When the Lead Singer Leaves a Band… A Pet Peeve

This has been a pet peeve of mine for many years. Why is it that when a lead singer leaves a band and a new one steps in to become the voice of the group, the band keeps the same name? I guess it might be a little weird that this bothers me so much. But think about iconic bands with instantly recognizable lead singers like Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, Wham!, U2, Guns N’ Roses, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones. The list goes on but now imagine if those familiar voices were removed and replaced with a new singer, a voice that sounds nothing like the original. Let’s just go right to the point– Queen. Journey. Audio Adrenaline (for all you 90s Christian music fans). Except for Journey, the singers fronting the bands aren’t replicating the legendary sounds we associate with the groups.

This clear difference is where my pet peeve sets its foundation. If you don’t have Bono singing “So Cruel,” Steven Tyler belting out “Livin’ On The Edge,” or Freddy Mercury performing “Save Me,” then you aren’t listening to U2 and you aren’t listening to Aerosmith and you aren’t listening to Queen.

The sound of the band IS the band. Musicians can be replaced without anyone knowing, unless of course the new guitar player or drummer isn’t as good as who they’re replacing, but when it comes to singing, NO….. just… NO! Many bands are known by their lead singers voice. When that voice changes, the band name should change, too.

I’m prepared to fight over this! 🙂 Can you give me a good reason why a band who’s lead singer changes SHOULD keep the same band name?

-Out of the Wilderness