Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney, Miles Davis, and jazz drummer Tony Williams.
This one would have been interesting. Jimi had sent a telegram to Paul in 1969. The telegram said:
“We are recording and LP together this weekend in NewYork [sic],” “How about coming in to play bass stop call Alvan Douglas 212-5812212. Peace Jimi Hendrix Miles Davis Tony Williams.”
Beatles aide Peter Brown responded the next day say that McCartney was on Holiday and was not expected back until 2 weeks.
Of the ones on this post…this would have been the most musically interesting to me.
Elvis Presley album produced by David Bowie
Dwight Yokum said in an interview that David Bowie told him that in 1977 Elvis heard “Golden Years” on the radio and he called Bowie and asked him to produce his next album. This is a “he said he said” but it would have been a unique combination…but Bowie was no stranger to that.
A Bob Dylan/Beatles/Rolling Stones Super Album
In 1969 Producer Glyn Johns met Bob Dylan and Dylan told Johns that he would like to make an album with the Beatles and Stones. Glyn went back to England very excited and told Keith Richards and George Harrison and they were all for it. Ringo, Charlie, and Bill said they would do it. John didn’t say no but Mick and Paul said absolutely not…leaves you to wonder what it would have sounded like…
Glyn also said “I had it all figured out. We would pool the best material from Mick and Keith, Paul and John, Bob and George, and then select the best rhythm section from the two bands to suit whichever songs we were cutting. Paul and Mick were probably, right, however, I would have given anything to have given it a go.”
XYZ Band
It would have been comprised of ex-Yes bassist and drummer, Chris Squire and Alan White, along with Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin. XYZ was said to have stood for eX–Yes-&-Zeppelin. They had rehearsals and Robert Plant came to one to give it a try in 1981 but found the music too complex for his liking…he was also getting over the death of their drummer and his friend John Bonham.
This one didn’t excite me as much…now Chris Squire and Page does sound interesting and with Robert’s comment it looks like it was going to be a more Yes progressive path.
Jimi Hendrix, what a sound, mixed the rhythm of Paul Mc Cartney, interesting
LikeLiked by 2 people
With Miles Davis…that would have been different.
LikeLike
I read that Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix got together back stage at a concert and jammed for a while, but nothing was ever recorded. Gotta love Bing and Bowie.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know…the first time I saw Bing and Bowie I did a double take as a kid… I knew this was Ziggy Stardust working with Bing Crosby??? but it worked.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Would have liked to have heard what Bowie would have done to Presley’s sound. that could have been good! I’d heard of the XYZ before.
LikeLiked by 2 people
The one that got me was the McCartney, Davis, and Hendrix…that would have been different.
Yes Bowie I think would have fit him.
The Beatles/Stones/Dylan would have been just too many members to make it work
LikeLike
I think Dylan would have been very cool if paired with Neil Young. Wonder if they ever performed together?
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be cool. I know that Young and Dylan are friends so surely they played some. I wonder if Bob has played at the Bridge School benefit that Neil help start?
LikeLike
I think bowie could have reinvented Elvis in some exciting way…and perhaps kept the burgers out of the studio
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL… that and the shots of Demerol.
LikeLike
I think the demerol might have been just fine lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
lol… I had surgery when I was younger and I was prescribed demerol afterward. One of the happiest weeks ever. Yep… that would have probably been just fine.
LikeLike
I think a lot of times not only in music but in sports- these super combinations end up not working out -maybe egos get involved. If you took the greatest rock musicians at each instrument, a great songwriter and fronted them with the greatest singer- it might be great- or it might be awful. Every group needs a Ringo.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yep like those all star 80s Yankee Teams. The XYZ seems to be the closest thing to really happen…that would not have excited me much.
Yes because talent isnt everything…you need feel and the right songs.
The Bowie-Elvis combination might have actually worked well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I would have been interested in hearing the Elvis and Bowie also. I think it would have worked best -when you only have two involved- I liked the work Paul and Elvis did together on Flowers In The Dirt- but even there Ego was involved on our Paul’s part I believe- the demos of them together are better than what was originally released on the album.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I can see that happening with Paul. He needs a Lennon type who will turn him away from…well we all know… but I don’t see Paul giving in all the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bowie & Bing was wonderful.
Mind blowing combos. I agree with Steve…the egos may have messed things up.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Stones/ Beatles/ Dylan would have been a possible train wreck… way too many egos
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bowie and Elvis May have worked
LikeLike
I could see that.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bowie producing Elvis….ah that would have been something! Remember what bowie did to lou reeds transformer…. Not even slightly excited about macca playing with hendrix unless he sang and then I’m interested!
The band I always wanted was that lennon, Clapton, Richards, mitchell line up….The Dirty Mac. Mouth-watering band
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bowie and Elvis would have been cool…
I’m sure Paul would have sang… But imagine his melodic bass playing behind Hendrix…I don’t know if it would have mixed or not….
Oh the Dirty Mac…yes! John and Keith in the same band…Geez can you imagine.
LikeLike
I know…that dirty mac! With clapton at his best as well…wonderful tonight would never have been written in that band haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Clapton has always needed someone to kick him… He even admits he gets lazy…and he did in the seventies at points.
His playing never equaled Cream after they split.
LikeLike
Yeah…for hendrix just give him a decent solid bass player. Nothing too flashy thanks…He can more than carry the show and then some. But macca singing…and writing some tracks with hendrix in mind>>!!!???!!! Oh man that could be something
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ps great topic!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jimi Hendrix also had plans to work with Emerson, Lake & Palmer – that would have been really interesting – He was into King Crimson and Mountain as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know he was into those two groups… that is cool. I would love to know what he would be playing now if he would have lived.
LikeLike
If the Dylan/Stones/Beatles album had happened, there is a 97% chance my head would have popped off my shoulders within the first 12 seconds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mine would have done the same thing. It’s amazing Bob floated the idea. Good or bad it would have been an historical event… not to mention just damn cool.
LikeLiked by 1 person