multiple bands musicians
[Photos by: Chris Cornell/Paul Lorkowski, Corey Taylor/Twitter, Matt Skiba/Beats 1 Apple Music, Dave Grohl/Andreas Lawen Fotandi]

9 musicians who have been in multiple successful bands

While celebrating Corey Taylor’s birthday this week, we compiled a list of some musicians who are so talented, they’ve been a large part of multiple successful bands. Taylor, being the vocalist of both Stone Sour and Slipknot, shows this to be true.

This list is in no particular order and transcends genres and boundaries. We tried to stay away from supergroups because being in the Justice League of top musicians isn’t really fair. Hundreds of musicians have successfully accomplished the feat of multiple bands, so obviously, some very talented people will be left off. 

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Corey Taylor (Slipknot, Stone Sour)

Taylor formed Stone Sour in 1992 but quit while recording a demo album in 1997 when he was approached by members of Slipknot. Taylor wouldn’t return to Stone Sour until 2002 when they finished their debut self-titled LP that reached No. 46 on the Billboard 200. While still pumping out albums for Stone Sour, Taylor has achieved numerous accolades with Slipknot. Those include multiple No. 1 albums, platinum records and a Grammy. Taylor is also a best-selling author on top of it all.

Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, Nirvana)

It wouldn’t be a list of musicians with successful bands without Dave Grohl. Being the drummer of Nirvana is surely enough of an accomplishment, but after Kurt Cobain’s death, Grohl started Foo Fighters. Earning multiple platinum records and Grammys, Grohl has been inducted in the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame with Nirvana, and he’s sure to be in there with Foo Fighters sometime soon.

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Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz)

This English musician accomplished something different between these two bands. Being the vocalist for the wildly successful Blur, Albarn also co-founded and is the main musical genius behind the virtual band Gorillaz. Blur achieved great success in the U.K. market before blasting into mainstream success in the U.S. with the single “Song 2” in 1997. Albarn then teamed up with Jamie Hewlett to create Gorillaz the following year. Gorillaz have since received a Guinness World Record for the most successful virtual band as well as nine Grammy nominations, including one win.

Johnny Marr (The Smiths, Modest Mouse)

Most people recognize the Smiths for Morrissey, but Johnny Marr served as the guitarist and co-songwriter as well. Helping achieve their jangle-pop combo with post-punk, Marr’s signature playing style is widely recognized. After helping Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock with some songs, Marr was announced as a full-time member in 2006 and would remain as such for three years. The album he contributed to, We Were Dead Before The Ship Even Sank, reached No.1 on the Billboard 200. 

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Ian MacKaye (Minor Threat, Fugazi)

Ian MacKaye started the scene-changing hardcore band Minor Threat in 1980, unintentionally introducing the straight-edge movement along with it. Their three-year run didn’t achieve any awards, but their DIY way of shaping the music industry lived on. In 1987, MacKaye started Fugazi, a post-hardcore/art-punk collective who continued the DIY ethos of Minor Threat. Combining traditional hardcore with elements of reggae and dub, Fugazi created a unique sound that influenced bands such as Nirvana, Red Hot Chili Peppers, blink-182 and Pearl Jam.

Chris Cornell (Soundgarden, Audioslave, Temple Of The Dog)

We tried to stay away from supergroups, but Chris Cornell made it through the barrier with a hugely successful band in Soundgarden and two famous supergroups (Audioslave, Temple Of The Dog). Cornell’s influence in the creation of the grunge movement, his insane vocal range and technique and songwriting prowess transcends genres. Cornell was unfortunately gone too soon, but his incomparable talent will live on.

Caleb Shomo (Beartooth, Attack Attack!)

Joining the metalcore band Attack Attack! at just 15, Caleb Shomo showed incredible talent as the backing vocalist/keyboardist and programmer and later as the frontman. The band’s self-titled album peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard 200. In 2012, Shomo left the band due to clinical depression and began working on Beartooth full time. Since then, the hardcore band have achieved a number of accolades and commercial success. Shomo also released an EP of electronic music under the name CLASS. 

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Dave Mustaine (Metallica, Megadeth)

Dave Mustaine is a metal and rock icon. While his time in Metallica was incredibly short due to being kicked out, he went on to form Megadeth, and we all know how that turned out. Selling over 38 million albums worldwide, Megadeth are one of the most influential groups of all time, particularly in the metal scene. Credited as one of the pioneers of thrash metal, Megadeth will go down in history as musical icons. 

Matt Skiba (Alkaline Trio, blink-182)

With punk-rock roots, Matt Skiba formed Alkaline Trio in 1996. Alkaline Trio brought a melodic, darker sound to punk rock, with themes of death and chaos being presented with catchy hooks and beautiful vocals from both Skiba and bassist Dan Andriano. Skiba joined blink-182 in 2016 after the departure of Tom DeLonge and is now a full-time member. Skiba has also boasted a successful solo career, which only cements his place in this list.