Top 10 Trio Bands

When it comes to music, two is a company, but three is a crowd. Welcome to Kiker's blog and today I'm listing my top 10 trio bands in rock. For this list I chose groups that were most famously known as a 3-piece for most of their defining years on the rock scene.

10. Motörhead
Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister-bass guitar, lead vocals
Phil "Wizzö" Campbell-guitar, backing vocals
Mikkey Dee-drums
Although his lyrics are inaudible at times, there's no doubt Ian Kilmister was born to rock. What really makes Motörhead great is is how they can briefly pause in a song to spit out lyrics, and kick straight back into it with a medley of riffing, heavy bass, and drum loops. Why just three in the band? Because that's all they need.

9. Emerson, Lake and Palmer
Keith Emerson-keyboards
Greg Lake-bass, guitar, vocals
Carl Palmer-drums
Looking for atmospheric progressive rock with a hint of jazz fusion and symphonic elements? Then Emerson, Lake and Palmer are your guys! Along with their use of drums, bass and guitar, this trio added keyboards and percussion to create a sound full of interludes and instrumental delights. While Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Carl Palmer are known for making their instruments the stars of their tracks, they also have a unique ability to include quotable lyrics from time to time.  

8. ZZ Top
Billy Gibbons-guitar, lead vocals
Dusty Hill-bass guitar, backing vocals
Frank Beard-drums
This bearded trio is as famous for its country and blues rock riffs as it is for its members funky attire, red Eliminator Coupe, and admiration for the female form. With expert instrumental ability on all platforms, the members of ZZ Top add in memorable chord progressions to their songs. In the songs Gimme All Your Lovin' and Sharp Dressed Man we hear how effective the seductive vocals of Billy Gibbons can really be

7. Muse
Matthew Bellamy-guitar, vocals, keyboards, synthesizers, keytar
Christopher Wolstenholme-bass, backing vocals, keyboards, harmonica
Dominic Howard-drums, percussion
On your first listen you'd probably bet Muse's complex and layered sound would have to be produced by at least five band members. But thanks to Matthew Bellamy's catchy riffs, Christopher Wolstenholme's bass and keyboard work, and Dominic Howard's unique percussion interludes, Muse proves they can deliver a totally surreal feel with only three talented musicians. In addition to their mix of alternative rock, progressive, and symphonic rock, Muse has also showcased incredible storytelling abilities.

6. The Police
Sting-bass, lead vocals, keyboards
Stewart Copeland-drums and percussion, backing vocals, keyboards
Andy Summers-guitars, backing vocals, keyboards
With their fusion of rock, new wave, post-punk, and reggae rock, the police crafted an intoxicating sound that some would call hypnotic. Although many of their songs were simply structured, it's this very framework that made each of them so recognizable and unforgettable. In the process, Sting's soulful voice added to the band's mellow feel and helped them sell over 75 million albums worldwide.

5. Green Day
Billie Joe Armstrong-guitar, lead vocals
Mike Dirnt-bass, backing vocals
Tre Cool-drums
This band's aura is perfectly incapsulated in their music videos. They're loud, rebellious, and animated. By associating a classic three chord formula, Green Day insured their punk songs had a familiar and catchy feel that just makes you want to want to sing along. By expanding their sound to include elements of pop and alternative rock, the band is still going strong today.

4. Nirvana
Kurt Cobain-guitar, vocals
Krist Novoselic-bass guitar
Dave Grohl-drums
This band brought grunge and garage music into the limelight. With the legendary Kurt Cobain on vocals, we witnessed an expressing, struggling and sometimes disturbed mind turn his creativity into musical gold. Throw in Dave Grohl's catchy drum patterns and Krist Novoselic's talented bass riffs, and you get pure musical nirvana. The commercial success of their second album Nevermind didn't only make them one of the hottest bands of the 90's, but in alternative rock as well.

3. The Jimmi Hendrix Experience
Jimmi Hendrix-guitar, lead vocals
Noel Redding-bass, backing vocals
Mitch Mitchell-drums
Does this legendary rock band really need an  introduction? Fronted by the late Jimmi Hendrix, the trio gave us some of the most influential tracks ever. Case in point: Purple Haze and its mixture of psychedelic, acid rock, and heavy metal. Although the ensemble is brilliant as a whole, it's Jimmi's skills and outrageous antics on the guitar that really made them stand out.


2. Cream
Jack Bruce-bass, lead vocals
Eric Clapton-guitar, backing vocals
Ginger Baker-drums
With the ability to jump from one electrifying instrument to another, Cream played a massive part in the development of riff-based blues rock songs. Made of guitar extraordinaire Eric Clapton, bassist/singer Jack Bruce, and drummer Ginger Baker, the power trio's incredible sound can almost numb your mind when you listen to it. With masterfully executed tracks like Sunshine of Your Love, Cream gave us some of the essential classic rock songs of all time.

Here are a few Honorable Mentions:

Blink-182

Primus

Sublime

Them Crooked Vultures

Thousand Foot Krutch 

1. Rush
Geddy Lee-Bass guitar, lead vocals, keyboards
Alex Lifeson-Guitar, backing vocals
Neil Peart-Drums
Progressive rock, hard rock, or heavy metal; it's not east to categorize Rush, but that doesn't really matter.With Geddy Lee's unique vocals and bass playing, this Canadian rock band is instantly recognizable. By throwing space aged riffs into songs like Tom Sawyer, Rush showed they were well ahead of their time. Add Alex Lifeson's guitar, and Neil Peart's drums and you've got one of music's most technically proficient bands and the ultimate power trio.

Agree? What's your favorite rock trio?