7 Times Classic Rock Bands Collaborated with the Most Unlikely Artists

Classic rock bands are usually known for sticking to their own style, but there have been times when they worked with unexpected artists. These collaborations brought different sounds together, surprising fans and critics. Some worked well, while others left people confused. Whether it was a rock legend teaming up with a pop star or a heavy band working with a rapper, these moments stood out in music history.

Metallica and Lou Reed – Lulu

Metallica, known for their heavy metal sound, teamed up with Lou Reed in 2011 for Lulu. The album featured Reed’s spoken-word style over Metallica’s instrumentals. Fans of both artists found it difficult to connect with the music.

Reed had originally planned to record the songs alone but decided to involve Metallica after performing with them at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s 25th anniversary concert. The result was an experimental album that received mixed reviews. Some listeners appreciated the risk, while others saw it as a mismatch between two completely different styles.

Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. – Walk This Way

Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. changed music history when they remade Walk This Way in 1986. The original version was already a hit for Aerosmith in 1975, but the new version blended rock and hip-hop in a way that had never been done before.

Producer Rick Rubin convinced Run-D.M.C. to cover the song, even though they were unfamiliar with it. When Steven Tyler and Joe Perry joined the session, they added live vocals and guitar. The song’s success helped break down barriers between rock and hip-hop, introducing both genres to new audiences.

Queen and David Bowie – Under Pressure

In 1981, Queen and David Bowie recorded Under Pressure, creating one of the most famous rock duets ever. The collaboration happened by chance when Bowie visited Queen’s studio in Switzerland. They started jamming and ended up creating the song.

The track was built around John Deacon’s bassline, with Freddie Mercury and Bowie trading vocals. While the recording process had creative tensions, the result was a hit that has stood the test of time. It remains one of the most recognizable songs from either artist’s career.

The Rolling Stones and K.D. Lang – Anybody Seen My Baby?

In 1997, The Rolling Stones released Anybody Seen My Baby?, a song that featured background vocals from Canadian singer K.D. Lang. The band noticed similarities between their melody and Lang’s Constant Craving, leading them to credit her as a co-writer.

The decision helped avoid legal disputes, and Lang’s involvement added a different touch to the track. Though not a full duet, her voice is noticeable in the background. The song was one of the highlights from Bridges to Babylon and reached audiences outside of the Stones’ usual fan base.

Kiss and Michael Bolton – Forever

Kiss is best known for hard rock and theatrics, but in 1989, they released Forever, a power ballad co-written with Michael Bolton. The song was featured on their album Hot in the Shade and became one of their biggest hits of the era.

Bolton, who was still transitioning from rock to adult contemporary music, helped write the song’s melody. Kiss’s stripped-down approach, including acoustic guitar and heartfelt lyrics, gave the band a hit that appealed to a wider audience. While different from their usual style, Forever became a fan favorite.

Def Leppard and Taylor Swift – Photograph (Live)

Def Leppard’s 2008 collaboration with Taylor Swift was an unusual pairing. They performed together on the CMT show Crossroads, which featured rock and country artists joining forces. One of the standout performances was their version of Photograph.

Swift, an early fan of Def Leppard, added harmonies and a country twist to the song. The performance introduced the band to younger listeners while also showing Swift’s ability to step into a different genre. While unexpected, the collaboration was well-received by fans of both artists.

Pink Floyd and Stéphane Grappelli – Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here album originally included a guest appearance from jazz violinist Stéphane Grappelli. The band invited him to play on the title track, adding a violin solo that was later almost completely removed from the final version.

Grappelli’s contribution remained buried in the mix, with only faint traces of his playing still audible. The decision to remove his part was made during production, but the collaboration remains one of the more unexpected moments in Pink Floyd’s recording history. Years later, fans discovered the lost violin part in archived recordings.