General Music Chat

I just use these guys as an example. At what point do you have to stop billing yourself as a band that is no longer the original lineup? I'm sure you can still go to a nightclub somewhere in North America, and there will be some dude who was in the 20th incarnation of "The Temptations" calling his act just that. Back to Roger, and Pete for just a sec...when the first one of them dies, will/can the survivor still call his act "The Who"?

At one time, I believed taht the singer was the real voice of any band, & when Steppenwolf toured without John Kay, I was truly offended.

I dunno the answer to that one, Dajax...in the case of the Who, it ain't like they have a choice - the missing members are DEAD. Perhaps tat makes a difference to me, but I'm not at all offended by their use of the name.

Of course ownership of the name is just a legal issue, and obviously Townsend has the rights to it. But I understand what you're saying. The thing is, a band is more than just the members; it's a way of doing things (to quote Robert Fripp). I saw Thin Lizzy last night and only one of the original members is still in the band (Brian Downey, drums). Hopefully my band will continue on after I retire.

The Who, hasn't been the same since Keith passed, or Entwistle. You're not seeing the Who. Those guys were intricate parts of the creation of the sound of the Who especiallly live.
I don't think they should be using it now let alone when the next one passes. imo.
They could tour as "Townsend and Daltry" People will know who they are and what to expect. It won't affect sales. McCartney does sets of Beatles music but doesn't call himself the Beatles. But you know he's gonna do Helter Skelter. Same with Fogerty he does lots of CCR music but doesn't tour as CCR. Led Zep got this one right.
Maybe they do it for the fans so you can say I saw "The Who" I think in some cases it is for billing (Temptations) but not in the case of The Who.

Fogerty can't tour as CCR because he doesn't own the rights to the name, or you can bet your butt he would. Bands change over time. People quit, get fired and die, but that doesn't mean the name should be retired. The entire Beatles catalogue was credited to Lennon-McCartney, and he doesn't own the name, so McCartney can't tour as the Beatles. It's just a legal issue.

I guess my point is they don't need the name, fans already know Macca as the Beatles and Townsend as The Who, Fogerty as CCR etc... Some things should be put to rest imo. Although I think it's a case by case issue. Lots of bands change a member or two but some are iconic. Pearl Jams drummer getting the boot is not the same as Jon Bonham passing. I can see why one continues and the other is put to rest. Metallica did it but it was early in their career when they lost Cliff. But if Hetfield quit or passed it wouldn't be Metallica anymore to me.

Remember Queen with Paul Rogers as the lead singer? It was more like Bad Company with May, Taylor and Deacon. Signature bnads with charter members missing are NOT signature bands no matter what they call themselves...

I don't really feel it is relevant what they call themselves.
They are either entertaining or they are not.
Not too many years ago my wife and I went to a "concert" in a big concrete box down here they call "THE OIL PALACE"
Despite horrid acoustics THE GUESS WHO put on an enjoyable show.
Then STEPINWOLF came out.
Not only did all the aged bikers waddle up front so no one else could see the show ... they SUCKED.
We just walked out before that nonsense and noise ruined the joy of the first show.

I guess it varies from band to band, depending on which key members are still around. Sometimes the chemistry of the whole band is what defines them. Sometimes there are a few irreplaceable members. Queen isn't Queen without Brian May AND Freddy Mercury. You can replace everybody in Motorhead except Lemmy. You can replace everyone in D.O.A. except Joey Shithead. You can replace everybody in the Dickies except Stan Lee and Leonard Graves Philips. Ramones drummers are almost interchangeable. But, the founding trio of Johnny, Joey, and Dee Dee WERE the Ramones. Although Dee Dee quit performing with them in 1989, he continued to be their main songwriter until they called it quits.

Some groups just lose what made them special after time or some event. KISS is just two old greedy Jews now pretending to be KISS. The Rolling Stones haven't been the Stones since at least the 70's. Metallica just became a glorified cover band after Cliff Burton died, even though Hetfield and Ulrich are the main guys.

I would think if any of us on here had been a member of a group such as the Who and all the other members died quit or whatever we would still like to use the name to draw people to our shows.

I would for sure.

You guys that dont get that failed Marketing 101, LOL!