10 Greatest Rock Bands With More Than Two Guitarists

4. Foo Fighters

Though the title of this entry says "Foo Fighters", it's really about one man and his journey to being accepted into one of the biggest rock bands of the modern era.

Pat Smear first worked with Dave Grohl when Smear joined Nirvana as a touring member in 1993. Following Kurt Cobain's death and Grohl's subsequent solo project, Pat became a member of the original incarnation of the Foos, appearing on just one album, The Colour and The Shape.

Smear left the band in 1997, but would re-join as a session/touring musician in 2005. By this time, they had established their classic line-up of Grohl on vocals and guitars, Chris Shiflett on lead guitar, Nate Mendel on bass, and Taylor Hawkins on drums. It didn't seem like there was any room for Pat, but luck was on his side.

After a 13-year hiatus, Pat Smear was once again made a core member of the Foo Fighters in 2010 and has been there ever since. This was a hugely cathartic moment for his supporters, as a man who had contributed so much to the band, as well as the wider music scene, was finally getting his dues.

Contributor
Contributor

Jacob Simmons has a great many passions, including rock music, giving acclaimed films three-and-a-half stars, watching random clips from The Simpsons on YouTube at 3am, and writing about himself in the third person.