The Forty Sexiest Frontmen in Rock History - Nerve.com


                             


30) Murray Lightburn



Back in 2001, before the internet's ubiquity had demolished music's international boundaries, there were still some bands you plain wouldn't hear about outside your country of origin. Murray Lightburn and The Dears were a Canadian micro-brew in the grand pub of rock, quietly hidden in the frozen north. It wasn't until 2003 that the world got its first full taste of Lightburn's savage crooning. Watching the man sing "We Can Have It" is equally heart-shattering and arousing. You can practically taste his voice. — J.C.

promotion

29) Michael Stipe



Michael Stipe's "sexiness" has always been a topic of heated discussion. No one's disputing his musical genius (okay, we're sure someone, somewhere is). But his sex appeal might be an acquired taste; he doesn't always scream "healthy glow." But the man's got attitude and intelligence — and lips, and eyelashes — for miles. He can rock Blade Runner makeup. He can rock pants made out of duct tape, newsboy caps (plus Gwyneth) and even transform urinals into art. All of that, and he'll still croon softly and share a dollar-beer with you at a dive bar in Athens, where you can stare deeply into his soulful eyes and discuss the latest G4 summit. Sometimes a girl needs these things. — N.A.

28) Phil Lynott



Lessee, which of the following is unsexy: lonesome-cowboy groan? Sinuous bass-playing? Mixed-race heritage? (Irish mother, Brazilian father known only as "The Duke.") Lilting accent? Christ, Lynott has it all. (Then there's early death, which is a drag, but let's not pretend it isn't alluring.) The man had a knack for the ballad ("Running Back"), but to our minds, he was at his irresistible best rocking out tales of romantic losers, hucksters and vagabonds ("Waiting for an Alibi" et al.). Ask Zorro, Han Solo or the Sundance Kid: there are few men sexier than a desperado. — P.S.

27) Beck



Ah Beck, that wily, ingenious, busking Scientologist. Yes, he's fey enough to pick up and put in your pocket. You alternately want to brush his hair with one of those grade-school-picture-day black-plastic combs, or run your fingers over his sweet, sweet lips. (We bet they're chapped on occasion. All the more delicious.) He won us over by embracing his inner "Loser," but what keeps us coming back for more are his constant musical innovations. That the same man birthed "Sexx Laws" and "Sea Change," frankly, blows our minds. He's fearless in his self-expression, not to mention an excellent dancer. Tom Cruise could learn a thing or two. — N.A.

26) Sting




All the lute albums and bad jazz in the world couldn't strip the sexiness from the man who wrote "Message in a Bottle." This son-of-a-milkman not only convinced the entire world to address him by a verb, he also claimed he could make love for seven hours straight. Even after he admitted, "It's more like four hours of begging, then a movie and then dinner," we still thought, yeah, but it's probably the sexiest begging you could ever experience. Special props for still being married to the same woman, working to save the rainforests, and being able to hit the high notes at almost sixty. Even in under an hour, we know he could make us hit 'em. — N.A.





                             

Share this article:


 

63 Comments

So glad to see Kele Okereke on this list. He may be a bit too new to be ranked among some of these heavyweights of cock-rock, but he's definitely a dreamboat.

DS commented on 04/30

Dave Gahan at #40 is a crime.

commented on 04/30

Yeah, I think it's safe to say that the Nerve editors have their musical heads up their asses. While some of the entries are questionable altogether, the order is completely out of whack. The Nerve editors should stick to subjects they know about. This ain't one of them.

MF commented on 04/30

Ok, you've somewhat redeemed yourselves after the whole "40 Sexiest Frontwomen" debacle, and I mostly agree with your list. However, the omissions of Pete Steele (Type O Negative's tall, dark, brooding, resident vampire), Mike Ness (Social Distortion's sexy, tattooed, rockabilly punk), Eddie Spaghetti (Supersuckers' silly, sexy, cowboy rocker), and Tim Armstrong (Rancid's, Transplants', etc. reformed and adorable dope fiend (why are all the junkies so friggin' hot?!?) Also, I want to pay tribute to my beloved Joey Ramone. Granted, not traditionally sexy, but neither are half the men on your list. If you ever do a "Romantic Sweetie" list, make sure Joey's on it!

MS commented on 04/30

Not as bad as the previous article, but I really don't understand why Indie music nerds are always forcing their opinions with the veil of objectivity. Guess I shouldn't complain too much since Alex Chilton wasn't on the list . . .

GTO commented on 04/30

I'd add Steven Tyler. There's something about that energy and innuendo...

ls commented on 04/30

I was getting more and more nervous as I got down the list, worrying that Freddie Mercury would be forgotten. Whew, relief. There will never be a sexier frontman!

mmmm commented on 04/30

Trent Reznor? Perry Farrell? Damon Albarn? Robert Smith? Jón þor Birgisson (Sigur Ros)? Paul Banks (Interpol)? Jason Pierce (Spiritualized)? Many, many others I'm sure.

JR commented on 04/30

Seriously? Robert Plant is #6? I just saw him on tv the other day, some concert in the 60s or whenever the fuck it was, and his penis was staring at me through his pants. He was sex personified on stage, and I thought he was going to fuck me through 40 years and the television screen. I had to hide my eyes, but I peeked through them.

alr commented on 04/30

Zappa. Zounds, but he's #1, the zed, the ultra, the man. how could you ?

pw commented on 04/30

I haven't bothered to see how many people corrected you for saying that London Calling was the Clash's first album. Shame on you. What a weird, weird selection. I hope you don't choose the men you go out with the same way you chose these guys. Talk about looking for trouble!

AW commented on 05/01

you assholes, you forgot michael hutchence

df commented on 05/01

take comfort in the fact that you are almost as clueless as rolling stone magazine, but still, you sux

dwp commented on 05/01

Wow - no Rivers Cuomo?

mda commented on 05/02

The mind is the sexiest organ. How about Peter Gabriel? You left out Marty Balin and Bryan Ferry. Did you intend to include homosexuals? Freddy Mercury is gay as I am sure are several others. He is about as sexy as Liza Minelli's ex to a large segment of the Nerve readership - I mean women. Anyone who would put Morrisey or David Bowie ahead of Jimi or Jim/Doors or Jagger never saw them in action. You should have added "For All Proclivities Sexual."

TFT commented on 05/02

Wheres billy corgan?

ch commented on 05/04

I can't believe no one's pointed out the mistake on Ian Curtis yet! "Lights are flashing, cars are crashing" is from "Disorder," not "She's Lost Control."

TH commented on 05/04

Where the hell is Roger Daltrey? - the greatst frontman in the history of rock.

BC commented on 05/05

David Sylvian from Japan. Once called "the most beautiful man in the world," and Nick Rhodes (and the rest of DD) stole everything he knew from him.

HB commented on 05/05

I have no respect for your list since you left out AC/DC frontman Bon Scott. Big mistake.

kg commented on 05/08

You've spelled Freddie Mercury wrong. Other than that, nice list, especially the top 5.

JB commented on 05/12

Nick Cave. Yes. Oh, yes.

JP commented on 06/03

You forgot David Lee Roth???

LP commented on 06/03

Prince above Robert Plant? And Morrisey above Jim Morrison? No Bon Scott?! Not a chance.

CW commented on 06/05

NO. Mick Jagger must be number one. He's infinitely sexier than Prince- Mick just oozes sex, hell, he INVENTED sex! Also, Hendrix needs to be higher up on the list.

SMS commented on 06/05

Adam of the Ants anyone? Tweens are watching his videos on Youtube and squirming in their seats. Twenty lashes with a wet mascara wand, you fiends! And I second the person who nominated Peter Gabriel -- during the Genesis years he was sexy AND cerebral. No small feat.

NJH commented on 06/05

Not a bad top three, actually. Not bad at all. Presley really SHOULD be in the top ten, though.

LGL commented on 06/09

The list is incomplete without the following: Roger Daltrey, and Peter Steele. I'd also add En Esch (Slick Idiot, Pigface, KMFDM), but I can understand his being left out. Those ginormous, freaky eyes of his are kinda scary. Yeah, Peter Steele is kinda scary too, but he knows when to put the scary away. En Esch has it out there all the time. Still — Roger Daltrey — NOTHIN' scary about him! He was and is, 100% caramel-dipped sex-on-wheels, even on the downhill side of his sixties.

DS commented on 06/15

Peter Steele most definitely! And David Draiman.

MN commented on 06/15

Oooh, yeah ... if you don't have Michael Hutchence on here, this just ain't a finished list.

knb commented on 06/18

If you saw interviews of Sebastian Bach in 1989-1994, I think you might consider rearranging your list and add him somewhere in top 10. Cheers!

Bach commented on 06/19

Diamond David Lee Roth!!!

TMT commented on 07/07

This is a great list! I wouldn't change much, probably add a few (Chris Cornell, Marvin Gaye, Mike Patton, Eddie Vedder, Robert Smith) and remove a few - Anthony Kiedis is just corny to me, and I *never* got the appeal of Jim Morrison. But obviously a matter of taste. Your top 10 are pretty solid, Freddie Mercury is friggin' hot and Robert Plant is sex personified. Can't wait til I have 2 hours to spare on your Sexiest Frontwomen list!

JCB commented on 07/09

Bowie should have topped that list

CL commented on 07/16

eric adams?

tzr commented on 07/21

JON BON JOVI????? ROGER DALTREY?????? MICHAEL HUTCHENCE???? EDDIE VEDDER???? MARVIN GAYE??? & if ELVIS didn't start it ALL, none of the rest would have known what to do or how to use what they had, he led the way for ALL, there was NO ROCK & ROLL BEFORE ELVIS...he should definitely be NUMBER 1!!! SHAME ON YOU......

pgw commented on 07/29

Anthony Kiedis got even better looking with age and RHCP still rocks. I would move him up for sure. Some of the picks are absurddddd. Elvis is definitely top 10 if not top 5. He was a stud.

NP commented on 08/03

Forty sexiest frontmen in rock history??? Where is AXL ROSE??? He should be the 1st :(

ILA commented on 08/11

Yet another ass-kissing "top blah" list. Yes we see how sophisticated your musical tastes are. But the poll is SEXIEST. If ANYONE thinks Michael Stipe is sexy, they're blind and deaf! Nerve.com fill all 50 spots of the TOP 50 MOST POINTLESS WEBSITES ON THE WEB.

gfr commented on 08/14

where is damon albarn!? he is the hottest brit from the 90s and Julian Casablancas from the strokes should definitely be here!

L.R commented on 08/31

Where are Matthew Bellamy, Alex Turner, Julian Casablancas, Billy Joe Armstrong? And Syd Barret?

gf commented on 09/05

This list fails without the inclusion of Def Leppard's frontman, Joe Elliott. What's wrong with you people?!?? He's fine and can sing "Love Bites" to me all day long.

RLF commented on 09/07

Dave Gahan at 40??? EPIC FAIL! He's top 10 material, easily!

RM commented on 09/08

Morrissey at 3?? and Dave Gahan at 40??? EPIC MOUNTAIN OF FAIL!!!

RM commented on 09/08

Great read. Top 5 - bang on!!!

NB commented on 09/08

Where Is Sid Vicious???????????? OR Joey Ramone???????? YOU FAil

we commented on 10/07

Another vote here for Michael Hutchence!

SR commented on 10/07

Oh yes - Phil Lynott definitely. His voice is soooooo... oh my...

sws commented on 10/14

Eddie Veder, Marilyn Manson (If we're thinking about pleasing a wide audience, perhaps the look from the Mechanical Animals-era? Seems that androgyny is sexy), BILLY CORGAN?

JF commented on 10/15

Gosh, Jim Morrison, Sting David Byrne, FREDDIE MERCURY! YES!!! I still have faith in the world. But, seriously, am I the ONLY one on the planet that thinks that Roger Daltrey is gorgeous? Because I think he definitley should have been on this list. Christ, did he have beauitful hair.

None commented on 10/15

I can't not believe David L Roth is not at least in the top 10, and Steven Tyler . As for Michael Stipe , nah !

vkqt commented on 10/18

Only a few I agree with to be honest, Kurt Cobain being the best. Where the hell are Matt Bellamy and Billie Joe Armstrong???? PLEASE don't tell me the above weirdos are hotter than them!?

AH commented on 10/24

Morrissey at #3. Yes!

LN commented on 10/29

prince?????? this list is 80% wrong, yes David Gahan deserve better place in this list, Axl Rose also needed be there of course

dsd commented on 10/29

now, come on! LEt's not kid ourselves! John Lennon was NOT sexy. If we're just talking raw, physical attraction, then Paul & George were miles sexier than him!

RE commented on 12/06

and bilie joe armstrong is practically sex on legs!

RE commented on 12/06

Another resounding hells yeah for Billie Joe Armstrong

EM commented on 12/08

WHERE IS Michael Hutchence ???????????????????????????????????

SSS commented on 12/19

Where is Chester Bennington of Linkin Park????

SJE commented on 01/06

I can't believe Dave Grohl, Paul Banks and Eddie Vedder aren't even HONORABLY MENTIONED

sex commented on 01/10

ANTHONY KIEDIS IS THE SEXIEST I DONT CARE WHAT U FUCKERS SAY

az commented on 01/27

josh homme!!!!!!!!!!!

rr commented on 01/30

Mick Jagger should be the first one! He is the sexiest man ever! And what about his performances on stage and the lyrics of his songs?? Mick is the number ONE!

DT commented on 02/02
 

Leave a Comment


Initials




We are ardently committed to free expression, but we do expect Nerve visitors and contributors to interact respectfully and responsibly. Blatant expressions of bigotry, sexism or hatred may be constitutionally protected on the street corner, but they're not cool here.

My First Time by You
"We'd spent plenty of time in the woods behind the playground..."
A Field Guide to "Cool Older Men" by Julie Klausner
Be careful with that Anthony Bourdain crush.
The Ten Most Shocking Moments in Survivor History by Scott Von Doviak
A decade later, we still remember when that guy fell in the campfire. /entertainment/
Miss Information by Erin Bradley
My boyfriend still shares a bed with his ex. Should I be worried? /advice/
Confession of the Week by You
"I slept with two different girls in the span of less than 12 hours (I did shower in between). Awesome, or sketchy?"
Dear John by Scott Von Doviak
Exactly how manipulative is this Nicholas Sparks adaptation? /entertainment/
The Top Five Funniest Superbowl Halftime Shows by Josh Kurp
Believe us, it gets much worse than *NSYNC and Aerosmith. /entertainment/
Twitter Movie Reviews by Various
From Paris With Love, Dear John, and District 13: Ultimatum.