# Bands named for a member that is not the lead singer **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 26, 2023, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716 "2023-11-26T11:59:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![P-man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/p-man/32/3606_2.png) [@P-man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/P-man)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/21 "2023-11-26T15:34:44Z")
Montrose ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/22 "2023-11-26T15:45:14Z")
The Larry Mullen Experience. Larry Mullen says that was the name of the band he was putting together would be … until Paul Hewson walked into the room. Today they are U2. ---
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/23 "2023-11-26T15:45:58Z")
> [@psychonaut](#): > > Blackmore’s Night partially counts Then Emerson, Lake and Palmer 2/3 counts. Although Blackmore’s Night is a much more interesting name than the law firm name of ELP. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/24 "2023-11-26T16:17:46Z")
> [@eburacum45](#): > > Fleetwood Mac. Also Mick Fleetwood’s Zoo ---
**Author:** ![Dallas\_Jones](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dallas_jones/32/3277_2.png) [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/25 "2023-11-26T16:21:26Z")
Robin Trower didn’t sing on his albums, that was James Dewar. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/26 "2023-11-26T16:22:33Z")
Argent, maybe? Founder Rod Argent did sing some lead vocals, but it looks to me like if the band had a lead singer, it was Russ Ballard. ---
**Author:** ![BrickBat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ac91a4/32.png) [@BrickBat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrickBat)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/27 "2023-11-26T17:48:45Z")
Yngwie Malmsteen ( OK, Yngvie Malmsteen’s Rising Force ) ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/28 "2023-11-26T18:01:18Z")
Brinsley Schwarz - notable for the first recording of [(What’s So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding](https://youtu.be/1J1CfXFlI4c?feature=shared). Eddie And The Hot Rods (but only if you accept a mannequin as a band member). j ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/29 "2023-11-26T18:38:48Z")
J. Geils Band ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/30 "2023-11-26T19:26:15Z")
Steely Dan was a honorary member of that group. The ladies loved him. 😉 The OP question is difficult. Bands create unique names like Genesis, Rolling Stones,Beatles or they name it after the frontman vocalist. It’s rare to name a band after sidemen. I think Doctor Hook was named after the guy with the eye patch. Eyepatch/pirate, It’s their sense of humor. Dennis Locorriere is their vocalist. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/31 "2023-11-26T19:37:07Z")
> [@Galactus](#): > > Ted Nugent Is Ted Nugent the name of a band, other than the guitarist? ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/32 "2023-11-26T19:38:21Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > The OP question is difficult. Bands create unique names like Genesis, Rolling Stones,Beatles or they name it after the frontman vocalist. It’s rare to name a band after sidemen. Well, there are quite a few examples in this thread. Now I’m wondering if it’s actually more common than bands named after the lead singer (if you exclude band names of the form “Somebody and The Somethings”). Also, I’m not sure about your use of the term “sidemen” here. According to some definitions, a “sideman” is a hired hand, not a regular member of the band. I assume you’re using the word “sideman” as a contrast to the “frontman,” but even so, it seems somewhat unnecessarily dismissive. There are examples of bands in which some other member is at least as important, if not more so, than the frontman/lead singer, including arguably Pete Townshend of The Who, Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick, and Tom Scholz of Boston. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/33 "2023-11-26T19:55:30Z")
Sidemen play important roles in bands. I have a lot of respect for them. > **[Best Sidemen In Rock: 10 Musicians Who Deserve Their Due](https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/best-sidemen-in-rock/)** > > The best sidemen in rock don’t always get their due but are crucial to shaping a band’s sound. Here are just a few unsung heroes. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/34 "2023-11-26T20:05:54Z")
_Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets_ – Gary Kemp handles the vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/35 "2023-11-26T20:19:28Z")
Along the same lines, _Valerie_ was described as being a record by _Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse_ - I think Ronson did/does that quite a bit. j ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/36 "2023-11-26T20:56:52Z")
**Bruford** Bill on drums, Jeff Berlin sings, and plays a wicked bass. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/37 "2023-11-26T22:02:50Z")
**The Alan Parsons Project** Alan Parsons was the producer. ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/38 "2023-11-26T22:31:07Z")
That was always my understanding but according to wiki, his roles included:production, engineering, programming, composition, vocals, keyboards, guitars (1975–1990) ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2023, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/39 "2023-11-26T23:27:04Z")
Yeah, that still tracks. A lot of famous producers also did a lot of otyer stuff. George Martin wrote and played a number of parts on Beatles songs. Alan Parsons is a producer primarily. He has worked with a LOT of acts. ---
**Author:** ![Galactus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/galactus/32/3581_2.png) [@Galactus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Galactus)\ **Post date:** [November 27, 2023, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716/40 "2023-11-27T00:15:26Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > Is Ted Nugent the name of a band, other than the guitarist? Is Santana or Van Halen the name of a band, other than the guitarist? If only the last name is used it elevates it to band name? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-named-for-a-member-that-is-not-the-lead-singer/993716.md?page=3)