History Main / LeadSingerPlaysLeadGuitar

The lead singer is often seen as the face of the band, being the most recognizable member and sometimes the main songwriter. The lead guitarist, meanwhile, is usually the second most recognizable member, astonishing the audience with flashy licks and guitar solos. Either one of these roles often requires a great amount of talent, and as such, the two members will just focus on mastering their instrument of choice. If either member decides to momentarily dabble in the other's role, it will often be for accompaniment. For example: the lead singer will play simple rhythmic chords, and the lead guitarist can do basic backup vocals.

This is often the case with solo guitarists who wish to sing their own songs. As well as trio bands with only one guitarist and said guitarist is the lead vocalist ([[VocalTagTeam or co-lead vocalist]]). It can also occur if the former lead singer quit the band or passed away and the lead guitarist has to StepUpToTheMicrophone.

Compare LeadBassist and LeadDrummer, where the bassist and drummer are the lead singers, respectively.

* Music/PinkFloyd veered in and out of this. In the band's early years, they were fronted by guitarist, vocalist, and lead songwriter Music/SydBarrett. When his mental health declined, keyboardist Richard Wright took over before handing the reins to bassist Music/RogerWaters (who consequently became LeadBassist). After Waters' acrimonious departure in 1985, David Gilmour, Barrett's replacement as guitarist, became the band's new frontman, bringing things full circle.

The lead singer is often seen as the FaceOfTheBand, being the most recognizable member and sometimes the main songwriter. The lead guitarist, meanwhile, is usually the second most recognizable member, astonishing the audience with flashy licks and guitar solos. Either one of these roles often requires a great amount of talent, and as such, the two members will just focus on mastering their instrument of choice. If either member decides to momentarily dabble in the other's role, it will often be for accompaniment. For example: the lead singer will play simple rhythmic chords, and the lead guitarist can do basic backup vocals.

Then you have this person, someone who is excels at playing guitar licks, and singing lead vocals. Their ability to simultaneously master and play two different instruments at once shows this person is TheAce and can often cement their status as the FaceOfTheBand. So much so that the other band members may feel [[OvershadowedByAwesome overshadowed by said talent]].

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This is often the case with solo guitarists who wish to sing their own songs. As well as trio bands with only one guitarist and said guitarist is the lead vocalist ([[VocalTagTeam or co-lead vocalist]]).

The lead singer is often seen as the FaceOfTheBand, being the most recognizable member and sometimes the main songwriter. The lead guitarist, meanwhile, is usually the second most recognizable member, astonishing the audience with flashy licks and guitar solos. Either one of these roles often require a great amount of talent, and as such, the two members will just focus on mastering their instrument of choice. If either member decides to momentarily dabble in other's role, it will often be for accompaniment. For example: the lead singer will play simple rhythmic chords, and the lead guitarist can do basic backup vocals.

Compare LeadBassist and LeadDrummer, where the bassist and drummer are the lead singers respectively.

* Music/GooGooDolls: John Rzeznik, especially in the band's early years played PowerPop inspired lead guitar and [[VocalTagTeam shared lead vocals]] with bassist Robby Takac. {{Downplayed|Trope}} as the years went on. While his status as a lead singer increased, eventually supplanting Takac's role as a vocalist, his guitar playing shifted to more of a rhythmic one, especially as the band started using less guitars to fit their more pop-inspired new direction.

* Music/{{Nirvana}} frontman Music/KurtCobain was definitely this in studio, since he was the band's sole guitarist, but also played this role live, as he played the guitar solos and more melodic parts even when the band had another guitarist, [[Music/TheGerms Pat Smear]], on stage.

* Music/JimiHendrix of the Jimi Hendrix Experience had the daunting task of simultaneously being the lead guitarist, rhythm guitarist, and lead singer. Yet he pulled of all three of them flawlessly.

* Music/GeorgeBenson is an acclaimed guitarist known for his sophisticated improvized leads but he can also sing if his songs require vocals. Best shown in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIF7wKJb2iU "Give Me the Night"]].

* Music/{{Television}}: Tom Verlaine was the band's lead singer and shared the role of lead guitar with Richard Lloyd. The two played off each others' [[TechnicianVersusPerformer contrasting guitar styles]].

* ''WebAnimation/MinilifeTV'': In "Snowball's Late Night Adventure", the lead singer of the Deadbeats, a skeleton rock/ska band that performs at the Burton Night Club, also plays a guitar.

* Music/TheSmashingPumpkins: Lead singer/songwriter Billy Corgan is the lead guitarist, playing most of the solos. Leaving fellow guitarist James Iha to mostly play rhythm guitar or more ornamental lead lines.

* Chuck Schuldiner of Music/{{Death}} is the lead singer and lead guitarist, being responsible for the band's riffs and solos.
* Music/{{Mastodon}}: [[VocalTagTeam While all 4 members of are capable of singing]], it's lead guitarist Brent Hinds who does so predominantly, whereas rhythm guitarist Bill Kelliher usually only does backing vocals.
* Dave Mustaine is the lead singer and lead guitarist of Music/{{Megadeth}}. He played the latter role more in his time with Music/{{Metallica}}. Though given how Megadeth included shredders such as Chris Poland, Marty Friedman, and Chris Broderick, Dave was more of a co-lead guitarist.
* Music/{{Opeth}} frontman Mikael Akerfeldt does the majority of the band's solos, though guitarist Fredrik Akesson plays a few solos here and there (as did predecessor Peter Lindgren) and is considered a co-lead guitarist with Mikael.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheArchieShow'' took the main characters from ''ComicBook/{{Archie}} Comics'', and formed them into a bubblegum band, with Archie Andrews as main vocalist and on lead guitar. Reggie Mantle accompanies on bass guitar, Betty Cooper plays tambourines, Veronica Lodge plays keyboards, and "Jughead" Jones handles percussion (drumset). This setup continues into the show's various spin-offs.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'': Luna is the lead singer of her high school band, the Moon Goats, and also plays the role of lead guitar.

* Music/TalkingHeads: Frontman Music/DavidByrne also did double-duty as guitarist in the band's early days. When the group recruited Jerry Harrison as their second guitarist shortly before recording [[Music/TalkingHeads77 their debut album]], Byrne still served as the more prominent of the two guitar players, only briefly stepping back to let guest musician Adrian Belew play lead guitar on ''Music/RemainInLight'' and its supporting tour. Byrne would additionally stay in the role of lead guitarist in his solo work.

* Music/{{Nirvana}} frontman Kurt Cobain was definitely this in studio, since he was the band's sole guitarist, but also played this role live, as he played the guitar solos and more melodic parts even when the band had another guitarist, Pat Smear, on stage.

* Mark Knofler of Music/DireStraits plays many licks, fills, and solos throughout many songs, all while singing lead.

* Music/{{Prince}} is a [[IAmTheBand multi-instrumentalist]] who can play melodic lead guitar and sing.

* Music/{{Television}}: Tom Verlaine was the band's lead singer and shared the role of lead guitar with Richard Lloyd. The two played off each others' [[TechnicianVersusPerformer contrasting guitar styles]].

* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobSquarePantsMovie'': In the movie's climax, [=SpongeBob=] sings "Goofy Goober Rock" (a parody of Music/TwistedSister's "I Wanna Rock") and proceeds to absolutely shred a guitar solo, [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext while wearing a wizard outfit]].

* Anime/AngelBeats: Iwasawa is the leader of the band Girls Dead Monster, where she is the band's lead guitarist and vocalist.

* Music/{{Nirvana}} frontman Kurt Cobain was definitely this in studio, as he was the band's sole guitarist, but also played this role live, as he played the guitar solos and more melodic parts even when he had another guitarist, Pat Smear, on stage.

Contrast LeadBassist and LeadDrummer, where the bassist and drummer are the lead singers respectively.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'': Luna is the lead singer of her high school band, the Moon Goats, and also plays the role of lead guitar.

[[folder:Blues Rock]]

* Music/{{Opeth}}: Mikael Åkerfeldt is the lead vocalist, lead guitarist, and main songwriter.

* Music/{{Mastodon}}: [[VocalTagTeam While all 4 members of are capable of singing]], it's lead guitarist Brent Hinds who does so predominantly.

* Music/GlenCampbell had many hits where he sang and is also an in demand session musician because of his guitar skills.
* Music/RoyClark was a highly renowned singer and guitar player. Able to master not just guitar, but banjo and fiddle too.

* ''Film/BackToTheFuture'': Marty Mcfly takes up vocal duties in Marvin Berry's band when the latter gets his arm busted. Marty sings "Johnny B. Goode" and then plays a mind-melting guitar solo afterwards.

!!Real Life Examples:

[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
* ''Film/BackToTheFuture'': Marty Mcfly takes up vocal duties in Marvin Berry's band when the latter gets his arm busted. Marty sings "Johnny B. Goode" and then plays a mind-melting guitar solo afterwards.

[[folder:Film -- Animation]]
* ''WesternAnimation/TheSpongeBobSquarePantsMovie'': In the movie's climax, [=SpongeBob=] sings "Goofy Goober Rock" (a parody of Music/TwistedSister's "I Wanna Rock") and proceeds to absolutely shred a guitar solo, [[MakesJustAsMuchSenseInContext while wearing a wizard outfit]].