by Carrie Brownstein

Omar frm Mars Volta...but i guess its no big secret

Sent by Marissa Dailey | 1:43 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Jim O'Rourke.

In addition to his own amazing output (both as a faux-folkie and noisician), his contributions to both Sonic Youth and Wilco in the mid-aughties were stellar. He has an incredible ear for organizing chaos behind the mixing console and adding the right instrumental touches when needed. He can take sonics to the outer limits and then ground it on a dime.

Sent by Lars Gotrich | 1:52 PM ET | 07-08-2008

the dudes who handled percussion for motown. those songs without those elements just aren't the same.

Sent by Gage | 2:04 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Graham Coxon in Blur.

Damon's songs are fantastic but wouldn't be half as unique or interesting were it not for Coxon's guitar playing. I think he's probably one of my favorite players of all time.

What he does (did?) for that band is incalculable.

Sent by Jim | 2:10 PM ET | 07-08-2008

The most obvious example of a secret weapon I can think of is ?uestlove of The Roots. Sure, Black Thought is a darn good frontman and talented lyricist, and the group as a whole has been both prodigous and brilliant, but The Roots just wouldn't be the same, especially during their live sets, with out the thumping, jazzy rhythms of one of the best drummers playing today.

Sent by Ryan | 2:18 PM ET | 07-08-2008

I think Bill Berry was the secret weapon of R.E.M.
When he left he took the mojo with him.

Sent by Brent Kelly | 2:20 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Spencer Krug adds amazing melodies on his keyboard when he is not fronting a song for wolf parade. he's prolific!

Sent by Dominic | 2:26 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Tom Peloso--a former member of Charlottesville, VA bluegrass band The Hackensaw Boys who jumped ship to join Modest Mouse for the rodents' last two records. The group performed at the Charlottesville Pavilion recently and Peloso ran through a decent arsenal of instruments--trumpet, organ, guitar.

Solely for their work as hired guns, I'd also suggest Marc Ribot for his work with Tom Waits and Nels Cline for his efforts with Wilco.

Sent by Brendan Fitzgerald | 2:30 PM ET | 07-08-2008

When I tell most people, im a fan of Elvis, and, Elvis's 70's material... most assume right away, that its Elvis that draws me to the music...

The first Elvis CD i purchased was Live from Madison Square Garden... and it was not Elvis that blew me away... it was Tutt-Scheff...
that being

Drummer - Ronnie Tutt
Bass guitar - Jerry Scheff

Elvis, sang some real... well, not so good songs over the years... but when he sang them live... with that brilliant rythem section behind him, a simple song like Patch It Up (that repeats the same verse over and over and over and over again) becomes one smoking song... (see link for vid)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stzDexCNaEg

Sent by Kramer | 2:30 PM ET | 07-08-2008

secret weapons:

Phil Lesh [without him, there would be no improv in the Grateful Dead]

and I cosign the Jim O Rourke, I Miss him in Sonic Youth so much, he gave them that live edge that was life changing in 2004, something they have not been able to achieve since!

Sent by Habte Selassie | 2:42 PM ET | 07-08-2008

How about Carl Broemmel - My Morning Jacket? Guitar / Sax player extraordinaire.... See "Dondante" live....

Sent by D. Boon | 3:05 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Personally, I'd have to add John Stirrat from Wilco. His bass lines are incredibly tight and melodic and his harmonies with Jeff Tweedy are just great.

Also, it might not be much of a secret, but the Flaming Lips just wouldn't be what they are without Steve Drozd.

Sent by Mark Siew | 3:08 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Oh! It would definitely be the tapping of Jamie Williams with Tilly & the Wall!

Sent by Roger | 3:14 PM ET | 07-08-2008

My favorite secret weapons:

Franz Nicolay of The Hold Steady

John Woo of The Magnetic Fields

Billy Zoom of X (maybe not a total secret, but still not as widely mentioned as Exene or John Doe)

I'd also like to throw in Sam Bardfeld, violinist on Springsteen's "Seeger Sessions." I actually had to go look up his name on the internet just now, because while his violin playing on that album is the first thing I thought of when reading your post, I had no clue who the person behind the brilliance was!

Sent by nikki | 3:21 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Steven Drozd.

Wayne Coyne makes a great frontman/mouthpiece, but without Drozd, The Soft Bulletin probably wouldn't have changed my life.

Sent by sally | 3:33 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Man, I used to love watching Bob Nastanovich during Pavement shows. As far as I could tell, his sonic affect on the studio albums was, well, just about zero. But on stage, his good-natured weirdness made up for any lack of musical acumen. And, in light of the fact that neither Malkmus nor Kannberg were exactly charisma machines, his presence was all the more welcome.

Sent by Ted | 3:35 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Ian Stewart playing piano/keyboards with the Stones.

Sent by Alex Snajder | 3:54 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Mick Cook of Belle and Sebastian.
Chris Seligman of Stars.
Kathi Wilcox of Bikini Kill.
Jimmy Chamberlain of Smashing Pumpkins.
East Bay Ray of the Dead Kennedys.
Mitch Mitchell of the Jimi Hendrix Experience.
Bernie Taupin.

Sent by Nick L. | 3:54 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Billy Zoom in X. John & Exene got all the credit, but he was the heart of the band.

Mike Mills backup vocals are the secret weapon in REM.

After seeing Wire a few years back, it was clear that Bruce Gilbert was the secret weapon.

Sent by Rick | 3:57 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Merry Clayton on "Gimme Shelter" (although not so much on her own version of that song ... of course, she wasn't a secret, there).

Is Ziggy Modeliste a secret with the Meters?

Bassist Fernando Saunders on anything.

Sent by Steven | 4:09 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Dee Murray - bass on 70's Elton John albums, his lines on "Tumbleweed Collection" are out of the world.

James Burton - guitar on anything he ever played on from Ricky Nelson to Elvis, he came up with that "Suzie-Q" (Dale Hawkins) lick when he was like 16 years old.

Sent by Steve | 4:15 PM ET | 07-08-2008

The biggest secret weapon in all of rock music has to be Mike Mills of R.E.M. Without his backing vocals, most of R.E.M.'s songs wouldn't be half as good. Other great "secret" or "overlooked" contributors would have to be John Entwhistle from The Who, Stewart Copeland from The Police, Joey Santiago from The Pixies, Brad Wood on Liz Phair's album "Exile on Guyville". Those are just a few.

Sent by Jack | 4:24 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Sarah Neufeld of The Arcade Fire.

Sent by Genevieve | 4:26 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Sadie Benning turned out to be Le Tigre's secret weapon. Who knew? She was known for films, not music. But once she left the band, after that first brilliant album, they instantly dropped from great to good.

Sent by CJ | 4:42 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Robert Quine's guitars on the Matthew Sweet "Girlfriend" and "Altered Beast" albums seal the deal. Without him, those albums would not get me out of my seat. Quine's incredible lines on the songs "Girlfriend" and "The Ugly Truth (Rock)" are great examples.

Sent by Tim | 4:53 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Many times its also the rhythm section chemistry (bass+drums+maybe rhythm guitar):

Bohnam/Jones - Led Zep
Copland/Sting - Policia
Helm/Danko - The Band
Those two other guys in U2
..

Sent by Steve | 5:09 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Steve Shelley of Sonic Youth. When you get lost in the chaos Steve will guide you out

Sent by Bret | 5:14 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Kathryn Calder of the New Pornographers!

Sent by Peter | 5:17 PM ET | 07-08-2008

McCoy Tyner was Coltrane's secret weapon.

Sent by mikey | 5:24 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Mitch Mitchell
Warren Ellis
Duane Allman - as a studio musician, he was often the only good thing going for a song.
Janet Weiss
Maceo Parker
Eddie Hazel
Nels Cline - same as Duane Allman but with Wilco.
Vince Clark

And finally, the H-bomb of secret musical weapons; James Jamerson & the Funk Brothers. The film "Standing In the Shadows of Motown" is all about how these musicians never received credit for their overwhelming influence on the pop music landscape.

Sent by EP | 5:48 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Tony Garnier-Bass- of Bob Dylans Never Ending Band
Topper Headon-Drums-The Clash
Joe Lally-Bass-Fugazi

Sent by Sal | 6:09 PM ET | 07-08-2008

jason mcgerr - death cab
casey rice - w/ liz phair
mia clarke - electrelane
kate schellenbach - luscious jackson

Sent by brittani | 6:31 PM ET | 07-08-2008

I third Billy Zoom.
Sara Almgren (The (International) Noise Conspiracy) They haven't been the same without that wicked organ.
Ray Manzarek (The Doors)
Lisa Umbarger (Toadies)
Greg Hawkes (The Cars)

Sent by Velour | 6:33 PM ET | 07-08-2008

I second Kathi Wilcox and McCoy Tyner.

Sent by Rachel | 6:34 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Ben Shepherd from Soundgarden. Johnny Greenwood from Radiohead. And Janet Weiss from...well, you know.

Sent by Dan Dickinson | 6:48 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Charlie Watts, The Rolling Stones
Kenneth "Boom" Gaspar, Pearl Jam
Ray Cooper, with Eric Clapton

from the world of Comedy:
Jane Curtain, SNL

Sent by Eron | 6:56 PM ET | 07-08-2008

ill third janet weiss, but i'll say she's more a secret weapon in quasi as opposed to sleater-kinney.

sometimes sam is standing up, bouncing around ontop of his organ, or smashing his head with a tamborine, yet i cant stop starring at janet.

Sent by brittany | 7:27 PM ET | 07-08-2008

So funny you wrote this because I've always thought of Janet Weiss this way and she came immediately to mind when I read this.

Sent by Allison | 7:46 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Fourthing Janet Weiss. She made me like Bright Eyes.

Ditto Kathryn Calder.

Sent by Kirie | 8:00 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Any female bass player! Case in point: Sexy Tina Weymouth, holding down the low-end, playing tasty and funky lines.
Meanwhile, everyone in the audience is transfixed on David Bryne(which is cool). Next, any good drummer. Tortoise is exemplary of what solid creative drumming is all about without it being bombastic or showy. Multi-instrumentalists float my boat as well, yes Tortoise again.

Traditional solo oriented wanking lead guitar is almost never interesting to me, sort of a spoken downer. Save it for in front of the mirror and spare us the boredom.

Sent by 4 string Chix | 8:54 PM ET | 07-08-2008

well, for r.e.m. i also gotta go with bill berry. mike mills's contributions are hardly a secret.

Sent by pablo | 9:18 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Haha, I'm also going to say Janet Weiss. I was excited to finally see Stephen Malkmus in the flesh, but I could barely keep my eyes off of her drumming.

Also, the bassist in Deerhunter is rad.

Sent by Jen | 10:21 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Good topic! Drummers are kind of a blanket secret weapon in my book. The skill or fit of the right drummer in a band can rhythmically punctuate the emotion of a song rather than just keeping time.

Sent by Jamie Hellgate | 11:17 PM ET | 07-08-2008

Julian Koster of Neutral Milk Hotel et al.

Not just a multi-instrumentalist but one of such cool and interesting sounds. The singing saw, the accordion, the wandering genie, the banjo, guitar, mandolin and bass. But don't forget his crash helmet with chimes on the top. He was like a musical mad scientist, adding magic and whimsy and a haunting quality to NMH's music.

Sent by Caraboo | 12:03 AM ET | 07-09-2008

christina files whenever she sits in on drums, and similarly jim white; sara shaw of the occasion and effi briest; jennifer moore of the carrots

Sent by ld | 12:20 AM ET | 07-09-2008

also i just thought of bassist scott seckington. when i saw the old haunts last month he was the one i was watching most of the time.

Sent by ld | 12:23 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Moe Tucker, Velvet Underground. Mostly very simple drumming, but the songs would completely fall apart without her.

That Elvis video was amazing! The way he collapses at the end is like, "Well, I guess we're not gonna patch it up."

Sent by Michael | 12:32 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Secret weapons:
One of the most obvious secret weapons hasn't been mentioned yet and that is Kim Deal of the pixies. I can't imagine the pixies without her.
I'd second Sara Almgren from The (International) Noise Conspiracy, their songs on Armed Love, the album with her in the lineup, don't have the same kick, but that could be a corresponding effect the band without her and with Rick Rubin enlisted as the producer of Armed Love.

For the third secret weapon I'd say Nels Cline but not for Wilco but for his work on Carla Bozulich's band Evangelista, whos 2008 album Hello Voyager should be getting more attention from the music loving public.

Sent by Craig | 1:29 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Meg White - The White Stripes

I'll 2nd Nastonovich with Pavement

Everyone in My Morning Jacket not named Jim James. Jesus, that new disc is amazing.

Richard Manuel - The Band

Steve Jones - The Sex Pistols. All you hear about is Johnny Rotten and Sid Vicious.

Sent by Padgett | 2:06 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Very useful information

Sent by http://www.mp3nest.com | 2:24 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Matt Sharp from Weezer's good times.

Johnny Marr on Modest Mouse's last album.

Sent by Brian A. | 7:35 AM ET | 07-09-2008

I'll add my voice to those who praise Robert Quine (Matthew Sweet) and Nels Cline (Wilco). Sweet had a talent for attracting great guitar players - when I saw him perform, he had Richard Lloyd with him, who was jaw-droppingly good. And lest I seem only to notice guitarists, I'll put in a vote for Clem Burke of Blondie.

Doesn't *every* great band have a "secret weapon"?

Sent by John Dylan Cooper | 8:13 AM ET | 07-09-2008

fairly obvious, but mick jones' boyish singing compared to the gruff joe strummer (amazing in his own right) all up and down the clash's great canon. for example, "janie jones" is gravely and gritty, reinforced with the powerful drums, then towards the end comes the steer, the breakaway, mick jones' voice seemingly out of nowhere, but fitting, tying janie jones' angsty world with a battle cry: let them know, let them knooow oh oh oh.

Sent by sarah | 9:16 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Victor Wooton and Tom Hagerman, from The Flecktones and DeVothKa, respectively.

Sent by Jesse | 9:17 AM ET | 07-09-2008

not that the soft boys were that popular, but matthew seligman was definitely the secret weapon in that band.

Sent by mccormack | 10:36 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Someone needs to second Bob Nostanovich from Pavement, so it may as well be me, when I read the post I kept thinking of him, but I think part of that is that Bob is an embodiment of this indie-rock fantasy that literally anyone that could smack a maraca or bang on one drum could tour in a semi-popular, certainly meaningful touring band!

Sent by Jason | 11:05 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Definitely Scott Plouf from Built to Spill. His drumming propels them to the next level.

Sent by John S | 11:32 AM ET | 07-09-2008

Emmylou Harris on harmony. No matter who its with, it ends up that much warmer.

Sent by Matt | 11:59 AM ET | 07-09-2008

I nominate Jon Wurster from Superchunk (and various other bands). His drumming is usually pretty understated, but he just really has a way of moving the music along while throwing in some really excellent, but not overly flashy, fills.

Sent by Mike M. | 12:13 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Brian Jones - Rolling Stones. Everyone knows about Jagger/Richards, but Jones was the guy that made it all possible. The Stones were never the same without him.

Eric A from Jane's Addiction. It was evident when they toured with Flea that his contributions to the band's sound were irreplaceable.

Robbie Krieger - the Doors. Just amazing.

Joey Santiago - the Pixies.

Matt Cameron - Soudgarden. One of the best rock drummers ever.

Sent by tim | 12:18 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Chris Hillman--Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers, Stephen Stills Manassas...Let's remember Hillman wrote most of "Sin City," which many consider to be one of the seminal songs of Gram Parsons' career while Gram was napping.

Sent by Jerett | 12:24 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I agree that Janet Weiss, Robert Quine, jim O'Rourke and Nels Cline completely change any band they are in. Other secret weapons include Lee Ranaldo (SY), Farmer Dave Scherr (Beachwood Sparks, Tyde, Interpol, etc.), the entire Revolution (Prince) and Josh Klingenhoffer (When he played in PJ's band it was AMAZING!).

Sent by A.R. | 1:10 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I could never say Janet Weiss was a secret weapon in Quasi (only two people in the band) or Sleater Kinney (only 3 people in the band) where her contributions are obvious and glaring, and very, very solid.

Now maybe Janet in Bright Eyes or The Jicks, but not with the other two bands.

Sent by Eron | 1:24 PM ET | 07-09-2008

david rawlings for sure

Sent by Matthew P | 1:28 PM ET | 07-09-2008

kori gardner's voice from mates of state. i don't think I would love the songs as much as i do if not for the fact that she enables me to pretty much yell in my car as i sing along.

carey lander from camera obscura's organ parts define the band's sound for me.

the dudebro drummer from bloc party. so secret i don't know his name, but his drumming is my favorite part of a lot of their songs.

Sent by Lauren | 1:32 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Weiss/McGerr/Marr have already been mentioned, but I'd have to agree.
While we're on the subject of the Decemberists, I'd have to say that their drummer, whos name escapes me, is the definition of a secret weapon. He has great stage charisma,his beats are solid, and his backing vocals are great once you realize that they even exist.
I'm also shocked that no one has mentioned Ed O'Brien of Radiohead yet.

Sent by Mike C | 1:36 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I'll second Johnnie Marr. But I'd also suggest that he was the secret weapon of The Smiths as well.

Sent by Chad - Hungary for Turkey | 1:42 PM ET | 07-09-2008

I second Jenny Conlee for her contributions to KMRIA and Casey Neill's Norway Rats. She's unstoppable.

Brian A. -- You can hear Marr on MM's latest album? He's so low in the mix I had to doublecheck the liner notes. That being said, just saw MM open for REM and he was awesome. Still can't figure out why he took the gig, but I also can't figure out MM. *ducks*

Sent by Tim F. | 2:00 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Sum Zurich of Joan of Arc, Ghosts and Vodka, Make Believe, Owls.

Sent by micah | 2:12 PM ET | 07-09-2008

ryan monroe from band of horses

Sent by Darren | 2:31 PM ET | 07-09-2008

The Dap-Kings playing behind Amy Winehouse (and Sharon Jones). And you can't miss Angus Young in his school-boy outfit but his brother Malcolm's riffs for AC/DC to which you'll most likely pull out your air guitar.

Sent by Chip S. | 2:36 PM ET | 07-09-2008

i totally agree that sadie benning seemed to be le tigre's secret weapon. it's hard to figure out what kind of strange alchemy makes for a life-changing album, but neither julie ruin nor the band's sadieless follow-ups match the punch of that first album.

Sent by Nathan | 3:33 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Got to add in a shout out for Marc Ribot's work on the deservingly praised Robert Plant / Allison Krauss "Raising Sand" album.

Sent by Tim | 3:39 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Mitch Mitchell of Guided by Voices. He was great live, doing windmills on guitar, drinking a beer with cigarette in mouth, seemingly all at the same time.

Sent by dk | 3:44 PM ET | 07-09-2008

ruben wu of ladytron
questlove of the roots
dave grohl playing drums for anyone

Sent by tanya | 4:08 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Drummer Martin Chambers of the Pretenders.

Sent by Suzy | 4:11 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Mary Hansen of Stereolab. Her backing vocals were a great complement to Laetitia's lead. I didn't appreciate how good she was until I saw her perform with the band live.

Sent by Jaime Cardona | 4:34 PM ET | 07-09-2008

for sure david rawlings is gillian welch's secret weapon.

Sent by Gretchen | 5:00 PM ET | 07-09-2008

drummers get me:
bryan devendorf-the national
john mcentire-sea and cake
dave douglas--john vanderslice

and vern rumsey was always fun to watch.

Sent by Jason M. | 5:16 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Saw Jim O'Rourke mentioned a few times, and my Secret Weapon submission is O'Rourke-related: Ken Champion. He's played pedal steel on most of O'Rourke's solo records as well as Smog's Red Apple Falls LP. He absolutely makes every song he appears on...

Sent by alex | 6:13 PM ET | 07-09-2008

My opinion of a good secret weapon would probably be Charlotte Froom from the Like. I love music but I totally admit I usually can't pick out bass unless it's like totally outstanding, and there isn't a moment of their record that doesn't have me picking out the bass parts.

And I second Matt Sharp...mostly because of his ridiculous synths on Tegan and Sara's So Jealous.

Sent by Christopher Martin | 7:37 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Sean Eden - Luna
Mary Hansen - Stereolab
Joel Gion - The Brian Jonestown Massacre
Mariachi Luz de Luna - Calexico

Sent by AguaLinda | 7:43 PM ET | 07-09-2008

Roy Bittan - pianist for the E street band. For me, his piano playing is the quintessence of Springsteen's sound on Born to Run and Darkness on the Edge of Town. Without him, "Backstreets" would have just been another song.

Sent by Colin | 1:25 AM ET | 07-10-2008

I think Eric Dolphy was Charles Mingus's secret weapon.
Bill Swan from Beulah.
I agree with the drummers Bill Berry, Steve Shelley, and Dave Grohl, plus I would add Moe Tucker from The Velvet Underground because her style really helped define their sound, and because of her voice, which was so underused but so great.

Sent by fej | 2:38 AM ET | 07-10-2008

Dave Blood of the Dead Milkmen was definitely a secret weapon. His basslines were adventures and unlike much before it.

Sent by tim | 3:00 AM ET | 07-10-2008

Richard Lloyd on the Matthew Sweet album, 100% Fun. I loved that album when I was 14 and only realized years later that it was because of his (and Robert Quine's) guitar.

Tom Verlaine backing up Patti Smith. He is mesmerizing to watch, a quiet but integral presence. From the Guardian review of their 2005 London performance: "Sitting quietly at the rear of the stage, Tom Verlaine chipped out the first of several cunningly wrought guitar solos." Yes.

Sent by Doubledutchess | 12:49 PM ET | 07-10-2008

Anyone ever heard of Dallas Schoo ??? Of course not, because no die-hard U2 fan could ever come to grips with the fact that it takes more than The Almighty Edge to hit all those notes simultaneously, even with all the reverb and delay pedals.

If you are rich enough to score some front-row tickets to the next U2 show that comes around, take a look under the stage. Thats where you will find The Edge's guitar-tech playing along to "Where The Streets Have No Name."

Sent by Jonah | 4:27 PM ET | 07-10-2008

smarty.pants answer would be the woman i saw drum on the 'bright eyes' tour last year;)
...i would nominate Todd Sickafoose, bass player w/Ani DiFranco. talk about simpatico. Last few records will give you an idea; live is a thing to behold...
(thanks, great column idea...and driving home i'll think of twenty more!)

Sent by waj | 7:53 PM ET | 07-10-2008

My choice for Secret weapons are:

Bruce Thomas always had great basslines going on behind Elvis Costello's best work.

Judah Bauer kicking out the jams while Jon Spencer was busy being Jon Spencer.

And since I'm in my 50's, I can't forget the late John Entwistle of the Who.

Sent by Glenn | 12:12 AM ET | 07-11-2008

Jon Theodore, the Mars Volta haven't been the same without him.

I'll second Eric Avery in Jane's Addiction.

Charlie Sexton and Larry Campbell in Dylan's band in the early 00s

Sent by Ken Larmon | 5:14 AM ET | 07-11-2008

More often than not, it seems like it's the bassist.
John Entwistle, John Paul Jones, James Jamerson, Kim Deal, Bruce Foxton, Tina Weymouth, Andy Rourke, Peter Hook, and whoever it is that plays bass on "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed" by Barbara Mandrell

Sent by John McAteer | 10:32 AM ET | 07-11-2008

Anyone in the Small Faces/ Faces that wasn't Rod or Ronnie or Steve Marriot. Clags, Kenny Jones, and Ronnie Lane. Namely Ronnie, though.
And most pedal steel players. Eric Heywood and Sneaky Pete Kleinow in particular.

Sent by Zac | 12:38 PM ET | 07-11-2008

Bill Million - The Feelies. I have seen Glenn Mercer's solo shows and loved them, but Bill's playing and enthusiasm just takes The Feelies' live shows to another level.

Sent by Bob D | 2:21 PM ET | 07-12-2008

Jamie Pressnall from Tilly and the Wall

What is better than a tap dancer instead of an entire drumset?

Sent by Jessie | 2:47 PM ET | 07-12-2008

Jay Bennett when he was in Wilco was my favorite "secret weapon."

The last "good" Wilco show I saw was Summerfest 2001 (the one shown on Sam Jones' documentary), which was Jay's last show with the band. I don't think they've done a whole lot worthwhile since. Sure, the band is probably "technically" better, but their live shows are a bad mix of dad-rock and masturbatory noodling.

I think Jay brought a lot to the band, shown in his beautiful arrangements of Yank Hotel Foxtrot's more gorgeous tunes, and his studio mastery for Summerteeth. I miss Jay. And I miss Wilco.

Sent by CJ | 3:55 PM ET | 07-12-2008

The bassist from a band called Victoria. they opened for another local STL band i went to see and rocked my socks off. at first i thought he (the bassist) was a bit of a creeper because he was getting overly into playing (a.k.a. humping his bass a bit) and was wearing a hideous Hawaiian shirt with hair coming out. but after a while his skill won me over and i couldn't help but dance :)

Sent by Charlotte | 1:24 PM ET | 07-13-2008

I loved Hearless Bastard's "All This Time" and caught them in Minneapolis last year (I think). The album must be mixed poorly because even though they're only three people, the bass is nearly silent. But live, that dude, with his perpetually closed eyes, was the secret weapon.

Sent by Stacia | 3:54 PM ET | 07-13-2008

i agree with bret:
steve shelley is sonic youth's secret weapon, you may be in love with kin or lee or thurston, but when you go see them live than you realize how great his drums are. and how much of what he does on it you already know.

Sent by donasonica | 9:56 AM ET | 07-14-2008

beach boys - carl wilson - The falsetto guy on the new Smile made me realize how much his voice actually made the Beach Boys.

Karl Blau on most K records releases and during Laura Veirs' live show - He has the presence of Nastanovich and seems to have groove flowing through his bass and body. His horn playing also brings Microphones, Mirah, etc. releases beyond bedroom recordings.

Second on McCoy Tyner and julian koster...

Sent by steve | 11:35 AM ET | 07-14-2008

Christian Savill - Slowdive
Simon Gallup -The Cure

Sent by justin | 2:43 PM ET | 07-14-2008

Upon listening to the single from the forthcoming album by the Walkmen, I was struck by how integral drummer Matt Barrick is to their sound as a band. He's consistently impressive and propels the band with his energetic and skillful playing.

Sent by Peter | 2:25 AM ET | 07-16-2008

Second Malcolm Young. Listen to an AC/DC record on headphones, he's usually the one doing irreparable damage to your left ear.

I always thought Izzy was Guns' N' Roses's secret weapon, but I defy anyone to stand between Axl and Slash and not fade into the wallpaper.

Oh, and two more guitar-players, Elliot Easton (the Cars) and Berton Averre (the Knack), both of whom played leads that were angular, precise, tasteful and perfect. Exhibits A and B: "You Might Think" and "My Sharona."

Sent by Liam | 2:26 AM ET | 07-17-2008

worrrrd to the person who said that thang about drummers being a blanket secret weapon. BSW. drummers can make or break a song, even if everyone's paying attention to lead vox.

matt sharp is ingenious. so whether you like his stuff from weezer or the rentals, or even that song by tegan and sara, give mr. sharp some credddd.

and can i get a little argumentative here and ask: shouldn't everyone in a band either be the star of the show or the secret weapon? if they aren't one or the other, what are they contributing? cookie cutter melodies? what's the point?

Sent by natalie in pdx | 3:29 AM ET | 07-17-2008

carlos d's bass playing

Sent by jen | 9:09 PM ET | 07-17-2008

That was a great shout for Marc Ribot, he really brings something of the rustbelt to Tom Waits' work.

My personal choice is Mark 'Cow' Day of The Happy Mondays. I am not a huge Mondays fan but it only takes a half-listen to realise that he's absolutely driving all the interesting parts of the song - sure, without Ryder's vocals or Hannet's production it would fall flat, but the proof is they rode big when he was there and fell far without him.

Rasheed Ali also seemed to click in with Alice Coltrane's playing in a way that seemed beyond 'intuition'. I can also never remember the name of the bassist on the sessions for Astral Weeks, but it's usually his underpinnings that have made Van's voice move me to tears.

And interesting reverse on this question would be bands that survived the loss of the 'talented one'; for instance, The Doobie Brothers post-Tom Johnston.

Sent by Dan | 6:49 PM ET | 07-19-2008

R??gine Chassagne from Arcade Fire. There are 7 members in the band but the whole show she is jumping from instrument to instrument. She is so captivating.

Sent by sarah | 9:44 PM ET | 07-20-2008

Oh wow, definitely Budgie of Siouxsie and the Banshees and The Creatures. What a kick-ass drummer he is.

Sent by Emily | 4:51 PM ET | 07-21-2008

For me, Franz Nicolay is really what takes The Hold Steady's music to the top. The piano fills in between the guitar outbursts lend a sublety to the band.

Sent by Kyle | 3:02 PM ET | 07-23-2008

Lisa Grohl... ( Dave sister )any one knows what happen to her... is she playing bass still did she change her name ?
Thank you if you have info

Sent by Jesse | 5:04 AM ET | 07-30-2008

All hail James Burton!
and
Johnny Marr -- Smiths
Stanley Demeski -- Feelies, Galxie 500
Double Trouble -- Stevie Ray Vaughn, he was great but had a tendency to play out of time
Tony Williams -- Miles Davis
Mitch Mitchell -- Jimi Hendrix Experience
Richie Hayward -- Little Feat
John Paul Jones -- Led Zeppelin
Sterling Morrison -- Velvet Underground
Ginger Baker -- Cream, Masters of Reality
Phil Alvin -- Blasters, everyone seems to forget about Phil's incredible pipes
Jerry Harrison -- Talking Heads
Scottie Moore -- Elvis
Carl Perkins -- Johnny Cash

and more . . .

Sent by dude | 7:50 AM ET | 08-03-2008

grant hart-husker du
gary young-early pavement
bill million-feelies
+1 brian jones-r stones
nicky hopkins-r stones
mike johnson-early mark lanegan solo
chris columbo-rotary downs
bob stinson-replacements
larry mullen,jr-u2
jeff nelson-minor threat
rick wilson-b52s
owen bradley-patsy cline's hits(producer on par with brian wilson)

Sent by j | 5:49 PM ET | 08-13-2008

Claudia Gonson of Magnetic Fields--though she doesn't get to sing enough on the most recent album.

Sent by BeatsMe | 1:35 PM ET | 08-18-2008

This is pretty late, but: Mick Cooke of Belle and Sebastian. That man never, ever misses even the start of a note on any brass instrument I saw him play. If I'm not mistaken he also picks up a string instrument here and there.

Sent by Kirsten | 11:22 PM ET | 08-21-2008