good idea for bass player, drummer, etc to become singer in new band?

[Johnny Vodka]

Bit of a clumsy thread title, but inspired by the fact that I'm currently writing a review of The Flies' mini album. The Flies are fronted by ex-Spiritualized bass player Sean Cook. (By coincidence, The Orange Lights, currently being pushed, are fronted by an ex-Spiritualized guitar player, also having someone from the Lighthouse Family in their ranks!) So is it a good idea for players to step out of the limelight and become front men? Something tells me no (the bands I've just mentioned aren't too hot), although I can think of examples (such as Foo Fighters and Primal Scream) where it's worked...

[LouBarlow]

It's never a good idea as a primary frontman, but many golden moments have come from 3rd fiddle members taking on lead vocals.

[Johnny Vodka]

Bernard Butler was rubbish when he tried to sing.

Bernard Sumner didn't do too bad going from Joy Division guitarist to singer in New Order, though (even if he apparently can't sing :D).

Come on, more examples required, good and bad. Get your thinking caps on. What's the bass player in Shed Seven been up to? ;)

[kid a]

Two words..

Phil
Collins

[DM]

Kyuss - Queens Of The Stoneage (J Homme). Much better vocalist and frontman..
Johhny Marr sounds pretty good on the healers lp, shame it didn't do so well.

[meat puppet]

Big swallow, curls lip with distate and says Phil Collins.......now has to wash mouth out :gag:

[wen]

we had thoughts,

Ringo Starr.

[kid a]

Kyuss - Queens Of The Stoneage (J Homme). Much better vocalist and frontman..
Johhny Marr sounds pretty good on the healers lp, shame it didn't do so well.

I saw the healers with Zakk Starkey on drums..they were a bloody good band ...Jonny Marr :notworthy.

Does Mick Jones count??? The Clash guitarist to Big Audio Dynamite frontman...BAD were a great band.

[Stevie G]

John Squire?! :nono: :doh:

[Johnny Vodka]

John Squire?! :nono: :doh:

Good point. How **** were The Seahorses? :gag:

[DM]

Good point. How **** were The Seahorses? :gag:

He wasn't the frontman in that band.

[DeadYankee]

Well, I think you can look at Lemmy in Motorhead and see that there’s nothing inherently wrong with a bassist (Hawkwind) taking up the reins as a frontman. David Mustaine seems to have made a fair few quid with Megadeth too so he must be doing something right. Hendrix began his career as a back-up guitar player and he did ok in his own right.

[stapp]

Vinnie from Sponge was the drummer & they were going nowhere. He became the singer and they had a multi platinum debut album. Admittedly obscure example, but an example none the less.

[Johnny Vodka]

He wasn't the frontman in that band.

Just testing to see who'd spot the deliberate mistake. :thumbs:

[Mr Majestik]

Bass player who went on to form his own band.... Paul McChartney

[meat puppet]

Scott Walker

[Sneeka]

Foo Fighters?

EDIT: note to self - read first post before posting :|

[Johnny Vodka]

Bass player who went on to form his own band.... Paul McChartney

And look at the ***** they made.

No, seriously. ;)

[Arthur Fowler]

Ignore me, I'm stupid!

[DM]

Johnny Borrell - Razorlight (ex libs). http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnny_Borrell

Wonderful wiki page, read it! :lol:

Oh, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Johnny_Borrell

[SIMON ADEBISI]

Pepper Keenan - Corrosion Of Conformity. Far better than the original singer.

[Jon]

Stuart Adamson - guitarist in The Skids, went on to front Big Country & was massively more successful.

Justin Hawkins (remember him?;)) was a keyboard player in early versions of The Darkness (called Empire then, I think).

[Hood]

Pepper Keenan - Corrosion Of Conformity. Far better than the original singer.

It's just a shame that their music has never been as good since Pepper took over the singing. Despite the odd gem they have struggled to match he quality of Blind.