Music: Rock bands where the "star" was not the lead singer?

[Habsfunk]

The Ramones. It's pretty even between Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee.

The Rolling Stones. Mick is probably the biggest star, but fans of the band would probably go with Keef.

 

[The Macho King]

Are you talking about Iron Maiden's first two albums here?

Of course. Baileys were trash.

 

[peate]

The Ramones. It's pretty even between Joey, Johnny and Dee Dee.

The Rolling Stones. Mick is probably the biggest star, but fans of the band would probably go with Keef.

Who the hell is Keef?

 

[Trap Jesus]

Do people think Page was a bigger star than Plant? Kind of seems like they're 1A and 1B.

 

[Shareefruck]

Agreed. But the real question now becomes, Mooney or Suzuki? I tend to lean towards Suzuki, and think his voice would fit more seamlessly with the earlier recordings than Mooney's would following the progression in Can's music, but Mooney at his best is probably more distinct/powerful than Suzuki, albeit less pretty.

I think Suzuki wins by default just by virtue of contributing to significantly stronger material. Mooney's awesome too, though.

 

[Spring in Fialta]

I think Suzuki wins by default just by virtue of contributing to significantly stronger material. Mooney's awesome too, though.

I have a hard time deciding which I like better, Suzuki's performance on Oh Yeah, or Mooney's on The Thief. Vocals only, I'm tempted to go with the latter, and while The Thief is one of their stronger songs, Oh Yeah is simply one of the greatest tracks of all-time.

 

[frisco]

Alan Parsons Project.

The current version of Journey. Cain and Schon are the stars.

My Best-Carey

 

[bigdirty]

You could make the argument for Brian Eno being the star of Roxy Music early on. Ferry was the main guy doing the writing and everything, and was pushed to be the true frontman of the group, but everywhere they went it was Eno that everyone wanted to interview. Ferry has said himself that he didn't like doing interviews and just felt awkward talking to people, while Eno was very charismatic and just looked weird as well, so he often got all the attention from fans and critics.

 

[Hockey Outsider]

How is it not Steve Harris?

I love Bruce, but they've had 4 albums (2 of them even good!) Without Bruce.

I think most serious fans of the band realize that Harris is the band's leader and most important member, but Dickinson is probably more famous among casual fans, so I don't think Maiden qualifies here.

(Unpopular opinion - "The X Factor" was one of the best albums they've ever done).

 

[The Macho King]

I think most serious fans of the band realize that Harris is the band's leader and most important member, but Dickinson is probably more famous among casual fans, so I don't think Maiden qualifies here.

(Unpopular opinion - "The X Factor" was one of the best albums they've ever done).

I would like X Factor if it was a different band, I think.

 

[Eisen]

Are you talking about Iron Maiden's first two albums here?

I sure hope so.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Pink Floyd?

David Gilmour may be more famous than Roger Waters.

I guess they are sort of co-lead singers.

I always considered Gilmour and Waters to be on equal ground in terms of contributions to the group, personally.

(Except for the Final Cut and the Wall, obviously)

 

[MXD]

Iron Maiden : Dickinson is the really, really, really obvious star here, despite not being the band's leader (that's Steve Harris).

 

[MXD]

I'm trying to come up with an answer for Nightwish :

You have a Face (whoever is the lead singer at the moment - now Floor Jansen), a Lead (keyboardist Tuomas Holopalainen) and a Star (at this point, it's probably bassist-male/back vocalist-huge ham Marko Hietala).

 

[beowulf]

Chikenfoot? Could be argued that guitarist Joe Satriani is a bigger draw than Sammy Haggard. I mean he is the reason I bought their albums, just to listen to Satch's guitar playing.

 

[BrockLobster]

I think most serious fans of the band realize that Harris is the band's leader and most important member, but Dickinson is probably more famous among casual fans, so I don't think Maiden qualifies here.

(Unpopular opinion - "The X Factor" was one of the best albums they've ever done).

I dont know if the album as a whole is one of their best. But sign of the cross is a top 10 maiden song.

 

[Frankie Blueberries]

Tommy Lee of Motley Crüe and Travis Barker of Blink 182 are good examples of the drummers being the most prominent members of the band.