# Bands that are actually "Johnny and his guys" **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 11, 2013, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037 "2013-02-11T23:30:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/41 "2013-02-12T16:18:47Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > … > > I don’t think the Cars would have done well without Benjamin Orr or Elliot Easton. Now that I think of it, the drum and keyboard styles were crucial also… I agree, considering that Orr sang _Just What I Needed_, _Drive_, _Let’s Go_, _Moving In Stereo_, _Candy-O_,\* Bye Bye Love\* and more. The The is pretty much just Matt Johnson. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/42 "2013-02-12T16:20:24Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Yeah, I’m not really in agreement about Wilco either. Sure now they are basically Tweedy, but their best (IMO) album (Yankee Hotel Foxtrot) had a lot of input from Jay Bennett and even now the other members are pretty essential. Bennett most certainly helped YHF become the great album that it is, but when Tweedy was sick of him he booted him from the band (as he had with other members before that). The current incarnation is a lot more stable, but Jeff still writes all of the songs and tightly controls the band. He’s said in interviews that the band could still handle losing any of the members, except bassist John Stirratt (I think it’s in the Ashes of American Flags concert doc). If John ever left, the band would cease to be, but regardless of that fact, that’s more about friendship and less about who’s controlling the output of the band. And honestly, if Jeff wanted to keep Wilco going w/o John - he would and could. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/43 "2013-02-12T16:20:30Z")
Two “Soul” bands: Soul Asylum is Dave Pirner and company. Collective Soul is basically Ed Roland and his brother and some guys. I was never a big fan of either band, but I liked “Shine” and I caught a Collective Soul concert on the TeeVee somewhere along the line and what struck me was how the show started: three guys on stage doing several bars of instrumental music followed by Ed Roland strolling onto stage, smiling and waving and bowing like he was Elvis in Hawaii. I kind of actively hated them after that. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/44 "2013-02-12T16:31:43Z")
Boston = Tom Scholz ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/45 "2013-02-12T16:36:42Z")
> [@tullsterx](#): > > Boston = Tom Scholz NOW it does, but for decades, it was Scholtz and the late Brad Delp. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/46 "2013-02-12T16:42:02Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > NOW it does, but for decades, it was Scholtz and the late Brad Delp. I agree that without Brad’s voice, Boston would not be Boston, but Tom was clearly the originator, master and controller. ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/47 "2013-02-12T16:50:17Z")
> [@campp](#): > > Cracker is pretty much a David Lowery band. I’m not familiar with the arc of their career, but when I saw them supporting the Rev a few years ago I got the distinct impression that Johnny Hickman wasn’t easily replaceable. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/48 "2013-02-12T16:56:56Z")
I suppose it’s fair to say that, in the Kinks, everyone except Ray and Dave was replaceable; and I get the impression that some of the friction between the Davies brothers arose from Dave’s perception and resentment of Ray treating the band as his own personal project. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/49 "2013-02-12T17:05:27Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > Jethro Tull, The Cars, and ELO (post Roy Wood era). [ELO](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_Light_Orchestra) is the definitive answer here. > [@](#): > > After Wood’s departure following the band’s debut record, Lynne wrote and arranged all of the group’s original compositions and produced every album. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/50 "2013-02-12T17:05:57Z")
Being familiar with NIN = Trent Reznor, I was surprised to find out that Marilyn Manson did not start out as “Marilyn & whoever” but was a real band with some core members. But then over the years people have come in and out, so I guess really now it’s “Marilyn & his guys.” In fact, [here’s a chart](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Marilyn_Manson_band_members). ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/51 "2013-02-12T17:11:44Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Guns’n’Roses and BonJovi are borderline for me. I would say Guns’n’Roses doesn’t count. Slash was at least as irreplaceable as Axl Rose. Probably more so after Axl OD’d and srcrewed up his voice. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/52 "2013-02-12T17:22:47Z")
The Stooges were always Iggy Pop and a few other guys. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/53 "2013-02-12T17:29:23Z")
> [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > Jethro Tull has been through some lineup changes but were pretty stable through their great years. Martin Barre and Barrimore Barlow were a big part. Barre yes, but Barlow was a member for only nine years out of a 40-something year band history and is not on the band’s most famous album, _Aqualung_. (Although I personally agree that the years he was with the band were their peak.) In fact, Barlow’s presence was a _symptom_ of Ian Anderson’s complete dominance of Jethro Tull, as his hire completed Anderson’s tactic of replacing the other original band members with his old cronies from the John Evan Band. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/54 "2013-02-12T17:38:15Z")
The Waterboys ---
**Author:** ![lost4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@lost4life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lost4life)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/55 "2013-02-12T17:41:21Z")
> [@Enginerd](#): > > The Stooges were always Iggy Pop and a few other guys. That just hurts. Why the hate for the Asheton brothers! They were definitely involved in forming the Stooges sound. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/56 "2013-02-12T17:53:19Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > The current incarnation is a lot more stable, but Jeff still writes all of the songs and tightly controls the band. He’s said in interviews that the band could still handle losing any of the members, except bassist John Stirratt (I think it’s in the Ashes of American Flags concert doc). If John ever left, the band would cease to be, but regardless of that fact, that’s more about friendship and less about who’s controlling the output of the band. And honestly, if Jeff wanted to keep Wilco going w/o John - he would and could. Yeah, that’s all true. There’s no doubt that it’s Tweedy’s band now. But even _A Ghost is Born_ and _Sky Blue Sky_ had at least had a few songs with co-credits. Not so much with the last two albums. Of course, I would argue that the quality of the band’s output has fallen along with that trend, but obviously YMMV. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/57 "2013-02-12T18:12:47Z")
_A Perfect Circle_ ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/58 "2013-02-12T18:20:50Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > Of course, I would argue that the quality of the band’s output has fallen along with that trend, but obviously YMMV. I agree with you up until The Whole Love, which is a freaking phenomenal album and right up there with YHF and AGiB. ---
**Author:** ![Enginerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bcef8e/32.png) [@Enginerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enginerd)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/59 "2013-02-12T18:27:29Z")
> [@lost4life](#): > > That just hurts. Why the hate for the Asheton brothers! They were definitely involved in forming the Stooges sound. That’s a fair question. I thought they’d both left the band at some point, but I was wrong. The Stooges have kept up touring since Ron’s death, but Scott was their only drummer up until last year. I withdraw the Stooges with apologies to the Ashetons. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/60 "2013-02-12T18:49:28Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I agree with you up until The Whole Love, which is a freaking phenomenal album and right up there with YHF and AGiB. I haven’t even listened to the Whole Love, since I hated the two previous albums so badly. But I’ve also always liked Summerteeth more than YHF, so take from that what you will. For fans who like the pre-YHF output, check out Jay Bennett’s collaboration with Edward Burch, The Palace at 4am. It’s a phenomenal album that contains several songs that would easily be worthy of inclusion on a Wilco album. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037.md?page=4)