# Bands where no one can be replaced **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 17, 2012, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569 "2012-07-17T23:23:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/41 "2012-07-18T13:52:39Z")
> [@nogravity](#): > > **I second The Who**. Each one provided a unique, irreplaceable talent… [My Bold] Up to a few years ago I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you. Then I saw Roger Daltry on stage with Pete’s brother Simon and two young musicians on bass and drums. He was opening for Eric Clapton. His group basically lit off a string of vintage Who songs. Simon plays lead as good as Pete used to play. The sound was pure 70’s Who all the way. The set was so tight and true to vintage Who that it occurred to me that only an act like Clapton’s could follow it and not be fearful. After sadly witnessing the Super Bowl halftime Who fiasco it warmed my heart to hear the music played with the intensity and precision it deserved. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/42 "2012-07-18T13:59:37Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Well, you can’t replace the singer in Iron Maiden. Bruce Dickinson DID replace the singer in Iron Maiden! ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/43 "2012-07-18T14:05:33Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Bruce Dickinson DID replace the singer in Iron Maiden! Twice. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/44 "2012-07-18T14:08:39Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > **Wilco** is an example of a band where anybody other than Jeff Tweedy can be replaced (and in most cases have been). Jay Bennett thought he was irreplaceable, but he was (at least partially) wrong. Reading this, and as a Wilco fan, a thought just occurred to me. Whenever this is the case, does that not mean that the “band” really isn’t one, but instead just a solo act with a changing cast of back-up players and side men? ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/45 "2012-07-18T14:15:48Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Bruce Dickinson DID replace the singer in Iron Maiden! [THE Bruce Dickinson?](http://www.hulu.com/watch/311123) ---
**Author:** ![cjepson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9adbd/32.png) [@cjepson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cjepson)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/46 "2012-07-18T14:30:55Z")
Maybe this is cheating, but a couple of duos: the Black Keys, and the '66-'67 Incredible String Band. Maybe Blind Faith, although I guess Ric Grech was replaceable. The “Red” version of King Crimson. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/47 "2012-07-18T15:16:24Z")
It’s pretty hard to replace anyone in a power trio without really changing the band’s sound. As far as The Band goes, maybe they were able to replace Robertson’s guitar playing, but they definitely could not replicate his songwriting. ---
**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:** [July 18, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/48 "2012-07-18T15:22:25Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > **Wilco** is an example of a band where anybody other than Jeff Tweedy can be replaced (and in most cases have been). Jay Bennett thought he was irreplaceable, but he was (at least partially) wrong. > [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > Reading this, and as a Wilco fan, a thought just occurred to me. Whenever this is the case, does that not mean that the “band” really isn’t one, but instead just a solo act with a changing cast of back-up players and side men? Bassist John Stirratt is irreplaceable and Tweedy is on record as saying that if John ever decides to leave the band, that it will be the end of Wilco. He’s been with Tweedy since Uncle Tupelo, and throughout the entirety of Wilco’s history. Everyone else in the band can be replaced, though they’ve have a really great run w/ this current lineup. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 3:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/49 "2012-07-18T15:44:27Z")
> [@mnemosyne](#): > > If we consider Nine Inch Nails to pretty much be Trent Reznor, then I’d say there are no replaceable people in NIN. > [@Leaffan](#): > > No one has mentioned The Doors? Jim Morrison was The Doors. The Doors without Jim are…The Windows perhaps. But the point is that evryone except Trent or Morrison is replacable. This thread is not about not replacing the one or two members everyone knows about but where the bassist or drummer can’t even be replaced without changing the sound or feel of the band. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/50 "2012-07-18T15:57:13Z")
Obviously The Beatles could replace the drummer and still be The Beatles. Also, they could lose Stu Sutcliffe. Sting is not The Police. His solo output is nothing like The Police. Without Andy and Stewart, [he’s basically Kenny G](http://www.theonion.com/articles/you-know-i-used-to-be-kind-of-cool-once,10932/). Remember, this thread is not about bands where you can’t replace the lead creative force. It’s about bands where every member is a lead creative force, and therefore you can’t replace any of them. It’s not about bands with one or two leaders and a bunch of talented session players. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/51 "2012-07-18T15:59:33Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > They replaced John Rutsey fairly successfully. Only because Rutsey was a mediocre drummer. It would be very hard to see Peart being as easily replaced. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/52 "2012-07-18T16:00:28Z")
[Joe Barrick’s one-man band.](http://www.mustrad.org.uk/articles/barrick.htm) ---
**Author:** ![StusBlues](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@StusBlues](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StusBlues)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/53 "2012-07-18T16:21:14Z")
It’s certainly arguable that George Harrison could have been replaced. Switch George with Pete Townsend or Jeff Beck or somebody, for example, and tell me that doesn’t get you at least as good a band. It changes the complexion of the group, certainly, but the Beatles changed so radically during their relatively brief tenure that this would have been par for the course. ---
**Author:** ![Mister\_Rik](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mister_rik/32/491_2.png) [@Mister\_Rik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mister_Rik)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/54 "2012-07-18T16:37:58Z")
> [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](#): > > Only because Rutsey was a mediocre drummer. It would be very hard to see Peart being as easily replaced. Rutsey was a competent, solid drummer, but Peart’s addition completely changed the sound and direction of the band. And since Peart replaced Rutsey in between the release of the first album and the band going on tour to support that same album, Rutsey may as well have been a hired studio musician. Although it’s interesting that, judging by the old archival Rush videos I’ve seen from when Rutsey was still in the band, he was essentially the band’s spokesman - he did all the talking to the audience between songs. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/55 "2012-07-18T17:37:29Z")
I’m not sure there are any bands where all band members are irreplaceable. The closest I would guess would be Tenacious D. ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/56 "2012-07-18T18:41:13Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > [My Bold] > > Up to a few years ago I would have wholeheartedly agreed with you. > > Then I saw Roger Daltry on stage with Pete’s brother Simon and two young musicians on bass and drums. He was opening for Eric Clapton. His group basically lit off a string of vintage Who songs. Simon plays lead as good as Pete used to play. > > The sound was pure 70’s Who all the way. The set was so tight and true to vintage Who that it occurred to me that only an act like Clapton’s could follow it and not be fearful. > > After sadly witnessing the Super Bowl halftime Who fiasco it warmed my heart to hear the music played with the intensity and precision it deserved. So they were a good Who cover band. It does not mean that they could have created The Who’s music in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/57 "2012-07-18T18:44:11Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > So they were a good Who cover band. It does not mean that they could have created The Who’s music in the first place. I’ve heard either Pete or Roger quoted (I tend to think it was Pete) as saying that they two now comprise the world’s most expensive Who cover band. ---
**Author:** ![Gus\_Gusterson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@Gus\_Gusterson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gus_Gusterson)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/58 "2012-07-18T19:10:17Z")
If you consider Indigo Girls to be a band and Amy Ray and Emily Saliers to be the only members of the band (they often have other people on stage with them but those people are not part of Indigo Girls), they qualify. Their continued existence as a duo hinges on their two voices and their peculiar approach to songwriting. They don’t collaborate on their songs - there are Emily songs and Amy songs. Replacing one of them would change the sound and lose half of the songs. Nobody wants to hear someone else sing an Emily Saliers song with Amy Ray and nobody wants to hear someone else sing an Amy Ray song with Emily Saliers. When one of them wants out it’s over. ---
**Author:** ![Fiddle\_Peghead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddle_peghead/32/3506_2.png) [@Fiddle\_Peghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fiddle_Peghead)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/59 "2012-07-18T19:19:30Z")
> [@Gus\_Gusterson](#): > > If you consider Indigo Girls to be a band… I’m too lazy to read back over the thread, but aren’t you the first to make such an observation? You’ve single-handedly made it unnecessary for anyone to mention Simon and Garfunkel or the Everly Brothers, for instance. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Keweenaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@Keweenaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keweenaw)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2012, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569/60 "2012-07-18T19:33:53Z")
Replaceable although not suprisingly Menudo The Platters [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bands-where-no-one-can-be-replaced/628569.md?page=4)