A big part of what makes a band legendary in music is having a lead singer with an unforgettable voice. Up-and-coming bands know this practice too, as acts like Green Day did with drummer Tré Cool, but other times, it is done to truly make a special moment.
No matter what the case is, these tracks always stand out to fans because they're unmistakable. When they succeed, it's not uncommon for a band to try the practice again to see if they can recreate the magic. In some cases, these songs even become part of a band's greatest hits. Ultimately, for as much as feelings can interfere, this doesn't seem like something that bothers too much. After all, if it's good for one member, often it's good for the rest. Or as the old saying goes, "If it makes dollars, it makes sense."
10 Guns N' Roses - 14 Years (Izzy Stradlin)
Album: Use Your Illusion II (1991)
When Guns N' Roses formed in 1985, a key part of the band was rhythm guitarist, Izzy Stradlin. He would be a part of the band for their first four albums, with only parts of his playing being used on the 1993 recording, The Spaghetti Incident, after he left the band in late 1991. Before his exit, he left his mark with the song "14 Years" from the album Use Your Illusion II. For the most part, this is all Stradlin, with only some contributions from the actual lead singer, Axl Rose.
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Although his time with the band was cut short, fans have never forgotten this track. Additionally, he is forever a legend for being a part of the band's heyday, especially on what many consider the greatest debut studio album ever. If that wasn't enough to cement his place in the band's history, he was also inducted with the rest of the group into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Without Stradlin, this probably isn't a song they would play live, but it's a cool piece of the band's discography nonetheless.
9 Mötley Crüe - Brandon (Tommy Lee)
Album: Generation Swine (1997)
When Mötley Crüe released Generation Swine in 1997, there was a lot happening with the band. Their previous record did not feature lead singer Vince Neil, so this was Neil's first album back with the band since 1989. However, even with Neil's return, it didn't stop them from switching things up. On the 13th track of the album, fans were treated to the vocals of Tommy Lee, who sang ionately about his son, Brandon.
It may not have been every fan's favorite track on the record, but it was a meaningful moment for Lee. Following this, he would go on to focus on a solo career, where he produced several hits. Songs like "Hold Me Down" garnered him some notoriety, but ultimately, he would return to Mötley Crüe. It remains to be seen if Lee will do any more solo work, but if he does, he certainly has a voice worth hearing.
8 Motörhead - Step Down (Eddie Clarke)
Album: Bomber (1979)
The career of Motörhead came to an end with the death of lead singer Lemmy Kilmister in 2015, but they left behind a legacy that makes them one of the greatest metal bands ever. They created this legacy over the course of 23 albums and 40 years. The one consistent thing about the band was Lemmy. He was the face and the voice, no matter who else was playing with him. However, in 1979, the unthinkable happened when guitarist Eddie Clarke sang lead for one song.
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The track ended up being titled "Step Down," and, according to Lemmy in his memoir, White Line Fever, this occurred because Clarke felt Lemmy was getting all the attention. Truly, Lemmy acted as a leader should and gave Clarke the chance he sought. Eventually, Clarke would leave the band on less than friendly , but he owned a unique piece of their history. Lemmy has shoes that are impossible to fill, but even he commended Clarke for having good vocals.
7 The Police - On Any Other Day (Stewart Copeland)
Album: Reggatta de Blanc (1979)
From 1977 to 1984, the Police took the world by storm with hits such as "Roxanne," "Every Breath You Take," and "Message in a Bottle." They were one of the best-selling English rock bands of their time, with each record becoming Platinum certified. In their time together, a unique piece of history occurred on their second album, Reggatta de Blanc, which saw drummer Stewart Copeland take over on vocals.
Famously, Sting was the lead singer of the band, but not this time. While Copeland had been known to lend backing vocals, he took the lead on this track. This tune was no sweet love song; it was quite tongue-in-cheek, but it provided a break to the eleven-track record. Although the band may never reunite, they certainly left everything on the table, and gave fans all they could. In 2003, they became Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, cementing the legacy they created.
6 Fleetwood Mac - You Make Loving Fun (Christine McVie)
Album: Rumours (1977)
As it stands today, Fleetwood Mac is in the conversation about the best bands of all time. However, it wasn't always that way, and it took them many years to become who the world knows now. The change came with the addition of guitarist Lindsey Buckingham and vocalist Stevie Nicks. From 1975, until the band's end in 2003, Nicks was the lead singer. Along with Nicks, Buckingham and Christine McVie also lent their vocal talents.
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One of McVie's more memorable songs, "You Make Loving Fun," came from Fleetwood Mac's most successful album, Rumours. In fact, Rumours is one of the greatest records ever, as it has sold over 40 million copies worldwide, and has reached 21x Platinum in the United States. Although Stevie Nicks is the more mainstream voice of the band, McVie could certainly sing as well, and there was no bigger platform for her to showcase it than this album.
5 Van Halen - How Many Say I (Eddie Van Halen)
Album: Van Halen III (1998)
By 1998, Van Halen was on their third lead singer, but the band was ready to release their eleventh album. With Gary Cherone at the helm, fans were eager to see what the band could do. Commercially, the record was successful as it reached gold certification, but beyond the numbers, perhaps the most special part of the album is the final track. "How Many Say I" is a slow piano ballad that features the vocals of Eddie Van Halen.
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Of course, Eddie Van Halen is known for being one of the greatest guitarists ever, but this was a chance to showcase the range of his musical abilities. Especially since Eddie died in 2020, this song is one of the pieces Van Halen fans can hold onto. Additionally, they can still check out Eddie's son, Wolfgang, who is a guitarist and lead singer for Mammoth WVH, demonstrating that this tremendous ability to excel in multiple aspects of music runs in the family.
4 Black Sabbath - Swinging The Chain (Bill Ward)
Album: Never Say Die! (1978)
After Black Sabbath burst onto the scene in 1970 with their self-titled debut album, people were hooked. The unfortunate part was that the band they had come to know would go through turmoil less than a decade later. Leading up to their 1978 record, Never Say Die!, the band had been at odds with lead singer Ozzy Osbourne, which even caused him to leave for a time. David Walker, known for his time in Savoy Brown and Fleetwood Mac, would jump in to help write material.
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Even though Walker wouldn't be featured on the 1978 album, the band still wanted to use some work. When Osbourne returned to do this record, he wouldn't sing any material they created with Walker, so drummer Bill Ward was forced to sing "Swinging the Chain." The next record would, of course, see the addition of Ronnie James Dio, and eventually Osbourne would be back with the band for a final album in 2013. Nonetheless, the timing was such that Bill Ward had a chance to shine.
3 KISS - Beth (Peter Criss)
Album: Destroyer (1976)
Known for their face-paint, unforgettable outfits, and live shows that were spectacles rather than concerts, KISS entertained the world for over 40 years. Throughout their career, they became Rock and Roll Hall of Famers and sold over 100 million records worldwide. One of the songs that helped them achieve this was "Beth." In fact, "Beth" was one of their biggest commercial hits, winning a People's Choice Award, reaching seventh on Billboard's Hot 100, and becoming gold-certified.
However, unlike traditional KISS songs that featured vocals from either Paul Stanley or Gene Simmons, this track showcased the voice of drummer Peter Criss. Due to its popularity, Criss would also perform it live while playing piano. It became such a staple of their show that, even with Criss out of the band, the song would still be performed and has been over 1,000 times (setlist.fm), most recently by Eric Singer, who has been in and out of the band since 1991.
2 The Rolling Stones - In Another Land (Bill Wyman)
Album: Their Satanic Majesties Request (1967)
Part of the reason The Rolling Stones have become one of the most influential bands ever is that they are not afraid to take risks. They have never hesitated to incorporate different musical genres into their work, and if something has the potential to be successful, they embrace it. One of their biggest risks came as part of their sixth studio album, Their Satanic Majesties Request, when they released "In Another Land" as the lead single.
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What made this different was that, instead of Mick Jagger being the lead vocalist, the responsibility went to bassist Bill Wyman. He had provided backup vocals, but this song was credited entirely to him, and it was an opportunity to step into a much larger spotlight. Although the song didn't become one of the band's biggest hits, the album did achieve Gold certification, and this track will always be ed as part of the record's introduction to the world.
1 Blue Öyster Cult - (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (Buck Dharma)
Album: Agents Of Fortune (1976)
Having reached 6x Platinum certification and having over 400 million more streams than any song on the band's Spotify, it is clear that "(Don’t Fear) The Reaper" is Blue Öyster Cult's most popular tune. The credit for this track goes to guitarist Buck Dharma, who wrote and sang the song. This wasn't the only Blue Öyster Cult hit he did this for either, as he also wrote and performed "Godzilla" and "Burnin' For You."
In an absolutely astonishing feat, the band has performed "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" over 2,500 times (setlist.fm). Clearly, the band knows the value of the song, and there isn't a show where this track is unappreciated. With the band still making music as of 2024, there is a chance Dharma could strike gold again with another hit song. However, if nothing ever tops this track, he can still be pleased, having created one of the most well-known rock tunes.