Most Overrated Band Member of All TIme

[Spiff]

Um, how 'bout both members of Milli Vanilli?

[Wolter]

Um, how 'bout both members of Milli Vanilli?

I’d argue at this point those poor boys are underrated.

[Spiff]

But one of them, mercifully not specified, is still trying to make a go of it:

Cluj-Napoca, Romania, 2019

[Spiff]

I left Cluj-Napoca in September of last year, so I don't know which "original member" was performing.

[Olaf]

Discoteca from hell.

[Marky Dread]

Morrissey easily the worst drummer in The Smiths.

[Kory]

Generally speaking, drummers from classic rock bands (Keith Moon, John Bonham, Charlie Watts, etc). Yes, they are highly skilled and all that, no doubt about it. But to hear critics and fans tell it, the songs would completely fall apart with a lesser drummer. If you have to have a trained ear to appreciate all those special touches that they bring, they're overrated.

I could see an argument made for Charlie Watts, but Moon and Bonham were VERY distinct. It's hard to say "well, the music would sound different if someone else was playing it" without being able to hear it. I'm not talking about dusting off Kenny Jones takes of My Generation, but more of the hypothetical, "if Kenny Jones was in the band in 1963 or whenever, what would My Generation sound like?" We have no way of knowing, just speculation. Additionally, they (Bonham/Moon) are still thought of as lesser members of the band. If you ask someone who is more important to Zeppelin's sound, Page or Bonham, no one is going to say Bonham. I think they are properly regarded.

I may also be biased though.

In particular, Bonham's contribution was his muscles. I don't think you have to have a trained ear, but you'd definitely notice him NOT being there.

[Dr. Medulla]

I left Cluj-Napoca in September of last year, so I don't know which "original member" was performing.

One of them died in the late 90s. Both really fell on hard times after their secret was discovered.

[gkbill]

Um, how 'bout both members of Milli Vanilli?

Hello,

I always thought the guy on the left was way better than the guy on the right.

[Kory]

I could see an argument made for Charlie Watts, but Moon and Bonham were VERY distinct. It's hard to say "well, the music would sound different if someone else was playing it" without being able to hear it. I'm not talking about dusting off Kenny Jones takes of My Generation, but more of the hypothetical, "if Kenny Jones was in the band in 1963 or whenever, what would My Generation sound like?" We have no way of knowing, just speculation. Additionally, they (Bonham/Moon) are still thought of as lesser members of the band. If you ask someone who is more important to Zeppelin's sound, Page or Bonham, no one is going to say Bonham. I think they are properly regarded.

I may also be biased though.

Yeah I would agree with this. Some drummers bring a distinct sound/style but how many people notice that?

And that's my point in saying they're overrated. It's not to suggest that they were crappy drummers or weren't influential or anything like that. Far from it. It's that critics and ardent fans over-emphasize how crucial they are to the band. But if most listeners focus on melody, harmony, voice, and/or guitar, going on about what the drummer brings is appealing to a distinct minority set of listeners. Those critics may argue that that demonstrates that the role of strong drummers is actually underrated, but they tend to overcompensate in their rebuttal.

And while we're at it bass players...

In Seattle, Kory has just woken up with a start and doesn't know why he's been crying.

Just sounds like being in that band I was in. But really there's only a couple bass players that are rated at all, much less overrated.

[oliver]

Morrissey easily the worst drummer in The Smiths.

That's nothing, you should hear him play piano

[Dr. Medulla]

Just sounds like being in that band I was in. But really there's only a couple bass players that are rated at all, much less overrated.

When I read Pete Jones' memoir, he clearly thinks Jah Wobble is overrated.

[Dr. Medulla]

Morrissey easily the worst drummer in The Smiths.

That's nothing, you should hear him play piano

:applause:

[Kory]

Just sounds like being in that band I was in. But really there's only a couple bass players that are rated at all, much less overrated.

When I read Pete Jones' memoir, he clearly thinks Jah Wobble is overrated.

Flowers of Romance begs to differ.

[Dr. Medulla]

Just sounds like being in that band I was in. But really there's only a couple bass players that are rated at all, much less overrated.

When I read Pete Jones' memoir, he clearly thinks Jah Wobble is overrated.

Flowers of Romance begs to differ.

As is his absence is missed?