past simple vs present perfect

If I were asked whether there was a singer who sang a particular song, what would be the difference in the meaning of each answer?

"There has been a singer named......who sang ........"

OR

"There was a singer named ........who sang............."

Without more context, the second sounds more natural, but context would be the deciding factor- is the singer alive or dead, is the song old, has music changed since it was recorded, etc.

The first one would suggest that the singer is still alive, whereas the second he's dead?

Not necessarily