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Top 5 Backup Vocalists
This entry was posted in Music, Top Lists and tagged background, background singers, background vocalists, singers, top 5, vocalists. Bookmark the permalink.
Thank you to racists at Old-Wizard. Not one black, Asian, or north Russian backup signer? With that being said, this is an extremely well thought out analysis of backup vocalists (of all possible musical areas to bring acclaim to). While most ignore the pistons and cylinders in an engine, you take the time to appreciate the innards of the music you enjoy. You do ass. Keep the great music related articles coming!
Nice list.
I agree with Ronnie, this list is not nearly PC enough.
I was expecting to see Noel Gallagher on this list. Thanks for nothing.
Great list
Okay maybe the alcohol has finally got to me but…. What’s wrong with Old Wizard…. Where’s the normal site??? I’m freaking out!!!
Like the new look!
old-wiz the new look sucks balls, change it back
If Carl and Brian weren’t number 1, I would have stabbed someone
Thank you for acknowledging the genius of Dave Davies.
God Save The Kinks
What about Rick Danko who arranged most of The Band’s harmonies, regardless of whether he, Richard Manuel, or Levon Helm was taking lead.
Still, great to see Dave Davies up there, although on a lot of the songs mentioned, Rasa Davies, Ray’s wife is also in the mix (the very high vocals). Whatever, great vocal calisthenics on those songs, and then he also pulls off subtle beauties like on Oklahoma USA.
This is a pretty cool list… not bad. I would have liked to have seen some Shirelles, Temptations, Supremes, Miracles etc backing vocalists listed as well… y’know, a bit of R&B represented. But that being said, it is rather hard to include everyone in a top 5 list. Good effort for Old Wizard
I agree that Dave Davies was a terrific back up singer and truly deserves to be on this list. However, some of the referenced sections here (most notably the incredibly high notes in Waterloo Sunset) were actually sung by Ray’s first wife Rasa along with Dave in the studio. By 1969, Rasa was no longer helping the group with her vocals. Still, Dave’s back ups through the years have always been stellar…..especially on stage as I’ve personally witnessed on many occasion.
To say that Paul McCartney was “backing vocalist” for the Beatles (as opposed to “lead vocalist” John Lennon) is, of course, utter nonsense -Paul was always an excellent lead singer (who else could handle songs as different as “Here, There and Everywhere” and “Oh! Darling”, to name just two?), just as good as John singing lead or backing vocals.
But you get some points for giving the oh-so-underrated Dave Davies his due. (=
Fantastic choices! Though the list does leave off Motown, etc.
John Lennon was also singing backing vocals on “I want to tell you” and Rasa Davies contributed backing vocals on Kinks songs up until about 1969.
Perhaps one characteristic of a truly good backing vocalist is how the voice blends, meshes, and interleaves with the other voices, thereby producing a new distinct voice that just wouldn’t exist without the sum of the parts.
I agree 100% w/your list,and a notable mention would be Art Garfunkle. My favorite Kinks video is the “Last of the Steam Powered Trains/Picture Book 1969″ on YouTube. Dave’s harmonies are incredible. This is also the pentultimate appearance of Peter Quaife and a “must-see” for any serious British Invasion/Kinks afficianado. Too bad most of us never had a chance to see the original Kinks because of the 4 yr. American Music Union ban 1965-69.
Honorable mention: The Association, Temptations, Greg Lake, Burton Cummings, Jefferson Airplane, Bob Weir, Turtles….
Where are all these knowledgeable music fans coming from? They were never hear on any other music article
It’s the whole sibling thing that makes it naturally… great and hard to duplicate.
The Davies Bros, Wilson Bros.. Oasis Bros..
Would like to add the Finn Bros. and Kings of Leon
Good call on Finn Bros. Cant stand any of the voices for Kings of Leon. It’s a taste thing though.
McCartney’s harmony on “Norwegian Wood” always knocked me out. Ditto on The Kinks (best band ever). I’d throw in The Move (Roy Wood and Trevor Burton behind Carl Wayne) before Wayne left, although the Wood/Lynne period is my favorite. A Gentle Giant mention would have been nice (“On Reflection” “Knots”). Queen anybody? Would Sparks count, even though it’s all Russel backing Russel? Guess you can’t include everyone in a Top 5 list. Nice job!
I love who you picked, especially Dave Davies. I’ve always loved Ray and Dave together. Didn’t see Queen, or any of the Eagles there, and they have some of the best harmonies ever. Nancy Wilson of Heart deserves at least an honorable mention too, IMHO…
You want to know how to tell if you’re gay? You listen to the Beach Boys.
Wild Bill- You want to know how to tell you’re gay? By telling others if they listen to the Beach Boys they’re gay.
Fleet Foxes…arrangements on their album are ridiculous.
DM- Good call. Probably too new for this list, but without a doubt the best harmony arrangements out of any band in the past couple of years.
When are you guys going to learn? Don’t write about things you don’t understand, like music for instance. Why does a halfway decent video game blog constantly write these stupid music articles? It makes no sense. #1. Paul was a LEAD vocalist. #2. The Beach Boys are horrible. Did you happen to catch that Full House episode where they jammed with John Stamos? Do I really have to elaborate on that point? Get back to video games please and save yourselves a lot of embarrassment in the future.
I’m going to use yer arms as backscratchers!!!
The moment at which Jesse’s faux finger tapping solo occurs will go down in history as perhaps the best example of showmanship in the 20th century. Not even the best harmonic group of all time can be safe from Jesse and the Rippers.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dghimG_Odgk
Where’s noel gallagher ? he deservee to be in the list
Noel, The Miracles and The Supremes would certainly be top 10, nice tidbits about Rasa
John Frusciante? Exibit A:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=73_SY6dAeT4
Dave Davies should be number one.
Pete Quaif also said that Rasa did not sing backing vocals on ALL of their songs and if you want to hear the power of Dave Davies’ backing vocals listen to the song Mr. Pleasant. It’s about time Dave got some recognition for his vocal contributions to rock ‘n’ roll.
Phil Collins…?
Great list.
I expected to see the Ai-3 (They’re called something like that) from The Wailers.
This was the absolute worst article I’ve ever read. This guy obviously has no clue about anything related to music.