At the end of the sixties, the supergroup phenomenon emerged. In search of new challenges, already successful rock musicians started a new group. These supergroups often had a short lifespan. In the meantime, the idea of the supergroup has spread to different music genres. Which ten collaborations led to legendary supergroups?
10. Audioslave
When Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine, the remaining members started looking for a new singer. Producer Rick Rubin whispered the name of Chris Cornell, who himself had left the Soundgarden grunge group. The new group called Audioslave would make three albums with a sound that often went back to the hard rock of the seventies. In the end, both Rage Against the Machine and Soundgarden would regroup.
9. Bad Company
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5GXbk58R0
Bad Company is a typical example of the seventies supergroup. In 1973, singer Paul Rodgers and drummer Robert Kirke of The Free decided to form a new band with members of Mott the Hoople and King Crimson. On their first album Bad Company played an accessible form of hard rock with a lot of emphasis on riffs and Rodger’s hoarse voice. Many of the songs they made in their original line-up, such as “Can’t Get Enough”, have become true classic rock favorites.
8. Velvet Revolver
Some members of Guns’ n Roses , including guitarist Slash, did not want to waiting longer for the whims of singer Axl Rose and started thinking about a new band. Together with drummer Dave Kushner from Wasted Youth and singer Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots, a real hard rock super group was formed. Their debut single “Slither” forms a nice fusion of hard rock with grunge and grew together with the Contraband album into a huge success. After their second album, the band fell apart after Weiland fell back into drug use.
7. Emerson, Lake & Palmer
One of the most successful progressive rock bands of all time was composed by members of The Nice, King Crimson and Atomic Rooster. Their first single “Lucky Man” was an instant success thanks to the striking combination of melody and unique synthesizer solo at the time. The Emerson synthesizers would soon come to the fore while the influence of classical music increased. Albums such as Pictures at an Exhibition and Tarkus could not be dragged. After the arrival of punk, bands like Emerson, Lake & Palmer could count on less and less attention as the band was reunited a number of times.
6. Temple of the Dog
Temple of the Dog was a short-term project that resulted in an album that only afterwards really received the appreciation it deserves. In 1990 Andrew Wood, singer of Mother Love Bone, died of an overdose. His good friend Chris Cornell from Soundgarden decided to pay tribute together with a number of band members from Mother Love Bone. He received help from a number of musicians from Seattle. An album was recorded in 15 days and a young singer with the name Eddie Vedder came in handy. Pearl Jam would soon emerge from Temple of the Dog and the rest is history.
5. The Plastic Ono Band
Already during the aftermath of The Beatles John Lennon started to make music with his new wife Yoko Ono. During the famous bed-in of Montreal they sang the new song “Give Peace a Chance” that was eventually released as The Plastic Ono Band. Soon the idea arose for a new kind of music group to which various musicians could contribute. Especially the performance during the benefit concert for UNICEF in 1970 takes the form of a real supergroup with Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Billy Preston and Keith Moon, among others. Until the temporary separation of John and Yoko in 1973, the band would remain active and score hits as “Instant Karma.”
4. The Power Station
The English pop group Duran Duran was at the height of their fame when the members took a break in 1984 that would last longer than expected. Meanwhile, John and Andy Taylor, together with Bernard Edwards of Chic, started the formation of a super group that soon got the name of the famous studio in New York. In the end they found a suitable singer in Robert Palmer and together they recorded the album of the same name as a monument of the 1980s, while enjoying a a lot of drugs. “Some Like It Hot” was a big hit, but before an American tour began, Palmer continued solo.
3. Traveling Wilburys
In 1988 ex-Beatle George Harrison played with the idea of a relaxed super group, just some friends who make music. But those friends turned out to be Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty and Roy Orbison. An album was recorded in ten days and the single “Handle with Care” turned out to be a big hit. Despite the death of Orbison, a second album was recorded that was less successful. The members of the supergroup would then regularly participate in each other’s projects.
2. Cream
Cream is usually considered the first supergroup. Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce and Eric Clapton were ready for a new challenge in 1966 and with Cream they quickly created a furore by playing a hard form of blues. “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room” have become rock classics. After three albums the band fell apart again but their influence on Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath was considerable.
1. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
In 1968 at a party with Joni Mitchell, Dave Crosby, Stephen Stills and Graham Nash sang a song together, after which a folk supergroup was born. The first album was a success, but one could still use a musician live. This eventually became the young Neil Young. Their second performance was immediately at the Woodstock festival, making the band enormously popular. The Déjà Vu album is a true sixties classic but after the protest song “Ohio” the group would fall apart. Temporary, since then the supergroup returns to the stage in various compositions.
