# Bands where the lead singer plays a non-traditional instrument **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [January 8, 2025, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715 "2025-01-08T04:07:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/41 "2025-01-08T15:44:28Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > What about keyboards? Specifically excluded in the OP. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2025, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/42 "2025-01-08T15:53:35Z")
I didn’t see mention of David Bowie - he played a mean sax. So did Lene Lovich. Lee Brilleaux played harmonica. So did Lew Lewis. Peter Gabriel the flute. Jona Lewie accordian. j ---
**Author:** ![GrunthosTheFlatulent](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grunthostheflatulent/32/21319_2.png) [@GrunthosTheFlatulent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrunthosTheFlatulent)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/43 "2025-01-08T15:55:41Z")
Trent Reznor plays the saxophone (he was in a marching band) and has brought it out during Nine Inch Nails shows a few times. ---
**Author:** ![Dark\_Sponge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dark_sponge/32/121_2.png) [@Dark\_Sponge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dark_Sponge)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/44 "2025-01-08T16:12:08Z")
Quarterflash ---
**Author:** ![knoodler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ccd318/32.png) [@knoodler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/knoodler)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/45 "2025-01-08T16:22:38Z")
Pete Townshend played the mouth harp on “Join Together.” ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/46 "2025-01-08T16:29:38Z")
But though he sings lead occasionally, Roger is the lead singer. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/47 "2025-01-08T16:47:26Z")
> [@GESancMan](#): > > Jimmy Page using a violin bow on his guitar. He also plays the theremin. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/48 "2025-01-08T16:51:10Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Didn’t George Harrison of the Beatles play an Indian stringed instrument called the Sitar that is much akin to the guitar? He certainly did, though he only occasionally sang lead on the Beatles’ songs – that was primarily John’s role. > [@Czarcasm](#): > > John Batiste plays the melodica, I believe. You are correct. When he was bandleader on the Stephen Colbert late-night show, with his then-band, Stay Human, he frequently could be seen playing the melodica during the show’s opening. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/49 "2025-01-08T16:58:48Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > [@Czarcasm](#): > > > > John Batiste plays the melodica, I believe. > > You are correct. When he was bandleader on the Stephen Colbert late-night show, with his then-band, Stay Human, he frequently could be seen playing the melodica during the show’s opening. That reminds me, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan also often plays the melodica. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/50 "2025-01-08T17:03:03Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > He certainly did, though he only occasionally sang lead on the Beatles’ songs – that was primarily John’s role. Nah, John may have sang lead on a few more songs than Paul (I’m sure someone worked out the statistics), but I’d rather say they shared the lead singer position. And of course Paul plays _everything_. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/51 "2025-01-08T17:22:53Z")
Not sure if this “instrument” counts. But in [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeQw6u0qj4o) video, Turkish singer **Gaye Su Akyol** uses finger castanets. Or are they [zills](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zill)? Not sure what the difference is. In [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h80uU2eMRLk&t=166s) video she plays a stringed instrument that looks something like a sitar. Not sure what it is. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/52 "2025-01-08T17:29:42Z")
> [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > In [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h80uU2eMRLk&t=166s) video she plays a stringed instrument that looks something like a sitar. Not sure what it is. That looks like a bouzouki. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/53 "2025-01-08T17:32:27Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > That looks like a bouzouki. Hmm, [I’ve never seen strings on one](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bazooka#/media/File:Soldier_with_Bazooka_M1.jpg). 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/54 "2025-01-08T17:36:22Z")
You should visit more cheese shops. ---
**Author:** ![mixdenny](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mixdenny/32/2962_2.png) [@mixdenny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mixdenny)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/55 "2025-01-08T17:40:10Z")
More cowbell ! Has anyone played a jaw harp (Jew’s harp)? My uncle could really rock on those things. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/56 "2025-01-08T17:42:10Z")
List of instruments (some traditional, some not so much) played by Roy Wood (co-founder/lead singer of The Move and ELO): Piano,Recorders,Acoustic Guitar,Saxophones,Banjo,Sitar,Bass Guitar,Slide Guitar,Bells,Stool,“Brass”,String Bass,Cello,Tambourine,Cowbells,“Trumpets”,Double Bass,Violin,Drums,Washboard,Electric Guitar,Watersplash Bucket,Glockenspiel,Welsh Harp,“Harp” Guitar ---
**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:** [January 8, 2025, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/57 "2025-01-08T17:48:35Z")
> [@blondebear](#): > > Roy Wood (co-founder/lead singer of The Move and ELO): And Wizzard, of course. j ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/58 "2025-01-08T17:54:36Z")
It’s probably a stretch to call him the “lead singer,” but Richard Thompson has played a hurdy-gurdy on a couple albums, as well as live in concerts many years back. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/59 "2025-01-08T17:56:53Z")
If you’re willing to go back that far, Red McKenzie played some weird instruments. He specialized in comb and tissue paper, and sometimes played other odd things. Here he is in a clip from 1929 playing the tin can and singing. Josh Billings, the guy sitting next to him, used a suitcase as a drum: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ihcyptu3GW8/maxresdefault.jpg "The Mound City Blue Blowers 1929") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihcyptu3GW8) ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2025, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715/60 "2025-01-08T17:58:53Z")
Here’s Red McKenzie playing comb and tissue paper and singing with the Mound City Blue Blowers: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/0k_2Gu-I2Dg/hqdefault.jpg "Mound City Blue Blowers 8/19/1929 "Indiana"-Gene Krupa,Red McKenzie") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k_2Gu-I2Dg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-the-lead-singer-plays-a-non-traditional-instrument/1012715.md?page=4)