Surprising Backing Bands

here'a a moldy oldie I bought on cut-out 8-track....Lord Sutch & Heavy Friends from 1970...the group included Jimmy Page, John Bonham, Jeff Beck, Nicky Hopkins & Noel Redding

Another moldy oldie from 1971: John Baldry's "It Ain't Easy" with Elton John on piano and Ron Wood on guitar. Production assistance by Rod Stewart.

Linda Rondstat was backed by four original members of the Eagles.

When talking all time great back up bands, you have to include Booker T and the MG's at Stax and the Funk Brothers at Motown.

How about Bob Dylan backed by . . . The Band!
Emmylou Harris on her early records was backed by "The Hot Band," including Albert Lee and Rodney Crowell.
I saw Beck in concert backed by The Flaming Lips a few years ago.

Booker T and the MGs backed Neil Young in 1993 for a European Tour--much better than anything done with Crazy Horse over his storied career. I saw eight shows. "Ride My Motorcycle" is a five star bootleg from that tour and worth tracking down. One of the prize finds in my collection--pristine soundboard that rivals the best for sonics.

I am so-so on the Pearl Jam collaboration with Neil from 1994-1995.

Tom Petty produced Del Shannon in 1982, right before he committed suicide. That record, Drop Down and Get Me, sounds dynamic, features various stellar performances by the Heartbreakers, and is better recorded than any of Tom's catalogue and you would do right to snap up any copies out there. It had a very limited production run. Five stars all the way.

Bob Dylan's work with Tom and the Heartbreakers is a big yawn, as well as the tour with the Dead--no magic where there should have been IMHO.