Who got the biggest "free ride" in all of music?

Every American Idol winner. Yeah they aren't part of bands, but think about how much of a free ride they get/got. Garbage in, garbage out.
 
Liam Gallagher of Oasis got where he did because Noel is talented as shit. Liam sits there whining and playing the tambourine while Noel bangs out guitar riffs and writes every single song. Sometimes he even does the singing and Liam just wanders away. Granted, Oasis hasn't done much of anything for 10 years, but they had a lot of fame for awhile ALL because of Noel.

Definite props to the Mike Love call, as well.
 
[quote name='javeryh']Just curious to hear what people think. By "free ride" I mean achieving fame and wealth in a band where all the members are exponentially more talented musicians - not someone in the Backstreet Boys or Britney Spears who achieved fame and wealth mainly as a result of slick marketing and an overall "image."

I'm thinking people like Ringo (drummer, The Beatles) or Michael Anthony (bass, Van Halen) would fit this category.[/QUOTE]

Actually Ringo is amazing. Just because he makes it sound effortless doesn't mean it is.

Ozzy might be a contender here though.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Jason Newsted[/QUOTE]
The only reason he was "expendable" is because the band was insecure and petty and wouldn't let him DO anything. Joke's on the rest of the band though, since he bailed off the ship before it was completely sunk. He made his money, and had no reason to continue a farce where the last decent offering was an all-cover album from nearly 10 years ago.
 
[quote name='TahoeMax']Liam Gallagher of Oasis got where he did because Noel is talented as shit. Liam sits there whining and playing the tambourine while Noel bangs out guitar riffs and writes every single song. Sometimes he even does the singing and Liam just wanders away. Granted, Oasis hasn't done much of anything for 10 years, but they had a lot of fame for awhile ALL because of Noel.[/QUOTE]

If you've ever heard the version of Supersonic with Noel signing, you'd understand what Liam brings to the table.
 
[quote name='Brak']People in rap entourages.[/quote]

Huh?! The rappers need someone to roll their blunts for them! I'd say that's pretty key.;)
 
No love for the rythm section in this thread:(

Would Billy Corgans back up band count? As they weren't even recorded in studio (at least for Siamese Dream)
 
I have to stand up for a few people, namely Steven Tyler, Joe Perry and Mark Tremonti. Everything else thus far seems ok in my book.

One of the few drummers I can't hang shit on is Matt Cameron.
 
[quote name='KaneRobot']The only reason he was "expendable" is because the band was insecure and petty and wouldn't let him DO anything. Joke's on the rest of the band though, since he bailed off the ship before it was completely sunk. He made his money, and had no reason to continue a farce where the last decent offering was an all-cover album from nearly 10 years ago.[/QUOTE]

And he's done nothing before or since. In addition, by your own admission, his bass playing during Metallica's days was underwhelming.

So, we have nothing of note before or after, and very little inspired work during, as well as a substantial bank account. What other criteria for "free ride" are there?
 
[quote name='mykevermin']And he's done nothing before or since. [/QUOTE]

Ahem, do the words "Rockstar Supernova" mean anything to you?

No? Yeah, I didn't think so.
 
[quote name='jalu6']Ahem, do the words "Rockstar Supernova" mean anything to you?

No? Yeah, I didn't think so.[/QUOTE]

Not to drag the point out any more, but, frankly, no, it doesn't. No more than anybody on any reality show should be assumed to be a "somebody." Moreover, the show was premised upon a self-stamped label of fronting a "supergroup," yet it featured entirely forgettable Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke.

I don't think "popular" = "talented." That's surely an equation we can all agree on (hence this thread), and an equation that is very frequently reinforced by any and all reality television.

Now, Newstead is involved in Voivod, and that may be a (marginal) "something." However, like all early hardcore/metal bands, nearly every one evolved from early 80's thrash/hardcore to 80's metal (see: Suicidal Tendencies, Discharge, TSOL, even DRI, and god only knows what others I'm forgetting; surely dozens more). However, the majority of these bands made this transition over 20 years ago, and some (Suicidal Tendencies) came back to playing good ol' thrash (to an extent) in the past decade. On the other hand, it seems that Voivod stretched this equation out over decades, and by the time their 80's contemporaries went metal and back again, they got stuck in an era where their songwriting is like uninspired Prong or Helmet: 15 years too late and already irrelevant. Newstead is a part of that crew.

I stand by my claim. Perhaps it's merely easier seen when considering the transition from Cliff Burton to Newstead. Now, nobody could be Cliff Burton. That's understandable. Nevertheless, the bass playing in Metallica seemed to transition from "complex and incredible" to "follow the drums" by the time Newstead came 'round.
 
[quote name='javeryh']Good one. He was decent but his bandmates were MILES better than him (and I'd argue that Dave Grohl was the most talented one in the band).[/quote]

I agree that Grohl was easily the most talented in the band, we just didn't know it at the time.
 
Didn't they mix his base levels really low on ... And Justice For All on purpose? The only thing about Newstead that didn't suck was his haircut (before Load).
 
[quote name='starman9000']I thought Jalus6 was making a joke.[/QUOTE]

Yes, thank you starman.

And yes, they did mix his bass levels really low on purpose as sort of a "hazing" for having the nerve to join the band after the other guy died.
 
Damn, everybody hatin' on Jason Newkid. I remember when Hetfield didn't make it to the KY Speedway show. Newkid did alright fronting IMO.

Myke, were you there too ?
 
[quote name='y2jedi']Damn, everybody hatin' on Jason Newkid. I remember when Hetfield didn't make it to the KY Speedway show. Newkid did alright fronting IMO.

Myke, were you there too ?[/QUOTE]

Nope. The only time I saw Metallica was in 1992 or 3, when they played Cincinnati with Danzig and Suicidal Tendencies.

I recall Suicidal was *dreadful*, and Danzig/Metallica very impressive. And someone paralyzed themselves from trying to stagedive off a 30-40 foot scaffold.
 
Ok, with that outta the way, my vote goes to Steven Adler. That guy still has to be cashing checks from Appetite for Destruction.
 
[quote name='camoor']I don't know about free ride, but Metallica are the biggest sell-outs.[/QUOTE]


Everyone says that, but they don't back it up with anything. I thought Load was pretty decent. Didn't get into the orchestra stuff, but I have to respect them for trying a new avenue.

As for the haircuts, good. Who wants scraggly 80s hair?
 
[quote name='y2jedi']Damn, everybody hatin' on Jason Newkid. I remember when Hetfield didn't make it to the KY Speedway show. Newkid did alright fronting IMO.

Myke, were you there too ?[/quote]

I like Jason Newstead (except for his stint on Rockstar Supernova). He was also the primary songwriter for the first Flotsam and Jetson record. I don' t think he got a free ride at all.
 
[quote name='mykevermin']Only sacrilege because *everyone* I've ever met who would talk shit about Meg White as a musician was a small-town alt-rock superstar in the making. Meaning, of course, they were 34 and waiting tables at a coffeehouse.

With White Stripes, every song has very simple arrangements except for guitar. It more or less has to be that way, or else it ceases to sound like White Stripes.

Additionally, considering how bands like Devo use silence to accentuate their songwriting skills (Freedom of Choice comes to mind), I don't think we can say, by any stretch, that simple songwriting=bad musician or free ride.[/quote]

Totally agree with you. With only guitar and drums, Meg is integral to the sound. Plus, didn't she rock the vocals on "In the Cold Cold Night" on Elephant? Ok bad example...but I still like the song.
 
[quote name='Illini Jeeper']Every American Idol winner. Yeah they aren't part of bands, but think about how much of a free ride they get/got. Garbage in, garbage out.[/QUOTE]

QFT... especially Carrie Underwood. The only person from Idol that I feel is even decent is Bo Bice.
 
[quote name='Demolition Man']QFT... especially Carrie Underwood. The only person from Idol that I feel is even decent is Bo Bice.[/quote]

I disagree. I'm not an American Idol watcher but I believe that show has more merit than other shows like 'America's Top Model' or 'So you want to be a Pussycat Doll.' At least the contestants on the show are judged (to certain degree) on their talent. Those other shows are just stupid fluff.

Speaking of the Pussycat Dolls.....I only see one person singing in that entire group of women. Could it be that almost all the band members are getting a free ride? I think so.
 
[quote name='tehweezner']drummers from Weezer[/QUOTE]

I have seen several people say that but their drummer, Patrick Wilson, also plays guitar and does the vocals for the band, The Special Goodness. They sure as hell aint no Weezer, but they show he is pretty damn talented.
 
[quote name='jalu6']If you've ever heard the version of Supersonic with Noel signing, you'd understand what Liam brings to the table.[/quote]

Oh, don't get me wrong, I still think Liam is the voice of the band for a reason. He's definitely got the Brit rock voice and uses it extremely well. I just think that Noel has the vast lion's share of the talent in the pair and to be honest he hardly seems to get much credit. Perhaps I shouldn't have said the band's success was ALL because of Noel, but most of it certainly is.
 
[quote name='Xevious']Speaking of the Pussycat Dolls.....I only see one person singing in that entire group of women. Could it be that almost all the band members are getting a free ride? I think so.[/QUOTE] The "talent" that matters there has nothing to do with music, though.


Neither does the "music", but that's for a different discussion. :lol:
 
[quote name='CocheseUGA']Everyone says that, but they don't back it up with anything. I thought Load was pretty decent. Didn't get into the orchestra stuff, but I have to respect them for trying a new avenue.

As for the haircuts, good. Who wants scraggly 80s hair?[/quote]

Napster anyone?

Their old stuff may be legit if you like metal, but these days it's just corporate product.

Like it matters, nowadays the band is irrelevant.
 
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