Some don't have any of these instruments
Musical success doesn't come easy. Thousands of groups form and disband every year, and only a few manage to find some degree of success. Some musicians, however, are lucky enough not only to be successful with one act, but also to make it with other bands. Yes—there are some singers, guitarists, bass players, and drummers who really shine in every band they join.
In this gallery, we bring you a list of the world's most accomplished musicians who found success with multiple bands.
The man who put stoner rock on the (mainstream) map, started his career with Kyuss. He then went on to front the very successful Queens of the Stone Age. Josh Homme also plays with Eagles of Death Metal and was a member of aforementioned supergroup Them Crooked Vultures.
One of the most emblematic figures of Brit Pop, Damon Albarn found great success fronting his band Blur. The English musician then returned to the charts with the group Gorillaz.
For many years, Chris Cornell was the front man of Soundgarden. In 1990, he also joined supergroup Temple of the Dog to record an album in tribute of Mother Love Bone vocalist and his friend, Andrew Wood. Then in 2001, Cornell joined former members of Rage Against the Machine and put together yet another supergroup: Audioslave.
Matt Cameron's roots can be traced back to Soundgarden. Then, like his bandmate Chris Cornell, he also played in the supergroup Temple of the Dog. Matt Cameron was then chosen to replace Pearl Jam's drummer Jack Irons in 1998.
Best known as the guitarist, bass player, and drummer of Rage Against the Machine, the three musicians stuck together in other musical ventures, namely Audioslave and Prophets of Rage.
Not many singers can boast about fronting two of the greatest rock bands in history: Deep Purple and Whitesnake.
Sir Paul McCartney needs no introduction—the bass player, singer, and songwriter of the Beatles is one of the most famous musicians in the world. After the Fab Four called it quits, Paul McCartney had a successful career with the Wings, and then as a solo artist.
Dave Mustaine is the only musician in the world who can claim to have played guitar in two of greatest thrash metal bands of all time: Metallica and Megadeth.
The iconic guitarist is best known for being the axman of Led Zeppelin. Though Jimmy Page also played in another successful act. We're talking about The Yardbirds.
Most of us associate Jack White with The White Stripes. But the singer, guitarist, and songwriter is also a member of The Raconteurs and The Dead Weather.
Kim Deal is best known as the bassist, co-vocalist, and founding member of the Pixies. In 1989, she joined her twin sister Kelley Deal and formed the Breeders. The band's second album, 'Last Splash,' released in 1993, was a big hit.
Guitarist Zakk Wylde made a name for himself playing with Ozzy Osbourne. In 1998, Wylde formed his own band, Black Label Society, and has released over 10 albums since then. In 2022, it was announced that Zakk Wylde was joining Pantera as a touring member.
Slash earned his rock 'n' roll stripes as the guitarist of Guns N' Roses. But one huge rock band was not enough for him. In 2002, he put together the supergroup Velvet Revolver. A few years later, Slash consolidated his solo career by teaming up with Myles Kennedy (of Alter Bridge) and the Conspirators.
Arguably one of the best male rock vocalists of the last few decades, Myles Kennedy is best known for fronting the band Alter Bridge. But after participating in a song for Slash's debut solo album, he was invited to join him permanently. From 2012 to 2022, Slash featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators released four albums.
Scott Weiland burst onto the rock scene of the '90s with his band Stone Temple Pilots. The front man then went on to join former Guns N' Roses members in Velvet Revolver, where he found great success.
Matt Sorum is probably best known for being the drummer who replaced Steven Adler in Guns N' Roses. Before that, though, he was the man behind The Cult's drum kit. A few years later, he too joined his former bandmates in the supergroup Velvet Revolver. Sorum also played in Deadland Ritual, together with guitarist Steve Stevens (Billy Idol) and bassist Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath).
Ronnie James Dio was one of the most iconic front men in metal. The late singer rocked hard with Rainbow, Black Sabbath, and Dio.
You may recognize these names from two successful British acts. We're, of course, talking about Joy Division and New Order.
Melissa Auf der Maur played bass (and sang) in two of the greatest alternative acts of the '90s. First, Courtney Love's Hole, and then The Smashing Pumpkins.
The late vocalist of Alice in Chains also played in the grunge supergroup Mad Season in the 1990s.
Phil Anselmo is best known for fronting the iconic metal band Pantera. But he too joined other bands. One in particular was fairly famous: Down.
Maynard James Keenan is best known for being the front man of Tool. But he also has two other successful bands. We're talking about A Perfect Circle and Puscifer.
Max Cavalera's trademark cavernous voice was first heard in his band Sepultura. The Brazilian front man went on to form other successful acts, including Nailbomb, Soulfly, Cavalera Conspiracy, and Killer Be Killed.
Dave Grohl is one of the most accomplished musicians in rock history. Not only was he the drummer of the iconic '90s band Nirvana, but he then formed one of the greatest rock bands of the past decades: Foo Fighters.
And if that wasn't enough, Grohl has also been involved in other impressive projects, including supergroup Them Crooked Vultures (with Josh Homme of Queens of the Stone Age and John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin). Back in 2004, Dave Grohl released a successful album with his band Probot, featuring a number of rock stars, including Lemmy of Motörhead, among many others.
The Swedish musician has sat behind the drum kit of many huge rock and metal acts, namely King Diamond, Motörhead, and Scorpions.
Corey Taylor is best known for his masked appearances as the vocalist of the metal band Slipknot. But Taylor is certainly no one-trick-pony when it comes to music genres, and the proof is his equally successful rock band Stone Sour. Corey Taylor also has his own solo career.
Dave Lombardo is best known for his work in Slayer, but his resume sounds more like a festival lineup—and a good one, too! Lombardo has played with the likes of Suicidal Tendencies, Testament, Misfits, Fantômas, and Mr. Bungle, to name a few.
An acclaimed guitarist and songwriter, Eric Clapton played in two of the most influential bands of the '60s. We're talking about The Yardbirds and Cream. And then in 1970, Clapton formed the short-lived Derek and the Dominos. Eric Clapton went on to find great success with his solo career.
Mike Patton has one of the most versatile voices of his generation. The iconic front man of Faith No More can also be heard in Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Tomahawk, and Dead Cross.
Sources: (Loud Wire) (Revolver) (Mental Floss)
See also: Bands with the most lineup changes
Musicians who've been in multiple successful bands
Many famous artists had hits with more than two bands!
MUSIC Music artists
Musical success doesn't come easy. Thousands of groups form and disband every year, and only a few manage to find some degree of success. Some musicians, however, are lucky enough not only to be successful with one act, but also to make it with other bands. Yes—there are some singers, guitarists, bass players, and drummers who really shine in every band they join.
In this gallery, we bring you a list of the world's most accomplished musicians who found success with multiple bands.