We’re not sure which is worse, being virtually unknown despite fronting one of the biggest metal bands of the 80s, or having your name be synonymous with a punchline -– the hard rock equivalent of “Ishtar.” Such is the battle that wages between a pair of singers, Gary Cherone, the ex-Extreme vocalist who fronted Van Halen post-Sammy Hagar, and John Corabi, the frequently-forgotten vocalist who made a comeback record with Motley Crue.

Not surprisingly, Cherone wasn’t included in VH’s recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (other than a half-hearted impromptu shout-out by a visibly confused Michael Anthony). Which just about assures his name will never be mentioned on that stage again. Nuno Bettencourt was a shredder and all, but “More Than Words” pretty much sealed that fate. The same is true for Corabi, who, in the unlikely event the Crue is ever inducted into the Rock Hall, will undoubtedly be replaced by a very bloated Vince Neil. So who would you rather be, Cherone or Corabi? Here’s the tale of the tape:

Singer: Gary Cherone
Age: 45
Replaced: Sammy Hagar in Van Halen
Years: 1996-1998
Formerly best known for being a member of: Extreme
Released: “Van Halen III”
RIAA certified: Gold
What Rolling Stone said: “Cherone sounds disconcertingly like Hagar, full of spleen-busting bluster and incapable of understatement. Though Van Halen III is conspicuously lacking in the frat-boy tomdroolery that so enamored Roth and Hagar to fans, it still contains its share of baying at the moon.”

Singer: John Corabi
Age: 47
Replaced: Vince Neil in Motley Crue
Years: 1992-1996
Formerly best known for being a member of: The Scream
Released: “Motley Crue”
RIAA certified: Gold
What Rolling Stone said: “If the music seems samey -– which it does, being sequenced for maximum sustained headbanging rather than overall cadence -– Corabi keeps it fresh. He has an impressive high-range yowl that’s never nasal, and he bellows his heart out on the clichéd lyrics as if he has just thought of them.”

Video evidence:
Gary Cherone with Van Halen – “Without You”:
[youtube]qmb-V9MZaj8[/youtube]
John Corabi with Motley Crue – “Smoke the Sky”:
[youtube]MSH2keWvRHg[/youtube]

These songs by these bands don’t suck:
Van Halen – “Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love”
Motley Crue – “Livewire”

Related posts: Hulk vs. Ozzy | DeLonge vs. Flowers: Rock’s Lamest Feud | Battle of the Batmen