# Your ideal Rock Band formation **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 10, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664 "2012-06-10T00:24:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**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:** [June 10, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/1 "2012-06-10T00:24:37Z")
Of these, what is your ideal rock band formation Not necesarily the same format as your favourite band, but the one you think is the “rockest”. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/2 "2012-06-10T00:41:33Z")
Two guitars = rockingest Guitar + keyboard = more versatile ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/3 "2012-06-10T00:50:18Z")
[The Who](http://www.soulbot.com/images/the-who1.jpg). They don’t any rockinger than that. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 1:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/4 "2012-06-10T01:01:23Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > [The Who](http://www.soulbot.com/images/the-who1.jpg). They don’t any rockinger than that. No argument. Zep. Van Halen. Jeff Beck Group. Sabs. Montrose. Stone Roses. Smiths. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/5 "2012-06-10T01:30:39Z")
Bare minimum - Guitar, drums, vocals. Better is any of the following variations: Bass, guitar, drums, vocals. Bass, 2 guitars, drums, vocals. Bass, guitar, keyboard, drums, vocals. Bass, 2 guitars, keyboard, drums, vocals. Any of the above + horns. Interesting for a couple tracks, but would get tiresome if overused: Any of the above + orchestra. ---
**Author:** ![Jamicat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c67d28/32.png) [@Jamicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jamicat)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/6 "2012-06-10T02:08:37Z")
Im parcial to… One guitar One Bass One lead vocalist One drummer And they all sing back up and at least “One” can play keys at (pun) “Key” moments. But I chose 5 to make it easy. (my band is 4 people 2 guitars , I second on keys, lead guitar is also lead vocals, we all do back up vocals) ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/7 "2012-06-10T02:52:09Z")
One not on the list. Definitely not any of the sans-vocals ones. The Doors don’t belong on your list. Otherwise, B+D+G+V+optional second guitar+unusual instrument. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/8 "2012-06-10T03:03:12Z")
If I went with “Favorite band,” it would be drums, bass, guitar, guitar, guitar, “guitar,” keyboards, keyboards (RIP), Saxophone (RIP) with all guitars doing vocals. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/9 "2012-06-10T03:37:48Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > No argument. Zep. Van Halen. Jeff Beck Group. Sabs. Montrose. Stone Roses. Smiths. Zep’s pretty rocking – definition of rocking. Keyboard all over there albums. Max Middleton with the Jeff Beck Group? Also rocking. The Stones rocked pretty hard and one of their founding members was a keyboard player. Chuck Berry wouldn’t have been anything without Johnnie Johnson – also a definition of rocking. Skynyrd? Hello! I think keys have a stigma because of all the twink-rock groups who just have someone twinkling on some keys who don’t really play balls out. But, yeah – need the guitar. But two of them can get really messed up and have a muddy sound. Not to mention clash with the keyboard who’s likely playing mostly improvised parts. Also, too loud. But a ZZ Top three-piece is also a definition of rocking. So what do I know. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/10 "2012-06-10T04:56:21Z")
I dig every act from Local H (2 guys, guitar and drums) to Polyphonic Spree (a fucking busload, including a goddamn therimin player!), but I really enjoy a nice 3 guitar assult like The Unforgiven. But Judas Priest had the classic 2 leads… And Yes had Steve Howe. Can’t answer this… ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/11 "2012-06-10T05:23:55Z")
The poll is missing the classic lineup, when the lead singer’s girlfriend wants to be in the band and somebody gives her a tambourine. No, don’t hit me. Not the face! Not the face! ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/12 "2012-06-10T06:15:56Z")
The poll is also missing my ideal: multiple lead vocalists. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/13 "2012-06-10T07:39:10Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > If I went with “Favorite band,” it would be drums, bass, guitar, guitar, guitar, “guitar,” keyboards, keyboards (RIP), Saxophone (RIP) with all guitars doing vocals. Are you suggesting that Ms Scialfa’s guitar may actually not be plugged in? But you’re probably right about the rockingest lineup. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/14 "2012-06-10T13:39:43Z")
> [@Jaledin](#): > > Zep’s pretty rocking – definition of rocking. Keyboard all over there albums. Max Middleton with the Jeff Beck Group? Also rocking. > > The Stones rocked pretty hard and one of their founding members was a keyboard player. > > Chuck Berry wouldn’t have been anything without Johnnie Johnson – also a definition of rocking. > > Skynyrd? Hello! > > I think keys have a stigma because of all the twink-rock groups who just have someone twinkling on some keys who don’t really play balls out. > > But, yeah – need the guitar. But two of them can get really messed up and have a muddy sound. Not to mention clash with the keyboard who’s likely playing mostly improvised parts. Also, too loud. > > But a ZZ Top three-piece is also a definition of rocking. So what do I know. All true. Rock started off with a much stronger piano/keyboard emphasis, but like Ian “Stu” Stewart of the Stones, was relegated to a supporting role because he didn’t look the part. You didn’t even cite that Townshend was at least as innovative on keys/synth as he was on guitar. Or that EVH was classically trained on piano before picking up guitar. Keys matter, but don’t have the danger and figure-it-out-yourself-ness that guitar has. The Sex Pistols - if you listen to their record, it’s classic rock with a diff vocal style /delivery on top - were fine with Steve Jones only having played for a few months prior to recording. Wouldn’t work with keys. In some important way, that matters for rock. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/15 "2012-06-11T00:48:35Z")
I enjoy the simplicity of a three piece. If you’re going to be standing on stage then you should be playing something. So guitar drums and bass. Next best is that plus a stand alone vocalist. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/16 "2012-06-11T01:13:43Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > All true. Rock started off with a much stronger piano/keyboard emphasis, but like Ian “Stu” Stewart of the Stones, was relegated to a supporting role because he didn’t look the part. You didn’t even cite that Townshend was at least as innovative on keys/synth as he was on guitar. Or that EVH was classically trained on piano before picking up guitar. Keys matter, but don’t have the danger and figure-it-out-yourself-ness that guitar has. The only keys Who tune I remembered was “Baba O’Reilly” – still don’t exactly know how it was done, even though there’s been a million fucking trillion articles about it. Not just Stu – also Nick Hopkins, Little Richard, Jerry Lee, Billy Preston. Don’t even talk about the Dead or Steppenwolf or any of the psychedelic bands – keys _was_ the sound of rock – in the fifties and on through the 1970s until those detroit motorheads got it in gear and stopped giving a shit. ETA even the early Stooges live tapes had that guy on piano and … well … he was OK. Keys or no rock. No Bob Dylan. No Band. No nothing without keys. Corporate rock Amerika took over with the disposable electric guitar until there was nothing left. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/17 "2012-06-11T01:23:20Z")
Though I’m a keyboardist, I’d have to go with the classic bass, drums, two guitars, vox. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/18 "2012-06-11T01:32:39Z")
The Doors didn’t even have a bass player, so I can’t vote… ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/19 "2012-06-11T02:14:39Z")
Setting aside the actual sound of the band, I would imagine that the more members a band has the greater the odds that some of these people are not going to get along and that factions will form. While bands of all sizes have suffered from major intragroup conflict, I feel like four is probably the most stable number. With three people things can very easily turn into 2-against-1, and with more than four you’ve got a lot of different personalities to deal with. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664/20 "2012-06-11T03:51:49Z")
Which is why you NEVER put two six-stringers in a room together, unless they’re butt-buddies or something. Volume wars. Ego wars. Everyone else does fine – but there’s something wrong with some of those folks playing guitar. FTR never ever have two keys players together either, unless each knows his or her place. Have one play piano, the other play organ. That could work. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/your-ideal-rock-band-formation/624664.md?page=2)