Sometimes the best thing that can happen in music is seeing of successful bands come together to form a supergroup. The popularity of this practice started all the way back in the 1960s and continues to this day. While some of the biggest bands, like Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bands have. One of the biggest has been Guns N' Roses, where fans have grown accustomed to seeing Slash perform elsewhere.
For the most part, these supergroups don't usually spell the end for the artists' most well-known band. Often, these are projects that produce an album or two. It's not so much the longevity that makes them go down in history, but often times, just the magic they created.
Other times, it will turn into a full-blown band, where some musicians can continue their careers that could otherwise have ended. Regardless of the reason for formation, the most important thing is that it happened, and it has allowed the world to bear witness to the greatest talents ever collaborating.
10 Them Crooked Vultures
Active: 2009-2010
Although they only released one album, the fact that it even happened is what keeps fans amazed. Them Crooked Vultures saw Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age team up with Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters and John Paul Jones, formerly of Led Zeppelin. This trio of talent was legendary, but it wasn't the first time Grohl had a side project. Of course, he gained his fame from Nirvana, but then he started the Foo Fighters, which, in many ways, is a supergroup as well.
In September 2022, Them Crooked Vultures reunited during a show at Wembley Stadium and the Kia Forum. These performances were to honor drummer Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters, who ed away in March of that year.
Additionally, Homme and Grohl had teamed up before for Queens of the Stone Age's third studio album, Songs for the Deaf. As for Them Crooked Vultures, their one album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200. Their song "New Fang" even won a 2011 Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. They have expressed interest in reuniting to record more, but for now the only reunion they've had is a pair of performances in 2022 to honor Taylor Hawkins of the Foo Fighters.
9 Chickenfoot
Active: 2008-2012
Before even knowing who was in the band, the name Chickenfoot was sure to grab people's attention. Once people knew who was going to be playing in this supergroup, they were hooked. It featured Sammy Hagar and Michael Anthony of Van Halen fame, along with Chad Smith from the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Joe Satriani of Deep Purple. The were all committed, as they released two albums over the course of four years.
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The one thing that got in their way at times was Smith needing to take time off for his main band, but it didn't stop them from getting things done. The were dedicated, but sadly the two albums didn't perform well enough for them to warrant a third. They reunited for a show in 2016, but nothing more has come of it. This is a perfect example of how a supergroup often operates. They had the right timing until they didn't, and their main projects took precedence.
8 Angels & Airwaves
Active: 2005-Present
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Blink-182 was one of the top rock bands in the world. Unfortunately, all of their fame was catching up to the point where Tom DeLonge, Mark Hoppus, and Travis Barker all felt they needed time away. DeLonge had dabbled in side projects before, most famously with Box Car Racer, but this time he was ready to create something that would last. To do so, he needed a solid band.
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Over the years, DeLonge has recruited people from bands such as The Offspring, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and Nine Inch Nails. Even while having to replace some , Angels & Airwaves has been able to release six studio albums. The project is so important to DeLonge that even at times when he is back with Blink-182, he still keeps it going. Since reing Blink-182 in 2023, there has been no movement on more records from Angels & Airwaves, but DeLonge won't call it over, either.
7 Velvet Revolver
Active: 2002-2008
Fans of Guns N' Roses were elated when they saw Slash, Duff McKagan, and Matt Sorum reunite to form a new group. They just needed a voice, and eventually that voice would be Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots. In 2004, they released their debut album, Contraband, and exceeded expectations. It ended up at number one on the Billboard 200, it won the band a Grammy Award, and it is 2x Platinum in the United States.
Many people thought this supergroup was about to take over, much like the bands they were in previously had done. They released their sophomore album in 2007, but abruptly, it was the end. Scott Weiland was forced to exit the band, and a search for a new singer began. Unfortunately, they never found a suitable one. Now with Guns N' Roses reformed, and the death of Weiland in 2015, it is unlikely to ever see a revival, but no one will forget that initial record.
6 A Perfect Circle
Active: 1999-2004, 2010-Present
Throughout the entire music industry, Maynard James Keenan is regarded as one of the most talented minds. As a vocalist, he has led the band Tool since 1990, but has also ventured out to create side projects. One of those is the supergroup A Perfect Circle, where he has teamed up with from bands such as Primus, Queens of the Stone Age, and Nine Inch Nails. An initial run saw the band release three records.
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An impressive statistic from the 1999-2004 run is the fact that one of the albums has become Gold-certified, while the other two are Platinum. After the band reunited in 2010, it took many years, but they did release a fourth album in 2018. While it hasn't achieved any certifications yet, it did place on three different Billboard charts, all within the top three. As of now, the band remains together, but other projects have caused a slowdown.
5 Audioslave
Active: 2001-2007
When Rage Against the Machine reached an initial end, Tom Morello, Brad Wilk, and Tim Commerford had to find another artist to team up with as their lead singer. Famously, they almost ended up with Ozzy Osbourne, but instead, it would be Chris Cornell of Soundgarden fame who would be their frontman. Quickly, an album was put together, and their self-titled debut was released in 2002.
Even though Audioslave would end up on good and a reunion didn't seem unlikely, all hope was lost when lead singer Chris Cornell died in May 2017.
With songs such as "Like a Stone" and "Show Me How to Live," Audioslave had arrived, and they were ready to take over. This album ended up 3x Platinum and even earned them a Grammy nomination. Their next record would also go Platinum, and their final one ended up Gold. Unfortunately, tension between Cornell and the other caused the band to fall apart. It's truly a shame because, for a time, they really needed each other, and this started off great.
4 HELLYEAH
Active: 2006-2021
After changing their sound, Pantera became one of the biggest bands of the '90s. Of course, this was the band that Dimebag Darrell and his brother Vinnie Paul created. After they broke up, Vinnie and his brother began to piece together their next project, but it ended when Dimebag was murdered on stage in December 2004. Unsure if he'd ever return to music, Vinnie eventually did to HELLYEAH with Mudvayne lead singer Chad Gray and their guitarist.
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For twelve years, this was the band Vinnie Paul called home until his death in 2018. During that span, the supergroup released five studio albums. One more record was released in 2019, and that featured pre-production work by Vinnie Paul. The band is now on an indefinite hiatus because they have found it difficult to go on without Vinnie. It's understandable if they never do anything again, but at least it allowed fans to see this legendary drummer perform for another decade.
3 Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Active: 1968-1970, 1973-1974, 1976-2015
Take David Crosby from The Byrds, Graham Nash from the Hollies, and Stephen Stills from Buffalo Springfield, and you have Crosby, Stills & Nash (CSN). Add Stills' bandmate from Buffalo Springfield, Neil Young, and you have Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (CSNY). As a trio, they released five albums, and as a quartet, they would put out another three. These records were all produced between 1969 and 1999.
Throughout their time together, many personal issues interfered at times. They ultimately ended on good after any chance of a reunion was lost following the death of David Crosby in 2023. They leave a legacy of a group that had five of their eight albums either go Gold or Platinum. They remain one of the most legendary names in music, and they displayed incredible longevity for what is typically a short-lived run for most supergroups.
2 Traveling Wilburys
Active: 1988-1991
The Traveling Wilburys may have only been together for a short amount of time, but they are one of the greatest supergroups ever. Their lineup is regarded as one of the biggest of all time, featuring Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, and George Harrison. From this you would expect them to deliver excellent work, and they did just that. Their first album went 3x Platinum, but sadly, just a couple of months after its release, Roy Orbison died in December 1988.
Their lineup is regarded as one of the biggest of all time, featuring Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jeff Lynne, and George Harrison.
They then decided to continue on as a quartet and release another record. This one also went Platinum and added to their legacy. There were even plans for them to continue, but unfortunately, George Harrison was cited as not being too keen on this happening. This not only stopped another record, but also the chance of them going on tour. It's unfortunate more didn't come from this mega supergroup, but the music world is just thankful it happened.
1 Cream
Active: 1966-1968
Everything starts from something and, for music pundits, supergroups began with Cream. The group consisted of Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, and Jack Bruce. Together, they produced four studio albums, with two of them becoming Gold-certified, and the other becoming Platinum-certified. Although they were only a group for a few years, they did enough to earn a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 1993.
Everything starts from something and, for music pundits, supergroups began with Cream.
After their induction, many wondered if they would reunite for a tour. Sadly, solo projects prevented this from happening. In 2005, they came together to perform four shows at the Royal Albert Hall in London. They then returned for a few more shows at MSG, before receiving a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006. It's remarkable what they accomplished in the '60s, and it's even better it was rightfully celebrated many times over.