Which is why it’s an interesting question, and why it’s hard to think of examples.
When did you learn to play guitar? Piano? Do you play by ear?
Guitar: 13, I think. Piano: about 8. By ear: not really.
You played piano on “Silent Night”, have you ever played an instrument on any of your solo records or on stage?
No. Save once - at a concert with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas and I played a Ravel piece for four hands at a keyboard.
Did Roger Daltrey play anything in The Who or just twirl a microphone?
Bono is another one who I think plays guitar, but probably doesn’t need to very much.
Ok, what about Brian Johnson?
(It would not surprise me a bit to learn something like: He’s a wicked piano player! Or: He’s classically trained on the oboe!)
I have seen Aerosmith 5 times, the only time Tyler didn’t play an instrument was the first time in 1973. The second time played an acoustic guitar duet with Brad Whitford. The last 3 he played the piano on Dream On. The last time he did a drum challenge with Joey Kramer, he held is own pretty damn good.
Steven Tyler kills on harmonica, too.
Yeah, Daltrey plays some guitar, at least on videos (“Eminence Front”). Harmonica, too (live “Baba O’Reilly”).
Yes – I’ve read his bandmates’ good-natured ribbing about his abilities thereof.
I watched SNL last weekend, and was amused when Taylor Swift “wore” a guitar for part of a song - and there was NO sonic difference when she was strumming and when she wasn’t! ;). I presume she CAN play an instrument when she cares to.
This thread reminds me of one time I golfed w/ a guy who was a flashy hard rock lead guitarist. I remember him saying something along the lines of, “No way he’d let a lead singer strap a guitar around his/her neck.” Kinda reflecting an extreme desire that folk keep in their lanes.
Kinda off topic, but I’m often amused by the large number of band members performers have to perform relatively simple songs… IMHO, it is an exceptional rock/pop song that requires multiple keyboards, multiple percussionists, >2 guitars…
Michael Stipe?
Did Pavarotti play an instrument? A cursory reading of his wiki bio didn’t enlighten me on that question.
She generally has only performed as a vocalist, but there have been exceptions.
On every Blondie album, and on most of her solo projects, she’s only credited with vocals. But:
- In the 1960s, she was a backing vocalist for a folk band, “The Wind in the Willows.” On the band’s only album, as well as vocals, she’s credited with playing tamboura, tambourine, and finger cymbals
- On her 2007 solo album, Necessary Evil, she’s credited with guitar on one track, and percussion on another.
David Lee Roth. I don’t ever recall seeing him do anything but sing.
He played acoustic guitar on “Ice Cream Man,” on Van Halen’s first album, and on “Could This Be Magic?” on Women and Children First. I believe that he also plays harmonica.
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” I’ll leave for other to debate.
This made me think that I’ve only seen Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star (and solo work) lethargically whap a tambourine against her hip but the notes from Bavarian Breadfruit credit her with “guitar, keys, glockenspiel, harmonia” so I guess I wasn’t giving her enough credit.
Donna Godchaux was a singer in the Grateful Dead from 1972 to 1979. I don’t believe she ever played an instrument.
Vocalists need accompaniment to rehearse. Learning chords on the piano or guitar can be enough to rehearse and learn the melody. They may not have the skills to perform with that instrument in public.
AFAIK Tony Bennett doesn’t play an instrument. He recently was shown (60 Minutes) rehearsing for his final public performance. His keyboard player came by his apartment to help him rehearse.
AFAIK Frank Sinatra didn’t play any instruments.
I don’t think the lead singer of Greta Van Fleet (Josh) plays, just sings.
I was going to ask if tambourines count. I know technically they’re instruments, but since anyone with hands (and some without) can play one without a single lesson, that would rule out…just about everyone.
I was going to suggest him too, though I don’t know if he can’t or doesn’t play an instrument.
A while ago I was thinking the same question, more of an “Odd Man Out” series of questions, with the answer always being Art Garfunkel. The only one close is the singer from the Beach Boys, but I’ve seen him play sax for a song.