A
session player is generally a far better musician than most
rock stars, and
many session players have gone on to become stars in their own right, including:
Jimmy Page - played on records by
the Kinks,
Joe Meek and others before joining
the Yardbirds and forming
Led Zeppelin
John Paul Jones - also a session player before joining Zeppelin, playing with, among others
Donovan and
P. J. Proby.
Glen Campbell - Played on records by
Phil Spector,
Nancy Sinatra,
the Monkees and the
Beach Boys among many others before his solo career.
Leon Russel - Another of
Phil Spector's '
Wrecking Crew', also played for the
Beach Boys
Mac Rebennack (
Dr John) - Played for Spector,
Sonny And Cher and
Nancy Sinatra among others.
Luther Vandross - started out as a backing vocalist for
David Bowie
Elton John - played with
Long John Baldry and
The Hollies
And many, many more...