# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![SiXSwordS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@SiXSwordS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SiXSwordS)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/21 "2009-11-22T18:02:28Z")
Even dead, Jim Morrison has it over Robby Krieger. ---
**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, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/22 "2009-11-22T18:11:08Z")
> [@SiXSwordS](#): > > Even dead, Jim Morrison has it over Robby Krieger. Vastly bigger disparity between Jim and Ray. And between John and Ray. . ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/23 "2009-11-22T18:51:50Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > 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. Except that Art Garfunkle does have a (deserved!) cult following, whereas Paul Simon’s been playing to a top 40 pop crowd for 30+ years. I’m not sure that’s cooler. ---
**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, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/24 "2009-11-22T19:13:32Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > 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. That’s a valid way of looking at it. But even if you think so, then the dichotomy still applies. The two men’s personalities are completely different; if you think one is cool, then the other isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![constantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@constantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constantine)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/25 "2009-11-22T19:19:55Z")
It seems like there are two things going on here. First, the lead singer of a band is, almost universally, more famous than everybody else in the band put together. But that does not seem to get at what the OP is asking about. I think what the OP is asking about is, well situations like that described in the OP. Phil Collins had some cool songs but also a lot of incredibly crappy, vapid, annoying, play in the waiting room of the dentist office type music, while Peter Gabriel is still making incredibly cool, mind blowing music. It seems to me he is asking about situations where you say, whoa, I can’t even imagine those guys in a band together. I guess it’s where the one person continues doing cool stuff, and the other person starts doing really crappy stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/26 "2009-11-22T19:28:09Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > John Lennon and Ringo Starr. That’s a bit unfair, because Ringo Starr really is pretty cool. But John Lennon is John Lennon. I think a more interesting comparison is John and Paul. Like Collins and Gabriel they were both leaders of the group in terms of singing, songwriting and projecting the groups persona. Paul is at least as popular as John, maybe more, but I think John easily wins on cool points. However, I don’t consider any of the Beatles lame. Even though Townsend/Daltrey are the Who’s equivalent to Lennon/McCarthy and Gabriel/Collins. Keith Moon out-cools them all. ---
**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, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/27 "2009-11-22T19:46:46Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > That’s a valid way of looking at it. But even if you think so, then the dichotomy still applies. The two men’s personalities are completely different; if you think one is cool, then the other isn’t. Okey doke – Mick is sexy (still, believe it or not), but Charlie is cool. ---
**Author:** ![Talon\_Karrde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Talon\_Karrde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Talon_Karrde)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/28 "2009-11-22T20:06:15Z")
> [@Sir\_Prize](#): > > I think a more interesting comparison is John and Paul. Like Collins and Gabriel they were both leaders of the group in terms of singing, songwriting and projecting the groups persona. > > Paul is at least as popular as John, maybe more, but I think John easily wins on cool points. However, I don’t consider any of the Beatles lame. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, and in fact came in here to post John and Paul. I’m sure Paul has done some good stuff, but he’s the closest Beatle to being lame. John, on the other hand, became even cooler after the Beatles. I think Yoko had a good influence on him. I’m sure lots of people strongly disagree with what I just said. ---
**Author:** ![StoutHearted](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@StoutHearted](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StoutHearted)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/29 "2009-11-22T20:07:20Z")
Tina Turner, cool… Ike Turner… not so much ---
**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, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/30 "2009-11-22T20:56:46Z")
> [@StoutHearted](#): > > Tina Turner, cool… Ike Turner… **not so much** (Bolding mine). I think you misspelled “heartless, abusive, inhuman bastard”. Tina, OTOH, unreservedly cool. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2009, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/31 "2009-11-22T21:03:06Z")
Robbie Williams (cool) and the other members of Take That (lame-o). ---
**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 22, 2009, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/32 "2009-11-22T23:42:15Z")
Tommy Shaw and James Young of Styx versus Dennis DeYoung. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/33 "2009-11-23T00:20:38Z")
David Cassidy and Danny Bonaduce. ---
**Author:** ![mr.jp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/48db29/32.png) [@mr.jp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mr.jp)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/34 "2009-11-23T00:32:48Z")
I have the answer the this question! It’s the lead singer in The Monkees vs the guitarist [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfuBREMXxts) Look how cool the guitarist is with his composure, the riff, and even a hipster hat. ---
**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 23, 2009, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/35 "2009-11-23T00:53:20Z")
Eddie Van Halen (cool) vs David Lee Roth (lame) ---
**Author:** ![statsman1982](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e79b87/32.png) [@statsman1982](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/statsman1982)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/36 "2009-11-23T00:54:41Z")
Michael Jackson versus his 4 brothers of the Jackson 5. ---
**Author:** ![jimmycolorado](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@jimmycolorado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmycolorado)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/37 "2009-11-23T02:01:14Z")
> [@stolichnaya](#): > > This is a fun question. I’ll go with Lars Ulrich and James Hetfield. I may be being whooshed here, but the OP stipulates _former_ bandmates. I haven’t listened to Metallica in years, but is Ulrich or Hetfield no longer in the band, or has Metallica broken up? One would think that would be big news… \>.\> To contribute, I’d say Justin Timberlake v. the rest of whatever boy band he was in. But the correct answer to the OP’s question is Van Halen v. Roth. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/38 "2009-11-23T02:03:35Z")
Slash and Axel Rose. ---
**Author:** ![MadTheSwine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MadTheSwine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadTheSwine)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/39 "2009-11-23T02:08:10Z")
> [@norinew](#): > > 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! I agree,Freddy was the ultimate in cool,but Roger aint exactly wearing a pocket protecter.(Or Brian for that matter) Ok.. Brian wears a pocket protecter,but when he does it,he does it cool. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2009, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497/40 "2009-11-23T02:29:42Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > David Cassidy and Danny Bonaduce. Which of them is the cool one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-greatest-disparity-in-coolness-of-former-bandmates/518497.md?page=3)