Traditional rock has by no means been afraid of chaos, and a few of its wildest moments got here when artists teamed up with people no one expected. From Aerosmith buying and selling riffs with Run-DMC to Queen becoming a member of forces with David Bowie, these collaborations broke the principles. Certain, in addition they made historical past.
Again when genre lines have been nonetheless sacred, strikes like these felt dangerous. Rock purists scoffed, labels panicked, and followers didn’t know what to make of it. However when the results hit, they hit hard.
These basic rock collabs proved that generally, probably the most unlikely pairings are pure, absolute genius.There are an array of incredible classic rock collaborations, however a few of them appeared out of left discipline. Whether or not two artists have been maximizing their rock abilities or two artists of various genres have been shockingly coming collectively, these collabs had their audiences shocked.
As of late, it’s normal for musicians to drive between a couple of lanes alongside the sonic freeway. Listed below are the trailblazers who paved it.
Queen & David Bowie’s “Underneath Strain”
With such fascinating and energetic personas, David Bowie and Queen might have simply clashed on their 1981 hit “Underneath Strain.” As an alternative, they launched one of many most timeless songs in historical past. Whereas few might have anticipated the rock band to hop on a observe with such an experimental artist by way of style, their collaboration introduced out the most effective qualities of each artists.
The observe stands sturdy over 40 years later and has been coated numerous occasions by new era artists like My Chemical Romance and Shawn Mendes. The track’s impression has lasted a long time and feels much more related at this time, having gone viral on TikTok earlier this 12 months.
Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson “The Lady Is Mine”
Two artists that followers by no means noticed coming as a hit-making unit have been Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. As the previous The Jackson 5 member geared as much as make history with Thriller, it did not make any sense to incorporate McCartney on his pop rebrand album. Seems, making sense is the very last thing music wants when geniuses are at work. “The Lady Is Mine” grew to become a staple of Thriller, showcasing versatility that frankly by no means ought to have been doubted within the first place.
A 12 months later, they’d put their minds collectively once more for McCartney’s Pipes Of Peace tracks “Say Say Say” and “The Man.” They grew to become a dream staff even for just some songs, proving that generally the most surprising partnerships are the most effective.
Eric Clapton & B.B. King’s Driving With The King
In 2000, Eric Clapton and B.B. King did not simply shock the world with one track, however a complete collaborative album. Each artists are masters of their genres, however Clapton proved his blues music muscle mass had been ready a very long time to return out and flex. The Cream guitarist seemed as much as King as a serious musical affect, making the album a dream come true.
Some critics weren’t positive concerning the collaboration, and made claims that it might have been stronger. Naysayers all the time do what they do, however they did not cease the collaborative challenge’s success. Driving With The King went on to win the Grammy for Greatest Conventional Blues Album in 2000 and topped Billboard’s Prime Blues Albums chart.
Aerosmith & RUN DMC’s “Stroll This Means”
“Stroll This Means” was certainly one of Aerosmith’s breakout hits that launched them into success within the 70s. Nonetheless, the track’s legacy was removed from over a decade later when RUN DMC rapped over the observe with Steven Tyler on vocals and Joe Perry on guitar.
It could have been one of many final collaborations that anybody noticed coming, however the world stays grateful. There’s nothing extra to say however press play.
Kiss & Michael Bolton’s “Eternally”
Michael Bolton began out within the rock style however made his title as a singer and songwriter, greatest acknowledged for his ballads. It is price mentioning he returned to these rock roots when he penned “Eternally” alongside Kiss member Paul Stanley.
Like numerous collabs, there have been some combined opinions, ballads are usually not sometimes what followers wish to hear from Kiss. The track grew to become the second single off Kiss’ album Scorching within the Shade, because of Bolton’s distinctive, laborious love, energy lyrics setting it other than the band’s different work.
Lou Reed and Metallica’s 2011 collaborative album Lulu was sadly not met with enthusiastic reactions. It was actually disliked by each fanbases, who agreed on one factor: not all icons match effectively collectively. Pitchfork famously gave the album a 1.0 out of 10, claiming the web was calling it the worst album of all time.
Nonetheless, there are some arguments that the album deserved to be made and was essential for the rock style. The experimental challenge allowed Lou Reed and Metallica to develop their inventive kinds, even when it did not land with the general public.
Ozzy Osbourne & Submit Malone’s “Take What You Need”
Submit Malone has experimented with numerous totally different genres, however in 2019, he was primarily often called a rapper. That is why it appeared so out of character for him and Travis Scott to staff up with Ozzy Osbourne for “Take What You Need.” Nonetheless, the collab labored higher than anybody would have anticipated.
The track leaned on rock influences whereas additionally using Malone and Scott’s strengths. Osbourne would collaborate with Malone once more on his personal single “It is A Raid,” and the 2 proved to be a fairly spectacular pair. The collaboration additionally helped youthful listeners grow to be higher acquainted with Osbourne’s music and legacy earlier than his tragic dying in July 2025.
Elton John & Eminem’s “Stan” Grammys Efficiency
Elton John is an industry legend, and he’s not above giving artists from youthful generations an opportunity. It is a part of what’s saved his legacy alive even because the trade quickly modifications. In recent times, John collaborated with pop stars Dua Lipa and Britney Spears for remixes of a few of his older songs.
Nonetheless, it was over 20 years in the past that the world witnessed certainly one of his most surprising collaborations ever. In 2001, John took the stage on the Grammys with Eminem. Because the rapper is understood for some fairly unhinged and offensive lyrics, it was stunning to see Elton John be a part of him on stage. It was additionally a tremendous set, rife with guts, abilities and glory.
John and Eminem carried out the rapper’s hit “Stan,” and what seemed like a catastrophe ready to occur really labored. As Eminem rapped, John took on Dido’s refrain, which was a sampling of her track “Thank You.”
He additionally lent his piano abilities to the efficiency because the artists introduced collectively two fully totally different generations for a efficiency everybody might take pleasure in. The Elton John collaboration proved why each artists are thought-about a number of the biggest of their time.
Santana & Product G&B’s “Maria Maria”
Santana’s a fairly various and experimental artist with no intentions of boxing himself into one style. Nonetheless, his 1999 collaboration with Product G&B nonetheless appeared a bit out of left discipline.
Fortunately, Santana’s guitar abilities merged completely into the R&B styling of the track. It was revered sufficient to take dwelling the Grammy for Greatest Pop Efficiency by a Duo or Group with Vocals on the 2000 ceremony.
Santana introduced soul to the observe as he switched from his acoustic guitar to his electrical, each of which introduced the track to life. After all, the observe wasn’t full with out an iconic rock guitar solo, which closed out the Grammy-winning hit.
Led Zeppelin & Puff Daddy’s “Come With Me”
For the Godzilla soundtrack, Led Zeppelin’s guitarist Jimmy Page did one thing nobody noticed coming and launched a observe with the rapper then often called Puff Daddy. The track samples the Led Zeppelin hit “Kashmir” and in addition options some guitar work from Rage Towards the Machine’s Tom Morello.
The Godzilla soundtrack track expresses the precise heightened feelings that match completely with the themes of the movie. It additionally represents a brand new time within the trade, the place numerous artists grew bored with being boxed in and needed to blur the traces between genres.
