5 Legendary Musicians Who Were Part Of Multiple Successful Groups

Many musicians often find their biggest successes in one of two ways. There are those who stay in a group and make great music with their longtime bandmates. There are also those who go it alone and thrive on that solo spotlight. Now and then, you’ll see someone leave a group to go solo and try their luck.

However, there exists a more elusive class of musicians. Over the years, an elite few artists have been able to transition from one group to another. This is no easy feat considering the changing dynamics between members and a possible difference in artistic direction. These musicians however not only made the change seem seamless, they were also able to achieve great success with each group,

In this list we will look at 5 iconic musicians who were part of multiple successful groups. Without further ado, let’s begin!

5. Paul Rodgers: Free and Bad Company

One of the most renowned lead singers of all time, Paul Rodgers served as an influence to multiple generations of rock vocalists. Aside from that, he has lent his considerable skills as both a singer and songwriter to multiple groups. The most successful of which were Free and Bad Company.

During his time in Free, Rodgers helped write the band’s biggest hit All Right Now and helped the group reach superstardom. When Free broke up, Rodgers quickly moved on to form Bad Company. With a near decade run, Bad Company achieved a string of hits such as Shooting Star, Bad Company and Feel Like Makin’ Love. Throughout Rodgers’ time in Bad Company, he also proved himself to be a talented instrumentalist.

Aside from his more iconic groups, Rodgers was part of the Supergroup known as The Firm and had another group, The Law, which was mainly made up of studio musicians. Rodgers also served as the frontman of Queen for a time following Freddie Mercury’s death. So talented was Rodgers that aside from his existing groups he was also invited to be the singer for The Doors and Deep Purple but he declined.

Paul Rodgers has shown that he could make a success of something brand new and did not need to rely on the name value of an existing group to highlight his ability. It is a testament to the skills of Paul Rodgers to be able to take two groups from scratch and make them into iconic bands.

4. Joe Walsh: The James Gang and Eagles

The Clown Prince of Rock, Joe Walsh was as well-known for his offstage antics as he was for his elite musicianship. Despite his wild reputation, Walsh brought success to whatever group he joined and proved himself to be a capable singer, songwriter and instrumentalist.

In both The James Gang and Eagles, Walsh was not an original member and stepped in to replace someone else. Despite that, he quickly grew into an essential of both groups. Walsh replaced guitarist Glenn Schwartz in the James Gang and eventually took on the roles of both a songwriter and lead singer. With Walsh’s input, The James Gang had their most successful hits with Funk #49 and Walk Away. When Walsh left the group, they could not replicate their success without him.

By the time Walsh joined the Eagles to replace Bernie Leadon, he was an accomplished solo star who could lend his name value to the rising group. Just as he did with The James Gang, Walsh quickly made his mark. His most famous contribution to the group would definitely be the guitar solo on Hotel California, the song that launched the Eagles to superstardom. He also lent his various skills on many of the band’s subsequent hits too.

These days, Walsh continues to perform solo and as part of his brother in law Ringo Starr’s All Starr Band supergroup. Joe Walsh is an excellent example of how one person can see something good and help make it even better still.

3. Eric Clapton: The Yardbirds, Cream and Derek and The Dominos

One of the greatest guitarists of all time, Eric Clapton found success wherever he went. Starting off as a member of The Yardbirds, a group which produced other musical icons such as Jimmy Page and Jeff Beck, Clapton’s fortunes would only continue to increase.

During his tenure in The Yardbirds, Clapton was part of the group’s first successful line-up and demonstrated his skills as a capable Blues guitarist. However, he disliked the group’s increasingly Pop oriented direction and left. Shortly after, he formed Cream with Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker.

A capable Rock group often recognised as the first Supergroup and one of the greatest power trios of all time, Clapton shined as both a singer and guitarist. With hits such as Sunshine of Your Love and White Room. Clapton’s time in Cream alone was enough to cement him as a music legend. Although Cream would break up due to tensions between Bruce and Baker, Clapton was not done.

In 1971, Clapton helped form Derek and The Dominos, a group made up of musicians who were initially the sessions band for George Harrison’s album All Things Must Pass. Although the group released only one album, Clapton’s time in the group produced the iconic Layla which remains one of his signature songs.

These days, Eric Clapton is mostly focused on his equally successful solo career. However, Clapton’s time in his various groups are fondly remembered most notably by the fact that he is the only three time inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

2. Paul McCartney: The Beatles and Wings

Paul McCartney is one of the greatest all-round musicians in history. Be it as an instrumentalist, singer or songwriter, McCartney could fill in all those roles at the highest possible level. Thus, it is no surprise that any group he was part of would achieve success.

As part of The Beatles, arguably the greatest group of all time, McCartney played bass and piano among other instruments and also lent his vocals to many of the band’s greatest hits. Perhaps most iconically was his iconic writing partnership with John Lennon. Together, Lennon-McCartney would go on to write some of the greatest songs of all time.

Following the dissolution of The Beatles in 1970, McCartney would eventually get back into the swing of things with his next band, Wings. Primarily made up of McCartney, his wife Linda and Denny Laine, amongst a group of ever changing musicians, Wings was popular both critically and commercially. With McCartney firmly in place as the band’s main attraction, Wings released various hits such as Bluebird, Silly Love Songs, Maybe I’m Amazed, Live and Let Die and Band on the Run.

Thanks to his time in Wings and his current solo career, McCartney became the most successful of the former Beatles. However, this was no surprise. A musician of McCartney’s obvious talent would definitely shine long after the Fab Four was no more.

Dave Grohl: Nirvana and Foo Fighters

Nirvana is one of the most iconic bands in the history of music. The pioneers of Grunge, Nirvana remains popular in the mainstream and their songs remain anthems for an entire movement almost three decades on from their dissolution. To ever replicate such legendary success would be impossible but Dave Grohl knew he had to move on regardless.

Grohl, who was Nirvana’s drummer, was already considered a legend by the time the group dissolved in the wake of Kurt Cobain’s death. After being offered spots as a drummer for Pearl Jam and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Grohl knew that he had way more to offer than just being a replacement drummer. In the years to follow, Grohl turned heads with just how talented he really was. Making entire albums by himself, Grohl showed that he was a talented singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

By the time Grohl founded the Foo Fighters, he was no longer behind the drums but was now front center as the group’s lead singer and songwriter. Writing hits such as Everlong, My Hero and Learn To Fly among others, Grohl departed from Nirvana’s grungy, edgy formula and achieved great success. Loved by fans and critics, The Foo Fighters won multiple Grammy Awards with Grohl leading the charge.

Dave Grohl’s time in Nirvana and the Foo Fighters marked two musically distinct yet equally successful runs. Whether it be in a supportive role or as the mastermind behind a group, Dave Grohl played whatever role he was assigned to perfection. No musician has ever reinvented themselves as successfully as Dave Grohl and few musicians could say that they contributed to two successful groups in the way that Grohl has.

That does it for this list. If you made it this far, thank you for taking the time to read this! It really takes a special kind of musician to take their expertise and lend it to a group. It highlights a degree of skill and selflessness that is often very difficult to replicate.

There’s probably many other musicians who have also achieved such a feat and I may follow his article up sometime in the near future too. Do let me know if I’ve missed out anyone who ought to have been here in the first list. I really do appreciate your continuous feedback and engagement. Until then, take care!