There are a lot of interesting stories about famous musicians auditioning for bands when they loose a member, plans to change one, reunions, etc, could be fun to get all those stories in this thread some I remember: -Dimebag auditioning for Megadeth (pre Rust in Peace IIARC), but not getting in his brother Vinnie was a deal breaker -Alex Skolnic auditioning, and playing a few gigs, in Ozzy's solo band -Zakk Wylde in Guns n Roses
Wasn’t there a story going round that Adrian Smith auditioned for Def Leppard after Steve Clark’s passing?
Colin Blunstone apparently auditioned for Genesis in 1975. Joey Spampinato (NRBQ) auditioned for the Stones.
The Stones probably didn’t use the word “audition” , but that’s essentially what it was when Harvey Mandel was brought in and ended up playing on Black and Blue.
Josh Homme Faith No More. (As guitar player); Kuyss just broke up. It didn’t work out and then Homme started qotsa Faith No More also considered asking Chris Cornell after Chuck Moseley was fired. I think Cornell received a phonecall but politely declined. Mike Patton on the other hand was asked to join INXS, but he never considered it.
Apparently Steve Howe, from Tomorrow, tried to join The Nice, Jethro Tull and Atomic Rooster before ending up at Yes.
In late 1962, the Stones were still looking for a permanent drummer, and Mick Avory was one of the guys that auditioned. It reportedly didn't go well.
He was hired to sing on In The Wake Of Poseidon, paid for the gig but Fripp changed his mind after hearing Elton’s debut album!
In his book Phil Collins mentions doing many unsuccessful auditions (Manfred Mann Chapter Three is one I remember) before joining Genesis.
Iommi auditioned for Tull, was picked but decided not to stay. From what I remember, Steve Howe considered auditioning for Tull but did not because they specified they did not want the guitarist to write music.
I know Tina Weymouth from Talking Heads, Stu Cook from Creedence and Noel Redding from JHE, all auditioned on bass for The Rolling Stones in 1993.