History Main / RockTrio

The rock trio took off in the 1960s thanks to developments in amplifier technology that allowed for the volume of guitars and bass to increase. From there, the format was popularized in the blues-rock and hard rock genres before spreading to prog rock in the 1970s and falling in popularity in the early 1980s. In this first wave, the format was commonly used by bands that engaged in [[EpicRocking long, intrinsic improvised solos and bombastic jam sessions.]] This version of the rock trio contributed heavily to the development of heavy metal, especially power metal. Some bands at this time (i.e. Music/LedZeppelin, Music/BlackSabbath) took a "3+1" approach, having a core rock trio with a fourth on vocals. Prog rock also introduced a variation that swapped the guitar for a keyboard (i.e. Music/EmersonLakeAndPalmer), while keeping the same general idea.

* Music/{{Rush}}: Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart.

* Music/{{Venom}} NewWaveOfBritishHeavyMetal band and the progenitors of BlackMetal. They briefly performed as a quartet during the late 80s and early 90s.

* Seminal {{Grindcore}} band Discordance Axis consisted of a vocalist, a guitarist, and a drummer. There was never a bassist.

* Ash, Northern Irish rock band. Were a originally a three-piece before being joined by guitarist Charlotte Hatherly, who then left and they are now this again.

* Music/SnowPatrol started of as a trio and released two albums on that line-up during their indie phase. They've expanded as a quartet before the recording of their breakthrough album ''Final Straw'', and have become a quintet before ''Eyes Open'' and have stayed for the most part as that until September 2023, with the departure of bassist Paul Wilson and drummer Jonny Quinn.

** The same thing happened with Music/SnowPatrol, which was a trio during their indie phase. Though the band was also a six-piece for a brief period after.
** And for the respected indie band Music/ModestMouse as well, though they've become a five-piece prior to their biggest hit and evolved into an eight-piece recently.

* Music/ThePresidentsOfTheUnitedStatesOfAmerica was the FaceOfTheBand [[BizarreInstrument "basitarist", a "guitbassist"]] and a drummer, all three singing every once in a whle.
* Music/{{Primus}} is [[FaceOfTheBand Les Claypool]], a guitarist (particularly Larry [=LaLonde=], who has been in the band since 1989), and a drummer (the longest-running of which is Tim Alexander).

* Music/{{Motorhead}}, which had always been LeadBassist [[FaceOfTheBand Lemmy + 2]].

* Music/{{Blink 182}}: Tom [=DeLonge=] (guitar), Mark Hoppus (bass) and Travis Barker (drums). In 2015, Matt Skiba replaced Tom.

** Josie on [[LeadSingerPlaysLeadGuitar lead guitar and vocals]], Melody on drums, and Valerie on bass (usually).

* ''Webcomic/MenageA3'' has Zii and the Troublemakers -- Zii on lead guitar, Sonya on bass, Yuki on drums, with the first two apparrently sharing the vocal duties.

* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooAndTheWitchsGhost'' gave us The Hex Girls, a goth rock trio led by [[Creator/JenniferHale Thorn]] (Lead vocals/Lead Guitar), with Dusk (Drums) and Luna (Bass/Keyboard) on backing vocals. The band has evidently proven popular enough to have been brought back in later iterations of the franchise.

** Josie on lead guitar, Melody on drums, and Valerie on bass (usually).

* ''Film/{{Airheads}}'': The Lone Rangers are comprised of Chazz on guitar and lead vocals, Rex on bass guitar and backing vocals, and Pip on drums.

* For a time (around the release of their album ''Making Movies''), Music/DireStraits was reduced to a core of three members after the departure of rhythm guitarist David Knopfler, give or take some additional musicians. Mark Knopfler (David's older brother and [[IAmTheBand bandleader]]) served as guitarist and lead vocalist, John Illsley served as bassist, and Pick Withers served as drummer.

* Brazilian band Os Paralamas do Sucesso: Herbert Vianna (vocals/guitar), Bi Ribeiro (bass) and João Barone (drums)

* ''LightNovel/HereComesTheThreeAngels'' has Jun as the guitarist (Fender Duo-Sonic), Nozomi as the bassist (Höfner 500/1), and Sora as the drummer (Gretsch bop kit).