# 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:** 4
**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, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/61 "2013-02-12T19:09:42Z")
> [@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. > [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](#): > > I haven’t even listened to the Whole Love, since I hated the two previous albums so badly. Ditto. Although I guess now I 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. Will do, thanks for the recommendation. ---
**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, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/62 "2013-02-12T19:10:25Z")
The Tubes - Fee Waybill. Un-cited on Wikipedia, it mentions that when he left the band in 1986, another band member (it says not who) quipped, “Fee broke up.” ---
**Author:** ![SykoSkotty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@SykoSkotty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SykoSkotty)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/63 "2013-02-12T19:17:44Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > 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). Actually, they were first called “Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids.” As for my entry, I vote for Ministry. Al Jourgensen…and no one else. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/64 "2013-02-12T19:32:57Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > 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. And it could be argued, based on each band members’ output since GnR became basically just Axl, that Axl was in fact the least talented member of the original band. Izzy Stradlin actually wrote a large portion of the music throughout his tenure in the band, and it could be argued, and is actually quite clear to me, that his departure marked the beginning of their downfall. ---
**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:** [February 12, 2013, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/65 "2013-02-12T19:44:12Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > The Tubes - Fee Waybill. Although Fee was indisputably the face and fantastic frontman of the band, he wasn’t the main songwriter and not really an instrumentalist. Back in the day I worked with a bunch of huge fans and they often judged performances by what kind of night Steen or Spooner had. (not to mention Prairie Prince, who is a fantastic drummer) ---
**Author:** ![Kimballkid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b5a626/32.png) [@Kimballkid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimballkid)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/66 "2013-02-12T21:48:45Z")
The Johnny Holm Band 😃 ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2013, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/67 "2013-02-12T23:32:20Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > (not to mention Prairie Prince, who is a fantastic drummer) Abso-fricken-loutly! He’s been Todd Rundgren’s go-to drummer for years, and has been fantastic. I once saw him play three different concerts in as many days - the Tubes, Todd Rundgren’s _Arena_ and a concert production of _Sgt. Pepper’s_. ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/68 "2013-02-13T00:03:27Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds > Wilco - Jeff Tweedy > Smashing Pumpkins - Billy Corgan > [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Ben Folds Five has his name on, so it doesn’t count. > Good one with SP: I think Jimmy Chamberlain had a lot to do with Smashing Pumpkins’ success. The guy is a monster talent. He had to be for Corgan to put up with his addiction struggles and not fire him after the keyboardist’s fatal OD and Chamberlain’s close call. I read that Corgan wrote off D’arcy and James Iha as window dressing or something like it, but I haven’t read/heard him slag off Jimmy anywhere. Here’s a quote from Corgan about an early meeting of the two when Jimmy was interested in joining the band: > [@](#): > > He was wearing a pink t-shirt, stonewashed jeans, he had a mullet haircut, and he was driving a 280Z, and had yellow drums. We were sort of looking each other in the eye thinking, ‘This ain’t gonna happen, this is not the guy.’ [But] he’d learned all our songs, as only Jimmy can, off the top of his head, and, within one practice, we were ready to play. It was amazing. We just knew right away. He’s that good. Also, as of 1984 there had been 37 people in Spinal Tap, despite it being David and Nigel’s band. ---
**Author:** ![April\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@April\_R](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/April_R)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/69 "2013-02-13T00:35:23Z")
Marilyn Manson-Brian Warner Owl City-Adam Young Hunter Revenge-Hunter Burgan The Revolution-Prince ---
**Author:** ![Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/43a26b/32.png) [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pine_Fresh_Scent)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/70 "2013-02-13T01:20:41Z")
Don’t ever call the Stones’ [Charlie Watts](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Watts#With_the_Rolling_Stones) disposable. > [@](#): > > A famous anecdote relates that during the mid-1980s, an intoxicated Jagger phoned Watts’ hotel room in the middle of the night asking “Where’s my drummer?”. Watts reportedly got up, shaved, dressed in a suit, put on a tie and freshly shined shoes, descended the stairs, and punched Jagger in the face, saying: “Don’t ever call me your drummer again. You’re my fucking singer!” ---
**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 13, 2013, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/71 "2013-02-13T01:40:47Z")
Sounds like [Big Country](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Country) was mostly [Stuart Adamson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_Adamson). > [@](#): > > In many ways, Adamson was the sound of Big Country, supplying much of its distinctive guitar work, as well as being lead singer and main songwriter (both music and lyrics). That’s OK, I haven’t heard of a lot of the bands mentioned here either. ---
**Author:** ![birdbrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@birdbrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birdbrain)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/72 "2013-02-13T01:47:05Z")
Off the top of my head I’m going to say Bright Eyes and maybe Matthew Sweet. ---
**Author:** ![birdbrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@birdbrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/birdbrain)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/73 "2013-02-13T01:53:56Z")
Missed the edit window but: ETA I guess Matthew Sweet is a bad example. Interesting to note though that they’re both from Nebraska ---
**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 13, 2013, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/74 "2013-02-13T02:08:03Z")
> [@birdbrain](#): > > Off the top of my head I’m going to say Bright Eyes and maybe Matthew Sweet. Bright Eyes is a good example. ---
**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 13, 2013, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/75 "2013-02-13T02:12:20Z")
> [@Pine\_Fresh\_Scent](#): > > I think Jimmy Chamberlain had a lot to do with Smashing Pumpkins’ success. The guy is a monster talent. He had to be for Corgan to put up with his addiction struggles and not fire him after the keyboardist’s fatal OD and Chamberlain’s close call. I read that Corgan wrote off D’arcy and James Iha as window dressing or something like it, but I haven’t read/heard him slag off Jimmy anywhere. Here’s a quote from Corgan about an early meeting of the two when Jimmy was interested in joining the band: Except that Billy played all of the instruments, except drums, on some of heir most important recordings (I’m thinking of Siamese Dream). And in the end, Jimmy proved disposable (at least in Corgan’s eyes) when he finally left the band, and SP continued without him. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/76 "2013-02-13T03:31:16Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > Bon Jovi got a record deal before he got a band, so he pulled in players he knew, but to my knowledge has treated them like a band since - well except for firing their first bass player, Alex John Such. So he’s the face and has the most power, etc, but they aren’t just hired hands, IIRC… Jon is the only legal member of Bon Jovi the entity. All the other guys are on salary. Of course they are high salaries and recieve their due for songwriting and other compensation but they are employees of Bon Jovi. So I think they might qualify as far as legal status- since Bon Jovi is Jon and his guys. However, I think it would be a stretch musically- especially since they achieved their greatest success with outside songwriters and collaborators. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/77 "2013-02-13T04:00:19Z")
Has no one mentioned Sting & the Police yet? True, Stewart Copeland and Any Summers each did contribute songs to various LPs…both those songs only demonstrate exactly why Sting was a major international superstar and they were “the other guys in the band.” “Mother” anyone? 10,000 Maniacs was essentially Natalie Merchant & co. And then there’s the legendary rivalry that took place between Diana Ross and the other Supremes - Mary Wilson & Florence Ballard. Despite being a genuine group act initially who split the lead singing / backup harmonies parts equally, Ross began dating Motown’s CEO Barry Gordy, and hence got all the lead singing parts, and the lion’s share of the spotlight. Finally the band’s name was officially renamed "Diana Ross & the Supremes.’ When Ross left the group, the Supremes (minus Ballard who had already quit & was replaced) were quickly demoted to being a “B-list” act in Motown’s roster. Ballard was living on welfare when she died in '76. Wilson still harbors such antipathy towards Ross that she refused a multi-million dollar offer to rejoin Ross in a “Supremes” reunion tour several years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/78 "2013-02-13T04:10:35Z")
> [@Don\_Draper](#): > > Has no one mentioned Sting & the Police yet? True, Stewart Copeland and Any Summers each did contribute songs to various LPs…both those songs only demonstrate exactly why Sting was a major international superstar and they were “the other guys in the band.” > > “Mother” anyone? Totally disagree. Sting’s solo output is quite distinct from his output with the Police, despite being the primary songwriter. Copeland was the heart of the band and you can hear it in his solo work; also, IMHO, his songs with the band (and his style of drumming) really made them more of a real band than simply “Sting and two other guys”. ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/79 "2013-02-13T04:14:34Z")
If Simon & Garfunkle and The Black Keys are worthy of mention, then I’d submit the The White Stripes. ---
**Author:** ![alphamatix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/45deac/32.png) [@alphamatix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphamatix)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037/80 "2013-02-13T04:40:49Z")
Derek & The Dominoes was mentioned earlier but I don’t think they quite qualify. True, Eric Clapton is prominent. But keyboardist Bobby Whitlock shares lead vocals on a number of songs and on the Layla album he cowrote 5 songs and wrote one more entirely on his own (on which he is the only singer). The piano coda to the song “Layla” was written by drummer Jim Gordon. And last but not least, Duane Allman’s guest appearance on the Layla album on co-lead guitar is an integral part of the music. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-are-actually-johnny-and-his-guys/650037.md?page=5)