Create a line-up for a band with musicians who were never in that band

This is a mad idea that has haunted my musical thinking for decades, but I've often felt that a fantasy/alternative universe Pink Floyd could be created by putting together:

solo artist Roy Harper on lyrics, music, vocals and acoustic guitar

Andrew Latimer from Camel on guitars, music, vocals and bass.

Steve Jansen from Japan on drums, sound effects and music.

Billy Lyall (Pilot) on keyboards, vocals and music.

Does anyone else ever have such bonkers thoughts?

 

Drums: Roger Taylor
Guitar solo: Steve Stevens
Guitar Rhythm: Nile Rodgers
Bass: Mark King
Vocals: Bruce Dickinson and Kate Bush
Backing Vocals: the Supremes.

Music style: rock, gypsy, disco, funk, metal, pop = Rogydifumepo. This will be the sound of the future. Keep an eye out for the remixes. So yes, I do have those ideas but not by replacing a group. More by creating a new one.

 

You mean like Led Zeppelin made out of Steve Marriot + The Who (without Daltrey)?

 

Or Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce, Steve Winwood, Robert Fripp, Ian Gillan putting together Yes?

 

Or Jimmy Miller on drums, Carl Radle on bass, Nicky Hopkins (or Leon Russell) on piano, Ry Cooder on guitar, Steve Marriott on guitar and vocals calling themselves The Rolling Stones?

 

I always wanted to hear Jim Morrison do Ozzy era Sabbath.

 

Yes, or as they should be probably known, No

Kate Bush
Ollie Halsall (or possibly Allan Holdsworth)
Chick Corea
Jannick Top
Jon Theodore

 

The Led Zeppelin that never was but almost could have been:

Vocals/Guitar: Terry Reid
Bass: Chris Dreja
Drums: Paul Francis

 

A "King Crimson" line up of members who were never in the band:
Steve Hackett
David Sylvian
Brian Eno
Andy Mackay
Sara Lee
Jerry Marotta

 

Led Zeppelin:

Danny Wagner
Jake Kiszka
Josh Kiszka
Sam Kiszka

 

Yes, exactly! Although I'd probably say Marriot with Jeff Beck and the Who's rhythm section would have been even more Zep-like in an alternative universe and, as I recall, Beck, Entwistle and Moon were all involved in the negotiations to form Led Zeppelin, whereas Townsend never was

 

I don't think that would be very Yes-like, though. How about:

Fripp
Roger Hodgson
Rod Argent
Phil Collins
John Paul Jones?

 

I didn't know Paul Francis had been in the frame - thanks for that. Interesting to think as alternative universe Zep as a power trio but if I were the parallel dimension's Peter Grant figure, I'd want somebody else in there who could beef up the sound with additional guitar and keyboards: Steve Winwood, Pete Townsend, Paul Carrack?

 

It would be one heck of a band - the live concert would be quite something!

 

There's a great chance I would prefer that line-up to any of the real Versions of the Stones!

 

Another amazing idea and it feels very Crimsonish without any of them ever having been in KC, although I believe Sylvian was once invited to join by Fripp. Sara Lee is a great choice: I know all of the others have worked with Fripp but has she?

 

She has worked with Robert Fripp and XTC's Barry Andrews in The League Of Gentlemen, of all the bass players I could find who have worked with Fripp this was the first one I found who had never been in King Crimson. Andy Mackay and Fripp have worked on Brian Eno's first solo album, but not on the same song. As far as I know Steve Hackett and Fripp never worked together.

 

Sorry, I did realise Hackett and Fripp hadn't worked together, AFAIK. Steve H would still be an awesome Crimsonish guitarist.

 

Hackett's name always gets mentioned as a guitarist in a Crimson without Fripp, that's why I picked him on guitar. Of course it's never going to happen, but it would be a fun band.

 

I'll have a go at classic era Genesis:

Peter Hammill (Van Der Graaf Generator) on vocals, lyrics, musics, some guitars and keyboards - a man whose voice influenced Peter Gabriel's style and who is himself a prog major figure.

Andrew Latimer (Camel) on guitars, backing vocals, flute, music, keyboards and lyrics. At least as good a guitarist as Hackett, and someone who was advised by Rhett Davies to apply to join Genesis when Hackett left due to his "rightness" for the band. He is also a wonderful composer and an excellent arranger.

Ian McDonald (King Crimson) on keyboards, woodwinds, guitar, backing vocals, music and lyrics. Another figure who clearly influenced Genesis and who has the playing and compositional talent to go for Genesis-like success.

Bill Bruford - drums, percussion, music. A musician Phil admires and who, of course, played live with Genesis.

Derek Forbes (Simple Minds) bass, guitars, vocals, music. Someone who has been influenced by Genesis and Gabriel and is a great musician in his own right.

 

The White Stripes:
Dan Auerbach
Patrick Carney

 

Little Feat
Donald Fagen
Pat Simmons
Berry Oakley
Toy Caldwell
Artemis Pyle
Jaimoe

 

guitar - Johnny Winter
bass - Rick James
drums - Peter Criss
keys - Van Cliburn

The Fall -- the only people who haven't been in the band

 

Dreja wanted to hire Paul Francis for the New Yardbirds, and had supposedly called him up and said "The job is yours if you want it" -- but Francis was scheduled to play a short tour over the next couple of weeks. By the time he got back, Dreja was out of the picture.

In an alternate universe, Francis and Terry Reid both agree to join the band, but Jimmy is the one who backs out, leaving the other 3 to carry on. Maybe they call up Steve Winwood (who had also been on the shortlist to join the band) and convince him to leave Traffic, which was on shaky ground in late 1968? Or maybe they get someone from one of the other acts managed by Peter Grant?

 

UToo

Mike Peters
Mick Jones
Tony Butler
Mel Gaynor