When, How, and Why did Ed's Voice Change? Options

[LiveForNow]

Most people here would agree that Ed's voice has changed over for the years. I agree, and unfortunately I think it changed for the worst (but not as bad as most people would say).

I don't speak music lingo, nor was I a fan of the band until 2008, so all I have to go off of are concert recordings, but to those who have seen the change and know a thing or two about vocals, what exactly happened? Why did it happen? When did it start to change, in what ways, and how has it continued to change?

Please be as unbiased as you can be and keep your theories scientific. Comments like "Because Ed's ego got in the way" doesn't really answer the how or even the what for that matter.

This post has been edited by LiveForNow: Nov 18 2016, 4:07 pm

[Voodoo Lady]

I'm not a vocal coach, but it is a fact that your voice box/cord tissues are a muscle. Muscle tissue changes as you age; you lose muscle mass. And then on top of that, singers wear out and damage their vocal chords faster than just aging because of the repetitive use/strain.

It could be wrong, but I once read that Ed had surgery back in the day (maybe between SS and TDTH?) for a vocal chord nodule? Anyway, I think Ed's voice has held up great over the years. And I agree with the previous comments that he has sounded different on different albums. That was both vocal maturity and style choices. We all know that Ed's voice is unique and identifiable, which makes him stand apart from the rest.

Many singers have destroyed their voices over the years. I like to use Jeff Keith from Tesla as an example. He sounds like Cartman from South Park nowadays. But I don't care... I'm going to see Tesla March 3 and I know I'll have a great time. Unlike some, I don't get my panties all in a bunch if a singer doesn't sound exactly like he did in his prime or he doesn't sound like he does on the album live. (Of course they aren't going to, right?)

Interestingly, Ian Astbury's shot voice sounds better to me now than it did in the 80's. It worked to his advantage, giving him a deeper, mature sound & I like it. --But many Cult fans complain. Same you know what, different day.

[World Dreamer]

It could be wrong, but I once read that Ed had surgery back in the day

You did read that. In my excellent post just above yours.

[FishOutaWater]

I think Ed started trying to fine tune his craft and use his voice as a good singer, instead of a rough and tumble alternative rock singer with angst. I think I really heard it first on TDTH. But I think that the change was intentional, not that his voice changed or that he couldn't so it anymore. The evolution of Ed's voice was (in my opinion) when Ed started trying to sound good, like a good singer. He started using more vibrato and trying to deliver a prettier sound on ballads. He was singing Imagine and Overcome and Turn My Head and Dance With You and stuff like that, and he started varying the album versions fo the hits to throw in some vocal runs. But I think that Ed could still deliver a great vocal performance on Lakini's Juice and White Discussion right up until the end of their run. I saw some great shows at Hershey and Atlantic City right near the end. I didn't walk away from those shows thinking there was anything wrong with Ed's vocals. I loved his early acoustic solo performances. I think Ed's voice still has plenty in the tank and can sound great.