Bands with more than one (good) lead singer
March 31, 2007 6:40 AM Subscribe
Mainstream bands with more than one (good) lead singer?
Need help with a list of mainstream bands who had success with more than one equally capable lead singer all in the group at the same time.
Good examples: The Cars (Ocasek/Orr) and The Who (Daltrey/Townshend) had big hits from both guys.
Not good examples:
- Van Halen (lineup changes don't count)
- Queen (Mercury was front man but Taylor occasionally sang, i.e. "I'm in Love with My Car")
- 'Traveling Wilburys'-type aggregations of performers
- Obscure, indie or other groups who the "average person" would not recognize
I guess the more you have to justify/qualify/explain your response, it's probably not fitting the bill.
Need help with a list of mainstream bands who had success with more than one equally capable lead singer all in the group at the same time.
Good examples: The Cars (Ocasek/Orr) and The Who (Daltrey/Townshend) had big hits from both guys.
Not good examples:
- Van Halen (lineup changes don't count)
- Queen (Mercury was front man but Taylor occasionally sang, i.e. "I'm in Love with My Car")
- 'Traveling Wilburys'-type aggregations of performers
- Obscure, indie or other groups who the "average person" would not recognize
I guess the more you have to justify/qualify/explain your response, it's probably not fitting the bill.
The Beatles. The Libertines.
posted by popcassady at 6:46 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by popcassady at 6:46 AM on March 31, 2007
B52s, Roxette. You could think of lots of duos like Roxette, I suppose. ABBA.
posted by Wolfdog at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by Wolfdog at 6:47 AM on March 31, 2007
Response by poster: Need to qualify.
I knew this would happen. I tried to come up with all the contingencies but...
I need the singers to be independent of each other.... meaning, their hits are not products of singing together or harmonizing with each other, or trading off verses.
Separate people, separate lead vocals. The example of The Cars is the best one I can think of and illustrates what I mean.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:52 AM on March 31, 2007
I knew this would happen. I tried to come up with all the contingencies but...
I need the singers to be independent of each other.... meaning, their hits are not products of singing together or harmonizing with each other, or trading off verses.
Separate people, separate lead vocals. The example of The Cars is the best one I can think of and illustrates what I mean.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:52 AM on March 31, 2007
The Band: Danko, Helm and Manuel were all fine singers.
Uncle Tupelo: Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar shared singing duties.
The Grateful Dead: Well this one violates the (good) criterion but Jerry and Bobby sang every other song.
posted by octothorpe at 6:54 AM on March 31, 2007
Uncle Tupelo: Jeff Tweedy and Jay Farrar shared singing duties.
The Grateful Dead: Well this one violates the (good) criterion but Jerry and Bobby sang every other song.
posted by octothorpe at 6:54 AM on March 31, 2007
Response by poster: Yes! - B52's, Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, after some reflection I buy ABBA. Excellent!
Can't believe I didn't come up with the Beatles on my own. Duh.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:54 AM on March 31, 2007
Can't believe I didn't come up with the Beatles on my own. Duh.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 6:54 AM on March 31, 2007
the New Pornographers
posted by CaptMcalister at 7:01 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by CaptMcalister at 7:01 AM on March 31, 2007
The New Pornographers
The Constantines
Wolf Parade
Swan Lake
Stars
Sloan
Broken Social Scene
The Most Serene Republic
The Arcade Fire
With some of these, the appearance of the second vocalist isn't exactly common, but it still happens.
posted by synecdoche at 8:04 AM on March 31, 2007
The Constantines
Wolf Parade
Swan Lake
Stars
Sloan
Broken Social Scene
The Most Serene Republic
The Arcade Fire
With some of these, the appearance of the second vocalist isn't exactly common, but it still happens.
posted by synecdoche at 8:04 AM on March 31, 2007
maybe the guess who?
posted by lester's sock puppet at 8:04 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by lester's sock puppet at 8:04 AM on March 31, 2007
Pink Floyd again, but I will give examples. (And note that Roger Waters is NOT a very good vocalist, but had his moments, sometimes by re-recording snippets in the studio till he got it right. Although his performance in the live CD of The Wall, Is there Anybody Out There, is well done.)
David Gilmour and Roger Waters sang most of the lead, but Rick Wright had a few good ones, and traded off lead with Gilmour on some memorable songs such as Time.
Rather than list anything here, I give you this link.
posted by The Deej at 8:07 AM on March 31, 2007
David Gilmour and Roger Waters sang most of the lead, but Rick Wright had a few good ones, and traded off lead with Gilmour on some memorable songs such as Time.
Rather than list anything here, I give you this link.
posted by The Deej at 8:07 AM on March 31, 2007
Genesis
The Pixies
Dead Can Dance
The Chieftans
Drive-By truckers
posted by kimdog at 8:11 AM on March 31, 2007
The Pixies
Dead Can Dance
The Chieftans
Drive-By truckers
posted by kimdog at 8:11 AM on March 31, 2007
Blink 182
Dada (not too popular but they had 2 distinct singers)
not sure about these but maybe...
The Beach Boys
Cream
posted by eightball at 8:17 AM on March 31, 2007
Dada (not too popular but they had 2 distinct singers)
not sure about these but maybe...
The Beach Boys
Cream
posted by eightball at 8:17 AM on March 31, 2007
Also, the Runaways (the band that produced Joan Jett and Lita Ford).
posted by 4ster at 8:31 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by 4ster at 8:31 AM on March 31, 2007
A bit of a stretch, perhaps, but I'd count the Rolling Stones, given Keith Richards's singing on "Happy".
posted by Zonker at 8:37 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by Zonker at 8:37 AM on March 31, 2007
The Pipettes have 3 singers and the "lead" rotates between songs.
posted by subtle-t at 8:41 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by subtle-t at 8:41 AM on March 31, 2007
Depeche Mode: Dave Gahan and Martin Gore (although few of Gore's were hits)
Tears for Fears: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith
The Eagles: Don Henley and Glen Fry
posted by rintj at 8:47 AM on March 31, 2007
Tears for Fears: Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith
The Eagles: Don Henley and Glen Fry
posted by rintj at 8:47 AM on March 31, 2007
The Eagles: Don Henley and Glen Frey
and Randy Meisner and Joe Walsh and Bernie Leadon
Also, I'd add Little Feat
posted by Benny Andajetz at 9:16 AM on March 31, 2007
and Randy Meisner and Joe Walsh and Bernie Leadon
Also, I'd add Little Feat
posted by Benny Andajetz at 9:16 AM on March 31, 2007
The Pogues
R.E.M. (Mike Mills sings lead on several songs)
U2 (The Edge has sung lead on a couple of songs.)
posted by kirkaracha at 9:27 AM on March 31, 2007
R.E.M. (Mike Mills sings lead on several songs)
U2 (The Edge has sung lead on a couple of songs.)
posted by kirkaracha at 9:27 AM on March 31, 2007
Deerhoof and The Fiery Furnaces
posted by Andy Harwood at 9:34 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by Andy Harwood at 9:34 AM on March 31, 2007
Scissor Sisters
posted by awesomebrad at 9:36 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by awesomebrad at 9:36 AM on March 31, 2007
Versus
posted by kittyprecious at 9:58 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by kittyprecious at 9:58 AM on March 31, 2007
Response by poster: I will use a bunch of these! Thank you all.
Many are too obscure though or too fine a line (U2 I think isn't quite fitting the requirements)... all the songs, regardless of singer, must be/have been hits (in the most conventionally acceptable definition of the word.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:09 AM on March 31, 2007
Many are too obscure though or too fine a line (U2 I think isn't quite fitting the requirements)... all the songs, regardless of singer, must be/have been hits (in the most conventionally acceptable definition of the word.
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 10:09 AM on March 31, 2007
Phish? Trey usually sang the lead vocals on their songs, but Mike, Page and even Fish had songs that were theirs.
The Grateful Dead? Plenty of Jerry songs vs. Bobby songs.
posted by emelenjr at 10:41 AM on March 31, 2007
The Grateful Dead? Plenty of Jerry songs vs. Bobby songs.
posted by emelenjr at 10:41 AM on March 31, 2007
Blue Oyster Cult?
posted by Calloused_Foot at 10:44 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by Calloused_Foot at 10:44 AM on March 31, 2007
"Numb" by U2 sung by the Edge was the first single off Zooroopa and hit #2 on the Modern Rock charts.
posted by smackfu at 10:44 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by smackfu at 10:44 AM on March 31, 2007
Proclaimers
posted by roll truck roll at 10:50 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by roll truck roll at 10:50 AM on March 31, 2007
Seconding Sister Hazel. And I'd also like to throw Floetry out there.
posted by LiliaNic at 11:31 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by LiliaNic at 11:31 AM on March 31, 2007
Veruca Salt!
posted by pazazygeek at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2007
posted by pazazygeek at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2007
I should learn to read the question.
posted by kjars at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2007 [1 favorite]
posted by kjars at 11:52 AM on March 31, 2007 [1 favorite]
Rilo Kiley
The Weepies
Black Eyed Peas?
Nickel Creek
posted by non sum qualis eram at 12:27 PM on March 31, 2007
The Weepies
Black Eyed Peas?
Nickel Creek
posted by non sum qualis eram at 12:27 PM on March 31, 2007
Sebadoh, although this may fail the 'average person' rule.
posted by liquidindian at 12:34 PM on March 31, 2007
posted by liquidindian at 12:34 PM on March 31, 2007
Massive Attack. Though they rotated out guest vocalists, there was (mostly) always a core of three guys. They don't have as much name recognize as they do song recognition; almost anyone would recognize "angel" off of Mezzanine. Inertia creeps, while less popular, is I think still quite well known and features multiple core vocalists.
posted by flaterik at 12:43 PM on March 31, 2007
posted by flaterik at 12:43 PM on March 31, 2007
Hüsker Dü - may not be recognizable to the "average" person, but if Rilo Kiley and the Beautiful South count...
posted by punchdrunkhistory at 12:47 PM on March 31, 2007
posted by punchdrunkhistory at 12:47 PM on March 31, 2007
SikTh
British metal band, with a screamer and growler.
+1 to 3 Inches of Blood as well! The best I've ever seen dual metal vocals pulled off live.
posted by chrispy108 at 1:04 PM on March 31, 2007
British metal band, with a screamer and growler.
+1 to 3 Inches of Blood as well! The best I've ever seen dual metal vocals pulled off live.
posted by chrispy108 at 1:04 PM on March 31, 2007
Whiskeytown -- Ryan Adams and Caitlin Carey
Savatage -- Jon Oliva and Zak Stevens
Traffic -- at various points Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, and Steve Winwood
Matatabi and Kuroneko from Onmyou-za are probably not mainstream enough, are they? Darn. I love that band...
posted by Smilla's Sense of Snark at 1:15 PM on March 31, 2007
Savatage -- Jon Oliva and Zak Stevens
Traffic -- at various points Dave Mason, Jim Capaldi, and Steve Winwood
Matatabi and Kuroneko from Onmyou-za are probably not mainstream enough, are they? Darn. I love that band...
posted by Smilla's Sense of Snark at 1:15 PM on March 31, 2007
Cream?
CSNY?
Osmonds/Jacksons
And from the '80's...
XTC
Squeeze
Split Enz
Tears for Fears
posted by chococat at 1:50 PM on March 31, 2007
CSNY?
Osmonds/Jacksons
And from the '80's...
XTC
Squeeze
Split Enz
Tears for Fears
posted by chococat at 1:50 PM on March 31, 2007
Tegan and Sara (and I'll admit, half the time I can't tell which twin is singing)
posted by messylissa at 2:23 PM on March 31, 2007
posted by messylissa at 2:23 PM on March 31, 2007
X (John Doe and Exene Cervenka)
Sleater-Kinney
Throwing Muses (pre-"Red Heaven" era with Tanya Donnelly)
The Pixies
Yo La Tengo (jeez, YLT seems to be the appropriate answer for many AskMe questions as of late...how strange)
At least to my observation, the best "two lead singer" bands seem to generally be comprised of mixed male/female vocals. There are a lot of multiple-male lead singer bands, but I have a much harder time thinking of GOOD multiple-male lead singer bands off the top of my head.
XTC came to mind, but compared to Andy Partidge, Colin's voice seems rather generic to my ears, so I don't think it qualifies for I_L_B's "(good)" requirement.
posted by melorama at 3:21 PM on March 31, 2007
Sleater-Kinney
Throwing Muses (pre-"Red Heaven" era with Tanya Donnelly)
The Pixies
Yo La Tengo (jeez, YLT seems to be the appropriate answer for many AskMe questions as of late...how strange)
At least to my observation, the best "two lead singer" bands seem to generally be comprised of mixed male/female vocals. There are a lot of multiple-male lead singer bands, but I have a much harder time thinking of GOOD multiple-male lead singer bands off the top of my head.
XTC came to mind, but compared to Andy Partidge, Colin's voice seems rather generic to my ears, so I don't think it qualifies for I_L_B's "(good)" requirement.
posted by melorama at 3:21 PM on March 31, 2007
oops...in reading the entire thread, i see now that, as influential and "mainstream" that the bands I mentioned are in their respective genres, they aren't exactly "hit" bands.
posted by melorama at 3:27 PM on March 31, 2007
posted by melorama at 3:27 PM on March 31, 2007
It probably doesn't fit all the requirements.. but Queens of the Stone Age. Josh Homme is the main singer, but Nick sang some songs. I say sang because he's no longer in the band. Plus Mark Lanegan has sung on some of their tunes here and there too.
posted by VegaValmont at 5:30 PM on March 31, 2007
posted by VegaValmont at 5:30 PM on March 31, 2007
Everything But the Girl
posted by kirkaracha at 6:09 PM on March 31, 2007
posted by kirkaracha at 6:09 PM on March 31, 2007
I can't be the only one who digs Keith Richards' vocals on "Happy" or "You Got the Silver." The latter particularly deserves respect, no matter how comic Keith's persona is these days.
And another obvious choice from classic rock--since you mentioned the mainstream bit--is The Who.
posted by raysmj at 12:23 AM on April 1, 2007
And another obvious choice from classic rock--since you mentioned the mainstream bit--is The Who.
posted by raysmj at 12:23 AM on April 1, 2007
Response by poster: raysmj, I did reference The Who in my original post...
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:21 AM on April 1, 2007
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:21 AM on April 1, 2007
Response by poster: Looking over the list as it stands I see 20-25 or so I will feel confident in using.
The rest are out because either I never heard of them, the friend doing this contest will have never heard of them, or they are too much on the line requiring "yeah, but..." justification.
Thanks again!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:26 AM on April 1, 2007
The rest are out because either I never heard of them, the friend doing this contest will have never heard of them, or they are too much on the line requiring "yeah, but..." justification.
Thanks again!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 7:26 AM on April 1, 2007
In early Lonestar albums, John Rich traded off singing duties with lead singer Richie MacDonald. Early hits, such as No News, Say When, and Everything's Changed cemented MacDonald's distinctive voice in the group's commercial sound, and Rich eventually left Lonestar to pursue other opportunities.
If I remember correctly, the next Lonestar album was Lonely Grill, which contained the once-in-a-career hit song Amazed, which ended up being the biggest pop/country crossover hit fronted by a male singer in years.
And as for John Rich? He launched a failed bid for a solo singing career before settling for songwriting, in which capacity he launched the career of 'Redneck Woman' Gretchen Wilson... and ironically found popular success himself singing offbeat tunes (such as Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy) with songwriting partner 'Big' Kenny Alphin in the duo Big & Rich.
posted by The Confessor at 9:48 AM on April 1, 2007
If I remember correctly, the next Lonestar album was Lonely Grill, which contained the once-in-a-career hit song Amazed, which ended up being the biggest pop/country crossover hit fronted by a male singer in years.
And as for John Rich? He launched a failed bid for a solo singing career before settling for songwriting, in which capacity he launched the career of 'Redneck Woman' Gretchen Wilson... and ironically found popular success himself singing offbeat tunes (such as Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy) with songwriting partner 'Big' Kenny Alphin in the duo Big & Rich.
posted by The Confessor at 9:48 AM on April 1, 2007
Jefferson Airplane? Oasis? (or did the other brother only sing when the first was having a tantrum?) The Jacksons? Public Enemy? Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young? Fugazi? Galaxie 500? Low? Swans? Strawberry Switchblade? The Birthday Party? My Bloody Valentine?
posted by Martin E. at 12:10 PM on April 1, 2007
posted by Martin E. at 12:10 PM on April 1, 2007
Styx (Dennis DeYoung and Tommy Shaw)
posted by SisterHavana at 8:20 PM on April 1, 2007
posted by SisterHavana at 8:20 PM on April 1, 2007
Response by poster: OMG, how could I have ignored Styx? They are a perfect example.
Thx Havana!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 11:32 AM on April 2, 2007
Thx Havana!
posted by I_Love_Bananas at 11:32 AM on April 2, 2007
Night Ranger - Kelly Keagy & Jack Blades. Keagy is also a singing drummer.
Damn Yankees - Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades & occasionally Ted Nugent
posted by drstein at 1:27 PM on April 2, 2007
Damn Yankees - Tommy Shaw, Jack Blades & occasionally Ted Nugent
posted by drstein at 1:27 PM on April 2, 2007
This thread is closed to new comments.
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posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 6:45 AM on March 31, 2007