Live to Win
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2011
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We all have our favorite rock/metal bands, but there are times when certain lineup changes cause us to stop listening to them.
Van Halen (Gary Cherone era)
In 1997, Gary Cherone of Extreme replaced Sammy Hagar as Van Halen's lead vocalist. The lineup recorded Van Halen III, which became the poorest-selling album in the band's history. As a result, it was of the band and Warner Bros. Records' best interest for Cherone to leave in 1999. Five years later, Van Halen reunited with Hagar to release the greatest hits album Best of Both Worlds, but Hagar once again called it quits, taking bassist Michael Anthony with him. This paved way for David Lee Roth's return to the band and Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang as the new bassist. Van Halen is currently working on their first studio album in nearly 15 years.
Iron Maiden (Blaze Bayley era)
During the mid-1990s, Bruce Dickinson had the desire to go solo and pursue other projects; so in 1994, he performed his last concert with Iron Maiden. In 1995, Blaze Bayley of Wolfsbane replaced Dickinson as Iron Maiden's lead vocalist. Needless to say, the rest of the 1990s were the Dark Ages of Iron Maiden, as The X Factor and Virtual XI failed to reach the same levels of previous albums, while the band relegated to performing at smaller venues worldwide. Moreover, the band was forced to cancel numerous shows, as Bayley had an allergic reaction to the stage effects. And so, in 1999, Bayley was sacked, and Dickinson returned to his old job, bringing guitarist Adrian Smith back with him. Iron Maiden - now a six-man band - is bigger than ever, constantly selling out large venues around the world and winning numerous awards - including a Grammy in 2011.
Judas Priest (Tim "Ripper" Owens era)
In 1991, Rob Halford left Judas Priest, citing a desire to branch out from the band's musical style. Five years later, Tim "Ripper" Owens, a singer in a Judas Priest tribute band, was selected to be Priests's new vocalist. While this lineup wasn't as disastrous as Iron Maiden's Blaze lineup, it wasn't memorable at all. Owens left Priest to make way for Halford's return in 2003. Since then, Judas Priest have restored their former glory, receiving critical acclaim worldwide - including a Grammy Award in 2010. Early this year, guitarist/co-founder K. K. Downing retired, and after Richie Faulkner took over his spot, Judas Priest began their farewell tour.
Mötley Crüe (John Corabi era)
It's no secret that the core members of Mötley Crüe don't really get along with each other, so in 1992, Vince Neil left the band. He was replaced by John Corabi. The lineup wasn't bad, but at the same time, it just wasn't Crüe. Their self-titled 1994 album reached Gold status in the U.S., but that's about it. Neil rejoined Crüe in 1997, but in the alternative/grunge era, it took them nearly a decade to return to their former glory.
Poison (Richie Kotzen era)
During the late-1980s to early-1990s, Poison was at the top of their game, but guitarist C.C. DeVille's cocaine addiction took its toll heavily on the band, resulting in a backstage fistfight between him and lead vocalist Bret Michaels at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. As a result, DeVille was fired and replaced by Richie Kotzen. Their 1993 album Native Tongue marked a significant change in the band's musical style, replacing glam metal with blues rock. This pretty much polarized long-time fans who were used to Poison's off-the-wall antics. The lineup was very short, as Kotzen was fired in the middle of the tour after having an affair with drummer Rikki Rockett's then-girlfriend. Blues Saraceno was brought in to complete the tour and help the band record what was to become Crack a Smile... and More! before DeVille patched things up with Michaels and rejoined the band in 1996.
What other examples are out there?
Van Halen (Gary Cherone era)
In 1997, Gary Cherone of Extreme replaced Sammy Hagar as Van Halen's lead vocalist. The lineup recorded Van Halen III, which became the poorest-selling album in the band's history. As a result, it was of the band and Warner Bros. Records' best interest for Cherone to leave in 1999. Five years later, Van Halen reunited with Hagar to release the greatest hits album Best of Both Worlds, but Hagar once again called it quits, taking bassist Michael Anthony with him. This paved way for David Lee Roth's return to the band and Eddie Van Halen's son Wolfgang as the new bassist. Van Halen is currently working on their first studio album in nearly 15 years.
Iron Maiden (Blaze Bayley era)
During the mid-1990s, Bruce Dickinson had the desire to go solo and pursue other projects; so in 1994, he performed his last concert with Iron Maiden. In 1995, Blaze Bayley of Wolfsbane replaced Dickinson as Iron Maiden's lead vocalist. Needless to say, the rest of the 1990s were the Dark Ages of Iron Maiden, as The X Factor and Virtual XI failed to reach the same levels of previous albums, while the band relegated to performing at smaller venues worldwide. Moreover, the band was forced to cancel numerous shows, as Bayley had an allergic reaction to the stage effects. And so, in 1999, Bayley was sacked, and Dickinson returned to his old job, bringing guitarist Adrian Smith back with him. Iron Maiden - now a six-man band - is bigger than ever, constantly selling out large venues around the world and winning numerous awards - including a Grammy in 2011.
Judas Priest (Tim "Ripper" Owens era)
In 1991, Rob Halford left Judas Priest, citing a desire to branch out from the band's musical style. Five years later, Tim "Ripper" Owens, a singer in a Judas Priest tribute band, was selected to be Priests's new vocalist. While this lineup wasn't as disastrous as Iron Maiden's Blaze lineup, it wasn't memorable at all. Owens left Priest to make way for Halford's return in 2003. Since then, Judas Priest have restored their former glory, receiving critical acclaim worldwide - including a Grammy Award in 2010. Early this year, guitarist/co-founder K. K. Downing retired, and after Richie Faulkner took over his spot, Judas Priest began their farewell tour.
Mötley Crüe (John Corabi era)
It's no secret that the core members of Mötley Crüe don't really get along with each other, so in 1992, Vince Neil left the band. He was replaced by John Corabi. The lineup wasn't bad, but at the same time, it just wasn't Crüe. Their self-titled 1994 album reached Gold status in the U.S., but that's about it. Neil rejoined Crüe in 1997, but in the alternative/grunge era, it took them nearly a decade to return to their former glory.
Poison (Richie Kotzen era)
During the late-1980s to early-1990s, Poison was at the top of their game, but guitarist C.C. DeVille's cocaine addiction took its toll heavily on the band, resulting in a backstage fistfight between him and lead vocalist Bret Michaels at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards. As a result, DeVille was fired and replaced by Richie Kotzen. Their 1993 album Native Tongue marked a significant change in the band's musical style, replacing glam metal with blues rock. This pretty much polarized long-time fans who were used to Poison's off-the-wall antics. The lineup was very short, as Kotzen was fired in the middle of the tour after having an affair with drummer Rikki Rockett's then-girlfriend. Blues Saraceno was brought in to complete the tour and help the band record what was to become Crack a Smile... and More! before DeVille patched things up with Michaels and rejoined the band in 1996.
What other examples are out there?
