All Original members still performing with the group

Can any of you think of any bands of any genre who's heyday was in the past with all original members still together.

 

I'll start with the Oak Ridge Boys although from 1987-1997, William Lee Golden left the group, and then attempted a solo career and forming a band with his sons that weren't successful at all. In 1997, he rejoined the Oak Ridge Boys and they have been together since, still touring and recording.

 

Well, I could have said the Bee Gees until a day ago...

 

U2

Dan C

 

Yeah....

I mean, since they were children.....first hit in '64 in Oz, I think....you know the rest.

Bruce & The E-Street band 1975-present
U2

Geez, doesn't seem to be that many....

ED

 

New Order
Cocteau Twins
Pearl Jam
Live

 

Didn't Pearl Jam change drummers at some point?

 

ZZ Top (you Brits don't really call them "Zed Zed Top," do you??)

Go-Gos, during their frequent reunions

 

Yup. The original drummer was fired. They even used a session drummer for recording "Vitalogy" if I recall.
Dan C

 

They Might Be Giants, if they qualify as a 'group'.

Dan C

 

Firesign Theatre! Won't concede they're not a band. The Beatles of comedy!

 

Then again maybe their heyday isn't over.
Or even begun.

 

Los Lobos - the best American band for the last twenty-five years, still going strong....

 

How could I forget Los Lobos!
Dan C

 

Disqualified for being too good, for so long!

 

Cocteau Twins actually jettisoned Will Heggie somewhere between "Garlands" and "Head Over Heels", going from a trio to a duo (with associated guest appearances).

 

The Pearl Jam revolving door of drummers:

Dave Kruzen
Dave Abbruzzeze
Jack Irons
Matt Cameron

Though Cameron's been in the band since the breakup of Soundgarden. It took 'em seven years, but it looks like they found their guy. He's been with them for five years now.

 

Phish
Aerosmith
Pantera...
...Ummmm.... Dang! This is a toughie.

 

The Smithereens

Same four members since 1980: Pat DiNizio, Jim Babjak, Mike Mesaros and Dennis Diken.

Only change was for 18 months back around 1997, when Mike Mesaros got married and took a year and a half off of the road. The band did shows during that time with substitute bass players (mainly Jamie Hoover of the Spongetones), but Mesaros was always expected to return, and was back for the recording of God Save The Smithereens in '99.

 

CSNY

 

Bob, Firesign Theatre did operate as a Trio for some time. David Ossman left in 1982 to take up a career with NPR, IIRC. The 4 members reunited for a one-off 25th Anniversary Reunion Concert in Seattle in the spring of 1993. They walked on stage and before they began to peform, they received a 5 minute standing ovation. The rest is history.

As far as solo artists go, Gordon Lightfoot's recording and touring band members have been him for many years; guitarist - Terry Clements, bass - Rick Haynes, pedal steel guitar - Pee Wee Charles, and drummer Barry Keane. I think it's kind of rare for a solo artist to keep the same band for as many years as Gordon has. Also guitarist Red Shea played with Lightfoot from the mid 1960s till the early '80s.

 

The two most amazing groups in this realm have been performing since the mid-1950s, and each has had exactly one personnel change in its history.

The Dells -- In the 1980s, Johnny Funches was replaced by Johnny Carter, who was a member of the Flamingos.
The Four Tops -- They were together with the same four guys for over 40 years when Lawrence Payton died. He was replaced by Theo Peoples, a former member of the Temptations.

For the past 20 years, the core of the Moody Blues has been Justin Hayward, John Lodge, Ray Thomas and Graeme Edge. All of them have been with the group since 1967.

Bon Jovi has been the same five guys since 1983.

Cheap Trick had one personnel change in 1980, but the guy who left replaced his replacement in 1988. So they are all the original guys.

 

Phish has also been the same four guys since 1983.

 

Another one: After some revolving drummers early in their career, Alabama has been the same four guys since 1979.