The problem with replacing singers like Steve Perry is that Steve wrote or co-wrote most of the songs and thus knew how to sing them at the acme .The replacement singers don't have the same care for the song(s_/ Steve's voice has matured and aged. I like his solo music today also. He has changed is stle also.
I've never been a fan of replacement vocalists. I am of the opinion that once the original singer is gone, the band truly ceases to exist as it should. Drummers can be replaced. Guitarists can be replaced. The voice that made the band can't be replaced. Keep on keepin' it real Dave!
So, I don't know why I haven't come across your channel before but I'm a new subscriber and enjoying what I've checked out! On my tiny little channel, I did a show on temporary replacement singers. I'm mostly a metal guy so we looked at the Corabi era of Motley Crue, the Ripper Owens era of Judas Priest, the Blaze Bayley era of Iron Maiden and the John Bush era of Anthrax. The idea was that the original singer or the most popular singer leaves the band, they replace them, but due to either label pushes or fan interests, etc., the bands reunite with those original or popular singer. I'm also good with you talking about faith as I also identify as a follower of Jesus. Looking forward to catching up on your content!
The greatest travesty to me is that Grand Funk Railroad has toured without Mark Farner for over 20 years now. Mark Farner wrote over 90% of the songs, was an awesome and energetic front man on lead guitar, keyboards, harmonica and more while singing lead vocals on most of the songs as well. Grand Funk without Mark is like CCR without John Fogerty, The Rollings Stones without Mick Jagger, etc. He exemplified the energy and rawness of Grand Funk Railroad. Mark has released lots of solo albums/material since has was kicked out of the band. The other Grand Funk guys ... ZERO.
One thing I think people forget , it’s the music BUSINESS and band names are brands like Coke or Chevy and a lot of the time it’s the people who control the money insist on it , for example every time Black Sabbath changed singers they wanted to change the name but the record label wouldn’t let them do it
Merry Christmas! I completely agree with the exception of a gentleman named JIMI JAMISON with Survivor. Simply one of the best melodic rock singers EVER! Legend!
Good point about some of the songs not aging well/ it being ridiculous to hear an older singer belting out some of their lyrics today. Totally NOT the same genre but, listen to some Motley Crue songs live now. They are also good example of a replacement singer not going over well.
Another example of this is one of my all-time favorite bands: Atlanta Rhythm Section. Even if their recent incarnation is musically decent, it just isn't the same without ANY of the original members (well, the very original singer is there, but all of their greatest hits were with Ronnie Hammond on vocals). And the other guys that were originals in the band just had signature sounds that really can't be replicated no matter how good the replacements are: Paul Goddard on bass, Barry Bailey on guitar, Dean Daughtry on keys, etc.
I belive that the way we approach each band should be different. Did the singer leave or did the band choose to replace them? In a majority of the cases, the band had no choice: the singer decided to leave the group and left his/her band members (and crew) to fend for themselves. The band is their livelihood and they need to earn a living, regardless of the reasons the singer left. With that being said, a band's chemistry is very important and when anyone leaves, things change. There's a different vibe regardless of who it is. In Chicago's case, many folks agree that Chicago changed after the death of Terry Kath. I'm not sure that band members realize just how much a group's music 'feels' different when there's any change in the line-up.... or maybe they do and it all comes back to the fact that the remaining members need to keep moving forward to earn a living....
Replacing singers who recorded their songs in ridiculously high keys back in their youth and prime is extremely difficult. For me, one of those who made it is Joe Williams of Toto. At 60+ he has a very steady and strong voice and sing the Toto legacy material with great success.
I heard a short clip about Gary Cherone today. I knew VH didn’t have much commercial success with him but in the video they said he did a great job in concert of covering David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar’s songs. Idk I’ve never seen them in concert but would like to hear what people say who have seen them with him. Because VH’s album with him didn’t have any hits on it a lot of people just said he wasn’t good and may not have even listened to the guy.
In my view it's clear the issues with VH were due to Eddie Van Halen's substance abuse issues and not the fault of Gary Cherpne or any singer they had since the 90s
You didn't mention another legendary band, YES! They have gone through a couple replacement singers since Jon Anderson has been gone, with many different opinions on their ability to replace Jon. My opinion is that's about as difficult as replacing Steve Perry in Journey.
Queen should have made Marc Martel their replacement singer. He did the soundtrack for the biopic movie. Marc has Freddie's voice and charisma 100%. Not sure why Queen went with Adam Lambert.
You are so right! Some of them get themselves blocked into a situation that screws them out of their own career. I think the replacements do a good job in most cases... Sadly it pigeon holes them. The biggest problem is when the replacements are only doing the original songs. At least with Steve in Journey, they did new music. With Arnel they had him singing only original songs for like 15/16 years? And Neil making remarks about Arnel needing them, and not being able to succeed without them? That's just so incredibly damaging to a person's confidence. He idolized Steve Perry. I think he has so much stress already without Neil making remarks on him. Sometimes I think these bands need to accept retirement. I would love to see a lot of these bands live, but sometimes it makes it worse. Steve Perry was smart to walk away in his prime. I saw Scorpions, Tesla, Poison, Motley Crue, Night Ranger, etc. in concert in recent years. The bands still making new music were the best. The ones singing the hits from the past... not very good at all.
I wouldn't think that would include the band Genesis. Without Phil Collins stepping in to Peter Gabriel's shoes the band would never have achieved the success that they did. So, saying replacement singers just measure up to the originals isn't always true.
Kansas needs to call it quits... the band is technically sounding "good" on stage... but the replacements are writing ✍️ the new music... that is never going to be equal to Steve Walsh & Kerry Livgren... end the band with some honor and respect.
John Elefante, in the early 1980s, replaced Steve Walsh. He has a different type of voice, but he did a great job in his brief time with Kansas. Elefante has done some wonderful Christian music. Steve Walsh returned to Kansas. Ronnie Platt, the more recent replacement for Steve Walsh, does an okay job with the old stuff. He's not any Steve Walsh. I saw "New Kansas" in Forrest City, Arkansas.
In Jorney’s case Steve Perry was too involved with the band. He wasn’t JUST a singer. Steve was a writer and producer and he’s got charisma and that’s why many fans say Steve Perry was Journey even though he wasn’t the original singer. So bands like Journey they should just quit. I saw them last October 2024 in Japan and Arnel did a good job but the whole band sounded totally different from the classic Journey and I don’t think I want to see them again. To me I’d rather listen to their original albums at home. But I know some replacements work so it’s case by case.
AC/DC Brian Johnson replacing Bon Scott was a good replacement Many people may not agree, but I liked Dio replacing Ozzy in Black Sabbath Bruce Dickinson was the best replacement for Paul Dianno (RIP)
Jason Scheff & Jeff Coffey were great replacements . Tommy DeCarlo a great replacement. Kansas replaced Steve Walsh with a great singer / keyboardist. Toughest gig to ever pull off replacing a band’s iconic lead vocalist. But it can be done .
Dave you’re not a Hater. You’re just being truthful and telling it like it is. I appreciate your honesty. Happy Holidays.🎄🎼🎸🎁
‘No body wants to see anyone pass out on stage’ … SO true!
The problem with replacing singers like Steve Perry is that Steve wrote or co-wrote most of the songs and thus knew how to sing them at the acme .The replacement singers don't have the same care for the song(s_/ Steve's voice has matured and aged. I like his solo music today also. He has changed is stle also.
Merry Christmas, Dave!
I've never been a fan of replacement vocalists. I am of the opinion that once the original singer is gone, the band truly ceases to exist as it should. Drummers can be replaced. Guitarists can be replaced. The voice that made the band can't be replaced. Keep on keepin' it real Dave!
I totally agree with you!
Did the Beatles ever try to replace a member? I don’t think so. Not that their lives made the rule …
So, I don't know why I haven't come across your channel before but I'm a new subscriber and enjoying what I've checked out! On my tiny little channel, I did a show on temporary replacement singers. I'm mostly a metal guy so we looked at the Corabi era of Motley Crue, the Ripper Owens era of Judas Priest, the Blaze Bayley era of Iron Maiden and the John Bush era of Anthrax. The idea was that the original singer or the most popular singer leaves the band, they replace them, but due to either label pushes or fan interests, etc., the bands reunite with those original or popular singer. I'm also good with you talking about faith as I also identify as a follower of Jesus. Looking forward to catching up on your content!
Merry Christmas to you and your family 🎄
I love this video Dave. Thanks so much for your channel. I really like it.
The greatest travesty to me is that Grand Funk Railroad has toured without Mark Farner for over 20 years now.
Mark Farner wrote over 90% of the songs, was an awesome and energetic front man on lead guitar, keyboards, harmonica and more while singing lead vocals on most of the songs as well.
Grand Funk without Mark is like CCR without John Fogerty, The Rollings Stones without Mick Jagger, etc. He exemplified the energy and rawness of Grand Funk Railroad.
Mark has released lots of solo albums/material since has was kicked out of the band. The other Grand Funk guys ... ZERO.
Thank You Dave🎉
One thing I think people forget , it’s the music BUSINESS and band names are brands like Coke or Chevy and a lot of the time it’s the people who control the money insist on it , for example every time Black Sabbath changed singers they wanted to change the name but the record label wouldn’t let them do it
Merry Christmas! I completely agree with the exception of a gentleman named JIMI JAMISON with Survivor. Simply one of the best melodic rock singers EVER! Legend!
Johnny Edwards the first replacement for Lou Gramm did a good job . I still listen to UNUSUAL HEAT today.
I don’t remember Jason Sheif (probably misspelled) getting trashed in Chicago but that was before or early internet.
For the record I commented before you brought up Chicago
I liked Bill Chaplin over Peter
Hi Dave! Do you ever talk about Tull or other prog type bands?
Merry Christmas Dave!!!
Good point about some of the songs not aging well/ it being ridiculous to hear an older singer belting out some of their lyrics today. Totally NOT the same genre but, listen to some Motley Crue songs live now. They are also good example of a replacement singer not going over well.
Death is a major exception to this thinking. Brian Johnston replaced Bon Scott due to Scott’s death.
Chicago hasn't been Chicago since Peter Cetera split with them in 1985
Let's rent a time machine and go back to the 80s! These changes depress me.
Glad I found you good luck with this channel! Love your videos
In my opinion, Steve Walsh in his prime was one of the all time greats. Great organ player as well.
Well, Dave... Good to hear your musings, as always . Have a peaceful Christmas. Thanks. 👍😎🇮🇪
Another example of this is one of my all-time favorite bands: Atlanta Rhythm Section. Even if their recent incarnation is musically decent, it just isn't the same without ANY of the original members (well, the very original singer is there, but all of their greatest hits were with Ronnie Hammond on vocals). And the other guys that were originals in the band just had signature sounds that really can't be replicated no matter how good the replacements are: Paul Goddard on bass, Barry Bailey on guitar, Dean Daughtry on keys, etc.
Blackfoot had it ruff , finally gave up
A different singer of a band is a new era, whether it's a positive or negative. That's how I see it anyway.
Great video Dave
I belive that the way we approach each band should be different. Did the singer leave or did the band choose to replace them? In a majority of the cases, the band had no choice: the singer decided to leave the group and left his/her band members (and crew) to fend for themselves. The band is their livelihood and they need to earn a living, regardless of the reasons the singer left. With that being said, a band's chemistry is very important and when anyone leaves, things change. There's a different vibe regardless of who it is. In Chicago's case, many folks agree that Chicago changed after the death of Terry Kath. I'm not sure that band members realize just how much a group's music 'feels' different when there's any change in the line-up.... or maybe they do and it all comes back to the fact that the remaining members need to keep moving forward to earn a living....
Replacing singers who recorded their songs in ridiculously high keys back in their youth and prime is extremely difficult. For me, one of those who made it is Joe Williams of Toto. At 60+ he has a very steady and strong voice and sing the Toto legacy material with great success.
I heard a short clip about Gary Cherone today. I knew VH didn’t have much commercial success with him but in the video they said he did a great job in concert of covering David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar’s songs. Idk I’ve never seen them in concert but would like to hear what people say who have seen them with him. Because VH’s album with him didn’t have any hits on it a lot of people just said he wasn’t good and may not have even listened to the guy.
In my view it's clear the issues with VH were due to Eddie Van Halen's substance abuse issues and not the fault of Gary Cherpne or any singer they had since the 90s
You didn't mention another legendary band, YES! They have gone through a couple replacement singers since Jon Anderson has been gone, with many different opinions on their ability to replace Jon. My opinion is that's about as difficult as replacing Steve Perry in Journey.
Queen should have made Marc Martel their replacement singer. He did the soundtrack for the biopic movie. Marc has Freddie's voice and charisma 100%. Not sure why Queen went with Adam Lambert.
Absolutely!
You are so right! Some of them get themselves blocked into a situation that screws them out of their own career. I think the replacements do a good job in most cases... Sadly it pigeon holes them. The biggest problem is when the replacements are only doing the original songs. At least with Steve in Journey, they did new music. With Arnel they had him singing only original songs for like 15/16 years?
And Neil making remarks about Arnel needing them, and not being able to succeed without them? That's just so incredibly damaging to a person's confidence. He idolized Steve Perry. I think he has so much stress already without Neil making remarks on him. Sometimes I think these bands need to accept retirement. I would love to see a lot of these bands live, but sometimes it makes it worse. Steve Perry was smart to walk away in his prime. I saw Scorpions, Tesla, Poison, Motley Crue, Night Ranger, etc. in concert in recent years. The bands still making new music were the best. The ones singing the hits from the past... not very good at all.
I wouldn't think that would include the band Genesis. Without Phil Collins stepping in to Peter Gabriel's shoes the band would never have achieved the success that they did. So, saying replacement singers just measure up to the originals isn't always true.
Kansas needs to call it quits... the band is technically sounding "good" on stage... but the replacements are writing ✍️ the new music... that is never going to be equal to Steve Walsh & Kerry Livgren... end the band with some honor and respect.
I agree with the idea in general; but remember that Steve Perry was a replacement singer, not the original for Journey.
But he was the one who originally sang the songs Journey is famous for
Boston used Fran cosmo then Michael Sweet I think after Brad Delp
John Elefante, in the early 1980s, replaced Steve Walsh. He has a different type of voice, but he did a great job in his brief time with Kansas. Elefante has done some wonderful Christian music. Steve Walsh returned to Kansas. Ronnie Platt, the more recent replacement for Steve Walsh, does an okay job with the old stuff. He's not any Steve Walsh. I saw "New Kansas" in Forrest City, Arkansas.
steve perry / journey
cant replace him ...
same with dennis deyoung / styx
In Jorney’s case Steve Perry was too involved with the band. He wasn’t JUST a singer. Steve was a writer and producer and he’s got charisma and that’s why many fans say Steve Perry was Journey even though he wasn’t the original singer. So bands like Journey they should just quit. I saw them last October 2024 in Japan and Arnel did a good job but the whole band sounded totally different from the classic Journey and I don’t think I want to see them again. To me I’d rather listen to their original albums at home. But I know some replacements work so it’s case by case.
AC/DC Brian Johnson replacing Bon Scott was a good replacement
Many people may not agree, but I liked Dio replacing Ozzy in Black Sabbath
Bruce Dickinson was the best replacement for Paul Dianno (RIP)
Jason Scheff & Jeff Coffey were great replacements . Tommy DeCarlo a great replacement.
Kansas replaced Steve Walsh with a great singer / keyboardist.
Toughest gig to ever pull off replacing a band’s iconic lead vocalist. But it can be done .
Lynrd Skynrd no one is original anymore.
Steve Perry was a replacement singer himself. Replacing Robert Flieschman.
Yes, but Journey didn’t record any album with Fleischman. Steve was the first one to sing/record all those songs we know
Oregenality absolutely amazing 😍😍😍 legend no body can sing better than oregenal singer forever
Merry Christmas Dave!!!