# Most unlikely band member longevity **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 1, 2019, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784 "2019-02-01T15:08:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/21 "2019-02-02T03:37:18Z")
The only Megadeth constant has been Dave Mustaine. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/22 "2019-02-02T17:00:53Z")
> [@Mister\_Rik](#): > > Any other bands with a surprising member who has remained in place while nearly everything around him changes? The band **Wilco** has two members that have been around from the beginning. It’s not surprising that one of those is Jeff Tweedy, since it is essentially his band. The other is bassist John Stirratt, which _is_ surprising, given the revolving door of musicians that played in the band for it’s first decade or so (and given Tweedy’s reputation for being difficult to work with). ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/23 "2019-02-02T17:05:37Z")
Gary Tallent is the only founding member of the E Street Band still around. The guy is so low-key that he doesn’t even seem to appear in clips of live performances. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/24 "2019-02-02T17:16:05Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > Gary Tallent is the only founding member of the E Street Band still around. The guy is so low-key that he doesn’t even seem to appear in clips of live performances. Now that’s a good example. Certainly not the first name that springs to mind when you mention the E Street Band. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/25 "2019-02-02T18:44:20Z")
Phil Fasciana (rhythm guitar) is the only original member of Malevolent Creation (the band’s career began in 1987). ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/26 "2019-02-02T19:01:42Z")
How about a band with no original members left? **I Declare War** is a deathcore band from Seattle; their first album caught my ear. The band’s membership has been chaotic to say the least; [cite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Declare_War_(band)). I’ll see if I can condense it all: > [@](#): > > The band was founded in 2005. The original line up consisted of: Johnathan Huber (Vocals), Evan Hughes (Guitar), Jake Paulson (Guitar), Randy Carpenter (Drums), and Zack Ring (Bass). > [@](#): > > in 2009 the band would experience its first major lineup change “with Chris Fugate stepping in to replace Paulson, Ryan Cox coming in for Carpenter, and Brent Eaton taking over for Ring.” This would leave Huber and Hughes as the only original members in the band. > [@](#): > > The following year the band released their third album, 2010’s Malevolence. This would mark the group’s last release to feature original vocalist, Jonathan Huber. **\** The band was quick to find a replacement vocalist in Jamie Hanks. > [@](#): > > In 2011, Hanks made his first recorded appearance with the band on the group’s fourth record, the self-titled I Declare War. This release being titled I Declare War Guitarist Evan Hughes was the only member in the band left from the original 2005 lineup. However, even this was about to change. > > In early 2012, the band’s lineup again went through a drastic change. Every single member of the band other than their newly appointed vocalist left I Declare War. With Hanks now finding himself the senior member of the band, the group gained a new lineup in 2012. This third and current incarnation of the group consists of guitarist John Winters, drummer Colin Bradford, bassist Gordon McPherson, and vocalist Jamie Hanks. They eventually expanded to once again include a second guitarist, this one being Jacob Hansen. Later on yet again due to heavy touring Hansen and Bradford would leave and enters Yusef Johnson. The band is still active but currently only lists two members: Hanks and Winters. Hanks joined the band for their 4th album and Winters for their 5th. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/27 "2019-02-02T19:05:30Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > How about a band with no original members left? We’ve done that: [Bands with NO original members?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=759421) ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/28 "2019-02-02T19:21:24Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > We’ve done that: [Bands with NO original members?](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=759421) I see that I missed that thread when it was current; thanks for the heads-up. Sorry to have infiltrated/hijacked the thread. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2019, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784/29 "2019-02-02T23:56:31Z")
I can think of a few 60s groups that still tour under their name but with one original member; Herman’s Hermits and Steppenwolf spring to mind first but basically because I saw them last. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/most-unlikely-band-member-longevity/828784.md?page=1)