5 groups that maintained their success even after their lead singer’s departure

Whether death does its sad work or the sirens of alternative success sound for others, when the time rings, group members that are orphaned by their figureheads, face a serious dilemma: stay in the shadows or... be snuffed in complete darkness. Here, however, are five counterexamples of groups that have lived on despite their lead singer’s departure.

Van Halen

An inescapable end loomed for Van Halen when its spectacular singer and dare-devil sky-diving expert, David Lee Roth, decided to get off the fast moving train and give a chance to his solo career. The end also marked an end to tensions with Van Halen guitarist, Eddie. The early days proved Roth’s decision to change to be right as the top of the charts were waiting for him with his first mini-album. But what Roth didn't count on was the public’s enthusiasm and vitality for Van Halen covers. But against all odds, he was left behind by his his former group, which, after some procrastination and some odd potential hiring matches like Phil Collins, Joe Cocker or Pete Townshend, the group finally entrusted the microphone to Sammy Hagar. The choice was a profitable one as "5150" and "OU812" respectively went quadruple and triple platinum.

AC/DC

When original lead singer Bon Scott died, the bells of hell sounded in February 1980 and seemed to spell the end of the most sulphurous boogie-rock band of the moment. But hell wasn’t counting on the obstinacy of Angus Young and his family, who hired Brian Johnson to replace the charismatic singer. The cap-wearing singer easily filled the original singer’s shoes by respecting his new bandmates mourning period and showing empathy to predecessor's tombstone with his own touch. Together, along with the new singer, AC/DC made a series of thunderous hits: "You Shook Me All Night Long,” "Hells Bells" or "Back In Black" which gave its name to the album. The album, soberly packaged in a black jacket, displayed only the logo of the group and the name of the album, as if it too were drenched in sorrow. It went on to beat all records and established itself as the best-selling record of all time (before being dethroned two years later by "Thriller- Michael Jackson") with 50 million units to date. Johnson went on to be called "the new" member, for 35 years...

Deep Purple

To navigate the various "marks" of Deep Purple (like so many other line-ups), a perfect command of the Excel software is required. Four men followed one another at the microphone before Ian Gillan made a permanent footprint starting in 1992: Rod Evans (68-69), Ian Gillan (1969-1973, 1984-1989, 1992-2015), David Coverdale (1973-1976) and Joe Lynn Turner (1989-1992). These transfusions kept the group active despite the departure of the genius guitarist Richie Blackmore, or the death of their no less important keyboardist, John Lord.

Queen

This is not of course to imply that Freddie Mercury was replaceable and that the aura of the group did not falter when it continued on without him. But it should be noted that Roger Taylor and Brian May, capitalizing on nostalgia, got the green light from the fringe of fans who had not yet entirely rejected the idea of the two members wanting to restart the band. It was Paul Rodgers, a contemporary of the band, known for his career in Bad Company and Free who got the envied (and feared) job. After four years of collaborations, he left his place to revive Bad Company. A young American pop glam singer, born from American Idol, took over: Adam Lambert. Even though his cabotine and theatrical ease was met with as much skepticism that awaited Rodgers, Adam managed to convince the naysayers with his highly technical vocal demonstrations.

Alice In Chains

Turn to the grunge scene: the death of the Alice In Chains singer Layne Staley in 2002 left Jerry Cantrell, Mike Inez and Sean Kinney orphaned without their lead's baritone voice that was considered unique in it's genre. Yet Jerry, the chief songwriter, decided not to hang up the bands' guitars. Despite being a singer himself, he did not trust his skills enough and offered the job to the founder of Comes With The Fall, the charismatic William DuVall. Whether is was match point or selection criteria, the new recruit had an eerily-striking voice similar to his predecessor.

Published on: January 5, 2018