One of the more interesting sightings that can happen during a music videois seeing special cameo appearances from other musicians. Much like the times whendifferent celebrities appear in music videos, finding these is like discovering hidden treasures. However, once you know, it adds to the legacy of each tune they’re part of.
Many of the musicians who appear are not even in the video with the intention of adding much to the actual song. Instead, they try their hand at acting,showcasing another side of their skills. A music video for another musician may seem like an odd place to hone their craft, butmany actors have done this before landing iconic roles.
It remains to be seen if these will surpass therock videos with over one billion views on YouTube, but there’s a chance. In some cases,the visuals that these specific cameos provide deserve to be seen. It’ll be hard to find half of the most iconic band reunited anywhere other than a 1989 Tom Petty music video.
10Chris Kirkpatrick
A Day To Remember - 2nd Sucks
When considering A Day to Remember, known for being leaders of metalcore and pop punk, a name that probably won’t come up in correlation is *NSYNC. However, there is actually a connection between the two.This can be seen in their music video for the song “2nd Sucks,“one of the heavier tracks on their 2010 album.
His presence can’t be missed as he is featured as the thumbnail.
In the video,*NSYNC’s Chris Kirkpatrick can be seen playing the bouncer. This occurs at the beginning of the video as he warns some kids that he has his eye on them. In fact, his presence can’t be missed as he is featured as the thumbnail. This is one cameo that many didn’t see coming but has become iconic.
9Dave Grohl
Tenacious D -Tribute
The relationship between the Foo Fighters and Tenacious D has included a few collaborations between the bands over the years in terms of acting. As Tenacious D was just beginning,one of their premier songs from their debut was “Tribute.“This is a tune they would eventually release as a single and promote in various ways.
Among all they attempted with the track was their well-known music video. This is where Foo Fighters' frontman Dave Grohl would step in to play the demon character. His role is perhaps the most recognizable scene from the entire production. When you watch it,Grohl is hard to miss, even though he doesn’t quite look like himself.
8Ice-T & Matt Heafy
Asking Alexandria - Moving On
In their earlier days, Asking Alexandria had a distinct sound as a leading band in metalcore. Although this didn’t make it easy for them to become mainstream at first, they continued perfecting it until they gained worldwide recognition. Moving away from being strictly metal,they unveiled one of their best hard rock songs, “Moving On.”
For various reasons, this tune has become a huge hit for the band. One of those is the music video, which shows them living life on the road. An intriguing aspect of the video was a cameo from Trivium frontman Matt Heafy. However, what really turned headswas an appearance by the legendary Ice-T and his wife Coco.
7Steve Strange
David Bowie - Ashes To Ashes
Part of what made David Bowie an incredible artist was his ability to dream bigger than anyone thought possible. When it came to the music video for his song “Ashes to Ashes,” Bowie didn’t care about the cost;he wanted perfection. With that in mind, the video became one of the most expensive shoots of all time.
At the very center of it all was Welsh musician Steve Strange. He was the lead vocalist for the band Visage and a key figure in the New Romantic subculture movement, which was inspired by Bowie. This video allowed for the combination of both of these unique artists,showcasing the originality that became so beloved.
6Steel Panther
Corey Taylor - Samantha’s Gone
Throughout his career, Corey Taylor has become an iconic voice in the industry. As the frontman for Slipknot and Stone Sour, he has been part of many triumphs that have bolstered his legacy. In addition to being in those bands, he has also pursued solo work, with his debut arriving in 2020. One of the hit songs was “Samantha’s Gone.”
The band that is keeping hair metal alive was one of the main focuses.
With his massive reach, Taylor could have chosen many different people to be in the video. That’s why Steel Panther’s selection was a tremendous honor. The band that is keeping hair metal alive was one of the main focuses of this, giving them a spotlight that was just as big as when they appeared onAmerica’s Got Talent.
5Jack Black
Gorillaz - Humility
It is well-known how talented Jack Black is. From playing music to acting, it feels like there is no art he can’t conquer. In the animated band the Gorillaz’s video for their song “Humility,” Black showcased multiple sides of his skills. Alongside the animated figures,he was the main focus as they took to the streets of Venice Beach.
He can be seen walking around various locations with his guitar in hand. His upbeat nature shines through the screen as he moves around playing the track. At times, the animated figures can be seen passing by him. The video is a fun watch and aligns well with the song,which possesses dreamlike qualities.
4Flavor Flav
Taking Back Sunday - You’re So Last Summer
There are many things that artists can do to stand out when making their debut. In 2002, Taking Back Sunday released their debut studio album, with one of the hits being “You’re So Last Summer.” While the song on its own was good enough to garner attention,the music video was what was truly striking.
As the video begins, the band is seen walking toward the stage. Then, a limo arrives, with no one expecting what would come next. Out of the limo steps legendary Public Enemy member Flavor Flav. Throughout the song, he is shown on stage performing alongside the band.This was one of the most unexpected cameos, but it worked well.
3Lemmy Kilmister
Foo Fighters - White Limo
In 2011, the Foo Fighters released their seventh studio album,Wasting Light. As they had done many times before, the band seized the opportunity to create memorable moments for its promotion. One of those was the music video for the song “White Limo,“which starred Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmister.
In the video, Lemmy plays the limo driver, seen throughout as he picks up the band members at various points. Although the video appears weathered, it is very modern. Sadly, with Lemmy’s death in 2015, this is among the list of his final projects, butit depicts him in a happy state, creating a beautiful memory.
2Gary Barlow
Paul McCartney - Queenie Eye
Paul McCartney is an icon known for being a member of the Beatles and a legendary musician in general. 2013 marked his 16th studio album, and as expected of him, the production was magnificent. For the making of the video for his song “Queenie Eye,” he enlisted many familiar faces that can be seen throughout.
Barlow got to be alongside the likes of Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep, placing him in elite company.
One of the prominent faces in the video is Gary Barlow. Not only is Barlow one of the United Kingdom’s most successful songwriters, but he was in the group Take That and served as a judge on multiple shows. For this shoot, Barlow got to be alongside the likes of Johnny Depp and Meryl Streep, placing him in elite company.
1George Harrison & Ringo Starr
Tom Petty - I Won’t Back Down
Throughout Tom Petty’s tremendous discography, one of the most well-known songs is “I Won’t Back Down.” This tune comes from Petty’s 1989 debut solo album,Full Moon Fever. Immediately, it became an anthem, known for its central message of persevering, regardless of the circumstances. As legendary as the song is, there’s another key element to its legacy.
The music video features two members of The Beatles: George Harrison on guitar and Ringo Starr on drums. Given all the history surrounding it, seeing these two together was an iconic sight. Perhaps it doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves, butit is a unique piece of music history.
