrix
07. Michael Jackson (The Jackson 5)
08. Roger Daltrey (The Who)
09. Prince
10. Jim Morrison (The Doors)
11. Steven Tyler (Aerosmith)
12. David Bowie
13. Tina Turner
14. Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath)
15. Johnny Cash
16. Iggy Pop (The Stooges)
17. Bruce Springsteen
18. Paul McCartney (The Beatles, Wings)
19. Bono (U2)
20. Axl Rose (Guns N’ Roses)
21. Johnny Rotten (John Lydon) (Sex Pistols, Public Enemy Ltd.)
22. Rod Stewart (Faces)
23. David Lee Roth (Van Halen)
24. Joe Strummer (The Clash)
25. Bon Scott (AC/DC)
26. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden)
27. Brian Johnson (AC/DC)
28. Janis Joplin (Big Brother and the Holding Company)
29. Debbie Harry (Blondie)
30. Chuck Berry
31. Little Richard
32. Liam Gallagher (Oasis)
33. Michael Stipe (R.E.M.)
34. Cab Calloway
35. Alice Cooper
36. Morrissey (The Smiths)
37. Rob Halford (Judas Priest)
38. Joey Ramone (The Ramones)
39. Elton John
40. Neil Diamond
41. Robin Zander (Cheap Trick)
42. Otis Redding
43. John Lennon (The Beatles)
44. Howlin’ Wolf
45. Stevie Wonder
46. Jackie Wilson
47. Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)
48. Marc Bolan (T. Rex)
49. Tom Waits
50. Garth Brooks