UNSUNG HEROES OF THE GUITAR. THE SIDE MAN/WOMAN.

[brookdalebill]

Junior Brown was briefly a sideman with Rank & File, and Asleep At The Wheel.
I don’t believe he recorded with R&F, but he played non-pedal steel on AATW’s Pasture Prime album.

 

[Fiesta Red]

I never knew Stephen well but got to watch him play a bunch. My favorite memory was at Upstairs at the White Elephant where he sat in with Geoff Muldaur on acoustic. Stephen had some serious bluegrass/acoustic chops too.

Here he is with Don Was.



Something else Red-their Mom helped me a lot. She was all over music and had an amazing memory. She knew all the players on all the jazz/jump blues stuff from the 40's-50's and made lots of helpful suggestions on who to check out. I miss her!

Yes, Mrs. Bruton was a hoot! If I was researching somebody from that era, she was definitely one of my sources…

The knowledge that family had was invaluable…so sad they’re all gone.

 

[Jim W]

Not exactly a sideman, but Tony Hicks from the Hollies. Lots of great players listed above.
Amos Garrett
James Burton
Derek O'Brien
Steve Cropper
Charlie Freeman
Richard Thompson
Simon Nicol

 

[VintageSG]

Calling Norman a 'side-man' is to do him a gross disservice. They may have been known as 'The Wilko Johnson Band', but Norman had as many fans in the audience as Wilko did. Dylan's no slouch either.
In the soggy corner, Norman Watt-Roy.


Soggy because by the end of every gig, he's literally dripping. Slightly gross.

 

[41144]

Reeves Gabrels.... Seeing him with The Cure tomorrow night and previously with Bowie/Tim Machine

 

[brookdalebill]

T-Bone Wolk (RIP)
Arlen Roth
David Lindley
Danny Kortchmar
Bob Mann

 

[Bortyeast]

Ronnie Wood has proven to be a fairly decent sideman these last 50+ years.

 

[Ed Storer]

I scrollled through this whole thread and didn't see Paul Barrere mentioned. Unbelievable. Best known as the most durable member of Little Feat.

He also wrote Down on the Farm, Skin It Back, Feats Don't Fail Me Now, All that You Dream, and certainly more that Wiki doesn't mention.

 

[Frontier9]

Elton John's super talented band mates during some of his best work:
Davey Johnstone (guitar), Nigel Olson (drums) and Dee Murray (especially Dee - great unsung bassist)

 

[brookdalebill]

Leon Rhodes
Grady Martin
Roy Nichols
Redd Volkaert
Jimmy Capps

 

[NoTeleBob]

Ronnie Wood has proven to be a fairly decent sideman these last 50+ years.

Quietly holding together bands of all sorts. And he does it without ever breaking a sweat.

 

[brookdalebill]

Dominic Troiano
Duke Robillard
Wendy Melvoin

 

[dogmeat]

5 pages and no one mentioned G E Smith yet...

 

[brookdalebill]

Sonny Landreth
Tuck Andress
Thumbs Carlisle

 

[Flyboy]

Mick Ronson.

 

[Kandinskyesque]

Wendy Melvoin

My first female guitar hero, before that I only ever though girls were capable on the guitar of playing church songs and Janis Ian covers.

 

[OlRedNeckHippy]

First thought: Bob Weir
Yea, he did lead vocals occasionally, but he was more of a side kick than a front man.
Best rhythm guitar player I've ever seen, the King of the bar chord.

 

[Jim622]

Elton John's super talented band mates during some of his best work:
Davey Johnstone (guitar), Nigel Olson (drums) and Dee Murray (especially Dee - great unsung bassist)

I sent Alice Cooper and they were his band.

Mick Ronson.

View attachment 1059102 View attachment 1059102

Most definitely

 

[brookdalebill]

First thought: Bob Weir
Yea, he did lead vocals occasionally, but he was more of a side kick than a front man.
Best rhythm guitar player I've ever seen, the King of the bar chord.

Bob looks like he’s 12!

 

[eddiewagner]

David Lindley on Lapsteel