Have you ever loved a song and wondered, “Who played that killer guitar solo?” Believe it or not, some of the most iconic moments in music history weren’t created by the artists we see on the album cover.
Legendary musicians often lend their talents to other artists’ recordings, but for various reasons, their contributions go unrecognized. This lack of credit can stem from complex contracts or even a desire to keep collaborations under wraps.
Whatever the case may be, these uncredited guest spots add a fascinating layer to the stories behind our favorite songs. Let’s unearth a part of rock history’s greatest secret sessions and hidden talents, uncovering 4 legendary artists who left their mark on iconic tracks, but never got the shoutout.
Jimmy Page – “I Can’t Explain” by The Who
Before Jimmy Page became a legend himself with Led Zeppelin, he honed his skills as a session musician. He actually became a sought-after veteran and you can probably hear his work on several classics.
His fingerprints are on a surprising number of classic tracks, from the smooth acoustic tones of Shirley Bassey’s “Goldfinger” to the jangly 12-string on The Kinks’ “I’m a Lover, Not a Fighter”. He even lent a hand to another future rock giant – Pete Townshend of The Who.
In 1964, The Who were a young band on the rise, recording their second single, “I Can’t Explain”. Page joined them in the studio, adding another layer of guitar to Townshend’s rhythm part. While the extent of his contribution is debated (some say rhythm, others claim lead), there’s no doubt his presence helped shape the sound of this iconic song.
Jimi Hendrix – “I Don’t Know What You’ve Got, (But It’s Got Me)” by Little Richard
Before igniting the world with his own brand of psychedelic rock, Jimi Hendrix honed his craft as a sideman. One notable early contribution was on Don Covay’s “Mercy, Mercy”, laying down the lead guitar line for the soulful track later covered by the Rolling Stones.
Hendrix’s talents weren’t limited to R&B giants. He also found himself in the studio with the legendary Little Richard, providing the lead guitar for the infectious “I Don’t Know What You’ve Got, But It’s Got a Hold On Me” (later shortened to “It’s Got Me”). Interestingly, keyboardist Billy Preston also appears on the track, showcasing a future powerhouse collaboration.
While Hendrix’s time with Little Richard ended after a reported clash over a flamboyant shirt, his contributions to the rock and roll pioneer’s sound remain undeniable.
Eddie Van Halen – “Beat It” by Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson’s iconic song “Beat It” wouldn’t be the same without its scorching guitar solo. The man behind that solo? The one and only Eddie Van Halen. As the story goes, Eddie was famously underpaid for his work, reportedly receiving just “two packs of beer” for his electrifying contribution.
Adding another layer of intrigue, Eddie’s band, Van Halen, reportedly had a pact against side projects. To avoid any friction, Eddie kept his “Beat It” work under wraps, leading to him being uncredited on the song.
This secrecy might seem ironic in hindsight. “Beat It” helped propel Michael Jackson’s Thriller to the top of the charts, even surpassing Van Halen’s own album, 1984 for a period. For a brief moment in music history, Eddie Van Halen unknowingly had his guitar work on the #1 and #2 albums simultaneously.
Paul McCartney – “Vegetables” by The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys’ ambitious follow-up to Pet Sounds, titled Smile, sadly never saw the light of day in its original form. One of the unreleased tracks, “Vegetables” (originally spelled “Vega-Tables”), had a surprising connection to The Beatles. Brian Wilson, reportedly inspired by LSD and a desire to promote healthy eating, penned the song with a satirical edge. His goal? To get people excited about vegetables!
While rumors swirled of a possible (and likely fake) songwriting credit for Paul McCartney, his actual contribution was far less musical. According to McCartney himself, he was simply hanging out in the studio when Brian approached him with a unique request: to munch on some celery and record it.
Happy to oblige, McCartney became the anonymous celery muncher on this bizarre Beach Boys track. So, if you hear somebody munching celery, that’s me!” the Beatle shared. And that’s how the Beach Boys got the weirdest Macca contribution on one of their songs.