Best replacement singers.

[verslibre]

Wasn't aware Dream Theater ever had a different singer than LaBrie. Interesting. That said, I can't imagine anyone else's voice except for his singing their catalog.

I can!

[KenTheDude]

Without a doubt, Kelly Hansen.

[majik]

Kelly Hansen gets my nod. Lou Gramm is, by all means, irreplaceable, but if you had to find one guy to fill his shoes, I don't think Foreigner could have done better.

I'd have to second that .The look, the voice, and stage presence.

Never noticed the resemblance to dear old Jack..... til now. Yup, I agree with Kelly as well. IMHO, he often sounds identical to Lou and he does so respectfully, meaning, he doesn't take any personal liberties with the songs in the way he delivers them. He stays pretty damn true to the originals.

My addition to the list is Brian Johnson. When Bon died I'd be willing to bet there wasn't a soul on the planet who would have bet they could have found a replacement for him and his voice. But they did and doing so provided for possibly the greatest comeback in rock music history.

Dave Evans was AC/DC's original lead singer 1973-1974 replaced by Bon Scott around October '74.

[JRNYMAN]

Kelly Hansen gets my nod. Lou Gramm is, by all means, irreplaceable, but if you had to find one guy to fill his shoes, I don't think Foreigner could have done better.

I'd have to second that .The look, the voice, and stage presence.

Never noticed the resemblance to dear old Jack..... til now. Yup, I agree with Kelly as well. IMHO, he often sounds identical to Lou and he does so respectfully, meaning, he doesn't take any personal liberties with the songs in the way he delivers them. He stays pretty damn true to the originals.

My addition to the list is Brian Johnson. When Bon died I'd be willing to bet there wasn't a soul on the planet who would have bet they could have found a replacement for him and his voice. But they did and doing so provided for possibly the greatest comeback in rock music history.

Dave Evans was AC/DC's original lead singer 1973-1974 replaced by Bon Scott around October '74.

Okay, and.....
So, since you and maybe 4 other people are aware of this, does that mean my answer isn't valid? Just messin' witcha. I didn't know that. Then again, in '73 I was a very Mormon, 4th grader that hadn't quite begun my road to unrighteousness yet so rock music hadn't crossed my radar.

[majik]

Toto had some of the best replacement singers not counting Byron of course.

[majik]

Kelly Hansen gets my nod. Lou Gramm is, by all means, irreplaceable, but if you had to find one guy to fill his shoes, I don't think Foreigner could have done better.

I'd have to second that .The look, the voice, and stage presence.

Never noticed the resemblance to dear old Jack..... til now. Yup, I agree with Kelly as well. IMHO, he often sounds identical to Lou and he does so respectfully, meaning, he doesn't take any personal liberties with the songs in the way he delivers them. He stays pretty damn true to the originals.

My addition to the list is Brian Johnson. When Bon died I'd be willing to bet there wasn't a soul on the planet who would have bet they could have found a replacement for him and his voice. But they did and doing so provided for possibly the greatest comeback in rock music history.

Dave Evans was AC/DC's original lead singer 1973-1974 replaced by Bon Scott around October '74.

Okay, and.....
So, since you and maybe 4 other people are aware of this, does that mean my answer isn't valid? Just messin' witcha. I didn't know that. Then again, in '73 I was a very Mormon, 4th grader that hadn't quite begun my road to unrighteousness yet so rock music hadn't crossed my radar.

Lol. Gotta give it to Brian Johnson

[SF-Dano]

Deep Purple
Rod Evans > Ian Gillan > David Coverdale > Ian Gillan > Joe Lynn Turner > Ian Gillan


Rainbow
Ronnie James Dio > Graham Bonnet > Joe Lynn Turner > Doogie White

[RyanHippFTW]

Jimi Jamison and Arnel Pineda

[ForceInfinity]

I would put out there James Labrie of Dream Theater (he replaced Charles Dominici who in turn replaced Chris Collin.... Labrie better than both) and the band has been arguably successful with him.. How come no mention for Mickey Thomas and Jefferson Starship (he replaced Marty Balin I believe)? And as far as I know Dream Theater is *very* active with that singer as is what's left of Starship/Jefferson Starship/whatever the hell they call themselves (never understood the whole thing with the names)

Wasn't aware Dream Theater ever had a different singer than LaBrie. Interesting. That said, I can't imagine anyone else's voice except for his singing their catalog.
As for Mickey Thomas, you're sorta right. It's complicated but basically, after many, many incarnations of the band that started as Jefferson Airplane, founding member Paul Kantner decided to change the name in 1974 when the band all but disintegrated leaving only Kantner and Grace Slick making up the band. Kantner used the cleansing as a reboot and new direction for his music. Jefferson Starship was born which included new member Marty Balin who's vocals brought the first commercial success thus far. Balin left in 1978 and was replaced by barely known singer/songwriter Mickey Thomas whose only real fame was singing lead vocals on the Elvin Bishop tune, Fooled Around and Fell in Love. Between 1979 and 1984, the band gradually gained commercial success and continued ushering in and out musicians such as Aynsley Dunbar, formerly of Journey of course. In June 1984, Paul Kantner, the last remaining founding member of Jefferson Airplane, left Jefferson Starship, took legal actio over the Jefferson Starship name against his former bandmates. Kantner settled out of court and signed an agreement that neither party would use the names "Jefferson" or "Airplane" unless all members of Jefferson Airplane, Inc. (Bill Thompson, Paul Kantner, Grace Slick, Jorma Kaukonen, Jack Casady) agreed. Thus, the remaining members of the band that once was Jefferson Starship was forced to immediately change the name or face legal action. For about a minute the band was actually called Starship Jefferson but everyone quickly saw how ridiculous and petty it was and decided to go with just Starship.
This is just the absolute tiniest nutshell version I could squeeze together to give some perspective as to why the name changes occurred. The history of the band(s) is extremely lengthy and involve somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 different musicians using the revolving door in that enterprise. So, yes, Thomas was indeed a replacement for Balin but when you look at the entire history of the band as a whole, every member of the band was a replacement for somebody at some point.
I will say I like both of them. They did justice to the songs for which they sang/wrote while with their respective incarnations of the group.

I would definitely agree that the Jefferson Airplane/Jefferosn Starship/Starship history makes my head hurt

Dream Theater had just one release with Charles Dominici called "When Day and Dream Unite", and I can see why they replaced him. My favorite song from that album by far was "Killing Hand". The other vocalist Chris Collin sounded like a low rent Geoff Tate on some songs

[JRNYMAN]

I would definitely agree that the Jefferson Airplane/Jefferosn Starship/Starship history makes my head hurt

If you really want a self-inflicted head wound, pull up the band's complete history either on Wikipedia or one of the fan sites. That'll have ya reaching for the Excedrin!

Dream Theater had just one release with Charles Dominici called "When Day and Dream Unite", and I can see why they replaced him. My favorite song from that album by far was "Killing Hand". The other vocalist Chris Collin sounded like a low rent Geoff Tate on some songs

LMAO! I'm a visualist and sometimes the picture my brain paints has nothing to do with the info it's receiving as it did in this case. When I read "...low rent Geoff Tate" this is what immediately came to mind...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4y0P995x ... re=related

[The Sushi Hunter]

Well, if we are talking about THOSE types of replacements Sammy Hagar has to go to the top of the list. Not a big fan of Van Hagar but you talk about a guy who made his own legacy with an established band, Sammy's your man.

I would agree that the Hagar and Van Halen merger had to have been one of the most successful before eventually going south. It doesn't occur often that two already very established main stream acts merge together into one like they did. Hagar's following combined with Van Halen's following, seems like it could have been the best of both worlds all in one.

[AR]

Well, if we are talking about THOSE types of replacements Sammy Hagar has to go to the top of the list. Not a big fan of Van Hagar but you talk about a guy who made his own legacy with an established band, Sammy's your man.

I would agree that the Hagar and Van Halen merger had to have been one of the most successful before eventually going south. It doesn't occur often that two already very established main stream acts merge together into one like they did. Hagar's following combined with Van Halen's following, seems like it could have been the best of both worlds all in one.

No question about this one.

As much as I hate to say it, that was then and this is now. Most of the bands we like are far too old to be able to go off in another direction the way Van Halen did. I just wish singers from tribute bands weren't being plucked to sing for the real deal. The worst thing for me in music these days is to hear someone say

"He sounds just like____________"

[jestor92]

Hagar and VH
DIO and Sabbath
Ian Gillian replacing Evans in Deep Purple
Coverdale and Hughes replacing Gillian in Deep Purple
Gillian replacing DIO in Sabbath
Dickinson initial voyage in Maiden
Kevin Cronin in REO Speedwagon
Tommy Shaw joining Styx
Joe Lynn Turner replacing Bonnet in Rainbow
That Steve Perry fellow booting Robert Fleischman out of Journey
Brian Johnson in Ac/Dc
Brian Howe joining Bad Company
I might be in the minority, but Tim 'Ripper' Owens joining both Judas Priest and Iced Earth
John Corabi joining Motley Crue (I still think Corabi's one album with Crue is their best)
Paul Rodgers and Queen
The dude who replaced Geoff Tate in Queensryche (OK, I'm joking there. Although QR have only put out one good cd in the last 20 years Mindcrime 2)
Mark Slaughter replaces Robert Fleischman in Vinnie Vincent Invasion

[AR]

Hagar and VH
DIO and Sabbath
Ian Gillian replacing Evans in Deep Purple
Coverdale and Hughes replacing Gillian in Deep Purple
Gillian replacing DIO in Sabbath
Dickinson initial voyage in Maiden
Kevin Cronin in REO Speedwagon
Tommy Shaw joining Styx
Joe Lynn Turner replacing Bonnet in Rainbow
That Steve Perry fellow booting Robert Fleischman out of Journey
Brian Johnson in Ac/Dc
Brian Howe joining Bad Company
I might be in the minority, but Tim 'Ripper' Owens joining both Judas Priest and Iced Earth
John Corabi joining Motley Crue (I still think Corabi's one album with Crue is their best)
Paul Rodgers and Queen
The dude who replaced Geoff Tate in Queensryche (OK, I'm joking there. Although QR have only put out one good cd in the last 20 years Mindcrime 2)
Mark Slaughter replaces Robert Fleischman in Vinnie Vincent Invasion

Great list!

[conversationpc]

DIO and Sabbath

Both "Heaven and Hell" and "Mob Rules" are better than any other Sabbath album, in my opinion. Those first few Sabbath albums with Ozzy are very good but I prefer the first two Dio-fronted albums.

I might be in the minority, but Tim 'Ripper' Owens joining both Judas Priest and Iced Earth

Owens is a talented singer for sure but I don't think he was quite right for either band. The only song I like on "Jugulator" was "Cathedral Spires" and I can't think of anything off the other that I like much at all. He was better in Iced Earth but his style is, I don't know...It just seems like he's trying way too hard when he sings.

The dude who replaced Geoff Tate in Queensryche (OK, I'm joking there. Although QR have only put out one good cd in the last 20 years Mindcrime 2)

I still really like "Promised Land" but, after that, everything sounds pretty much the same and that piss poor attempt at dance-flavored hard rock was vomit-inducing. The new guy does have some seriously major pipes, though.

[majik]

Hagar and VH
DIO and Sabbath
Ian Gillian replacing Evans in Deep Purple
Coverdale and Hughes replacing Gillian in Deep Purple
Gillian replacing DIO in Sabbath
Dickinson initial voyage in Maiden
Kevin Cronin in REO Speedwagon
Tommy Shaw joining Styx
Joe Lynn Turner replacing Bonnet in Rainbow
That Steve Perry fellow booting Robert Fleischman out of Journey
Brian Johnson in Ac/Dc
Brian Howe joining Bad Company
I might be in the minority, but Tim 'Ripper' Owens joining both Judas Priest and Iced Earth
John Corabi joining Motley Crue (I still think Corabi's one album with Crue is their best)
Paul Rodgers and Queen
The dude who replaced Geoff Tate in Queensryche (OK, I'm joking there. Although QR have only put out one good cd in the last 20 years Mindcrime 2)
Mark Slaughter replaces Robert Fleischman in Vinnie Vincent Invasion

Good to see Brian Howe there. Holy Water is one of his better albums with Bad Company.

[majik]

Jeff Scott Soto replaced Mark Weitz for Windows Of The Soul album by Eyes. Standout vocal performance on the track Cheyenne.

[steveo777]

Without a doubt, Kelly Hansen.

A great replacement in a replacement band.

[Aaron]

After seeing Boston last month in OH, I'd have to throw a vote for Tommy DeCarlo. The guy was awesome covering Brad's old parts. Between he and David Victor, they nailed it. It was a great show.

[JRNYMAN]

After seeing Boston last month in OH, I'd have to throw a vote for Tommy DeCarlo. The guy was awesome covering Brad's old parts. Between he and David Victor, they nailed it. It was a great show.

I was wondering if Tommy's name was going to be added to this list. I've never seen them live with Tommy but everything I've heard that was recorded sounded pretty damn good.

[Aaron]

Dude Tommy was awesome. I think he's still working on his stage presence and getting comfortable filling some of the biggest shoes in rock n roll. I really DGAF about all of that crap. His vocals were as good as anyone could expect and they were damn good. He didn't hit all of the high notes during the show, but he hit them often enough to let you know he can do it. David Victor has been a good add as well. He was clearly pushing his capability on stage and it showed. He was backing Tommy on the really high stuff. He missed one high note and kinda blew a gasket on stage. I liked it, it showed he would hang it out there and push the envelope. I think that comes through as more emotion when he just doesn't know if he's going to hit it or not. David covered Fran's old parts from Walk On. And it was all in the original key. It sure sounded like all of the vocals were live too. I didn't hear any canned backing vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taMHc7adez0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytbavmrt1uk

[JRNYMAN]

Dude Tommy was awesome. I think he's still working on his stage presence and getting comfortable filling some of the biggest shoes in rock n roll. I really DGAF about all of that crap. His vocals were as good as anyone could expect and they were damn good. He didn't hit all of the high notes during the show, but he hit them often enough to let you know he can do it. David Victor has been a good add as well. He was clearly pushing his capability on stage and it showed. He was backing Tommy on the really high stuff. He missed one high note and kinda blew a gasket on stage. I liked it, it showed he would hang it out there and push the envelope. I think that comes through as more emotion when he just doesn't know if he's going to hit it or not. David covered Fran's old parts from Walk On. And it was all in the original key. It sure sounded like all of the vocals were live too. I didn't hear any canned backing vocals.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taMHc7adez0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytbavmrt1uk

He the most unlikely person you'd ever take as the lead singer of a rock band. He just doesn't look the part. I remember when Tom introduced the world to him and watching the videos following him around at Home Depot.... I was just like.... "Huh?!?!" Then I heard that demo his daughter made of him (which she posted on MySpace IIRC) and I was just blown away!! At that moment in time, if I had to pick a replacement singer who sounded closest to the real thing, he would have been the winner in my book all day long and twice on Sundays!