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04-13-2011, 04:24 PM
| | | | Is it weird that the drummer is also the singer?
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I never saw a famous band that has a lead singer who is also the drummer. Does anyone have experience with this? Does it ever work out? I want to request we bring in a new singer, but don't want to hurt feelings. The drummer is a GREAT drummer , but a so-so singer, probably b/c he's trying to do both at the same time. |
04-13-2011, 04:25 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Here | | | Genesis, Grand Funk Railroad... |
04-13-2011, 04:26 PM
| | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Nomadskills  Genesis, Grand Funk Railroad... | I just saw a Genesis concert on TV recently and Phil Collins was singing the whole time, not playing drums at all, some other guys was drumming. |
04-13-2011, 04:28 PM
|  | Evil Alien | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA | | | It's not common but definitely not weird. The Chop Tops are a great example. Craic Haus is another. Both bands definitely worth checking out if they ever play in your area.
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04-13-2011, 04:29 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Anasleim, CA | | | Levon Helm of The Band did both VERY well! One of my favorite drummers. |
04-13-2011, 04:36 PM
| | | | Our drummer sings lead on a handful of songs, and it seems to work out ok. Are you saying the drummer is singing lead on all the songs?
I did see a band in the local wine bar with the drummer doing most of the singing, but, then again, it was Kenny Cetera, so all was good. |
04-13-2011, 04:39 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Anasleim, CA | | Don Henley is another...although his singing was much better than his drumming!  |
04-13-2011, 04:42 PM
|  | Registered User | | Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Parke County, Indiana | | |
Last edited by TC2112 : 04-13-2011 at 04:45 PM.
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04-13-2011, 05:11 PM
| | Registered User
Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Phoenix, Arizona 85029 | | | Audiences like to see a front man, and when the front man is confined to a stationary spot in the back of the stage and covered by a bunch of huge gear, it hurts the overall visual. It's cool in the scenario where it's backup vocals or the occasional song, but a lead singing drummer for the whole set?
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04-13-2011, 05:13 PM
| | | | Singing Drummers
Buddy Miles of the Electric Flag, and Buddy Miles Express. |
04-13-2011, 05:17 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Hillbillyville | | Quote:
Originally Posted by elgecko Levon Helm of The Band did both VERY well! One of my favorite drummers. | +++++ about 10,000.
And, to this thread starter, so what if there never had been a "famous band" with a drummin' lead singer? You sound like you're all tied up in a lockstep box. You wouldn't even have an electric bass if somebody hadn't stepped outta the box.
As for the no drummin' for Phil Collins, this poster is too young or lost too much memory to know what the hell he's talkin' about. What you said for latter years is ok, try Genesis in the 70's.
For a weird one, Strawberry Alarm Clock's best lead singer was, just like The Band, the drummer. He sang lead on all three of the hits.
Ringo mighta been the worst lead singer in that Liverpool band, but, he SMOKED on "Boys".
That whole mentality of, such-and-such person can't do thing B because he does thing A makes my blood boil. I'm gona go swill a Bloody Mary and a nice dark beer, smoke a fag, pet one of my pussies and/or canines, plus sing AND play "Won't Get Fooled Again" all at the same forkin' time. |
04-13-2011, 05:37 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern California | | | For example:
Peter Riveria - Rare Earth
Karen Carpenter - The Carpenters
I don't think it's weird. On stage you can put the drummer upfront if you are worried about the visual.
Phil Collins played drums in Genisis before he became the lead singer after Gabriel left sometime in the 70's.
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04-13-2011, 05:39 PM
|  | A figment of our exaggeration | | Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Way Out West | | | Ringo.... |
04-13-2011, 05:48 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Portugal | | | The Mclovins, my favourite band with a drummer/singer, it's tough to have the same stage presence as a band with a frontman/singer but it can work. |
04-13-2011, 05:48 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Dakota | | | It's been done but for the average bar band I think it would be a flop. Drunks want the lead singer up front. You can't have the drum kit front and center, that would be lame.
All IMO of course. |
04-13-2011, 05:57 PM
| | | | The Monkeys!
Haha. But seriously, my drummer is the lead singer. He takes about 80%, and the keyboard player, myself, and the guitarist takes the other 20%. He's also the band leader at weddings. I've been playing with them for years and years, and honestly now, it's all I really know! Haha. Our guy happens to have a fantastic voice, and he's the best drummer around. So yes. It works. If the drummer/singer can pull it off.
On weddings, we'll usually have our female singer, and our male R&B singer. But even so, The drummer is still taking "lead" on about 60% of the songs.
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04-13-2011, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by SteveC It's been done but for the average bar band I think it would be a flop. Drunks want the lead singer up front. You can't have the drum kit front and center, that would be lame.
All IMO of course. | Totally an understandable, and what you'd usually assume to be a 100% correct statement. But, it's not always the case. Like I mentioned above, my drummer is the lead singer. On the other hand, we're not known around here for being just an "average" bar band. So that helps 
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04-13-2011, 07:22 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nashville, TN | | | i must say it again -levon helm!!!! |
04-13-2011, 07:36 PM
| | Banned | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Cohasset, Massachusetts | | Quote:
Originally Posted by Nomadskills Genesis, Grand Funk Railroad... | Actually, Mark Farner was the lead singer of Grand Funk Railroad but Don Brewer did sing lead on some songs. Most notably "We're An American Band"
Genesis, Phil Collins
The Eagles Don Henley, although everybody sang lead on depending on the song.
Kelly Keagy Night Ranger
Dave Petratos The Romantics
Levon Helm The Band
Sheila E
Mickey Dolenz The Monkess
Some bands have drummers who sing lead on some but not all songs. KISS, The Beatles for example
Last edited by Rockmusician : 04-14-2011 at 04:18 AM.
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04-13-2011, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by tangentmusic Ringo.... | I was thinking the exact same thing!
That is actually a cool gimic, honestly. If it doesn't hurt your sound, put the drummer on a pedastal so he can be seen. It's an interesting thing. I'd want to see a band with a drummer/lead singer.
oh, and to the Genesis thing in question:
Phil did drum and sing OCCASIONALLY, but not always nor never. Most of the time he was the front man, but on a few songs, and later a deal more in his solo career, he sang and drummed.
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