A male Western music vocal artist with an appealing husky voice
People often say things like “Your husky voice is wonderful,” but what exactly is the definition of a husky voice?
If you translate it literally, it comes out as a “hoarse voice” or a “raspy voice,” which can sound negative in the context of singing.
But in reality, a husky voice tends to contain a great many overtones, and those overtones often change unpredictably with the singing and pitch.
That randomness can make the voice sound incredibly appealing.
This is especially true for male singers, where the degree of rasp or breathiness can enhance a sense of masculinity and sex appeal, making the voice very compelling.
In this article, we’ve gathered a selection of songs by singers whose husky voices are especially captivating.
Please enjoy the distinctly masculine charm you won’t find in clear-voiced singers!
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- A Collection of Classic 80s Western Ballads with Male Vocals
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- [2025] Recommended for those who struggle with high notes! Enka by male singers that can be sung in a low register
Western male vocal artists with attractive husky voices (ages 21–30)
TroublKeith Richards
He is the guitarist and vocalist of The Rolling Stones, known for his husky voice.
Among fans, he is recognized as a heavy smoker, and his singing style is characterized by a flavorful, weathered tone.
In recent years, he has also released work under his solo name, allowing listeners to enjoy his guitar and vocal performances.
DesperadoDon Henley (EAGLES)
A song by the American band the Eagles, released in 1973.
It’s included on the album of the same name and wasn’t released as a single, yet it’s beloved by many and has been covered by numerous artists over the years.
Japanese artists like Ken Hirai and Chihiro Onitsuka have covered it as well.
The vocals are handled by drummer Don Henley.
That husky voice really suits slightly wistful ballads like this! It’s a classic where his moist, husky tone and the bittersweet melody match perfectly.
Male Western music vocal artists with a charming husky voice (ages 31–40)
Englishman In New YorkSting
After making his mark as a member of The Police, Sting has also had a hugely successful solo career thanks to his outstanding musicality.
He’s a very popular artist in Japan as well.
He’s known worldwide for his husky voice, which you can enjoy across his entire vocal range.
In particular, Englishman In New York is a great track to experience the power of his husky vocals, so if you’re not familiar with his voice, be sure to start with this song.
BETHPeter Criss (KISS)
Peter Criss is an artist from Brooklyn.
He was the drummer and a vocalist for KISS, a band hugely popular in Japan as well.
His husky voice isn’t the breathy, whispery type; rather, it has a pleasantly rough, whiskey-and-cigarettes quality.
That tone adds great character, and it’s especially effective on ballads, where it creates a superb atmosphere.
It’s extremely rare to find an artist who can sing this well while also being a drummer.
In that sense, he’s a truly special artist—be sure to check him out.
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)Steve Perry (JOURNEY)
Journey is a band that achieved tremendous success in the 1980s.
They released numerous classic songs, so anyone who listened to Western music from that decade is likely familiar with them.
Steve Perry was the most popular member among Journey’s vocalists.
He has a distinctly husky tone—a true husky voice that carries a raspy quality across all ranges.
Because Journey has so many great songs, you can enjoy not only the unique vocal timbre but also their rich musicality.
NumbChester Bennington（Linkin Park）
The vocalist of Linkin Park, an American rock band formed in 1996 and said to be the best-selling of the 21st century.
While he delivered incredible, almost effects-processed shouts on heavier tracks, he also showcased a sweet, husky voice on ballads, establishing a distinctive and versatile style.
However, he passed away in 2017 at the young age of 41.
Love HurtsDan McCafferty (Nazareth)
Nazareth is a hard rock band from Scotland.
The original member and singer I’d like to introduce here is Dan McCafferty.
I must admit my own ignorance—while preparing this article, I listened to this song for the first time, but in their track “Love Hurts,” Dan delivers a wonderfully husky high tone right from the start.
If you love husky voices, I hope you’ll enjoy his slightly wistful, husky high-register singing to the fullest.
There seem to be many singers in Western music with beautiful husky voices in the mid-to-low range, but when you go looking for singers whose appeal lies in a husky high register, there actually aren’t that many.
You could truly call it a voice bestowed by heaven.