The 20 best backing bands of all time

Elvis Costello's band (1977-'86; 1994-'96) featured Steve Nieve (keyboards), Bruce Thomas (bass guitar), and Pete Thomas (drums). Together, they put out more than a dozen studio albums, with 1979's Armed Forces, "Accidents Will Happen," as the gold standard. As the years went on, Nieve and Pete Thomas continued to back Costello, notably as part of his current backup band, The Imposters. 

Not to be confused with the American rock band The Bad Seeds. This Australian outfit we're highlighting was led by Nick Cave and dubbed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Bandmate and multi-instrumental talent Mick Harvey was a long-time co-contributor with Cave in this post-punk, alternative rock project. Various members have come and gone over the years. Cave and Bad Seeds have released more than 15 studio albums, with 1996's Murder Ballads and The Boatman's Call, from one year later, considered a formidable back-to-back post-punk punch.

Another legendary post-punk group that backed iconic singer Siouxsie Sioux. The London-based outfit was co-founded by Siouxsie and bassist Steven Severin during the second half of the 1970s. The classic lineup also included guitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris. While Siouxsie Sioux's persona and stage presence drew most of the attention, her band was lauded for its rhythmic excellence and creative musical experimentation. 

Joan Jett and her famed backing band are members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. During the group's run of success in the early 1980s, guitarists Ricky Byrd and Eric Ambel and drummers Danny O'Brien and Lee Crystal made up the classic lineup that was responsible for such time-standing tunes like "Bad Reputation," "I Hate Myself for Loving You,"  and "I Love Rock 'n Roll". Several members have come and gone over the years, but Jett continues to rock harder than ever.

Notably, the most prominent members of Neil Young's famed backing band included Billy Talbot (bass),  Ralph Molina (drums), Danny Whitten (guitar), and Frank "Poncho" Sampedro (rhythm guitar). Since 1969, Neil Young and Crazy Horse have released 15 studio albums and several live records. The group, minus Young, also released six studio albums between the early 1970s and the 2000s. Casual fans of Neil Young might forget that veteran guitarist Nils Lofgren was an early member of the band and rejoined it in the early 1970s.

Whether you call them The Delaware Destroyers or just the Destroyers, George Thorogood's longtime band has been part of more than 20 albums by the legendary vocalist and guitarist. Bassist Billy Blough and drummer Jeff Simon have been with Thorogood since the 1970s, giving rock fans classics such as "Bad to the Bone" and "I Drink Alone." and the band since the 1970s. TSince 1973, Simon has beenthe longest-standing member. 

The outfit that backed late blues-rock legend Stevie Ray Vaughan formed in the late 1970s. Chris Layton (drums) and Tommy Shannon (bass), and later Reese Wynans (keyboards), teamed with Vaughan to make some memorable music that ultimately led to an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. After Vaughan's tragic death in 1990, the music continued on in various forms, all honoring their star's music. 

Bruce Springsteen's legendary backing band might be the greatest of all time. Guitarist Steven Van Zandt, drummer Max Weinberg, and late saxophonist Clarence Clemons are all music legends. The Boss' backing band has plenty of other talent, too. Notably, "The Professor" Roy Bittan might also be the most versatile. In addition to the veteran's stellar work on piano ("Jungleland " and "Backstreets," to name a few), Bittan plays the organ and is an accomplished accordion player. 

Led by singer, songwriter, and producer Sly Stone, along with other family members, the band blended an infectious mix of funk, soul, and rock, which influenced the likes of The Roots and Aerosmith to take a soulful approach and add more rock and pop to the recipe. In the group's early days, rooted in the Bay Area, Sly and Co. toured throughout northern California, which led to critical praise. Songs like “Dance to the Music” and “Everyday People” remain torchbearers for the funk movement. Its performance of “I Want to Take You Higher” remains a highlight from 1969’s Woodstock celebration.

The original name of The Band. Yes, Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, Garth Hudson, and Levon Helm went under this name while notoriously backing Bob Dylan, beginning in 1965 and during his famous and controversial 1966 tour. That's when the legendary artist stunned fans by changing his sound from acoustic folk to amplified electric rock. Dylan and The Hawks often experienced a hostile environment from fans -- on stage and off.

Another legendary outfit that was essentially an extension of Tom Petty's greatness. At the forefront of The Heartbreakers was Mike Campbell, still one of the great guitarists and songwriters in music history. Campbell also co-wrote some of Petty's biggest hits, such as "Refugee" and "Runnin' Down a Dream." Not to be overshadowed, Benmont Tench (organ, keyboards, piano) and drummer Stan Lynch were also both highly underrated members of The Heartbreakers.

Casual music lovers might not realize the talent that made up James Brown's band during the 1970s and into the '80s. The famous "Bootsy" Collins and his brother, guitarist Phelps "Catfish" Collins, joined Bobby Byrd (organ) and John "Jabo" Starks (drums) to form the most prominent part of a band that helped define Brown's resurgence during this period. 

The classic lineup of Joel's band, beginning in 1976, included Liberty DeVitto (drums), Russell Javors (guitars), Howie Emerson (drums), Doug Stegmeyer (bass), and Richie Cannata (saxophone), and played on such lauded albums as The Stranger, 52nd Street, and Glass Houses. They were unofficially known as The Lords of 52nd Street. Guitarist David Brown, keyboardist David Rosenthal, and sax player Mark Rivera would later join the mix. However, none of those original members currently play with Joel.

Beginning with his Johnny Cougar days, John Mellencamp has delivered a 50-plus-year career that's made him a rock legend. However, it was the classic lineup of his stellar backing band that helped Mellencamp become the king of heartland rock. Brought together in the early 1980s, the lineup of Kenny Aronoff (drums), Larry Crane (guitar), Mike Wanchic (guitar), and Toby Myers (bass) helped deliver goods on iconic albums Uh-huh (1983) and Scarecrow (1985). While only Wanchic continues to back Mellencamp, other notable musicians behind the Hall of Famer include keyboardist John Cascella and percussionist/backing vocalist Crystal Taliefero. 

Led by harmonica-playing singer Huey Lewis, the News emerged from two popular Bay Area bands — Glover and Soundhole — in the late 1970s. With raspy-voiced Lewis as the driving force, the band's early sound was steeped in new wave with a hint of blues rock ( "Do You Believe in Love" and "Heart and Soul"). As the '80s progressed and MTV ruled the world, the group took a more power-pop turn and became one of the decade's most successful bands, thanks to hits like "I Want a New Drug," "The Heart of Rock & Roll," and "The Power of Love." The band often used San Francisco as the setting for its music videos.

Folksy rocker Nathaniel Rateliff has released several albums, both as a solo artist and, notably, with his more-than-able backup band, The Night Sweats, from 2015-'24. The stellar 2018 Tearing at the Seams should be considered the best of the lot, and an example of how brilliant musicians can come together to make music, especially live, a truly blessed experience. 

Since embarking on a solo career in the late 1970s, the late Prince of Darkness employed some of the greatest hard rock and metal musicians of all time. Here are some of the most prominent. Guitarists: Randy Rhoads (1979-'82), Jake E. Lee (1982-'87) and Zakk Wylde (1987-2025). Bassists: Bob Daisley (1979-'92), Rudy Sarzo (1981-'82), Mike Inez (1989-'93) and Robert Trujillo (1997–2003). Drummers: Tommy Aldridge (1982-'84) and Randy Castillo (1985-'94). Talk about an All-Star list.

Prince formed The Revolution in the late 1970s. They would debut on 1982's 1999 album. Then, with 1984's iconic Purple Rain, Prince and the Revolution won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal and Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media. Purple Rain also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song Score. Dez Dickerson was a highly underrated guitarist and backing vocalist, while fellow guitarist Wendy Melvoin and keyboardist Lisa Coleman went on to enjoy success after the band dissolved.  

If you want to absorb the musical greatness of Bob Seger's long-time backing band, give a listen to 1976's Live Bullet record. The pride of Michigan, this stellar live effort opened the door for Seger to become more accessible to the masses through FM radio. Live versions of "Beautiful Loser" and "Katmandu" show how the concert environment can bring out a song's intensity and the band's ability to entertain.  

Best known as Bob Marley and the Wailers. It was a formidable three-piece featuring Marley, Neville "Bunny" Livingston (Bunny Wailer), and Peter McIntosh (Peter Tosh). Eventually, Tosh and Wailer left the band around the mid-1970s, and several musicians came and went prior to Marley's death in 1981. Since Marley's passing, The Wailers have reformed and remain active, playing revolutionary ska-reggae classics such as "Stir It Up," "Get Up, Stand Up," and "I Shot the Sheriff."