The argument I always get into is post-Fergie Black Eyed Peas. Yes, they went more pop after she came aboard, but I still liked the music (not as much, but still). And as a fan, I was glad to see them become crazy successful after years of great work going almost unnoticed by the general public.
Separately, I remember one of Limp Bizkit at their peak saying a teenaged fan groused about how big they’d become, and said they’d been fine before. He said “Thanks, suburban teen living at home, for telling me how much money I should make to support my family!”
Well isn’t that just the dichotomy between art and income? The fan appreciates the art that is produced; the band member just appreciates the income. They have different goals.
I liked Tommy Bolin, but even if he had stuck around Purple wouldn’t have made it past 1978, the musical landscape was changing too much. What it won’t be is Deep Purple without Jon Lord.
I’m really worried about how the fans will react when Pentatonix finds the replacement for Avi Kaplan. I hope fans don’t get too pissy about the new bass. Avi isn’t replaceable, but if we fans want the group to continue, they have to find somebody to take his place in the lineup.
