There's a lot of songs out there where a famous singer may show up to sing a few verses. (I'm excluding rap in this thread by the way because its standard for rap stars to do this practice on every song nowadays it seems :lookingup:) Sometimes the song may become more famous for the cameo appearance such as...well...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY
Michael Jackson could make anyone sound good and this song is proof. Really, if it was Rockwell singing main chorus I have no doubt the song would have tanked. Then again, Rockwell did have family connections in the business.
I'd like to see how many we can compile. I figured I'd just do one for now so I don't hog them.
Alanis Morisette did some backup singing on Dave Matthews Band's "Don't Drink the Water" (she doesn't come in until the end I think)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psIuidkkLjI
Layne Staley did guest & backup singing for a few bands, including Second Coming and Heart
Linda Ronstadt isn't credited, but her voice is very prominent in the (Nitty Gritty) Dirt Band's "American Dream".
Stevie Nicks sang backup on Walter Egan's "Magnet And Steel".
Paul McCartney provides whispering vocals on Donovan's "Mellow Yellow". Donovan provides shouting vocals on "Yellow Submarine" for The Beatles.
Ozzy showed up on Lita Ford's "Close My Eyes Forever".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tplXoE4jizM
Tom Petty appeared on "Stop Draggin' My Heart Around" by Stevie nicks.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UD0c58nNCQ
Glass Tiger had the help of Bryan Adams on this one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxGVEMW1cNI
I personally think if one band from sound to looks to band title captures pop 80s, its Glass Tiger btw.
They were both credited, but still like "cameos".
Mick Jagger doing backup on Carly Simon's YOU'RE SO VAIN.
Sting doing backup on Dire Straits MONEY FOR NOTHIN'
ELTON JOHN sings backup vocals on JOHN LENNON's "Whatever Gets You Through The Night". The cool animation linked below is "embedding disabled" but it's well worth a doubleclick to take you to YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ho1yJwvWCrw
JOHN LENNON co-wrote and sings backup on DAVID BOWIE's "Fame"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-_30HA7rec
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ur8ftRFb2Ac
featuring Michael Mcdonald
Rick James in Eddie Murphy's "Party All The Time"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDbpzjbXUZI
Chis Cornell and Mark Arm on Alice In Chains "Right Turn"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fhjfMYxJ4g
John Tardy, Kelly Schaefer, and some dudes from Incubus (not the nu-metal band) on Sepultura's "Stronger Than Hate"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UbS7puncnk