A lot of new bands were formed by artists coming together from other bands or successful solo careers. The Million Dollar Quartet (Elvis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis) might have been the first example.
Some of these pairings worked, others did not. Many were just one-off efforts with no long-term plans.
Cream featured Eric Clapton (Yardbirds, John Mayall), Jack Bruce (Manfred Mann, Graham Bond Organization) and Ginger Baker (Graham Bond Organization) in the first power trio and the precursor to heavy metal (psychedelia, blues-rock, hard rock). “Sunshine of Your Love” “White Room”
Crosby, Stills & Nash happened because of three blended voices. David Crosby came from the Byrds, kicked out by the other members. Stephen Stills was a free agent after the dissolution of Buffalo Springfield. Graham Nash and The Hollies disagreed about the direction of the group. Neil Young would occasionally drop in (and out) of the band. “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” “Our House”
Asia was another successful pairing. The original Asia (there have been many different versions) featured Steve Howe (Yes), John Wetton (King Crimson, U.K.), Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Atomic Rooster) and Geoff Downes (The Buggles, Yes). Their debut album sold 10 million copies and was number one across the world. After the second album, things fell apart. Asia would go through many different lineups including one headlined by John Payne. The current version has only Downes from the original lineup. “Heat of the Moment”
The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band was an example of a greatly anticipated supergroup that was anything but. David Geffen brought these guys together, but he couldn’t make them a hit. J.D. Souther (Longbranch Pennywhistle), Chris Hillman (Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers) and Ritchie Furay (Buffalo Springfield, Poco) all brought great resumes, but they were ill-suited to be a band. Two albums and done. “Fallin’ in Love” “Trouble in Paradise”
GTR was Steve Howe (Yes, Asia) and Steve Hackett (Genesis, solo), two prog rock guitarists. One very talked about album, but not great chemistry. Their styles seemed to clash, but complement each other. “When the Heart Rules the Mind” “The Hunter”
The Power Station was the collection of singer Robert Palmer, producer Bernard Edwards and drummer Tony Thompson of Chic, and bass player John Taylor and guitarist Andy Taylor of Duran Duran. One big, self-titled album came from the group and then Palmer bailed, replaced by Michael Des Barres. The original lineup regrouped ten years later to record new music but John Taylor departed, replaced by Edwards. Edwards passed away before the group could tour, then Power Station folded for good. “Some Like It Hot” “Get It On (Bang a Gong)”
KBC Band was Paul Kantner (guitar and vocals), Marty Balin (vocals and guitar) and Jack Casady (bass), all former members of Jefferson Airplane. Kantner and Balin had moved on to Jefferson Starship, and Casidy joined with another former Jefferson Airplane member Jorma Kaukonen to form Hot Tuna. “It’s Not You, It’s Not Me” “America”
Blind Faith happened when Clapton departed Cream and Steve Winwood took a break from Traffic. Clapton brought Ginger Baker from Cream and Rick Grech from the band Family. Immediately, there were differing expectations for this new band giving it a shaky foundation. An album was recorded and a brief tour, after which Clapton had moved on to Delanie & Bonnie, then Derek and the Dominoes. “Sea of Joy” “Do What You Like”
Foreplay was formed by Jazz greats keyboard player Bob James, bassist Nathan East, guitarist Lee Ritenour and drummer Harvey Mason. Their platinum selling self-titled album topped the Jazz chart was followed by other successful releases. Larry Carlton replaced Ritenour, who would later be replaced by Chuck Loeb. Each band member kept their solo careers while they came together every couple of years to record a new Foreplay album. “October Morning” “Little Foxes”
The Hollywood Vampires is composed of actor Johnny Depp on guitar, Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry, vocalist Alice Cooper and multi-instrumentalist Tommy Henriksen. They have released two albums thus far. An after-hours jam band that grew from Cooper’s past drinking club, they have tried to legitimized their group with the participation of the likes of Paul McCartney, Slash, Dave Grohl and others. “The Last Vampire” “Who’s Laughing Now”
The Traveling Wilburys the time Bob Dylan was part of a band. So was Tom Petty, Jeff Lynne, George Harrison and Roy Orbison. Make records, no touring required and count the money. One album was released with this lineup, and a second album, without Roy Orbison, was enough from this project. “Handle With Care” “She’s My Baby”
U.K. was a progressive-rock band formed by bass guitarist John Wetton (King Crimson), drummer Bill Bruford, (Yes, King Crimson), violinist/keyboardist Eddie Jobson (Curved Air, Roxy Music, Frank Zappa) and guitarist Allan Holdsworth (Soft Machine). This lineup stayed together for just one album before several lineup changes. Their one album is a standout. “In the Dead of the Night” “Time to Kill”
Hindu Love Gods a side project of some members of REM and Warren Zevon. Unintended for release, as it was just a bunch of covers, Zevon’s manager released it without anyone’s approval. They only produced one album, but it’s an interesting combination. “Raspberry Beret”
Beckley-Lamm-Wilson was a one-off project for Gerry Beckley (America), Robert Lamm (Chicago) and Carl Wilson (Beach Boys). Like A Brother was a very 80s sounding album. Too bad they never regrouped before Wilson died from cancer. “Like a Brother” “Watching the Time”
Chickenfoot was formed by Sammy Hagar (Van Halen), Joe Satriani, Michael Anthony (Van Halen), Chad Smith (Red Hot Chili Peppers). Two studio and one live album. “Oh Yeah” “Big Foot”
Bad Company was Paul Rodgers (Free), Mick Ralphs (Mott the Hoople), Simon Kirke (Free), Boz Burrell (King Crimson). This lineup was together 1973-1982 initially, selling millions of albums. “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love” “Feel Like Makin’ Love”
The Highwaymen were country music legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson. “Highwaymen” “The Last Cowboy”
Velvet Revolver was Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum (Guns N’ Roses), Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots), Dave Kushner. Two studio albums were released. “Set Me Free” “She Builds Quick Machines”
Temple of the Dog was Chris Cornell (Soundgarden), Eddie Vedder, Stone Gossard, Jeff Ament, Mike McCready (Pearl Jam), Matt Cameron. They released just one album. “Hunger Strike” “Say Hello 2 Heaven”
The Trio – Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris recorded two albums together. “High Sierra” “Those Memories of You”
SuperHeavy was a one-off supergroup consisting of Mick Jagger, Joss Stone, Dave Stewart, A. R. Rahman, and Damian Marley. “Miracle Worker” “Satyameva Jayathe”
FLOW is pianist/vocalist Fiona Joy from Australia, guitarist Lawrence Blatt, trumpeter and flugelhornist Jeff Oster, and guitarist Will Ackerman. Releasing two albums, this is a New Age supergroup. “Arrival” “Last Light”
Humble Pie formed by Steve Marriott (Small Faces), Peter Frampton (The Herd), Greg Ridley (Spooky Tooth) and Jerry Shirley (The Apostolic Intervention). “30 Days in the Hole” “I Don’t Need No Doctor”
Emerson, Lake & Palmer was Keith Emerson (The Nice), Greg Lake (King Crimson) and Carl Palmer (Atomic Rooster, The Crazy World of Arthur Brown). Through the 1970s, ELP sold millions of albums and sold out arenas. “From the Beginning” “Still…You Turn Me On”
The Firm formed by Jimmy Page (Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin), Paul Rodgers (Free, Bad Company), Tony Franklin and Chris Slade. Two studio albums. “Radioactive” “Satisfaction Guaranteed”
Damn Yankees was Ted Nugent (solo, Amboy Dukes), Tommy Shaw (Styx), Jack Blades (Night Ranger) and Michael Cartellone. Two albums and then their record money paid them to go away. “High Enough” “Coming of Age”
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