# Bands that booted an original member before hitting it big. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 6, 2013, 1:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666 "2013-12-06T13:06:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/41 "2013-12-06T21:53:19Z")
_Mott the Hoople_ replaced original led singer Stan Tippins with Ian Hunter before they hit it big. (Hunter was actually in the band for quite along time before they actually started having hits, but they had quite a big cult following and critical acclaim for most of that period.) As I understand it, Tippins was actually a pretty good vocalist, but suffered from terrible stage fright. He stayed on as road manager after Hunter replaced him, and sometimes still contributed to the vocals, both in the studio and even from a mike backstage when they were playing live. Hunter, however, also became the band’s main songwriter, as well as lead vocalist (and playing rhythm guitar and sometimes keyboards). ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ > [@astorian](#): > > Glen Matlock was kicked out of the Sex Pistols and replaced by Sid Vicious before they hit it big (Matlock has played with the band in more recent reunions). I don’t think that is correct. Matlock was still in the band when they first hit it big, and for their first few hits, including _Anarchy in the UK_, and I believe he is considered to have made a large contribution to the writing of them. I think he is playing the bass on (and co-wrote) most of the tracks on their album, too, even though it came out after he had left. His replacement by Sid Vicious (who had the right image, but almost no musical ability whatsoever) was more the beginning of the band’s decline and disintegration than the start of their success. ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/42 "2013-12-06T23:24:21Z")
> [@Infovore](#): > > I also remember reading somewhere (I don’t have a cite offhand but might be able track one down if pressed) that Geddy and Alex wanted to move beyond being a simple three-chord bar band, and Rutsey either didn’t have the chops or simply didn’t want to be bothered to play more complicated rhythms, so they parted company partially for that reason. From the Documentary, _Beyond the Lighted Stage_, they said it purely health reasons. It was made after Rutsey’s death, and maybe they were BSing, but the tour manager at the time was interviewed and said they didn’t think he would _survive_ a tour of the States. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/43 "2013-12-06T23:57:29Z")
About seven members of Iron Maiden were booted before they made it big. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/44 "2013-12-07T00:04:57Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > The original Journey was a VERY different band from what it became. Their original lead singer was Greg Rolie, who had been the organist and vocalist of Santana (that’s him singing songs like “Evil Ways” and “Black Magic Woman”). Their original drummer was Prairie Prince, who was replaced by Frank Zappa’s old mate Aynsley Dunbar just before they made their first album. Original guitarist Neal Schon (also from Santana) and bassist Ross Valory (of the Steve Miller Band) are still in Journey today, but Rolie and Dunbar left before they became hugely popular. > > That original Journey was dedicated to long, extensive jamming and prog-rock/jazzy instrumentals.Their records didn’t sell well, so the record label told them to add a new singer and to start writing more pop-oriented songs. Robert Fleischman was the first new singer they added, but he didn’t stay long. They finally became huge stars with Steve Perry as lead singer and new keyboard man Jonathan Cain as primary composer. Didn’t Gregg Rolie leave the band because of family issues? People say only women do that kind of thing, but I’m pretty sure he was the prominent musician in that era who had children and realized that he couldn’t be the kind of dad he felt kids deserve if he stayed in the band. AFAIK, he stayed in the music industry but only did local gigs and session work, and all the money he made with Journey enabled him to do that. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/45 "2013-12-07T00:06:53Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Back when they were popular, I remember seeing a feature somewhere showing various previous iterations of the _Bay City Rollers_, who had apparently existed in some form for quite some time before they hit it big. They had been through many line-up changes, with nearly every original member replaced at some stage (and, I think, several of the replacements replaced in their turn), but a constant through most of their history was a guy called Nobby on lead vocals. Eventually, however, Nobby too was replaced, and they soon became stars. > > Of course, as anyone who remembers that era will tell you, they were still total crap, perhaps one of the worst bands ever to actually have a sustained string of hits. One hates to think how bad they must have been when Nobby was still a member. :eek: They were the “One Direction” of their times; while I did enjoy their music, and still find it fun to listen to, I didn’t fall for the “Rollermania” most of my friends did. We also had no idea that at least two of them, well, let’s just say they were more interested in the boyfriends some of the girls dragged along than the girls themselves. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/46 "2013-12-07T00:08:39Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > The first few albums by Yes didn’t sell very well, and they were on the verge of getting dumped by Atlantic Records. After original guitarist Peter Banks was replaced by Steve Howe, they found the stardom that had eluded them. “The Yes Album” is one of my all-time favorite albums. Great recording. My 12-year-old niece loves progressive music, and can pick Steve Howe’s guitar playing out of a crowd. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Kobal2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kobal2/32/20_2.png) [@Kobal2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kobal2)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/47 "2013-12-07T00:21:25Z")
> [@ads95](#): > > Metallica booted Dave Mustaine shortly before completion of “Kill Em’ All” and long before they made it big. And he’s been all butthurt about it ever since. ---
**Author:** ![Lobot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce7236/32.png) [@Lobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobot)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/48 "2013-12-07T00:59:55Z")
The correct answer for Genesis is not Peter Gabriel but rather Chris Stewart, their original drummer. Stewart was dismissed and replaced by John Silver, who left and was subsequently replaced by John Mayhew. Mayhew was then dismissed and replaced by Phil Collins. So they sacked two drummers before hitting their stride. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/49 "2013-12-07T01:44:45Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > And if the money wasn’t enough, there was also the sex with Rosanna Arquette. And the six Grammy awards, and 16 nominations, 3 Golden Globe nominations, and a couple of dozen other awards and nominations. Yeah, not much of a career. Good thing he also has Real World Studios to fall back on. You know, so he can live vicariously through all of the other musicians he helps and mentors. ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/50 "2013-12-07T01:47:29Z")
Henry Padovani was a member of The Police, but was kicked out before their first album. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/51 "2013-12-07T01:56:35Z")
> [@Kobal2](#): > > And he’s been all butthurt about it ever since. Does Mustaine still go on about Metallica? I thought Megadeth and Metallica even toured together at one point. ---
**Author:** ![Ike\_Witt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ike_witt/32/283_2.png) [@Ike\_Witt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ike_Witt)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/52 "2013-12-07T02:19:04Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Their original drummer was Prairie Prince. Before he was in The Tubes? ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/53 "2013-12-07T02:32:31Z")
Dinosaur Jr booted Lou Barlow before\* Green Mind\* (their first album on a major label), but they had started to have success with _Bug_ and the _Freak Scene_ single just prior to Mascis booting Barlow. Barlow eventually came back in 2005 (15 years alter). ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/54 "2013-12-07T02:50:35Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > And the six Grammy awards, and 16 nominations, 3 Golden Globe nominations, and a couple of dozen other awards and nominations. Including an Oscar nomination. And that wasn’t even for the best soundtrack ever. Peter Gabriel \> Genesis. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/55 "2013-12-07T03:20:03Z")
Jethro Tull ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/56 "2013-12-07T03:25:24Z")
^ Well? Which member of Tull was kicked out before they made it big? ---
**Author:** ![Don\_Draper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Don\_Draper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_Draper)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/57 "2013-12-07T03:47:04Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > That original Journey was dedicated to long, extensive jamming and prog-rock/jazzy instrumentals.Their records didn’t sell well, so the record label told them to add a new singer and to start writing more pop-oriented songs. Robert Fleischman was the first new singer they added, but he didn’t stay long. They finally became huge stars with Steve Perry as lead singer and new keyboard man Jonathan Cain as primary composer. In the Vh1 “Behind the Music” special about the band, one of the original members relates (quite amusingly) that he & his fellow band-mates HATED Steve Perry’s songs and his music style (“He’s a crooner!”) when he was foisted upon them by their manager. But then they did their first tour with Perry, and be began to notice - their audiences were initially composed mainly of schlubby, greasy, overweight, hairy male “prog rock” fans. Before long, their audiences were being composed of cute young girls. THAT made it all the more bare-able! Anyway, back on topic - **Jefferson Airplane** : Their original drummer was an ex-police officer who could not abide even the smell of marijuana. He barely lasted a month with the band. Alas, the group replaced him as drummer with talented but schizophrenic guitarist (and pointedly NOT a drummer) Skip Spence, who proved to be too flaky to show up to gigs. Eventually, they replaced him with Spencer Dryden. The band also replaced original female singer Signe Toly (later Anderson) after she had a baby, making appearances at hippie rock venues… difficult. She had threatened to quit numerous times. Signe also was married to one of Ken Kesey’s original band of Merrie Pranksters Jerry Anderson, who was apparently a volatile person that caused several ruckuses at early concerts (assaulting people for minor slights.) Of course, the band replaced her with Grace Slick, whose presence really put the band on the map. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/58 "2013-12-07T04:08:04Z")
Jethro Tull’s original guitarist, Mick Abrahams, was replaced for a short while by Tony Iommi (later of Black Sabbath) before they settled on Martin Lancelot Barre. Before their big album Aqualung, they also shed drummer Clive Bunker and bassist Glenn Cornick. By the time they hit their stride, Roland Kirk was the only original member. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/59 "2013-12-07T04:17:09Z")
Crosby, Stills & Nash originally had a fourth member. Once they shit-canned him they they had great hits like Suite Judy Blue Eyes and Marrakesh Express, and the other guy was never heard from again. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2013, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/60 "2013-12-07T04:33:24Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > Crosby, Stills & Nash originally had a fourth member. Once they shit-canned him they they had great hits like Suite Judy Blue Eyes and Marrakesh Express, and the other guy was never heard from again. I thought he died in Ohio along with 3 KSU students? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666.md?page=4)