[Music] Famous Singers on others' records

[Barnet Seagull]

Not sure how we stumbled on to this topic at the pub the other night but I didn't realise both George Michael AND Nik Kershaw did backing vocals for Elton John on Nikita.

I then hear that John Lennon sang backing vocals on Fame for David Bowie.

*mind blown*

Now I hear them all clear as day!
Any other examples I've managed to miss over the years

 

[Wozza]

Another Nikita fact: Elton thought it was a woman's name (the role is played by a blue-eyed lady in the video), but traditionally it's a male name in Russia.

Since the song, it's become more common for females, especially in France.

 

[Buzzer]

Chrissie Hynde sang backing vocals on The Specials 'Nightclubbing'.

Mick Jagger sang on Chris Farlowe's 'Out of Time'.

Kirsty MacColl sang on Jonah Louie 'Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties'.

My favourite Icelandic singer Hafdis Huld sang the vocals on FC Kahuna's 'Hayling'.

Dido sang on a whole bunch of Faithless tracks. Not surprising given the family connection.

 

[studio150]

Mick Jagger on You're so Vain

Kate Bush on Games Without Frontiers

Elton John on Whatever gets you through the night

 

[Buzzer]

I seem to recall there's a David Bowie contribution to Marc Bolan's last ever performance too.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

David Sylvian sang on the delightful B! Machine cover of his own song, Ghosts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=copm3jpkpOE

 

[Buzzer]

Goldfrapp was a backing singer for Soul II Soul, likewise PP Arnold for Ike and Tina Turner.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

Sarah McLachlan sang backing on Vancouver legend Moev's headdown

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

 

[Razzoo]

Michael Stipe appears on a Blue Aeroplanes track on their album Swagger. (I forget which one). It is a very background and low key performance though.

 

[Harry Wilson's tackle]

This was the B side of a Nick Low single that I have, attributed to Nick Low. "The Elvis Costello & the Attractions version was first issued as the B-side of Lowe's 1978 single "American Squirm" credited to "Nick Lowe and His Sound"." WTF etc etc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCGlwx3L-Xk

 

[Is it PotG?]

Michael Stipe appears on a Blue Aeroplanes track on their album Swagger. (I forget which one). It is a very background and low key performance though.

Stipe again

 

[Is it PotG?]

Sir Paul Weller

 

[Nitram]

Bowie and Mick Ronson backing vocals on Satellite of Love off Lou Reed's Transformer
Paul McCartney drums on a track Su day Rain ? off last Foo Fighters album

 

[Buzzer]

Kirsty MacColl again this time with The Smiths 'Interesting Drug'.

 

[Barnet Seagull]

Kirsty MacColl sang on Jonah Louie 'Always Find Me In The Kitchen At Parties'.

*runs off to youtube it*

 

[Is it PotG?]

*runs off to youtube it*

 

[Buzzer]

Not so famous as a singer rather than an actress, Michelle Collins aka Cindy Beale out of Eastenders sang backing vocals for Squeeze 'Up The Junction' before joining Mari Wilson's 'Wilsations'.

 

[Superphil]

Bowie sung on the backing of Lulus version of Bowie’s Man Who Sold the World

 

[studio150]

Paul Young and Elvis Costello on Black Coffee in Bed

 

[Raleigh Chopper]

Luther Vandross was 'discovered' by Bowie when he heared Luther singing in a fried chicken ad.
He sang backing vocals on Young Americans.