Rock Whiplash by Christine Sixx – Singers Who Didn’t Quite Work
While scouring the internet looking for something to write about, I ran across a blog that sparked my interest: The Singers Who Didn’t Quite Work Out (www.classicrockmagazine.com/blog). Line up changes are a never ending constant in the world of rock & roll, but the loss of a lead singer is often detrimental and hard to come back from. The contributors of the blog had great suggestions and some that I didn’t even think of. Of course this got me thinking, so here is my list.
1. Gary Cherone and Van Halen – This was also the first one listed on ClassicRockMagazine.com’s list, and I mentioned it on a previous post for the moment Van Halen jumped the shark. It was just a weird combination that didn’t work well or fit naturally.
2. John Corabi and Motley Crue – I think everyone agrees that John Corabi did a fine job on the Motley Crue album but it still didn’t work. Why? The band sounded great, but it just wasn’t Motley Crue. One of the major distinctions in Motley Crue’s sound is Vince Neil’s voice. Without it, it’s not Motley Crue. The fans and record label realized that. I’m not saying that John Corabi sucked at all. If they would have slapped a different name on that album, it would have worked.
3. All Singers and Journey – I don’t care how much you sound like Steve Perry…you’re not Steve Perry.
4. Ripper Owens and Judas Priest – Please see explanation for #3. He’s not Rob Halford.
It’s not always all bad. There are a few bands that have actually stood the test of time with a new singer.
1. Brian Johnson and AC/DC – After the tragic death of Bon Scott, I’m sure it was difficult for anyone to think that AC/DC could go on without him. Thankfully, the band took the bold step and replaced him with Brian Johnson, and they lived happily ever after. This is probably the best success story of them all.
2. Johnny Van Zant & Lynyrd Skynyrd – Like AC/DC, it was death that brought a new lead singer to Skynyrd. A 1977 plane crash took the lives of six people, including Skynyrd’s singer, Ronnie Van Zant. About 10 years later, Ronnie’s brother, Johnny, stepped up to take over the the lead singer spot and Skynyrd’s been rocking ever since.
God knows I’ve missed some on each list, and there were others whom I didn’t know where to place (ex: Johnny Solinger and Skid Row). Replacing a singer is a ballsy move for any band. In the end, it’s usually the fans who decide if it’s a hit or a miss. So how do you feel? Who didn’t work and who did?
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You’re absolutely right…Arnel Pineda, as the singer for Journey, is definitely not Steve Perry. Pineda can hit all the notes, which I’d be willing to bet Perry can’t do anymore, and Pineda is not a big prima donna like Perry. Prima donna: a vain or undisciplined person who finds it difficult to work under direction or as part of a team.
I have to agree with you Bob. I doubt that Steve Perry could hit the notes that Pineda is hitting today.
Sabbath- yeah, any singer other than RJD & Ozzy…blah !
Van Halen- Roth makes the band but Sammy had some good tunes too…and 4get Gary Cherone!!
Anthrax-I loved John Bush’s voice w/that band…LOVE the 1st album they did w/him, yet I like all the Belladonna stuff too.
AC/DC- Bon & Brian….AWESOME !!!!
Crue- I dug Corabi’s voice w/Scream, but no, it’s not Motley w/out Vince !
Skynyrd- I dig Johnny’s voice, very close to Ronnie’s…but Ronnie’s voice had more edge, though I still love Skynyrd !
Overall, the singer is the LOOK, the VOICE, SOUND & the FACE of a band..replacing that role, successfully, is extremely difficult as far as how the fans reaction usually goes.
Not sure if the fits in the first group or not, but Tony Martin singing for Black Sabbath comes to mind. I think he sounds a lot like RJD, but not quite as good. I liked the releases he sang on, but I don’t think the majority of Sabbath fans really got into the Martin era of Sabbath.
You could add any singer in Black Sabbath after Ronnie James Dio to the #3 position. Even though I like John Bush more than Joey Belladonna it didn’t exactly work out with him either and one more would be trying to replace David Wayne (RIP) in Metal Church sorry but it just isn’t possible.
Thankfully no death involved with these prime pipes.
Sammy Hagar = Van Halen made serious cash with the Red Rocker. Bruce Dickenson = Iron Maiden found a vocal front man with balls. Myles Kennedy = Alter Bridge makes Creed sound lame now.
Ronnie James Dio = Black Sabbath was evil with Ozzy. But with Dio, they were Satan himself.
may i just say AMEN! Every one of these is correct. Nice work.