OT - Band members who luck out

[PowerChords]

These people - to me got a ticket to Rock and Roll immortality just by being associated with talented singers/songwriters.
I am not putting these people down. I just want to point out that they are just average musicians that rode the coattails
of their famous frontman or band member who happens to be the real talent.

Ringo Starr - The world would have been shrieking for Pete Best. I always wonder how Pete would have sounded on "Octupus' Garden".
Nick Rhodes - Joe Elliott said -"My favorite Duran Duran member is Nick Rhodes cause he can play the keyboard with one finger."
Andrew Ridgely - Case in point: "Son of Albert" album. Oh George, where art thou?
All Culture Club band members not named Boy George -
John McVie - Here's an odd one. The band's name came from Mick and John but Lindsey and Stevie put them on the map. Agreed?
Larry Mullen Jr - With Bono, The Edge and Clayton in the band, 3 out of 4 ain't bad
Michelle Phillips - average actress too.
Bill Wyman - I may be wrong on this one but hey, I am not a Stones fan anyway

[X factor]

Don't agree with Mullen JR at all. If you've ever watched RATTLE AND HUM, it's pretty clear who leads that band musically, and it AIN'T Clayton or the Edge!

And Wyman, too, is a rock solid bassist who was the prototype of the "stoic bass player".

The rest? I'm with ya (although I might add a certain Ross Valory to that list as well!

[PowerChords]

Don't agree with Mullen JR at all. If you've ever watched RATTLE AND HUM, it's pretty clear who leads that band musically, and it AIN'T Clayton or the Edge!

And Wyman, too, is a rock solid bassist who was the prototype of the "stoic bass player".

The rest? I'm with ya (although I might add a certain Ross Valory to that list as well!

I have Rattle and Hum and it's a keeper. You were probably talking about the scene where Mullen talks to the group to cue them on BB King's entrance. That has nothing to do with him leading musically. Unless there's a part on the DVD that I missed that will convince me otherwise.

[X factor]

Don't agree with Mullen JR at all. If you've ever watched RATTLE AND HUM, it's pretty clear who leads that band musically, and it AIN'T Clayton or the Edge!

And Wyman, too, is a rock solid bassist who was the prototype of the "stoic bass player".

The rest? I'm with ya (although I might add a certain Ross Valory to that list as well!

I have Rattle and Hum and it's a keeper. You were probably talking about the scene where Mullen talks to the group to cue them on BB King's entrance. That has nothing to do with him leading musically. Unless there's a part on the DVD that I missed that will convince me otherwise.

That is the scene, and it's always seemed to say to me that Larry leads the band. I've also heard this from other sources, btw)

[whirlwind]

Don't agree with Mullen JR at all. If you've ever watched RATTLE AND HUM, it's pretty clear who leads that band musically, and it AIN'T Clayton or the Edge!

And Wyman, too, is a rock solid bassist who was the prototype of the "stoic bass player".

The rest? I'm with ya (although I might add a certain Ross Valory to that list as well!

I'd add the whole Journey band. Perry put them on the map.

[artist4perry]

I still love Ringo, his personality cracks me up!

[S2M]

Ross....DEFINITELY.

[annie89509]

I can only comment on the groups I know something about:

The Beatles - True, Ringo is not much of a singer or songwriter ... and, as rock drummers go, probably a lightweight. But, as the story goes, the other 3 -- especially, John & Paul, who called the shots -- could not get along with Pete Best, and Ringo was kind of a happy-go-lucky chap who could fit in with anybody. There might have been some jealous there, as Pete was a cutie and somewhat of a ladies magnet at the time ... so might have been a diversion for the band. All indications pointed to the other 3 as shy and socially awkward kids who grew up in little Liverpool with only their musical talent to show the world. To Ringo's credit, he did(does) possess a certain charisma that propelled the Beatles into the mainstream -- other than just getting their music heard. Perfect example is the movie A Hard Day's Night, came out in 1964, which basically was the world's introduction to Beatlemania. Ringo stole that movie and should have been considered the star.

Fleetwood Mac - True, they had most of their hits with Lindsay Buckingham & Stevie Nicks. But they were already famous and had a few hits with John McVie writing and his wife, Christine, singing lead. I don't know much about their history, except some tabloid drama spilled by Lindsay about wife swapping and switching lovers within the band ( , lol). Actually, I have never understood what Mick Fleetwood contributes to the band -- other than his name is on it.

The Mamas&Papas - True, Michelle Phillips is an average singer and, later, an average actress. I guess her claim to fame was meeting and marrying John Phillips, who had exceptional songwriting ability for ‘60s music and masterminded the concept of the group — which included the late, great voice of Cass Elliot.

[Since 78]

Don't agree with Mullen JR at all. If you've ever watched RATTLE AND HUM, it's pretty clear who leads that band musically, and it AIN'T Clayton or the Edge!

And Wyman, too, is a rock solid bassist who was the prototype of the "stoic bass player".

The rest? I'm with ya (although I might add a certain Ross Valory to that list as well!

I'd add the whole Journey band. Perry put them on the map.

Oh Yeah, that was SP that Santana and Eric Clapton were trying to recruit when he was a teenager. Sorry, I thought it was Neal Schon!
Steve may have been "The Voice", but without Neal's guitar you would have never heard of him.

[Enigma869]

This one is a slam dunk...ROSS VALORY! Dude has just been along for the ride the entire 30+ years!


John from Boston

[Saint John]

This one is a slam dunk...ROSS VALORY! Dude has just been along for the ride the entire 30+ years!


John from Boston

Bullshit. Valory and Smith had incredible chemistry. Listen to Frontiers and Escape.

[nutz4Neal]

Althou I think he's a hoot, I totally agree on Ringo Starr.

However, I can't disagree more with Ross. IMO he's an awesome player and has been an added benefit to the band in more than his musical abilities..he's very well spoken and funny & a friend to Neal and Jon.

[Enigma869]

Bullshit. Valory and Smith had incredible chemistry. Listen to Frontiers and Escape.

Your opinion, dude! I don't wear the same rose-colored Journey glasses, that you never take off! Valory has always been the least relevant member of Journey, no matter how much you love the guy! Not one thing changes with the legacy of Journey, whether Valory or a guy named Joe is the bass player!


John from Boston

[Maui Tom]

Ron Wood

[Saint John]

Your opinion, dude! I don't wear the same rose-colored Journey glasses, that you never take off!

You don't need glasses you need fucking ears. Listen to Ross get down on the first 3 albums. Then, with the edition of Perry, he sort of reinvented himself and became less prominent. But with the edition of Cain he once again came out and laid down some incredible tracks on Escape and Frontiers. TBF also shows some great work. This guy is much more than an average bassist. The fact that he was surrounded by the arguably the AOR world's greatest guitarist, vocalist and drummer made him average relative to Journey, but Ross has always been solid.

Valory has always been the least relevant member of Journey, no matter how much you love the guy!

What's your fucking point? That doesn't make him average.

[stevew2]

Your opinion, dude! I don't wear the same rose-colored Journey glasses, that you never take off!

You don't need glasses you need fucking ears. Listen to Ross get down on the first 3 albums. Then, with the edition of Perry, he sort of reinvented himself and became less prominent. But with the edition of Cain he once again came out and laid down some incredible tracks on Escape and Frontiers. TBF also shows some great work. This guy is much more than an average bassist. The fact that he was surrounded by the arguably the AOR world's greatest guitarist, vocalist and drummer made him average relative to Journey, but Ross has always been solid.

Valory has always been the least relevant member of Journey, no matter how much you love the guy!

What's your fucking point? That doesn't make him average.

I agree.Nothin I have worse the a fuckin bass player trying trying to be a lead guitar player.Hold the fort down play the low notes, play with the drumer,dont get in the way.I thought his early stuff was over the top. Perry wouldnt have want him to stand out to much. He adjusted to what the became. I like Ross

[Don]

Don't agree with Mullen JR at all. If you've ever watched RATTLE AND HUM, it's pretty clear who leads that band musically, and it AIN'T Clayton or the Edge!

And Wyman, too, is a rock solid bassist who was the prototype of the "stoic bass player".

The rest? I'm with ya (although I might add a certain Ross Valory to that list as well!

I'd add the whole Journey band. Perry put them on the map.

Oh Yeah, that was SP that Santana and Eric Clapton were trying to recruit when he was a teenager. Sorry, I thought it was Neal Schon!
Steve may have been "The Voice", but without Neal's guitar you would have never heard of him.

Amen
Without Herbie, what has Perry done?
FTLOSM (what a great commercial success that was)

[Maui Tom]

Wolfie

[Enigma869]

What's your fucking point? That doesn't make him average.

Sorry dude...Ross is VERY average! Journey becomes Journey with or without Valory. In my opinion, that makes the guy mostly irrelevant. I'm sure he's a nice enough guy. I wouldn't know and honestly don't give a shit. I'm simply offering an opinion on his relevance to the band, as a whole!


John from Boston

[Hollywood]

Ross was almost fired when Rolie left due to poor playing. He got better to save his job. He has great stage presence though.

Alec John Such was a complete waste of space in Bon Jovi and was fired for it. Apparently he did even play on the records. I would assume that David Bryan was helping to cover his parts live.

Fitz covered some of Jack's bass parts live in Night Ranger so Jack could run around and be more of a front man. It is not like that any more and Jack is more than capable of playing his own parts.

Gene Simmons bass playing live is suspect and he did not play in the studio for the most part and freely admits it!

Bill Wyman was cool as fuck! Smithereens even have song lyric about him, that's how cool he is.

[FishinMagician]

Bullshit. Valory and Smith had incredible chemistry. Listen to Frontiers and Escape.

Your opinion, dude! I don't wear the same rose-colored Journey glasses, that you never take off! Valory has always been the least relevant member of Journey, no matter how much you love the guy! Not one thing changes with the legacy of Journey, whether Valory or a guy named Joe is the bass player!


John from Boston

what kind of bass lines are you expecting him to play in a "melodic rock" band to prove his skill? it wouldnt go over well with the 80's teeny boppers lololol

[DrFU]

Pete Willis

He made a fortune off Pyromania even though he got fired in the middle of recording it for coming to work drunk.

[Enigma869]

what kind of bass lines are you expecting him to play in a "melodic rock" band to prove his skill?

As I've stated here in the past, I am not a musician, so am not in a position to critique Valory's competence as a bass player. I have friends who are musicians who are very familiar with Journey and Valory. Every one of them believes that Ross is a below average bass player. Whether that's true or not, is up to each person's opinion.

The comments I made were based more on the fact that Valory has basically been a warm body, along for the ride, in my opinion. He's personable enough, from what I've seen. He flashes his goofy smile to the crowd every now and again and seems to be having fun on stage. I just believe any bass player could do what he does. I stand by my statement that Valory was VERY fortunate, to be surrounded by some VERY good musicians, which is the question asked by the original poster!


John from Boston

[Don]

Pete Willis

He made a fortune off Pyromania even though he got fired in the middle of recording it for coming to work drunk.

He was one of the primary song writers so I'm not so sure.

[conversationpc]

what kind of bass lines are you expecting him to play in a "melodic rock" band to prove his skill?

As I've stated here in the past, I am not a musician, so am not in a position to critique Valory's competence as a bass player. I have friends who are musicians who are very familiar with Journey and Valory. Every one of them believes that Ross is a below average bass player. Whether that's true or not, is up to each person's opinion.

The comments I made were based more on the fact that Valory has basically been a warm body, along for the ride, in my opinion. He's personable enough, from what I've seen. He flashes his goofy smile to the crowd every now and again and seems to be having fun on stage. I just believe any bass player could do what he does. I stand by my statement that Valory was VERY fortunate, to be surrounded by some VERY good musicians, which is the question asked by the original poster!


John from Boston

It's well-known how Schon was reigned in a bit with his guitar parts once Perry was in the band. Valory's bass playing prior to Perry was above average. Perhaps they just asked Ross to keep it simple?

[Vladan]

Two names come to mind here!.

Steve Augeri
Arnel Pineda

One was along for the ride, and he got dropped off at his nearest stop after probably many years of dilemma!. The other has just come on board a legacy train, how far will this ride go?!. No Question the talent Arnel brings to the table, but is talent alone enough?.

Bottom line:

Journey frontmen today are expendable, no matter how good they are - there is always somebody else waiting to take their place.

[Enigma869]

Two names come to mind here!.

Steve Augeri
Arnel Pineda

Not bad choices. I simply didn't go down the road of the lead singer, because Journey's glory years didn't involve either Augeri or Pineda! I was thinking more of who was just along for the ride during the years when the band actually mattered!


John from Boston

[stevew2]

Two names come to mind here!.

Steve Augeri
Arnel Pineda

One was along for the ride, and he got dropped off at his nearest stop after probably many years of dilemma!. The other has just come on board a legacy train, how far will this ride go?!. No Question the talent Arnel brings to the table, but is talent alone enough?.

Bottom line:

Journey frontmen today are expendable, no matter how good they are - there is always somebody else waiting to take their place.

i think you are right. Although they did decide not to tour this winter,i hope they are changing there ways

[S2M]

JY....plain and simple.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

The rest? I'm with ya (although I might add a certain Ross Valory to that list as well!