Bands with GREAT backing vocals

[Fassa Albrecht]

People seem to ignore backing vocals a lot, and in bands they're often an afterthought and not used properly.

So what are some bands who use backing vocals well? And who do you think are the best backing vocalists on any songs/tracks?

 

[Barkless Dog]

The Beatles

 

[jnuts1]

phish - they really have some cool things going on

 

[JoZac21]

Pink Floyd.

 

[Fassa Albrecht]

I'm in love with Mike Lindup's backing vocals on The Pursuit of Accidents album. It's not been my fave L42 album until now.

 

[tangentmusic]

+1 to the Beatles. They had great 3 part harmonies from their earliest recordings on.
Yes had great backing vocals with Mr. Squire & Mr. Howe providing some great counter-harmonies.

 

[Fassa Albrecht]

+1 to the Beatles. They had great 3 part harmonies from their earliest recordings on.
Yes had great backing vocals with Mr. Squire & Mr. Howe providing some great counter-harmonies.

I love Yes' vocals!

 

[agreatheight]

Here are some good harmony singing / backing vocal bands:

King's X
Queen
Extreme
Indigo Girls
Alice in Chains
Toad the Wet Sprocket
Barenaked Ladies
K's Choice
Sevendust

 

[Fendbassfan]

Beach Boys

 

[tangentmusic]

I love Yes' vocals!

I had in mind the backing vocals on the "I get up,I get down" section from "Close To The Edge". The Squire/Howe counter lyric was very well done.

 

[Alex E]

I'd agree with most, if not all listed here.

The two I'm most impressed with would be The Beatles and The Eagles.

The Beatles 3 part harmonies are beautiful and the Eagles sometimes had 5 part harmonies.

 

[ffutterman]

Dave Matthews Band, mainly because Carter Beauford is the man. Drive In, Drive Out has good backing vocals and ridiculous drumming

 

[PJMiDi]

+1 to Alice In Chains

The Band

 

[chaosmic]

Red Hot Chili Peppers.....Frusciante added a lot to their sound on their last 3 albums.

Back in AIC's earlier days with Layne, I'd say Jerry Cantrell (not sure if I'd call him a backing vocalist but definitely worth a mention)...

Also, Per Wiberg (keyboards) from Opeth added a lot until he left recently.

 

[chaosmic]

A lot of people beat me to AIC while I was typing my response.....good to see!

 

[Fendbassfan]

Fleetwood Mac (with Christine McVie) before they got all the Doo Wap singers.

 

[PJMiDi]

A Perfect Circle, Howerdel backs Maynard great IMO

 

[chaosmic]

+1 on Fleetwood

Thought of another one, Nirvana....Dave Grohl had an awesome falsetto-type thing goin' on. A lot like he does in spots on the Them Crooked Vultures record.

 

[todegard]

Eagles

Tommy

 

[Ric5]

EAGLES