I’ve been in a soul music mood for the last few days, and Youtube has given me thislive performance by Sam and Dave, and thislive performance by Otis Redding, which have given rise in my mind that the Stax band (aka the Mar-Keys, aka Booker T. and the MG’s) might well be the best backing band of all time. In that Otis Redding clip the band nearly blows him off the stage at the songs crescendo. You have to be pretty damned good to nearly blow Otis Redding off the stage.
But then there’s the JB’s, James Brown’s famous backing band, or Miles Davis’ various bands who include a virtual Who’s Who of jazz giants.
So what are some of the other best backing bands of all time?
“Weird Al” Yankovic has a seriously amazing backing band, especially when you consider the vast number of genres they must perform (sometimes changing by the minute). They’ve been with Al since near the beginning of his career too (drummer Jon Bermuda Schwartz first worked with Al by banging his accordion case for Another One Rides The Bus in 1980). Many people have a hard time taking Al & his band seriously as musicians until they actually see them perform live.
I think the OP nailed it by mentioning Miles Davis’ various bands. Consider the list of people participating on Live-Evil (in various constellations):
Miles Davis, trumpet;
Gary Bartz, soprano sax, alto sax;
John McLaughlin, guitar;
Keith Jarrett, electric piano, organ;
Michael Henderson, electric bass;
Jack DeJohnette, drums;
Airto Moreira, percussion;
Steve Grossman, soprano sax;
Chick Corea, electric piano;
Herbie Hancock, electric piano;
Dave Holland, electric bass, acoustic bass;
Hermeto Pascoal, drums, whistling, voice, electric piano;
Wayne Shorter, soprano sax;
Joe Zawinul, electric piano;
Khalil Balakrishna, electric sitar;
Billy Cobham, drums;
Ron Carter, acoustic bass
The keyboard/piano setup is particularly impressive: Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarret, Joe Zawinul. Nem Um Talvez features the first three at the same time!
Booker T. and the MGs also had some awesome songs on their own, like “Green Onions” and “Hip Hug Her”. They also covered the entire Abby Road album in 1970 on an album called Maclemore Avenue.
Their backup keyboard player was Issac Hayes.
For my money, they were the best there ever was. They were more than the sum of their parts. Even the fabled Wrecking Crew didn’t have that kind of synergy.
I suppose we’re using different definitions. I think of your examples as dependant on a specific lead singer, who is an integral part of the band. A backing band, to me, and I think from their examples, to some other people in this thread, are hired guns, able to back anybody they’re hired to back.
(looking at both bands’ history) Okay, Crazy Horse qualifies. And I suppose the E Street Band does, too. But NOT The Spiders From Mars or The Attractions.
Whoever’s backing up Chuck Berry tonight. They’re to be onstage, set up, when Chuck arrives. No set list, no soundcheck. Chuck plugs in and starts playing, and they’re expected to keep up.
I’ve thought for a long time that this Japanese singer, aiko, has an absolutely top-notch backup band, though I don’t know if they have a name unto themselves: