Who do you consider to be the most individually talented group?

On a side note, there are many exceptional and popular bands out there that learn more toward synergy than barefaced individual talent. That's part of the beauty of bands! Creating collective greatness.

 

The Band
The Beagles
10cc

 

If this were 1992, I would have put them out there, but I just can't do that with how they are now.

 

Interesting that The Who have been mentioned a few times. Pete Townshend will tell anyone who will listen how lousy a drummer he thought Keith Moon was.

 

Another vote for Police here. A rare combination of synergy, members' individual talents, and consistency of widely-acclaimed songwriting ~ especially for a three-piece band ~ making them one of the most successful and dynamic rock acts ever.

 

The Beatles

 

The Beatles

 

Of course it's the Temptations-you want talent-David Ruffin-Eddie Kendricks-Paul Williams-Dennis Edwards-Melvin Franklin.

 

Gentle Giant (in a live setting).

 

Luckily I have my own opinions. ;-)

 

I wouldn't exactly call Pete a virtuoso guitarist either, IMO of course. I like both of them by the way, it works for their bands music.

 

Most of the bands that have been listed are quite old, many older than Phish. We even have people saying The Beatles, half of whom are dead.

 

Fleetwood Mac. Pity so much of their time was squandered with personal conflicts.

 

The first incarnation of Captain Beyond.

Rod Evans (ex-Deep Purple)
Bobby Caldwell (ex-Johnny Winter)
Larry "Rhino" Reinhardt (ex-Iron Butterfly)
Lee Dorman (ex-Iron Butterfly)

That debut album was so solid... there wasn't room for any weak link...

 

I know what you mean, but that's exactly why I haven't posted a band in here. It's hard for me to think of a band that doesn't have a slightly weaker link. Phish certainly has a weak link now. Also, even back in 1992, I wouldn't call Page a virtuoso either. The only band I can think of that comes close to having elevated talent with each member is Gentle Giant.

 

You must be joking, aren't you?
This band it's the worst abysmal piece of crap I've ever heard. Isn't even funny

 

Focusing on musicianship I’d go with:

Led Zeppelin
The Who
Rush
Yes
Cream
Mahavishnu Orchestra
The Band
Deep Purple

 

That's why I listed Phish here, because if you are going to have a lot of the others listed here, Phish has to be in the mix.

 

I don't have an entry, but I believe that individually talented people are harder to keep in groups.

 

Better than the Beatles, according to Frank Zappa.

 

That is an interesting speculation. It may be the case if a band member felt stifled.

A lot may depend on genre. In bluegrass or gypsy jazz players are often relied on to have constant impressive chops. Where pop rock music may allow the average musician to thrive supporting the song.

 

The first band I thought of was Cream

Ginger Baker: Drums
Jack Bruce: Bass guitar, harmonica, lead vocal
Eric Clapton: Lead guitar

 

That was who came to mind for me also. Eric Clapton needs no introduction and would have had a hall of fame career if he did nothing after Derek and the Dominoes, even though he had a hugely successful solo career for decades after, although I'm not a real fan of that period. Jack Bruce was probably the most talented of the three, with his solo work being highly underrated and most excellent. Ginger Baker is a great drummer who also put out some underrated work after Cream, such as those Airforce albums, along with all the other work he did before and after. You'll probably never come to a consensus here because there are so many factors, such as song writing ability, musicianship, ability to put out hit records, diversity etc. to consider.

 

wat

 

Zappa liked to say boutades to provoke. And he liked fart jokes too