Photo: Atco Records / Public domain
When it comes to using the word supergroups in the title of an article, fans instantly think of bands like Asia, Traveling Wilburys, Cream etc…. However, rock and roll history is filled with many supergroups that excited fans over the possibility of endless albums of pure rock and roll bliss and then for many different reasons, broke up. This list will take a look at those supergroups that only released one studio album. Some of these bands recorded songs for a second album but broke up before the sequel was released. In many circumstances, record companies would release that extra material as bonus tracks on reissues or box sets. Many of these supergroups that released only studio album did also release live albums. Nonetheless, to get on this list, only one studio album was allowed because that’s the point of the article. There are of course a handful of albums on this lists that everyone knows. Some are semi popular and then there are a few that you may have never heard of. We didn’t want to rate these albums, we just wanted to present them. They are listed in random order as they pretty much came to us.
# 1- Derek & The Dominos
Why not open up our One Album Rock Supergroups List with one of the most famous one album supergroups of all time, the legendary Derek & The Dominos. The band only released one album, although there were plans for a second. There were also two live albums released as well as many box sets that included unreleased material. However, the band officially only released one studio album and so for that reason, we have included them on this list. Look at this incredible lineup of musicians that participated in the Derek & The Dominos experience.
Eric Clapton – vocals, guitars
Bobby Whitlock – keyboards, vocals
Carl Radle – bass guitar
Jim Gordon – drums,
Contributed but not official members
Dave Mason – guitar
Duane Allman – guitar
# 2 – Blind Faith
Well that’s two in a row for Eric Clapton. The group Blind Faith was formed in 1969. The band only released one studio album entitled simply Blind Faith. There were no live albums released with the exception of a live video. The lineup consisted of…. Steve Winwood, Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker and Ric Grech
# 3 – Beck, Bogert & Appice
The supergroup Beck, Bogert & Appice consisted of the legendary Jeff Beck on guitar and Vanilla Fudge drummer Carmine Appice and their bassist Tim Bogert. These three powerhouse musicians only released on studio album entitled Beck, Bogert & Appice. The album also included guest apperaens by Three Dog Night members Jimmy Greenspoon and Danny Hutton. The group played many live shows together and released an official live album as well as materiel that would be released on multiple box sets from the band’s members.
# 4 – The Soul Clan
Wow, this is one many people may not be aware off. Look at these legends in one band. The Soul Clan released one album in 1966 entitled The Soul Clan. The group consisted of two lineups but only did release one album.
First Lineup:
- Solomon Burke
- Otis Redding
- Wilson Pickett
- Don Covay
- Joe Tex
Second Lineup
- Solomon Burke
- Arthur Conley
- Ben E. King
- Don Covay
- Joe Tex
# 5 – B. L. T.
Always loved the name of this band and the great album cover that depicted a band’s name as literally as one could get. The band consisted of the great Robin Trower on guitar, the legendary Jack Bruce on bass and the dynamic Bill Lordan on drums. The band was formed in 1981 and only released one studio album entitled B.L.T.
# 6 – HSAS
HSAS is the supergroup that rock fans love to talk about. They were known as Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve. The group only released one studio album entitled Through The Fire in 1984 at the start of the CD Era. The group consisted of the red rocker Sammy Hagar Journey and Santana’s Neil Schon, Kenny Aaronson who played with just about everybody and Michael Shrieve who had played with Santana.
# 7 – KBC Band
The KBC Band was an offshoot of The Jefferson Airplane and Jefferson Starship that consisted off Paul Kanter, Marty Balin and Jack Cassidy. Some would argue this was more of a spin-off than a supergroup but these musicians were all superstars in their own right and so we added this one to the list. The group also was represented by musicians Keith Crossnan, Tim Gorman,Darrell Verdusco and Slick Aguilar. The band released their lone studio album in 1985.
# 8 – Tipton, Entwistle & Powell
I bet you never heard of this one. This supergroup released one album entitled Edge of the World. It was recorded in the mid 1990s but was not released until 2006. The band consisted of John Entwistle, Cozy Powell and Glen Tipton.
# 9 – Emerson Lake & Powell
Two in a row for Cozy Powell. When Keith Emerson and Greg Lake got back together to release a new album in the mid 1980s, Carl Palmer said sorry I’m with ASIA now. Well may be he diidn’t say it that way, but that’s the reason he was not available to reunite with Keith Emerson and Greg Lake, a new ELP supergroup was born for one album only. Simply titled Emerson Lake & Powell.
# 10 – 3
Well this time it was Greg Lake’s turn to say no to Keith Emerson. The album 3 featured Keith Emerson, Cal Palmer and Richard Berry who had been in the band Hush. The band released only one studio album entitled To The Power Of Three. The album was released in 1988
# 11 – Gogmagog
You might not of heard of this great heavy metal supergroup, but what a lineup. This one album band consisted off Paul Di’Anno of Iron Maiden, Clive Burr of Iron Maiden and Alcatrazz and Neil Murray of Whitesnake. The band released one album in 1985 entitled I Will Be There. It wasn’t really much of an album as far as length went, It was actually just a three song EP. But still a studio recording and this one just seemed so interesting we just had to list it.
# 12 – Temple of the Dog
This is one of the best ones on the list. The ultimate classic grunge supergroup. Chris Cornell and Matt Cameron of Soundgarden, Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament of Green River, Mother Love Bone, Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam. One album entitled Temple of the Dog was released in 1991.
# 13 – Contraband
Another great supergroup was formed in 1991 that veered more towards the hair band scene of the 80s as opposed to the grunge sounds of the early 90s. Contraband consisted of Richard Black (Shark Island), Michael Schenker (Scorpions, UFO, Michael Schenker Group), Tracii Guns (Guns N’ Roses, L.A. Guns), Share Pedersen (Vixen) and Bobby Blotzer (Ratt). This one is pretty rare. You wont find this CD for a cheap price. If you do, grab it.
# 14 – BBM
BBM was a supergoup founded by three musicians who seemed to make a living forming supergroups. The group consisted of Jack Bruce, Ginger Baker and Gary Moore. They released one album in 1993 entitled
# 15 – Mad Season
Mad Season was another legendary grunge supergroup. The band was formed by members of Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, Screaming Trees and The Walkabouts. It consisted of Layne Staley, Mike McCready, Barrett Martin and John Baker Standers. The group only released one studio album entitled Above in 1995.
You missed one supergroup, Rough Diamond featuring David Byron of Uriah Heep, former Wings drummer Geoff Britton and Clem Clemoson of Humble Pie
Them Crooked Vultures!
Wanted to say that too 🤘
Rebel Meets Rebel— David Allen Coe basically fronting Pantera
Brian May and Friends- “Starfleet Project”
How about Go?
How about “Go Too”? 😏
What about GTR. I think they only released one album.
My thought exactly: Steve Hackett (Genesis), Steve Howe (Yes), and drummer Jonathan Mover (Marillion)
Don’t forget Mark Lanegan did some vocals on the Mad Season album as well.
How about Damn Yankees
You missed The Law, Paul Rodgers, Kenney Jones, Pino Palladio. Guest guitarists Chris Rea, Dave Gilmour, Bryan Adams, Jim Barber and John Staehely.
Great album.
Asia
had at least 3 studio albums, Asia, Alpha, and the one with the purple cover