The Most Stunning Musical Friendships

Musicians: they’re identical to us. They’ve friendships, fallouts, romances, and make small discuss at events. In terms of the music trade, it’s at all times been fairly small, which makes it inevitable for the world’s largest acts to fulfill, turn into pals, and – if we’re fortunate – collaborate. Under are simply a few of these stunning musical friendships – from fleeting, backstage hangs to longtime inventive partnerships.

Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift

Don’t let Sheeran’s look of excited bewilderment idiot you, the musical friendship between Ed and Taylor Swift is effectively documented – from the Folklore star donning an “I Rolling Stone that Sheeran “is the James Taylor to my Carole King and I can’t imagine a time when he wouldn’t be.”

Lil Wayne and Travis Barker

Photograph: Frazer Harrison/BET/Getty Pictures for BET

When he’s not touring with pop-punk stalwarts blink-182, Travis Barker is rap’s favourite drummer, and Weezy is not any exception. Together with sharing their ardour for ink, the 2 are longtime pals and collaborators since 2005. The pair reunited nearly 15 years later to launch Barker’s imprint, DTA Information, with the one “Gimme Brain” that includes Rick Ross.

Marc Bolan and Elton John

Photograph: Property Of Keith Morris/Redferns

Whereas T. Rex’s Marc Bolan solely relaxed in Elton John’s grand piano on particular events, the 2 artists had been nice friends within the British rock scene. Elton joined T. Rex on their 1971 Prime Of The Pops look and penned the tune “I’m Going To Be A Teenage Idol” in regards to the glam rocker in 1973. In between that, they had been featured within the Ringo Starr-directed live performance movie, Born To Boogie (pictured right here).

Teddy Pendergrass, Meat Loaf, and Debbie Harry

Photograph: Richard E. Aaron/WireImage

Did Meat Loaf inform Debbie Harry and Teddy Pendergrass what he wouldn’t do for love? These three disparate artists had been introduced collectively by the magic of movie – 1980’s Roadie, to be precise. The comedy, which was Meat Loaf’s first starring position, featured a trove of cameos – together with one by Harry’s band, Blondie. Pendergrass, in the meantime, contributed the Prime 5 R&B hit, “Can’t We Try” to the movie’s unbelievable soundtrack.

Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley

Photograph: Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Pictures

Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley had been each pioneering artists who remodeled the blues into rock’n’roll within the 50s. They had been additionally two of the best guitar gamers – ever. In 1964, the axe-masters teamed up for Two Nice Guitars, simply one of many highlights of their musical friendships.

Ludacris, Prince, and Dave Chapelle

Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty Pictures

Whereas any fan of The Chapelle Present is aware of that Dave and Prince go manner again (and that they each get pleasure from a imply recreation of basketball), one actually wonders what Ludacris and Prince had been discussing at this 2007 NBA All-Star recreation. In an interview following Prince’s demise, nonetheless, Ludacris talked about kicking it with the long-lasting artist: “The thing that a lot of people don’t know was how great his sense of humor was.” Primarily based on Prince’s coy smile on this photograph, it seems to be just like the admiration was mutual.

Katy Perry and Rihanna

Photograph: Lester Cohen/WireImage

For a lot of the 2010s, Katy Perry and Rihanna not solely dominated the pop charts, however had been additionally the perfect of pals – vacationing collectively, inseparable at award exhibits, and attending one another’s concert events. Rihanna even threw Perry a bachelorette celebration forward of her marriage to comic Russell Model. Whereas they’ve every launched into their very own pop paths, is it too late for a collab?

Michael Jackson and Steven Tyler

Photograph: Bobby Financial institution/WireImage

Whereas schmoozing at Studio 54, Michael Jackson and Steven Tyler might have give you the final word dance anthem: “Moon Walk This Way.” Although that was clearly a missed alternative, this photograph is a main instance of the magic of the fabled NYC membership: it might carry collectively two individuals who had little or no in widespread – aside from fame. Thus, Michael (who was then a squeaky-clean member of the Jackson 5) was hanging out with the frontman of Aerosmith (in all of his rock’n’roll debauchery), and so they’re flanked by Studio 54 proprietor Steve Rubell and Cherrie Currie of the Runaways, as well.

John Lennon, Harry Nilsson, Alice Cooper, Micky Dolenz, and Anne Murray

Photograph: Richard Creamer/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Pictures

Throughout John Lennon’s 18-month “Lost Weekend” interval, he relocated to Los Angeles, the place he reconnected along with his good good friend, collaborator, and soon-to-be roommate, Harry Nilsson. Lennon shortly grew to become an honorary member of “The Hollywood Vampires” – a celeb consuming membership based by Alice Cooper. Members like Ringo Starr, and The Monkees’ Micky Dolenz frequented Hollywood scorching spots, together with the Rainbow Room and The Troubadour. On this specific evening, the Vampires caught a set from Canadian pop singer Anne Murray, who was probably fairly shocked, when she noticed her celebrity-filled viewers.

John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, and Joe Cocker

Photograph: Ebet Roberts/Getty Pictures

Whereas blues legend John Lee Hooker made no secret about his love for “Whiskey & Wimmen,” he additionally beloved collaborating with different artists. Right here he’s, doing a little bit of each – with fellow blues pioneer Willie Dixon and British blues-rocker, Joe Cocker (who grew up idolizing each artists).

Freddie Mercury and Barbara Valentin

Photograph: Mark and Colleen Hayward/Redferns

Freddie Mercury had among the finest occasions in his life in Munich – throwing decadent events, recording his solo debut, Mr. Dangerous Man, and assembly a trove of recent pals, together with Austrian actress Barbara Valentin. When it got here time to shoot the video for Queen’s “It’s a Hard Life,” Freddie invited Valentin to be part of the forged – as seen on this on-set polaroid.

Boy George and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe

Photograph: Lindsay Brice/Getty Pictures

“Do you really want to hurt me, Michael?”
“Everybody hurts, sometimes, George.”

Pete Townshend and Toots Hibbert

Photograph: Steve Morley/Redferns

Within the late 60s, Jamaican band Toots and the Maytals had been instrumental in popularizing reggae and ska music the world over. Within the mid-70s they joined rock giants The Who on their North American tour. Primarily based on this backstage photograph of Pete Townshend and Toots Hibbert, it seems to be like the 2 bands – each on the zeniths of their careers – had been having the time of their lives.

Snoop Dogg and 2Pac Shakur

Photograph: Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage

Together with Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and 2Pac had been “two of the best from the Westside” and ran the rap recreation within the 90s. Snoop says Pac taught him “a different kind of work ethic,” but in addition handed him his first joint, igniting two opposing forces that might form the course of Snoop’s profession.

Cher, Elton John, and Diana Ross

Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Picture

Whereas Cher, Elton John, and Diana Ross by no means did kind a Divas Stay-style supergroup, this superb 1975 photograph captures the giddy trio on the inaugural (and short-lived) Rock Music Awards ceremony. Elton and Diana co-hosted the raucous awards ceremony, whereas Cher introduced Elton with the Excellent Rock Character of the Yr award. If something, this photograph proves simply how enjoyable – and outrageous – the 70s actually had been.

Clarence Clemons and George Clinton

Photograph: Ebet Roberts/Redferns

Although E-Road Band sax man Clarence Clemons was by no means a part of the P-Funk universe, you possibly can inform the 2 had been kindred spirits. In addition they had a number of bandmates in widespread: considered one of Clemons’ earliest gigs was with a New Jersey group Tyrone Ashley’s Funky Music Machine – which featured three of P-Funk’s future founding members.

Herb Alpert and Louis Armstrong

Photograph: David Redfern/Redferns

Each legends in their very own proper, Herb Alpert and Louis Armstrong carried out collectively numerous occasions over time. “It was easy to love Satchmo,” stated Alpert. “You didn’t have to know a thing about music, all you had to do was be alive.”

Slash and Rod Stewart

Photograph: Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect

Rod is God and Slash is Slash. When you possibly can go by a single moniker, that’s how you recognize you’re in good firm.

Paul Younger, Iggy Pop, Rick James, and David Bowie

Photograph: Larry Busacca/WireImage

David Bowie and Iggy Pop’s relationship is without doubt one of the most fruitful and well-known musical friendships in historical past, gifting us The Fool and Lust for Life and later Bowie’s Tonight and By no means Let Me Down, however simply think about the probabilities in the event that they obtained Rick James on board for a critically funky-punk mashup?

On the lookout for extra? Uncover the Greatest Vocal Duos Of All Time: The 11 Biggest Musical Pairings.