16 Famous Bands Coping with Member Loss

Jim Morrison of The Doors died from a heroin overdose in 1971.

The Doors is listed among the 16 Famous Bands Coping with Member Loss.The lead singer, Jim Morrison, joined theThe Doors is listed among the 16 Famous Bands Coping with Member Loss.In 1971, he died of a heroin overdose. The other members tried to keep the band together, and Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger took over lead vocals. This setup lasted two years before The Doors officially broke up.Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger took overlead vocals. That arrangement lasted two years before The Doors officially disbanded.

Freddie Mercury died from AIDS complications in 1991.

When Freddie Mercury died in 1991, the band continued and released the last album featuring Mercury in 1995. They have since tried different singers, including Paul Rodgers and Adam Lambert.The Doors released their last album.featuring Mercury in 1995. They have since tried different singers, includingPaul Rodgers is associated with The Doors.Paul Rodgers and The Doors.Adam Lambert is associated with The Doors..

Chester Bennington died in 2017.

Chester Bennington of Linkin Park died.Chester Bennington committed suicide in 2017.

Duane Allman died in a motorcycle accident in 1971.

Duane Allman, a founding member of the Allman Brothers Band, was only 24 when he was killed in a motorcycle accident.Butch Trucks killed in a motorcycle accident.. The band kept playing without Allman; drummer Butch Trucks took it.Butch Trucks put it., "We all had this thing in us and Duane put it there. He was the teacher and he gave something to us - his disciples - that we had to play out."

Clarence Clemons died from stroke complications in 2011.

Clarence Clemons is mentioned.Clarence Clemons was perhaps the most famous member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. The saxophonist was with the group from the '70s until he passed in 2011. Clemons achieved more in death than most people do in life; the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted him posthumously in 2014 with the other band members. The E Street Band tours now with a new saxophonist, Jake Clemons, Clarence's nephew.Clarence Clemons is in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.in 2014 along with the other members of the band. The E Street Band tours now with a new saxophonist, Jake Clemons, Clarence's nephew.Jake Clemons is mentioned., Clarence's nephew.

Jerry Garcia died from a heart attack in 1995.

The legacy of The Doors.Grateful Dead is mentioned.and the group's singer, Jerry Garcia, lives on even 25 years after Garcia's passing. The Dead went into retirement after Garcia died, but the Deadheads did not accept that. The rest of the band tours again as Dead & Company, fronted by John Mayer.Grateful Dead is touring again as Dead & Company., fronted by John Mayer.

Michael Hutchence died by suicide in 1997.

When the lead singer of INXS, Michael Hutchence, passed in 1997, the band took a break for a few years. In 2005, they started searching for a new singer through a reality TV show competition called Rockstar: INXS.Michael Hutchence is mentioned., passed in 1997, the band took a break for a few years. In 2005, they started searching for a new singer through a reality TV show competition called Rockstar: INXS.Michael Hutchence was on a reality TV show.Michael Hutchence competed in a competition called.Michael Hutchence was in Rockstar: INXS.. Singer J.D. Fortune won.Singer J.D. Fortune won., and played with the band for six years—but INXS was not the same.

Bon Scott died from acute alcohol poisoning in 1980.

AC/DC'sBon Scott is mentioned.Bon Scott was the band's lead vocalist for six years when he became unconscious in a Renault 5 car in London. He was later pronounced dead upon reaching the hospital. The group replaced him with Brian Johnson, who helped the group become a rock legend. Axl Rose replaced him in 2016, but AC/DC continues.Bon Scott was replaced by Axl Rose in 2016., but AC/DC still lives on.

Members who died: Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie Gaines, and Steve Gaines died in a plane crash in 1977.

When Lynyrd Skynyrd's plane crashed in the Mississippi forest in 1977, three main membersBand members were killed.Ronnie Van Zant, Cassie Gaines, and Steve Gaines died. The crash forced surviving band members to retire temporarily.

In 1987, Lynyrd Skynyrd got back together.They reunited with Ronnie's brother Johnny on lead vocals. Lynyrd Skynyrd still tours today, though only one original member is in the group.Ronnie's brother Johnny took lead vocals. The band Lynyrd Skynyrd tours now.Only one original member is part of the group.One original member is part of the group.

Kurt Cobain died from a gunshot wound in 1994.

Kurt Cobain was the heart of Nirvana.Nirvana.Without the visionary vocalist, the band called it quits. They only stopped after releasing some of Cobain's final recordings with the band.Nirvana won a Grammy.Nirvana won a Grammy for their live album, MTV Unplugged in New York.MTV Unplugged in New York.The band won the award in 1995. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

Nirvana's drummer, Dave Grohl, moved to form the Foo Fighters.Dave Grohl formed the Foo Fighters.Nirvana appears in the list of 16 Famous Bands Coping with Member Loss.

Ian Curtis died by suicide in 1980.

When Ian Curtis of Joy Division committed suicide in 1980, the group disbanded.Ian Curtis.Joy Division members committed suicide in 1980, and the group disbanded. They began their first North American tour.The remaining members continued as New Order.Joy Division appears in the list of 16 Famous Bands Coping with Member Loss.

Brian Jones died by drowning in 1969.

The Rolling Stones.Guitarist Brian Jones drowned in his pool in 1969, just weeks after being kicked out of the Rolling Stones. Mick Taylor replaced Jones.Mick Taylor replaced Brian Jones.Mick Taylor contributed to some of the Stones' most iconic albums, including Let It Bleed and Exile on Main Street.Let It Bleed.and Exile on Main Street.The Rolling Stones are on Exile on Main Street.

Phil Lynott died from heart failure due to sepsis in 1986.

Thin Lizzy broke up after losing their lead singer and bassist.Phil Lynott.Thin Lizzy disbanded in 1986. The surviving members continued.The surviving members eventually reunited.They reunited five years after Lynott's passing.

Jimi Hendrix died from drug-related complications in 1970.

When your band is called The Jimi Hendrix Experience, there is no continuing after the namesake member passes.The Jimi Hendrix Experience.After the namesake member passes, there is no continuing for The Jimi Hendrix Experience. The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.The band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

Jonathan Melvoin died of a heroin overdose in 1996.

Jonathan Melvoin.Jonathan Melvoin played keyboards in the popular '90s rock group the Smashing Pumpkins. He died of a heroin overdose in 1996, but the circumstances remain mysterious. Pumpkins drummer Jimmy Chamberlin was with him and placed the 911 call.

The band was not invited to Melvoin's funeral, but continued to play without him.The band was not invited to Melvoin's funeral.The band continued to play without Melvoin.

Keith Moon died from an accidental prescription drug overdose in 1978.

Keith Moon, drummer of the Who.The Who.Keith Moon passed in 1978 after accidentally overdosing on prescription meds meant to help combat alcohol addiction. The Who carried on without him.The Who replaced Keith Moon with Kenney Jones.The Who replaced him with Kenney Jones, and later, Zak Starkey.Later, Zak Starkey replaced him.The Who appears in the list of 16 Famous Bands Coping with Member Loss.

Cass Elliot died of a heart attack in 1974.

Cass Elliot, or Mama Cass, was a founding member of the Mamas & the Papas.Mama Cass was a founding member of the Mamas & the Papas.Mama Cass was a founding member of the Mamas & the Papas.The Mamas & the Papas broke up in 1968.The Mamas & the Papas broke up in 1968 before Cass Elliot's passing. They briefly reunited in 1971 and again in the 1980s.

John Bonham died in 1980.

John Bonham of Led Zeppelin.John Bonham passed away in 1980.Heavy drinking caused accidental asphyxiation the night before. This tragedy made the group stop playing after his death.

Alice in Chains, a major 1990s rock band, grew from the grunge scene in Seattle, Washington. Jerry Cantrell, guitarist and songwriter, Sean Kinney, drummer, Mike Starr, and Layne Staley formed the band in 1987. Staley's haunting vocals and Cantrell's heavy, down-tuned guitar riffs gave the group a sound unlike others in a city full of musicians. Their first album, Facelift, dropped in 1990. It featured the hit single Man in the Box.

Soundgarden, a strong force in music, came from the Pacific Northwest in the mid-1980s as a grunge rock pioneer. Chris Cornell sang, Kim Thayil played guitar, and Hiro Yamamoto played bass when the band formed in Seattle, Washington. Matt Cameron joined as the full-time drummer in 1986. Soundgarden mixed punk, heavy metal, and classic rock elements. This mix set them apart from other bands and helped them claim a spot in music. Their debut album, Ultramega OK, came out in 1988 and earned them a Gr

Stone Temple Pilots (STP) is an American rock band from San Diego, California. Scott Weiland sang lead vocals. Dean DeLeo and Robert DeLeo played guitar and bass, with Robert DeLeo also handling backing vocals. Eric Kretz played drums. The band kept this lineup from its 1989 start until Scott Weiland was fired in February 2013. Chester Bennington of Linkin Park joined in May 2013. He left amicably in November 2015 to focus on Linkin Park. On December 3, 2015, Weiland died on his tour bus before a show with his band The W