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Unheralded Sideman

There's a story from the first US tour of the original Jeff Beck Group that after a performance in Central Park's Wollman Skating Ring a PR type from the record label ran up to the group's vocalist, Rod Stewart, and said, "Great show Jeff, and your band has a really good guitarist too!" So much for the intelligence of PR reps, but there are occasions where I think the sidemen musicians are at least as interesting, if not more interesting, than the star performers. Some of my favorite sidemen are:

James Jamerson - bass, Motown house band
Jack Ashford - tambourine, Motown house band
Charlie Watts - drums, Rolling Stones
Jack Cassady - bass, Jefferson Airplane/Hot Tuna
Bruce Thomas - bass, EC & the Attraction

Anybody eles have their favorite sidemen?
onhwy61

Showing 1 response by bbyer

bbyer
18 posts
 
two piano players:

Chuck leavell played piano for eric clapton, the rolling stones, the allman brothers (who do you think played the piano solo in jessica?), black crowes, etc...

Johnnie Johnson started a small band that was joined by a guitar player named Chuck Berry. Chuck took all the credit but no Johnnie is suing for songwriting credit and money I am sure. He has done a couple of great solo albums but his piano playing with chuck berry is awesome.
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