Most essential band member?
Posted by: dave marshall on 15 June 2018
As an adjunct to the "best frontman" thread currently running, I wonder who might be considered the band member most essential to the groups sound?
Not necessarily the greatest musician, but rather the player with the instantly recognisable touch, which defines the band.
The central essence of The Stones has to be Keef's riffs, without which their groove just wouldn't be the same ................oh, and his songwriting partnership with Mick ain't too shabby either.
There's no doubt lots of contenders, but, for me, it has to be Keef, "the human riff". 
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Eoink
I wouldn't disagree with Keef, but a few other contenders.
Angus Young, Acker Dacker's sound is completely based on his distinctive riffing.
Despite the Duke's brilliant lead vocals, Bowie's great albums wouldn't be the same without Mick Ronson's amazing guitar.
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Charles44
Jerry Garcia, look at the "Dead" now.
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Eoink
Good call on Jerry Garcia.
Just to cover the obvious, Jimi was pretty much everything in the Experience, but it's not really the same question as the Experience was a vehicle for him, similarly I wouldn't name Carlos Santana.
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Innocent Bystander
The following immediately come to mind:
Deep Purple - probably Jon Lord with has organ but very much Ritchie Blackmore’s guitar as well
The Who - Pete Townshend’s guitar playing
Led Zep - Jimmy Page’s guitar playing
Yes - Rick Wakeman with his assorted keyboards
Moody Blues - Mike Pinder with his Mellotron
Curved Air - Darryl Way and his violin
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by ALANP
Eoink posted:
Good call on Jerry Garcia.
Just to cover the obvious, Jimi was pretty much everything in the Experience, but it's not really the same question as the Experience was a vehicle for him, similarly I wouldn't name Carlos Santana.
So I suppose this would mean including Mark Knopfler with Jimi and Carlos?
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Magnus Hultstrand
David Gilmour - Pink Floyd
John Bonham - Led Zeppelin
Lemmy - Motörhead
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by yeti42
Dave Brock, Hawkwind, he took out the copyright to make sure of it.
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by The Strat (Fender)
I think sometimes the most essential band member is not the most obvious. John Deacon was a massive influence on Queen, JPJ similarly on Zep, Andy Fraser in Free.
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by TOBYJUG
Charlotte Marionneau.
the scissor player in Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by GraemeH
Carlos Santana.
It’s always amazed me watching a video recording of theirs where there are literally tens of musicians on stage, all noodling away on bongos, pan-pipes and what have you. Each musician then starts to leave the stage - one every minute or so - and it sounds exactly the bloody same until...you’ve guessed it...CS leaves, and the music stops.
Try that in reverse order and it would be a right dogs breakfast.
G
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by dave marshall
TOBYJUG posted:
Charlotte Marionneau.
the scissor player in Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds
????????
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by hungryhalibut
Johnny Marr. Or maybe Peter Hook.
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Tony2011
Bez of Happy Mondays. Heaven knows what he was doing there but I think he’s still trying to find his way home! 
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by TOBYJUG
yeti42 posted:
Dave Brock, Hawkwind, he took out the copyright to make sure of it.
Stacia was the most essential
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Bob the Builder
If we can add Sly & Robbie for the numerous bands they played in and if we can allow producers Lee Scratch Perry was essential to that early Wailers sound and whilst were at it Peter Tosh & Bunny Wailer weren't bad and who would you pick out of this lot.
Miles Davis First quintet (1955-58)
<dl><dd>
increased to Sextet in 1958 with Cannonball Adderley —
alto saxophone</dd></dl>
Second quintet (1964-68)[edit]
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by Bob the Builder
dave marshall posted:
TOBYJUG posted:
Charlotte Marionneau.
the scissor player in Noel Gallaghers High Flying Birds
????????
Wasn't she in Scissor sisters before.
Posted on: 15 June 2018 by christoph
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by Adam Zielinski
Any bass player of course 
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by Mulberry
hungryhalibut posted:
I saw that one coming Looking at his work with The The, our esteemed Halibut has a good point here.
Posted on: 16 June 2018 by hungryhalibut
Another one is Mick Jones. When he left The Clash they went down the tubes. I saw them live shortly after Mick left, and despite replacing him with two guitarists, they were still rubbish.
