Okay, here’s how it works: Put a four-piece rock group together (drums, vocals, guitar, bass) using one guy (or girl) from another band who was the best at their “position” in their own era.
Here’s my personal picks and categories:
70’s rock first team:
guitar: Ritchie Blackmore, Deep Purple
vocals: (tie) Ozzy Osbourne-Black Sabbath/Bon Scott-AC/DC
drums: John Bonham, Led Zepplin
bass- Geddy Lee, Rush
80’s metal 1st team:
guitar- Eddie Van Halen, Van Halen
vocals- Sebastian Bach, Skid Row
drums- Tommy Lee, Motley Crue
bass- damn, can’t think of one. Any nominees?
Drums: Alan “Reni” Wren (The Stone Roses) Vocals: Richard Ashcroft (The Verve) or Tim Burgess (The Charlatans) or Stuart Staples (Tindersticks) Bass guitar: Martin Blunt (The Charlatans) or Gary “Mani” Mountfield (The Stone Roses / Primal Scream) Lead guitar: Nick McCabe (The Verve) or Graham Coxon (Blur)
And, if I could have a keyboardist, Clint Boon (The Inspiral Carpets / The Clint Boon Experience)
Guitar: Duane Allman
Bass: John Entwistle
Drums: Keith Moon
Singer: Joe Cocker
Piano: Nicky Hopkins
Organ: Keith Emerson
Fiddle: Papa John Creach
Harmonica: Magic Dick
80s postpunk/new wave:
Lead Guitar: Bob Mould
Rhythm Guitar: Peter Buck
Lead Vocals: Shane MacGowan
Bass: Paul Simonon
Drums: Stewart Copeland
Keyboards: Steve Nieve
I’m going to mix and match eras, but here’s my choice.
Guitar: Duane Allman (70’s)
Bass: Les Claypool from Primus (90’s)
Drums: John Fishman from Phish (90’s)
Piano: Brent Mydland from The Grateful Dead (80’s)
Lead Vocals: Shannon Hoon from Blind Melon (90’s)
guiter: Jimmy Freakin’ Hendrix, people. Puh-lease. bass: John Entwistle drums: Ginger Baker vocals: Robert Plant
Vocals are probably the hardest to choose, though there are excellent options for all 4. Different songs call for a different touch, especially from the lead singer. I almost went with Janis Joplin, but since we are talking rock, I went for the master of the power rock anthem.