10 Vocalists You Didn’t Know Can Play Good Guitar

Being the band’s frontman meant a full job of entertaining people and handling the microphone duties. Although it seems as though it’s a perfect job to do, in reality, it’s not as easy as you think it is. Musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and many more are masters of both guitar and singing, but occasionally, we can see artists such as Mick Jagger, or Freddie Mercury play a strum or two on the instrument, a rarity and a pleasing fact to know. We present to you these 10 vocalists you might not know that can play some serious riffs.

 

Vince Neil – Motley Crue

Vince Neil doesn’t parade himself on his talents in guitar playing, but he’s considered a great standard player. Occasionally, he would play “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)” or “Same Old Situation (S.O.S.).”

Bruce Dickinson – Iron Maiden

Before Iron Maiden dominated themselves with their 3 guitarists, singer Bruce Dickinson would often play the guitar, especially on “Revelations.” When they got what they wanted for a lineup, Dickinson then saw no point in playing the instrument.

Layne Staley – Alice in Chains

Layne’s contributions to Alice in Chains are quite underrated. Apart from being the lead singer, he’s also a great lyricist and a fantastic guitarist as well.

Taylor Momsen – The Pretty Reckless

The Pretty Reckless Taylor Momsen also parades herself as a prolific guitar player. She plays insane riffs on the songs “My Medicine” and “Take Me Down.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgsJ50rZ3hk

David Lee Roth – Van Halen

This is what you get when you hang out with Eddie Van Halen – you’d have the ability to play some electric guitar too! He played the intro of his single, “Ice Cream Man.”

Steven Tyler – Aerosmith

Being Aerosmith’s frontman for so many years gives you the ability to be creative with any type of instrument. As for the guitar, Steven Tyler also knew how to shred those riffs of their song “Seasons of Wither.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qjHAi2LElc

Zack de la Rocha – Rage Against the Machine

If you’re a diehard Zack de la Rocha fan, you know that he played the guitar when he was still in the band Hard Stance. And when he became the lead vocalist for Rage Against the Machine with Tom Morello in guitar duties, what’s left for him to continue doing it?

Axl Rose – Guns N’ Roses

Apart from being the main vocalist of GNR and a piano enthusiast, Axl Rose could also play some good chords on the guitar. The band’s song “Dead Horse” from the Use Your Illusion album showcases his talent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s837M5f38m8

Mick Jagger – Rolling Stones

Apart from being a marvelous and extremely energetic frontman of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger also has a knack for playing guitar. He’s known for playing guitar in the Stones’ classic “Tumbling Dice,” and also rarely plays the guitar live.

Freddie Mercury – Queen

Freddie Mercury’s excellence in both songwriting and singing slightly undervalued his mastery of other things such as playing the piano and the guitar. With him testing his ability on the latter, he created “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” his homage to Elvis Presley.