Do you have to be able to sing to be a singer?

Following on from what I was saying yesterday - not the comparison between writing blind and going the toilet - but the criticism given to the band Galaxie 500 about there vocals.
I think I made it clear in my last post that I don't hold that same scrutiny towards there vocal work, in fact i would probably declare myself a fan of Dean Warehams whiny drone. Its far from perfect but it works within the context of the songs.
You see, for me I'm not looking for a pitch perfect performance from a singer. There just has to be something there that I can take from it, whether that's the emotion I can hear in the voice, or maybe they have a very particular sound to there voice that resonates with me.
Singer is probably the wrong word to use here, what i probably mean is front man/woman. There are times, like here, when its probably for the best for every ones sake that you sound like an actual "singer", someone who can hit the notes and sing in key. In fact, when you look like a character out of DOUG dressed up in C&A hand me down shirt from your second cousin whilst singing (along with about 8 other mongs) a Tina Turner song in front of 50,000 football fans, its going to be pretty fucking important that you can sing. At least the dance moves are savvy (2.20min).
But when it comes an actual "artist" performing one of there own songs, the quality of there singing isn't the first thing I look for.

Here is an example of what I mean - Syd Barretts "It Is Obvious" from his second album "Barrett".
I don't think he would win over the judges on Xfactor with that performance.
"ooooh, you seemed to choke up a bit through that performance pet....never mind". Good 'ol Chezza. Could you tell thats what judge I was being? Was it the "pet" that gave it away?
Im only guessing Cheryl and co wouldn't like the song/performance but I recon im probably right. They're not looking for anything other than a "star" who will be able to sing the national anthem occasionally and who sounds good in the recording studio.
What we get from Barrett is a frazzled, child like performance that matches the songs playful yet slightly dark nature. Every crack in his voice, every slightly off key line of strange lyric fits so perfectly within in the song it manages to work on a much higher level. If this song had been sung perfectly in tune with extra tweaking in the production room then the soul would be stripped from it.

Neil Young is another great example of someone who doesnt really have what people would call a singing voice, but he means it. And thats more important to me than anything else.
Hes obviously got the tunes to back him up - I guess that helps.

Bob Dylan - Its All Over Now Baby Blue. Dylan is another prime example of someone who you could argue cant sing. And as the years have gone on there is no denying his voice has become more and more of a struggle to accept. The Dylan of the 60's sounds far removed from the Dylan voice we have now which is a gravely, rough sounding moan that threatens to strangle allot of his new songs. However,with the voice comes the passion (and obviously the lyrics) that Dylan possess.
I think it was Dylan who once said that as long as you sing with passion and soul then you can sing. Its where it comes from within you that matters.
And I guess thats my point. If it matters to you, if what your singing about is something that really means something to you and you "feel" it then you dont need to have the perfect voice (besides, pro tools can sort all that now). Believe in it and it will sound far better than you might think.
Then again, if everyone thought like that we would have far more dutch idol contestants running about so maybe scrap everything ive just said.
But before you do.....can these lot actually "sing"?

Ian Brown - lead singer of the Stone Roses and now solo artists with 6 solo albums to his name
Ozzy Osbourne - lead singer of Black Sabbath whose carer has spanned 40 years. Sold over 100 million records worldwide.
Jimi Hendrix - Overall rock'n;roll god whose voice often comes under scrutiny for its lack of range....or whatever.

The answer is probably no. But it works, and they mean it, and thats all that matters.