Albums With Surprising Guest Appearances

Surprise! The Most Unexpected Guest Appearances in Music History

When we think of our favorite artists, we often associate them with a specific genre or style. But what happens when they team up with someone from a completely different musical world? The result is often a fascinating and unexpected collaboration that leaves us wondering what led to the partnership. From rock icons to pop sensations, many artists have surprised us with their guest appearances on other artists’ albums. In this article, we’ll delve into some of the most surprising and intriguing guest appearances in music history, showcasing the power of collaboration and creative risk-taking in the music world.

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Yes, some truly unexpected partnerships have happened in real life. From disco divas to horror icons, many surprising figures have made album cameos that left fans astounded.

Here are some of the most surprising guest appearances in music history.

Metallica – “The Memory Remains” (with Marianne Faithfull)

For their song “The Memory Remains” from the 1997 album Reload, Metallica enlisted Marianne Faithfull for the haunting female vocals. Known for her connections with The Rolling Stones and her rock ‘n’ roll legacy, Faithfull’s raspy voice added a unique texture to the track.

It was Lars Ulrich who tracked down Faithfull’s number and convinced her to participate. She not only contributed to the song but also appeared in its music video and performed live with Metallica at the Fillmore in San Francisco in 2011.

Nightwish – “Shudder Before the Beautiful” / “The Greatest Show on Earth” (with Professor Richard Dawkins)

In 2015, Finnish symphonic metal band Nightwish featured evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins on two tracks: “Shudder Before the Beautiful” and “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Dawkins, author of The Selfish Gene, was a major influence on Nightwish leader Tuomas Holopainen.

Despite being a classical music enthusiast and initially unfamiliar with Nightwish, Dawkins embraced the opportunity and even performed with the band at Wembley Arena in 2015. His involvement brought an intellectual depth to the album.

Twisted Sister – “Be Chrool to Your Scuel” (with Billy Joel)

Twisted Sister’s “Be Chrool to Your Scuel” features Billy Joel on piano, a surprising collaboration considering Joel’s mainstream pop image. Before his rise to fame and marriage to Christie Brinkley, Joel was in a metal band called Attila.

“We knew him from Long Island,” Twisted Sister vocalist Dee Snider recalled. “So, we just asked him if he’d do it, and you know what? Billy loved the session!”

Manowar – “Dark Avenger” (with Orson Welles)

Orson Welles, the legendary filmmaker behind Citizen Kane and famous for his radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds, provided the narration for Manowar’s “Dark Avenger.” Recorded for their 1982 album Battle Hymns, Welles’ deep, commanding voice brought a theatrical gravitas to the track.

Welles also recorded a spoken word piece for the song “Defender,” which was later used on Manowar’s Fighting the World album. His involvement elevated the band’s epic storytelling.

Korn – “Earache My Eye” (with Cheech Marin)

Korn collaborated with actor and comedian Cheech Marin on their hidden track “Earache My Eye.” Known for his work with the comedy duo Cheech & Chong, Marin’s counterculture reputation made him a fitting choice for this rebellious song.

The original “Earache My Eye” was recorded by Cheech & Chong in 1974, reflecting the duo’s influence on rock and roll culture. Korn’s cover featuring Marin paid homage to the original’s irreverent spirit.

Cradle of Filth – “The Twisted Nails of Faith” (with Ingrid Pitt)

In 1998, Cradle of Filth created a concept album based on Countess Elizabeth Bathory’s life, featuring scream queen Ingrid Pitt. Pitt, who portrayed Bathory in the 1971 film Countess Dracula, reprised her role for the album.

Despite not being familiar with Cradle of Filth’s music, Pitt recorded her parts without hearing the tracks. She later admitted, “I gather it’s very noisy. Not what I like. But the band seemed like nice boys.”

Saxon – “Party ‘Til You Puke” / “Northern Lady” (with Sir Elton John)

New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) band Saxon had Sir Elton John play piano on “Party ‘Til You Puke” and “Northern Lady” from their 1986 album. John, recording an album in the same studio, was asked by producer Gary Lyons to contribute.

“We thought it would be funny having him play on a song called ‘Party ‘Til You Puke’,” Saxon’s Biff Byford recalled. “But he had fun doing it, and it came out well.”

Motörhead – “Blessing” (with Michael Palin)

Monty Python’s Michael Palin appeared on Motörhead’s track “Blessing,” recorded at Redwood Studios in London, which he co-owns. Palin, a cricket enthusiast, recorded his part in his cricket attire, adding a touch of humor to the session.

“Lemmy was a huge Monty Python fan and could quote whole sketches,” Palin recalled. “We thought our fans would enjoy the humor of having Michael Palin on the album,” Lemmy later said.

Gene Simmons – “Burning Up With Fever” / “Tunnel of Love” (with Donna Summer)

For his 1978 solo album, Gene Simmons of Kiss featured disco queen Donna Summer on “Burning Up With Fever” and “Tunnel of Love.” Summer, also signed to Casablanca Records, brought her distinctive vocal style to the tracks.

This collaboration foreshadowed Kiss’s 1979 disco hit “I Was Made for Lovin’ You,” showing Simmons’ willingness to experiment with different genres.

Alice Cooper – “Billion Dollar Babies” (with Donovan)

In a surprising collaboration, folk singer Donovan guested on Alice Cooper’s “Billion Dollar Babies.” Known for his gentle, hippy-era songs like “Catch the Wind” and “Hurdy Gurdy Man,” Donovan’s appearance on Cooper’s shock rock album was unexpected.

Despite the contrast in their musical styles, Donovan’s falsetto vocals added an eerie layer to the title track, creating a memorable collaboration.

Foo Fighters – “La Dee Da” (with Alison Mosshart)

Foo Fighters’ 2017 album Concrete and Gold featured The Kills’ Alison Mosshart on the track “La Dee Da.” Mosshart’s gritty voice complemented Dave Grohl’s rock vocals, adding a raw edge to the song.

Grohl, a longtime fan of Mosshart’s work, praised her contribution, saying, “Alison’s one of my favorite singers. She brought something special to the track.”

Paul McCartney – “FourFiveSeconds” (with Rihanna and Kanye West)

In a cross-genre collaboration, Paul McCartney teamed up with Rihanna and Kanye West for the 2015 hit “FourFiveSeconds.” The acoustic-driven track highlighted McCartney’s timeless songwriting, Rihanna’s powerful vocals, and Kanye’s innovative production.

This unexpected trio created a song that transcended their individual styles, showcasing the magic of diverse musical partnerships.

U2 – “When Love Comes to Town” (with B.B. King)

In 1988, U2 collaborated with blues legend B.B. King on “When Love Comes to Town” from their album Rattle and Hum. The song blended U2’s rock sound with King’s soulful blues, creating a powerful and moving track.

The collaboration was a dream come true for Bono, who idolized King. They performed the song together on several occasions, including during U2’s Lovetown Tour.

The Rolling Stones – “Doom and Gloom” (with Florence Welch)

For their 2012 compilation album GRRR!, The Rolling Stones invited Florence Welch of Florence + The Machine to duet with Mick Jagger on “Doom and Gloom.” Welch’s dynamic voice meshed well with Jagger’s iconic style, adding a modern twist to the Stones’ classic sound.

This collaboration highlighted the Stones’ ability to stay relevant by partnering with contemporary artists.

Linkin Park – “A Light That Never Comes” (with Steve Aoki)

Linkin Park’s electronic collaboration with DJ Steve Aoki on “A Light That Never Comes” from their 2013 remix album Recharged showcased the band’s versatility. Combining Aoki’s electronic beats with Linkin Park’s rock elements, the song became a fan favorite.

The partnership was a testament to Linkin Park’s willingness to experiment and push musical boundaries.

These surprising guest appearances demonstrate how artists from different genres can come together to create unique and memorable music. Whether through unexpected collaborations or unlikely partnerships, these album cameos add an exciting dimension to the music world, continually surprising and delighting fans.

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Megan Decker: Megan Decker contributes to MarkMeets.com as a freelance writer, bringing her passion for beauty and lifestyle content to our platform. With a talent for storytelling and a strong editorial voice, Megan shares engaging pieces tailored to modern audiences. Please note: she is not affiliated with other individuals of the same name in media.