Van Halen did it. Alice In Chains did it. Dream Theater has been doing it for their entire career. Motley Crue should have done it but the record promoters screwed them. I’m talking of course about bands replacing original members. Now, these instances that have been listed above are what I would call acceptable replacing. That means only one or two members have been replaced. And the helm is still being steering by a core member. That’s totally fine. And in some cases it can make the group stronger. As was the case with Van Halen.
But there is a line. Most of the groups listed above were either in early career, prime or just past prime (with the exception of Alice In Chains). Now there’s a new trend that’s starting to break out. Veteran bands replacing almost the entire band except one member. The primary case is AC/DC.
After Brian Johnson got very unfairly booted out of the band Angus brought in Axl Rose to fill in as front man for the remaining dates of the ‘Rock or Bust’ tour. At this point the only two O.G. members are Angus and Cliff Williams. Chris Slade on drums comes close as he plays on ‘The Razors Edge’ and the live album from the tour. But Malcom Young was out. Now, I understand that you’ve got to finish the tour dates. The show must go on as they say. And Axl did a very noble job stepping in a performing AC/DC songs. But once the tour commenced Cliff Williams, who’s been the bass player since 1977, announced his retirement. And now there’s supposed rumors that Angus Young is looking for a new bass player. HANG IT UP!! Just call it a day. Unless Brian Johnson comes back there’s just no point. Angus being the only original member up there. And three of the replacements coming in in the past three years or so. I mean, just give it up. You had a good run. But at this point if you were to go out on tour you wouldn’t even be able to call it AC/DC. It’d have to be called Angus and Friends.
Another situation that doesn’t work and hasn’t worked for the past 14 years is what’s been happening in KISS. Having two members literally impersonate original members is just abhorrent. It just suck ass. There’s only one Space Ace and it’s Ace Frehley. Because that character comes from a personal realm that’s authentic. Same with Peter Criss and the Catman. And it’s not that I’m opposed to other members in the band. After all, they had four different lead guitarists between 1980 and 1985. And two of those albums are among their top five best. It’s the fact that you’ve got two guys dressing up and impersonating original members. And that fools new fans. A lot of people who’ve jumped on board in the past 14 or so years think that’s just KISS. They’re totally unaware of the magic that took place between Ace, Gene, Paul and Peter. Now, it looks like the band may do one more gigantic go around next year with all the surviving members who’ve even been in the band. That would be special, despite Paul’s horrific vocals.
And now Judas Priest are about to head out on tour without either of their original guitar players who’ve played on 95% of the band’s albums in their 40+ year career. I understand that they’ve got a new album out and should support it with a tour. And yes, Glenn Tipton supposedly did write most of the material. So the album works. And the singles are amazing. But my advice? After this tour call it a day unless K.K. Downing comes out of retirement. Just call it a day. There’s no shame in it. You guys have done exceptionally well. But without either K.K. Downing or Glenn Tipton it’s just a tribute band that got Rob Halford to sing for them.
With all that being said I’ll also say that I appreciate a band trying to last as long as possible. Kurt Cobain said at the end of his suicide note that ‘it’s better to burn out than fade away’. Honestly, that’s total bullshit. A lot of these veteran bands are proving it. It’s better to go out slowly with dignity than to just off yourself in your prime. And that’s what these bands are doing. Except KISS of course. Priest is about to drop what so far sounds like one of their best albums ever. And AC/DC did finish their ‘Rock or Bust’ tour in style. But you gotta know when it’s time to hang it up. And that time has come for many of these veteran groups.
A noble finish with the tour. But I don’t know how this is AC/DC once Cliff is out.
The last tour was great. And Priest can exist certainly with only one original guitar player. But imagining the band without Glenn or K.K. I don’t know.
