This prompt has three criteria to focus on:
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The recordings in question have had a significant impact on music, whether being high quality and/or influencing other artists in its wake
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The musician only ever played on these legendary recordings with the band in question and left soon after
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The musician never was a part of any other significant bands after their one contribution
My example that fits this criteria would have to be Franche Coma, the first guitarist of the Misfits. Coma was only a part of the legendary New Jersey punk band for less than a year, but in that time period took part in the legendary Static Age sessions. These sessions would produce some all-time classic punk tracks such as Last Caress, Bullet, Hybrid Moments, and We Are 138, influencing many punk and metal bands for decades to come. After leaving the Misfits, he only ever played in a minor band called Active Ingredients and has barely recorded any other records.
What other musicians do you think fit this category?
I want to say Clare Torrey regarding what she did with Pink Floyd in Great Gig in the Sky but she does have a career of her own. Just not terribly well known as far as I can tell.
Maybe Chad Channing playing drums on Bleach, Nirvana? His other bands are not familiar…
Paul D’Amour was on Tool’s first album, Undertow (and Opiate EP), which I’d say was a significant recording. Left not long after, and has only really been with Ministry lately, and only on one album.
Gotye famously went on to play in a small band with his friends after making the international hit Somebody I Used To Know.
