Number 1 of the Number 2s?
Not everyone gets to be Mick Jagger, Paul Simon, or George Michael. Somebody’s got to play the harmony, keep the groove, or hold the tambourine while the frontman takes all the credit. From Garfunkel to Oates to Ridgeley, these “Number Twos” are music’s unsung heroes. But who is the greatest number two of all?
Art Garfunkel (Simon & Garfunkel)
Paul Simon wrote most of the songs, but it was Art Garfunkel’s voice that made them soar. His harmonies gave Bridge Over Troubled Water its heart. Simon might’ve penned the words—but we’d go so far to say Garfunkel made them timeless.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (6/6) HD, Shout! Studios
John Oates (Hall & Oates)
Daryl Hall got the spotlight, but John Oates was the rhythm and co-writer behind those hits. From She’s Gone to I Can’t Go for That, Oates helped turn pop and soul into an 80s art form. And yes—that mustache...respect.
She's Gone (1976) - Hall & Oates, konekoxox
Jim Messina (Loggins & Messina)
Before Kenny Loggins became the king of movie soundtracks, Jim Messina gave him the training wheels. Messina’s experience and studio chops turned mellow tunes like Your Mama Don’t Dance into radio gold.
Your Mama Don't Dance - Loggins and Messina | The Midnight Special, The Midnight Special
Andrew Ridgeley (Wham!)
Andrew Ridgeley might not have sung much, but he helped shape Wham!’s fun, flashy image—and co-wrote Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go. When George Michael went solo, Ridgeley did what any good Number Two would do: cheer him on from a convertible in Monaco.
Wham! - Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go (Official Video), WHAM!
Benji Madden (Good Charlotte)
Joel sang lead, but Benji Madden’s guitar and songwriting built the band’s pop-punk sound. He was the melody guy, the backup voice, and the reason your 2000s angst had a soundtrack.
jenniferlinneaphotography from Denver, CO, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Mike Rutherford (Genesis)
While Phil Collins and Peter Gabriel handled vocals, Mike Rutherford quietly held Genesis together—switching between bass, guitar, and eventually forming Mike + The Mechanics. He’s proof that reliability can rock.
Tom Hamilton (Aerosmith)
Tom Hamilton’s bassline on Sweet Emotion is one of the coolest intros in rock. While Tyler and Perry got the headlines, Hamilton kept the groove tight for five decades—and somehow survived all the drama.
Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion, Aerosmith
Krist Novoselic (Nirvana)
Kurt Cobain brought chaos, Dave Grohl brought power, and Krist Novoselic brought balance. His steady basslines kept Nirvana from imploding musically, and his towering presence made him impossible to miss.
Steven Friederich, Wikimedia Commons
Guy Berryman (Coldplay)
While Chris Martin jumped around in technicolor jackets, Guy Berryman quietly made Coldplay danceable. His basslines on Adventure of a Lifetime and Something Just Like This gave the band its pulse.
Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine)
Tom Morello’s guitar didn’t just support the vocals—it practically became its own voice. He turned riffs into political statements, creating sounds no one had ever heard before, all while letting Zack de la Rocha stay front and center.
Dave Stewart (Eurythmics)
Annie Lennox was the powerhouse, but Dave Stewart built the machine. He co-wrote and produced Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), crafting a synth sound that still defines the ‘80s.
George Harrison (The Beatles)
In a band with two number 1s, George Harrison was “Number 2.” He might’ve been the quiet Beatle—but his guitar tone and spiritual depth spoke loud and changed the band forever. By Abbey Road, he wasn’t just keeping up—some might even argue he was outwriting the others.
Aaron Rapoport, Corbis, Getty Images
Bernard Sumner (Joy Division/New Order)
Before and after tragedy, Bernard Sumner was the glue. He guided Joy Division’s sound and then led New Order into synthpop greatness. When your backup guy can reinvent an entire genre, that’s next-level “Number Two” work.
Thesupermat, Wikimedia Commons
Nick Mason (Pink Floyd)
While Waters and Gilmour clashed, Nick Mason stayed calm and kept the beat. The only member to appear on every album, his drumming anchored all the madness on The Dark Side of the Moon.
Verdine White (Earth, Wind & Fire)
Verdine White didn’t just play bass—he performed it. His stage moves and deep grooves powered the band’s hits like September and Let’s Groove. Without him, Earth, Wind & Fire would just be... air.
Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
The Edge (U2)
The Edge turned a delay pedal into magic. His shimmering guitar made U2 sound bigger than life, from With or Without You to Beautiful Day. He’s the best proof that being the quiet one can still make you iconic.
Patrick Carney (The Black Keys)
Patrick Carney’s drumming gives The Black Keys their bite. Without him, Gold on the Ceiling would just be a nice guitar riff. Together, he and Dan Auerbach made garage rock cool again.
The Black Keys - Gold On The Ceiling [Official Music Video], The Black Keys
Kyle Gass (Tenacious D)
Jack Black brings the energy, but Kyle Gass brings the chops. A legit guitar virtuoso and comedy partner, Gass makes Tribute and Wonderboy hit as hard as they make you laugh.
Tenacious D - Tribute (Official Video), Tenacious D
Thomas Bangalter (Daft Punk)
Thomas Bangalter was the perfectionist behind Daft Punk’s polish. He shaped the sound of Get Lucky and One More Time while hiding behind that iconic helmet. Not bad for a guy who never says a word.
Daft Punk - Get Lucky (Official Video) feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers, convar HUN
Christine McVie (Fleetwood Mac)
Stevie Nicks, and Lindsey Buckingham got the headlines, but Christine McVie wrote the songs that healed the band. Songbird and Don’t Stop are her creations—calm, steady, and just what Fleetwood Mac needed.
Nate Mendel (Foo Fighters)
Dave Grohl’s the voice, but Nate Mendel’s basslines are the backbone. He keeps Foo Fighters tight and powerful—especially live, where his steady rhythm lets Grohl do, well, Grohl things.
Meg White (The White Stripes)
Jack White’s genius needed grounding, and Meg White’s minimalist drumming did just that. Critics called her too simple—fans called her perfect. Seven Nation Army wouldn’t sound the same with anyone else.
Who’s the Greatest?
Tough call. Art Garfunkel might win on voice alone. The Edge rewrote the rules for guitars. But John Oates gave us Maneater—and honestly, that’s hard to top. Which Number 2 would you put at Number 1?.
Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water (6/6) HD, Shout! Studios
You Might Also Like:
