The biggest music supergroups of all time

Who? Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty

Did it work? Yes

Seriously, just look at that lineup. Did you think it wouldn't work? This group of friends got together in 1988 to create an album written by all five of them, and recorded in just ten days. Following Roy Orbison's death, they recorded a second and final album, intentionally mis-named Volume 3. Both albums were critically-acclaimed and received a commercial boost when they were collected together and reissued in 2007, going in at number 1 in the UK, and selling 500,000 copies in 3 weeks. An understated, relaxed supergroup which worked brilliantly - perhaps that's the way to do it.

Who? Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker, Eric Clapton

Did it work? Yes

The original supergroup, and still one of the best, Cream pulled together the...erm...cream of London's instrumentalists, in the form of virtuoso drummer Baker, legendary bassist Bruce and Clapton.

Three hugely successful albums followed - as did some mammoth on-stage jams and solos, but you can't argue with tunes like Sunshine of Your Love and Wishing Well.

Who? David Crosby, Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Neil Young

Did it work? Yes

All stupendously successful in their own right, CSNY worked like a dream, as, for the first album, the initial three, and then for the second, the four singer-songwriters combined to heavenly effect. A selection of brilliant records and live shows over the following years established their place as a bona fide classic group; plus, their second-ever gig was at Woodstock. That's not bad, is it?

Who? Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, Brad Wilk

Did it work? Sort of

After Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine in 2000, the remaining three members decided to continue making music together, but as part of a new project, and with a vocalist that sounded nothing like their previous frontman. Super producer Rick Rubin put them in touch with ex-Soundgarden vocalist Chris Cornell and - lo - one of the most powerful vocals in rock was added to one of the most powerful rhythm sections in rock.

When they got it right, the results were astounding - Cochise is a worthy addition to rock's ultimate canon - but often it slipped into MOR territory. Nonetheless, their three albums were all warmly received, before they returned to their previous acts. A seriously good band, but as good as either RATM or Soundgarden? Probably not.

Who? Dave Grohl, John Paul Jones, Josh Homme

Did it work? Sort of

It's hard to think of a supergroup that came together with bigger individual reputations that these three: Grohl, of Nirvana and the Foo Fighters and widely regarded as one of the best drummers in the world; Jones, visionary bass player with Led Zeppelin and Homme, singer and guitarist with the none-more-cool Queens of the Stone Age.

Initial reaction to the collaboration was frenzied, with secret performances building the hype. However, when the album emerged, it was...good. It was, in reality, very good, but the expectation of an era-defining rock record was, ultimately, not met.

While we only have one album, the band reunited in 2022 for two tribute shows that were dedicated to late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins.

Who? Johnny Marr, Bernard Sumner, plus Neil Tennant, Karl Bartos, Jimi Goodwin, Ged Lynch

Did it work? Yes

An almost perfect supergroup, where the talents and styles of all the members joined in the middle: Sumner indulging his passion for electronic (of course) music even further, Marr adding his trademark melodic guitar gloss to synth tracks for the first time, while the Pet Shop Boys' Neil Tennant guested on tracks which were 'indier' than his day job.

The result was a million-selling debut album, featuring one of the great classic indie-pop songs in Getting Away With It. As if that wasn't enough stardust, they were joined on later albums by Kraftwerk's Bartos, Sub Sub/Doves' Goodwin and Black Grape's Lynch, before the core members went on to pursue other projects.

Who? Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, Carl Palmer

Did it work? Yes

The three members of ELP had already done great work with The Nice, King Crimson and The Crazy World of Arthur Brown before teaming up to become the ultimate progressive rock supergroup. Frankly, they were utterly bananas, setting organs on fire, stabbing them with knives, utilising 100-piece drum kits and being influenced by classical music and jazz.

Of course, they also knew how to write a pop song, which explains their incredible 40m album sales, while their live shows were truly legendary feats of stage performances and never-ending solos. A crucial band, if only because their manifold excesses paved the way for punk rock.

Who? Scott Weiland, Slash, Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum, Dave Kushner

Did it work? Sort of

After Guns 'n' Roses broke up in the mid 90s, the band sans Axl Rose were looking for a new home, which they duly found by teaming up with Stone Temple Pilots singer Scott Weiland and Wasted Youth's Dave Kushner.

On paper, Velvet Revolver were a mouthwatering prospect and while, debut record Contraband did well, the follow up Libertad was a disappointment. It was often felt that there was a disconnect between Weiland and the rest, but the likes of Slither and Fall to Pieces were classic rock songs that stood up against any of the members' previous bands' efforts.

Who? Damon Albarn, Jamie Hewlett (illustration)

Did it work? Yes

Okay, so Gorillaz only officially has two members but it is a band that has so many amazing collaborators that it's collectively one of the best supergroups ever. Rappers and other vocalists aside, the band has had the following musicians join them on tour: Simon Tong (The Verve), Mick Jones and Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Katz (Jamiroquai). Then add the vocalists: Del the Funky Homosapien, Shaun Ryder, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Bobby Womack and even Lou Reed, to name a few, and it's mind-boggling how the band still have a distinctive 'Gorillaz' sound.

Who? Thom Yorke, Flea, Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker, Mauro Refosco

Did it work? Sort of

An experimental supergroup, the component parts of Atoms for Peace feature Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, REM and Beck amongst their previous credits. Initially forming to perform songs from Yorke's solo album The Eraser, they soon fermented plans to record an album, with Amok emerging in 2013. However, those hoping for big, powerful hit singles - and all four of those acts previously mentioned had a fair few in their arsenal - were sorely disappointed.

Technically brilliant, sonically adventurous but - an issue Radiohead fans have had for a while - not much in the way of songs. Thom Yorke has also got his supergroup game on again, with the more melodic Smile, where he is joined by Radiohead's Johnny Greenwood and Sons of Kemet's Tom Skinner.