Band Members Who Became More Popular Than Their Lead Singers

Within several musical groups, certain members other than the lead vocalist have surpassed their frontman in fame.
Lead singers usually stand out as the main representatives of their bands because they attract the most attention. Occasionally, certain band members such as guitarists, drummers or bassists surpass their lead singers in fame by stealing the spotlight. Let’s look at a few iconic examples.

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Slash (Guns N’ Roses) Over Axl Rose
Guns N’ Roses ranks among rock’s greatest bands with Axl Rose as their legendary frontman. Slash ascended to a higher level of rock icon status beyond his role as lead guitarist for the band. Slash became the quintessential rock ‘n’ roll figure through his iconic top hat, curly locks, and unparalleled guitar mastery. His distinctive guitar work on tracks such as Sweet Child O’ Mine and November Rain ensures his status as one of the all-time great guitarists. After departing from Guns N’ Roses Slash launched a successful solo career where he collaborated with both Michael Jackson and Myles Kennedy.

John Bonham (Led Zeppelin) Over Robert Plant
While many recognize Robert Plant as a rock vocal icon, John Bonham achieved legendary status within the music community as Led Zeppelin's drummer. John Bonham’s powerful and innovative drumming style has made him the most-cited greatest drummer throughout rock music history. Drummers from different generations still draw inspiration from his musical legacy while his untimely death in 1980 solidified his legendary reputation. The disbandment of Led Zeppelin following John Bonham's death demonstrated his fundamental role in defining the band's identity.

Dave Grohl (Nirvana) Over Kurt Cobain
Dave Grohl transitioned from Nirvana's drummer to become one of rock's most prominent figures following Kurt Cobain's death. Dave Grohl established Foo Fighters which has become one of the most successful rock bands during the last thirty years. Dave Grohl developed from his position as a drummer to become a frontman, songwriter and rock ambassador. The combination of his humor alongside his charisma and strong work ethic establishes him as a beloved music icon.

Anthony Kiedis holds the position of lead singer for Red Hot Chili Peppers while Flea stands as the band's most recognizable member.
Anthony Kiedis leads the Red Hot Chili Peppers as their vocalist but bassist Flea stands out as the band's most famous member. His dynamic stage performances combined with his slap-bass mastery and distinctive personality established him as a leading figure in rock music. Flea extended his celebrity reach by taking movie roles and participating in charitable work.

Conclusion
Despite lead singers typically attracting most of the attention these musicians demonstrated their ability to surpass even the most compelling frontman through their talent and personality. These musicians established lasting legacies through their unique solos and drumming skills as well as their ability to reinvent themselves beyond their band affiliations.

Your Picks
We asked you, our loyal listeners, who you picked as members who are more popular than the lead singers. Here are some of your picks.

Neil Peart
Nikki Six
Angus Young
Eddie Van Halen
Michael Schenker
Rick Nielsen
Dimebag Darrell
Andy Scott