Bands that lost just one player and lost their way

Moxy after Buzz Shearman left the first time:



Definitely not as good as what came before (Doesn't even sound like them!).

 

Pogues w/o Shane

 

This is true. Now he's back but they're still uninteresting.

 

Michael Monarch - Steppenwolf. They didn't exactly "lose their way" after he left but...wasn't the same.

 

As much as I love the classic Moodies lineup, Moraz brought some new life to the band.
Long Distance Voyager is a fantastic album and absolutely perfect for 1981.
Much better than the half hearted Octave.

 

The Black Crowes after Marc Ford.

 

Yeah, those first two albums were truly special.
Interesting parallel with Ozzy having Rhoads for just two albums.

 

The Doors
Quicksilver Messenger Service
Flying Burrito Brothers
Pixies

 

I love Shane but I think the two albums The Pogues made without him are excellent. He was on great form with The Popes too.

 

I think Mick Taylor was an upgrade.

 

Van Halen after Roth. Maybe I lost my way because I couldn't follow them.

 

Corrosion Of Conformity while Pepper was busy with Down:

 

Nah, Who Are You is a fantastic album, every cut a winner.

Moon's playing isn't what it was, but those are great songs, well delivered for the most part, and Moon at 70% is still better than most at full strength.

 

UFO after Michael Schenker left

 

Rainbow and Black Sabbath after Dio left

 

The Four Horsemen after Frank Starr:

 

Foreigner after Lou Gramm

 

Bo Jovi post Ritchie Sambora
Warrrent post Jani Lane (Rip)
Alice in Chains post Layne Staley

 

DLR fan for life, but I think van hagar fit better in the 90s ethos than DLR would have.

 

Both Iron Maiden and Judas Priest when they lost their singers for a couple of albums.

 

Montrose without Hagar.

 

Quiet Riot without Kevin Dubrow the first time:

 

Jane's Addiction after Eric Avery. However you want to view their original lineup demise... I guess technically it was a straight break-up (all members agreeing), but within a short period of time they all found their way back together except Eric. Without him, I viewed them as nothing more than a slight step-up from a tribute/touring band trying to carry on the legacy of a once great band. Now that he's back, I'm hopeful that there's a (somewhat at least) return to form. I know they'll never capture what they had in the 80's and early 90's, but I can hope they're able to produce something compelling that's not an embarrassment to their legendary legacy. Now we just have to get Dave back in the fold.

 

W.A.S.P. after Tony Richards:

 

Wings after Paul McCartney left.