# What is the Greatest Disparity in Coolness of Former Bandmates? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [November 22, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497 "2009-11-22T03:05:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/1 "2009-11-22T03:05:50Z")
In a conversation the other day, Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel each came up- leading to a “Can you believe those two were actually in a band together” moment. Which took the discussion into “What is the greatest disparity in Coolness of former bandmates?” Significant disparity in Coolness between Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel. The other good example we came up with is Rod Stewart and Jeff Beck. What are other good examples? Two former bandmates, one totally lame and the other super cool? ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/2 "2009-11-22T03:11:09Z")
Not sure if these are great examples as all 4 were quite successful post the band they were in. However, IMHO Peter Gabriel and Jeff Beck are both super cool and the others are not exactly lame but certainly not in the super cool category. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/3 "2009-11-22T03:13:47Z")
John Lennon and Ringo Starr. That’s a bit unfair, because Ringo Starr really is pretty cool. But John Lennon is John Lennon. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/4 "2009-11-22T03:57:55Z")
Dave Mason and Mama Cass Elliot. Even at the time it was commented on what a strange pairing that was (though their album isn’t bad). As far as coolness, Mason had gained a lot after **Alone Together** , while, at the time, The Mamas and the Papas were considered passe. Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts. Jagger, of course, is high cool, so that puts Watts at a disadvantage, but Watts is a guy who likes to wear suits and prefers to spend evenings home with this wife. Bob Dylan and Garth Hudson of his backing group (and later the Band). ---
**Author:** ![Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aji_de_gallina/32/260_2.png) [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aji_de_Gallina)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/5 "2009-11-22T04:31:02Z")
Freddy Mercury and John Deacon (I’m a huge Deeky fan) ---
**Author:** ![stolichnaya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@stolichnaya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stolichnaya)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/6 "2009-11-22T06:21:11Z")
This is a fun question. I’ll go with Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield. ---
**Author:** ![Horatio\_Hellpop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e5b9ba/32.png) [@Horatio\_Hellpop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Horatio_Hellpop)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 7:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/7 "2009-11-22T07:58:52Z")
Kenny Loggins and Jim Messina. Actually, that’s more a disparity in subsequent success, 'cause I always liked Messina better. Michael and Tito. Natalie Merchant and everyone else in 10,000 Maniacs ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/8 "2009-11-22T12:55:36Z")
Gene Krupa and Benny Goodman ---
**Author:** ![bienville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@bienville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bienville)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/9 "2009-11-22T14:15:55Z")
> [@stolichnaya](#): > > This is a fun question. I’ll go with Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield. OK, I’ll bite. Who are we casting as cool and who are we casting as lame in this example? ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/10 "2009-11-22T14:25:49Z")
> [@bienville](#): > > OK, I’ll bite. Who are we casting as cool and who are we casting as lame in this example? I’m going to guess Lars – many regard him as the poster boy for being a douche after the whole Napster thing. ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/11 "2009-11-22T14:31:54Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts. Jagger, of course, is high cool, so that puts Watts at a disadvantage, but Watts is a guy who likes to wear suits and prefers to spend evenings home with this wife. I may have to take issue with that. Jagger has become something of an embarassment–there’s something about prancing about the stage at 65 that endangers one’s cool card, though I’ll admit that impregnating Brazillian supermodels at an advanced age is probably a step in the right direction. Watts, on the other hand, gains cool points for his realistic attitude toward musicianship. I remember when he was asked about tuning his drums–he got rather surly and responded that it was a stupid idea, since they’s go out of tune almost immediately. Dunno–thought that was pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/12 "2009-11-22T14:34:22Z")
> [@Hal\_Briston](#): > > I’m going to guess Lars – many regard him as the poster boy for being a douche after the whole Napster thing. Actually, we should just rename the band Metallidouche. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/13 "2009-11-22T14:40:21Z")
Maybe not exactly what the OP was looking for, but the first thing that came to mind is Justin Timberlake. N’Sync wasn’t cool at all, and since all the other former band members are pretty much known exclusively for being in N’Sync, they’re uncool. Justin, on the other hand … cool. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/14 "2009-11-22T14:43:14Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Mick Jagger and Charlie Watts. Jagger, of course, is high cool, so that puts Watts at a disadvantage, but Watts is a guy who likes to wear suits and prefers to spend evenings home with this wife. > [@stuthehistoryguy](#): > > I may have to take issue with that. Jagger has become something of an embarassment–there’s something about prancing about the stage at 65 that endangers one’s cool card, though I’ll admit that impregnating Brazillian supermodels at an advanced age is probably a step in the right direction. Watts, on the other hand, gains cool points for his realistic attitude toward musicianship. I remember when he was asked about tuning his drums–he got rather surly and responded that it was a stupid idea, since they’s go out of tune almost immediately. Dunno–thought that was pretty cool. Yeah, I also disagree – Charlie is completely his own man, than which there is nothing cooler. See also #8 on [this list.](http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/09/02/charlie-watts-not-quitting-rolling-stones-plus-eight-things-you-didn-t-know-about-charlie-watts.aspx) Hell, see the whole list. I think Charlie is quintessentially cool. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/15 "2009-11-22T15:26:50Z")
Wham! is made up of George Michael and some other guy. In fact, I bet even his mother calls him ‘the other guy from Wham!’. ---
**Author:** ![norinew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/eb9ed0/32.png) [@norinew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/norinew)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/16 "2009-11-22T16:38:00Z")
> [@Aji\_de\_Gallina](#): > > Freddy Mercury and John Deacon (I’m a huge Deeky fan) Hell, I’d say Freddy Mercury and _anyone_ else from Queen. Anyone else from _any other_ band, for that matter. I like lots of types of music. But no one, _no one_ is Freddy. Or is ever gonna be! ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/17 "2009-11-22T17:30:08Z")
Simon & Garfunkel. The former gained mucho brownie points from various quarters by his embracing of world music; the latter’s solo career was nothing special. ---
**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 22, 2009, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/18 "2009-11-22T17:48:14Z")
I think the OP is looking for Coolness vs. Lameness, not Coolness vs. Obscurity. Lameness, as in, they might be all over the place, but you’d lose coolness points yourself if you admitted to liking them. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/19 "2009-11-22T17:52:10Z")
Cher was kinda cool, but Sonny got all square and shit. ---
**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 22, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/20 "2009-11-22T18:02:13Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > I think Charlie is quintessentially cool. And you are right. . [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497.md?page=2)