Most underrated sideman

[Catawompus]

We talk a lot about the greats, but they could never be without help from others. So this is for the sidemen. I nominate Jack Pearson, one of the most gifted players ever.

 

[sax4blues]

Kirk McKim, Pat Travers Band. I've seen them several times and beyond the stellar playing Kirk's joy in the music and audience interaction make a great show.

 

[pypa]

You say Jack Pearson, I say This is Us.

My vote goes to Alex Lifeson from Rush. Geddy and Neal were the icing to his cake. They had a great run, but in the end, Geddy couldn't sing and Neal couldn't play like the athlete aliens they were at 25. But Alex kept right on playing fantastically. I might even argue he got better in the later albums. I can't say much for the song writing then, but the playing was fantastic and I say he held that band together for the past 15 years.

I also have to give it up to Johnny Marr. I thought he was the best thing about the Smiths, and that's saying a lot.

 

[Tommy Biggs]

Benmont Tench. Tom Petty Band. Keys, guitars and #1 backing vocals. Great sideman.

 

[DavidP]

Kenny Vaughan, as Marty's 'sideman' in the Fabulous Superlatives!

 

[blowtorch]

Ry Cooder was the Stones' greatest guitar player

 

[blowtorch]

Oh, and I though "underrated" had been canceled
https://www.tdpri.com/threads/please-can-we-stop-using-this-word.1067107/

 

[Weaselcoon]

Don Rich

 

[Wrighty]

We talk a lot about the greats, but they could never be without help from others. So this is for the sidemen. I nominate Jack Pearson, one of the most gifted players ever.

Richard Bennett, brilliant rhythm player, seen him on several stages, Mark Knopfler sticks in my mind.

 

[teletimetx]

the use of underrated is not cancelled, it's just overrated.

How about just really good sidemen?

Jesse Ed Davis, his stint with Taj Mahal.

Elliott Easton with Cars

David Lindley with Jackson Browne

Buddy Whittington with that English guy

Larry Carlton with everybody, including your mom

Ricky Skaggs

 

[DFB1]

Kirk McKim, Pat Travers Band. I've seen them several times and beyond the stellar playing Kirk's joy in the music and audience interaction make a great show.

McKim is great. Pat Thrall was another Travers sideman. Another great player.

 

[Manual Slim]

Jack Ashford is always my answer to this no matter how we phrase the question. Do people even rate tambourine players?

 

[8barlouie]

Jim Burton

 

[Mark the Moose]

I'm gonna go with Tonto.

 

[Dan R]

Bruce Thomas, bass player for Elvis Costello.

Billy Bremner, guitarist

 

[Turtleneck]

Scott Thurston with Tom Petty is who came to my mind first.

Guy can do it all.

 

[Sasquatchwisperer]

Malcom Young. RIP

 

[Oldsmobum]

Gabby Hayes.

 

[Stringbanger]

 

[mindlobster]

Back in the day...it's kind of insulting to call them 'sidemen', but Nugent's original band - Davis, Grange, St Holmes. I met St Holmes at a work thing and lost my mind, even after so many years later.