# Front men/women who can't play an instrument **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 15, 2021, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386 "2021-11-15T15:08:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/41 "2021-11-15T18:57:02Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > Michael Stipe? Guitar [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/OCDZhludeLg/hqdefault.jpg "Michael Stipe solo - The Long Road & Hope @ Seattle, U.S. - 1999") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCDZhludeLg) ---
**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:** [November 15, 2021, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/42 "2021-11-15T18:57:06Z")
I was going to suggest Belinda Carlisle, of the Go-Go’s. She’s only credited as vocalist on all of that band’s albums, as well as on her solo albums (other than a credit for “air guitar” on her second album 🙂 ). However, her [Wikipedia entry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belinda_Carlisle#Career) indicates that, prior to the Go-Go’s, she was the drummer for a punk band, The Germs, in 1977. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/43 "2021-11-15T18:59:32Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > I don’t think the lead singer of Greta Van Fleet (Josh) plays, just sings. Piano [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/6xSBHV15Cog/maxresdefault.jpg "The New Classics: Greta Van Fleet | Rolling Stone") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xSBHV15Cog) Edit: And Drums [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_x2mJ6B3kI8) ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/44 "2021-11-15T19:01:01Z")
Jon Anderson, formerly lead singer of Yes, played a mean tambourine, and ‘incidental’ guitar Jon: yeah, I played incidental guitar in Yes Toby from West Wing (channeling all other Yes members): Did you trip? ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/45 "2021-11-15T19:11:24Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I’m fairly certain I’ve seen her shaking a tambourine in some Blondie videos or concert footage as well. Whether that counts as “playing an instrument” > [@nelliebly](#): > > I was going to ask if tambourines count. OP’s ruling: No, tambourines and other hand percussion don’t count! ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/46 "2021-11-15T19:16:40Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > Most people think Mick Jagger is just a singer, but he sometimes plays guitar in concert. Sir Mick has been playing impressive harmonica solos since the mid-sixties. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/47 "2021-11-15T19:26:44Z")
Ozzy Osborne doesn’t play instruments or write. It was actually a source of friction in Black Sabbath. He was belittled by his band mates and not considered a real musician. I saw an interview about Black Sabbath. The friction got so bad that Ozzy was fired. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/48 "2021-11-15T19:49:55Z")
I think that is kinda funny, saying a vocalist isn’t a real musician. Last weekend I attended a fried’s operatic recital. Not at all my cup of tea, but for any less than incredible guitar picker to suggest that isn’t an amazing display of musical talent and dedication… And, like I said, at least one school of thought has it that the lead singer/front man has plenty to do. Let them stick to their strengths, and let the musicians stick to theirs. Hell, I see a lotta folk squawking w/ guitars around their necks who don’t impress me much w/ their skills on either voice or instrument! But many of them seem to profit nicely! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/49 "2021-11-15T19:52:23Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Ozzy Osborne doesn’t play instruments or write. It was actually a source of friction in Black Sabbath. He was belittled by his band mates and not considered a real musician. > > I saw an interview about Black Sabbath. The friction got so bad that Ozzy was fired. Funny thing about Ozzie - he doesn’t sing very well either! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/50 "2021-11-15T19:53:27Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I think that is kinda funny, saying a vocalist isn’t a real musician. > … > Let them stick to their strengths, and let the musicians stick to theirs. Um, you mean the _other_ musicians, right? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/51 "2021-11-15T19:53:53Z")
Ozzy played the harmonica on The Wizard. (So is there a verdict on Brian Johnson?) ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/52 "2021-11-15T19:56:18Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I think that is kinda funny, saying a vocalist isn’t a real musician. Has anyone said that? I know I haven’t. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/53 "2021-11-15T20:02:43Z")
I consider vocalists very talented musicians. It was Ozzys band mates that ran him down. The band breakup got pretty ugly. ---
**Author:** ![Akaj](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/akaj/32/145_2.png) [@Akaj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Akaj)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/54 "2021-11-15T20:04:12Z")
> [@Akaj](#): > > > [@Dinsdale](#): > > > > I think that is kinda funny, saying a vocalist isn’t a real musician. > > Has anyone said that? I know I haven’t. Oh, you were referring to the other guys in Black Sabbath, not anyone in this thread. Never mind. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/55 "2021-11-15T20:24:41Z")
I’m not aware that Shaun Ryder plays any instruments to any decent level. I don’t recall ever seeing him do so anyway. And as for a vocalist, well, lets just agree that his voice doesn’t count as instrument either. More like a snooker ball in a sock. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/56 "2021-11-15T20:45:02Z")
Seems like a lot of rock frontmen might be _able_ to play the guitar, but don’t, and certainly don’t play at a professional level of skill. As for nothing at all, I’m not so sure Henry Rollins can play any instruments. [Sounds like Dee Snider might count as well.](https://rockcelebrities.net/dee-snider-explains-why-he-doesnt-play-guitar-on-stage/) ---
**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:** [November 15, 2021, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/57 "2021-11-15T20:45:27Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Donna Godchaux was a singer in the Grateful Dead from 1972 to 1979. Was she a frontman/woman? ---
**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:** [November 15, 2021, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/58 "2021-11-15T20:47:12Z")
What about Boy George (of Culture Club)? ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/59 "2021-11-15T20:51:30Z")
[Turntables](https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/leisure/stage/10848808.doing-disco-with-boy-george-at-bridports-electric-palace/)? Or is that just a fancy tambourine? ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2021, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386/60 "2021-11-15T20:53:23Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > Was she a frontman/woman? Well, I’m pretty sure she wasn’t a frontman. 🙂 I’m not sure what the exact definition is, but I’d say the Dead never really had a frontman or frontwoman. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/front-men-women-who-cant-play-an-instrument/954386.md?page=4)