most prolific musician

[jesusbuiltmycar]

I was looking on Wikipedia at "A Perfect Circle" and clicked on their ex-drummer - Josh Freese. I knew he had played in a number of rock bands I like (I have seen him play live with NIN on a few occasions) but I didn't realize quite how many bands / artists he has worked with,

The rock bands include:
A Perfect Circle,
Paramore,
Nine Inch Nails,
The Vandals,
The Offspring,
Weezer,
Desert Sessions / Queens of the Stone Age
Guns N' Roses,
Mötley Crüe,
Slash

Apart from rock acts he has also played with a number of pop acts, including
Sting,
Katy Perry
Michael Buble
Selina Gomez
Ricky Martin
Avril Lavigne

According to the Wikipedia page he as appeared on close to 300 records!

Anyone know of any other highly prolific musicians?

[oddman]

Prince springs to mind

His official discography is prolific and that's the tip of the iceberg of what he's written/recorded

Also multi instrumentalist writer producer dancer etc.

Ludicrously punishing live schedule. Performing for hours in after show parties every night of his O2 stint. Mind Boggling

Neil Young is another - Hugely prolific but also devoting a lot of time and money to his technology projects (cars and music storage)

[Piersman2]

oddman said:

Prince springs to mind

His official discography is prolific and that's the tip of the iceberg of what he's written/recorded

Also multi instrumentalist writer producer dancer etc.

Ludicrously punishing live schedule. Performing for hours in after show parties every night of his O2 stint. Mind Boggling

Neil Young is another - Hugely prolific but also devoting a lot of time and money to his technology projects (cars and music storage)

+1 for Prince. My immediate thought also. All the above and more including writing and producing numerous other acts over the years.

[GetCarter]

I've written 42 albums (all published). Does that count?

Of the musicians I use, Ian Thomas seems to be the most prolific. Easier to list who he hasn't played with: http://www.discogs.com/artist/Ian+Thomas

[adam85]

As a Drummer myself, both Josh and Ian are absolute inspirations! One could only dream of a career like those guys

[MartinM]

Ian Thomas seems to pop up alot. I used to have a vhs recorded from the telly of Seal live in Dublin from the early 90's I used to play loads mainly because of Ians funky playing an amazing snare sound!

I've been lucky enough to secure some one-to-one coaching from Steve White and whilst Ive always loved his playing and sound I didnt realise just how prolific he has been particularly with his live playing. I love finding out that your musical heros have played on recordings you've always loved he sound of. Gavin Harrison springs to mind here and also bass players Pino Palladino and Nick Beggs.

[Drums]

GetCarter said:

I've written 42 albums (all published). Does that count?

:O Awesome stuff, couldn't think of a better job! Also some great drummers being mentioned in this thread!

[Kinky]

For me, it's got to be Pino Palladino

And a top lad too.

[Justin Cyder]

Marcus Miller is in the mix. Nigh on 600 credited appearances on record.

http://www.discogs.com/artist/Marcus+Miller#t=Cred...

[CrabDan]

Definitely Josh. Some of his solo stuff is quite good too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyqymHXPWvc

(Long video - The song is in there somewhere though. Sick with it)!

[mrmaggit]

At the moment it must be Joe Bonamassa, he's playing everywhere it seems, and with loads of people.

[Pothole]

Multi-instrumentalist David Lindley has worked with a few people...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Lindley_(musici...

Solo discography (excerpts)

1967 : Side Trips (Epic Records – with Kaleidoscope
1967 : A Beacon from Mars (Epic Records – With Kaleidoscope)
1969 : Incredible Kaleidoscope (Epic Records)
1970 : Bernice (Epic Records) with Kaleidoscope
1981 : El Rayo-X (Asylum)
1982 : Win This Record! (Asylum)
1983 : El Rayo Live
1985 : Mr. Dave
1988 : Very Greasy (Elektra) #174 US
1991 : OST The Indian Runner with Jack Nitzsche
1991 : A World Out of Time (Shanachie) with Henry Kaiser in Madagascar
1994 : The Sweet Sunny North (Shanachie Records) with Henry Kaiser in Norway
1994 : Wheels of the Sun by Kazu Matsui (Hermans records) with Hani Naser
1994 : Official Bootleg #1: Live In Tokyo Playing Real Good with Hani Naser
1995 : Cooder-Lindley Family Live at the Vienna Opera House with Ry Cooder
1995 : Song of Sacajawea (Rabbit Ears)
1995 : Official Bootleg #2: Live All Over the Place Playing Even Better with Hani Naser
2000 : Twango Bango Deluxe (with Wally Ingram)
2001 : Twango Bango II (with Wally Ingram)
2003 : Twango Bango III (with Wally Ingram)
2004 : Live in Europe (with Wally Ingram)
2008 : David Lindley—Big Twang

Discography with other musicians
1968 : Songs of Leonard Cohen (Columbia) with Leonard Cohen
1971 : Songs for Beginners (Atlantic) with Graham Nash
1973 : For Everyman (Asylum) with Jackson Browne
1973 : Wild Tales (Atlantic) with Graham Nash
1974 : Late for the Sky (Asylum) with Jackson Browne
1974 : Heart Like a Wheel (Capitol Records) with Linda Ronstadt
1975 : Prisoner In Disguise Asylum Records with Linda Ronstadt
1975 : Wind on the Water (ABC) with Crosby & Nash
1975 : Atlantic Crossing (Warner Bros. Records) with Rod Stewart
1976 : The Pretender (Asylum Records) with Jackson Browne
1976 : Warren Zevon with Warren Zevon
1976 : Whistling Down the Wire (ABC Records) with Crosby & Nash
1976 : A Night on the Town (Warner Bros.) with Rod Stewart
1976 : "Seed Of Memory" (ABC Records) with Terry Reid
1977 : Here You Come Again (RCA Victor) with Dolly Parton
1977 : Running on Empty (Asylum) with Jackson Browne
1977 : Simple Dreams (Asylum) with Linda Ronstadt
1979 : Bop Till You Drop (Warner Bros) with Ry Cooder
1980 : Hold Out (Asylum) with Jackson Browne
1980 : Earth & Sky (Capitol Records) with Graham Nash
1987 : Trio (Warner Bros. Records) with Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton
1987 : Sentimental Hygiene (Virgin) with Warren Zevon
1992 : Fat City (Columbia Records) with Shawn Colvin
1994 : Mutineer (Giant) with Warren Zevon
2003 : The Wind (Artemis Records) with Warren Zevon
2006 : Both Sides of the Gun (Virgin) with Ben Harper
2010 : Love is Strange: En Vivo Con Tino (Inside Recordings) live with Jackson Browne
2010 : The Promise (Columbia Records) with Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band


his playing on my all time favourite album of all time totally makes the album.

[Pothole]

In a similar vein, Russ Kunkel has drummed on much of the soundtrack of my youth:

Performer

Herb Alpert – Just You and Me (1976)
Bee Gees – Living Eyes (1981)
Barbi Benton – Something New (1975)
Stephen Bishop:
Careless (1976)
Bish (1978)
Red Cab to Manhattan (1980)
Ronee Blakley – Ronee Blakley (1972)
Karla Bonoff:
Karla Bonoff (1977)
Restless Nights (1979)
Wild Heart of the Young (1982)
Terence Boylan:
Terence Boylan (1977)
Suzy (1980)
Bread – Retrospective (1996)
Brewer & Shipley – Brewer & Shipley (1974)
Sarah Brightman – As I Came of Age (1998)
Jackson Browne:
Jackson Browne (1972)
For Everyman (1973)
The Pretender (1976)
Running on Empty (1977)
Hold Out (1980)
Lawyers in Love (1983)
Lives in the Balance (1986)
World in Motion (1989)
Jimmy Buffett:
Volcano (1979)
One Particular Harbour (1983)
Hot Water (1988)
Boats, Beaches, Bars & Ballads (1992)
J. J. Cale – Shades (1981)
Eric Carmen – Change of Heart (1978)
Harry Chapin:
Heads and Tales (1972)
Sniper and Other Love Songs (1972)
Beth Nielsen Chapman:
Beth Nielsen Chapman (1990)
You Hold the Key (1993)
Tracy Chapman:
Crossroads (1989)
Collection (2001)
Clannad:
Sirius (1987)
Past Present (1989)
A Magical Gathering: The Clannad Anthology (2002)
Rita Coolidge:
Fall into Spring (1974)
Heartbreak Radio (1981)
Dana Cooper – Dana Cooper (1973)
Beverley Craven – Love Scenes (1993)
David Crosby:
Oh Yes I Can (1989)
Thousand Roads (1993)
Crosby & Nash:
Wind on the Water (1975)
Whistling Down the Wire (1976)
Live (1977)
Crosby & Nash (2004)
Crosby, Stills & Nash:
CSN (1977)
Daylight Again (1982)
Carry On (1998)
Greatest Hits (2005)
Rodney Crowell – Diamonds & Dirt (1989)
Aselin Debison – Sweet Is the Melody (2002)
Jackie DeShannon – To Be Free (1970)
Neil Diamond:
Beautiful Noise (1976)
Christmas Album (1992)
Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building (1993)
In My Lifetime (1996)
Classics: The Early Years/Jazz Singer/Beautiful Noise (1997)
Three Chord Opera (2001)
Denny Doherty – Watcha' Gonna Do? (1971)
Bob Dylan:
New Morning (1970)
Dylan (1973)
Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid (1973)
Masterpieces (1978)
Yvonne Elliman – Night Flight (1978)
England Dan & John Ford Coley – Fables (1971)
The Everly Brothers – Stories We Could Tell (1972)
Don Felder – Airborne (1983)
Dan Fogelberg:
Souvenirs (1974)
Captured Angel (1975)
Nether Lands (1977)
Phoenix (1979)
The Innocent Age (1981)
Windows and Walls (1984)
High Country Snows (1985)
Exiles (1987)
The Wild Places (1990)
River of Souls (1993)
Glenn Frey – Soul Searchin' (1988)
Richie Furay – I Still Have Dreams (1979)
Art Garfunkel:
Breakaway (1975)
Scissors Cut (1981)
Songs from a Parent to a Child (1997)
David Gates:
First (1973)
Goodbye Girl (1978)
Falling in Love Again (1980)
Debbie Gibson – Think With Your Heart (1995)
Louise Goffin – Kid Blue (1979)
Andrew Gold:
What's Wrong With This Picture (1976)
All This and Heaven Too (1978)
Jimmy Griffin – Breakin' Up Is Easy (1974)
Nanci Griffith – Lone Star State of Mind (1987)
Arlo Guthrie:
Amigo (1976)
Power of Love (1982)
Emmylou Harris:
The Ballad of Sally Rose (1985)
Portraits (1996)
Don Henley – I Can't Stand Still (1982)
Bill Hughes[disambiguation needed] – Dream Master (1979)
Brian Hyland – Brian Hyland (1970)
Elton John and Tim Rice – Aida (1999)
Tom Jones – Lead and How to Swing It (1994)
Casey Kelly – Casey Kelly (1972)
B.B. King:
Indianola Mississippi Seeds (1970)
Best of B.B. King (1973)
King of the Blues (1992)
Greatest Hits (1998)
Anthology (2000)
80 (2005)
Ultimate Collection (2005)
Carole King:
Music (1971)
Tapestry (1971)
Thoroughbred (1976)
Speeding Time (1983)
Love Makes the World (2001)
Leah Kunkel – Leah Kunkel (1979)
Lyle Lovett:
Joshua Judges Ruth (1992)
I Love Everybody (1994)
The Road to Ensenada (1996)
Step Inside This House (1998)
My Baby Don't Tolerate (2003)
Smile (2003)
It's Not Big It's Large (2007)
Kate Markowitz – Map of the World (2003)
Richard Marx – Paid Vacation (1994)
Reba McEntire:
Last One to Know (1987)
Reba (1988)
Sweet Sixteen (1989)
Kate and Anna McGarrigle – Kate and Anna McGarrigle (1975)
Roger McGuinn:
Peace on You (1974)
Born to Rock & Roll (1992)
Roger McGuinn/Peace on You (2004)
Bette Midler – Broken Blossom (1977)
Joni Mitchell:
Ladies of the Canyon (1970)
Blue (1971)
For the Roses (1972)
Maria Muldaur – Sweet Harmony/Open Your Eyes (2003)
Anne Murray – Anne Murray (1996)
Graham Nash:
Earth & Sky (1980)
Songs for Survivors (2002)
Aaron Neville:
Warm Your Heart (1991)
Ultimate Collection (2001)
Stevie Nicks:
Bella Donna (1981)
The Wild Heart (1983)
Rock a Little (1985)
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band:
Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy (1970)
Stars & Stripes Forever (1974)
Dirt, Silver & Gold (1976)
Dolly Parton – Heartbreak Express (1982)
Shawn Phillips:
Bright White (1973)
Spaced (1977)
Bonnie Raitt – Nine Lives (1986)
Willis Alan Ramsey – Willis Alan Ramsey (1972)
Helen Reddy – Helen Reddy (1971)
Linda Ronstadt:
Don't Cry Now (1973)
Heart Like a Wheel (1974)
Prisoner in Disguise (1975)
Hasten Down the Wind (1976)
Living in the U.S.A. (1978)
Mad Love (1980)
Get Closer (1982)
Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind (1989)
Winter Light (1994)
Feels Like Home (1995)
We Ran (1998)
Mi Jardin Azul: Las Canciones Favoritas (2004)
Diana Ross – Force Behind the Power (1991)
Shawna Russell: "Goddess" (2007)
Jennifer Rush – Heart Over Mind (1987)
Carole Bayer Sager:
Carole Bayer Sager (1977)
Too (1978)
Sanne Salomonsen:
Where Blue Begins (1991)
Sannes Bästa, Vol. 2 (2000)
Leo Sayer – Leo Sayer (1978)
Seals and Crofts:
Summer Breeze (1972)
Year of Sunday (1972)
Neil Sedaka:
Sedaka's Back (1975)
Steppin' Out (1976)
In the Pocket (1980)
Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band:
The Distance (1982)
Like a Rock (1986)
The Fire Inside (1991)
It's a Mystery (1995)
Greatest Hits 2 (2003)
Feargal Sharkey – Wish (1988)
Carly Simon:
Hotcakes (1974)
Playing Possum (1975)
Spoiled Girl (1985)
Coming Around Again (1987)
This Is My Life (1992)
Anthology (2002)
Reflections: Carly Simon's Greatest Hits (2004)
J.D. Souther – Black Rose (1976)
Jimmie Spheeris – Original Tap Dancing Kid (1973)
Rick Springfield – Mission Magic (1974)
Stealin Horses – Stealin Horses (1985)
Al Stewart:
24 Carrots (1980)
Just Yesterday (2005)
John Stewart:
Willard (1970)
The Lonesome Picker Rides Again (1971)
Sunstorm (1971)
Wingless Angels (1975)
Bombs Away Dream Babies (1979)
Dream Babies Go Hollywood (1980)
Stephen Stills:
Live (1975)
Stills (1975)
Turnin' Back the Pages (2003)
Man Alive (2005)
Barbra Streisand – Emotion (1984)
Talbot Bros.– Talbot Bros. (1974)
James Taylor:
Sweet Baby James (1970)
Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon (1971)
One Man Dog (1972)
Gorilla (1975)
Greatest Hits (1976)
In the Pocket (1976)
JT (1977)
Flag (1979)
Kate Taylor – Sister Kate (1971)
Livingston Taylor – Man's Best Friend (1980)
Uncle Kracker:
No Stranger to Shame (2002)
Seventy Two and Sunny (2004)
Anna Vissi – Everything I Am (2001)
Joe Walsh:
So What (1975)
There Goes the Neighborhood (1981)
Wendy Waldman – Love Has Got Me (1973)
Jamie Walters:
Jamie Walters (1994)
Ride (1997)
Jennifer Warnes – Jennifer Warnes (1977)
Was (Not Was) – What Up, Dog? (1988)
Jimmy Webb – Suspending Disbelief (1993)
Paul Williams:
Life Goes On (1972)
Just An Old Fashioned Love Song (1971)
Carnie and Wendy Wilson – Hey Santa! (1993)
Wilson Phillips – California (2004)
Steve Winwood – Refugees of the Heart (1990)
Bill Withers:
Menagerie (1977)
'Bout Love (1979)
Neil Young – Comes a Time (1978)
Neil Young & Crazy Horse – Zuma (1975)
Warren Zevon:
Excitable Boy (1978)
The Envoy (1982)
I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (An Anthology) (1996)
Genius: The Best of Warren Zevon (2002)
Cecilio & Kapono – Cecilio and Kapono (1988)

Soundtracks


Arachnophobia (1990)
Catwalk (1994)
Certain Fury (1985)
Clockstoppers (2002)
Coast to Coast (1977)
Dr. T & the Women (2000)
Moment by Moment (1978)
Roadhouse (1989)
Straight Talk (1992)
Warriors (1979)
RV (2006)

Producer

Jimmy Buffett:
Fruitcakes (1994)
Barometer Soup (1995)
Banana Wind (1996)
Christmas Island (1996)
Beach House on the Moon (1999)
Meet Me In Margaritaville: The Ultimate Collection (2003)
Clannad:
Rogha: The Best of Clannad (1997)
Ultimate Collection (1997)
Greatest Hits (2000)
Best of Clannad: In a Lifetime (2004)
The Derek Trucks Band —Joyful Noise (2002)
Dan Fogelberg —Love Songs (1995)
Aaron Neville —20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The (2002)
Carly Simon:
Clouds In My Coffee (1995)
The Very Best of Carly Simon: Nobody Does It Better (1998)
"Coming Around Again" (1987)
"Spoiled Girl" (1985)
Jane Wiedlin:
Jane Wiedlin (1985)
Very Best of Jane Wiedlin (1993)

[StevieBee]

Al Vosper has to be up there. You've probably never heard of him but you will have certainly heard him!