by Michael Bublé: A Smooth Jazz Singer with a Secret Love of Rock
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While Michael Bublé is best known for his smooth jazz vocals and interpretations of classic standards, the Canadian crooner has a secret passion for rock music that may surprise many of his fans. Though he doesn’t often showcase this side of his musical tastes in his own recordings and live performances, in interviews over the years Bublé has opened up about some of the rock artists who have influenced him the most. Some of these influences may seem unexpected given his smooth jazz persona, but they provide insight into Bublé’s wide-ranging musical tastes and appreciation for different genres.
Queen: Masters of Showmanship and Vocal Prowess
One of the rock bands Bublé has cited most frequently as an influence is the legendary Queen. In particular, he has expressed admiration for Queen frontman Freddie Mercury’s incredible vocal abilities and showmanship. Mercury possessed an astonishing four-octave vocal range that allowed him to effortlessly belt out Queen’s anthemic rock songs. But beyond his technical singing talent, Mercury was also a captivating live performer who was not afraid to fully commit to the dramatics of Queen’s over-the-top stage productions.
Bublé sees Mercury as setting the gold standard for how a lead singer should command attention on stage. In interviews, he has recalled being in awe watching old Queen concert videos as a teenager and striving to achieve even a fraction of Mercury’s magnetic stage presence and ability to connect with audiences. While Bublé’s own performances focus more on intimate interpretations of songs than Queen’s bombastic rock spectacle, Mercury’s influence can still be felt in the way Bublé carries himself confidently before crowds.
The Beatles: Musical Geniuses Beyond Compare
Another one of Bublé’s frequently cited rock influences is, of course, The Beatles. It would be difficult to find any popular musician, regardless of genre, who doesn’t hold the Fab Four in the highest regard. As the most commercially successful band of all time and widely considered the most influential musical act of the 20th century, The Beatles broke the mold of what rock music could be. Bublé is in awe of their boundary-pushing songwriting skills, virtuosic musicianship, and ability to craft catchy melodies that have endured for decades.
In particular, he appreciates Paul McCartney’s gift for melody and John Lennon’s raw songwriting talent. While their music may not directly shape Bublé’s jazz-influenced style, their example of musical excellence and songcraft is something he strives for in his own compositions. The Beatles set the bar impossibly high, and even as one of the best-selling artists in music today, Bublé still looks to match if not surpass their level of artistry and popularity. Their timeless legacy ensures The Beatles will remain a benchmark that modern artists can only hope to approach.
Led Zeppelin: Pioneers of Hard Rock Power
Among classic rock bands, Led Zeppelin ranks among Bublé’s biggest influences as well. Where Queen brought theatrics and The Beatles crafted catchy pop gems, Led Zeppelin virtually invented the template for hard rock through their crushing riffs, mystical lyrics, and dynamic live shows. At the core of Zeppelin’s sound was guitarist Jimmy Page, who Bublé considers one of the most talented and influential six-string slingers of all time. Page pioneered many of the effects, solos, and riffing styles that guitar heroes continue to employ and build upon today.
While Bublé’s smooth jazz style is about as far removed from Zeppelin’s heavy blues rock as can be, he recognizes their massive impact on the history of rock music. In addition to Page’s groundbreaking guitar work, Bublé admires vocalist Robert Plant’s powerful pipes and the rhythmic prowess of bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones alongside drummer John Bonham. Led Zeppelin’s albums still hold up as sonic adventures unlike anything that came before or after. For Bublé, they serve as an example of a band achieving complete mastery of their instruments and genre to push creative boundaries.
Broadening His Influences Beyond Pure Rock
It’s also worth noting that while Queen, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin represent Bublé’s core rock influences, his musical tastes extend beyond pure rock genres. Two additional artists he has cited appreciating are Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond – iconic vocalists with rock and roll souls but more crossover appeal. Elvis was, of course, one of the founding fathers of rock and roll with his sexy brand of blues-infused pop. Bublé admires The King’s swaggering stage presence and ability to connect to audiences through his emotive singing style.
Neil Diamond, meanwhile, crafted enduring pop-rock anthems in the 1960s and 70s that showed off his gifted songwriting and smooth baritone vocals. While not technically a “rock” artist, Diamond’s catchy tunes blended multiple genres and had a rebellious spirit befitting of rock. Bublé has covered several Neil Diamond songs in his live shows to showcase his appreciation. These artists, along with Queen, The Beatles, and Zeppelin, represent a diverse array of musical talents that have stayed with Bublé as touchpoints throughout his career.
Bringing Rock Flair to His Own Performances
While Bublé keeps his recorded material focused on jazz, swing, and classic pop/rock standards, attentive fans have spotted subtle rock influences creeping into his live shows. For example, he has been known to rip passionate guitar solos during covers of Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl” or Stevie Wonder’s “Superstition.” These moments allow Bublé to channel some of his inner Jimmy Page. He has also put his own spin on deep cuts from Zeppelin and Queen by slowing them down and infusing more soul.
On upbeat numbers where he gets a chance to showboat, Bublé has incorporated playful rock star antics like dropping to his knees or jumping around the stage. It’s his way of paying homage to showmen like Mercury and Plant without fully abandoning his smooth jazz image. And of course, any Bublé live set includes a high-energy singalong to “Don’t Stop Believin'” by Journey, one of the quintessential classic rock anthems. These subtle rock-inspired flourishes in his performances prove that beneath his sophisticated crooner persona, Bublé has not forgotten his roots in bolder rock styles.
In summary, while Michael Bublé has established himself as a masterful jazz and pop vocalist, his musical passions extend well beyond those genres. Through his heartfelt praise of artists like Queen, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Elvis Presley, and Neil Diamond, it’s clear that classic rock music has had a profound influence on Bublé’s artistry. These bands introduced him to new levels of showmanship, songwriting, and musicianship that he still strives to achieve today. While he keeps rock a mostly behind-the-scenes influence, attentive fans can spot where it subtly seeps into Bublé’s live performances. His eclectic musical taste is just one part of what makes Bublé one of the most talented and popular crossover artists in music today.
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