# 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:** 5
**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 8, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/81 "2013-12-08T00:27:15Z")
Employee, it seems. [Keith Moon was not the original drummer for The Who](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doug_Sandom). ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/82 "2013-12-08T00:27:35Z")
> [@For You](#): > > 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. Roland Kirk was a jazz saxophonist, whose “Serenade for a Cuckoo” was on JT’s album, “This Was.” I doubt he was ever a member of the band. ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/83 "2013-12-08T00:30:52Z")
> [@For You](#): > > Aww, damn, you are correct, I always mix those two up, the way I have a hard time distinguishing Ann Wilson from Robert Plant. Robert is the cuter of the two. Now wasn’t that simple?🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/84 "2013-12-08T01:05:27Z")
Pearl Jam’s original drummer, Dave Krusen, left the band after they recorded their debut album _Ten_ but before it was released. It’s my understanding that he did leave voluntarily rather than being booted; he had a serious drinking problem and went into rehab. While he missed out on the band’s rise to fame, I assume he still made a fair amount of money off of _Ten_. The album eventually sold over 10 million copies in the US alone, and IIRC the music for all of the songs on _Ten_ was credited to all of the band members. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/85 "2013-12-08T01:11:33Z")
**Sublime** got rid of their lead singer before they hit it big… Oh wait. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/86 "2013-12-08T01:26:12Z")
> [@For You](#): > > From what I can tell, chemistry is on a par with talent. If a member clashes rather than clicks with the others, that person’s amazing talent will not be enough to make the group better. Pete Best simply did not belong in the Beatles, Ringo Starr did, because they functioned better with him, dubious as his talent might have been. I am pretty sure that Pete’s replacement by Ringo had more to do with their respective musical abilities than with their “chemistry” with the rest of the band. Ringo got in because he was the best “beat group” drummer in Liverpool at that time, and he left Rory Storm and joined The Beatles because they were the only beat group in Liverpool with a shot (at that time) at getting a recording contract. ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/87 "2013-12-08T04:29:18Z")
Well, Daevid Allen was an original member of Soft Machine… he didn’t get kicked out of the group, but he did get kicked out of the country… more specifically, when the group went to France after recording its first single, Allen (an Australian) was denied re-entry into England. He stayed in France, forming Gong. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/88 "2013-12-08T05:57:55Z")
> [@11811](#): > > Roland Kirk was a jazz saxophonist, whose “Serenade for a Cuckoo” was on JT’s album, “This Was.” I doubt he was ever a member of the band. **For You** was making ze leetle joke. ---
**Author:** ![lawoot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/35a633/32.png) [@lawoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lawoot)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/89 "2013-12-08T09:34:59Z")
> [@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. > [@Typo\_Negative](#): > > 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. On the DVD for the [2112/Moving Pictures episode](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ARd5SPm2M4) of _Classic Albums_ they mention the version **Infovore** cites. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/90 "2013-12-08T17:05:38Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > I am pretty sure that Pete’s replacement by Ringo had more to do with their respective musical abilities than with their “chemistry” with the rest of the band. Ringo got in because he was the best “beat group” drummer in Liverpool at that time, and he left Rory Storm and joined The Beatles because they were the only beat group in Liverpool with a shot (at that time) at getting a recording contract. The Beatles and the Hurricanes were both working in Hamburg at the same time. So the members of both groups got to hang out and get to know each other. ---
**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 8, 2013, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/91 "2013-12-08T17:16:26Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > Does Mustaine still go on about Metallica? I thought Megadeth and Metallica even toured together at one point. I believe they’re indeed up to frigid non-outright-aggression now, so, progress ! Bear in mind I haven’t paid attention to what Metallica was up to since they committed St. Anger, so I may not be up to speed. ---
**Author:** ![CatherineZeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2013, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/92 "2013-12-08T20:16:54Z")
> [@epbrown01](#): > > I know _Heart_ > > Someone kicking themselves might be Gwen Stefani’s brother, who brought her into his band then quit before her songs made them a success. The original lead singer of No Doubt was John Spence, however he was not kicked out, he committed suicide before the band even recorded an album and Gwen took over lead vocals. Eric Stefani left the band around the time of Tragic Kingdom and became an animator for the Simpsons. For anyone who’s interested, Eric Stefani does the vocals on No Doubt’s song “Paulina” on their album The Beacon Street Collection. ---
**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 9, 2013, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/93 "2013-12-09T05:06:46Z")
Randy X. Hogan was the original lead singer of Cheap Trick but only briefly. Not sure why he left in such short order. He was replaced by Robin Zander who stuck with the band for the long haul. ---
**Author:** ![chicagowhitesox1173](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/46a35a/32.png) [@chicagowhitesox1173](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chicagowhitesox1173)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/94 "2013-12-09T08:01:24Z")
I think Guns N Roses had different members of thier original lineup. ---
**Author:** ![doverpro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@doverpro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doverpro)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/95 "2013-12-09T17:21:06Z")
[quote=“TreacherousCretin, post:75, topic:675666”] > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > He counts, and IIRC it’s even worse than you wrote- He was THE original member. The Stones were born when Brian Jones joined up with Ian, followed by the various others. It was Ian’s band. > (I’m not too proud to welcome correction if I’m wrong about this.) I remember reading something years ago that Stewart remained a full member of the band, only not in the Stones’ public persona. He received a full share of the band’s royalties, he played piano for them in the studio and on stage, and was their full-time road manager. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/96 "2013-12-09T18:55:46Z")
[quote=“doverpro, post:95, topic:675666”] > [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > I remember reading something years ago that Stewart remained a full member of the band, only not in the Stones’ public persona. He received a full share of the band’s royalties, he played piano for them in the studio and on stage, and was their full-time road manager. Wow. I’ve never heard this before. Thank you. I tip my hat in your direction. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/97 "2013-12-09T19:04:53Z")
Roy Wood, along with Jeff Lynne, were the founders of ELO, but they didn’t hit it big until after Wood left and Lynne became sole leader of the ship. But I don’t know if he was “booted” or left out of creative differences or whatever. ---
**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 9, 2013, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/98 "2013-12-09T19:24:09Z")
As a counterpoint, one might mention the strange, transvestite-looking guy who was like a founding member of Roxy Music. As far as I can tell, Roxy Music never really “hit it big”, but that strange transvestite-looking guy became more than slightly massive, on his own and with other bands. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/99 "2013-12-09T19:28:55Z")
> [@For You](#): > > As far as I can tell, Roxy Music never really “hit it big” They only ever had middling success in the USA, but they were huge right from the beginning back home in the UK, with every album reaching the Top 10 and several of them going to #1. ---
**Author:** ![jrsone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jrsone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jrsone)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2013, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666/100 "2013-12-09T20:46:03Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Faith No More went through a half-dozen vocalists before getting signed with Chuck Mosley fronting the band, then hitting it big with Mike Patton. Came in to say that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-that-booted-an-original-member-before-hitting-it-big/675666.md?page=6)