Carl Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 When a band adds a new lead singer, it rarely works. Sure, they can find a soundalike to perform the concert favorites (Journey), but the hitmaking days for the band are usually over. But there are some cases where a band has thrived when a new singer enters the picture, and it's happened under a few different conditions: Original singer leaves, replaced internally: Genesis. Right under their cymbals was Phil Collins, who while far less theatrical than Peter Gabriel, had tremendous mainstream appeal. Moving him out front did wonders for the band. Original singer dies: AC/DC. Most bands wouldn't recover from losing a powerhouse like Bon Scott, but Brian Johnson stepped in and has been delivering ever since. This is a lesson on how to replace a legend: enter with humility, honoring the fallen but not trying to imitate him. Recording one of the greatest albums of all time (Back In Black) on your first try also helps. Original lead singer leaves, replaced externally: Van Halen. The Dave vs. Sammy debate will never end, but the fact that there is a debate means that Hagar did his job. Van Halen then proved just how lucky they got when they lost Hagar and replaced him with Gary Cherone from the band Extreme. New lead singer is added to existing group: Black-Eyed Peas. With the addition of Fergie, Black-Eyed Peas went from a forgettable throwback rap trio to pop superstars. Everyone knows that if you add a girl lead singer, she will get all the attention, especially if she looks like Fergie. This gave will.i.am more time in the lab to work on his beats, which is where he belongs. Any other examples? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 (edited) Alice in Chains managed a successful comeback with a new lead singer William Duvall, after former frontman Layne Staley died. Metal band Pantera became more successful after Phil Anselmo took over as lead singer. Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) Edited October 19, 2010 by Guest Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTyme Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Successful in what way, though? I honestly can't recall a situation regarding music when an original lead singer either died or left the predecessor defeated. I'd like to read an example that proves me wrong. It would be then that true music discussion evolves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MindCrime Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 also.. Dave Gilmour (Pink Floyd).. to an extent Roger Daltry took over as lead singer of the Detours which went on to become The Who Fleetwood Mac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTyme Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Someone left Fleetwood Mac and sounds better than Stevie Nicks? I wasn't aware that the Who had a better lead singer than Roger Daltry. Lemme clarify myself...I'm talking famous bands...not garage types that evolve into what you and I'm talking about. But I consider your honest response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Jefferson Airplane's first lead singer was Signe Toly Anderson. She sang on their first album. When she left to have a child, Grace Slick took over. That worked out well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTyme Posted October 19, 2010 Report Share Posted October 19, 2010 Very close example! Though when she sang there were no charted bullets. They did not achieve stardom until she left! The band performed at all three of the most famous American rock festivals of the 1960s—Monterey (1967), Woodstock (1969) and Altamont (1969) as well as headlining the first Isle of Wight Festival! If she never got pregnant, the above would have never happened! But yes, it worked out well! The answer that I'm searching for is a band that became completely famous and then once the lead singer was replaced got even more famous. Thanks for your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 Well MT, if you're specifically looking for an example where the band gains success with an original lead singer, the lead singer then either dies or is replaced, and the band continues to succeed, the only one that I can recall is AC/DC, as Carl already mentioned. They had some hits with Bon Scott and then they continued to have hits with Brian Johnson. Some would say that AC/DC got even more famous after Scott died. A lot of people would say "Back In Black" was their best album. It was certainly their best-selling, being second all time behind "Thriller". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuzikTyme Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 So, do you truly believe that the singer for AC/DC (Bon Scott) was surpassed by the screaming banshee? Bon Scott sang whilst Brian Johnson screams off-key...lol IMHO, nothing comes close to AC/DC's Highway to Hell (Bon Scott's last effort) But, I try to understand people liking the new singer compared to Bon Scott. Forget about sales and dollar signs and remember what's most important; TALENT Bon Scott was a natural performer while Brian Johnson is stiff as a board. Elvis Presley wasn't a vocalist either, he was a performer. But who could have replaced him? Thanks for your thoughtful input and reply. (it means a lot to me) Music is subjective...so I could be totally wrong! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edna Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 Queen tried for some years with Paul Rodgers... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 So, do you truly believe that the singer for AC/DC (Bon Scott) was surpassed by the screaming banshee? Bon Scott sang whilst Brian Johnson screams off-key...lol IMHO, nothing comes close to AC/DC's Highway to Hell (Bon Scott's last effort) But, I try to understand people liking the new singer compared to Bon Scott. Forget about sales and dollar signs and remember what's most important; TALENT Bon Scott was a natural performer while Brian Johnson is stiff as a board. Elvis Presley wasn't a vocalist either, he was a performer. But who could have replaced him? Thanks for your thoughtful input and reply. (it means a lot to me) Music is subjective...so I could be totally wrong! Oh I would agree as well. Though some people would disagree. Some would say they like Brian Johnson better than Bon Scott. Personally, I've always loved Bon Scott. I was basing my answer to your question based solely on empirical data. A band who gained fame with and original lead singer, the lead singer for one reason or another vacated their spot, and the band gained even more fame with a replacement. Based solely on empirical data, I think AC/DC is perhaps the best example of that. Based on opinion however, well that's not necessarily provable by anyone but yourself, being that it is based on your own opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberjudge Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 Someone left Fleetwood Mac and sounds better than Stevie Nicks? I think the poster was referring to the fact that Buckingham & Nicks joined the group making them better after their initial incarnation with Peter Green (Black Magic Woman, Oh Well) and reconfiguration with Bob Welch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyberjudge Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 How about the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RockyRaccoon Posted October 20, 2010 Report Share Posted October 20, 2010 How about the Doobie Brothers with Michael McDonald? I dunno. I'd kind of say that the Doobie Brothers went downhill when Michael McDonald showed up. I mean, "Takin' It To The Streets" was a good album and "Minute By Minute" was alright but after that, I don't really think they were that great. I mean, almost all of their biggest hits were before Michael McDonald. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted October 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 21, 2010 The Doobies are an interesting case because they probably sold more records in the Michael McDonald era, but their Tom Johnston-era material (China Grove, Listen To The Music) is what they are best known for these days. Great call on Pantera and Iron Maiden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ombre Vivante Posted October 22, 2010 Report Share Posted October 22, 2010 - The Cars had two lead singers while they were alive. - Journey replaced Steve with.. Steve. - Ultravox! had John Foxx and Ultravox had Midge Ure, but U-Vox had... ? - Ladytron alternates between lead singers. - Clan Of Xymox also alternated between lead singers: Ronny Moorings, the main lead, and Anke Wolbert, who sang a few songs. - Everyone knows Depeche Mode's lead singer to be David Gahan, but some of the better songs were sung by the writer/composer, Martin L. Gore - Joy Division had Ian Curtis. When he passed away, Bernard Sumner took over, and they also changed the band's name to NewOrder. - INXS tried to replace Michael Hutchence with some random guy off teevee... - Christian Death replaced the lead singer, Rozz Williams, with their guitarist, Valor (a bad move all around). - Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy was the first lead singer of Duran Duran, but left the band before their first album broke big... with Simon LeBon as their new lead singer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl Posted October 27, 2010 Author Report Share Posted October 27, 2010 - Journey replaced Steve with.. Steve. And then the guy from the Philippines. Along those lines, when Jay and the Americans lost their lead singer, they had to find a guy named Jay to replace him. Then they did it again, so they've had 3 lead singers named Jay. Going another direction, TLC had a different C when they started, but the girl they replaced her with was named Rozonda. The solution: give each girl a nickname, thus Rozonda became "Chili." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miamisammy29 Posted October 28, 2010 Report Share Posted October 28, 2010 Rainbow went from Ronnie James Dio, to Graham Bonnett, to Joe Lynn Turner, and had hits with all three singers. Personally, I prefer Bonnett's voice and Dio's writing, but all three put out some pretty awesome stuff! And the band's popularity and record sales increased each time they fired/hired a new singer. (The fact that they had the greatest guitar player of all time leading the way didn't hurt either.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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