# Biggest Band Drop-off After One Quits/Fired **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [August 15, 2019, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681 "2019-08-15T01:53:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![glowacks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/glowacks/32/5548_2.png) [@glowacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glowacks)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/101 "2019-08-19T03:48:24Z")
I feel I need to chime in and say that I think Momentary Lapse of Reason is a decent album and that The Final Cut is absolutely abysmal. I bought the latter because of good reviews by Pink Floyd fans, but it’s nice to know there are others who don’t care for it either. I don’t know how many times I’ve listened to it (less than the number of fingers on one hand), but all I remember is a bunch of Roger Waters’ whining and very little actual music. Perhaps it’s because I care far more about the music than then lyrics - well over half of all the music I’ve listened to in the past decade has been instrumental, and a non-negligible amount of that isn’t because there weren’t lyrics written for it. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/102 "2019-08-19T04:42:38Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > The posters can all read “Who are The Beatles?” Niiiice, and I can just hear Daltrey belting out “Everybody’s Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey”… and Ringo can do “Boris the Spider.” ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/103 "2019-08-19T13:30:16Z")
> [@digs](#): > > My kid made the comment “All my favorite bands are part dead.” Huh? “Beatles, Zep’lin, Ramones, Who… half dead guys.” > First I said “Someone raised you right.” Then I had a brilliant idea: “You name-checked a band with a bass player and drummer gone, and one that’s only got those left. So let’s get _The Whotles_ to go on tour.” > > Wouldn’t Ringo have been a better replacement for Keith Moon? Yes, he’d be a better replacement. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/104 "2019-08-19T18:44:26Z")
Frankie Valli ---
**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:** [August 19, 2019, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/105 "2019-08-19T20:12:53Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > The Attractions (better known as “Elvis Costello’s Band”) minus Bruce Thomas, who put the “power” in “power pop” and whose bass parts were in many cases the definitive hook of EC’s songs. There isn’t a single thing Costello recorded after that which even remotely approaches the level of musical engagement that The Attractions had. He did, at least, do the honorable thing by not billing the group as The Attractions after Thomas was out - acknowledging that he could not be replaced. I’ve loved ECatA forever, but had always concentrated on the lyrics, melodies, and Nieves’ incredible keyboard work. Then I bought a bass, and really started listening to BT. Yes, what amazing sonic marvels his bass lines are. They’re more fun than anything. To add to the thread though, I’ll say Bob Stinson leaving the Replacements. Now, I still love a lot of post-Stinson Replacement songs, but the band should have been renamed when he left\*. - Got booted! ---
**Author:** ![sps49sd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@sps49sd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sps49sd)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 4:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/106 "2019-08-23T04:59:41Z")
The Commmodores were getting poular. Then Lionel Richie left and made godawful pop. ---
**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:** [August 23, 2019, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/107 "2019-08-23T15:46:15Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > Yeah, and “Sugar, Sugar” was the top hit of 1969. Success≠quality. Commercial success of a band is meaningless to me if I can’t stand to listen to them. Then let’s be clear. We are _not_ talking about a drop off in sales, popularity or talent but a drop off in how much an individual enjoyed them. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2019, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/108 "2019-08-23T16:58:57Z")
> [@Fiddle\_Peghead](#): > > I’ve loved ECatA forever, but had always concentrated on the lyrics, melodies, and Nieves’ incredible keyboard work. Then I bought a bass, and really started listening to BT. Yes, what amazing sonic marvels his bass lines are. They’re more fun than anything. Every track, or show, he played on, he brought something essential to it. In [this early live recording](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ9vs_yrHzk) of _No Dancing_ (originally recorded at a faster tempo with EC’s first band on _My Aim Is True_) he keeps the slow, suspenseful feel interesting with the addition of walk-ups or walk-downs to the sustained notes (and at 0:59 in that video he can be seen doing something that I myself do ALL THE TIME when I play - pushing his glasses back up!) then the song gradually builds in intensity to the bridge section where again he deploys strategic little walking parts where lesser bassists on a similarly-structured song would just be playing quarter notes. That’s what he could do with a relatively simple song like No Dancing. Then hear [Everyday I Write The Book](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1d4r9awjKE) (with an extremely ridiculous video - look at those Charles and Diana impersonators!) and try to imagine that song without those perfect melodic counterpoints to the vocals. And Bruce was also ALWAYS locked in with Pete and Steve - the three of them played as if each of them could read the others’ mind. And then there’s songs like _Pump It Up_ where the bass part basically IS the song. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/109 "2020-11-13T20:12:26Z")
I totally agree about Berry leaving R.E.M. Apparently he was the band’s bullshit detector; he was the one that advised them to drop esoteric bullshit. He and Mills are one of my all-time favorite rhythm sections… but my Lord, I still can’t listen to Up all the way through after all these years. R.E.M. managed to put a few great singles on an album that was mostly dreck, sadly, after then. I am _Chronic Town–New Adventures in Hi-Fi_ and then my attention waned considerably. ---
**Author:** ![Crafter\_Man](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crafter_man/32/458_2.png) [@Crafter\_Man](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crafter_Man)\ **Post date:** [November 13, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/110 "2020-11-13T20:49:57Z")
[quote=“MortSahlFan, post:98, topic:838681”] I think The Who died with Keith… The replacement drummers not only didn’t fit in, they weren’t great to begin with.[/quote] Eh, Moon wasn’t a good drummer from a technical standpoint. Townshend was frustrated with him because he would occasionally write songs that Moon couldn’t play, and Townshend would have to bring in a professional drummer to record the song. Nonetheless, everyone loves Moon. Including me. Not because he was a technically proficient drummer, but because of his explosive style, and that he was fun to watch. The Who died when Moon died. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/111 "2020-11-14T00:55:04Z")
> [@Lamoral](#): > > There isn’t a single thing Costello recorded after that which even remotely approaches the level of musical engagement that The Attractions had. Eh, I think Spike and When I was Cruel at the very least are on the same level as most the Attractions albums. I wouldn’t say they were his best, mind you. But at a generally comparable level. But I find almost everything Costello records interesting and listenable. And much as I love Bruce Thomas’ bass work, it is not central to my enjoyment. > [@MortSahlFan](#): > > Peter Green leaving Fleetwood Mac I can honestly say I like most phases of Fleetwood Mac up until maybe post-Tusk. In fact Kiln House with Danny Kirwan and Jeremy Spencer is a particular favorite of mine. FM is to my mind is actually an example of a band that stayed consistently interesting and decent through many personnel changes. For me they only really ossified when they became super-stars. Success/age weakened them, rather than shifting personnel. > [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > I totally agree about Berry leaving R.E.M. Apparently he was the band’s bullshit detector; he was the one that advised them to drop esoteric bullshit. > > I am _Chronic Town–New Adventures in Hi-Fi_ and then my attention waned considerably. I always find myself in half agreement with this. I don’t know why I so stubbornly resist the impact of Berry’s influence, because it is a fact that my interest drops off a cliff after New Adventures as well. But I think it may be because I feel like I can detect seeds of decline before he left - I like New Adventures but it is my least favorite album of those REM albums I do like. I still feel time defeated REM more than just the loss of Berry, though no doubt his departure was no doubt a contributing factor. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/112 "2020-11-14T02:21:55Z")
Fleetwood Mac is almost the poster child for “Bands that re-invented themselves without sucking” (Floyd yes, Genesis mostly, Starship NO). I just love the Peter Green era. In fact, “Homework” runs through my brain once a day… with Jeremy and Danny of course, in Paris yet! [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/u8lme8he8WU/hqdefault.jpg "Fleetwood Mac w. Peter Green - Homework - 1968/12/31 - Paris") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8lme8he8WU) Hmm, how about _Metallica?_ Lots of personnel changes… I mean, they fired two guitarists (Brad Parker, Dave Mustaine) before they ever recorded an album. Oh, wait, I’ve got one: _Chicago_ after Terry Kath died. Not only did they lose Kath’s guitar work and radicalized hippie heart, but Peter Cetera became the only vocalist… and he wanted to be a lightweight pop singer (can you say “Duet with Amy Grant?”). Yeah, I’m still bitter. ---
**Author:** ![MortSahlFan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3bc359/32.png) [@MortSahlFan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MortSahlFan)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/113 "2020-11-14T14:36:32Z")
I think Pink Floyd died after Roger left the band. ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/114 "2020-11-14T14:53:02Z")
Nothing against Al Kooper. I have 2 or 3 of his recordings and read his book. But Blood Sweat & Tears had more (commercial) success with David Clayton Thomas. He had an impressive background before joining BS&T. Would often see him in Toronto & southern Ontario. Those were the days around southern Ontario when one could also often see Levon & The Hawks (aka The Band), Ronnie Hawkins, Crowbar, King Biscuit Boy (Richard Newell) etc. The common thread to so many popular musicians in the area was Ronnie Hawkins. Former BS&T member Darcy Hepner is (or was) involved with the music program at Mohawk College, Hamilton. Also can often be seen playing around the city/area. Sorry. Too much information. Got carried away. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/115 "2020-11-14T15:02:35Z")
Did the Police make music after Sting went solo? ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/116 "2020-11-14T15:05:17Z")
A deprogrammer got Paul McCartney out of Wings, which was too bad- he was the most talented one. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2020, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/117 "2020-11-14T17:22:30Z")
> [@digs](#): > > Not only did they lose Kath’s guitar work and radicalized hippie heart, but Peter Cetera became the only vocalist No, they always had multiple vocalists. Originally there were three - Robert Lamm, Peter Cetera and Kath. They then added in new musicians to replace Kath, including vocally. Later they replaced Cetera. Didn’t stop them from sucking, but it wasn’t due to just having a single singer 😉. ---
**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:** [November 14, 2020, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/118 "2020-11-14T23:49:21Z")
IIRC they remastered/ updated 2 songs. ---
**Author:** ![Keith1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/6de8d8/32.png) [@Keith1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keith1)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/119 "2020-11-15T03:41:55Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > Didn’t stop them from sucking, but it wasn’t due to just having a single singer Their status of awesome rock band to lounge act can be attributed to" 1. The loss of Terry Kath. 2. Getting involved with David Foster, the master of schlock. ---
**Author:** ![by-tor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/by-tor/32/266_2.png) [@by-tor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/by-tor)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2020, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681/120 "2020-11-15T22:00:40Z")
Some people say Journey went downhill when they hired Steve Perry to sing but personally I think they lost the mojo when he left. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/biggest-band-drop-off-after-one-quits-fired/838681.md?page=7)