Underrated Rock Singers: Jared Leto

By Joe Lavigne

He's an Oscar winning actor, activist, model, and, more significantly to us, a bloody fine rock star too. Jared Leto, the lead singer of Thirty Seconds to Mars, may have many talents, as demonstrated through many of the band's worldwide tours, but his showmanship as a rock star trumps even the most iconic of rock and metal frontmen.

Leto can captivate his audience night after night with high-energy performances and a flamboyant wardrobe to match. His charm and charisma play crucial roles in the ever evolving rock act he was always destined to become. Never one to rely on stereotypes about rock-and-roll fashion, Leto has pushed the boundaries of what can be done—and worn—onstage.

The dynamic frontman is often dismissed, and even ridiculed, as a pretty boy pop-rocker, but there is far more to Jared Leto than that. In fact, it wouldn't be far-fetched to label him as one of the great singers of the rock genre. On his day, he really is that good.

You don't have to like Thirty Seconds to Mars to appreciate Leto's fine vocal tone. His unique tone and feel are perfect ingredients for the ultimate rock vocal. He has a very distinct and confident voice, which sets him apart from so many other mainstream rock singers.

Leto is the lead vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and main songwriter for Thirty Seconds to Mars, a band he formed in 1998 in Los Angeles, California, with his older brother Shannon Leto. Their debut album, 30 Seconds to Mars (2002), was released to positive reviews, but only to limited commercial success.

The band achieved worldwide fame with the release of their second album A Beautiful Lie (2005). Their following releases, This Is War (2009), and Love, Lust, Faith and Dreams (2013), received further critical and commercial success. The band has sold over 20 million albums worldwide. Leto has also directed music videos, including the MTV Video Music Award–winning "The Kill" (2006), "Kings and Queens" (2009), and "Up in the Air" (2013).

Jared Leto's vocal tone and ability can be seen at its glorious best on a number of live lounge performances, most notably his performance of "Hurricane" live at Radio Nova, and his Live Lounge cover of Rihanna's "Stay."