A friend of mine and I were discussing bands that have switched out their lead singers, either for creative differences, death, or other unforseen events, and how generally, this move brings bands to their demise. I was wondering, with the exceptions of Van Halen and AC/DC, how many other bands can you guys think of that survived after switching out their lead singers at a HIGH point in their careers?

Christian Death. Even though the second singer Valor totally destroyed the band's music.

Did they continue to be as popular as they were before? If not, that adds to the proof of my theory that most people who are fans of a particular band don't necessarily accept new lead singers with open arms. Or they just suck.

No they didn't. Though they weren't as popular to begin with. And it's always horrible when great singers get switched. Imagine if Criag was switched with someone else.

AC/DC

suburban legends had one singer who got all
drama queeny and left
and so they got a new singer who was super cool
but then tim (the old lead singer) came back
and they are quite successful, but i don't think similar
situations happen often.

inxs are getting a new singer through a reality tv show.. i heard

oh dear lord....

in my opinion Van Halen was never the same after DLR

I think by now bands know they cant switch singers and continue to gain success using the same name....but they seem to do well if they change their name

Audioslave and Velvet Revolver for instance

THOSE IDIOTS!!! NO ONE CAN REPLACE MICHAEL HUTCHANCE!!!

dont say things like that

bands plain suck after you change the singer. it's just not the same..you can switch the guitarist, drummers, bassists...but never switch the singer..or else, the band sucks.

Thus proving my theory that what really makes a band unique is a singer because everything on every instrument has been done before somewhere, but a voice is one of a kind.

amen.

Would Pink Floyd count? Cause they were at a high point in the UK when Syd Barret went insane! And then Roger Waters got switched out for some really crappy vocalist.

they weren't huge internationally until after David Gilmour joined though, or at least they definitely weren't at the peak of their fame.

Black Sabbath! They maintained there popularity for several years after Ozzy left, and even more. THey have had many different singers after that including the guy from Dio.

Black Sabbath however is back with Ozzy and tehya re headlining Ozzfest this year. Everyone is rejoining to make money.

I don't know....but I do know a band who got even better after a guitarist was replaced.....*cough*RHCP*cough*

Well, Duran Duran had only 2 founding members for a while and for all I know, hey faded away. Now that they are all back together they are just as big as in the 80s.

I heard about INXS looking for a new singer the other day. I have to agree with washu. It would be impossible to find anyone like Michael.

I think for a singer switch to work they have to sound somewhat the same as the old singer, like ACDC's new singer sounds like the old one.

the strokes,... they've replaced julian with.. a fat elvis presley-esque greasy pimply wanker.. and they're quite succesful.. with their reptillia song.