Notable music artists who play a number of devices fairly properly

Keep in mind when Kanye West claimed Beck performed “14+ devices?” Properly, possibly it is not that many (or maybe there’s much more), however the multi-Grammy Award-winning musician, whose music has spanned every little thing from indie rock to rap, is extraordinarily versatile. The informal fan has seen him on the guitar, however on his smash 1996 launch Odelay alone, Beck performed slide guitar, bass, organ, clavinet, xylophone, percussion and harmonica — simply to call a number of. He is additionally busted out the sitar, kalimba and vocoder all through his profession. 

The musical expertise inside Arcade Hearth spans your entire band. Nevertheless, in terms of essentially the most versatile member of the group, Chassagne stands out. Whereas she’s typically on the keyboards, her work on the accordion, and notably the monitor “Neighborhood #2 (Laïka),” from the band’s stellar 2004 debut Funeral, has lengthy been celebrated. In the meantime, Chassagne, who additionally performs percussion and piano, is thought for her work on the hurdy-gurdy (a hand-cranked string instrument). Take a look at “Preserve the Automotive Working” from Arcade Hearth’s good sophomore effort Neon Bible.

Private management has at all times appeared to devour the Smashing Pumpkins’ frontman, particularly inside the confines of the band. Corgan is thought for his stellar guitar enjoying, whether or not from a screeching, metallic vibe or extra melodic, Pink Floyd-esque choices. Nevertheless, when it got here to the recording of the band’s 1993 smash Siamese Dream, Corgan’s management reached new, and fairly totalitarian heights. He reportedly overdubbed the guitar and bass components of bandmates James Iha and D’arcy Wretzky, respectively. Whereas he was in a position to showcase his versatility, Corgan’s overbearing and controlling nature proved unhealthy for himself and the remainder of the band. 

Whether or not enjoying bass or offering rhythm, and a few lead, work on the guitar, Deal continues to be bringing it at a excessive degree. One of the inspirational feminine rockers of all time, Deal first made a reputation for herself as bassist and co-vocalist for trendsetting various rockers the Pixies (give a take heed to Deal at her finest on “Gigantic”). She then held rhythm guitar duties through the Nineties with the Breeders. Deal has additionally been a part of varied different initiatives, however regardless who she is enjoying with, often manages to face out. 

Fogerty’s guitar enjoying was the true spine of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Corridor-of-Fame sound. Nevertheless, Fogerty really confirmed off his musicianship and flexibility when he went solo, notably through the Eighties. The masterpiece of Fogerty’s solo profession is 1985’s Centerfield, an album during which he performed all of the devices himself, and pieced collectively by means of the aforementioned strategy of overdubbing. Paced by the famed title monitor, rollicking “Rock and Roll Women” and CCR-reminiscent “The Previous Man Down the Highway,“ the document hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in america and went twice-platinum.

Whether or not with indie/various rock outfit Ben Folds 5 or on his personal, Ben Folds has lengthy been lauded for his musical innovation. A lot of Folds’ success comes again to his means to incorporate varied devices, of his personal enjoying, into his works. One of many nice rock composers, Folds is probably going finest recognized for his completed work on the piano and keyboards, however he is additionally an underappreciated guitar participant, who has hung out on the bass and drums, as properly. For these not within the know, get to know Folds’ greatness by means of his band’s 1997 acclaimed launch No matter and Ever Amen.

The famed drummer from Nirvana and guitar-shredding frontman of Foo Fighters. By now, Grohl’s musical versatility is properly chronicled. Maybe most spectacular about mentioned means is that irrespective of which instrument — piano and bass guitar, too — he is enjoying, Grohl makes it look really easy. All by himself, Grohl recorded Foo Fighters’ 1995 self-titled debut album, which, basically, was a cathartic solo venture for the musician within the wake of Kurt Cobain’s loss of life. Then following the 2022 loss of life of Foos’ drummer Taylor Hawkins, Grohl recorded all of the drums tracks for the band’s 2023 launch  However Right here We Are.

No offense to Thom Yorke, however the true driving pressure behind iconic English various rockers Radiohead has been Greenwood. Thought-about one of many nice various guitarists of all time, Greenwood has additionally been praised for his work as a keyboardist. And, not simply from these in style contributions through Radiohead. Greenwood earned a Grammy nomination for scoring Paul Thomas Anderson’s extremely praised 2007 movie There Will Be Blood, and twice acquired an Academy Award nom for Finest Unique Rating — Phantom Thread (2017) and The Energy of the Canine (2021).

Music has at all times been a significant a part of the Haim household, and sisters Danielle, Este and Alana have made it some extent to indicate off their musical expertise whereas having fun with indie/pop rock success for greater than a decade. On stage, Danielle and Alana will brandish a guitar with Este on bass. Nevertheless, Alana dabbles on the keyboard and all three will showcase their skills on the drums and percussion. As well as, Danielle was a part of Jenny Lewis’ touring band and performed guitar and percussion in The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas’ solo band.

Polly Jean is so revered and celebrated as a singer, songwriter and musician that she’s influenced the influencers. Rock icons just like the Go-Go’s and Pink Sizzling Chili Peppers have cited Harvey as somebody they appear as much as and goal to emulate. Clearly due to her general expertise (which incorporates performing and poetry), however particularly her versatility as a musical artist. In relation to devices, Harvey’s roll name can go toe-to-toe with anyone within the enterprise. Right here we go: guitar, saxophone, piano, keyboards, violin, cello, percussion, harmonica and the harp/autoharp. And there are a lot extra. 

It could have been fascinating to see what the Rolling Stones would have gave the impression of within the Nineteen Seventies and past had Jones not died on the age of 27 in 1969. A distinguished rhythm guitarist and co-founding member of the legendary band, Jones integrated varied new, and considerably unorthodox, devices inside the group. Closely influenced by the blues, Jones performed saxophone, marimba and even the sitar as a member of the Stones. Take a look at Jones’ efficiency on the keyboard-like mellotron through the quirky, trippy “She’s A Rainbow,” from 1967.

Now, there have been, and doubtless nonetheless, hardcore Rush followers nonetheless haven’t gotten over the band’s “keyboard period” from the Eighties. For some, simply mentioning that second is sufficient to make one begin to sweat. Whereas Lee, one of many best bass gamers of all time, began introducing keyboards into the combo with 1977’s A Farewell to Kings, it was 1981’s massively in style Shifting Photos (“Tom Sawyer”) and the follow-up Alerts (“Subdivisions”), one yr later, that confirmed how Lee was making the instrument a significant a part of the band’s sound. 

Amid Sir Paul’s legendary greatness as songwriter, composer and lyricist, is the truth that he is additionally a reasonably good musician. It’d sound unusual, however McCartney most likely by no means received his due as a bass participant, turns into he was famous as an icon for different musical causes. Simply take heed to the bass line from “Come Collectively” or the brilliance of his efficiency on “Taxman.” In the meantime, a few of McCartney’s most lasting memorable moments with the Beatles, Wings or as a real solo artist occur to come back on the piano (“Hey Jude,” “Stay and Let Die”). 

For many who weren’t round to take pleasure in Prince throughout his heyday, however have taken to his musical legacy within the current day, he was greater than only a dynamic guitar participant. Prince additionally was an elite drummer, and infrequently confirmed off his expertise with the sticks throughout these wonderful dwell units. He additionally shined shiny when sitting down on the piano or displaying off his funky facet whereas having fun with a while on the bass guitar (give a take heed to the 1989 Batman soundtrack for proof.) All are only a few extra the explanation why he must be thought-about one of many all-time nice musicians.

It is essential to notice that 9 Inch Nails is Trent Reznor. He is not solely the brainchild of the commercial rock giants, however has been the one formally acknowledged member of the group for many of its existence. When NIN excursions, there’s a band on stage with Reznor, however his guitar, keyboard and synthesizer work has basically pushed the venture for many years. Nevertheless, his true innovativeness and expertise comes contained in the studio, when Reznor is able to combine and put all of the heaviness, and moments of melodic brilliance, right into a masterpiece of musical artwork.

Rundgren has performed with nearly anybody worthy noting, and achieved so through myriad devices. Although maybe principally regarded, in excessive kind, for his guitar work, Rundgren has additionally dazzled on the piano (“Whats up It is Me”). On his traditional 1972 hit “I Noticed the Gentle,” Rundgren performed each instrument and supplied vocals. It is that instrumental versatility which helped the Corridor of Famer additionally function one of many extra profitable producers within the music historical past, working with the likes of Grand Funk Railroad, Meat Loaf and the New York Dolls.

The Boss won’t be the very best musician among the many legendary E Road Band (Nils Lofgren, Roy Bittan and Max Weinberg can duke it out for that honor), however he clearly does extra than simply write iconic music and lyrics. Springsteen can greater than maintain his personal as a guitar participant, and he is lengthy been a surprise with the harmonica (“The River,” “Thunder Highway”). However, when he recorded your entire Nebraska (1982) by himself on a 4-track, he additionally performed the mandolin, glockenspiel and even the organ. Bruce additionally dabbles on the piano, so there’s clearly not a lot he cannot play. And, nonetheless enjoying properly.

The indie folkster is likely one of the most revolutionary musicians round. He can play a number of devices, such because the guitar, banjo and varied members of the woodwind household. In 2018, Stevens was nominated for an Academy Award for the tune “Thriller of Love,” from Luca Guadagnino’s extremely praised movie Name Me By Your Title. On that monitor, Stevens makes use of the “guitalin,” a type of hybrid guitar and mandolin that was developed only for him. He is at all times prepared to strive one thing new, even when it needs to be created for his personal objective.

Do not let the dance numbers, costume modifications and on-stage interactions amid the playful drama of her songs, Swift is sort of the completed musician. In accordance with Re-Version journal, Swift realized to play each the piano and guitar on her personal. Swift’s piano means might be heard all through her studio catalog, and when she performs throughout her marathon dwell units, it is really a particular second for followers (like a 2022 model of “Clear”). She’ll additionally escape the acoustic guitar out on stage when she needs to indicate off extra of her expertise. 

Sure, Townshend is a legend in terms of his guitar skills with The Who, and through his solo initiatives. Nevertheless, as time went on, Townshend started incorporating keyboards in his songs. Whereas not all of his pure rock followers appreciated the synthed-up sound, it discovered a spot for him to problem himself as a musician. On The Who traditional “Baba O’Riley,” Townshend doubled on the synthesizer and Lowrey organ to provide one of the crucial notable musical moments of all time. His keyboard work on “You Higher You Guess” can also be fairly noteworthy.”

Eddie Van Halen is a guitar legend, and his legacy has grown stronger since his 2020 passing. Nevertheless, the route of Van Halen’s sound took a fairly dramatic flip when he integrated keyboards and synthesizers into the combo, starting with the massively profitable 1984 album (should to the chagrin of then-frontman David Lee Roth). Keyboard-aided songs like “Leap” and “I will Wait” opened the door to a bigger group of mainstream rock followers. That degree of success continued in earnest by means of these sorts of tracks, after Sammy Hagar changed Roth on 5150 (1988), OU812 (1988), For Illegal Carnal Data (1991) and Steadiness (1995).

Following fairly properly within the footsteps of his well-known father, Wolfgang Van Halen first made a real identify for himself as Michael Anthony’s alternative within the later days of Van Halen. Nevertheless, he is really displayed his musical expertise by means of Mammoth WVH, which started as a solo venture, however progressed into one thing greater. Whereas Mammoth includes a full backing band behind Wolfgang in a dwell setting, Eddie’s son performed lead, rhythm and bass guitar, plus keyboards, piano and drums on the self-titled debut launch from 2021 — and to fairly spectacular critiques.

Throughout his 30-plus-year run because the famed frontman for Pearl Jam, Vedder has gone sans instrument — until one counts his conventional bottle of wine that tends to accompany him on stage. Nevertheless, he’ll escape an electrical guitar at occasions (like on “Rearviewmirror”), and even the ukulele in terms of time for a bit of “Simply Breathe.” Now, when Vedder takes his act solo, the ukulele and acoustic guitar each make common appearances in his hand. Vedder has additionally been recognized to take a seat in on drums each from time to time — and never simply within the film Singles.

One would not get inducted into the Rhythm and Blues Music Corridor of Fame, Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame and Songwriters Corridor of Fame by simply singing. After all. Surprise has a legendary voice and penned among the best pop/love/R&B songs of all time. He is additionally among the many most lauded keyboard gamers (simply take heed to “Superstition”) to tickle the keys. To not point out, Surprise has at all times knocked it out of the park on the harmonica (“Is not She Pretty”). When speaking about the very best of the very best in musicianship, there aren’t many higher than this icon.