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Band Member Changes Over Time

Was reading a few articles over the last few days about bands with key band member changes. This got me to thinking about how I felt about some bands I like and follow and if it changes my perception of the band. Some random examples...

  1. Genesis: Peter Gabriel left and Phil Collins steps up. This happened way before I discovered them so Phil was the lead singer in my eye and to my ears. I was also listening to Peter Gabriel's solo catalog and went back to early Genesis albums. In this case, while I like both, I prefer Phil overall. 
  2. Styx: Dennis DeYong leaves and Lawrence Gowan eventually steps in for the long hall - being with the band longer than Dennis. Similar to Genesis - I discovered Styx with Dennis as a major influence and sort of lean to this era. Now, I did see them on a few tours with Lawerence and he does a great job and was well received. That being said, when Dennis was not there I felt the band was missing something which I locked onto when I discovered them.
  3. Pink Floyd: This was not so much a replacement but a missing member when Rodger decided to move on. I discovered Floyd with the release of The Wall and went on to be a huge fan of all eras - even after he departed. There are brilliant songs on all the albums and is a testament to what Gilmour, Wright, and Mason brought to the table. 

In my case, the discovery of these bands was right at the end of middle school or the beginning of high school. MTV also played a big factor. I can see the Abacab video like it was yesterday or the Styx "Caught in the Act Concert" played on a Saturday night which I loved. Around 12 years later I had an opportunity to hang out with Dennis for a few hours while he was working on a project here in town.

Being young when the discovering a band might haven something to do with being sensitive to the form of the band. There are many fine examples of new members bringing a positive influence to a group, but the members at the time of the discovery seems to influence how one views a group when key band members change.

What are your thoughts and experiences?

 

 

dvddesigner
sbank's avatar
sbank
3,381 posts
 

Simon and Garfunkel without Garfunkel - Paul did plenty of great stuff on his own

10,000 Maniacs without Natalie - Sad

Yes without Jon Anderson, without Wakeman, without Bruford, and at times without Howe. IMHO, Alan White was the only later member that met the standard.

Genesis - Their tremendous riches and success correlating with the dumbing down of their music kills me. I became a fan shortly after Phil stepped in. Peter's work was revealed to me later as beautiful history. Phil began strong with Trick of The Tail, Wind & Wuthering and Seconds Out...all brilliant. Then...downhill from And Then There Were Three thru Duke...then OFF A CLIFF. 

Meanwhile Peter's solo work continues to blossom, and thankfully his voice remains strong to this day. I can only dream of where Genesis might have evolved if Gabriel and Hackett stayed onboard. 

YMMV. Cheers,

Spencer

 

jerryg123's avatar
jerryg123
3,429 posts
 

Sex pistols with out Sid.

ACDC without Bon and Malcom

Fleetwood Mac without Peter Green.

The world without John Lee Hooker. Used to go watch him play on Maxwell Street as a Kid. Go down to the Checkerboard Lounge in College and see Muddy, Johnny,  Buddy, Albert, KoKo all the greats. Never knew who would pop in to sit in on a session. Clapton, Mick and Keith. 
 

I Robot.
 

 

bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,980 posts
 

The Band without Robbie Robertson. Though Robbie can’t sing (he feigns doing so throughout The Last Waltz. Embarrassing.) and is the least important member instrumentally (his replacement Jim Weider is a considerably better guitarist), with Richard Manuel and Rick Danko seemingly unable to write songs after 1971 Robertson’s songwriting was sorely missed after he left in ’76.

larsman's avatar
larsman
2,075 posts
 

Genesis was my favorite band for a long time, since I saw them in my college gym in Rochester, NY in early 1973 on the 'Foxtrot' tour. I loved most of what they did both with and without Peter - after all, the great Tony Banks was responsible for most of the music. I've seen Pink Floyd with Roger, and Roger without the others; haven't seen the Gilmour Pink Floyd but have seen Gilmour solo; I'm a big fan of Roger. I wish there was a way to upload photos or I'd put up some I took of Peter with Genesis and Roger with Floyd...

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,261 posts
 

The Rolling Stones without Brian Jones, Mick Taylor, Bill Wyman and now Charlie Watts.  I wonder if Mick would find a replacement for Keith, or vice versa?

Nicky Hopkins was a member and key instrumentalist with Jeff Beck Group, Jefferson Airplane and Quicksilver Messenger Service.  He added something unique to each band.

DLR from VH.  I like Sammie Hagar, but...

The Drifters were real good after he left, but they were great with Ben E. King.

I'm told that Queen without Freddie is still a great live show.  Never saw them one way or the other, but that what some friends have said.

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