What about Ronnie Wood?
Nah, he had a legit career with Jeff Beck and The Small Faces. He wouldn't have toured stadia, but then again, neither would Jagger or Richard without the other.
I strenuously object to both Lars and Ringo Starr on this list. Lars was the hustle behind Metallica in the early years; I don't think he has the pure musical talent that Hetfield does, but in terms of his marketing, business sense, arranging skills, and public relations, there is no Metallica without Lars. As for Starr, he may not be "Mike Mangini", but then again, he didn't have to be. He held his own for ten years with three of the best musicians this planet has ever known (and in my estimation, the greatest living musician on the planet right now, Sir Paul McCartney).
And Kattleox can blow me.
Serious answers:
- Gilby Clark
- Ian Hill (though I've come to understand that he does a lot of behind the scenes stuff)
- Michael Anthony (not to say he sucks - he killed it when I saw him with Chickenfoot - but Different Kind of Truth tells me he's not integral to VH)
- Tony Kaye (we only know him because of Wakeman, Moraz, et al. In my opinion he can't hold a candle to them)
- Peter Criss (he had three good years, and then became a liability)
- Donna Godchaux (in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. I tend to collect this era of the Dead, but I defy you to find me even ONE performance that warrants that. ONE.)