Lead singers & their guitarists- winners and losers

[squirt1]

IMO- Journey-Styx-Foreigner have taken a divebomb from their former status. Now they have to join 3 bands together to have any type of crowd. REO Speedwagon was always around Kevin. Meanwhile,Aerosmith ,BonJovi, & U2 sail on . Any predictions to a Led Zep reunion? Name bands that survived losing their singers that created big sales,huge hits and crowds.Chicago -Peter Catera wanted to leave and Jason Schiff sounded close so no fan revolt and other writers in the band, VanHalen did better with Sammy IMO, Survivor did much better with Jimi Jamison than Bickler. Bickler, on the other hand, is making huge $$$ doing the Bud Light Real men of genius commercials. I laugh that Brian Adams is the writer,guitarist and singer and has secured his fate from every direction. OK, attack if you wish.

[StyxCollector]

Genesis in the transition from Gabriel to Collins not only survived, but became more successful. They haven't toured with Collins since 1992, didn't play the US with the Ray Wilson album in 1997, and now they're still playing large venues this year for the hell of it.

[MartyMoffatt]

AC/DC survived the death of Bon Scott by recruiting Brian Johnson and continued to have huge sales.

Iron Maiden survived the departure of Paul Di'Anno by recruiting Bruce Dickinson and it launched them to bigger and better things.

Rainbow survived the departure of Ronnie James Dio and replaced him with Graham Bonnet to have their biggest two singles hits.

Deep Purple survived the departure of Ian Gillan by recruiting David Coverdale and continued to have some success. After a succession of other singers they've gone back to Ian Gillan, and it still doesn't seem to have hurt their status too much. They've gradually declined in popularity and influence despite changes of lead singer, not because of it.

Marty

[Little Lenny]

AC/DC survived the death of Bon Scott by recruiting Brian Johnson and continued to have huge sales.

Iron Maiden survived the departure of Paul Di'Anno by recruiting Bruce Dickinson and it launched them to bigger and better things.

Rainbow survived the departure of Ronnie James Dio and replaced him with Graham Bonnet to have their biggest two singles hits.

Deep Purple survived the departure of Ian Gillan by recruiting David Coverdale and continued to have some success. After a succession of other singers they've gone back to Ian Gillan, and it still doesn't seem to have hurt their status too much. They've gradually declined in popularity and influence despite changes of lead singer, not because of it.

Marty

Well I was going to write these band names, but you pipped me at the post Marty

[Matthew]

Rainbow survived the departure of Ronnie James Dio and replaced him with Graham Bonnet to have their biggest two singles hits.

Deep Purple survived the departure of Ian Gillan by recruiting David Coverdale and continued to have some success. After a succession of other singers they've gone back to Ian Gillan, and it still doesn't seem to have hurt their status too much. They've gradually declined in popularity and influence despite changes of lead singer, not because of it.

Marty

And Joe Lyn Turner joined both Rainbow and Deep Purple as the third singer too....

And what about Black Sabbath? Ozzy, Dio, Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes...then Ray Gillen.......and Tony Martin....back to Ozzy...and Dio again....and then Martin returned...and currently they are touring under a different name...with Dio.

[MartyMoffatt]

And Joe Lyn Turner joined both Rainbow and Deep Purple as the third singer too....

And what about Black Sabbath? Ozzy, Dio, Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes...then Ray Gillen.......and Tony Martin....back to Ozzy...and Dio again....and then Martin returned...and currently they are touring under a different name...with Dio.

I was going to mention these, but I was trying to keep it in context with the original post, asking for bands who'd changed singers and had maintained or improved their popularity. I don't think that's been true with either band that JLT took over, nor any of the Black Sabbath combinations (with the possible exception of RJD - who in my opinion was better than Ozzy).

Marty

[Matthew]

And Joe Lyn Turner joined both Rainbow and Deep Purple as the third singer too....

And what about Black Sabbath? Ozzy, Dio, Ian Gillan, Glenn Hughes...then Ray Gillen.......and Tony Martin....back to Ozzy...and Dio again....and then Martin returned...and currently they are touring under a different name...with Dio.

I was going to mention these, but I was trying to keep it in context with the original post, asking for bands who'd changed singers and had maintained or improved their popularity. I don't think that's been true with either band that JLT took over, nor any of the Black Sabbath combinations (with the possible exception of RJD - who in my opinion was better than Ozzy).

Marty

As you say... it was true of Black Sabbath until the Born Again album with Gillan...although that did pretty well in the US, I think.

And wasn't "I Surrender" by Rainbow with JLT a hit in '81?

[conversationpc]

As you say... it was true of Black Sabbath until the Born Again album with Gillan...although that did pretty well in the US, I think.

And wasn't "I Surrender" by Rainbow with JLT a hit in '81?

I think Rainbow did well with him here while he was the lead singer. However, I don't think anything other than their first three albums have really remained classics, though.

[Matthew]

As you say... it was true of Black Sabbath until the Born Again album with Gillan...although that did pretty well in the US, I think.

And wasn't "I Surrender" by Rainbow with JLT a hit in '81?

I think Rainbow did well with him here while he was the lead singer. However, I don't think anything other than their first three albums have really remained classics, though.

In terms of albums I'd agree...but the 1979-1983 era definitely had a few classic singles.....

[MartyMoffatt]

As you say... it was true of Black Sabbath until the Born Again album with Gillan...although that did pretty well in the US, I think.

And wasn't "I Surrender" by Rainbow with JLT a hit in '81?

Was that JLT? I'd always assumed that was still Graham Bonnet. I stand corrected.

Marty

[Little Lenny]

As you say... it was true of Black Sabbath until the Born Again album with Gillan...although that did pretty well in the US, I think.

And wasn't "I Surrender" by Rainbow with JLT a hit in '81?

Was that JLT? I'd always assumed that was still Graham Bonnet. I stand corrected.

Marty

I still have my 7" vinyl copy of 'I surrender'that I bought back then...somewhere in the mists of time...now i'm carbon dating myself LOL