Behind the Frontline — The Bands That Built the Legends
No-More-A-Side-Vember | Honouring the engines behind the icons
In rock music, the spotlight almost always falls on the face at the front — the star, the visionary, the magnet.
But no matter how iconic the soloist, no legend rises alone.
Behind every Bowie, Seger, Prince, or Hynde stood a band that amplified their magic, sharpened their sound, and gave their stories muscle and momentum.
Today, No-More-A-Side-Vember celebrates the supporting bands who shaped rock’s greatest soloists — the ones who turned frontliners into forces of nature.
1. David Bowie & The Spiders From Mars
Before Ziggy Stardust landed on Earth and transformed rock forever, Bowie had a secret weapon: The Spiders From Mars.
They weren’t just a backing group — they were the sonic scaffolding holding up an entire new identity.
Mick Ronson — Bowie’s guitar twin flame, arranger, and glam-era co-architect.
Trevor Bolder (bass) and Woody Woodmansey (drums) — tight, thunderous, and fearless.
B-Side Pick: “Holy Holy” (1971 / 1974 B-side)
A raw, urgent glam-rock charge with Ronson’s guitar in full snarl mode.
It captures the hunger, the edge, the drive — everything that made Bowie + the Spiders unstoppable.
2. Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band
Bob Seger wrote anthems for the working-class dreamer — but it was The Silver Bullet Band that gave those songs their highway-burning firepower.
From sweeping organ lines to gritty guitar licks, the band gave Seger’s stories a cinematic sweep.
B-Side Pick: “Lookin’ Back” (1971)
A punchy, gospel-tinged protest tune that showcases the Silver Bullet Band’s raw energy long before they became arena legends.
3. Chrissie Hynde & The Pretenders
Chrissie Hynde might be the face and fury, but The Pretenders were a precision-engineered rock unit.
James Honeyman-Scott’s shimmering, addictive guitar hooks
Pete Farndon’s propulsive bass
Together, they turned attitude into artistry.
B-Side Pick: “Cuban Slide” (1980)
Funky, bold, and fearless — a perfect window into The Pretenders’ polished punk brilliance.
4. Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Bruce is The Boss, but the E Street Band is the backbone of the myth.
Together they built a sound that still defines American rock: giant-hearted, sweeping, and built for the open road.
Clarence Clemons’ soaring sax
Steven Van Zandt’s grit
Max Weinberg’s machine-tight drumming
B-Side Pick: “Be True” (1981)
Warm, melodic, and drenched in E Street soul.
A hidden gem that glows like an open-window summer night.
5. Prince & The Revolution
Prince was a universe unto himself — but The Revolution helped him bend that universe into new shapes.
Wendy & Lisa’s harmonies, Dr. Fink’s synth wizardry, and Bobby Z’s tight grooves brought colour, experimentation, and electricity to Prince’s vision.
B-Side Pick: “17 Days” (1984)
Hypnotic funk, aching vocals, and flawless band chemistry.
A masterpiece hiding in plain sight.
6. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts
Joan Jett had attitude, grit, and a voice full of rebellion — but The Blackhearts were the jet fuel that launched her into rock immortality.
They were loud, lean, and relentless, pushing her punk heart into full-fledged rock power.
B-Side Pick: “Oh Woe Is Me” (1981)
Dirty, catchy, and unapologetically tough — the Blackhearts at their best.
Bonus Playlist – Behind the Legends
Dive deep with nine essential tracks that highlight the bands behind rock’s most iconic soloists.
Bowie – “Holy Holy”
Bob Seger – “Lookin’ Back”
Pretenders – “Cuban Slide”
Bruce Springsteen – “Be True”
Prince – “17 Days”
Joan Jett – “Oh Woe Is Me”
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers – “Casa Dega”
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – “Journey Through the Past”
Rod Stewart & The Faces – “Skewiff (Mend the Fuse)
Giving the Backline the Frontline
These bands weren’t just supporting acts.
They were co-creators, co-pilots, and the hidden machinery that turned brilliant artists into unstoppable legends.
No-More-A-Side-Vember is all about bringing the overlooked into the light — and there’s no better tribute than honouring the musicians who stood just behind the mic but shaped the music just as deeply.
Join me again next week when we explore, The Dark, The Light, and The Upside Down of rock music.
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