I hear this all of the time.
Who's in the band?
The original members. Or new members playing the band's original songs.
Does it really matter?
To me, there are two kinds of music fans in the world.
1. Some will not see a band perform unless the original members of the band are part of the show.
2. The other kind of fan doesn’t care who’s in the band as long as they still play the big hits.
The dynamic of original famous bands versus bands with new members singing original music is a fascinating topic in the world of music. Here’s an overview of how this phenomenon has played out with some very well-known bands.
1. Queen
Original Lineup: Freddie Mercury (vocals), Brian May (guitar), John Deacon (bass), Roger Taylor (drums).
With New Members: After Freddie Mercury's death in 1991, Queen continued to perform with different vocalists. Paul Rodgers joined the band from 2004 to 2009, and since 2011, Adam Lambert has been performing with Queen. Lambert's collaboration has been well-received, bringing a new dynamic to the band's performances while paying homage to Mercury's legacy.
2. AC/DC
Original Lineup: Bon Scott (vocals), Angus Young (guitar), Malcolm Young (guitar), Mark Evans (bass), Phil Rudd (drums).
With New Members: After Bon Scott's death in 1980, AC/DC hired Brian Johnson as their new lead singer. Johnson's first album with the band, "Back in Black," became one of the best-selling albums of all time, cementing the band's continued success.
3. Van Halen
Original Lineup: David Lee Roth (vocals), Eddie Van Halen (guitar), Michael Anthony (bass), Alex Van Halen (drums).
With New Members: Van Halen saw significant changes when Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth in 1985. Hagar's era brought a different sound and style, resulting in commercial success. The band reunited with Roth in 2007 and again in 2012, with Eddie's son Wolfgang Van Halen on bass, revitalizing interest in the original lineup's music.
4. Journey
Original Lineup: Steve Perry (vocals), Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Steve Smith (drums).
With New Members: After Steve Perry left the band in 1998, Journey went through several vocalists. In 2007, Arnel Pineda, a Filipino singer discovered on YouTube, joined the band. Pineda's vocal resemblance to Perry has helped the band maintain their classic sound while bringing new energy to their performances.
5. Genesis
Original Lineup: Peter Gabriel (vocals), Tony Banks (keyboards), Mike Rutherford (guitar), Phil Collins (drums).
With New Members: When Peter Gabriel left in 1975, Phil Collins stepped up as the lead vocalist, transitioning the band from progressive rock to a more pop-oriented sound. This change led to even greater commercial success, especially in the 1980s.
These examples illustrate the challenges that bands can face when integrating new members, especially vocalists. While the chemistry and charisma of the original lineup might be different. New members can bring fresh energy and perspective, sometimes leading to renewed success and longevity for the band.
So, does it really matter who's in the band?
I say that the music should live on.
Mind Body Spirit Music
Gary England