The Most Famous House Bands and Musicians with a house band

The sidemen don't always get the recognition but they do make the hits. Who are the most famous?

# 7

Steve Cropper

1962 Joins Booker T and the MGs as the guitarist, alongside Booker T. Jones, Al Jackson Jr., and Lewie Steinberg (later replaced by Donald "Duck" Dunn). The group becomes the Stax Records house band, creating iconic tracks like "Green Onions."

Booker T. & the MG’s Founding guitarist of the band, which served as the house band for Stax Records and played on countless hits.

# 6

Thelonious Monk

1941 Joins the house band at Minton’s Playhouse in Harlem, where he plays alongside emerging bebop musicians and contributes to the development of the bebop movement.

# 5

The Swampers

The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, affectionately AKA known as The Swampers, played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of American popular music from the 1960s onward. As the house band for FAME Studios and later Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, The Swampers were instrumental in creating the "Muscle Shoals Sound," a unique blend of Southern soul, rock, and country music. Their work with an array of legendary artists has left an indelible mark on the music industry.

# 4

Booker T and the MGs

Stax Records, based in Memphis, Tennessee, was one of the most influential soul music labels of the 1960s and 1970s. The label's house band, Booker T. & the MG's, played a crucial role in crafting the distinctive sound that defined Stax Records. Known for their tight rhythm section and smooth grooves, the band was integral to the success of many Stax artists. Although they often worked behind the scenes, their contributions were instrumental in creating some of the era's most memorable music.

Booker T. & the MG's formed in 1962 as the Stax house band. The original lineup included Booker T. Jones (keyboards), Steve Cropper (guitar), Lewie Steinberg (bass), and Al Jackson Jr. (drums).

# 3

The Funk Brothers

Berry Gordy Jr. founded Motown Records in Detroit. The Funk Brothers, consisting of talented local musicians, were assembled to serve as the house band.

# 2

Amy Winehouse

Amy Winehouse Band - Members and Collaborations

# 1

Nile Rodgers

1970 Began his professional career as a session guitarist in New York, playing with the house band at the Apollo Theater.

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