Some people don’t like the idea of supergroups. They might think it’s a bit like one of those charity football matches where retired world-class players come together to play a pretty mediocre but well-natured pedestrian game with allowances made for lack of fitness. No one tries very hard and no one gets hurt. This is perhaps the exact opposite of what rock n’ roll should be.
However, there are exceptions. This week Iggy Pop surprised us with the announcement of a new album, on which he teams up with Queens of the Stone Age’s Dean Fertita & Josh Homme and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders. Sure it’s not the first time Josh Homme has been part of a supergroup. One of his many side projects, Them Crooked Vultures, features Led Zeppelin’s John Paul Jones and Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl.
Dave Grohl, another promiscuous musician, regularly teams up with myriad of homies, one of the most memorable collaborations coming from his Sound City project featuring Krist Novoselic, Pat Smear and Paul McCartney. Which leads us to another supergroup, Wings, who were as Alan Partridge says “the band The Beatles could’ve been”.
There are absolutely loads of supergroups – i.e. bands formed from members of other bands – and we want you to give us your best examples in order to create the ultimate supergroup playlist this Sunday.
There are absolutely loads of supergroups – i.e. bands formed from members of other bands – and we want you to give us your best examples in order to create the ultimate supergroup playlist this Sunday.
Which contemporary supergroups stand out for you? Who are the classic supergroups? Are supergroups restricted to guitar music or is there such a thing as a hip-hop supergroup (Jay Z & Kanye)? What’s the difference between a mere musical or live collaboration and a big fat supergroup?
You’re in control of the music so let us know what supergroup-related music you want us to play – including the reasons WHY - to Tom Robinson via the hashtag #Supergroup6Music to help create a playlist. Comment on the Now Playing Facebook page, here on the blog, email nowplaying@bbc.co.uk or drag tracks onto our Spotify playlist.
