'Supergroups' that Worked.....and those that didn't....?

I liked Blind Faith ... and still do! I went to Hyde Park all those years ago to see the concert. Had to work really hard on my parents to let me go as I was only 15 at the time. I came away really disappointed because it didn't sound like Cream. When I watched the DVD of the concert I really enjoyed it. I still play the album. The MFSL and SACD are the best sounding IMHO. The 2CD Deluxe Edition is interesting but there can be no doubt that the best material was issued on the original album.

I think the first CSN album is a masterpiece. 'Deja Vu' comes close but those two are the only CSN/CSNY albums that I would rate that highly.

On the subject of supergroups, Joni Mitchell's band on 'Shadows and Light' was great and the personnel that Steely Dan put together for 'Aja' was also impressive although in both cases the musicians were hired hands employed to do someone's bidding. I doubt that they had much creative input.

That's also true. 

Since the battle has been joined, I've personally had to hold my nose since 1971 every time people have fallen at the feet of Young and ignored Stills. 

The Manassas 30-minute 1972 German TV show (on DVD but only USA format!) is phenomenal. Youtube?

Agree with Ron on G3; I love guitar, but all they are is what I refer to as "fretboard masturbation", which in no way equates to making music.

As for some of the above: CSN is great.  CSNY is also great.  Why does it have to be a choice?

I agree entirely Mark, both are exceptional albums from my youth and I also agree with Dave that, for me, Stephen Stills was the best member of the four excellent individuals in the band. Neil Young is great but didn't contribute as much. I love Steve Stills first two albums.

Steve,

If we put Neil to one side for me it has to be Crosby.

Richard

I think this is the first time we've crossed swords Richard.  As I said CSNY is a group of four outstanding individuals and you know how much I like David Crosby. Some might think Graham Nash is the weak link in the group but the characteristic harmonies wouldn't be there without him.

ATB

Steve

The Stills/Young album 'Long may you run' is a must.

CSNY live album 'Four way street' is a perfect example of the talents of the individuals and how well the played together. One of my favourite live albums.

The Stills Young album was originally intended to be a CSNY album but, if I remember rightly, Stills and Young had Crosby and Nash's voices removed on the few tracks they had cut because they weren't available due to touring. It caused a rift that lasted until the '80s.

Totally agree about 4 Way Street. 

Totally agree about '4 Way Street' 2. G

Did they make a second album Graeme? 

King Crimson in later guises have to qualify.

ELP worked until Works

Never got Asia.

Never got anything with Jack White in it either though I felt i should have.

Have you not heard it?  G

Exactly as the title suggests.  G

I quite like this record. Does it qualify?

And this is excellent, but not sure it qualifies either. Although it sort-of fits somehow.

Here is a one that did work... at least for me.

The supergroup that worked best was this one:

+1

What is a Supergroup anyway?

So I had a look on Wikipedia which says, in their opinion of course, that:

“The term took its name from the 1968 album Super Session with Al Kooper, Mike Bloomfield, and Stephen Stills. The coalition of Crosby, Stills & Nash (later Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young) is another early example, given the success of their prior bands (The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, and The Hollies respectively). In 1969, Rolling Stone editor Jann Wenner credited Cream with being the first supergroup.

Music writers have also applied the term, wrongly in the context of this article, to bands or vocal groups that sold huge numbers of albums, headlined massive concerts or have a high celebrity or media status, regardless of the previous (or even subsequently acquired) fame of their individual members, such as the band Led Zeppelin, wherein only Jimmy Page was well known at the time the group formed.The term is also used to describe existing bands whose members achieved individual fame after the band's founding, such as The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, Genesis and Yes”

Nah. They are too skinny.