There are circumstances where a major artist makes an appearance on another major artist’s recording, and is credited on the official release. The Beatles did an odd thing when they credited Billy Preston on the single release of Get Back (“The Beatles with Billy Preston”). It was very generous, considering that Eric Clapton did not even get a small, liner-note mention for guesting on While My Guitar Gently Weeps the year before (only an album cut, no single). That, likely, was to do with the acts being on different labels. I remember having a 45 rpm of Art Garfunkel doing (What A)Wonderful World and the official release said “with James Taylor and Paul Simon” after Art’s name. I believe Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard’s hit of Pancho and Lefty listed both greats as equal billing, though Hag sang one lone verse. There are instances in which the guest is vocally present, yet, not officially noted on the release. Usually, the small-written credits make a mention. But, did you know Mick Jagger is singing an obvious harmony beneath Carly Simon on her hit You’re So Vain? The release states “Carly Simon” as the artist, no reference to Jagger on the label. Steve Winwood’s Back In The High Life Again features a very clear cut harmony by James Taylor. Linda Ronstadt makes a very noticeable harmony appearance on Neil Young’s Heart Of Gold. Only a read of the small credits of the album artwork gives a clue to those examples, unless you have “educated” ears and can discern those stars’ vocal harmonies. I was surprised to see George Harrison making a guitar appearance on Cheech & Chong’s Basketball Jones track, only seeing it in the liner-notes. After reading the small credit I could hear that it was obviously GH on that lead guitar part. My wife, Stacey Earle, had a major artist guest on her track Kiss Her Goodnight in 2000. We could list the name, but, not “plug” it, as contractual issues got in the way with that artist’s label. Can you guess who is singing and playing a sparse piano and harmonium on it, just by listening? What are your favorite appearances like that, the ones with subtle mention (or no mention)? John Lennon and Paul McCartney on We Love You by The Rolling Stones? Steve Lukather and Eddie Van Halen on Michael Jackson’s Beat It? Rick Derringer on Weird Al Yankovic’s Eat It?