Who makes the band what it is?

[Flock of Moosen]

Originally posted by SO

AC/DC - Drummer Phil Rudd left because of problems. Never noticed a difference with the new guy, but if Brian Johnson were to go (even though his voice is garbage now) it would never be the same.

Don't forget their first 7 albums were done with Bon Scott, but after his death they recorded their most successful album, <i>Back In Black</i> with new singer Johnson.

You're talking to a big AC/DC fan here. I'd never forget that. As a matter of fact I think Bon Scott was a far better singer than Brian Johnson ever was. Thing is I only became a fan at Back In Black so I didn't know about Bon yet. I can probably say if I did listen during the Bon years and then Brian came along, I wouldn't have liked them as much.

Rush - While Neil Peart and Alex Lifeson are good musicians, do you think Rush would be anything without Geddy Lee?

Rush is one of those bands where every member is an equal. If Neil or Alex were to leave, the band would be no more. Really Neil is the heart and soul of Rush, so hypothetically he'd be the least replaceable if it were possible to replace any of them. [/quote]
Equal I'll give you, but do you honestly think it would be the same if they brought in another singer that sounded absolutely nothing like Geddy? I don't.

The Beatles - How many would miss Ringo or George, but if John or Paul went it probably would have been the end.

Well it WAS the end when John left. Had it been Harrison, I think they would've broken up as well. They could've replaced Ringo though, he was the weak link. [/quote]
Well actually I was hypothetically speaking as if what would happen in their hey-day. Yes I know once Yoko showed up and John left that was the end of The Beatles.

Iron Maiden - Bruce Dickinson, nuff said.

Their first two albums had Paul Di'Anno as the vocalist, and they were very good. They did come into their own with Bruce at the front though. Then there was the Blaze Bayley period, which did suck, but the band survived and Bruce did return for <i>Brave New World</i> (and if you haven't heard Dickinson's solo stuff, I can't recommend it enough). [/quote]
Yes, Paul was good, but I prefered Bruce. Here is one of those examples where a new singer made them better.

Metallica - I know, most don't care for them anymore, but I had to add them. You could get rid of Lars, Kirk and the new guy Robert Trujillo, but if you didn't have James Hetfield singing it wouldn't be Metallica. (I just know 420319208197 will rebut this one )

It's been said a million times, they were never the same band after Cliff died. [/quote]
Wasn't a fan back then so I can't comment.

Red Hot Chili Peppers - All I have to say is if Anthony Kiedis left, you could say goodbye to the band as well. Who would carry them with Kiedis gone, Flea?

It was all downhill after Mother's Milk...but I can't imagine the band continuing if Flea were to leave. [/quote]
I tend to disagree, but that's cool. Everyone has their own opinions and that's why I made this thread, to see what you all thought.