Most Important Member In A Band

[Dr. Feelgood]

Okay so, I was thinking about this in class today, and it was pretty apparent. To me [a singer], the vocalist seems like the most important member of the band. However, drummers I know have said drummers are, and guitarist have said guitars, etc.

First things first, by "important" I mean something along the lines of, "If this guy left, it would have the biggest impact on the band in terms of popularity, music, etc.". This always seemed like the vocalist to me. When a vocalist left, the sound of the band would change, etc. And also, the vocalist usually writes most of the lyrics.

I know that there are some exceptions [iE Nikki Sixx] but what do you guys think?

[december pain]

It usually just depends on the band, but I think the guitarist is probably the most important, especially in a rock band.

[Raw Power]

None.

[SunnyDRE]

Toss up between the lead singer's girlfriend (who has the business brains)

and lead guitarist's mom ( who has the practice space).

[arnold layne]

None.

[Is0tope]

I'd say lead singer.. their voices are usually what the bands are known for, I think.

Edited December 5, 2007 by pet0

[Raw Power]

I'd say lead singer.. their voices are usually what the bands are known for, I think.

Oh, just the voice?

I thought they were known for their music, oh well..

[Gash]

The songwriter.

(Had to be a smart arse.)

[Lone Sal Bug]

The voice is how I distinguish bands, how I recognize them, And I enjoy singing my self, I think it varies with what you as a listener prefer though.

singer.

[Rovim]

no such thing man...it's like asking what's the most importent part in a car? the wheel, the tires,the engine?

you need all of them!

[Raw Power]

no such thing man...it's like asking what's the most importent part in a car? the wheel, the tires,the engine?

you need all of them!

The stereo

[DirtyDeeds]

Depends what band. A band like Van Halen, the vocalist and the singer are equally important, as demonstrated by the catastrophic event of Sammy Hagar joining VH. By the same token, Eddie was sorely missed on Dave's solo work.

There are many bands like this, but many bands where the guitarist is ALMOST completely replacable. Gn'R is a band where the guitarist is totally necessary and as important as the singer.

[Powerage5]

I voted guitarist mainly because the guitarist sets the tone for the rest of the group, and lyrics are usually written to fit over a riff, not the other way around.

I also would say this is an unbiased opinion since I play guitar, drums, bass, keyboards, etc so I'm not favoring my instrument

Edited December 5, 2007 by Powerage5

[Black Sabbath]

Vocalist...most of the time.

Now I'm just waiting for 'BassLikeHot' to show up with some ridiculously annoying answer like...

"The synth / harmonica / bongo player of course! Axl Rose Party VIII all the way!" or some shit like that...

[Powerage5]

Vocalist...most of the time.

Now I'm just waiting for 'BassLikeHot' to show up with some ridiculously annoying answer like...

"The synth / harmonica / bongo player of course! Axl Rose Party VIII all the way!" or some shit like that...

I think we're still on Axl Rose Party VII...

[Black Sabbath]

Vocalist...most of the time.

Now I'm just waiting for 'BassLikeHot' to show up with some ridiculously annoying answer like...

"The synth / harmonica / bongo player of course! Axl Rose Party VIII all the way!" or some shit like that...

I think we're still on Axl Rose Party VII...

Oh well...It's still annoying in my opinion.

[Mr-brownstone]

The songwriter.

(Had to be a smart arse.)

Ha, thats the first thing I thought as well...only seems logical?

[Is0tope]

I'd say lead singer.. their voices are usually what the bands are known for, I think.

Oh, just the voice?

I thought they were known for their music, oh well..

Well, I mean like how they sing, their style and voice, and lyrics (that are usually written by the vocalist(?)) = the sound the vocalist creates to the music, their effort. Yeah, like Johnny Rotten, his voice isn't that unique, but the way he sings is.. That's what I meant to say.

Now that I think of it my first reply was shit, I didn't quite type what I actually meant, lol.

Edited December 5, 2007 by pet0

[pain cake]

Umm it's a band, the reason behind it is that all parts are shared equally and it can not function without every member

[The Sandman]

Keyboardist, duh. Can do everything.

Either than, lead vocalist/lead guitarist.

[Chris Axl]

The singer

[kingwillie]

as it was once said by someone i forgot the name...Drums are the police but the bass is the law.

i dont see how the vocalist is the most important as many kick arse bands are instrumental

Edited December 5, 2007 by kingwillie

[DopeSickGirl]

I voted bass; because thats my area

Bassists and drummers are sadly ignored and underrated in the grand scheme of things

But as has been said many times in this thread, every bit is impostant.. Its kinda like a jigsaw: can't have one piece without another!

xDSGx

[-Sephiroth-]

Composer

[Ridin' the Nightrain]

A combination of them all. A great band can't have just one talent. Anyone who thinks that a band is all about one member is a fool.