The Strangest Replacements for Lead Vocals in Rock Bands
Rock music, with its electrifying sound and passionate performances, thrives on the charisma of its lead vocalists. However, history is replete with instances where bands faced challenging transitions, often leading to unexpected or unconventional replacements. Here are some of the strangest cases where a band had to find a new lead vocalist.
1. Mary Ramsey for Natalie Merchant in 10,000 Maniacs
10,000 Maniacs was known as much for the unique sound of Natalie Merchant as for the rest of its lineup. Merchant's departure left a noticeable void in the band's allure. Mary Ramsey, a relatively unknown figure, was brought in to replace her. While Ramsey managed to carry on the band's legacy, the shift in dynamics undoubtedly affected the band's sound.
2. Ian Astbury for Jim Morrison in The Doors
When Jim Morrison, the iconic frontman of The Doors, passed away, the remaining band members reunited under the name "The Doors of the 21st Century." Ian Astbury, from fellow rock veterans The Cult, took on the mantle of lead singer. Despite the band's change in name, Astbury's performance as lead singer was noteworthy and even earned critical acclaim for his rendition of "Road House Blues."
3. Stone Temple Pilots' Multiple Replacements
Stone Temple Pilots faced three prominent changes in lead vocalists, each with unique implications and challenges:
3.1 Scott Weiland and Talk Show
Initially, in 1997, Stone Temple Pilots enlisted Dave Coutts to replace Scott Weiland, who had fallen into drug addiction. The result was a record called "Talk Show," which was a commercial and critical failure. The band eventually reunited with the original vocalist, but the new band name "Stone Temple Pilots with Dave Coutts" did little to hide the fact that Coutts was not a full member.
3.2 Chester Bennington
In 2013, Scott Weiland's departure again prompted the band to seek a new vocalist. This time, they turned to Chester Bennington of Linkin Park. Despite Bennington's excellent singing skills, his vocal style did not fit well with Stone Temple Pilots' existing sound. Consequently, he left the band after a short EP release.
3.3 Jeff Gutt and Stone Temple Pilots
The final and most recent replacement came in 2016, following Scott Weiland's tragic death. The band held an online audition and selected Jeff Gutt, a former participant on "The X Factor" and front man of a few lesser-known rock bands. While Gutt's vocals are similar to Weiland's, he has produced some good songs with the band since joining. The cover art for this new era is notably confusing, as the album is titled 'Stone Temple Pilots' again, despite a previous album by the same name.
Conclusion
From the dramatic transition in 10,000 Maniacs to the band rebirth with The Doors of the 21st Century, and the multiple changes within Stone Temple Pilots, these cases highlight the pivotal role of a frontman in a band's success. While some of these changes were more successful than others, each band's journey serves as a valuable reminder of the complex nature of rock music.
Explore the rich history of these bands and see for yourself how the bands managed to adapt and evolve through these twists and turns in their careers.