Achievingmusicindustry success and then being forced to undergo a significant line-up change is an intimidating process for a band to go through.When a new player is introduced, it can create an opportunity to surpass previous levels of fameand permit the band to soar to new heights of career achievements.
A line-up change can stem from a multitude of factors. Sometimes musical directions change and it’s an amicable parting of ways. Others are derived from darker moments, such as overwhelming drug addictions that afflict the overall functioning of a band. Unfortunately, even the death of a primary member can shake up the trajectory of an artist, creating an added layer of emotional turmoil to overcome while simultaneously trying to keep your career afloat.
Notable rock guitarist changes have led to some bands floundering on the subsequent first album with the new member. However, some groups have better incorporated a new musician, birthing a blended signature sound that fully immerses the listener.
8Carlos Cavazo
Quiet Riot
The Randy Rhoads creation Quiet Riot wouldn’t find major commercial success until guitarist Carlos Cavazo was part of the line-up. By then, Rhoads had left to join Ozzy Osbourne, and Quiet Riot had fizzled out indefinitely due to his departure.
The two-year hiatus stemming from the post-Rhoads period enabled the introduction of Cavazo to become a guiding light in the band’s sound. Quiet Riot had been unable to secure a US recording deal despite having a powerhouse line-up of talent.The 1982 rebirth achieved the longtime dream, and saw the band signed to CBS Records in the states.
Quiet Riot had been unable to secure a US recording deal despite having a powerhouse line-up of talent.
Their breakthrough single “Cum on Feel the Noize” was an amped-up metal cover of a 70s glam rock song. It would become the first metal song to enterBillboard’s Hot 100 chart. The albumMetal Healthwould reach number one the same week, becoming the first heavy metal album to do so.
7Steve Howe
Yes
The English band Yes were experimental from the beginning, but found their first streak of commercial success when guitarist Steve Howe was brought in to replace founding member Peter Banks. Despite the band’s progressive identity, Banks’ exit in 1970 was only three months before their sophomore albumTime and a Wordwas to be released.
Howe started off his new position by reshaping the sound of the band, due in part to his use of a Gibson ES-175. This was a successful integration which saw his first album with the band,The Yes Album,reach number four in the UK. Keeping the uphill momentum, the follow-up albumFragilebecame their peak once again. By incorporating classical music structuring alongside four individual solo tracks from each band member, it reached number four in the US - their first to break the top 10 in North America.
The band’s fifth studio album notably had many replacement members, yet Howe was the over-arching theme. Since his induction, he set the band on an upward trajectory that saw three consecutive chart-topping albums, each more successful than their predecessor.
6Taylor York
Paramore
In the early 2000s, there was a surge ofpop-punk bandsruling the charts, and Paramorewas the most notable female-led band of the scene. While their debut albumAll We Know Is Fallinggave the band an early speck of success, it was their fourth album with guitarist Taylor York that gave them their first Grammy.
Singer Hailey Williams had been childhood friends with brothers Josh Farro (lead guitar) and Zac Farro (drums), who coincidentally were in a short-lived band project with York. He would become a full-fledged member of Paramore upon the departure of rhythm guitarist Hunter Lamb in 2007.
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The band would go on to lose both Farro brothers by the time their fourth studio album was being recorded.York, while initially emotional over their departure, was able to step up his dutiesamidst the restructuring of the band. Along with Williams, he penned the band’s biggest hit, “Ain’t it Fun,” and has been a prominent force across all three of Paramore’s Grammy wins.
5Kirk Hammett
Metallica
In the early 1980’s, founding members James Hetfield andLars Ulrichwere busy scouting talent for the formation of Metallica. Essentially cherry-picking from the crop of musicians within the metal scene at the time, they’d go through trading one legendary guitarist, Dave Mustaine, for another one, Kirk Hammett. All of this happened before they’d even recorded their debut album.
While Mustaine’s influence is threaded throughout the band’s first two albums, it was on the Hammett-centric third studio album,Master of Puppets,where the band soared to new heights. It became their first album to be certified Gold. Hammett kept evolving, further proving his undeniable prowess on their fifth in-studio and self-titled album, commonly referred to asThe Black Album.
“Master of Puppets” would see a modern resurgence through its momentous inclusion in Netflix’sStranger Things, where character Eddie Munson performs the song in the season 4 finale.
While Metallica has stayed current and contemporary, this is their masterpiece composition. Hammett’s ability to create enduring guitar riffs was exemplified in “Enter Sandman,” the lead single that would become one of the band’s most popular creations.
4Zakk Wylde
Ozzy Osbourne
It’s safe to say both Ozzy Osbourne and his core group of fans were never truly satisfied with any replacement guitarist until Zakk Wylde was brought in during the late 1980s. While Osbourne achieved initial success with his solo venture in part by having Randy Rhoads by his side, the legendary guitarist’s death proved to be overwhelming for Osbourne. Initial replacements Bernie Tormé and Jake E. Lee just never won over the fans who heavily favored the soundscape created by Rhoads that had become synonymous with Osbourne’s sound as a solo artist.
While Tormé and Lee were brought into the mix at the suggestion of others, Wylde was plucked from obscurity by Osbourne himself. Only 21-years-old at the time, Wylde’s initial outing with the band is mainly memorable just because it was his introduction to metal audiences. He proved himself on 1991’sNo More Tears,aiding in the creation of Osbourne’s highest-performing single “Mama, I’m Coming Home,” which is his only soloBillboardTop 40 hit in the US. Most importantly, Wylde’s contributions restored Osbourne’s career to a similar magnitude as seen with Rhoads.
3John Frusciante
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Founding Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist Hillel Slovak would only record two albums with the band before his untimely death in 1988. This devastating moment would be what brought John Frusciante in as a replacement.
The band had a fair start in the industry, but wouldn’t see any notable victories until their third album,The Uplift Mofo Party Plan,cracked theBillboardTop 200. Frusciante would be introduced to the band in the midst of several member changes - actually being connected by one of the short-lived members, drummer D.H. Peligro.
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A mere 18-year-old fan, Frusciante brought with him a guitar sound that would become forever entangled with the band’s identity. The band’s fifth studio album and second with Frusciante,Blood Sex Sugar Magik,would be what catapulted the Red Hot Chili Peppers to widespread international acclaim. The culmination of Frusciante and Rick Rubin would prove to be truly magical. The lead single “Give It Away” would become their first number one on the Modern Rock chart, while the follow-up “Under the Bridge” would achieve their highest ranking onBillboard’sHot 100 at number two.
2Joe Walsh
Eagles
The country-rock-driven Eagles had to replace Bernie Leadon in the midst of success. For Joe Walsh to enter as the guitar replacement for the founding member, the pressure was immense. By the time their fourth studio album was released, the Eagles had already won their first Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for the single “Lyin' Eyes.“Walsh couldn’t let this momentum falterand if it did, the blame would be on him.
While the Eagles won their first Grammy with Leadon, they’d go on to win 5 more with Walsh on guitar.
With Leadon’s departure, the band had to restructure and leave behind their heavy country influence. Through this emerged “Hotel California,” which would become the band’s signature song. It features a melodic guitar duet by Walsh and Don Felder that creates a mysterious ambiance, supporting the ambiguity of the lyrics. The albumHotel Californiawould go on to secure the Eagles two more Grammys. Concluding in a rock’n’roll-drenched finale of sorts, the album’s final single “Life in the Fast Lane” showcased Walsh’s guitar proficiency, creating one of the most recognizable and enduring guitar riffs.
1Lindsey Buckingham
Fleetwood Mac
While Fleetwood Mac’s early line-ups would achieve moderate success with their British-blues sound in the UK, it wasn’t until guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was brought in that the band truly took off. Losing both their primary vocalist and guitar player with Bob Welch’s departure, Buckingham had a big vacancy to fill.
While Buckingham was being courted by Mick Fleetwood, his only caveat was that his partner, Stevie Nicks, also got to come aboard. The addition of the American folk rock duo brought an elevated tone to the band. The first album with their combined forces, 1975’sFleetwood Mac,peaked at number one in the US.
Buckingham’s influence would be further cemented when Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on their first nomination.
The follow-upRumoursin 1977 would become their hallmark, achieving global number one status and winning their first Grammy for Album of The Year. Buckingham’s influence would be further cemented when Fleetwood Mac was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on their first nomination in 1998 - with Buckingham being listed among the recognized band members.
