Top 10 Bands That Became More Successful with a New Singer

Top 10 Bands That Became More Successful with a New Singer
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Bands that changed singers or got new band members often don't succeed in the music industry, but these bands became some of the most successful music groups in the world after they changed singers. Charting groups on the list come from all over the music world from thrash metal, to LA hardcore, 70s Hard Rock, New Wave and 80s and of course Prog Rock masters Genesis.
List rank and entries:
01:29 #10 - Phil Anselmo replaces Terry Glaze in Pantera
02:40 #9 - Henry Rollins takes over from Dez Cadena in Black Flag
03:51 #8: Ian Gillan replaces Rod Evans in Deep Purple
04:55 #7: Steve Perry takes over from Gregg Rolie in Journey
06:06 #6: Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks replace Bob Welch in Fleetwood Mac
07:12 #5: Simon Le Bon replaces Stephen Duffy in Duran Duran
08:17 #4: Phil Collins replaces Peter Gabriel in Genesis
09:32 #3, #2 & #1: ?
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[@cedricluck]

Syd Barret was never replaced ... he just went to an another dimension ....

[@EvanK2013]

And he wasn't "replaced" by Gilmour. Most of the current bandmembers when Syd was let go contributed vocals, and Roger Waters did a lot of the songwriting. When Waters left in 1985, Gilmour remained and the band kept going. Technically, no one was "replaced" they just left and the remaining members just kept going. I feel this was a bad example to include in a list of "replacements".

[@TallicaMan1986]

@@EvanK2013 I feel like if Syd Barret wasn't such a massive acid head he could've been apart of Pink Floyd, but I feel Gilmour is NECCESSARY. I'd pick him over Syd most of the time. Have you heard Gilmours new album. If you don't cry at In Any Tongue music video, you aren't with Pink Floyd. Pink Floyd has made me cry more times than any other band.

[@harryhenderson792]

wish you were here was about Syd

[@tracys4161]

@@harryhenderson792 So was Shine on You Crazy Diamond

[@johnquibbler7249]

@@EvanK2013, I was thinking the same thing.

[@lambo2655]

Steve Perry what a voice from the gods.

[@americanwelder9865]

No doubt about it!

[@Marksman3434]

Bruce Dickinson is amazing. Not only a brilliant musician/singer, he’s also a commercial airline pilot. He actually pilots the Ed Force One when the band is on tour!

[@ac4185]

Bruce Dickinson puts his pants on like anyone else, except when he does he make gold plated records.

[@coinraker6497]

And yet I still prefer Paul Di'Anno. For me Killers is the greatest metal album of all time.

[@comancheviperrrr]

In the spring of 2021 Duran Duran released a brand new album still featuring Simon Le Bon on lead vocals. It’s good to see those guys still around and making music.

[@hockeyexpress7808]

Both Gabriel and Colin with or without Genesis are legends

[@EricBBarker]

I have no problem with Genesis with Phil, but Genesis without Steve Hackett is totally boring to me. But I'm a prog head, so there. Trick of the Tail is AMAZING, Self Title is NOT

[@beautifulhand1011]

No Phil Collins on his own was terrible

[@tazdog4528]

@@beautifulhand1011 I agree IMO much better when he was with Genesis

[@beccalecca1971]

Amen

[@elperro1968]

Hockey Express collin?

[@tpell8076]

Should do a video on songs that are more famous than the band.

[@DaveSP196]

There would be so many disco songs, probably quite a few rock ones too.

[@youngdumbandbaroque1543]

That's actually a really good idea.

[@youngdumbandbaroque1543]

'Come On, Eileen'

[@andreasmeelie1889]

Lol, that's what I just thought.:)

[@bryanrenteria2360]

personal jesus

[@tracy_748]

How about when Freddie mercury replaced tim staffell Edit: i get it, it doesn't count, yall gotta shut up man

[@ampharosgames7526]

Well, Smile changed their Name to queen with mercury so its technically a different band

[@CurtisSpooner]

Same band, different name, I guess? Technically Freddie was is Smile, just not for long at all.

[@nlrproductions8106]

I think that could be a different list. Bands pulling off a total transformation from the original band.

[@dinorobert6467]

For the first gigs with Freddie Queen were smile so that would work

[@1yugioh11]

Well Brian and Roger kind of just started a different band if you really think about it, Different name different band. I know Freddie sang under the name Smile but I feel like that was more of a try out period really. dose anyone know how many times Freddie sang with them before they changed there name to Queen? I do know that after they got Freddie they went through a few Base players before finding John. What I don't know and I would like someone to tell me if they do know did they change there name to Queen before or after John joined?

[@ballhawk387]

Didn't mention that Peter Gabriel went on to greater commercial and arguably artistic success after leaving Genesis as well.

[@sspaay]

"In Your Eyes" is one of the best songs ever recorded.

[@voreason8946]

Peter Gabriel put the band in the spot light to begin with..Not fair to compare since we don't know how big they could of gotten with Gabriel staying...You don't have to sell out to have success. Case in point is RUSH.

[@ianquinn5859]

And Phil Collins did too

[@Fakeaorta]

@Tediuki Suzuki Peter Gabriel is light years ahead of Phil in terms of songwriting!

[@rossbyrnes1597]

Tediuki Suzuki sussudio - no.

[@laurendowdeswell122]

Brian didn't replace Bon, he took over his role in AC/DC after Bon died. There can't be a better or worse singer, there are two different eras of AC/DC, and we are lucky to have both.

[@dolomite13]

Replaced is replaced. When one singer can not go on in a band and leaves (even by death) the next singer replaces them. That is literally the definition of replace.

[@mateussantana6738]

God dammit, they said in the beginnig of the video that hey wouldn't compare the singers, only see which one made more success with the band. And indeed Johnson was more successful with AC/DC then Scott, since Back in Black is one of the best selling albums ever.

[@dohoeijmans2432]

They explained it in the video

[@dyer2cycle]

...that is exactly the way I feel about Van Halen...Dave and Sammy both golden....

[@Slainte-Mhath]

@@mateussantana6738 But Bon's rock 'n' roll death sure helped the band's exposure. Anyway they missed Bon replacing Dave Evans which was when they went from nobodies to Stars.

[@ronineditor9920]

Journey... every middle school and high school dance's soundtrack :) Crazy how one band can instantly trigger memories from your childhood.

[@robertcartier5088]

Same with April Wine, for me. ;-)

[@talesfromtopographicoceans2845]

Journey was better before Steve Perry.

[@Mrepolite]

@@talesfromtopographicoceans2845 Absolutely! Not as popular but way better music. I feel the same way!

[@raylarkin5004]

@@talesfromtopographicoceans2845 me too! Aynsley Dunbar and george Tickner were solid too.. I will add though, Steve Smith is a damn great top notch drummer too. However, Steve Perry was not in anyway what i ever considered real journey rock material! 👍

[@Theospeak1]

Tales From Topographic Oceans Journey was different, both combinations were brilliant in different ways.

[@danielaf1487]

Excuse the trivial comment, but... how beautiful was David Gilmour as a young man?! Just unbelievable!

[@g.d.m.4564]

Never knew Journey existed before Steve Perry ! Can't imagine going to see them without Steve Perry ! Someone that sounds just like him is not the same !

[@jaspermervin5204]

It's Ironic that in the middle of ''Money" by Pink Floyd an add popped up!

[@geezerbill]

No, that makes it precisely the opposite of ironic.

[@starbucke]

no. Whoever posts/monetizes the video gets to decide where and when an ad plays. watchmojo knows what they're doing with that ad placement

[@geezerbill]

So again, it's not irony.

[@zapkvr]

Oh yeah "ironing"

[@RMSAquitaniafan55]

Why did you just spoil it you fool

[@kickflipperland12]

David gilmour is fucking amazing

[@Lord_Bones]

saw him at the hollywood bowl a couple months ago, best show I've ever seen. it was fucking amazing.

[@kickflipperland12]

+Lord Nutzz I've never been so jealous in my life

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

Surely he is, but he's not Syd Barret

[@kickflipperland12]

Luis Mario Guerrero Sánchez syd Barrett isn't Dave Gilmour

[@luismarioguerrerosanchez4747]

Cole Boerst It isn't clever answering back the exact reverse of the original coment

[@utterlyviolet]

For those interested, Iron Maiden is going on tour this year!

[@the_Real_Grammy_of_6]

I have said this before and I might say it again 😀. “Journey” would not be on this list or any other list if not for Steve Perry ‼️

[@beverlyrhame3692]

Got that right.

[@peterruark645]

I can think of a few others that could have been included: -Grace Slick joining Jefferson Airplane, -Justin Hayward and John Lodge joining Moody Blues, -David Clayton-Thomas joining Blood, Sweat and Tears, -Rod Stewart joining the (Small) Faces, -Teddy Pendergrass joining Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, -Janis Joplin joining Big Brother and the Holding Company, -Mickey Thomas joining the Elvin Bishop Band.

[@davidmckown5672]

Peter Ruark - add Mickey Thomas to S.S. Fools (3 Dog Night w/out 3 singers, just Mickey), Toto and Starship.

[@Jessica_Roth]

With Cronin, it's that he joined R.E.O. for their second album (replacing Terry Luttrell), got pushed out during the recording of their third, "Riding the Storm Out" (their first major hit) for Mike Murphy, and only rejoined three albums after that. So he was a replacement who replaced *his* replacement. But the major commercial strides (and then the big soft-pop sell-out crap) came with Cronin back in the fold, eventually.

[@nickl.eakins3250]

Yes. I'm glad you mentioned Grace tho Signe Anderson as the Airplane's first female lead was great in her own way. Before Grace, the band was much more folk oriented than rock.

[@ballhawk387]

I expected to see Grace Slick / Jefferson Airplane near the top

[@irishpogi]

I am surprised there's no mention of Justin Hayward and his impact on the Moody Blues after joining the group in 1966.

[@xBaphomet666x]

Don't forget John Lodge as well.

[@kingcumulofractonimbus7967]

Right he took over for Denny Laine. Good catch.

[@joesycamore2899]

Absolutely true

[@bandcouver]

Justine Hayward & John Lodge replaced Denny Laine and Clint Warwick ,which was timely, as after their success in 1965 with their cover of 'Go Now', the band wasn't really going anywhere afterwards. A change was definitely needed. Hayward & Lodge's fresh ideas resulted in a much more cohesive and exciting sound and ,of course, long term artistic and commercial success.

[@kingcumulofractonimbus7967]

Denny Laine went on to join Paul McCartney and Wings.

[@paulacummings6522]

Steve Perry’s voice was Journey.

[@RBEO22]

Bon Scot recommend his own replacement.

[@afreakaboucher1316]

Did he really? .

[@RBEO22]

@@afreakaboucher1316 In a way. He saw Brian performing with his old band and went back and told the others about how good it sounded and how they had to check him out.

[@coltonbornn9879]

@@RBEO22 they also had a drink together at a bar

[@godzillasimpson8357]

Yeah Bon really admired Johnson so he probably would think they picked the right man for the job

[@ballhawk387]

Keith Moon literally picked his successor. He really dug the Small Faces and Faces, and recommended Kenney Jones if he needed to be replaced. He probably was well aware his lifestyle was unsustainable.

[@nessnake123]

Steve Perry his voice is like listening another fine musical instrument

[@SHAWNEESKYWALKER]

@ Nes Diaz, I know right. In one song he hit a note so high I thought it was Schon's guitar.

[@DoAxKenney]

Nes D watch the documentary on Steve Perry and journey. It's very good

[@kev4241]

when you're replaced with a 100% soundalike, you might have a good voice

[@sirswag7788]

Shawnee Skywalker was the song called Sweet and Simple?

[@Fiona-68]

He sings so well he is the only one that actually makes me cry when I hear him now. I heard him on a recent video. He was in some small bar or stage or something and I was just reminded. There IS NO sound alike.

[@lindae2524]

I am probably much older than those voting but I had to add my favorite all time band. The Moody Blues. After their 1965 hit "Go Now" they brought in Justin Hayward and John Lodge. Then came "Day's off Future Passed" with Nights in White Satin. Their Seventh Sojourn went to the moon but I forget which mission. Anyway, my 2 cents, fwiw.

[@kathypierce3747]

wow, Journey without Steve Perry, l cannot name one song that was done after 1984!

[@erikthompson619]

Says more about you than about the band.

[@twistedmojoband]

That's too bad, those early albums are great. Completely unlike the Steve Perry era which I love, but still great. More like Pink Floyd. Your loss.

[@godzillasimpson8357]

Raised on Radio was the last album with Journey that had hits that appeared on greatest hits

[@godzillasimpson8357]

After that they just rely on people still coming to hear the hits that don’t know the real history

[@jamesbetaman2769]

If Pink Floyd is first, the top is always good.

[@JohnAnderson-fr1ds]

Grace Slick replacing Signe Anderson of Jefferson Airplane/Starship not even an honorable mention???

[@Ldsyldsy]

I second it. Was looking for Grace Slick too.

[@greenderp]

but were those bands REALLY that more successful than they were before?

[@John_Fugazzi]

That was awfully early unless you lived in San Francisco. Anderson was on "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off" but that album was pretty unknown. For the public, the band began with "Surrealistic Pillow".

[@justafanintexas7913]

I noticed that, too, but remember, most of the bands mentioned here are heavy metal, headbanger bands picked by the editor of this piece.

[@publicity4decon677]

This was the one that hit me the most by not being on the list.

[@peterschmidt9942]

That's actually a clip of David Coverdale singing in between Ian Gillan.

[@JGMoore]

Glad some else caught that.

[@NightmareSnake]

Yep, sure is

[@vasantiago3038]

cal jam 74'. .gillan was long gone. .ti's' coverdale . .hughes. .

[@chickeastwater9883]

@4:34 yep Cloverdale & high vocals by bassist Glenn Hughes -

[@BenWGray]

It's watchmojo...

[@Rapmonds]

im so glad steve perry and journey found each other :D

[@Beanrock124]

Rapmonds same!

[@beverlyrhame3692]

😍Totally agree

[@lynnevetter]

Love Peter Gabriel, love Genesis with Peter Gabriel. Love Phil Collins, love Genesis with Phil Collins. Great solid band with excellent luck getting leads with immense talent.

[@mmsiphonevinyls1027]

Same. Both eras of the band, both solo careers, Mike & The Mechanics, Steve Hackett’s solo career and all else Genesis related. Got loads of it on vinyl.

[@CCKaraoke]

You can't replace Bon Scott. You never could.

[@edgarmendez3528]

He literally had to die to be replaced lol

[@brucewightman5168]

UM WELL BON WAS AWESOME BUT LETS FACE IT WOULD AC/DC LAST 40 YRS WITH HIM NO

[@bugcooper7441]

Factual error.

[@daniellesnick9256]

@@brucewightman5168 The correct answer is that they didn't last 40 years with him because he couldn't handle his liquor and he choked to death on his own vomit in his car. It was cool when Jimi Hendrix did it, but kinda boring when Bon tried to copy him.

[@joetroutt7425]

Bon Scott discovered Brian Johnson. It was almost destined to happen.

[@SNSWoTClan]

You made it sound like Gregg Rolie wasn't a part of Santana with Neal Schon when Gregg had huge success as the singer for Santana before he and Neal left to form Journey. Gregg with Santana sang Black Magic Woman, Oye Como Va and Evil Ways. But I agree with them being on the list... I LOVE Steve Perry. I also really enjoy when Steve and Gregg did duel vocals on a few of their songs before Gregg left like the great "Just the Same Way".

[@coinraker6497]

Yeah, some of my favorite Journey songs are the ones with Rollie and Perry both singing.

[@skeggjoldgunnr3167]

Steve Perry stands as one of the most amazing singing talents that I've ever heard...and I do not like Journey. Mickey Thomas of Jefferson Starship "Jane"...now THAT is epic. Ian Gillan proved himself to me to be the most soulful operatic powerful singers ever in "Child in Time". Rob Halford of Judas Priest: inhuman, some of the things his voice has done...I know people that have suspected him of being possessed, having sold his soul to the devil, to be able to sing like that. I couldn't argue.

[@mightymeatmonsta]

Never knew that he sang those songs with Santana. Thanks!

[@thealyssac27]

Peter Gabriel was more successful on his own, too. So, everybody wins! 😆

[@lynnevetter]

He is just smashing!

[@levimclain6925]

Some people might say that Genesis turned into shit when Collins took over lead vocals

[@lynnevetter]

@@levimclain6925 i think Genesis was great with both leads and the leads were great on their solo careers.

[@levimclain6925]

@@lynnevetter I agree!

[@levimclain6925]

I love Genesis with Gabriel and Collins. I'm just saying that people may have shit on Collins after Gabriel left.

[@seththomas6727]

You should do a video on how legendary producer John “Mutt” Lange turned AC/DC and Def Leppard around with his three albums with each band. AC/DC (Highway to Hell, Back in Black, For Those About to Rock) Def Leppard (High N Dry, Pyromania, Hysteria). With that dude the bands success sky rocketed

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

Can I add that their brother George was first producing them - he was famous in Australia in his own right (for The Easybeats and his famous writing duo Vanda and Young), and it was he that told his brothers and the rest of Accadacca that he wanted them to move forward internationally and to do that he chose Mutt Lange for them. This comes from Malcom in a filmed interview. So the Youngs were and are and extremely talented family.

[@dylanlight4782]

It was a god move to replace anders coldefini with Cory Taylor in Slipknot.

[@DaveSP196]

Thats a awesome shout, definitely should be on here

[@maheba5445]

Should be an honorable mention at least

[@OnionKnightRises]

It shouldn't be on this list since Slipknot has not affected the music industry nearly as much as those on this list already, nor did they reach as much success

[@dylanlight4782]

+Aye Jaye the list never said anything about effecting the music industry, just the band itself.

[@OnionKnightRises]

Influence can be considered a part of success

[@robtimuscron1126]

As for other bands that deserve mention... Rob Halford replacing Al Atkins in Judas Priest (and then later returning and replacing his own replacement, Tim Owens) Matt Barlow replacing John Greely in Iced Earth (and then later returning and replacing his own replacement, Tim Owens) Sucks to be Tim Owens, doesn't it.

[@kingwewuz7168]

Tim Owens actually tried running a bar as well, but he was failing at that too. There's a Bar Rescue episode on it.

[@Amadeus-ms9lt]

Took the words from me

[@painkiller1968]

Yes but they didn't become more popular with Tim Owens which is the topic of this video. They played club dates on the first tour with Tim. I know I went to one of them. Tim is a great singer and did a excellent job with the classic Priest songs, but the new songs were lacking. It wasn't the same with out Rob's lyrics and Priest was trying to hard to sound different. Rob was doing the same as well, Fight and Two. It was glorious when he came back.

[@TheGrimmmer]

Exactly the type shit we dont care bout,its cool you enjoy rock trivia though ,good luck out there,me son

[@jeff008thepunk]

rippng on The Ripper. Win.

[@icerom58]

Bon Scott replaced Dave Evans in AC/DC

[@noblegaming7487]

Facts

[@KingdomKali]

Yes this is true. I feel like the real groundwork for AC/DC was laid out by Bon, and they were about to break big whether it was with him or Brian. Sad Bon never saw the true spoils of their hard work, but at least they carried on with his memory.

[@picklerick1385]

@@KingdomKali I like to think he already knew. I mean he even said, if he ever wont be able to stay in the band, he wants Brian Johnson as his successor

[@RoughAndWretchedRAW]

Wasn't just changing vocalists. If folks pay attention it's also a style change in many cases. Sometimes the new vocalist was the cause of the style change and sometimes they have to have a new vocalist because the old one won't make the change.

[@Fanchus]

I was expecting Faith No More in this list, I'm glad you put them at least in the honorable mentions. Good list!!

[@anacruzarts4179]

...but to be honest, I think they deserved to be on the podium. FNM was a major influence imo

[@thegreatcornholio80]

They should be #1... I mean, Mike f'n Patton. Come on!

[@nigeljames4880]

UM NO

[@Noodlelino28]

Pantera definiteky upped their game when Phil Anselmo took over.

[@pikehunter23750]

Phil gave Pantera a new level of confidence and power....such power. Thank GOD for Phil. Rex Rocker just became Rex and Diamond Darrel became Dimebag Darrel....then they lost the spandex! Of all the shows I saw of Pantera, I never once heard anything from their first 4 albums....even at the very least Power Metal. I would have loved the chants in the crowd "Pussy Tight....Tonight!"

[@joetroutt7425]

I heard that Dime and Vinny wanted to go in a heavier direction and the original vocalist just wasn't cutting it.

[@pikehunter23750]

@Joe Troutt - Yeah, Terry Glaze didn't have the same vulgar display of power that Phil gave them, that's for sure.

[@joetroutt7425]

I first heard of Pantera on a speed metal compilation cassette. Crunched in between ho hum songs was this monster called cowboys from hell. I was hooked

[@greenderp]

too bad he fucking ruined that band tho, they would have had so much more if it wasn't for Phil holding them back, maybe should have replaced their vocalist a second time, because they wasted the FUCK out of 2 ENORMOUS talents. RIP BRO's

[@worldz_of_visions]

Nice list. Seems accurate. I appreciate the DT mention. The song you played "Afterlife" was my favorite from their debut.

[@lucasradziejewski5380]

I could spend weeks only with your chanel. Great content👍🏻

[@muffenme]

Bon Scott (1974-1980) replaced Dave Evans(1973-1974) in the band AC/DC

[@bergjohnson5273]

Ah , Ha !

[@chicagomick3735]

The Edge sang for AC/DC before guitaring with U2 ? Guess that's just his thing... joining groups with letter/number monikers.

[@TNO73]

4:28 is actually David Coverdale. He replaced Ian Gillan in Deep Purple. The high voice you hear is that of Glenn Hughes who replace Roger Glover.

[@stevegilbert8486]

But the topic is bands that became MORE successful after they changed lead singers. Deep Purple didn't have the big hits with Coverdale. Which is a big shame , because they were an excellent band with Coverdale. Coverdale certainly had the voice for making hits, just look at all of the Whitesnake hits.

[@donnaschimming]

it seems MOJO doesn't do enough research.....

[@Hellwyck]

Burn?

[@damiankarras]

Pretty bad mistake I’d say.

[@biologicalstepdad9082]

whitesnake hits? white who?

[@elizabethsolomon1093]

This was AWESOME THANKYOU

[@carpecervisiam9366]

You couldn't replace Bon Scott - even movies that use AccaDacca still use Bon's tracks (School of Rock etc..) His voice & personality were iconic

[@jeffrusbacky8316]

I agree. ac/dc were going to explode on the next album no matter who sang it. Bon Scott will always be the best singer AC/DC ever had.

[@emma12345678961]

Bon Scott was nothing but a temporary replacement. And he nearly ruined the band..had they not come across Brian Johnson!

[@stephenrosenfelder4452]

Scott was THE lead singer, but Johnson came in solid for what they needed. I like both. If I got to party with one of them, Bon all day or until I died.

[@carpecervisiam9366]

@@stephenrosenfelder4452 Yes Bon went out like a legend (though I'd prefer not to choke on my vomit). I don't think he would have lasted to Rolling Stones age, he was always burning it at both ends.

[@stevegallo8483]

Movies also use ACDC tracks with Brian Johnson. Iron Man and Maximum Overdrive come to mind!

[@trever52398]

Corey Taylor replacing Anders Colsefni in Slipknot is a biggie

[@TheRealCaptainFreedom]

Slipknot sucks.

[@javierreyes2502]

There was someone before Corey Taylor

[@trever52398]

Yeah! Look up the album Mate Feed Kill Repeat, that is technically the first Slipknot album.

[@mrstealyourstars9222]

+Javier Reyes Yeah, it was before they made the self-titled album. (Which actually isn't their first album technically)

[@Zackaback]

Agreed!

[@justinhadley3927]

Funny, but I actually agree with this list wholeheartedly. Commercial success is a much easier yardstick to measure as opposed to which signer was better. Good job!

[@toddkelley9869]

Great list! a lot of fun!

[@ScoreEddie1]

The one I really miss on this list, got to be when Dio replaced Ozzy in Black Sabbath. How can it be this one was'nt on the list?

[@carltonvonhammerstein]

With that one, Sabbath fans were torn apart. And in my opinion, they were slightly less successful but more influential. Considering that that incarnation influenced a lot of power metal bands.

[@jeremygott7709]

This list is based on bands that were more successful when they replaced their original singer. I like Dio a lot more than Ozzy, but I’m pretty sure Black Sabbath were significantly more successful with Ozzy.

[@Nozes..]

I'm pretty sure that for every person that listens to Dio-era Black Sabbath songs,there are at least 20 listening to the early stuff with Ozzy. Myself included.

[@spiderjerusalem8284]

Faith no More became totally awesome with Mike Patton.

[@dadeleemurphy85]

oddly enough, I like Chuck as a singer more, but the first few albums prior to "the real thing" are well....kind of sub par.

[@roxannemoser2725]

Mike has an incredible range

[@dadeleemurphy85]

Agreed.

[@DroneDialogues]

I didn’t know they had a singer besides Mike Patton for years. Listened to some of the early stuff and didn’t care for it. Mike Patton as an artist just changed everything. I really enjoyed Lovage.

[@chaos.corner]

Patton is great. It's worth seeing him sing some of their earlier stuff. Particularly Chinese Arithmetic with some added Poker Face.

[@Jivolt]

Genesis with Gabriel was incredible. Genesis with Collins was Epic. Gabriel without Genesis is incredibly epic

[@alexblock3091]

John Marshall Gabriel is the only Genesis I know

[@joechabot2669]

Genesis with Collins grew incredibly less and less epic.

[@seanfennel4845]

Alex Block Phil Collins's Genesis is inescapable so you'd have to literally live under a rock to not know several of their songs

[@alexblock3091]

Sean Fennel They weren't bad under Collins some songs are good. But Gabriel made them awesome

[@steveharvey6875]

I honestly don’t think any band has ever had a more successful “split” than genesis and Gabriel. Both the band, Collins and Gabriel all became successful. And Phil Collins basically invented the 80s drum sound of gated reverb while drumming for Gabriel

[@John-kk9ux]

i was waiting for this no. 1!

[@stevenjohnston2263]

Good effort showing David Coverdale when talking about Ian Gillan.

[@Punkpsychobilly]

Lol derp 🥴 oh well... I’m surprised not many other people caught that.

[@Darthyen]

One big omission is Grace Slick replacing Signe Anderson in Jefferson Airplane. I guess they technically had three lead singers at their peak with Paul Kantner, Marty Balin and Signe Anderson to start (It's No Secret being her biggest song), but Signe was replaced by Grace Slick and we all know the hits after she joined, with White Rabbit being the most memorable.

[@lanstarphoenix3998]

Darthyen their peak was w Mickey Thomas

[@robertcartier5088]

"Somebody to Love" put her on my radar. (Note to younger viewers who may not remember: This is NOT the same song done later by Queen)

[@MagicPower118]

Great point about Jefferson Airplane/Jefferson Starship/Starship. Commercially they were more successful with Mickey Thomas.

[@robertcartier5088]

@Michael Nemeth Yeah, no... Ann Wilson could sing broad circles around Slick and not even break a sweat! Slick was great, but lets not lose all perspective here! LOL

[@helloskinny510]

Oh yes, that one is a very good example. Grace Slick was an amazing addition to Jefferson Airplane.

[@tn0wl361]

Dave Evans to Bonn Scott would have been a better example.

[@Zazume_]

You can barely say that Dave Evans was an actual part of the band since he was there for such a short period of time. Scott to Johnson is a good example for this list, the band was definitely more successful with Brian than with Bon (it's not about if they became better, but if they became more successful, which is the case here)

[@Michael-bk5nz]

AC/DC's first hit single, which went to 50 in their native Australia was 'Can I Sit Next to You Girl' with Dave Evans on vocals. The band also made several appearances on Austrailian TV with Evans in the lead. So, AC/DC was already famous and on the road to success before Evans was fired and Bon Scott hired.

[@ronpaul8643]

This is awesome nice list

[@ikigai47]

Impressive diverse list. Obviously put together by a true music fan

[@Racosz]

Mike Patton and Phil Anselmo have an incredible stage presence. An obvious plus for commercial success.

[@danachappell9783]

REO Speedwagon - Kevin Cronin replaced singers on 2 separate occasions, the second when they garnered the most success Rainbow - Dio left and Graham Bonnett gave them their 1st Hot 100 appearance. And Joe Lynn Turner replaced him, scored them their 1st Top 40 in "Stone Cold" and a handful of Rock hits, such as "I Surrender," "Can't Happen Here," "Jealous Lover," & Street of Dreams" along with "Stone Cold," which was their lone #1 Rock hit as well

[@justafanintexas7913]

Cronin was an original member of REO.

[@geoffdevore6321]

Thanks for video!!

[@CyGea]

I remember when Steve Perry took over vocals for Journey and thinking, "Holy fuck...this guy is soo much better."

[@MM-ut7ql]

Pinkfloyd were never gonna be legends without David Gilmour.

[@skinnykarlos710]

Actually M M you miss the point that there is a great synchronicity when artists of whatever audio/visual medium come together and that particular group of singers, musicians, actors etc are just perfectly typed and timed to make their medium, a beautiful blend of art that captivates the current music lovers (of all persuasions) the lovers of film, plays and even the performance artists, circus et al. When that synchronicity occurs, well, that's when the magic happens.

[@Punkpsychobilly]

💯.

[@bluengrey1]

Maybe, but Syd Barrett's presence can be felt long after he left. Roger Waters and to a lesser extent Gilmours sadness and guilt over what happened to Barrett was an inspiration for many of the songs and contributed to the general tone of the music during their best years.

[@Bawbster1]

Duran Duran actually never released an album featuring Steven Duffy. They did submit their original demos with him though, which featured a sub-par version of "Girls On Film". Not sure they belong on this list because of that... however you folks did leave Duran Duran out of many lists in which they definitely belonged. Anyone who's seen them live knows they are one of the most underrated bands in history.

[@ladyi7609]

Bawbster1 Nope, the lead singer who recorded THAT set of demos with the band was Andy Wickett. Though Stephen and the band did record a demo called Dusk and Dawn back before they had a drummer. Anyway, this list is about lead singers period, not lead singers who recorded albums that were released to the general public, and had you gone back in time to 1978 Birmingham and seen Duran Duran live at Barbarella's, you'll have seen Stephen Duffy as their lead singer.

[@Fakeaorta]

The Ramones originally had Joey on drums and Dee Dee on vocals. That was a bold switch for the better!

[@JC-rz4pl]

Finally... agree 100% with your list!

[@nothernlightsofficial]

Smile changed their singer to Freddie Mercury and then changed their name to Queen!!!

[@c.j.rogers2422]

Good call!

[@rayspetant]

y is this the only comment saying it ;-;

[@ozzert]

This. Should have been number 1 as well.

[@mercuryangel9223]

Ola Birk Rasmussen - It is probably because Smile never reached the status of any of the bands noted, they were, for the most part, a local British band when Freddie Mercury came along.

[@ozzert]

Angie Hillmer I agreed with you, but then I thought of 'Duran Duran'... whom I definitely like, but they were just as unknown as 'Smile' was before they replaced their singer. And in terms of charisma and vocal abilities, Freddie runs circles around Bon... Simon le Bon ;-)

[@precisionbrown6829]

Phil Collins is one of the best drummers and I really like his vocals. He’s doing some old R&B stuff that rocks

[@TheSamgopal]

Ow! I was waiting for Bon Scott replaces Dave Evans but you stumbled on that one.

[@jeffhelton5205]

Exactly right, Johnson is a great singer, no doubt, but after Scott's death they became a cover band

[@HudsonsShotgun]

I saw Geordie in 1978 in a north-east England working men's social club with Brian Johnson on vocals, complete with trademark flat cap. They did a great set, including a rock version of The Night Has a Thousand Eyes. A great night.

[@sketch3744]

Terrible summary of the Floyd. Not a single mention of Roger Waters as the main creative force post Syd's depature being the main reason for the increased success. Don't get me wrong, David Gilmour is my boy but you can't talk about that era of floyd and not mention Waters...

[@jstdrv]

You're partially right because this list is about lead singers, which Gilmour definately became.

[@beautifulhand1011]

You make a valid point, Roger Waters was a huge driver of Pink Floyd after Syd Barrett

[@josephskiles]

@@jstdrv I thought Waters and Gilmore basically shared lead vocals depending on the song

[@nunoandre1030]

and guilmour didnt replace syd on the vocals though

[@mscloudherder329]

Nuno Andre Yes he did. Syd Barrett was acting increasingly erratic both onstage and off ... was probably schizophrenia triggered by a huge dose of acid ... and they had to let Syd go. He got to the point he wasn’t even showing up for gigs, or he would walk around mumbling on stage. David Gilmore was already with Pink Floyd, and took over as lead singer. I should add that I have seen Pink Floyd 5 times in my life and have been a fan since the early 70s.

[@Dual500]

Comparing Brian Johnson to Bon Scott is blasphemy. Brian did not "replace" Bon, he filled a void left behind by Bon. Yes, Brian Johnson was a perfect fit. But, ACDC was coming into their own as a band, same result if Bon would have been there - they were headed to the top regardless if Bon or Brian was fronting the band. Both are/were awesome, the idea that Johnson "replaced" Scott is not an accurate depiction of the change. ACDC probably wouldn't have achieved the heights without Brian Johnson after the loss of Bon - that goes without saying. Johnson was probably the only guy that could follow Bon with ACDC and keep the momentum. Back in Black is testimony to how well Johnson fit the band - perfect.

[@peggypenguin7290]

👏👏👏👏👏👏 🐧🐧

[@OnTwoWheelsSydney]

^^^ bait, nice try.

[@richardo775]

Trololo Inc ® what the Fuck is wrong with you?

[@benstephens34]

Replaced by necessity. It was that or there would be no AC/DC.

[@benstephens34]

And if you had watched the beginning of the video, they said they would specifically NOT say whether one was better than the other, and they threw up AC/DC footage during that part! They also said their aim was to show whether their public profile increased as a result of a change in the lineup. If you're gonna be an ass, at least take into consideration all the facts when you do.

[@Heepster69]

Steve Perry didn't replace Gregg Rollie, he replaced Robert Fleishman- who was added to be the bands frontman (something they didn't have)

[@JellyBabie1984]

Clearly you don't know your history as much as you think you do Greg Rolie was lead singer on the first 2 Journey records, that makes him a lead singer whether you like or not. In fact Fleischman was only added due to pressure from there label and even then he continued to share duties. My father was a fan since there first record he actually still has them on Vinyl, having seen them in San Francisco before they hit big when he was stationed on Treasure Island and well when he saw them Rolie was lead. Just because he played an instrument doesn't mean he wasn't lead singer.

[@spaceace4387]

@@JellyBabie1984 Rollie was still in the band after Perry joined. He didn’t leave until 1980 after the Departure album.

[@jeremygott7709]

@@spaceace4387 Even if the former lead singer doesn’t leave the band if someone else is doing the lead singing, the former guy is replaced.

[@gunsrusxx]

Where's Linkin Park? 1999 Lead Singer Replacement Chester literally made them top charts...

[@AmosM_Music]

Before they had Chester they were Xero, so they were a different band, but I see where your coming from

[@lamestraw6409]

@@supersatan1796 Your parents are surely proud.

[@jarnekompier]

@@supersatan1796 one of the saddest flexes I've ever heard to be honest, and no. I am not a Linkin park fan

[@jeremygott7709]

@@supersatan1796 I’m gonna call a bullshitter on that one.

[@AlexS-df7qk]

Came here solely to see if Pink Floyd was on the list, and they made number one. They are my favorite band, so I do love Syd Barrett era Floyd too.

[@Colhogan06]

One band missed on this list is REO Speedwagon. Kevin Cronin joined the band briefly but they replaced him with Mike Murphy. Before Mike Murphy Terry Luttrell held the spot. So three years after they dropped Cronin for Mike Murphy they decided to get Kevin Cronin back and the rest is history. I think it's safe to assume that had they not got Kevin to come back, REO would have probably remained a regional band from Champaign Illinois. The song writing team of Kevin Cronin and Gary Richrath proved to be fantastic!! It's a shame Gary passed away a few years ago, he was a fret shredding dynamo that really cranked that band up!! Gary left REO in 1989 and Dave Amato replaced him. Dave is a good guitar player, but he is no Gary Richrath. Those big REO hits all have a bit of a solo spot for Gary and that made those songs something to remember or better yet something you will never forget!!

[@Theospeak1]

Lead singer position for REO Speedwagon was offered to Greg X. Volz in 1976, who turned it down and went on to fame in a smaller genre with the Christian band Petra.

[@Colhogan06]

@@Theospeak1 That's right. I read that on Kevin Cronin's wiki page. Kind of makes you wonder how the band would have turned out if Voltz had accepted the offer and stayed in rock. I always wonder why they took 3 years to get Kevin back. Obviously he didnt have much going on if he was still available after 3 years. I guess in the end it doesnt matter. He did come back and they exploded! They probably needed that break to realize what needed to happen to make it big.

[@Colhogan06]

@chowpuppy I grew up in Illinois back when REO was getting their start. I was in high school in the early 70's when they were starting to record albums. I was always and have always been rock and roll through and through. My wife is more country so on long trips we have to switch off on the type of music playing. When REO got Gary Richrath (RIP) in the band in 1970 his contributions really made a difference IMO. I for one just loved his lead guitar contributions he became the sound of REO. It's a shame he passed away so young. I still listen to some of their more lead guitar filled songs going to and from work. My favorite is the Flying Turkey Trot or Riding the Storm out, but that's just me. There are definitely many more. In regards to the change in personnel not having an effect, that one person has suggested, here is a bit of trivia that will change your mind. Gary left in 1989, as soon as that happened REO lost much of its fan base. People just didnt except REO without Gary. Dave Amato is no where near the same league as Gary when it comes to playing and people heard this. REO only put out one some since 1989 that hit the Billboard top 100 (65th). That speaks volumes about what Gary meant to REO and REO fans.

[@thereagauze]

I'm no REO fan but that first album is a rocker.

[@joefunsmith]

No matter what one thinks about the music with or without Kevin Cronin, there is no denying the commercial success that was Hi Infidelity.

[@jean-paulgautreau9005]

Good list

[@lordstanleyjr2015]

Greg Rollie stayed with Journey for a short time after Steve Perry joined the group.

[@Filopo69]

Peter Gabriel rocked Genesis! Don't get me wrong, I still do like Phil Colins in the more pop oriented genesis but early genesis was just other dimension entirely. Dancing with the moonlit knight? Come on, mindblowing!

[@xarglethegreat]

Fairport convention, started with Judy Dyble who was ok as a singer, released one album and then got Sandy Denny as lead singer and proceeded to release 3 albums in a single 12 month period and completely revitalise the english folk rock scene

[@taunoctua245]

OMG, Sandy should be on this list. Maddie Groves, Tam Lin are some of my favs.

[@dawsonsimpson4867]

You learn something new everyday. Never knew journey had a singer before Steve perry

[@douglasevans1382]

Greg was their singer on their first 3 albums

[@Beanrock124]

Dawson Simpson please come to me for ANYTHING Journey!

[@djordjijenikitovic2270]

No need to know, realy... No ofence for earlyer singer🙂

[@kazabushy]

Should not have included ACDC. Their popularity never waned and nobody quit the band. The fans mourned Bon and still embraced Brian (who had big shoes to fill but he nailed it and did Bon proud). What a brilliant band! No question who was the better frontman because they both were for different reasons.

[@williamgolden839]

They didn't change their lead singer like all these other bands. It wasn't a choose of " Hey maybe we need a different singer"

[@kazabushy]

@@williamgolden839 I humbly correct that they did actually. Dave Evans was their lead singer first for less than a year and they fired him. Luckily they got Bon who, according to Angus was "hardworking and really pulled us together". That's when they hit the big time...in Oz at least. They were on Countdown, doing live sellout gigs then started touring as backup bands to Rainbow and Kiss for e.g. Gene Simmons actually said they were the best and most memorable band to ever open for them. It's on a KZbin video. As for these guys, Bon was the personality and character plus the voice, Mal was the genious driving force behind everything and the main writer and Angus was the monster (his words not mine) let loose on stage. Hard to believe he called himself lazy ay? When Bon died, it was devastating. How could they call it quits like Led Zep who had over a decade of worldwide fame? So they persuaded Brian to join them who Bon admired. Brian was hardly just a replacement. Their fans did not change. It's idiots who try to invent controversy. I'm really disappointed in this clip.

[@erikthompson619]

Still counts. Nothing you just said goes against the criteria for inclusion they stated, very clearly, at the beginning of the clip.

[@kazabushy]

@@erikthompson619 I suggest you listen to that criteria again!

[@theraginggnome7522]

Glad to see they at least gave Mike Patton and Faith No More an honorable mention. As much as I loved Chuck, Mike was just what that band needed to put them over the top as far as music goes.

[@ivyrivera8081]

i love steve perry hands down!

[@tommyfender1968]

Rollie and Perry sang together on 3 albums, great harmonies. It wasn’t really a replacement, more of an enhancement

[@coinraker6497]

Yeah that's my favorite version of Journey, when both those guys are singing.

[@RabblesTheBinx]

You know that lead and backing vocals are separate fucking roles, right?

[@santinoalvarado963]

Great list. I didn't know a few of the bands, but i almost forgot about Syd Barrett. Not that he was bad, but David Gilmore changed the band forever and truly lead them to becoming the legendary band they are known as today.

[@ScottieMacF]

I always had a lot of respect for Brian Johnson. He had a voice that was similar enough to Bon Scott that he could give the old material justice, but at the same time he didn't try to live off of Scott's shadow and made the role his own.

[@JimmyConway70]

I agree with this, and I also respect him because he wouldn't sing "It's A Long Way To The Top (If You Wanna Rock 'N' Roll) " out of respect for Bon.

[@Punkpsychobilly]

I agree. I like both versions of AC/DC, but Brian Johnson is more nostalgic for me, so he wins. Most of the time I listen to AC/DC is just to hear Angus rip it up anyways, I don’t care who’s singing! Other than maybe Back In Black though, I feel like the Bon Scott era songwriting was a notch above.

[@FujishimaAkiko]

Mike Patton is a vocal GOD! Holy!

[@jarrodholden533]

So you know about all that crazy shit with Mr Bungle

[@kf5573]

The stones original was Brian Jones, I'd say they got a lift when Mick to the lead

[@davidmellish3295]

Yeah but Brian Jones just got the band together he was never the lead singer (he hardly sung backing vocals either) Mick was always the lead singer and he's never been replaced so the stones definitely don't qualify for this list

[@MIHIRSK-lm6qf]

brian jones wasn't the singer genius

[@Miist3rDuce1]

Were talking about singers not guitarists idiot

[@PlugInRides]

Brian Jones was the sex symbol of The Stones, but never the lead singer. Before Brian died, not that many girls thought Jagger was sexy, and he was treated as odd man out in the band.

[@GuitarLessonsBobbyCrispy]

Yes became more commercially successful when guitarist Trevor Rabin joined the band in 1982 and sang lead vocal on popular radio songs such as Changes and Leave It.

[@markhunter8554]

More successful, not nearly as good.

[@imtv]

"Successful" doesn't mean Better.

[@ryanahr2267]

Yep, they said as much at the beginning of the video.

[@elozaa]

someone doesn't listen, fucking idiot....

[@imtv]

El Chino Cochino I hate those fucking idiots too!

[@imtv]

***** Thanks! now I can look for a cure having my diagnosis: retardation!!

[@lokisgodhi]

Here, here! Faux Skynyrd sucks. It's the most cynical cash grab ever foisted on a gullible fandom. How big of a scumbag do you have to be to try make money off your dead brother's bones?

[@darthsadic]

You should do a top ten list of KZbin channels doing top ten lists.

[@BassDuchess]

Without David Gilmore Pink Floyd would not have been a world phenomena!

[@OTDEEJAY]

Journey is NOT JOURNEY Without STEVE PERRY!

[@stevenA44]

That's exactly what I was getting ready to say basically. Journey is done. They were a great band back in the days Steve was with them.

[@gileslesmith]

difficult to say, but I think the first three albums without Steve are also great works !

[@MackLeeGreen]

Journey was at their best when Greg Rollie and Steve Perry were both with them would both sing. They could always have the pop, power ballads where Perry sang, but when Rollie left they lost the added element of Perry and Rollie harmonizing off each other on songs like "Feelin that way" and "Just the Same Way" .

[@ericnicolaisen7284]

I saw the newer singer for Journey and thought at first they were a "decent tribute band" until recently realized it ACTUALLY WAS Journey! Close but not the same without Perry! He is, was, and will always be the best for them!

[@marc0magnanacaw387]

Journey will not be journey today if Steve Perry didnt left the band just sayin.

[@shouldershot]

Bon Scott wasn't unsuccessful WatchMojo. The last couple albums before his death kept getting bigger and Back in Black leeched off that popularity and fully solidified their style. I don't know if I would count them in a list like this...... But you know who I would? Bon Scott replacing Dave Evans.

[@lukewarner9006]

It's not that he wasn't successful ( trust me I love Bon Scott) but "Back in Black" was way more successful and other albums too

[@TheBigfootsfeet]

+Luke Warner back in black was their international breakthrough into the mainstream. I find it this similar to Metallica. Metallica was huge in the metal community thanks Master of puppets and Justice for all, but weren't internationally popular until they released the black album

[@PindleofKujata]

+The bearded gamer That's only really because they offered a toned down, radio friendly version of metal to the masses. It's hard to say how successful AC/DC would have been with Bon Scott had he not have died. It's not like Bon Scott was a bad frontman or anything, and he certainly had a different charismatic approach to frontmanning than Brian Johnson did, but you can't really argue that AC/DC wasn't more successful after the lineup change. It's just a matter of how long would it have taken for Bon Scott's AC/DC to reach the mainstream worldwide success that Brian Johnson's did. Alas, we'll never know.

[@modeo92]

They didn't say Bon Scott was "unsuccessful." They're saying that the band was more successful with Brian Johnson, which they were. Now whether they would have been as successful if Bon Scott had continued is something we'll never know, but it's unlikely anything with him would ever had been as successful in measurable terms as "Back In Black."

[@TheJordanChronicles]

They are just talking about bands that became commercially more successful after getting a new singer. They go over that point so many times to make sure comments like yours don't pop up, yet here we are...

[@odesseyandoracle6137]

Genesis w/ Peter Gabriel progressive, Genesis w/ Phil Collins pop

[@nairyao9948]

Love New Order, good school dance disco memories!

[@tabijozwick]

Their song Regret played a lot on the radio when I was in junior high

[@PaiviProject]

Wow. The only ones I knew was Genesis & AC/DC. Thanks 👍

[@thripweed]

Deep Purple's first album to take them into huge success was In Rock which was mostly due to Ritchie Blackmore insisting they move to a more hard rock sound. Gillan being the vocalist just happened at the same time. The rest of the band were still quite happy to keep playing with orchestras. Also, why are you talking about Gillan singing Space trucking, yet showing footage of Coverdale singing it?

[@darrylbernard8885]

Muttley that was also the direction Gillian and Roger Glover were going. They wrote or co-wrote just about every song during the "In Rock" to "Who do we think we Are" phase.

[@jojozahau]

RIP - Vinnie Paul & Dimebag Darrell

[@jimmyjambhere]

Also, love Black Flag. Love all the eras of Flag, my favorites have always been the first 2 singers.

[@luiscb69]

This is one of the most satisfying Top 10s I have ever experienced