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Supergroup (music)

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In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe music groups comprising members who had already achieved fame or respect in other groups or as individual artists. The term took its name from the 1968 album Super Session with Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield, and Stephen Stills. The coalition of Crosby, Stills and Nash (later Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young) is another early example. Led Zeppelin can also be termed an early supergroup, as it was originally meant to act as a replacement for The Yardbirds, and the members were chosen by Jimmy Page (already a much sought after guitarist) by virtue of their already impressive catalogue of work (except for Robert Plant, who was chosen because of his very distinct voice).

With the success of Cream (only two of the band's three members had previously achieved significant fame), the term also came to include groups that sold huge numbers of albums and headlined massive concerts, regardless of the previous fame of the individual members. However, the term as correctly applied refers to the architecture, not the achievements, of the group. By any standards, it is not a rigidly defined category and has become, more than anything, a marketing term.

Supergroups tend to be short-lived (often lasting only for an album or two), perhaps because of the natural conflict of egos between established stars. Also, some supergroups were formed as side-projects that were never intended to be permanent.

Notable supergroups

A Perfect Circle
Maynard James Keenan (Tool); Josh Freese (The Vandals), James Iha (The Smashing Pumpkins); Jeordie White (aka Twiggy Ramirez of Marilyn Manson); (Former or Temporary Members) Danny Lohner (Nine Inch Nails); Tim Alexander (Primus); Paz Lenchantin (Zwan) ; Troy Van Leeuwen (Failure)
Asia
Geoff Downes (Yes and Buggles), John Wetton (King Crimson and UK), Steve Howe (Yes), and Carl Palmer (Emerson Lake and Palmer and Atomic Rooster)
Audioslave
Chris Cornell (Soundgarden); Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk (Rage Against The Machine).
Bad Company
Paul Rodgers and Simon Kirke from Free, Mott The Hoople's Mick Ralphs, and Boz Burrell from King Crimson.
Blind Faith
Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker (Cream); Steve Winwood (Traffic); Ric Grech (Family).
Cream
Eric Clapton; Jack Bruce; Ginger Baker
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
David Crosby (The Byrds); Stephen Stills (Buffalo Springfield); Graham Nash (The Hollies); Neil Young (Buffalo Springfield)
Damn Yankees
Ted Nugent; Jack Blades (Night Ranger) Tommy Shaw (Styx)
Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Keith Emerson (The Nice); Greg Lake (King Crimson); Carl Palmer (Atomic Rooster).
Led Zeppelin
Robert Plant, Jimmy Page (The Yardbirds), John Paul Jones, John Bonham
Power Station
Robert Palmer; John Taylor and Andy Taylor (Duran Duran); Tony Thompson (CHIC).
Traveling Wilburys
Roy Orbison; Tom Petty; George Harrison; Bob Dylan; Jeff Lynne.
Velvet Revolver
Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots); Slash, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum (Guns N' Roses); Dave Kushner (Wasted Youth)

Charity supergroups

Other supergroups

Angels and Airwaves
Tom Delonge (blink-182, Box Car Racer); Atom Willard (The Offspring, Alkaline Trio), Ryan Sinn (The Distillers); David Kennedy (Hazen Street, Box Car Racer).
Army of Anyone
Richard Patrick (Filter), Robert DeLeo and Dean Deleo (Stone Temple Pilots), Ray Luzier (David Lee Roth)
Army of the Pharaohs
Apathy, Chief Kamanchi, Crypt The Warchild of Outerspace, Planetary of Outerspace, King Syze, Reef The Lost Cauze, Faez One, Des Devious, 7L & Esoteric, Celph Titled, and Vinnie Paz
Asesino
Dino Cazares, Tony Campos, Emilio Marquez, Andreas Kisser, Jamey Jasta.
Bachman-Turner Overdrive
Beck, Bogert & Appice
power trio formed by guitarist Jeff Beck with Vanilla Fudge's Tim Bogert and Carmine Appice
Bloodbath
death metal supergroup consisting of Dan Swanö of Edge of Sanity, Mikael Åkerfeldt of Opeth plus members of Hypocrisy and Katatonia
Brakes
The band is made up from Eamon Hamilton of British Sea Power, Tom and Alex White of The Electric Soft Parade and Marc Beatty from The Tenderfoot.
Bruderschaft
European futurepop supergroup consisting of DJ Rexx Arkana, Ronan Harris of VNV Nation, Sebastian Komor of Icon of Coil, Stephan Groth of Apoptygma Berzerk and Joakim Montelius of Covenant.
Broken Social Scene
Kevin Drew, Amy Millan, Leslie Feist, Emily Haines
Burden Brothers
Vaden Lewis (Toadies), Taz Bentley (Reverend Horton Heat, Tenderloin, Izzy Stradlin's band, Loaded), Casey Hess (Doosu, Jump Rope Girls), Corey Rozzoni (Clumsy); (former members: Mark Hughes (Baboon), Mike Rudnicki (Baboon), and Zach Blair (GWAR, Hagfish), Casey Orr (GWAR, Ministry, Speedealer, Rigor Mortis, Blohole, The Hellions))
Captain Beyond
Rod Evans (Deep Purple); Rhino Rheinhardt and Lee Dorman (Iron Butterfly); Bobby Caldwell (The Johnny Winter Band)
Colonel Claypool's Bucket of Bernie Brains
Les Claypool, Brian Mantia (Primus); Buckethead (Guns N' Roses); Bernie Worrell (Parliament/Funkadelic)
Contraband
Bobby Blotzer (Ratt), Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, Michael Schenker Group), Tracii Guns (L.A. Guns), Share Pedersen (Vixen), and Richard Black (Shark Island). The band released one album in 1991.
Cry Cry Cry
a folk supergroup of Richard Shindell, Dar Williams, and Lucy Kaplansky
Cyberaktif
cEvin Key & Dwayne Goettel of Skinny Puppy, with Bill Leeb of Front Line Assembly/Delerium.
The Damage Manual
A quartet of prominent industrial musicians; Chris Connelly, Martin Atkins, Jah Wobble and Geordie Walker.
The Daredevils
Brett Gurewitz (Bad Religion); Gore Verbinski (Little Kings); Dean Opseth (Medicine); Josh Freese (The Vandals)
Def Squad
Redman, Erick Sermon, and Keith Murray
Demons and Wizards
Hansi Kürsch (Blind Guardian); Jon Schaffer (Iced Earth).
Dirty Mac
Made up of John Lennon, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Ivry Gitlis, Yoko Ono and Mitch Mitchell. Performed 2 songs on The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus.
Down
Band formed from members of Pantera, Corrosion of Conformity and Eyehategod.
DPG-Unit
group formed by 50 Cent's G-Unit and Snoop Dogg's Dogg Pound.
Electronic
Bernard Sumner of New Order and Johnny Marr of The Smiths, with one or both members of the Pet Shop Boys on certain tracks; and one member of Kraftwerk on even rarer occasions.
Eyes Adrift
Krist Novoselic of Nirvana, Curt Kirkwood of Meat Puppets, Bud Gaugh of Sublime
The Falcon
Brendan Kelly (guitar and vocals) and Neil Hennessy (drums) of The Lawrence Arms, Dan Andriano (bass) of Alkaline Trio, and former Rise Against member Todd Mohney (guitar).
Fantômas
Mike Patton (Faith No More); Buzz Osborne (The Melvins), Dave Lombardo (Slayer) and Trevor Dunn (Mr. Bungle)
Far Corporation
A multinational supergroup whose greatest his Led Zeppelin cover Stairway to Heaven.
The Firm (1980s rock music supergroup)
Jimmy Page; Paul Rodgers; Chris Slade.
The Firm (1990s hip hop supergroup)
Nas; Cormega; Foxy Brown; AZ (rapper); Nature.
FIST
Created for VH1's reality show SuperGroup. Features Sebastian Bach of Skid Row, Ted Nugent, Scott Ian of Anthrax, Evan Seinfeld of Biohazard, and Jason Bonham
The Fog Breathers
the group includes Weston DuPree of Eisley, Eisley's tour mangager Boyd DuPree all the members of LuvBeat, members from Midlake, Ivoryline, Brighten, and others.
Free Kitten
Kim Gordon (Sonic Youth): Julie Cafritz (Pussy Galore): Mark Ibold (Pavement): Yoshimi P-We (Boredoms)
G-Unit
an ever-expanding hip hop & rap music group (current members include 50 Cent, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Mobb Deep, Mase, Olivia, Hot Rod & M.O.P.)
G3
Joe Satriani, Steve Vai and various other guitarists, including Yngwie Malmsteen, Robert Fripp, Eric Johnson, and John Petrucci
Generation X
While recording the group's final album, "Kiss Me Deadly," the band at one point included former Sex Pistols members Paul Cook and Steve Jones. However, the two left after recording one track, and the group was joined by Terry Chimes, formerly of The Clash (whom is formally credited on drums)
Genesis
Became a supergroup with the solo success of members and former members Tony Banks, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Steve Hackett, Mike Rutherford
Ginger Baker's Air Force
The Glove
a side-project for The Cure's Robert Smith and Siouxsie & the Banshees's Steven Severin.
Go.
Golden State Warriors
Ras Kass, Xzibit & Saafir
GTR
formed by guitarists Steve Hackett (Genesis) and Steve Howe (Yes and Asia).
Gutterball
a Paisley Underground tour de force that consisted of Steve Wynn of Dream Syndicate, Stephen McCarthy of The Long Ryders and Brian Harvey and Johnny Hott of House of Freaks.
Happyland
Pop-rock collaboration between Quan Yeomans of Regurgitator and partner Janet English of Spiderbait. The original name of the band was to be "The Shits", but was renamed for "commercial reasons".
HARP
folk group taking its name from the initials of Holly Near, Arlo Guthrie, Ronnie Gilbert, Pete Seeger. The latter two were in The Weavers.
Hazen Street
formed by Toby Morse, Freddy Cricien, David Kennedy, Hoya and Mackie James.
The Heartbreakers
composed of Richard Hell, Johnny Thunders and Jerry Nolan
The Highwaymen
Willie Nelson; Johnny Cash; Kris Kristofferson; Waylon Jennings. All members had long solo careers behind them.
The Horsemen
Ras Kass, Canibus, Killah Priest & Kurupt
Humble Pie
Steve Marriott of The Small Faces; Peter Frampton of The Herd; Greg Ridley of Spooky Tooth; and Jerry Shirley
Jeff Beck Group
Jeff Beck, Rod Stewart, Ron Wood, Mick Waller, Nicky Hopkins
Jelly Jam
John Myung (Dream Theater), Ty Tabor (King's X), Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs. (Previously played with Derek Sherinian as Platypus)
The Jones Gang
Kenny Jones (The Faces/The Who), Rick Willis (Foreigner), Robert Hart (Bad Company)
Katmandu
Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac; Ray Dorset of Mungo Jerry; Vincent Crane of Atomic Rooster
King James
Rex Carroll (Whitecross), Jimi Bennett (Sacred Fire), Tim Gaines and Robert Sweet (Stryper)
L.A. Guns
Phil Lewis (Girl), Tracii Guns (Guns N' Roses), Steve Riley (W.A.S.P.), Kelly Nickels (Faster Pussycat), Mick Cripps (Faster Pussycat)
The Last Hard Men
Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins); Kelley Deal (The Breeders); Jimmy Flemion (The Frogs); Sebastian Bach (Skid Row)
Liquid Tension Experiment
John Petrucci (Dream Theater), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Jordan Rudess (now Dream Theater), Tony Levin (King Crimson)
Little Village
first formed as John Hiatt's backing group for his album Bring the Family: Hiatt, Ry Cooder, Nick Lowe, and Jim Keltner
Los Super Seven
Latin American supergroup
The Lost Dogs
Gene Eugene, Terry Scott Taylor, Mike Rowe, and Derri Daughtery
Lucy Pearl
Raphael Saadiq (Tony! Toni! Toné!), Dawn Robinson (En Vogue), Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest)
Mad Season
members included Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, Mike McCready of Pearl Jam, and Mark Lanegan of Screaming Trees.
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Spike Slawson of $wingin' Utter$, Fat Mike of NOFX, Joey Cape and Dave Raun of Lagwagon, and Chris Shiflett of No Use for a Name
Mike & the Mechanics
members included Mike Rutherford (Genesis); Paul Carrack (Ace, Squeeze); Paul Young (Sad Café).
Mutual Admiration Society
Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), and Chris Thile, Sean Watkins and Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), who were joined by John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Pete Thomas (many bands including The Attractions). This may have been a one-shot tour.
Naked City
John Zorn: Joey Baron: Fred Frith (Henry Cow): Bill Frisell: Wayne Horvitz: Yamatsuka Eye (Boredoms)
Neurotic Outsiders
Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols, Matt Sorum and Duff McKagan of Guns N' Roses, and John Taylor of Duran Duran
The New Cars
Greg Hawkes and Elliot Easton of The Cars, Todd Rundgren of Utopia and solo, Prairie Prince of The Tubes.
NiNa
Kate Pierson (The B-52's), YUKI (Judy and Mary), Mick Karn (Japan)
The No WTO Combo
Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys, Krist Novoselic of Nirvana, Kim Thayil of Soundgarden
The Ol' Skydaddies
a combination of legendary Australian bands Ol' 55, Daddy Cool and Skyhooks that toured in the 2000s.
Osaka Popstar
John Cafiero (The Misfits), Jerry Only (The Misfits), Dez Cadena (Black Flag, The Misfits), Marky Ramone (The Ramones, The Misfits, The Voidoids), Ivan Julian (The Isley Brothers, The Foundations, The Voidoids), Daniel Johnston
OSI
Jim Matheos (Fates Warning), Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater), Kevin Moore (Chroma Key), Sean Malone (Gordian Knot) and Steven Wilson (Porcupine Tree).
Oysterhead
Les Claypool (Primus); Trey Anastasio (Phish); Stewart Copeland (The Police).
Various artists on Perfect Day.
Pigface
The industrial supergroup. Martin Atkins (Ministry), Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails), Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), Steve Albini, Nivek Ogre (OhGr, Skinny Puppy), Genesis P-Orridge (Psychic TV), Chris Vrenna (Nine Inch Nails), members of KMFDM and The Orb, plus countless others.
Planet X
Virgil Donati, Tony MacAlpine and Derek Sherinian.
Plus 44
Mark Hoppus (blink-182); Travis Barker (blink-182); Carol Heller (Get The Girl)
Praxis
Bootsy Collins (Parliament/Funkadelic), Brian Mantia (Primus), Bill Laswell, Buckethead, Bernie Worrell (Parliament/Funkadelic) and others.
The Raconteurs
Jack White (The White Stripes), Brendan Benson, Patrick Keeler (The Greenhornes), and Jack Lawrence (The Greenhornes).
The Rising Sons
Named after the famous song 'House of the Rising Sun': Ry Cooder, Taj Mahal, Kevin Kelly (later in The Byrds), and (briefly) Ed Cassidy (later in Spirit). Their one album was recorded in 1965... and then shelved... to be released in 1992! Cooder was also in the two-album band Little Village and would later hit paydirt by organizing "The Buena Vista Social Club" album.
Sabina y Paez
Popular latin rockers Joaquin Sabina and Fito Paez released together the album "Enemigos Íntimos" ("Intimate Enemies") in 1998.
The Reindeer Section
27-strong Scottish indie rock supergroup featuring (amongst others) members from Snow Patrol, Belle & Sebastian, Idlewild, Mogwai, Arab Strap and Teenage Fanclub.
Shandie's Addiction
Tom Morello, Billy Gould, Brad Wilk and Maynard James Keenan
Shriekback
members of XTC, The Pop Group and Gang of Four
Sinergy
Formed by Alexi Laiho of Children of Bodom and Roope Latvala of Stone together with former Dimmu Borgir keyboardist Kimberly Goss.
Sky
classical guitarist John Williams, with other classical performers
Stars
Syd Barrett, Twink, Jack Monck
Supernova
Gilby Clarke of Guns N' Roses, Jason Newsted of Metallica and Voivod, Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe and Methods of Mayhem, along with the upcoming winner of the next season of Rock Star
Super Super Blues Band
one album of material by Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley and Howlin' Wolf
Tapeworm
reported collaborative project of Trent Reznor, Danny Lohner, and Charlie Clouser (Nine Inch Nails), Maynard James Keenan (Tool), Atticus Ross (12 Rounds), and many others. Existed for 8 years, but disbanded without releasing any music.
The Tear Garden
All members of Skinny Puppy and The Legendary Pink Dots.
Temple of the Dog
A one-album group, put together as a tribute to Mother Love Bone singer Andrew Wood, featuring members of Soundgarden and Pearl Jam. The hit singles "Hunger Strike" and "Say Hello 2 Heaven" came as a result of this album.
The Thorns
Matthew Sweet, Shawn Mullins and Pete Droge.
Tomahawk
Duane Denison of The Jesus Lizard, Mike Patton of Faith No More and Fantômas, Kevin Rutmanis of The Cows, John Stanier of Helmet and The Mark of Cain.
Transatlantic
Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater); Pete Trewavas (Marillion); Roine Stolt (The Flower Kings); Neal Morse (ex-Spock's Beard).
Transplants
Tim Armstrong of Rancid, Travis Barker of Blink-182 and Rob Aston.
TRIO!
side-project fusion supergroup. Consists of renowned banjo player Bela Fleck, legendary bassist Stanley Clarke (Return to Forever), and violin virtuoso Jean-Luc Ponty. Toured in 2005 but have yet to record an album.
U.K.
Eddie Jobson, Terry Bozzio, John Wetton, Bill Bruford and Allan Holdsworth
The Vital Tech Tones
Fusion side-project supergroup. Consisted of bassist Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), guitarist Scott Henderson (Tribal Tech), and drummer Steve Smith (Vital Information/ Journey). Made 2 albms but never appeared live.
The Wrights
Consisting of Nic Cester (Jet), Chris Cheney (The Living End), Kram (Spiderbait), Davey Lane (You Am I/The Pictures) & Pat Bourke (Dallas Crane), and featuring guest vocals from Bernard Fanning (Powderfinger) and Phil Jamieson (Grinspoon).
XYZ
ex-Yes and Led Zeppelin members who became a true supergroup on creation, despite the group not surviving long enough to produce any official albums.
Zwan
Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chamberlin (Smashing Pumpkins); Matt Sweeney (Chavez); David Pajo (Tortoise, Slint, Papa M); Paz Lenchantin (A Perfect Circle).


See also

List of grunge supergroups

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