# Best backing bands of all time. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 12, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269 "2008-09-12T13:58:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/1 "2008-09-12T13:58:05Z")
I’ve been in a soul music mood for the last few days, and Youtube has given me [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_juH0AHvwk)live performance by Sam and Dave, and [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UlQVhMAbwg)live 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? ---
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/2 "2008-09-12T14:02:44Z")
The Funk Brothers (Motown’s house band) The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section & Horns ---
**Author:** ![NicePete](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ee7513/32.png) [@NicePete](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NicePete)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/3 "2008-09-12T14:04:39Z")
_The Band’s_ backup work for Bob Dylan is pretty darn impressive. Not soul, but still… ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/4 "2008-09-12T14:08:31Z")
The E Street Band Crazy Horse ---
**Author:** ![An\_Arky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/87869e/32.png) [@An\_Arky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Arky)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/5 "2008-09-12T14:12:53Z")
The Attractions Alice Cooper’s original band The Spiders from Mars ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/6 "2008-09-12T14:14:10Z")
The [Jimi Hendrix] Experience The Chieftains, backing up Van Morrison ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/7 "2008-09-12T14:16:51Z")
**The Meters** - the New Orleans funk/creole band that can play anything and back up a few folks \*\*The Wrecking Crew \*\*- the studio crew who recorded all the the SoCal hits, including stuff by the Monkees and Partridge Family **The Revolution and the New Power Generation** - Prince takes James Brown to another level ---
**Author:** ![fusoya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecccb3/32.png) [@fusoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fusoya)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/8 "2008-09-12T16:05:21Z")
“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. ---
**Author:** ![Panurge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/fbc32d/32.png) [@Panurge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Panurge)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/9 "2008-09-12T19:11:36Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/10 "2008-09-12T19:21:22Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The E Street Band > > Crazy Horse But these were not separate bands with a life of their own. The Stax band even recorded on their own, as I believe some othe others mentioned did. But this does not detract from the awesomeness of Alice Cooper’s original band. They have not received the respect they deserve. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/11 "2008-09-12T19:25:28Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > But these were not separate bands with a life of their own. The Stax band even recorded on their own, as I believe some othe others mentioned did. So? That’s what makes them **backing bands**. ---
**Author:** ![vibrotronica](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@vibrotronica](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vibrotronica)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/12 "2008-09-12T19:27:22Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/13 "2008-09-12T19:31:31Z")
The Heartbreakers and the Hooters on Cyndi Lauper’s first album ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/14 "2008-09-12T19:43:06Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > So? That’s what makes them **backing bands**. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Hunter\_Hawk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/50afbb/32.png) [@Hunter\_Hawk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hunter_Hawk)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/15 "2008-09-12T23:30:16Z")
Nik Turner’s backing band for the “Space Ritual 1994” tour consisted of: Del Dettmar (ex-Hawkwind member, playing the double-bitted wood axe synthesizer) Alan Powell (ex-Hawkwind) Paul Della Pelle and Len Del Rio, Tommy Grenas, and Paul Fox (i.e., the band Pressurehed–excellent industrial/spacerock) plus Helios Creed Genesis P-Orridge ---
**Author:** ![bradministrator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a698b9/32.png) [@bradministrator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bradministrator)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2008, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/16 "2008-09-13T00:49:24Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![mack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mack)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/17 "2008-09-13T01:16:08Z")
Like Miles Davis, one of Frank Zappa’s talents was putting together great bands. One of my favorite concert videos Joni Mitchell’s Shadows and Light - w/Pat Metheny, Jaco Pastorius, Lyle Mays, Don Alias, and Michael Brecker ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2008, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/18 "2008-09-13T01:27:50Z")
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: Taking a page out of the James Brown/Stax book: Part 1 - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6NEo5OgrjI](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6NEo5OgrjI) Part 2 - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul2x0gGfj5Q](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ul2x0gGfj5Q) Part 3 - [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU1q7HJePjg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU1q7HJePjg) Or if you don’t want to watch a 12-minute medley, here’s a condensed 4-minute version from an earlier performance (before she added the horn section): [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNbXnXbh8ho) (Though I prefer the left-handed bass player she usually uses.) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2008, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/19 "2008-09-13T03:33:20Z")
> [@42fish](#): > > The Funk Brothers (Motown’s house band) My vote also. Ever seen [Standing in the Shadows of Mo-Town](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_in_the_Shadows_of_Motown_(film))? Decent film, outstanding soundtrack. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2008, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269/20 "2008-09-13T03:44:08Z")
There’s that Roy Orbison black-and-white concert that PBS airs during its fundraising drives. From [here](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Orbison_and_Friends,_A_Black_and_White_Night): > [@](#): > > Put together by musical director, T-Bone Burnett, Orbison was accompanied by a supporting backing band which included many notable musical performers. All were fans who volunteered to participate in the special. Other celebrity admirers of Orbison were in the audience, including Billy Idol, Sandra Bernhard and Kris Kristofferson. The backing band was the TCB Band, which accompanied Elvis Presley from 1969 until his death in 1977: Glen D. Hardin on piano; James Burton on lead guitar; Jerry Scheff on bass; and Ronnie Tutt on drums. Male background vocalists, with some also joining in on guitar, were: Bruce Springsteen, Tom Waits, Elvis Costello, Jackson Browne, J.D. Souther, Steven Soles. Singing the female background vocals were k.d. lang, Jennifer Warnes, and Bonnie Raitt. Now that’s a hell of a band. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-backing-bands-of-all-time/463269.md?page=2)