Not only did Generation X’s reluctant spokesperson kick down the door for thousands of guitarists similarly alienated by the notes-per-second arms race of mainstream rock guitar in the early 1990s, but he was also one hell of a singer.

Aberdeen, WA’s most famous son was responsible for some of the most visceral, primal vocal performances ever committed to tape, but crucially, he also knew that a whisper can be as powerful as a scream. Cobain had more passion and authenticity in his fingernail clippings than most rock stars manage to exhibit in a lifetime of performance.

Listen: Nirvana - Where Did You Sleep Last Night (MTV Unplugged In New York)

Your votes:

"Greatest singer: I have two picks: Freddie Mercury and Kurt Cobain!" (From Adrien via Facebook, thanks)

"This is very hard, I would choose Chris Cornell, Maynard James Keenan or Kurt Cobain." (From Jorge via Facebook, thanks)

"Why hasn't anybody said Ozzy Osbourne yet? Also, James Hetfield, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison, James Brown, Freddy Mercury, Ronnie James Dio, Bruce Dickinson to name but a few of whom I would vote for." (From Dimebag via Facebook, thanks)

"Kurt Cobain." (From Sick and Simona via Facebook, thanks)

Next: Thom Yorke