Could/Should Nathan Sing Lead Vocals Occasionally?

[Jonathan88]

He has a great voice and his backing vocal duties seem to be increasing, as well as his microphone level at gigs.

He's able to focus on singing some difficult notes whilst playing drums so he has the ability.


Levon Helm did this with The Band - if you haven't heard of them or Levon Helm, check out this for a display of his talents:


www.youtube.com/watch?v=feEBEpDLTKI




I think it would be very cool for Nathan to sing on the odd song

[pole]

I whole-heartedly agree, it would be frickin AWESOME!!
It's so great to hear him singing, im
glad he's been given more room - & amplification - he has such a divine voice and also, one thing I'd add to what you wrote up there is, it ain't easy to do what he does (harmonising) especially considering how good he is at it

[rockchick26]

I've fantasized about this many times! I love it when a band has more than one full time singer. You'd think they would have done this years ago, considering Caleb's shyness and not wanting people to understand his vocals!

Maybe we should make a Facebook petition for this like we did with trying to get Jared to join Twitter?!

[NikLovesLeb]

No.

Just because Keith Richards knows how to sing, doesnt mean he should sing instead of Mick.

Nathan is the drummer for Kings of Leon. He should remain the drummer for Kings of Leon.

If he ever goes to make a country record with Caleb, or whatever, he can do whatever he wants.

[maria la loca]

totally agree with you nik

[NikLovesLeb]

Thanks Maria.

I just think that Caleb has a very specific voice, which in many ways "makes" Kings of Leon what they are.
With all due respect to Nathan, whom I love and who is an amazing drummer, I just dont think that he can do with "Trani" or "Black Thumbnail" or "Joe's Head" vocally and physically what Caleb does with them (and the rest of the songs).

[Deleted]

I would agree with you too Nik. Much as I love the voices of all the other guys, not just Nathan, I think they're best kept for harmonising and bridges, because Caleb's voice is so distinctive and unique. Kings of Leon is not Kings of Leon without Caleb singing.

Also, off topic, but it was hardly 'we' who did a Facebook campaign for getting Jared on Twitter, it was Monica from kol.com. The rest of us merely joined it.

[rockchick26]

I didn't think Jonathan meant that Nathan should sing the old songs instead of Caleb, I thought he meant he should sing a new song (well, now would have to be post-CAS) that Caleb has never sung.

And I never meant "we" as in me and some other HA'ers, I just meant we as in KOL fans. WE whoever signed the petition.

[Deleted]

I think your first point is aimed at Nik, but I'll just say that I still stand by my opinion - KoL are not KoL without Caleb's singing, not for me anyway.

*shrug* Way you worded it seemed like you were sort of taking credit. No big deal.

[beybe]

I dunno. I've only really heard Nathan's voice clearly at the end of Ragoo. But I'm sure it'd put alot of pressure on him trying to keep beat while singing a harmony.

Yet, what I would absolutely love to see/hear is a 5 minute drum solo from that man. Moby Dick style!

[NikLovesLeb]

I m not really sure what Jonathan Ross said--I didnt see/hear.

It just seems somewhat pointless to have Nathan sing AS a KOL singer.
Regardless of whether it's a new or old song.

It would be interesting to hear him alone, or in stripped down duet with Caleb, on something non-Kol related.

I guess I never really wanted to hear Jimmy Page sing, or Slash, or John Bonham. I suppose i see why there is a reason as to why people do what they do.

[Jigglytuffy™]

Personally, I would love to hear Nathan sing. Why not? Why does one person in a band of four have to sing all the songs? There is no written rule in rock that says the lead singer has to sing every single song in a band's catalogue. Why not change things up just once and let Nathan sing on a new song? I'm all about experimentation.

[maria la loca]

In my opinion, as much as experimentation is great, I think that Caleb's voice is so representative of KOL that it would be really weird, I agree that in a different project it could be fun, but I'm not sure I'd even recognize it's them if Nate was singing

[exileon2ndst]

it would be weird. helping with backing on a song isnt bad but you need Calebs voice.

[BlueBerryCookie]

I really love his voice and I was thinking about it many times but... and my answer is YES, he could try but not as Kings of Leon (maybe some different project?). In this band everyone knows his place so there is no need for changes... backing vocal - ok, but nothing more. Caleb's voice is a thing that makes Kings of Leon recognizable and so specific...... Why should we want to change that?

[Jonathan88]

This thread seems a bit heated!


First of all, my name is Jonathan, not Jonathan Ross

Secondly, I didn't mean that Caleb should disappear and Nathan should take lead vocal duties for all gigs and future recording sessions. I'm sorry that I wasn't clear on this point but I meant Nathan could sing on a new song (album 6).

Thirdly,


People seem to be making this a make or break issue for their continuing enjoyment of KOL!!

A lot of (the best) bands do this and there is no reason for it not to happen if someone else in the band is talented and courageous enough to do it.

The excuse of "it wouldn't be KOL without Caleb singing" is nonsense. Delude yourself if you want but it would still be them! This change for me would fit in with all the other changes made by the band, such as...

Lyrics
Vocal delivery
Production style/Producers
Bass lines
Guitar effects
Vocal effects


All of this has changed their sound enough to make you question if its them.

I don't see how letting Nathan sing a new song would be as big a jump as ASH to BOTT.


That's my opinion.



PS. Keith Richards on Little T & A is one of the best Stones vocals I've heard.

[Deleted]

Um...why ask if you are going to call people's opinions 'deluded'. It's MY opinion, I'm not saying it's the right one. Nor would it be make or break for me - I would give it fair chance and who knows, perhaps I would love it. Considering there's not one single song by them I hate, it can hardly be said that I"m a stick in the mud. But as a theoretical proposal, I would prefer to keep the set-up as it is.

Please don't ask for my opinion in future and then tell me I'm wrong. It's extremely impolite.

[Erin]

Jared's done a vocal part by himself on Use Somebody, Nate (or Matt for that matter) could do something alike in a future song if they so wish. So long KOL exists of the same four dudes and they keep doing what they want to do, they're still KOL. BUT, imo, Caleb's voice is one of the (if not THE) most distinctive things about KOL.

[Jonathan88]

I asked because I was interested to read what opinions people would contribute. I was interested to read your opinion.


However, in my opinion, your opinion is based on a reasoning that is weak.


I am fully entitled to disagree with you. What is the point of a forum if we can't discuss?

[Deleted]

You are indeed entitled to disagree with me, as I have disagreed with you. I, however, did not call you deluded. That was unnecessary, rude and completely against what you are saying about opinions. Discussion is one thing. Outright slapdowns of another's opinion are an entirely different thing.

I am so sorry that I am not a musical genius such as yourself and, therefore, have inferior opinions.