Mainstream bands live a soap opera life where egos take the stage having a higher weight in their existence than the artists themselves.

More often than not, it takes a toll on a particular band member.
Almost as often, more than one goes his/her own way.

Why is that guy fronting my favourite band?

There are very few situations where multiple vocalists are loved within the same band, given full credit for the band’s success and respected for their work in a selected period of time.

One will mention AC/DC — Bon Scott (1974–1980), Brian Johnson (1980–present), does Dave Evans (1973–1974) count? — or Pink Floyd, with the shared duties by David Gilmour and Roger Waters, as the rare exceptions but, in most cases, there is either one loved singer vs all the others or a never ending discussion, maybe adding to real-life personal feuds, between two or more former and present frontmen.

Of course, there are some situations where the result was so poor that it is barely worth mentioning, like The Doors with Ian Astbury, Queen + Paul Rogers or, even worse, Queen + Adam Lambert… yikes!

So, here goes a countdown of situations where a band released (at least) one great sounding song that did not earn the fully deserved credit/acclamation to the soon-to-be forgotten vocalist (note: even if the order is somewhat subjective, I’d rank it based on how great I think the song is on its own).

#5

INXS (with J. D. Fortune) — Pretty Vegas, 2005

Even though INXS was once The Fariss Brothers (with Andrew, Jon and Tim as founders), the band would have never reached stardom if it wasn’t for their frontman, singer and lyricist, Michael Hutchence — and, most likely, his highly celebrated relationship with pop diva Kylie Minogue.

When Hutchence commited suicide in 1997, the band entered an indefinite hiatus.

Even considering several short-lived reunions with guest singers, INXS would only reform in 2005 by selecting a new vocalist via a worldwide broadcast TV reality show, “Rock Star: INXS”.

Young talented J. D. Fortune won the contest, joined the band on a permanent basis that same year, and they would record their last originals release to date, “Switch”, from where a couple of singles were selected, with “Pretty Vegas” being the one that gained some airtime and commercial success.

After a self-tribute album in 2010, which featured some of the band’s oldest songs sung and played by several guests such as Ben Harper, John Mayer, Tricky, Rob Thomas (Fortune only sang one song, “The Stairs”), they would part ways the following year.

#4

Genesis (with Ray Wilson) — Congo, 1997

For some, Genesis only existed with Peter Gabriel.
Period.

For the vast majority, Phil Collins picked up where Peter left and led the band into a new musical direction.

Sure, it was pop, but there were quite a few great songs, with Tony Banks evolving his trademark playing and sound and Mike Rutherford taking care of both the bass and guitar duties.

A common question regarding their third vocalist arises:
what third vocalist?

Former Stiltskin vocalist, Ray Wilson, became Genesis’ lead singer when Phil Collins left in 1996 to pursue his solo career.

The band came to release “Calling All Stations” in 1997 with relative success in Europe but poorer reception in the USA.

The album-supporting tour went throughout Europe, but its American leg was cancelled before it was scheduled; the band’s visibility was at its low and box offices seemed to have little interest in this short lived reincarnation. Ray Wilson was dismissed (a “death by silence situation”, as he described it) and the band went on an indefinite hiatus until their reunion with Collins for the “Turn It On Again” tour, in 2007 (although they announced in November 2006).

Genesis never wrote any new material again and unofficially disbanded in 2012, partially due to Phil Collins’ increasingly auditory problems and medical advise not to perform live and exposing himself to loud sounding environments.

#3

Van Halen (with Gary Cherone) — Without You, 1998

In 1996, after a “Best Of…” compilation that included two new songs with their original frontman, David Lee Roth, Van Halen created the ultimate illusion for their fans, by appearing on MTV Video Music Awards with him.

That reunion was not to be (at least until 2007, some 15 years later) and the fans never allowed the new vocalist, Gary Cherone (formerly from Extreme, and now back with them) to stay with the band for more than one album and subsequent concert tour.

The album, properly titled “Van Halen III” referring to the 3rd vocalist, was produced by multiple Grammy winner Mike Post (two awards for the “Hill Street Blues” theme in 1981, another one for “L.A. Law” in 1988) but did not earn public acclamation and turned out not to be a fan favourite as it was not an easy one to “digest” (guitarist Eddie Van Halen said that it shared some characteristics with “Fair Warning”, an album that also wasn’t a fan’s favourite when it came out but eventually became a reference for many guitarists and other musicians).

Even if the album ended up not being as relevant as most, if not all, of its predecessors, it showed a sober Eddie Van Halen in perfect creative alignment with Gary Cherone, while coming out of the band’s and personal comfort zone, either with a funky 6-minute single in “Without You”, a chill-out and synth-based “Once” that featured Eddie bass soloing, or even a final “How Many Say I” with Eddie on piano and sharing vocals with Gary.

Not even a global (Australia, Europe and USA) and highly energetic tour, where Gary competently sang a balanced repertoire with songs from the three eras (David Lee Roth’s, Sammy Hagar’s and his own) saved him from high criticism, and ultimately led to his demise in 1999, when a follow-up to their first work together was in the making.

#2

Deep Purple (with David Coverdale) — Burn, 1973

In the Summer of 1973, Ian Gillian and Roger Glover had left the band, due to strains within band members and also fatigue after a highly demanding tour in support of their “Who do We Think We Are” album.

The band had brought in bassist Glenn Hughes, who thought he would be sharing the lead vocals with former Free frontman, Paul Rogers. But that wasn’t to be as Rogers himself was in the process of foundind a new band, Bad Company.

Ritchie Blackmore decided to bring in a youngster called David Coverdale, who would stay with the band until they disbanded in early 1976.

They would eventually record two albums, both in 1974, “Burn” and “Stormbringer”, both with massive public acceptance. The first of those albums included a self-title first single that would remain on of their most recognisable songs for years to come.

When Deep Purple reunited with Ian Gillian in the mid-eighties, he decided to entirely skip the Coverdale catalogue, never once singing a song from that era, not even a classic such as “Burn”.

#1

Audioslave (with Chris Cornell) —Cochise (2002)

Well, I know… technically this is wrong. But I can argue that Audioslave is Rage Against The Machine without Zack de la Rocha and with Chris Cornell in his place, can’t I?
I can? Thank you!

After Soundgarden disbanded in 1997, a solo career was the next chapter for the band’s vocalist.

His 1999 album, “Euphoria Morning”, proved his writing and performing skills, with his own personal and established vocal style and identity.
Who doesn’t know “Can’t Change Me”?

A year later, Zach de la Rocha slammed the door on the other three Rage Against the Machine members, leaving the band going nowhere, even if they were in search of a replacement vocalist for the band.

Thanks to producer/guru Rick Rubin, an invitation was sent to Chris to come and jam with them and, according to guitarist Tom Morello, “when there is an irreplaceable chemistry from the first moment, you can't deny it.”

The band went on to record three great albums before disbanding in 2007, but their best effort is arguably their first one, “Cochise”.

By the way, “Show Me How To Live” is also a worthy mention.

Agree? Disagree?
If you think that Bruce Dickinson vs Paul Di’Anno (and even Blaze Bayley), Layne Staley vs Robert DuVall (Alice In Chains), or Max Cavallera vs Derrick Green (Sepultura) should be in the list, choose a song and justify why you think so.
Please, don’t add any soap opera from either Kiss, REO Speedwagon, Yes or Journey… just kidding!
Feedback is always welcomed around here.