4 classic rockers who replaced the same musician two separate times

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Spending just a few moments on the web could lead you to numerous discussions about rock and roll, such as debates over “who was the Stones’ most skilled secondary guitarist” or “Deep Purple’s top lead vocalist.” These arguments often persist for quite some time in rock bands, and it’s almost inevitable that they undergo changes in their lineup.

Occasionally, a band like AC/DC can seamlessly continue their performance even after a significant change, such as when Bon Scott passed away and Brian Johnson took over. However, in other instances, the departure of a crucial member can mark the end of a group’s most successful period.

After the tragic death of drummer Keith Moon in 1978, The Who were rumored to have brought in Kenney Jones as his replacement. However, this lineup change didn’t manage to restore the band to its former glory.

Replaced and success? Oh, yes.

If a group is at its peak, it usually requires a strong reason to disband following the exit of a member, frequently due to their passing. This was the case for Zeppelin and Minutemen. However, in most instances, the band reforms, makes changes, and carries on. Even if they adopt a new moniker – like New Order – the musical entity persists.

It’s quite normal for a band to undergo changes throughout their career. One member might leave, only to be replaced by another. This kind of thing happens regularly.

It’s not common when a new musician takes over from an older one for a second time, not necessarily in the same group, but it can happen. However, when this change occurs within the same band, it’s often because one member is coming and going due to various circumstances – perhaps they’re working on a solo project or dealing with personal issues like rehab. In such cases, another musician, who could be a guitarist or keyboardist, is already part of the band’s circle.

The band had previously incorporated that member; they simply formalized his position during the lead vocalist’s absence.

Four times, one artist imitated another within the same band initially, and this pattern repeated itself twice more, as follows:

1. In the first instance, it’s quite clear because they both belonged to the same band.
2. The second time, the follower switched bands but continued to mirror the leader’s style.
3. In the third instance, a new band was formed, and again, the artist followed the original musician’s lead.
4. Finally, in the fourth instance, both musicians joined yet another band together, with the follower still imitating the leader.

Black Sabbath – Lead Vocalist

Black Sabbath frequently swaps band members as much as the New York Jets swap quarterbacks (which is quite often if you’re not into football). Originally, the group consisted of Tony Iommi on guitar, Geezer Butler on bass, Bill Ward on drums, and iconic vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. They remained together for their first ten years, but around 1978, Ozzy felt the urge to pursue a solo career.

Starting this journey was a lengthy and twisty path that featured both well-known and lesser-known vocalists. After Ozzy initially departed, Dave Walker temporarily filled in for him. However, Ozzy returned shortly after. When he went on a more permanent hiatus a year later, Ronnie James Dio took over the microphone. Dio was a powerhouse. A few years down the line, when he decided to launch his own band, it ignited a 15-year span during which six different men led the group.

Two singers by the name of Gillan, who had different spellings (I’m referring to Ian Gillan), captivated the crowd that night. Incredibly, in 1997, the original four-piece band reformed permanently, with Ozzy Osbourne as the lead vocalist.

As a die-hard fan, I must say, it was undeniably Black Sabbath, yet, it wasn’t always for the best. When Ozzy Osbourne departed in 2006, guitarist Tony Iommi, the sole constant member, and the rest of the band looked to Ronnie James Dio once more to fill Ozzy’s boots – a role he had taken on previously. (More insights on this coming up.)

Black Sabbath – Drummer

I assure you that future articles will showcase two unique bands, with Black Sabbath consistently offering intriguing material. Interestingly, Bill Ward, the original drummer, had a more chaotic history with the band compared to Ozzy Osbourne. By my calculations, he has rejoined and left the group four times before. This year, he returned for a fifth stint to participate in their final tour, which concludes in Birmingham this summer.

Unless he leaves again.

Sabbath has worked with five other professional drummers and numerous session and touring musicians on the drums. However, if Ward decides to leave again, Vinnie Appice, who played with Ronnie James Dio’s band in the 1980s, could easily take his place.

In the early ’80s, another musician took over for Ward when he temporarily stepped away. Later, in the early ’90s, he filled in as a substitute drummer under emergency circumstances. Eventually, he returned to Dio’s band in 2006, this time stepping into the role that Ward had vacated once more, joining Iommi and Butler again.

Essentially, though they went by the name Heaven & Hell, you must realize that was essentially a new phase of Black Sabbath. In fact, it featured the same members from the ’80s era of the band.

Poco & the Eagles – Bass Player

In the late ’60s, when Buffalo Springfield disbanded, some of its members went on to create Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Meanwhile, Richie Furay and Jim Messina teamed up to form the band Poco, which blended country, folk, and rock music. Randy Meisner was their original bassist. However, Meisner wasn’t comfortable with the level of control exercised by Furay and Messina. Following their debut album, he decided to part ways with the group.

It seems that Furay and Messina were so shaken by the situation that they replaced their bassist on the album cover with a dog (on the cover of Pickin’ Up the Pieces, you’ll notice a dog instead of Meisner). After this, they invited Timothy B. Schmit back to the band, who they had initially considered but chose Meisner over him. Despite this change, they didn’t skip a beat. They went on to record nine albums together, with Schmit gradually assuming more and more responsibilities as a leader.

In the meantime, Meisner joined a fresh band that had recently supported Linda Ronstadt during tour. Don Henley and Glenn Frey recruited the ex-Poco bassist for this new group. Later on, Meisner stayed with the Eagles throughout most of their ’70s success, which peaked with the massive hit “Hotel California” in 1976.

Despite contributing to several of their major hits as a co-writer and occasional singer, Meisner and Frey found it difficult to see eye to eye. Following the release of “Hotel California”, the bass player chose to part ways with the band.

Who took over his position instead? Timothy B Schmit, who assumed the role of Meisner when the bassist departed from Poco in 1971. While Schmit has stayed with the band ever since, they haven’t managed to duplicate the fame of their album “Hotel California“. Notably, he parted ways with Poco right before they recorded their biggest hit, “Crazy Love.” It seems like a mix of fortune and misfortune.

Eleven & Pearl Jam – Drummer

Jack Irons was one of the founding members of the band that eventually evolved into the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and he played the drums for them during the 1980s. Towards the end of the decade, he departed from the group and later joined forces with Alain Johannes (of Walk the Moon) and Natasha Shneider to create Eleven.

Eleven was heavily influenced by Pearl Jam, so it wasn’t too unexpected when Irons departed from the band halfway through their third album and joined one of the most prominent alternative acts in America during the mid-’90s. Irons contributed to Pearl Jam on “No Code” and “Yield”.

After he abandoned ship alongside Eleven, they managed to bring in Matt Cameron, a drummer who had recently wrapped up work on one of the defining alt-grunge albums of the decade – “Superunknown” with his band Soundgarden. Later, Cameron finished the Eleven album for Irons before going back to Soundgarden.

Later on, it turned out that Irons became weary of Pearl Jam’s demanding tour routine and decided to leave the band in 1998, not long after Soundgarden disbanded. Once more, Cameron was asked to step in for Irons. However, this time, he accepted the offer and has been a part of Pearl Jam ever since.

Well, for the gamers out there who might be curious, let me spill the beans: The individuals I’m referring to in the initial queries are none other than Mick Taylor and, you guessed it, Ian Gillan.

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2025-05-09 13:00