What does it take to make a successful band last?

[Voyager]

It's not easy getting 4-6 musicians on the same page and making it work in the long run. Just look at how many different musicians Mick Jones went through from 1976-2009 with the band Foreigner:

Current Members:

Mick Jones
Thom (Tom) Gimbel
Kelly Hansen
Jeff Pilson
Michael Bluestein
Brian Tichy

Former Members:

Lou Gramm – lead vocals, percussion (1976–1990, 1992–2003)
Dennis Elliott – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1976–1991)
Ian McDonald – guitar, keyboards, saxophone, flute, backing vocals (1976–1980)
Al Greenwood – keyboards, synthesizers (1976–1980)
Ed Gagliardi – bass, backing vocals (1976–1979)
Rick Wills – bass, backing vocals (1979–1992)
Mark Rivera – saxophone, flute, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (1981–1987, 1991–1992)
Bob Mayo – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals (1981–1985)
Peter Reilich – keyboards, synthesizers (1981–1982)
Larry Oakes – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1988)
Lou Cortelezzi – saxophone (1988)
Johnny Edwards – lead vocals, guitar (1990–1992)
Larry Aberman – drums, percussion (1991–1992)
Bruce Turgon – bass, backing vocals (1992–2003)
Mark Schulman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1992–1995, 2000–2002)
Scott Gilman – guitar, saxophone, backing vocals (1992, 1993–1995)
Ron Wikso – drums, percussion (1995–1998)
John Purdell - keyboards, synthesizers(filled in for Jacobs 2000)
Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion (2002)
Chaz West – lead vocals (2004)
Jeff Jacobs – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1991–2007)
Paul Mirkovich – keyboards, synthesizers (2007–2008)
Jason Bonham – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2004–2007, 2007–2008)
Bryan Head - drums, percussion (2008)

Member Biographies

Mick Jones: guitar, piano, keyboards, background vocals (1976-?). Original band member. Background: Nero And The Gladiators in early '60s, Johnny Hallyday in late '60s, Spooky Tooth in early '70s, The Leslie West Band in mid '70s, and own solo project in late '80s, among others participations as performer, composer / writer and producer.

Jeff Jacobs: piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals (1993-?). He joined the band as tour keyboardist in '92, and became an official member in '93. Background: studio / tour musician and Billy Joel's band in late '80s and early '90s, Mick Jones solo project in late '80s, and Two Fires in early '00s, among other acts as performer and producer.

Thom Gimbel: saxophone, guitar, background vocals (1995-?). He joined the band as tour multi-instrumentalist in '95, he is not an official member but his skills are needed on stage. Background: John Butcher's band in early '80s, Aerosmith in late '80s and early '90s, and Miguel Mateos' band in early '90s, among some other participations as performer.

Lou Gramm: lead vocals, percussion, background vocals (1976-90; 92-02). Original band member. Background: Poor Heart in early '70s, Black Sheep in mid '70s, Bryan Adams solo project in early '80s, own solo project in late '80s, Shadow King in early '90s, and new own solo project since 2002, among some other participations as performer.

Bruce Turgon: bass guitar, background vocals (1993-02). He joined the band as tour bass player in '92, became an official member in '93, and left along Lou Gramm in 2002. Background: Black Sheep in mid '70s, Phoenix in late '70s, Lou Gramm solo project in late '80s, Shadow King in early '90s, and Lou Gramm solo project since 2002, among others.

Denny Carmassi: drums (2002). He joined the band as tour drummer after Schulman's unavailability in '02. Background: Montrose in mid '70s, Sammy Hagar solo project in late '70s and late '90s, Gamma in early '80s, Heart from mid '80s to mid '90s, Cinderella in '88, and Coverdale / Page in '93, among many other participations as performer.

Mark Schulman: drums, background vocals (1993-95; 00-02). He joined the band as studio drummer in '92, became an official member in '93, left in '95, and rejoined as tour drummer after Tichy's unavailability in '00. Background: Simple Minds in mid '90s, and Clock since late '90s, among other participations as tour drummer, composer and producer.

Brian Tichy: drums (1998-00). He joined the band as tour drummer as replacement of Wikso in '98. Background: studio / tour drummer during '90s with Vinnie Moore, Pride And Glory, Slash's Snakepit and Nickelbag, Ball in late '90s and early '00s, tour drummer in early '00s with Ozzy Ozbourne, Glenn Hughes, Gilby Clarke, Billy Idol and others.

Ron Wikso: drums (1995-98 ). He joined the band as tour drummer after Schulman's departure in '95, and was unexpectedly replaced in '98. Background: Black Sheep in early '70s, tour drummer during '80s and '90s with Cher, David Lee Roth and Santana, The Storm in late 90's, and Gregg Rolie solo project in '00s, among some acts as producer.

Rick Wills: bass guitar, background vocals (1979-92). He joined the band as replacement of Gagliardi in '79, and stayed with it until Jones started reforming the band in '92. Background: Cochise and Peter Frampton's Humble Pie during '70s, Mick Jones solo project in late '80s, and Bad Company in late '90s, among other acts as performer.

Johnny Edwards: lead vocals, guitar (1990-92). He joined the band as replacement of Gramm in '90, and stayed until Jones started reforming it in '92. Background: Ronnie Montrose solo project in mid '80s, Northrup and King Cobra in late '80s, Wild Horses in '90, Royal Jelly in mid '90s, currently working with Jeff Northrup on a future release.

Dennis Elliott: drums (1976-91). Original band member, left in '91. Background: The Chevelles in late '60s, Ferris Wheel's band in late '60s and early '70s, If in early 70's, Ian Hunter's band in mid '70s and late '90s, and Mick Jones solo project in late '80s, among some other participations as performer. Professional wood sculptor since early '90s.

Ian McDonald: guitar, keyboards, saxes, flutes, b. vocals (1976-80). Original band member, he was forced to leave in '80. Background: King Crimson in late '60s, McDonald And Giles in early '70s, own solo project in late '90s, and 21st Century Schizoid Band since '02, among many other participations as multi-instrumentalist and producer.

Al Greenwood: keyboards, synthesizers (1976-80). Original band member, he was forced to leave in '80. Background: Spys in early '80s, Joe Lynn Turner in mid '80s, and Garbo Talks in late '90s.

Ed Gagliardi: bass guitar, background vocals (1976-79). Original band member, he was forced to leave in '79

[Duncan]

By the looks of it I would suggest it needs a revolving door of members. Perhaps this helps to keep things fresh.

[Don]

A good soundman to run playback when the lead singer isn't up to snuff.

[steveo777]

I guess you start somewhere, then it doesn't end. Tenacity is underrated.

Yes, Neal Schon!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eSGM_pZw ... L&index=74


And people bash Journey and say they are a tribute band? Get off!

It's not easy getting 4-6 musicians on the same page and making it work in the long run. Just look at how many different musicians Mick Jones went through from 1976-2009 with the band Foreigner:

Current Members:

Mick Jones
Thom (Tom) Gimbel
Kelly Hansen
Jeff Pilson
Michael Bluestein
Brian Tichy

Former Members:

Lou Gramm – lead vocals, percussion (1976–1990, 1992–2003)
Dennis Elliott – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1976–1991)
Ian McDonald – guitar, keyboards, saxophone, flute, backing vocals (1976–1980)
Al Greenwood – keyboards, synthesizers (1976–1980)
Ed Gagliardi – bass, backing vocals (1976–1979)
Rick Wills – bass, backing vocals (1979–1992)
Mark Rivera – saxophone, flute, keyboards, guitar, backing vocals (1981–1987, 1991–1992)
Bob Mayo – keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, backing vocals (1981–1985)
Peter Reilich – keyboards, synthesizers (1981–1982)
Larry Oakes – guitar, keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1988)
Lou Cortelezzi – saxophone (1988)
Johnny Edwards – lead vocals, guitar (1990–1992)
Larry Aberman – drums, percussion (1991–1992)
Bruce Turgon – bass, backing vocals (1992–2003)
Mark Schulman – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1992–1995, 2000–2002)
Scott Gilman – guitar, saxophone, backing vocals (1992, 1993–1995)
Ron Wikso – drums, percussion (1995–1998)
John Purdell - keyboards, synthesizers(filled in for Jacobs 2000)
Denny Carmassi – drums, percussion (2002)
Chaz West – lead vocals (2004)
Jeff Jacobs – keyboards, synthesizers, backing vocals (1991–2007)
Paul Mirkovich – keyboards, synthesizers (2007–2008)
Jason Bonham – drums, percussion, backing vocals (2004–2007, 2007–2008)
Bryan Head - drums, percussion (2008)

Member Biographies

Mick Jones: guitar, piano, keyboards, background vocals (1976-?). Original band member. Background: Nero And The Gladiators in early '60s, Johnny Hallyday in late '60s, Spooky Tooth in early '70s, The Leslie West Band in mid '70s, and own solo project in late '80s, among others participations as performer, composer / writer and producer.

Jeff Jacobs: piano, organ, keyboards, background vocals (1993-?). He joined the band as tour keyboardist in '92, and became an official member in '93. Background: studio / tour musician and Billy Joel's band in late '80s and early '90s, Mick Jones solo project in late '80s, and Two Fires in early '00s, among other acts as performer and producer.

Thom Gimbel: saxophone, guitar, background vocals (1995-?). He joined the band as tour multi-instrumentalist in '95, he is not an official member but his skills are needed on stage. Background: John Butcher's band in early '80s, Aerosmith in late '80s and early '90s, and Miguel Mateos' band in early '90s, among some other participations as performer.

Lou Gramm: lead vocals, percussion, background vocals (1976-90; 92-02). Original band member. Background: Poor Heart in early '70s, Black Sheep in mid '70s, Bryan Adams solo project in early '80s, own solo project in late '80s, Shadow King in early '90s, and new own solo project since 2002, among some other participations as performer.

Bruce Turgon: bass guitar, background vocals (1993-02). He joined the band as tour bass player in '92, became an official member in '93, and left along Lou Gramm in 2002. Background: Black Sheep in mid '70s, Phoenix in late '70s, Lou Gramm solo project in late '80s, Shadow King in early '90s, and Lou Gramm solo project since 2002, among others.

Denny Carmassi: drums (2002). He joined the band as tour drummer after Schulman's unavailability in '02. Background: Montrose in mid '70s, Sammy Hagar solo project in late '70s and late '90s, Gamma in early '80s, Heart from mid '80s to mid '90s, Cinderella in '88, and Coverdale / Page in '93, among many other participations as performer.

Mark Schulman: drums, background vocals (1993-95; 00-02). He joined the band as studio drummer in '92, became an official member in '93, left in '95, and rejoined as tour drummer after Tichy's unavailability in '00. Background: Simple Minds in mid '90s, and Clock since late '90s, among other participations as tour drummer, composer and producer.

Brian Tichy: drums (1998-00). He joined the band as tour drummer as replacement of Wikso in '98. Background: studio / tour drummer during '90s with Vinnie Moore, Pride And Glory, Slash's Snakepit and Nickelbag, Ball in late '90s and early '00s, tour drummer in early '00s with Ozzy Ozbourne, Glenn Hughes, Gilby Clarke, Billy Idol and others.

Ron Wikso: drums (1995-98 ). He joined the band as tour drummer after Schulman's departure in '95, and was unexpectedly replaced in '98. Background: Black Sheep in early '70s, tour drummer during '80s and '90s with Cher, David Lee Roth and Santana, The Storm in late 90's, and Gregg Rolie solo project in '00s, among some acts as producer.

Rick Wills: bass guitar, background vocals (1979-92). He joined the band as replacement of Gagliardi in '79, and stayed with it until Jones started reforming the band in '92. Background: Cochise and Peter Frampton's Humble Pie during '70s, Mick Jones solo project in late '80s, and Bad Company in late '90s, among other acts as performer.

Johnny Edwards: lead vocals, guitar (1990-92). He joined the band as replacement of Gramm in '90, and stayed until Jones started reforming it in '92. Background: Ronnie Montrose solo project in mid '80s, Northrup and King Cobra in late '80s, Wild Horses in '90, Royal Jelly in mid '90s, currently working with Jeff Northrup on a future release.

Dennis Elliott: drums (1976-91). Original band member, left in '91. Background: The Chevelles in late '60s, Ferris Wheel's band in late '60s and early '70s, If in early 70's, Ian Hunter's band in mid '70s and late '90s, and Mick Jones solo project in late '80s, among some other participations as performer. Professional wood sculptor since early '90s.

Ian McDonald: guitar, keyboards, saxes, flutes, b. vocals (1976-80). Original band member, he was forced to leave in '80. Background: King Crimson in late '60s, McDonald And Giles in early '70s, own solo project in late '90s, and 21st Century Schizoid Band since '02, among many other participations as multi-instrumentalist and producer.

Al Greenwood: keyboards, synthesizers (1976-80). Original band member, he was forced to leave in '80. Background: Spys in early '80s, Joe Lynn Turner in mid '80s, and Garbo Talks in late '90s.

Ed Gagliardi: bass guitar, background vocals (1976-79). Original band member, he was forced to leave in '79

Great music while retaining legacy sound does endure the decades. That is something fuckknots need to understand. Foreigner is my third favorite band to Journey.

[Don]

Well, if success equates to playing sold out stadiums in 2009 with the same lineup you had in in 1976, An Irish accent is definitely a must.

[Hollywood]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

[Arkansas]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Journey's 'leader' was Herbie Herbert.
No single band member comes close.


later~

[Jana]

[quote="Hollywood"]I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business .[quote]



Regarding U2, the Edge cowrites all songs with Bono and writes the melodies first. Without the Edge it wouldn't be U2 and the music they create. They are a true collaboration. Without those songs, it would be Bono solo and wouldn't be the same. Re Journey, what happens when the band members blindly follow the leader is Raised on Radio. They were at their best creatively before Steve Perry took the reigns due to pure ego and his own vision.

With all the groups you mention, yes, the singer has a vision, but when their ego takes over as the band gets more successful what happens is lackluster albums, compared to their earlier music when there was a true collaboration of ideas. The equality amongst the main band members and the friction with writing and ideas being tosse about between the band members or the songwriting members of the band is what makes the best music released from the band.

So to me some bands fall apart when they used to be a real team and the ego of the frontman became the problem. I'm sure with some bands you're right, like Coldplay. From the beginning he was the leader.

[S2M]

All it takes is an extreme love of music and what you do, and everybody being treated the same. Check the egos at the door( Gene Simmons)....

[Hollywood]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Journey's 'leader' was Herbie Herbert.
No single band member comes close.


later~

Love Herbie and totally agree that without him we are not here talking about them now, but if he was a leader he would not have let Perry terminate Valory and Smith. At that point he was just trying to keep the dollars flowing.

[Hollywood]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business .

Regarding U2, the Edge cowrites all songs with Bono and writes the melodies first. Without the Edge it wouldn't be U2 and the music they create. They are a true collaboration. Without those songs, it would be Bono solo and wouldn't be the same. Re Journey, what happens when the band members blindly follow the leader is Raised on Radio. They were at their best creatively before Steve Perry took the reigns due to pure ego and his own vision.

With all the groups you mention, yes, the singer has a vision, but when their ego takes over as the band gets more successful what happens is lackluster albums, compared to their earlier music when there was a true collaboration of ideas. The friction of writing and ideas between the band members or the songwriting members of the band is what makes the best music released from the band.

I could refine my post over and over to make my point clear, but it would be a novel at some point. I am not saying that the members that are followers are not major contributors and or collaborators, just that they are followers. Even The Edge has admitted that Bono has the reigns of the band.

In regards to the Raised on Radio situation, my belief is that a leader has to do what is in the best interest of those they lead and Perry failed to do that. He fired two core members and made the record he wanted to make and not a group record. This is where the downfall is. It was a great record, but to me it was more of Street Talk 2 and not Journey.

[Hollywood]

All it takes is an extreme love of music and what you do, and everybody being treated the same. Check the egos at the door( Gene Simmons)....

If Gene only followed his own advise. Gene runs that show and Paul lets him. The way that Peter and Ace were treated when they came back was dreadful. They were hired hands and not band members at that point. This does not make a successful relationship and it fell apart.

[Jana]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business .

Regarding U2, the Edge cowrites all songs with Bono and writes the melodies first. Without the Edge it wouldn't be U2 and the music they create. They are a true collaboration. Without those songs, it would be Bono solo and wouldn't be the same. Re Journey, what happens when the band members blindly follow the leader is Raised on Radio. They were at their best creatively before Steve Perry took the reigns due to pure ego and his own vision.

With all the groups you mention, yes, the singer has a vision, but when their ego takes over as the band gets more successful what happens is lackluster albums, compared to their earlier music when there was a true collaboration of ideas. The friction of writing and ideas between the band members or the songwriting members of the band is what makes the best music released from the band.

I could refine my post over and over to make my point clear, but it would be a novel at some point. I am not saying that the members that are followers are not major contributors and or collaborators, just that they are followers. Even The Edge has admitted that Bono has the reigns of the band.

In regards to the Raised on Radio situation, my belief is that a leader has to do what is in the best interest of those they lead and Perry failed to do that. He fired two core members and made the record he wanted to make and not a group record. This is where the downfall is. It was a great record, but to me it was more of Street Talk 2 and not Journey.

But my point is for Journey specifically this was a band that had three equal members creatively and visionwise which brought about unbelievable music. When Perry completely took over, diminishing the vision of Neal, ROR is what came of it. It was never Perry's band to be the leader. When it was a real team, equals amongst the three core members from '77 to '83, not Perry as leader, is when the magic happened.

But all of that is moot, b/c Journey basically ended b/c Perry wanted out in '87. They lasted longer than most bands and put out a lot of great music and reunited long enough to give us a really good album. I believe it's too much to ask that all of these great bands with different personalities can last forever and if they do last together, can they creatively keep putting out good music as they get older, or just be great touring bands? The ones that do we're lucky on.

[Invisible Cajun]

Bob Mayo - Keyboards & Guitar -- Peter Frampton

[StoneCold]

Lou Gramm:

Bryan Adams solo project in early '80s,

More info on this please. which album?[/quote]

[Voyager]

Well, if success equates to playing sold out stadiums in 2009 with the same lineup you had in in 1976, An Irish accent is definitely a must.

That's if you find the right team from the start and manage it well. Mick Jones of Foreigner obviously failed at one or both of those things.

[Voyager]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Journey's 'leader' was Herbie Herbert.
No single band member comes close.


later~

You're right, and I have to wonder if Herbie actually had the qualifications to lead the band. In the VH1 Journey BTM documentary, the members alluded to Steve Perry being in charge. If that was at all questionable, then Herbie was not doing his job as leader of the band. Either that or SP wouldn't let him. When you have poor leadership in an organization you will always see a revolving door of members, just like Mick Jones has seen in Foreigner.

[JasonD]

Ok since I take it you're asking for opinions, at the risk of sounding totally shallow, my opinion is that it doesn't hurt to have at least one or two handsome or pretty members in the band. Yes, talent is a MUST but there are still those people who buy CDs & concert tickets based solely on "He's a hottie" or "She's a babe." They are primarily teens & younger; however, that's a large portion of the demographic that contributes to a band's success. Not saying that's a good thing. Just saying it's a factor. Before any of you come back with a response like, "What about all those successful, yet unattractive bands like Pink Floyd," you have to keep in mind that Pink Floyd & other unattractive bands came about many years ago when MTV was the hottest thing around & music videos were in their infancy. Times have changed & things have become more visual. Yes, talent is a MUST, but there's no denying a little eye candy adds an element to a band's success.

JasonD

[Deb]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Exactly why Bon Jovi are still around and as successful as they are.

[Don]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Exactly why Bon Jovi are still around and as successful as they are.

It also helped that they weren't afraid to bring in a third songwriter, Desmond Child. The partnership of Jon Bon Jovi/ Richie Sambora/ Desmond Child have produced more Top 10 hits than even Schon/ Perry/ Cain.
And talk about promoting an album, over 200 shows during the Slippery When Wet Tour, WOW.

[Deb]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Exactly why Bon Jovi are still around and as successful as they are.

It also helped that they weren't afraid to bring in a third songwriter, Desmond Child to co-write with. Jon Bon Jovi/ Richie Sambora/ Desmond Child have produced more Top 10 hits than even Schon/ Perry/ Cain.
And talk about promoting an album, over 200 shows during the Slippery When Wet Tour, WOW.

Then they went out and did it all over again on the New Jersey tour, months later. Those back to back crazy long tours is what almost did Bon Jovi in. They couldn't stand each other by the end of the Jersey tour and Jon was getting steriod shots in his neck to even be able to vocally finish the tour......was totally burnt out. They broke up, did their own solo stuff and didn't get back together until he was ready. The Bon Jovi Behind The Music is verrrry similar to the Journey one............but different ending.

[Hollywood]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Exactly why Bon Jovi are still around and as successful as they are.

It also helped that they weren't afraid to bring in a third songwriter, Desmond Child. The partnership of Jon Bon Jovi/ Richie Sambora/ Desmond Child have produced more Top 10 hits than even Schon/ Perry/ Cain.
And talk about promoting an album, over 200 shows during the Slippery When Wet Tour, WOW.

Another reason Bon Jovi has remained successful is that they did not chase the fads. So many bands tried to go dark when grunge hit. Bon Jovi stuck with who they were and evolved in their own manner. They had a couple of records that did not sell as well, but they just kept working. I am not a Bon Jovi fan, biut am a huge admirer of their career.

[Voyager]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Exactly why Bon Jovi are still around and as successful as they are.

1. Good working team with a common objective.

2. Good management.

3. Talented artists.

[Jana]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Exactly why Bon Jovi are still around and as successful as they are.

It also helped that they weren't afraid to bring in a third songwriter, Desmond Child to co-write with. Jon Bon Jovi/ Richie Sambora/ Desmond Child have produced more Top 10 hits than even Schon/ Perry/ Cain.
And talk about promoting an album, over 200 shows during the Slippery When Wet Tour, WOW.

Then they went out and did it all over again on the New Jersey tour, months later. Those back to back crazy long tours is what almost did Bon Jovi in. They couldn't stand each other by the end of the Jersey tour and Jon was getting steriod shots in his neck to even be able to vocally finish the tour......was totally burnt out. They broke up, did their own solo stuff and didn't get back together until he was ready. The Bon Jovi Behind The Music is verrrry similar to the Journey one............but different ending.

True. And Jon really wanted to be an actor. Even though he got parts, his acting career never really took off. That might have really changed things regarding the band. Though I believe down the road they still would have reunited at some point for a tour even if his acting career did take off.

[stevew2]

[portland]

I don't mean this as an insult to anyone, but as a band you have to have a leader. Then behind that leader you have to have followers. That doesn't mean the followers can't be creative. Just that they must be willing to somewhat blindly follow the leader. The reason U2 is so successful is that they let Bono run the show. The reason Coldplay has been successful to this point is that they let Chris Martin run the show. When it gets into egos of multiple band members it will always fall apart. Every example of a band falling apart has followed this formula. Same in Business.

Van Halen - Eddie and Dave
Styx - Dennis and Tommy
Journey - Perry and Schon
Van Hagar - Sammy and Eddie
Foreigner - Lou and Mick

Even small semi successful bands

Saigon Kick - Matt and Jason
Extreme - Nuno and Gary
Cowboy Mouth - Fred and Paul

Exactly why Bon Jovi are still around and as successful as they are.

It also helped that they weren't afraid to bring in a third songwriter, Desmond Child to co-write with. Jon Bon Jovi/ Richie Sambora/ Desmond Child have produced more Top 10 hits than even Schon/ Perry/ Cain.
And talk about promoting an album, over 200 shows during the Slippery When Wet Tour, WOW.

Then they went out and did it all over again on the New Jersey tour, months later. Those back to back crazy long tours is what almost did Bon Jovi in. They couldn't stand each other by the end of the Jersey tour and Jon was getting steriod shots in his neck to even be able to vocally finish the tour......was totally burnt out. They broke up, did their own solo stuff and didn't get back together until he was ready. The Bon Jovi Behind The Music is verrrry similar to the Journey one............but different ending.

They were lucky to be able to pick up the pieces, I think they just had more of a desire to make it work, and they did not have the hip thing to contend with. I wonder what would have happened if Jon had been ill and needed surgery to address it? Would the band have tried out new singers or waited?