Super-groups

Being that Super Bowl weekend is upon us I thought that I would touch upon the subject of super-groups. Of course there is folk lore that back in 1956, on this day, that Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis all convened in Sun Studios for a jam session, becoming "The Million Dollar Quartet". The dates of this magical day are not verifiable, however today is given as one of the possible dates. The super-group was born.

I am torn on how I feel about super-groups. There have been some really good ones in the past; specifically Led Zeppelin. Yes I said Led Zeppelin! Some may not know this but after endless changes in, The Yardbirds; Led Zeppelin was born; and without a change in line up. In fact come to think of it Jimmy Page had a nasty habit of being in super-groups: The Honeydrippers, Led Zeppelin, and The Firm.

On the other hand though I feel that a super-group is just a bad idea. The chemistry that a band has when they are trying to make it is lost. There is no more struggle and frankly you already know that the best stuff was written. Vinnie Paul said it best (something to this effect), "....after your third album you know that all your best stuff is pretty much gone...". "You have years to write those first three albums, but after you have done those, the studio will always be barking at you to do it faster and better."

Some of my favorite artists are guilty of creating a super group, and I have never-ever been into their super-group as much as I was into their original band. Prime example is our dear friend Maynard James Keenan. I am a huge Tool fan; A Perfect Circle, eh not so much.

I am open to hearing what maybe your own super-group line-up. Frankly I don't have one. Oh wait I think that I just had a moment of clarity...... I don't like super-groups........ besides Zeppelin! :)