Originally Posted by Greg C. Brown


I've always had a problem accepting bands where the lead singer is not the same one who sang the hits. It's not the same Foreigner without Lou Gramm; Styx without Dennis DeYoung (although they did have two other singers); Journey without Steve Perry; the Guess Who without Burton Cummings.

Greg


To me, Journey was not Journey with Steve Perry. They quit being Journey (the band who backed Santana on all his early records) when he joined the band.

Originally Posted by Iggy
Two members of GFR still tour and call themselves Grand Funk without their lead singer, lead guitar player and songwriter Mark Farner. Mark must call himself Mark Farner, formerly of Grand Funk Railroad.


Actually Mark Farner is not allowed to use the words "Grand Funk Railroad" in any of his promotional material. There is a cover sheet on top of every contract that goes out warning concert promoters not to use those words under threat of a lawsuit. He still gets paid when "Grand Funk" plays, but he got voted out by 2/3 of the shareholders (Mel Shacher and Don Brewer).

I have worked for Lynyrd Skynyrd. Guitarist Gary Rossington is the only remaining member from their glory days. Rickey Medlocke (better known as the guitarist in Blackfoot) plays with them now. He was an original member before they got their record deal. At this point, Johnny Van Zant has been their singer way longer than his brother was. They rock. The fans love them. It still feels like a tribute band to me. Most of the general public doesn't realize (or even care) that it's not all original members.
I have also worked for The Spinners, who have only two out of five original singers. They have three young guys joining original members (and septuagenarians) Bobbie Smith and Henry Fambrough. The young guys can sing their asses off, and the older fellows are still holding their own. They are extremely nice guys, too.
I worked for Charlie Thomas' Drifters. They call themselves that to differentiate from other groups calling themselves The Drifters. Charlie was not an original Drifter, but he has sung for them since 1958, and he sang lead on a lot of their hits. Ben E. King is the only living original Drifter, but he very seldom plays out any more. Occasionally he and Charlie will a special show together.