Hi Glen!! cool idea for a video and yes there are some notable unsung heroes in many famous bands or with big solo artists like Bowie... you can make a case that in your favorite band Harrison might qualify..... also in Genesis you have to big names Gabriel and Collins but the other guys are really important too. cheers and be well
Great idea! Some of my picks would be Mel Schacher of Grand Funk for that amazing bass on the early albums, Dave Davies of The Kinks (for his songs) and Buck Dharma, the guitarist for Blue Oyster Cult.
I agree about Mick Ronson. I'm going through my David Bowie "Rock 'N' Roll Star!" box set, covering the "Ziggy Stardust" era. And Mick Ronson's guitar work is amazing throughout. He definitely "makes" some of those songs and performances.
Denny Laine of Wings; Bob Weir of Grateful Dead; and of course drummer Joe Franco of The Good Rats. I have got to turn you onto The Good Rats, they will change you in a very good way. "The famous band you never heard of ... yet."
There is a problem at the very heart of recognition of contributions in music. Contributors go not only unsung, but underpaid. This is a really important topic, and a critical one in terms of artists' revenues. Some bands pay each member equally, regardless of who writes the music, Coldplay, for example. As the joke goes, oh to be the drummer for Coldplay - all that money and nobody knows who you are. As I understand it, songs are usually developed in a band by the originator of the tune turning up and playing his idea to the gang, and then they all pitch in their contributions on their individual instruments. So the whole band contributes to the song by writing their own parts, but only the originator gets the songwriting credit. Elton John, famously, would turn up with a song, play it, and then say, "Finish it up, boys!" I'm not sure the boys ended up with as many mansions as he did. Also, famously, Mick Taylor became deeply disgruntled within The Rolling Stones because he would make a major contribution to a song, as everyone has acknowledged, but never get a songwriting credit. Mick Ronson is the ultimate example. His contribution to the David Bowie sound was essential and earned him $75 a month. The keyboardist, who contributed just the usual, got $800 a month. Ronno more or less for wrote Lou Reed's 'Transformer,' and got no credit for it whatsoever. Lou Reed would turn up, hum a tune, and go, and Ronno would do the rest. But Ronno just didn't have any interest in money. He just loved doing the music and, to Ian Hunter's frustration, would accept every offer going without negotiating a realistic fee. I don't know what Ian Hunter paid Ronno - why would I? - but that was a more complex relationship because Ronno stayed with Ian for a year, and was apparently an excellent chef to boot. Suzie Ronson has said that Ian did certainly pay him, but that it was Morrissey who really put bread on their table in the later years. Ian Hunter has been incredibly lucky. First he had Mick Ralphs (or vice versa), who made massive contributions to the songs they played, including writing the iconic intro to 'All the Young Dudes.' Then there was Ronno. And now there is Andy York, who, since taking charge of the production of Ian Hunter's albums since 2000, hasn't put a foot wrong, including arranging all the contributions from star players for 'Defiance 1 and 2.' I guess he does the same thing for John Mellencamp. But, in short, I would guess that, ultimately, every band member, other than the one(s) who get the songwriting credits, are the unsung, and mightily underpaid, heroes.
Great list. Clarence was a rock god. When it comes to the Allman Brothers, I'd pick Warren, if you listen to their stuff past 2000 he is all over the place, and since he joined, he was writing songs, singing and of course playing guitar. One name I would add to the list is Joe Vitale, Joe Walshs partner in crime since the 70s.
Maury was really important to the great melodies on Jim Croce records. Love the guitar sound. You had some great picks. I love David Lindley's solo material also. Clarence is truly missed.
Terrific selection of second bananas Glen.For me,the first name that came to mind was Jimmy Dewar,who played bass and sang on Robin Trowers most successful an acclaimed albums in the seventies.A tremendous vocalist and musician..
I agree 100% about Maury Muelheison ( mu-lie-zon) he was great with Croce, guitar harmonizing I would call it. Rusty Anderson who's in the McCartney Band never gets enough credit he is so spot on with his solos but Brian May for some reason is always in the spot light.Rusty has been with Paul longer than Brian. Wings 1974 - 78 the late Jimmy McCulloch never got any credit I thought he was great. And from a band you probably don't like, Pablo Cruise lead guitar David Jenkins.All these guys I think are underrated , what do you think Glen ?
@@jameswilson7084 but did they really help forged a sound..? Which is really what I was going for..Paul wrote everything and it is all played the way he wrote it..maybe some if the Wings members had an influence.
@@GlenKellawayfromthebasement For his live sound, his current live band has certainly forged a better performance. I'd say his 2001 - current touring band is his best one since the 1975 - 1976 lineup of Wings, and I doubt most could name one member either than Paul.
Pye Dubois and Robert Hunter as lyricists, for Pye, Max Webster/ Kim Mitchell and for Robert, The Grateful Dead.
Great to see Mike C! David Lindley and Croce, great picks!
Hi Glen!! cool idea for a video and yes there are some notable unsung heroes in many famous bands or with big solo artists like Bowie... you can make a case that in your favorite band Harrison might qualify..... also in Genesis you have to big names Gabriel and Collins but the other guys are really important too. cheers and be well
Steve Hackett Genesis. Richie Sambora Bon Jovi. Randy Meisner The Eagles, and BerineTaupin.
All great examples..
If you and Larry were in a band together, who would be the sidekick?
Probably me..Larry would would whine about it on his channel if I was the leader.
US
@@GlenKellawayfromthebasement Ha ha!
Great idea! Some of my picks would be Mel Schacher of Grand Funk for that amazing bass on the early albums, Dave Davies of The Kinks (for his songs) and Buck Dharma, the guitarist for Blue Oyster Cult.
Ronny Montrose Edgar Winter group, Dan Hartman same group a close second 👍
Good ones Shane..
Interesting idea. Very informative
Thank you Tim..
Mick Ronson was first on my list. Followed by Nicky Hobkins and Rob Wasserman. Then there is the countless others that played with Zappa's band.
Ronson was my first thought and what made me do the video.
Mick Ronson was the first name I thought of when I saw the premise for this video.
Me too..
I agree about Mick Ronson. I'm going through my David Bowie "Rock 'N' Roll Star!" box set, covering the "Ziggy Stardust" era. And Mick Ronson's guitar work is amazing throughout. He definitely "makes" some of those songs and performances.
Absolutely
Denny Laine of Wings; Bob Weir of Grateful Dead; and of course drummer Joe Franco of The Good Rats. I have got to turn you onto The Good Rats, they will change you in a very good way. "The famous band you never heard of ... yet."
I thought about Weir but he was a major contributor as writer and singer..Will check out the Good Rats
There is a problem at the very heart of recognition of contributions in music. Contributors go not only unsung, but underpaid. This is a really important topic, and a critical one in terms of artists' revenues.
Some bands pay each member equally, regardless of who writes the music, Coldplay, for example. As the joke goes, oh to be the drummer for Coldplay - all that money and nobody knows who you are.
As I understand it, songs are usually developed in a band by the originator of the tune turning up and playing his idea to the gang, and then they all pitch in their contributions on their individual instruments. So the whole band contributes to the song by writing their own parts, but only the originator gets the songwriting credit. Elton John, famously, would turn up with a song, play it, and then say, "Finish it up, boys!" I'm not sure the boys ended up with as many mansions as he did.
Also, famously, Mick Taylor became deeply disgruntled within The Rolling Stones because he would make a major contribution to a song, as everyone has acknowledged, but never get a songwriting credit.
Mick Ronson is the ultimate example. His contribution to the David Bowie sound was essential and earned him $75 a month. The keyboardist, who contributed just the usual, got $800 a month. Ronno more or less for wrote Lou Reed's 'Transformer,' and got no credit for it whatsoever. Lou Reed would turn up, hum a tune, and go, and Ronno would do the rest. But Ronno just didn't have any interest in money. He just loved doing the music and, to Ian Hunter's frustration, would accept every offer going without negotiating a realistic fee.
I don't know what Ian Hunter paid Ronno - why would I? - but that was a more complex relationship because Ronno stayed with Ian for a year, and was apparently an excellent chef to boot. Suzie Ronson has said that Ian did certainly pay him, but that it was Morrissey who really put bread on their table in the later years.
Ian Hunter has been incredibly lucky. First he had Mick Ralphs (or vice versa), who made massive contributions to the songs they played, including writing the iconic intro to 'All the Young Dudes.' Then there was Ronno. And now there is Andy York, who, since taking charge of the production of Ian Hunter's albums since 2000, hasn't put a foot wrong, including arranging all the contributions from star players for 'Defiance 1 and 2.' I guess he does the same thing for John Mellencamp.
But, in short, I would guess that, ultimately, every band member, other than the one(s) who get the songwriting credits, are the unsung, and mightily underpaid, heroes.
Thanks Tim…great insight..
Great list. Clarence was a rock god. When it comes to the Allman Brothers, I'd pick Warren, if you listen to their stuff past 2000 he is all over the place, and since he joined, he was writing songs, singing and of course playing guitar. One name I would add to the list is Joe Vitale, Joe Walshs partner in crime since the 70s.
Warren is a great choice
Maury was really important to the great melodies on Jim Croce records. Love the guitar sound. You had some great picks. I love David Lindley's solo material also. Clarence is truly missed.
I think Maury is a perfect example..
Terrific selection of second bananas Glen.For me,the first name that came to mind was Jimmy Dewar,who played bass and sang on Robin Trowers most successful an acclaimed albums in the seventies.A tremendous vocalist and musician..
Good one..perfect example because I am familiar with the Trower albums but didn’t have a clue about Jimmy Dewar..you win!!
Yes, I got the "Bridge Of Sighs" CD/ Blu-Ray set recently, and reading the notes for the album was the first time I ever read or heard his name.
I agree 100% about Maury Muelheison ( mu-lie-zon) he was great with Croce, guitar harmonizing I would call it. Rusty Anderson who's in the McCartney Band never gets enough credit he is so spot on with his solos but Brian May for some reason is always in the spot light.Rusty has been with Paul longer than Brian. Wings 1974 - 78 the late Jimmy McCulloch never got any credit I thought he was great. And from a band you probably don't like, Pablo Cruise lead guitar David Jenkins.All these guys I think are underrated , what do you think Glen ?
Not to familiar with Pablo Cruise..McCartney definitely has a few..
I guess all of the members of Paul McCartney's touring band. They've now been with him longer than The Beatles and Wings were together.
@@jameswilson7084 but did they really help forged a sound..? Which is really what I was going for..Paul wrote everything and it is all played the way he wrote it..maybe some if the Wings members had an influence.
@@GlenKellawayfromthebasement For his live sound, his current live band has certainly forged a better performance. I'd say his 2001 - current touring band is his best one since the 1975 - 1976 lineup of Wings, and I doubt most could name one member either than Paul.
Paul McCartney
You are cruel
@@GlenKellawayfromthebasement But true Glen