Kind of a morbid topic, but it occurred to me recently that most rock and roll bands that formed before the 70s have at least one deceased founding member. We’re all familiar with the obvious examples – the Beatles, the Doors, the Who, etc. But I’ve going through Wikipedia with less obvious (to me, anyway) bands, and am finding lots of deceased members – Dennis Wilson of the Beach Boys, Tom Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Gene Clark of the Byrds.
What bands from this era (or earlier) have all founding memebers still alive and kicking?
I realize that the term “founding member” can be a bit ambiguous – for the purposes of this exercise, define “founding member” as one of the members who played on (or otherwise contributed to) the band’s first released recording.
I’ll start the thread off with Yes – founding members Jon Anderson, Peter Banks, Bill Bruford, Tony Kaye, and Chris Squire – all in their 60s, but still with us.
The Moody Blues’ Ray Thomas, Graeme Edge, John Lodge, Denny Laine, Mike Pinder and Justin Hayward are still alive.
The only one who’s died is the original bassist, Clint Warwick. He was not really a “founding” member as he was recruited by Thomas/Pinder, the real founders.
Eric Burdon and the Animals. The Animals themselves have have lost one original member, but all members of Burdon’s second incarnation are still alive.
King Crimson (two members of the 1971-72 lineup are deceased, but the original 1969 members are all still with us)
Jethro Tull
Sly & the Family Stone
Blood, Sweat & Tears
No way. Ancient history, but IIRC Brian Jones and Ian Stewart were the defacto founders of the group that was joined by Mick, Keith, Charlie, and Bill. Shortly before they hit the big time Ian was demoted to “unofficial” member status.
Blood Sweat and Tears – at least, the original group that recorded Child is the Father to the Man. The David Clayton-Thomas incarnation may also fit the bill.