I think it's interesting to see a guitar/ bass/ keyboard player or a drummer taking over the main vocals in the song.

I came up with a couple of examples:

 

- The Edge in "Numb" by U2

- Bjorn in "Does Your Mother Know" by Abba

- Chris Lowe in "Paninaro" by Pet Shop Boys

 

Any more ideas?

Keyboardist Neil Codling provided the vocals for several of Suede's b-sides, including the wonderful Waterloo (b-side for Electricity):

 

 

The only song by The Cure that Robert Smith doesn't sing on is a cover of Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix on their debut album, sung by Michael Dempsey (who left the band after this album). It is said that the record company recorded the band's soundcheck, then put in on the album without their knowledge, hence the spoken word intro.

 

 

Coffee & TV by Blur (Graham Coxon)

No Frontiers by The Corrs (Sharon & Caroline)

Take That - Shine (Mark Owen)

Both "Boxing Champ" and "Remember You're A Girl" by Kaiser Chiefs, sung by Nick Hodgson.

 

I think Taylor Hawkins from Foo Fighters sang "Cold Day In The Sun" but I could be wrong...

Probably the most obvious one is Noel Gallagher singing on a lot of Oasis tracks.

 

I seem to recall System of a Down fans complaining that on their later stuff Serj Tankian didn't do a lot of the vocals, and they were done by other members of the band.

this is pushing it slightly, but Ringo Starr sang on a few of The Beatles hits like Yellow Submarine and With a Little Help From My Friends, I know all the Beatles sang, but he was probably the one you'd least remember for it (I believe he's the only Beatle without a solo number 1 single)

 

also not exactly retro, but Noodle from Gorillaz sung lead vocals on Dare, whereas its usually 2D :P

There are loads of bands with multiple singers who aren't recognised as the lead (eg - The Clash, Queen, Bangles, XTC, Libertines, Ramones, Oasis, Jesus & Mary Chain, SOAD, Beatles etc) but in terms of singles only:

 

R.E.M. - Near Wild Heaven

Pixies - Gigantic

Those are the only two that leap to mind right now

Found some more examples:

 

The Cars - Drive (Benjamin Orr)

Take That - Never Forget (Howard)

Kiss - I Love It Loud (Gene Simmons)

 

S Club 7 - Natural (Rachel)

Steps - 5,6,7,8 (Lee)

Bruce Foxton sings lead on the two Jam singles "News Of The World" and "David Watts". Both songs do feature some vocals by Paul Weller but Foxton is the lead vocalist.

 

 

Martin Gore sings lead vocals on Depeche Mode's Somebody, A Question of Lust and Home.

Roger Taylor and Brian May sung on album tracks for Queen.

 

Alan Lancaster did a few album tracks for Status Quo whereas Francis/Rick are the regular singers.

 

 

Martin Gore sings lead vocals on Depeche Mode's Somebody, A Question of Lust and Home.

 

which, weirdly enough, are 3 of the band's best ever singles... especially A Question of Lust which I still think should be sung by someone like Shirley Bassey - it's one of those kind of songs...huuuuge.

Everybody sung lead vocals in Teenage Fanclub apart from Brendan O'Hare / Paul Quinn.

 

I also remember everyone making a big fuss because Dave Grohl sang lead vocals on the Nirvana B-side 'Marigold' some years back. Who'd have thought it, eh?

The Monkees hits were split between Micky Dolenz (7) & Davy Jones (3) as lead singers.

Micky Dolenz:

Last Train To Clarksville

I'm A Believer

Randy Scouse Git (Alternate Title)

Pleasant Valley Sunday

DW Washburn

Teardop City

Someday Man

 

Davy Jones:

A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You

Daydream Believer

Valleri

I think Gerry Polci sang lead on "December '63" by the four seasons, instead of the more famous singer Frankie Valli.

Having said that, Polci sang vocals on several of their hits around that time.

this is pushing it slightly, but Ringo Starr sang on a few of The Beatles hits like Yellow Submarine and With a Little Help From My Friends, I know all the Beatles sang, but he was probably the one you'd least remember for it (I believe he's the only Beatle without a solo number 1 single)

 

also not exactly retro, but Noodle from Gorillaz sung lead vocals on Dare, whereas its usually 2D :P

Another Beatles song Ringo sang was Octopus's Garden

Another Beatles song Ringo sang was Octopus's Garden

And Act Naturally

The Monkees hits were split between Micky Dolenz (7) & Davy Jones (3) as lead singers.

Micky Dolenz:

Last Train To Clarksville

I'm A Believer

Randy Scouse Git (Alternate Title)

Pleasant Valley Sunday

DW Washburn

Teardop City

Someday Man

 

Davy Jones:

A Little Bit Me A Little Bit You

Daydream Believer

Valleri

 

 

For some reason, and, I may very well be wrong, Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork handled lead vocals on some of the minor songs they did... :unsure: :unsure: :unsure:

 

Listen to the Band-Mike Nesmith

 

Whiter Shade of Gray-Peter Tork