What If This Star Did Not Die? (w/Martin Popoff)

[@alexjohnston8889]

this really needs another episode, Janis Joplin, Brian Jones, Gram Parsons, John Lennon, Paul Kossoff, Bon Scott, Keith Moon, Marc Bolan, so many more you could discuss.

[@joeylyons4549]

Yes a part two is a must

[@robertlamkin6464]

If Moon does not die, Face Dances and It’s Hard either do not exist or whatever idea does survive, would not be recognizable.

[@simongalle3810]

Joplin being the center of the thumbail, I really expected that

[@portcullis5622]

Nick Drake (24), Paul Kossoff (25) and Sandy Denny (31) are three of my favourite musicians. They all produced hauntingly beautiful, melancholy music and they died in 1974, 1976 and 1978 respectively, so they were just before my time. As with all the musicians who died young, one can't help wondering about the music that they would have gone on to write and record.

[@elbib2446]

tim buckley as well,then years later his son jeff

[@KevinOrtega1980]

Yeah that would be great if they were alive still making great music

[@portcullis5622]

@@KevinOrtega1980 Realistically, they probably wouldn't still be making new music now, but we could have had another two or three decades. The thing I often reflect on is that fine line that appears to exist between genius and depression and creativity versus fragility. As with so many great artists, poets and writers, without their complex (and often fragile) personalities, we may not have had their great works.

[@KevinOrtega1980]

@@portcullis5622 for sure, please forgive me earlier lol, I meant that they would have still continued putting out great content. I was in the middle of taking care of my 1 year old not getting into things, he’s up walking and playing around 😂

[@portcullis5622]

@@KevinOrtega1980 No need to apologise at all. I understood what you meant.

[@kenfrederick6223]

Great to hear Martin show his appreciation Of Rory Gallagher's music since he is usually not a big fan of blues.

[@stevenleblanc9628]

Yes. I was surprised Martin even named my favourite Gallagher album, Top Priority, as his favourite. Even mentioned one of my favourite songs, “Bad Penny.” As you said, big surprise from Martin. I'm wondering, was that really Martin who said that?

[@martymartin2894]

Bon Scott definitely should be in this.

[@andybroad189]

He's not? You just saved me an hour!

[@michalisveliziotis615]

Good for you mate, go watch some other show maybe, nothing for you here /s.

[@winstonsyme5899]

He was on 7 similar sounding albums. Would be doing the same type of records.

[@brianmorrison2578]

Had Bon Scott lived AC/DC does not become as big of a band as they did because they would have never made the Back in Black. Album. His death was the impetus and inspiration behind the making of the album. They probably would have still had a nice career but would never have created the mega album that they did because he died.

[@davedem4107]

@@brianmorrison2578 I respectfully disagree. That Highway to Hell album was a mega hit .THAT album is what put them in arenas. That aside, you're probably right. They likely wouldn't have rose as high or, went as far without Brian Johnson.

[@alstevens8168]

Jimi Hendrix is the big one here for me. When you look at what he achieved in the short time he was recording and playing live we must have missed out on some amazing music.

[@stephenbrown4211]

He was definitely looking to a more Jazz sound at the time he died

[@b.g.5869]

I love Hendrix but I don't think he would have continued making the type of music that made him so popular. He appeared to be moving in a more jazz fusion/funk direction and probably would have developed into something more like Parliament Funkadelic but with less broad appeal. I think he would probably have done a lot of stuff with Miles Davis, as they were planning on. In fact some of Miles Davis' stuff from the early to mid 70s actually sounds Hendrix-esque at times; he somehow managed to make the trumpet work in a 'psychedelic funk' context. Very interesting but definitely not the sort of thing that would have had broad appeal. I see Hendrix having a trajectory more like Cat Stevens, not in the sense that their music was at all similar but in the sense of kind of falling off the public radar due to having interests that don't lend themselves to broad appeal. That style of music that Hendrix excelled at was unfortunately going out of vogue around the time he died anyway and he was already moving beyond it. I think he would have essentially just faded out of the public spotlight, much as Sly And The Family Stone did.

[@thomasbeck2934]

I think Hendrix would have continued doing power blues.

[@wolf1977]

@@stephenbrown4211 For sure, could easily imagine a fusion-type album from him in the early 70's...Also a possible pairing with Stephen Stills (!)

[@randolacle]

I would've loved to hear Jimi going into some heavy Funk in the 70s.

[@keithheitner1020]

I haven't watched this yet, but there has always been one musician that I always wondered "what could have been". Buddy Holly. He was amazingly innovative for a 50's musician. He died at 22; which means he would have been only 32 in 1969. What music would he have released in the 60's? For a few years, his death was truly the day the music died

[@chaddubois8164]

I agree and this is a great choice. Unlike most of the musicians at the time, he was writing his own songs. I feel like Buddy Holly is forgotten with how important he was. It was Buddy Holly and then the Beatles in terms of the progress of bands writing their own songs in my opinion. Great choice.

[@metaldams78]

You know the crazy thing, though? In 1969, 32 was considered old for a rock star. Everybody else pre-Beatles was considered washed up, so who knows? Buddy was definitely ahead of his time songwriting wise and may have surpassed that, but he would also have to adjust to the summer of love. Maybe he’d be on the country charts? A lot of possibilities, we’ll sadly never know.

[@chaddubois8164]

m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6Wuq4qpiJxkmc0&pp=ygUhYnVkZHkgaG9sbHkgYW5kIHRoZSBjcmlja2V0cyBsaXZl

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

Would have followed a similar path to Chuck Berry, maybe?

[@Jake-pw7rj]

@@terrydaktyllus1320 Buddy Holly's early death was really tragic, but as The Beatles proved, Buddy Holly probably would have been bigger than Roy Orbison was in the mid sixties. Another guy gone much too soon was Eddie Cochran with his masterful guitar playing skills. They both were heading for something greater, but died before they could really get there.

[@andrewcarr5923]

Thank you Pete for choosing Steve Gaines, probably one of the saddest losses of all, who knows what he could have achieved with or without Skynyrd, sadly we will never know.

[@williamtallman9816]

How he looks on the cover of Street Survivors is pretty haunting.

[@andrewcarr5923]

@@williamtallman9816 That whole album cover is an eerie portent of what was to be, released just three days before the crash.

[@williamtallman9816]

@@andrewcarr5923 Yes I agree. Look at Gaines in the photo. Totally engulfed in flames and he looks dead. Eerie indeed

[@donjohn2695]

I think Gaines would have left skynyrd going on a solo career if he'd lived he had the voice songwriter abilities and guitar talent to be a big star

[@Walesktf]

@@donjohn2695 yes agree here. I think he would have another couple of albums with Skynyrd and then branched out on his own. He was way too talented to be part of a group, and probably would have got his own band together

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

I am in the UK and back around 1981 I regularly met Dave Byron at lunchtime in the pub that was closest to my place of work because he was good friends with a guy I worked with and the guy I worked with introduced me to him because of me being a big Uriah Heep fan. He was a nice guy to chat to though he clearly liked his drink and at that point he'd been recording The Byron Band album "On The Rocks" which ultimately didn't have any real commercial success with a single from it "Every Inch Of The Way" released from it - and which Dave gave me a signed copy of on one lunchtime. He was happy to talk about his time with Uriah Heep but I never really asked him about whether he would ever go back to the band, I think he was pinning his hopes on The Byron Band being a success.

[@TheChadmiral69]

I’m amazed Bon Scott wasn’t mentioned. He was the first person I thought of!

[@jeffreyrobinson9120]

With all the talent Roy Buchanan had, it would have been interesting to see what direction he went in. He could have done anything.

[@kevinsmith7-7-7]

Pardo/Poppoff always a Great show 🤘

[@NoineNoineNoine]

Great show guys!! Zappa especially in this crazy world we live in now.

[@thedarkwizardroom]

Hendrix growing up and devastated when he passed. The archives what is discovered keeps a light on to what they did, What could have been is whatever you believe the insights of what they would have done next. Stevie Ray another and so many. and should be a touching episode this edition.

[@stevenleblanc9628]

Since ’74 I’ve been a big Rory Gallagher fan. He’s the guy I think, “what if he was still alive?” the most. Always makes my day when Pete brings him up. The latest Gallagher release, by the way, is All Around Man, Live in London.

[@johnmichaelwilliams6694]

Popoff and Pardo are at it again with an episode about - to mangle the title of a Led Zeppelin song since Martin starts with a reference to that band - What If And What Could Never Be. Already looking forward to the second part of this two episode series. These discussions are always a fascinating discussion and hearing Martin and Pete take on the topic made for a great episode this week. As Pete said, this could go on and on but the time here was well spent. Thanks as always, gents, for your take on this topic and sharing your thoughts. There ya go!

[@ignatiusjackson235]

We need a supercut of mispronounced albums and song titles.

[@Hecatecrossways]

Hopefully the name Bon Scott will be casually mentioned in part 2

[@saltofano337]

Thanks Pete and Martin. Great show. Pete yes, Rory Gallagher is the greatest guitarist and a phenomal singer and writer. Terry Kath tooNd Lynyrd Skynyrd ronnie Van zant. For me would add Jim Morrison, Alan Wilson of canned heat, Tim buckley the great folk psycherocker, Janis Joplin , Duane allman, Phil Lynott, and Bon Scott

[@cbh440]

Slash was an enormous fan of Rory Gallagher and you know those two would have done something together. And finally put Rory's name on the map!

[@PatKennedydon]

I find it staggering that the greatest rock artist of them all wasn't mentioned Frank Zappa, imaging what this genius would have done.

[@alexkozik3796]

My pick would be John Lennon if he lived would the Beatles got back together. I think they would have at least short term. It would have been interesting what a Beatles albums in the 80's would have been like. Also I Like Pete's pick with Terry Kath that guy could play his ass off on the guitar and a good vocalist. The first 3 Chicago albums are my favorite more rocking and experimental. After Chicago 3 even with Kath Chicago went into more of a mainstream direction. So assuming Terry leaves Chicago and goes solo or puts together his own band I could see some great hard rocking material from him.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Or, at the very least, John joins that 1990s reunion

[@terry412]

I'm not sure about a Beatles full reunion, but I easily could've seen John & Paul reuniting at Live Aid in 1985.

[@Hecatecrossways]

The Beatles would have sounded a lot better if Ringo provided all the lead Vocals. Ringo was by far the best Vocalist in the band. Octopus Garden is the only Beatles song that doesn't sound ridiculously out dated . Ringo's solo albums should have been bigger than Mc Cartney

[@justinmathewson3692]

I can totally hear and see Jim Morrison singing War Pigs ! "Oh Lord YA!". Mr. Mojo Risin had the powerful and raspy voice capable of singing heavy metal

[@ronaldsmith1484]

If Elvis had lived I think he would have been even more huge in the 80s, but only with the right management, his movies from the sixties are kind of like videos with music in them, he would have fit right in with MTV! He was always a visual Rockstar!

[@luiscardenas930]

No. MTV in the 80s did not or rarely play any atritsts from the past

[@ronaldsmith1484]

@luiscardenas930 what about Michael Jackson Tina Turner Lionel Richie David Bowie.... you have never been more wrong! Should I go on?

[@Ianmackable]

If Elvis had been 38 when he died, that would mean he was 17 when Heartbreak Hotel was released, and 15 when he started recording at Sun. All of which is to say: he was 42 when he died.

[@CJINW]

Really?? Just Google it.

[@svsugvcarter]

Jerry Garcia (53) would have added to the American Songbook w/ his continued collaboration with one of the greatest lyricist of all-time, Robert Hunter (78). That's twenty-five years of a possible collaboration that would have yielded some great songs, regardless of how you feel about Jerry as a singer, especially in his later years.

[@tomfabozzi5353]

I do wonder about this, though. What did Grateful Dead do in the 80s, other than finally have a hit single with Touch of Grey (which was. Ask ally a novelty hit). By the time he died, they seemed to have settled in to a comfortable existence of a huge touring band. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@ericdinse5047]

Jimmy Page has said that if Bonham had lived, he & John had wanted to do a harder rock album. I've always thought that the song "Satisfaction Guaranteed" from the 1st Firm record was like a lost Zeppelin song.

[@kimberlywalker3970]

I was born in the 70s so, I missed the Zeppelin hoopla. What sucks about John Bonham's death was that it was way too soon and totally preventable. The whole band really was in a state of crisis. I wonder what would've happened if he were alive? I think unfortunately if Led Zeppelin continued as they were I think we'd have more than one dead member on our hands.

[@scottprentice6815]

Is it too much to hope for a Pete Ham discussion? Fingers crossed.😏

[@finslaw]

Amazing songwriter, singer and guitarist. My biggest "what if" because if Badfinger broke up he could have nailed a solo album.

[@goodguysystem3932]

Yes Pete pleaase

[@kimberlywalker3970]

Another good choice. I'd also argue for Tom Evans.

[@goodguysystem3932]

@@kimberlywalker3970 really just the whole band. I don’t know if Pete likes badfinger but I’d love to see him talk about their albums like rank them or talk about their story of how their manager screwed them. Straight up is one of my favourite albums of all time and they’re the most Beatlesque band that I can think of. More Beatlesque than ELO in my opinion

[@kimberlywalker3970]

@@goodguysystem3932 It's funny you mentioned Straight Up. It's one of my favorite albums from 1971 along w/Led Zeppelin IV and T-Rex's Electric Warrior. I saw a documentary on KZbin, and it mentioned how Badfinger's manager stole their money. Unfortunately, Badfinger weren't his only victims. I'd also love to see a ranking of Badfinger albums. I also have No Dice but Straight Up is much better, in my opinion. It's funny how you say Straight Up sounds like The Beatles. I played in the car once while I was driving my mom somewhere and she thought it was The Beatles. She also thinks Whitesnake's Slide It In sounds like Led Zeppelin. Do I think a ranking of Badfinger will be done on this channel? Let's just say I wouldn't hold my breath.

[@kamranmalik8546]

Can’t wait to see this, too many but never forgotten.

[@soylentgreendip]

My list even before I listen to Pete, off the top of my supposed head, in no order... Elvis Presley, Randy Rhodes, Buddy Holly, Freddie Mercury, Ian Curtis, Jimi Hendrix, Terry Kath, John Bonham, Bon Scott and John Lennon.

[@markkuderian374]

Thanks Pete for discussing the importance of Steve Gaines .

[@carlosabad6596]

Good call on Tommy Bolin. Wonderful guitar player. And Randy as well , of course ! Regarding Bolin , what if he had had a solid career in the 80's , keeping a little bit of the funky signature but more 80ty guitar feel added to his style and would have replaced Blackmore again instead of Morse and working with Gillan this time. Crazy !

[@donhadfield2835]

Marc Bolan could have been another David Bowie, being a chameleon, always being cool, setting the trend not following it.

[@dtltmtgt]

Cliff Burton listened to MANY genres of music. I think he did like southern rock, including ZZ Top as I recall in interviews. There was a lot of southern rock on Load and ReLoad. He channeled Bach and you can hear his classical training on all three albums. Justice we would have heard the bass, but I don't think it would have been a lot different from what we got. Would he have wanted the image changes on Load and ReLoad, I think "no". Agree on song writing, things would have been different but I think he would have been into S&M.

[@davedem4107]

I agree with you Pete. If Terry Kath hadn't died, I too believe he would have left Chicago and started a new group. And Lord, he would have been a force to be reckoned with.

[@timhyde5677]

Ray Gillen, excellent choice. I love that first Badlands album....Cant find it on itunes music. Luckily it is on youtube. Great album

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

Agreed, I also think he's great on the Phenomena "Dream Runner" album too.

[@patrickcrowther9195]

How's about this for a what if? Philip Lynott and Rory Gallagher both succeed in kicking their demons and get together to form a kind of blues and folk duo. They could have been incredible, making a kind of Irish blues rooted in their shared history.

[@wolf1977]

...and when Rory retires Simon McBride replaces him (fresh off his stint with Purple)😎

[@andrewcarr5923]

A very nice notion.

[@prestigepea1235]

Personally, I would have loved Tim Buckley to have lived long enough for me to see him in the 90s (and to have made up with Jeff hopefully). From a perspective of who would have had the biggest impact and added the most to their legacy, I think Cobain is the obvious choice

[@Rockerlady]

Jeff Buckley was such an immense talent and attractive young man. I was fortunate enough to attend his concert in 1994. Had so much going for him. Such tragedies, both father and son.

[@prestigepea1235]

@@Rockerlady I also saw Jeff around that time, to be honest, more out of curiosity as a huge fan of Tim (I would have been 22 at the time, and heavily into 60s music). Wish both were still around, such a tragedy that both were taken so young

[@Rockerlady]

​@@prestigepea1235So true!

[@tomastextor]

Good idea by Martin, a show about supposedly amazing rock singers who struggled badly live!

[@williamtallman9816]

I'd be curious to hear what you guys think about what would happen had Buddy Holly lived?

[@Walesktf]

I'm sure Buddy would have continued to knock out great songs

[@visionproductionsnz7828]

For me the loss of Jim Croce - even though folk country isn't my main menu - robbed us of a likely massive catalogue of beautiful, heartfelt hits. Time in a Bottle and Operator are just two of Jim's incredible gift for song writing produced over such a short timeframe. And Jim Morrison as an afterthought? A bit off? Great concept Pete, love your channel.

[@justinmathewson3692]

Jim Croce is one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time. And he was only around like 5 years if that. I Got a Name, Time in a Bottle, I'll Have to Say I Love You In a Song, Operator, and so many more. I put Croce up there with Dylan and Simon ❤️

[@alexandergilles8583]

Croce is one of my favorite artists of all time. A fantastic singer and incredible songwriter with fun songs like Don't mess around with Jim, Rapid Roy, Leroy Brown, Speedball Tucker, Carwash Blues. But also some of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard. Lover's Cross, man, just no words. Operator, Box number 10, Age, Thursday too, just masterpieces

[@srobbins1973]

Excellent discussion thanks for posting

[@tonyhonour665]

Martin Lamble, drummer for Fairport Convention for the first three albums. He was truly talented and so much more than a drummer.

[@tomfisher2103]

Great show guys! Any thoughts about the late,great and underrated Alvin Lee?

[@KevinOrtega1980]

I really always wondered what would have happened if Hendrix never passed…. It’s obvious he would have carried on with blues, but would he have been guest with some hard rock and heavy metal stars of the 80’s & 90’s? Would he keep going today? Would he have gotten sober and still be alive today? It would be very awesome, I know some say he’s overrated but I don’t care, he is one of the big reasons why I play guitar

[@Fritha71]

Jim Morrison singing War Pigs; best ending ever to a Friday Funhouse episode 😂

[@RobertEustace]

Nick Drake, Roy Buchanon (blues guitarist), Robbie Basho (Acoustic Guitar Ragas), Berry Oakley (also died in a motorcycle accident - one year later from the death of Duane Allman), Colin Walcott (tabla drums - Oregon/ Ralph Towner), Syd Barrett...

[@enfieldhbs2204]

SAW MOORE,RORY AND STEVE MARRIOT LIVE MY HEROES STEVE AND HIS BAND PKT OF 3,INA SMALLPUB, ALWAYS THOUGHT FRAMPTON WAS THE MAIN GUITARIST. STEVES PLAYING SOLO WAS GREAT , WHAT A VOICE .EARS BUZZING FOR DAYS

[@rjc7289]

Randy Rhoads, Criss Oliva, Shawn Lane, Terry Kath, Eric Carr, Freddie Mercury, Mick Ronson, Glen Buxton, etc. Makes me wonder how much more wonderful music they all still had in them waiting to come out.

[@antonnee]

I can see Elvis going straight up country

[@monte.olson58]

Tommy Bolin... Amazing talent. If he could haved gotten clean, he would have done some more amazing things.

[@65mule]

Great episode guy's and a lot of really cool people. I would like to throw in Paul Kossoff from Free because I thought he played with so much feeling! I always thought Free was way better than what followed in Bad Company and I love B.C. and it's a shame drugs ruined Paul but man he was great! My 2 cents anyway.

[@Walesktf]

Agree with you 100%. Like you, I too love Bad Company, but they weren't a patch on Free. Imagine if that last line up of Free with Rabbit and Tetsu had continued to make music together. Another what if.....

[@wolf1977]

This always begins & ends with Jimi...Tommy Bolin (only 25!), Jerry Garcia (timeless). Everyone mentions the '27 club' (Morrison, Joplin, Brian Jones, Pete Ham, Chris Bell)...Otis Redding, Duane Allman, Keith Moon, Bonham, Ronnie Van Zant/Steve Gaines, Randy Rhoads, Marc Bolan, Terry Kath, Bon Scott, Rory Gallagher, Steve Marriott, Phil Lynott (great talent), EVH, Paul Kossoff, Alvin Lee, Bowie, John Goodsall, Neil Peart, Shawn Lane, Zappa...I think Freddy Mercury probably 'ran his course' - same with Elvis. John Lennon who was just ramping up his music career again in '80...Going back: Robert Johnson (only recorded 29 total songs), Eddie Cochran (only age 21!)... Tempting to mention SRV here but I think we got his best (which was great)...What did Jeff Beck & Gary Moore have left in the tank? Beck was 78 after all but still making some great music, while Moore was 58 & definitely had some 'bullets' left! I'm a huge Bob Marley (36) fan, the man would sure have put out more great music...I just can't get excited over Cobain...A somewhat 'dark horse' pick: Walter Becker - Steely Dan is no more😢

[@lateramae]

If Steve Gaines and Ronnie Van Zant hadn't died, Lynyrd Skynyrd would've became the biggest band on the planet. However, I also think that if the plane crash hadn't happened, Allen Collins wouldn't have gone down that dark path following his wife's death. He would've been sad about it, but I think with Skynyrd still around, he would've found a way to carry on. That's just my opinion, though.

[@joshdance9959]

A very interesting discussion guys, thanks 🙂🎸🙂

[@Jamie.Laszlo]

Kurt Cobain would only be in his mid-50's today so I am always curious to what kind of music he'd be doing...or if Nirvana would even still be together. Whatever the story, I have a feeling he would be doing music closer to the style of R.E.M. and today's indie rock bands.

[@RekkidTalk]

Pete & Martin didn't speculate on what Dave Grohl's career path would have been if Kurt had lived. My guess is Nirvana would have either broken up or gone on a long hiatus. Grohl would have done the debut Foo Fighters album and stayed on that path with the big success. I think Kurt would have had a Neil Young/Lou Reed type of career with occasional works of brilliance that were well-accepted interspersed with albums that would confound/confuse the public and the critics. Oh, and he definitely would have divorced Courtney Love within a few years.

[@nrood79]

Kurt Cobain's genius was as a culture critic. He would've made a comeback when he discovered Twitter. It would be interesting to hear what he'd have to say about the social issues we have today.

[@metaldams78]

Smells Like AARP Spirit

[@mawrtea]

Nick Drake is another one - insanely talented, but died before anyone heard of him and it took a retrospective 30 years later (and a car commercial) to give him any notoriety.

[@wolf1977]

5 very good albums

[@mannyruiz1954]

Good episode. I think that Terry Kath would have left Chicago at some point had he not died. Chicago started losing the plot, for me, before Terry died. As a solo artist I could hear him playing jazz or fusion besides blues and rock. He would probably do country as well.

[@thomasbeck2934]

Such an engaging and interesting topic!

[@gregoryg3256]

🌠Good ONE Guys ..Interesting subject...Martin & Pete Rock !!!

[@kayfimt7769]

Buddy Holly. Was only 22.

[@ramram-td1jl]

Martin, I think you are wrong about Queen post-Freddie. I mean how could they have moved on making albums without Freddie? He was such a big part of what Queen was that I think it would have been meaningless to continue without him. I mean a lot of hardcore fans still give Brian/Roger lot of crap for doing whatever little they did after Freddie. I think to be fair we should applaud Brian and Roger for doing what they did post Freddie: tribute show, collaborations, the musical, the re-issues, and most importantly the movie. I think they did above and beyond what anyone could imagine given the enormous loss of Freddie.

[@brucybabyy7355]

Lowell George, toy Caldwell. i think both would have left their respective bands. ( little feat - marshal tucker ) i think Lowell would do his California r & b . toy possibly doing a bluesy country rock thing.

[@TheVanmanderpootz]

The Small Faces are one of my favourite bands of all time - Steve Marriott died April 20th 1991 - my Mum's birthday and the same day my nan (Dad's side) died.

[@spaghetti.lee-69]

Small Faces - on my list of Most Underrated bands Ever... Love them

[@donhadfield2835]

Sadly Steve Marriott was already too far down the road with addiction and health issues when he passed. In Frampton's book, he talked about trying to work with Steve and for a while it looked good for a while Steve went weird and backed away and shortly after he passed on. Such a voice and front man...

[@micolsen9824]

Nice topic idea. Good discussion.

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

Stevie Ray Vaughan and Bon Scott would be two interesting "what ifs" to consider in a future one of these.

[@Swullmark]

Honestly with Bon, I think you would see the same trajectory... if I recall, a good many songs on Back In Black were Bon Scott demos, so it'd be pretty similar, just with a different vocal style

[@jaimeres]

Lynyrd Skynyrd were on their way to even more greatness.

[@Walesktf]

The would have become the biggest band of the late 70s/early 80's that's for sure

[@MrFrikkenfrakken]

So many angles to this topic. You could say the star/band would have simply progressed through their careers to a fitting end. You could say music progression would continue as it did and the star/band would either adapt or fade out. You could say the presence of the star/band would have altered the course of music progression and the industry as we know it today would be different. Sounds like the stuff of a sci-fi movie.

[@Jamesharris-lo9nn]

These are the first ones that came to mind for me... Buddy Holly Jim Morrison Jimi Hendrix 🎸

[@jasonleonard4000]

If Elvis lived: *He cleans up, changes and management. Drops the weight and puts the black leather back on *Elvis is a surprise guest at several Ian Gillan shows. The 2 of them become buddies and do an album. *The King does a great, raw album in '83. Guitars by Page, Beck, Strummer and Setzer! *'91 album (simply called 'Elvis') is produced by Rick Rubin. All songs are co-written by Glenn Danzig. Glenn also sings on several songs.

[@joegearing1745]

Sid Barrett lived into the 2000's. I thought about Steve Clark of Def Leppard. They might've kept pumping out creative ultra catchy riffs and bonkers guitar orchestration (Viv rocks, don't get me wrong)

[@Rockerlady]

Steve is my #1 choice. Also, Randy Rhoads, Kurt Cobain, Hendrix, Bonham, Joplin, Morrison, Brian Jones, Chris Cornell, George Michael and Freddie Mercury. I also think Layne Staley and Scott Weiland had more to give the music world, despite the rough last years.

[@MIKE197923]

I think Elvis would have done what artists like Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett did, record duets albums with pop stars such as Lady Gaga, Bono, Adele, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and maybe do a permanent Las Vegas residency and by the way R.I.P to Tony Bennett. Regarding Cliff Burton, he was a big fan of R.E.M., Peter Gabriel, Yes, The Police, Thin Lizzy and Aerosmith and since he was a big influence on James and Lars and they looked up to him a lot. He could have convinced them to add elements of these bands to their sound.

[@Jake-pw7rj]

Elvis hated Las Vegas and did his last engagement in December, 1976. As for his musical path, he was definitely going in a more modern country direction as his last batch of albums were crossing over to the country charts. I do not think he would have wanted to do the duet thing. As a movie star, Elvis did not want to do another musical, which is why he turned down the co staring role in "A Star Is Born." Elvis desired to play a bad ass character in an action film, very similar to Charles Bronson in "Death Wish." He wanted to play a retired FBI agent in a film called, "Billy Easter." Elvis also had plans to do a world tour, but he had to clean up his act and dump Col Parker. I think the urban cowboy phase, the Stray Cats brief rockabilly revival would have inspired Elvis as would The Traveling Willbury's super group. The fact that fellow Sun recording acts like Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash had huge end of career comebacks, would have opened up endless possibilities for Elvis.

[@mulicuy]

I actually think Jim Morrison was done with music. After barely moving in most of his last performances he ended up literally trying to destroy the stage at the last Doors concert. I think the others only managed to get him back for "L.A. Woman" because they let him do his hardcore blues thing. I don't know if he would've stayed in Paris forever, but I'm thinking he'd just write poetry and be a recluse from that point on.

[@Swift_minus_one]

I think joplin ends up going down a middle of the road path. Like light fm radio hits , or a carly simon kinda sound. But of course, eventually makes a roots record going blues again . Not sure if she trys to get some pop hits in the 80s. Its REALLY hard to think any of them wouldn't have tried. I hope hendrix would go like full acoustic during the 80s so its like at least one artist didnt do it lol

[@miteyoak]

Peter Frampton says he had gotten together with Steve Marriot and were beginning to write some tunes for a possible Humble Pie reunion.

[@randysalles2292]

April Lawton From Ramatan , Danny Kirwan, Felix Papalardi From Mountain and of course The great Roy Buchanan.

[@jasonlindsay2429]

The death of Buddy Holly created an alternate universe in popular music that we have been living for the last 64 years.

[@jimmycoleman5853]

Tommy Bolin and GP

[@michaelvandiver2475]

Agree with Martin about Zeppelin. 4 or 5 songs on POM solo is what I think their next couple albums would've sounded like. Did hear that Jimmy said he wanted to make a heavier record at the time of Bonzo's untimely death, but he was so messed up at that time and continued to digress physically through mid 80's with his addictions, so not sure he would've rebounded with heavier guitar-riff driven music.

[@hammerheadly]

Steve Marriott was in talks with Peter Frampton to reform Humble Pie around the time of his death.

[@manuelper]

Janis Joplin is an interesting one for me. I always imagine her fronting a 70s hard rock band with a touch of soul. Really leaning into the stuff she was doing in 'Pearl'.

[@Kellerwerks]

Syd Barrett doesn't really belong in the discussion. He DIDN'T die... Not for a long long time after he checked out of reality and buggered off to live in isolation for the rest of his life. So we don't need to wonder what would have happened, we actually saw it happen...

[@michaeleaster1815]

1:03:55 David Bowie was 69 when he died; King Edward was 65. Is there no retirement in music? I mean, I cried like a baby when EVH died but not in a "what if?" manner. I'm quite surprised to hear both mentioned in this theme. I was happy to hear Randy Rhoads mentioned, as I was worried he would not be, and I was getting agitated.

[@ScottBerry-yn8rw]

My top 20: 20. Layne Staley 19. Kurt Cobain 18. Danny Whitten (of Crazy Horse) 17. Ian Curtis 16. Cliff Burton 15. Terry Kath 14. Bon Scott 13. Phil Lynott 12. Janis Joplin 11. Jim Morrison 10. Rory Gallagher 9. Keith Moon 8. Duane Allman 7. Randy Rhoades 6. John Bonham 5. Otis Redding 4. Freddie Mercury 3. Stevie Ray Vaughan 2. John Lennon 1. Jimi Hendrix Many other greats, but I didn't count them if they were over 50 when they died (Chris Cornell, Eddie Van Halen, David Bowie, RJD, etc.). Some I didn't include because I felt they'd peaked years before their deaths (Elvis).

[@carl-johanfougstedt199]

Very interesting speculation! You two truly deliver week after week, no weak discussions when you´re involved. Talking about Freddie Mercury we have to remember that he wouldn´t have written The Show Must Go On if he wouldn´t have been deadly sick. I think that Freddie would´ve moved more against classical singing if he had lived longer. Here in Finland the biggest what if - scenario is the death of Razzle. Would Hanoi Rocks have hit really big if Razzle hadn´t died. I think they would´ve.

[@Walesktf]

Got to agree. Hanoi Rocks were on the cusp of greatness and would finally have made the big time if it wasn't for that c**t Neil.

[@UnchainedTrooper]

What about Keith Moon? Would The Who put out heavier albums or would they still mellow down like with Face Dances?

[@EnterTheDragonsLair7777]

I asked for this last night . I'm new to the channel

[@piperathegates2112]

I was hoping for Nick Drake, Jeff Buckley, and Gram Parsons. Definitely would like a Part 2 of this.

[@drummmmerfish]

for decades i always had a feeling that if jimi hendrix had lived he would of collaborated with miles davis. just think of the avant garde / jazz fusion / blues that would of possibly happened.

[@tylerpatterson4787]

I got couple of mentions would be a what if? Janis Joplin what if she lived throughout the 70s didn’t died from overdose, she was getting big coming off of Woodstock performance, hanging with Grateful Dead With if George Lowell of Little Feat was alive during the beginning of the 80s what would the sound of Little Feat would be at the start of the decade? Steve Clark of Def Leppard what if he was alive throughout the 90s definitely no slang album maybe they return to roots of their earlier sound?

[@Jake-eq3ub]

Def Leppard's last record sounds like their early stuff

[@PetesCDVinylWorld]

I totally agree on Lef Zeppelin. Their next albums would've basically been just like Robert Plant's solo albums. Possibly in the 90s they would've got back to their roots like Clapton etc. I disagree on Nirvana, they were on the verge of breaking up at the time. He probably would've formed another low key band. Who know if Grohl would've even started Foo Fighters

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

Two quarter of a million audience concerts at Knebworth in 1979 would surely have secured at least another couple of albums from them, surely?

[@PetesCDVinylWorld]

@terrydaktyllus1320 they would've been huge but the albums would be more like Robert Plant's solo albums

[@terrydaktyllus1320]

@@PetesCDVinylWorld I guess we'll never know.

[@waverlyking6045]

Frank Zappa - An amazing musician who didn’t suffer fools. He called out both liberals (for being anti-capitalism and decadent drug use) and conservatives (for religious extremism) on their BS. We need more people like him.

[@brucybabyy7355]

the government would have had him killed...

[@waverlyking6045]

Too many of our great free thinkers are gone: Zappa, Asimov, George Carlin, Bill Hicks, etc.

[@brucybabyy7355]

@@waverlyking6045 absolutely!

[@ryanjacobson2508]

​@@brucybabyy7355Zappa's family WAS the government/military. Look it up.

[@Rockerlady]

​@@ryanjacobson2508Yup. Most mainstream musicians had fathers working in military intelligence.

[@stevecrescini2081]

So many good recommendations on the list but I always wonder how Karen Carpenter would have done had she not died at just 32 years old. With one of the greatest female voices, it would have been interesting if she took that voice in a new direction beyond the Carpenters. Maybe jazz? Maybe form her own band as the drummer and sing what she wanted to sing. No doubt collaboration albums would have been a possibility as well as residency in Vegas but but to see her experiment would have been nice

[@KevinOrtega1980]

This also brings me up to Stevie Ray Vaughn, SRV, if he didn’t die in that helo crash…. If both Hendrix and SRV were alive, would they have collaborated? Keep in mind I bring a lot of these up before watching these segments

[@brotherhoodoflightshowcurr3318]

So I saw Humble Pie in the early 80s and they were opening up for Ted Nugent so there was a connection there. this was in Reno, Nevada, and after the gig we went to a rock club where my friends band was playing, and Steve, Maria and Humble Pie showed up and jammed. as far as the 80s, it was almost impossible to clean up and there was stuff going down that night, and I think Steve was still looking for a party.

[@ScottBerry-yn8rw]

Pete, what happened at 21:51? You looked off camera and there was a jump in the video.

[@mirko1382]

Paul Samson, Nicky Moore & Chris Aylmer of Samson Hide, Taji Sawada of X Japan

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

Cobain's personality and addiction issues were challenges for sure, but to assume he would just disappear isn't fair, and doesn't factor in his passion for music. I think it's also way off to assume he would get into the stoner rock scene. He'd already done that, with the first album influenced by the Melvins, and never would have repeated himself. From what I heard about his admiration for R.E.M. and his friendship with Stipe, my prediction is they would have done a more mainstream album of melodic, folky, jangly pop, which they'd touched on with the Unplugged album and "All Apologies." It might have been really great, who knows. No one knows.

[@chaddubois8164]

Haven't watched yet but I think it John Hadn't been murdered. They Beatles would of reunited eventually and done something. Maybe a reunion show or an album.

[@wolf1977]

Almost happened in 1976 (for $3,000)..."You divide it any way you want. If you want to give Ringo less, that’s up to you. I’d rather not get involved"

[@BlindArthurBlake]

I think there would have been a John Lennon world tour in 1981 with Tony Levin on bass and with Cheap Trick opening

[@michaelbaucom4019]

At the very least, John joins that 1990s reunion

[@Rockerlady]

​@@wolf1977From a Saturday Night Live segment?

[@joshcreasey]

Terry Kath from Chicago is a big what-if. He was supposedly going to start a solo album the day he accidentally shot himself. I highly doubt he would’ve dealt with the David Foster produced material as he used different players than actual band members. Terry, I believe, would’ve been a force to be reckoned with as a solo artist. Wishful thinking, I guess.

[@erniericardo8140]

John Lennon always comes to mind... so tragic.

[@thedarkwizardroom]

Yea that night watching NFL Monday Night Football when Howard Cosell mentioned what had happened, It felt bad, That night overnight listened to all the tribute music on FM radio Of The Beatles and John's material.

[@BlindArthurBlake]

I would like to think that John Lennon would have done a major world tour in early 1981, probably with Tony Levin on bass, possibly with Cheap Trick as an opening act (this was per some things I have read that producer Jack Douglas has said). I think he and Paul McCartney would have maybe written some more songs together, but I sort of don't see the Beatles getting back together for Live Aid or anything like that.

[@michaelbaucom4019]

At the very least, he joins the 1990s reunion

[@Jake-pw7rj]

A Beatles reunion was even talked about by Paul and John because of an offer they were given by the producers of SNL. I think it would probably would have happened in the late eighties/early nineties. Too bad MDC was such an evil dude.

[@erniericardo8140]

It breaks my heart everytime I think about that night in December of 1980, The man had just gotten his life back together after 5 years away from the public and got his spark back into making music again and then along comes that piece of crap who decides to not only to get an autograph but also kills him. -How F#@ked Up is that!

[@briandunlap8534]

I think the 2 Brian May albums that came out after Freddie passed were an indication of what might have come from Queen after Innuendo. They're both good albums, but Freddie could've knocked a few of those songs out of the park.

[@adamsmashups4839]

Freddie would have kicked ass on Hard Business

[@jeffspicoli763]

Great episode guys! Martin, I suggested to you "follow-up albums that could've been." This is similar to that