Bob Seger formed the Silver Bullet Band in 1974 from Detroit-area musicians. Its original members were guitarist Drew Abbott, drummer and backing vocalist Charlie Allen Martin, keyboardist and backing vocalist Rick Manasa, bass guitarist Chris Campbell and saxophonist and backing vocalist Alto Reed. Over the following years Robyn Robbins, David Teegarden, Craig Frost, Dawayne Bailey and Don Brewer joined as replacements, and the band backed Seger until his final tour ended on November 1, 2019, when he retired.
Seger had recorded with Bob Seger and the Last Heard and the Bob Seger System in the 1960s and with a Tulsa-based group known as My Band or the Borneo Band in the early 1970s. It was with the Silver Bullet Band that he broke through nationally, on Live Bullet (1976), recorded at Detroit’s Cobo Arena in September 1975, and on Night Moves (October 1976). Here is every member, with the role and the line-up change the record gives for each.
Bob Seger – Lead Vocals, Guitar, Piano
Robert Clark Seger, born May 6, 1945, is the band’s leader and songwriter, a heartland rock artist known for his raspy voice and blue-collar themes. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012, and retired after the Travelin’ Man tour, announced on September 18, 2018 and finished on November 1, 2019.
Drew Abbott – Guitar (1974–1982)
An original member, Abbott left during the recording of The Distance (released December 1982) out of frustration with Seger’s frequent use of session musicians, and was replaced by Dawayne Bailey.
Chris Campbell – Bass (1974–)
The band’s original bass guitarist. The record notes no replacement for Campbell, so he is the longest-serving instrumentalist named in the line-up.
Alto Reed – Saxophone, Backing Vocals (1974–)
The band’s original saxophonist and backing vocalist, whose horn parts became part of the Silver Bullet sound.
Charlie Allen Martin – Drums, Backing Vocals (1974–1977)
The original drummer. In February 1977 Martin was hit by a car from behind while walking on a service road and was left unable to walk. David Teegarden replaced him.
Rick Manasa – Keyboards, Backing Vocals (1974–1975)
The original keyboardist, replaced by Robyn Robbins by the time of Beautiful Loser in 1975.
Robyn Robbins – Keyboards (1975–1980)
Robbins joined in 1975 and played through the band’s breakthrough years until Craig Frost replaced him for Against the Wind in 1980.
David Teegarden – Drums (1977–1982)
Teegarden had drummed for Seger on his 1972 album Smokin’ O.P.’s and returned to replace Martin in 1977. He left after The Distance because of internal conflict and was replaced by Don Brewer.
Craig Frost – Keyboards (1980–)
Formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, Frost replaced Robbins for Against the Wind (1980), Seger’s only number-one album on the Billboard album chart.
Dawayne Bailey – Guitar (1982–)
Bailey replaced Abbott during the making of The Distance.
Don Brewer – Drums (1982–)
The former Grand Funk drummer replaced Teegarden after The Distance was released.
Silver Bullet Band Line-Up Changes at a Glance
- 1974: Abbott, Martin, Manasa, Campbell and Reed form the band with Seger.
- 1975: Robbins replaces Manasa on keyboards.
- 1977: Teegarden replaces the injured Martin on drums.
- 1980: Frost replaces Robbins on keyboards.
- 1982: Bailey replaces Abbott on guitar; Brewer replaces Teegarden on drums.
- 2019: Seger’s final tour ends and he retires.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who were the original members of the Silver Bullet Band? Drew Abbott, Charlie Allen Martin, Rick Manasa, Chris Campbell and Alto Reed, formed by Bob Seger in 1974.
- Who played saxophone for Bob Seger? Alto Reed, an original Silver Bullet Band member.
- Which Grand Funk Railroad members joined the Silver Bullet Band? Keyboardist Craig Frost in 1980 and drummer Don Brewer in 1982.
- Is Bob Seger still touring? No. His final tour ended on November 1, 2019, and he retired.
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