You're not counting alcohol?

il tell you the best band in the world there called LIVE ed kowalczyk is the lead lead singer best voice in the world

Compared to the DKs they pale into insignificance...

Ani Difranco is AMAZING!

Chan Marshall is also melodically genius

best female singer ?

70's/80's -

Areatha , Roberta Flack , Jean Carn , Phyliss Hyman , Cherrelle , Tawatha ,Whitney

90's -

Mica paris , Lisa Stansfiled , Monica , Brandy , Mary J Blige , Mariah

2000+ -

I'm sruggling Alicia Key's , Beyonce

Lilly Allen?

probably Pink for me, shes about as random as me

Chan Marshall is also melodically genius
[/quote]

True enough I agree.

What about:
JANIS JOPLIN
GRACE SLICK
BILLIE HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(emphasised enough??)
Beth Gibbons from portishead is my favourite.
Getting into Joanna Newsom very much. (that sounds rude)

lots of different styles to consider but for me some of the best for me would be:

Carleen Anderson (Young Disciplies fame)
Vicki Anderson (above's mother and singer in James Brown band)
Erykah Badu
Kate Bush
Bjork
The lass from Bat for Lashes (seriously recommend you check this if you like Ms Bush)

Female - Amy Lee (Evanescence)
Male - Toss-up between Billie Joe Armstrong and Kurt Cobain.

Best male singer of the last 20 years is Jeff Buckley in my opinion.