Gripping item, involving old singer (5)
I believe the answer is:
voice
'singer' is the definition.
(I know that voice is a type of singer)
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for voice that I've seen before include "Sound produced in speaking" , "Power of speaking" , "Speak of - mouthpiece" , "Articulate" , "Opinion; express in words" .)