Named artists where someone else does the vocals

[roadman65]

I was wondering just how many artists actually use another artist of a different name to sing their vocals?

I know we have Santana, Van Halen, and J Geils Band all who's namesake does not provide the vocals, however in all these cases you have the name of the artist being the band name as well.

Roy Buchanan is one artist who credited himself as a solo artist, but had others sing for him.

Eric Clapton on his No Reason Cry album has one song that Clapton himself does not do a vocal which is Innocent Times which was sung by Marcy Levy and Hungry is iffy as Marcy did do lead vocals through most of the song, but Clapton did start each verse.

Are there any other solo artists that do not sing their own songs either as whole or some?

[NE2]

holy crap rap

[Roadrunner75]

Milli Vanilli

[getemngo]

Manfred Mann. Paul Jones and later Mike d'Abo were the lead singers of the original band, and Manfred Mann's Earth Band went through a bunch of vocalists (it was Chris Thompson during their most successful years). Manfred Mann himself did do backing vocals occasionally, but I'm not sure if he ever sang lead.

[spooky]

I know what you're getting at with Santana, Van Halen and J. Geils Band, but those are just bands named after someone other than the singer. I wouldn't say "someone else" does the vocals - a member of the band does the vocals.

A better example would be guitarists who put out solo albums but don't sing. Jimmy Page and Slash both come to mind.

[Roadgeek2500]

Robin Trower, he hasn't sung a single song on any of his albums

[national highway 1]

David Guetta, Avicii, deadmau5, and any other EDM artists who only produce instrumentals with different vocalists.

[golden eagle]

Quincy Jones. If he does vocals, it's very few, or at least, anything that hasn't been played on radio.

Calvin Harris sometimes sings on his songs, like "Summer "And "Feel So Close". Rihanna sang on "We Found Love", and Florence Welch provided the vocals on "Sweet Nothing".

Another one is Mike & the Mechanics. The "Mike" is Mike Rutherford of Genesis. Vocals were done primarily by either Paul Carrack ("Silent Running", "The Living Years") or the late Paul Young ("All I Need Is A Miracle". Also, not to be confused with Paul Young who sang "Everytime You Go Away".).

[hbelkins]

Ted Nugent. Most of his songs on the "Ted Nugent" and "Cat Scratch Fever" albums were sung by rhythm guitarist Derek St. Holmes. He sang "Stranglehold" and "Just What The Doctor Ordered," to name two of Nugent's better-known songs. Quite a few of the vocals on the "Free For All" album were by Meat Loaf. St. Holmes left after the "Double Live Gonzo" album, and I can't remember who took his place for "Weekend Warriors" and subsequent albums.

Nugent did sing "Motor City Madhouse," "Free For All," "Cat Scratch Fever," "Wang Dang Sweet Poontang" and "Wango Tango."

[Roadgeek Adam]

I can think of an obscure one:

"Never Gonna Let You Go" - Credited to Sergio Mendes, who directs and plays the piano, but it is sung by the duo of Joe Pizzulo and Leza Miller.

[roadman65]

I know what you're getting at with Santana, Van Halen and J. Geils Band, but those are just bands named after someone other than the singer. I wouldn't say "someone else" does the vocals - a member of the band does the vocals.

A better example would be guitarists who put out solo albums but don't sing. Jimmy Page and Slash both come to mind.

You remind me of Jeff Beck too.  He has others do his singing for him as well.  Rod Stewart for one on People Get Ready.

Actually on my first sentence you quoted from me, I was actual not saying that they fall into the thread topic.  I was trying to point out that those do not count because they are band names just as The Who, The Beatles, and even Tommy Tutone!

[FightingIrish]

Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Harold hired others to do lead, most famously Teddy Pendergrass.

Santana: Carlos always hired others to do the vocals.

Spencer Davis Group: Stevie Winwood handled the vocals.

Montrose: Ronnie Montrose simply played the guitar. Sammy Hagar was the band's most notable vocalist.

Ike Turner: In the pre-rock era, Ike's band was quite popular on the R&B circuit. "Rocket 88" has been credited by many as the first rock n' roll song. And for the recording, the name on the label was changed to singer Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats. Later, Ike's wife Tina did the vocals on a number of huge hits, credited to Ike and Tina.

And an interesting bit of trivia: Pink Floyd hired someone from outside the band to sing lead on "Have A Cigar".

[golden eagle]

Can we count Fleetwood Mac? The band's founder is Mic Fleetwood. Did he sing in any of their songs?

[hbelkins]

Can we count Fleetwood Mac? The band's founder is Mic Fleetwood. Did he sing in any of their songs?

The Mac was Christine McVie. Did she sing anything?

[akotchi]

Can we count Fleetwood Mac? The band's founder is Mic Fleetwood. Did he sing in any of their songs?

The Mac was Christine McVie. Did she sing anything?

She sang lead on a number of songs.

The "Mac" was John McVie, though (Christine's now-ex).  Christine did not join until about 1970, 3 years or so after the band formed.

[SidS1045]

Don't know if this really fits, but:  "Barbara Ann," credited to the Beach Boys.  Jan Berry and Dean Torrance (Jan & Dean) sang the lead vocals.

[Roadrunner75]

Mike Watt (of Minutemen and fIREHOSE fame) - His first solo album features a number of big name singers at the time (Eddie Vedder, Frank Black, Henry Rollins, Evan Dando of the Lemonheads, etc.). 

[spooky]

Don't know if this really fits, but:  "Barbara Ann," credited to the Beach Boys.  Jan Berry and Dean Torrance (Jan & Dean) sang the lead vocals.

I thought Jan & Dean did their own version, and only Dean sang with the Beach Boys on their version.

[Brian556]

I'm surprised y'all didn't get the one that first came to my mind, "Fooled Around And Fell In Love". Elvin Bishop was the credited artist, but Mickey Thomas (of Starship) sang the vocals.

[Laura]

Another one is Mike & the Mechanics. The "Mike" is Mike Rutherford of Genesis. Vocals were done primarily by either Paul Carrack ("Silent Running", "The Living Years") or the late Paul Young ("All I Need Is A Miracle". Also, not to be confused with Paul Young who sang "Everytime You Go Away".).

Steve Hackett (also from Genesis) does not sing the main vocals on his solo work. When I saw him in concert in NJ, it was a surreal experience to see the spotlight focused on someone other than the vocalist.

[FightingIrish]

Don't know if this really fits, but:  "Barbara Ann," credited to the Beach Boys.  Jan Berry and Dean Torrance (Jan & Dean) sang the lead vocals.

I thought Jan & Dean did their own version, and only Dean sang with the Beach Boys on their version.

I believe they all sang together, in what I imagine was a pretty fun, drunken recording session. It's obvious they were all just screwing around.

Speaking of the Beach Boys, there is their legendary "Pet Sounds" album. It's essentially a Brian Wilson-composed mini-symphony featuring him, a bunch of top LA session players (The Wrecking Crew) and occasional appearances by Wilson's bandmates. Still, an incredible album.

And in later years, they enlisted other singers (touring band members, etc.) to sing lead. "Sail On, Sailor" is a notable example.

[Brandon]

Can we count Fleetwood Mac? The band's founder is Mic Fleetwood. Did he sing in any of their songs?

The Mac was Christine McVie. Did she sing anything?

A hell of a lot.  She even wrote some of the band's best material, IMHO.

[Pete from Boston]

And in later years, they enlisted other singers (touring band members, etc.) to sing lead. "Sail On, Sailor" is a notable example.

I thought Blondie Chaplin was brought on as a member of the band at that point.

With bands like the Beach Boys that carry on for decades that becomes kind of a blurry line.   

[getemngo]

Can we count Fleetwood Mac? The band's founder is Mic Fleetwood. Did he sing in any of their songs?

The Mac was Christine McVie. Did she sing anything?

She sang lead on a number of songs.

The "Mac" was John McVie, though (Christine's now-ex).  Christine did not join until about 1970, 3 years or so after the band formed.

Another fun fact: John McVie is not an original member of the band. They actually named it after him in the hopes that he would join, and he did (once their first few shows proved successful).

[hbelkins]

Not that I really know much about Fleetwood Mac. I'm probably one of the few people in my age group who didn't own either "Fleetwood Mac" or "Rumours" (or both) and actually never cared for them.