Top 10 Singers Who are More Famous for Their Instruments

This list is a list of those singers who are more famous because of their instruments (not vocals). They may be famous for their vocals. But like I said, more famous for their instruments than vocals. I've tried my best. But this is a subjective list. Will appreciate your opinion.
The Top Ten
1 Geddy Lee - Bass Gary Lee Weinrib, known professionally as Geddy Lee, is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist, bassist, and keyboardist for the Canadian rock group Rush.

He is both a bassist and vocalist. But he's more famous because of his bass than vocals. Some people don't like his singing. But everybody (more or less) loves his bass playing technique.

2 Jimi Hendrix - Guitar Jimi Hendrix (born November 27, 1942 - September 18, 1970) was an American rock guitarist, singer, and songwriter. Although his mainstream career spanned only four years, he is widely regarded as one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of popular music, and one of the most celebrated musicians of the 20th century. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame describes him as "arguably the greatest instrumentalist in the history of rock music". Hendrix is consistently ranked on lists of musicians who died too soon.

Best guitarists, usually on top 3. Best singers, not always on top 10.

He was a singer?

3 Dave Mustaine - Guitar David Scott "Dave" Mustaine (born September 13, 1961) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, actor and author. Mustaine is best known as a pioneer in Thrash Metal, being the former lead guitarist of Metallica before his dismissal in 1983, leading to finding and becoming the front man of his own band Megadeth shortly after.

Yes, great guitarist. But even Mustaine himself admitted he isn't a great singer. And I respect him for that because such honesty is rare among musicians.

I have seen some people don't like his singing. But a lot like his guitar solos/riffs.

4 Les Claypool - Bass Leslie Edward "Les" Claypool is an American musician, singer, songwriter, composer, author and actor best known as the bassist and lead vocalist of the band Primus.

One of the greatest slap bassists, good tapping technique. Overall, a very good bassist. He's been more popular for his bass works than vocals.

5 Eric Clapton - Guitar Eric Patrick Clapton is an English rock and blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He is the only three-time inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once as a solo artist and separately as a member of the Yardbirds and Cream. He has also been a member of Derek and the Dominos.

One of the greatest guitarists. Very popular blues rock singer. But as overall a singer of all genres he doesn't come on top 10. But on all genres of guitar, he comes on top 10.

6 Chuck Berry - Guitar Charles Edward Anderson "Chuck" Berry was an American guitarist, singer and songwriter, and one of the pioneers of rock and roll music. He died on 18 March 2017.

Elvis Presley was famous for his singing, at the same time of his. But he is more famous for his rock n roll solos. Not a famous singer. But a great rock n roll guitarist. The Godfather of rock guitarist.

7 Jack Bruce - Bass John Symon Asher "Jack" Bruce was a Scottish musician, singer and songwriter known primarily for his contributions to the British supergroup Cream, which also included guitarist-singer Eric Clapton and drummer Ginger Baker.

Definitely a better bassist than Geddy Lee. As for singing, if you like "shrill", you may prefer Geddy, but any serious listener will go for Jack.

8 Elton John - Piano Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, pianist and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold over 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including nine number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling chart single of all time. According to Billboard ...read more.

I've included only piano. I don't much know about his other keyboards.

I don't know...I would say he's equally known for both - vox and piano.

Sir Elton John is FAMOUS for his SINGING, SONGWRITING and his PIANO PLAYING. He's a TRIPLE THREAT.

9 Roger Taylor - Drum Roger Meddows Taylor is an English musician , multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter born on July 26th, 1949 in Kings Lynn, Norfolk. He was the drummer of the band Queen and wrote few of many hits such as "Under Pressure", "A Kind Of Magic" and "Radio Ga Ga". Despite being well known in Queen he had a solo career that up to this date has 5 studio albums and a side-band/supergroup of his called "The Cross" that went from 1987 to 1993 and him being the lead vocalist, they've released 3 studio albums.

As a drummer, he is also a singer. He has very good singing talent. If he didn't drum for Queen, still he'd be famous as a singer. But his singing talent isn't very popular. As a singer he is very underrated. He's always known for a Queen drummer and backing vocalist.

10 Glenn Hughes - Bass Glenn Hughes is an English rock bassist and vocalist, best known as a member of Deep Purple and the rock pioneers Trapeze, and his solo career. Hughes was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Deep Purple. He is acclaimed for his wide vocal range.

Bassist and backing vocalist for Deep Purple, in the mid-80s he recorded an entire album for Black Sabbath as lead singer. Also for his solo career. His vocal range is 4 octaves.

The Contenders
11 Lemmy - Bass Ian Fraser Kilmister, known as Lemmy, was an English musician, singer and songwriter who founded and fronted the rock band Motörhead. He was a bassist and a singer known for his raspy voice. He died in 2015 from cancer and other health problems.
12 James Hetfield - Guitar James Alan Hetfield was born on August 3, 1963. He is an American musician, singer and songwriter known for being the co-founder, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist and main songwriter for the American heavy metal band Metallica.

Yes, he is a good thrash metal vocalist. But when it comes to best guitarist and best vocalist, he comes before in guitar than vocals. Especially for rhythm guitar.

13 David Gilmour - Guitar David Jon Gilmour is an English singer, songwriter, composer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. He joined the progressive rock band Pink Floyd as guitarist and co-lead vocalist in 1968.

To me, he's both a good guitarist and vocalist. But he's little bit of more famous as a guitarist than vocalist.

14 B.B. King - Guitar Riley B. "B.B." King was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer.

BB King. Blues King. Is known for his blues electric guitar style more than vocals. When somebody mentions him, the guitar works come to out mind.

15 Dimebag Darrell - Guitar Darrell Lance Abbott, also known as Diamond Darrell and Dimebag Darrell, was an American guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of two bands, Pantera and Damageplan, alongside his brother, Vinnie Paul. Abbott died in 2004 after he was shot by a mentally unstable fan.

I added him to this list because he actually can sing in the song P*S*T88 he sings lead vocals however he is definitely more known for his guitar playing

16 Dave Grohl - Drums David Eric "Dave" Grohl is an American rock musician, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer and film director. He is best known as the former drummer of the hugely popular 90s grunge band Nirvana and the vocalist/guitarist for the alternative rock band Foo Fighters. He has sat behind the ...read more.
17 Gene Simmons - Bass Chaim Witz, known professionally by his stage name Gene Simmons, is an Israeli-American musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, actor and television personality.
18 Evan Taubenfeld - Guitar Evan David Taubenfeld is an American singer and musician, best known for being Avril Lavigne's lead guitarist, music director and frequent collaborator.
19 Dee Dee Ramone - Bass Douglas Glenn Colvin, known professionally as Dee Dee Ramone, was a German-American musician, singer and songwriter best known as founding member, songwriter, bassist and occasional lead vocalist for punk rock band the Ramones.

He swapped Joey Ramone for vocals. At that time, Joey was a drummer. Dee Dee was both bassist and vocalist.

Both famous and better.

20 George Harrison - Guitar George Harrison (1943 - 2001) was an English guitarist, singer, songwriter, and music and film producer who achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the Beatles.

He is a both good guitarist and singer. But he's more popular for his works with Beatles as a guitarist. Paul and John were famous for singing.

21 Billy Joel - Piano William Martin Joel is an American singer-songwriter, composer and pianist. Commonly nicknamed the "Piano Man", he has been making music since the 1960s, releasing popular albums throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s.

I'd say little bit of more famous for piano than vocals.

22 Jack White - Guitar John Anthony "Jack" White is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the duo The White Stripes, but has also had success in other bands and as a solo artist.
23 Stevie Ray Vaughan - Guitar Stephen "Stevie" Ray Vaughan (October 3, 1954 – August 27, 1990) was an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. In spite of a short-lived mainstream career spanning seven years, he is widely considered one of the most influential electric guitarists in the history of music, and ...read more.
24 Phil Collins - Drums Philip David Charles "Phil" Collins is an English singer-songwriter and musician, who has also worked as a record producer and actor.

I am not sure about this. He became popular as the lead singer for his solo career. Many people don't even know he was first a drummer.

25 Roger Waters - Bass George Roger Waters is an English singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and composer. He is mostly known for being the secondary lead vocalist and bassist of Pink Floyd.
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