[The Boss]

Can't fault the Who - the other two are dead!

Recently saw the new Journey on Palladia - I laughed out loud!

[Don Keefe]

Originally Posted by Bruce Meyer

Deep Purple has been touring with 1 original member. The drummer Ian Paice.
Once my favorite band, you couldnt pay me to see them.

While that is technically true, it was the second incarnation of the band that actually hit it big. The classic "Mark II" lineup of DP, lead singer Ian Gillan, guitarist Richie Blackmore, bassist Roger Glover, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice recorded Machine Head. The earlier version of the band which started in 1968 only had one hit, "Hush" and the original singer Rod Evans and Nick Simper were fired in 1970. Interestingly, Evans led an unauthorized version of Deep Purple in the late 1970s, was sued by Blackmore and lost.

The Mark II version rejoined in 1984 and stayed together for five years. The current version is Gillan, Glover, Paice, guitarist Steve Morse and former Rainbow keyboardist Don Airey, who replaced Jon Lord, who retired in 2002.

Deep Purple is still touring and they still sound like they did during the classic years. They all in their 50s and 60s now, so if you get a chance to see them, do so before it's all over.

[Stuart]

I imagine in most if not all of these cases, the band's name belongs to a corporation that was formed at some point by the band members, so it's not as simple as saying just because the lead singer quit or died or whatever that the corporation can't go on using the name.

After all, Henry Ford has been dead for 60 years, but the company still uses his name.

[MikeNoun]

I guess when I refer to "original band members", I mean the people that made the hits. Obviously, many bands had a first incarnation (like Deep Purple), but they were best known as the "Machine Head" and "Who Do We Think We Are" (my favorite LP or theirs) band, and of course the live album.

I recall when David Coverdale took over in Deep Purple, they didn't have any hits, but the guy was obviously a tremendous singer, went on to form Whitesnake, then played with Jimmy Page. When Deep Purple reunited for the "Perfect Strangers" album and tour, he was stunned they didn't ask him to return to the band. But they wanted the classic DP lineup.

Same thing happened to KISS, where only 2 original members remained, they had a few different players, but when they wanted to reunite, it was the original 4 that made them famous.

A few different incarnations of Black Sabbath, but the people flocked to see them with Ozzy, not so much with Dio.

Always a little weird when a singer leaves a band, either willingly or by a death, and the next singer has to sing those older songs that were famous with the original lead singer. Just doesn't sound right to me, but I understand the need for the band to continue on with their success.

Sammy Hagar sang old Van Halen material with Van Halen in the 90's, still didn't sound right.

Brian Johnson sings old Bon Scott AC/DC hits, still doesn't sound right.

Thankfully, these two singers made dozens of their own hits, so it's not too offensive to me.

But Paul Rodgers up front for Queen was just a joke. Basically a sing-a-long for the crowd at every concert. Just not right for Rodgers (as great as he is) to take the lead in a band that was so identified by Freddy Mercury. You can't replace Robert Plant and go out as Led Zeppelin, or replace Steve Tyler and go out as Aerosmith, so I don't get how they could replace Steve Perry in Journey, or Jon Anderson in Yes, and play under the group's original name.

[69goatboy]

In most cases it's the lead singer that establishes the band's identity, however two band come to mind that did not diminish (in my mind) as they replaced their lead vocals: Sabbath w/RJD, and Van Hagar. Brian Johnson did AC/DC well as a replacement singer too.

[Motleyfan]

Originally Posted by MikeNoun

In the case of Journey, Boston, and Yes, if you see them live, you can close your eyes and they sound exactly the same as they did with their original lead singer....isn't that a cover band?

They (the band) can use whomever they like to replace original members, but when the promoters (and the group) charge ticket prices similar to what you would expect to pay if this was the original band, I think that's ripping off the public.

They should have an asterisk next to their name, so when you see an ad, it may say something like,

"Come see Journey* in concert"
* - One or more members of the original band may have been replaced.

I can't imagine seeing YES without Jon Anderson, he's "the voice" of the band, and a huge part of their sound. Now, if they replace him, isn't that a cover band?

And Deep Purple is touring with only Ian Paice, the original drummer? Seriously? Just not right, they should not use the band's name....

I know band mates frequently sue to keep ex-band mates from using their band name or logo, and it must be a tough thing to deal with. They pour their hearts into songs, had dozens of hits, lived a great life, but now it's over. Then one of the members that had nothing to do with writing or singing any of the songs decides to make a buck and goes out on tour, using the bands name. It's sort of dragging the band's name through the mud. The other members don't want to see their reputation tarnished.

Yes Jon Anderson is the voice of Yes but I tell you. I've seen them over 20 times and this was the 1st time without Jon Anderson. Benoit David was phenomenal. And it was nice to not have some of Jon's out there bantering with the audience. In my opinion they WERE NOT a cover band and the show I saw was one of the best 2-3 I've seen in my life.

Nick

[MikeNoun]

I saw Yes a long time ago (1979-era) for their "Tormato" tour (anyone recall that one?). They were "in the round", on a circular rotating stage in the middle of Market Square Arena (Indianapolis). I never saw a rotating stage before, and they sounded incredible. Andserson was at the top of the "cake", or the top riser of the stage. I recall the first thing I noticed about Jon Anderson....man, was he short!

I guess they propped him up on a box or something for band photos.

[Bruce Meyer]

Originally Posted by Don Keefe

While that is technically true, it was the second incarnation of the band that actually hit it big. The classic "Mark II" lineup of DP, lead singer Ian Gillan, guitarist Richie Blackmore, bassist Roger Glover, keyboardist Jon Lord and drummer Ian Paice recorded Machine Head. The earlier version of the band which started in 1968 only had one hit, "Hush" and the original singer Rod Evans and Nick Simper were fired in 1970. Interestingly, Evans led an unauthorized version of Deep Purple in the late 1970s, was sued by Blackmore and lost.

The Mark II version rejoined in 1984 and stayed together for five years. The current version is Gillan, Glover, Paice, guitarist Steve Morse and former Rainbow keyboardist Don Airey, who replaced Jon Lord, who retired in 2002.

Deep Purple is still touring and they still sound like they did during the classic years. They all in their 50s and 60s now, so if you get a chance to see them, do so before it's all over.

Yes I realize the MK II version was the most popular.
Without Blackmore is like Led Zepplin without Jimmy Page.
Blackmore and Lord were the founding members. Blackmore named the band. Now they are not in the band.
Also, they havent wrote 1 memorable song since Blackmore left.
They really should call it a day.

[Don Keefe]

Originally Posted by Bruce Meyer

Yes I realize the MK II version was the most popular.
Without Blackmore is like Led Zepplin without Jimmy Page.
Blackmore and Lord were the founding members. Blackmore named the band. Now they are not in the band.
Also, they havent wrote 1 memorable song since Blackmore left.
They really should call it a day.

Everyone's entitled to their opinion but Steve Morse is a fantastic guitarist and Don Airey is also great. Even if they're just playing the old classics, I would definitely go see them again. I saw them on their '85 and '87 tours and I'd love to hear those songs again live- Blackmore or no Blackmore.

[Bruce Meyer]

Originally Posted by Don Keefe

Everyone's entitled to their opinion but Steve Morse is a fantastic guitarist and Don Airey is also great. Even if they're just playing the old classics, I would definitely go see them again. I saw them on their '85 and '87 tours and I'd love to hear those songs again live- Blackmore or no Blackmore.

Your right. Steve Morse is a fantastic guitarist, but so is, lets say, Eddie Van Halen.
Would you accept Led Zepplin if Van Halen was their new guitarist?
I wouldnt. Its not Led Zepplin. Its a cover band. A very good cover band but a cover band none the less.
Deep Purple is still a fantastic band but its not really Deep Purple without Lord or Blackmore.
Its a tribute band now.

[Don Keefe]

This is a good conversation- I like polite debate.

Ok- let's say that Eddie is no longer available for Van Halen for whatever reason. If Wolfgang took over as lead guitarist and did the music justice, would it not be Van Halen? I think that good arguments could be made for both sides.

If Jason Bonham is drumming, is Led Zeppelin a cover band?

[Cobrabill]

Blackmore to EVH is a real stretch.Blackmore,Bolin,Morse are more in the same "vein" if you will.

There is a parallel between Led Zep & MTB-you take away one piece of the puzzle and they're done.

[codyyy]

Speaking of Van Halen, I recently heard on the radio a rumor that the band wanted to go without David Lee Roth, I guess figuring they could do well as it is just as the "family".

[Greg Reid]

[quote=Cobrabill;4079003]

Originally Posted by Greg Reid

Creedence Clearwater Revival actually sued John Fogarty for singing CCR songs once...His OWN songs.
Also, there are occasionally TWO acts touring at the same time, claiming to be a particular act, both with one member of the original group.
EDIT: I see that Mike already mentioned my second point with the simultaneous Beach Boys acts.[/QUOTE
Actually Fogerty was sued by a picee of crap producer Paul Santz.Listen to the tune "Vantz can't dance" on his Centerfield album.I saw JF a couple years ago.Talk about a time machine.

You're right. I should have clarified that as it's usually some pencil pusher that pulls that kind of stunt.

[Bruce Meyer]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Blackmore to EVH is a real stretch.Blackmore,Bolin,Morse are more in the same "vein" if you will.

There is a parallel between Led Zep & MTB-you take away one piece of the puzzle and they're done.

I wasnt comparing Blackmore to Van Halen or Morse to Van Halen.
All I asked is how one would feel if Van Halen or some other very good guitarist replaced Jimmy Page in Led Zepplin.
Its not the same band anymore. Although a good one, just not the same.

BTW Van Halen was heavily influenced by Blackmore just like any of the smoking guitarists from that era.

[Cobrabill]

What i was getting at was,they all are good.But if Led Zep was auditioning guitarists-EVH wouldn't get the gig and neither would he in DP.

[BOPcollector]

Whatever happened to some bands from the early '80's - MSG (Michael Schenker Group)? Or another '80's group called Touch ? They are somewhat unknown now,but had good sounding music back then.

[Bob Hall]

Originally Posted by BOPcollector

Whatever happened to some bands from the early '80's - MSG (Michael Schenker Group)? Or another '80's group called Touch ? They are somewhat unknown now,but had good sounding music back then.

I heard on XM yesterday that MSG is going to open up for the Scorpions for some shows.

[BOPcollector]

Now that's cool. I did a quick looksee on youtube and ran across this MSG tune . Haven't heard it in many years and brought back some old memories.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0LXs0jVURw

[Lightfoot]

I would've payed to see the Guess Who with Kurt Winter & Greg Lieskew (sp) in place of Randy Bachman. They put out some great material with those two sharing guitar duty. But after they replaced the replacements with yet another guitar player, I considered it a cover band.
Not mentioned here yet that even though Cummings, Bachman and Gary Pederson have gotten back together occasionaly for shows, they could not use the name Guess Who because original bassist Jim Kale owns the rights, and he's being a prick about it.

I Knew Creedence Clearwater Revival toured without Tom Fogerty but not without John.
MikeNown, is this what you were referring to?:
Doug Clifford & Stu Cook have had a band called Creedence Clearwater Revisited, in which they cover all the CCR hits with a different front man. They're not trying to fool anyone and I'm totally OK with it.
And I'd go see them anyday for the chance to meet Doug & Stu. They were my first favorite band and still my favorite American band. I bought alot of their 45s when they were new releases.
I bet if Tom Fogerty were alive, he would have played with CCRevisited also.