Mike Pinera > Chicago (replacing Terry) Jeff Beck > Elton John Band Gilson Lavis > Wings (Passed the audition but for some reason didn’t join)
Nick Van Eede (the singer from Cutting Crew) auditioned for mid-90s Genesis after Phil left. He was a "finalist", but Ray Wilson got the gig.
Great singer. Would have fit well. Then again, I thought Ray did a fab job for Genesis so what do I know?
Nick definitely would've hit the notes better live. Ray does a nice job with darker sounding material, but not on many of their hit songs.
Wayne Perkins Chris Spedding (IIRC, Spedding said it was to replace Brian, not Mick T.) Nils Lofgren Peter Frampton Black and Blue - Wikipedia
Someone must've already mentioned Terry Reid, suggesting Robert Plant to Page. Terry Reid - Wikipedia
In 1969, Fairport Convention, searching for a replacement for the then recently deceased Martin Lamble, asked Mel Pritchard, already well established by then as the drummer for Barclay James Harvest, to audition for them. Pritchard, with a candour and a modesty apparently typical of the man, turned them down, because he didn't think his playing came up to the standard required by the Fairports.
Navarro had the job offer for GnR without even needing to audition. He turned it down because of the band’s reputation and not wanting to get saddled with a huge commitment. He was also starting Deconstruction with Eric Avery (who really would’ve been a fascinating choice for Metallica-not a flashy player, but I think he could have challenged them and pushed them to explore new avenues).
That's hilarious. It shows how clueless INXS management (or the band) are if they actually believed Patton might be interested in that gig.
I once tried out for Talking Heads, back before they even had a recording contract (mid 70's). Clem Burke whom I used to play with set me up with them. It was a bad fit both musically and personally. I never imagined they'd become as big as they did.
I thought in the Soft Machine biography Out Bloody Rageous I read that Andy Summers auditioned for them on guitar circa 1971 or so.
Colin Moulding of XTC was apparently approached by Pink Floyd to replace Roger Waters, but he turned them down. Now that could’ve been an interesting combination.
I've only heard Ray on Calling All Stations. Haven't heard any live tapes of his time with the band. I have seen Cutting Crew live a few times and even into his sixties, Nick sings like an angel.
David Longdon of Big Big Train was another who auditioned for Genesis after Phil Collins left. I remember reading once that it was down to him and Ray Wilson.
Even if he was interested, it's remains a terrible idea. So wrong on every level. I like Mike Patton, and I like INXS (what I know of, I consider them to be a 'singles' band). But Mike Patton & Michael Hutchence are completely the opposite types of frontmen. Also imagine 'Mike Patton vs the media circus'. I don't know how serious it was though. Not very much I'd say.
I can't imagine Jeff beck taking a backseat in any rock group.. Maybe they would have been called jeff Beck and the rolling stones
And I was asked to audition for Damo’s band but stupidly didn’t take it seriously as I was temporarily getting out of the music scene...
Waited 20 years to hear the results of this collaboration, biggest letdown ever lol Shame as some of the later Can albums do share some similarities with Hardin’s work, stuff like Give me no Roses and Paupers Daughter and I
Andy Summers was in Soft Machine for a short time during their U.S. tour opening for Hendrix in 1968.
