Eddie isn't a sideman, at least not in my mind. He's a feature. I see a sideman as an accessory...Jon Bon Jovi is clearly the thing that makes Bon Jovi go, but that doesn't make Richie Sambora a sideman...he's an essential piece of the puzzle. Willie's harmonica player is a sideman...and legend has it that DKR introduced the two of them.
Toots Thielemans Oscar Peterson on the piano,Stephane Grapelli on the violin, and Toots on the harmonica. All touched by god.
I agree with Clarence Clemons. Glad I saw him his last time through Austin. Second place to Maceo Parker, sax, with James Brown. Or Bootsy Collins, also with Brown, on bass. Or David Lindley with Jackson Browne. Or Waddy Wachtel with Linda Ronstadt and Stevie Nicks and many, many others. Or Eric Clapton playing lead on "Something." Or Billy Preston with The Beatles.
Flava Flav is the answer here. Seriously. He provided the "comic relief" and some entertainment value to Chuck D's powerful message. Of course, Flava Flav is actually considered a "hype man", but I think " sideman" applies just fine...
This is a QUALITY discussion. Flaco, Flava, Clarence,etc. Good stuff. Can I get a vote for Chuck Leavell?