Readers Name Bands That Gained Success After Key Member Replacements

Readers responded to a recent article listing six bands that improved after replacing original members. Writer Matt Reigle and his colleague reviewed comments and selected the most discussed omissions.

Journey replaced Gregg Rolie with Steve Perry. The band formed in San Francisco in 1973 with Rolie handling keyboards and lead vocals. They started as a jazz fusion group. Adding a dedicated vocalist let Rolie focus on keyboards. Perry led every major hit and helped secure their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction and millions of albums sold. The 1980s would not have been the same without Perry and Journey.

Van Halen swapped David Lee Roth for Sammy Hagar. Roth-era fan though the writer is, the band achieved radio success with Hagar. By 1985, Van Halen was the world's biggest act. Hits like "Panama," "Jump" and "Hot for Teacher" defined them. Hagar, known for "I Can't Drive 55" and "Your Love Is Driving Me Crazy," delivered radio-friendly songs over the next decade. "Van Hagar" matched the prior era's success.

Fleetwood Mac brought in Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham after Peter Green left. Most know the band for 1970s pop albums like "Rumours" and their 1975 self-titled release. They began as a blues rock outfit in the late 1960s with Green on lead vocals. Green departed in 1970. Nicks and Buckingham's melodies and tensions turned Fleetwood Mac into a top 1970s act. Songs like "Go Your Own Way," "Dreams" and "Don't Stop" dominated radio.

The Eagles added Joe Walsh for Bernie Leadon. By 1975, they were hugely popular with a best-selling greatest hits album. Tensions led to Leadon's exit. Walsh joined and the band released critically acclaimed "Hotel California" and "The Long Run." The title track of the first features a famous guitar solo by Walsh and Don Felder.

Pink Floyd replaced Syd Barrett with David Gilmour. Comments most often mentioned them. Under Barrett, they were a psychedelic group with potential but too eclectic for mass appeal. Gilmour's guitar and vocals paired with Roger Waters' songwriting produced iconic music. Pink Floyd became one of rock's most popular and influential bands thanks to Gilmour.