When Lead Singers Got Replaced: How These 6 Bands Did It

Linkin Park is back with their new album, From Zero, which dropped on November 15, 2024. Many fans were ecstatic that the rock band is back with new songs and a tour. However, not all fans felt that way. Some felt the band’s comeback with a new co-lead singer, Emily Armstrong (formerly of Dead Sara), insulted Chester Bennington’s memory. Bennington, of course, was Linkin Park’s vocalist who died in 2017. 

Everything To Know About Emily Armstrong | Linkin Park’s Co-Lead Vocalist

Bennington’s son, Jaime Bennington, via his Instagram story, slammed Armstrong as his father’s replacement and posted that Mike Shinoda, Linkin Park’s co-founder has “quietly erased my father’s life and legacy in real time… during international suicide prevention month,” per Variety. Bennington also mentioned the band “betrayed the trust” of the fans who “trusted you to be the bigger better person. To be the change. Because you promised us that was your intention.” 

Linkin Park is not the first band to replace their lead singer. The lead singer typically acts as the face of the group, and they connect the band with the audience through their performance, voice, and stage presence.  

How Lead Singers Influence the Band’s Image 

All band members are important for the band’s success. Sure, you might have a charismatic lead singer, but if the instrumentalists can’t jibe with the singer, the music will be forgettable. However, since it’s the lead singer who often engages the audience, their interviews and behavior influence the band’s image.

Lead Vocals’ Performances: More Than Just Singing 

Lead singers aren’t just needed to sing the band’s songs, they play an important role during live performances. Their energy needs to infect and engage the crowd. If they’re singing an energetic song but only standing in the middle of the stage, no matter how much the musicians speed up the tempo, the crowd might still not be pumped since the lead singer looks like they’re about to fall asleep. Liam Gallagher of Oasis is an exception, of course. Lead singers are not just singing; they’re putting on a show that must entertain the audience. 

Flaming Lips frontman Wayne Coyne said in an interview with CNN Entertainment, “People are going to pay real money, people are going to give us a lot of their time, so we don’t want it to be just hype – it’s really got to be great,” before their attempt to break the Guinness World Records of most concerts played in different cities within 24 hours. They got the record and beat Jay-Z. 

Challenges and Expectations of Being a Lead Singer 

A lead singer’s role has a lot of challenges and expectations. Lead singers are the primary figures in the band and experience public scrutiny compared to other members. They need to be constantly ready to “perform” and not be involved in scandals since it affects the whole band. For example, Linkin Park’s Armstrong was not only disliked for replacing a beloved singer in Bennington but was also dragged for her ties with Scientology and association with convicted felon Danny Masterson via BBC. 

Only time can tell if Armstrong will help the band maintain its legacy of being one of the best-selling artists in history. Aside from Linkin Park, here are six other bands who replaced their lead singers and how they did it. 

• Journey

   

  Journey was formed in 1973 and is known for hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully” and “Open Arms.” The band was initially called the Golden Gate Rhythm Section but was renamed Journey after. Thank goodness since the original band name was a mouthful, right? Gregg Rolie was the band’s original vocalist and co-founder. However, Steve Perry joined the in 1977, taking over as the lead singer, and remaining until their hiatus in 1987. 

  Perry, lead guitarist Neal Schon, and keyboardist Jonathan Cain performed for a benefit concert in 1991, they reformed the band with bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith. Four years later, they released Trial by Fire in October 1995. The band was supposed to go on tour, but Perry had a hiking accident and refused to undergo surgery. In 1998, he was replaced by Steve Augeri. With Augeri as frontman, Journey released Arrival in 2001 and Generations in 2005. However, in 2006, Augeri left Journey because of an acute throat condition. He was replaced by Jeff Scott Soto who also didn’t stay with the band for long since the band “just wanted to move in a different direction sonically.” 

  In 2007, Journey found its current lead singer, Filipino Arnel Pineda on YouTube. Pineda, who grew up in poverty, has been doing odd jobs here and there. But his love for singing, which was instilled in him by his mother at an early age, led him to pursue a career out of it. After posting videos of him singing cover songs by Journey and other bands with his then band, The Zoo, Schon sent an email to Pineda to invite him to audition. Initially dismissing the email as a scam, Pineda eventually replied to Schon’s email. After 10 minutes, Schon called Pineda and soon found himself flying to Marin County for a week of auditioning. After the auditions, Journey announced Pineda as the band’s new lead singer. 

• Lynyrd Skynyrd

   

  Lynyrd Skynyrd is a rock band formed in 1964. Its original members included Ronnie Van Zant (vocals), Gary Rossington and Allen Collins (guitar), Larry Junstrom (bass) and Bob Burns (drums). They released their first album, (Pronounced ‘Lĕh-‘nérd ‘Skin-‘nérd) in 1973. As we all know, they went on to be one of the greatest American rock and roll bands of all time. 

  However, in October 1977, the band’s chartered plane crashed, killing Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines and backup singer Cassie Gaines, and injuring the other band members. 

  In 1987, the band reformed for a reunion tour. Their new lead vocalist? Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie’s younger brother. He is still Lynyrd Skynyrd’s lead singer today. 

• Sublime

   

  Sublime, like Lynyrd Skynyrd, kept it in the family. They were formed in 1988, by Bradley Nowell (vocals and guitar), Eric Wilson (bass), and Bud Gaugh (drums). In 1996, Nowell died of a heroin overdose. 

  In 2009, Wilson and Gaugh wanted to revive the band with the addition of Rome Ramirez. However, Nowell’s estate owns the right to the Sublime name. The band changed their name to “Sublime with Rome.” The trio released their debut album Yours Truly in 2011. Shortly after its release, Gaugh left the band.  Gaugh and Wilson reunited to perform for a benefit show for Bad Brains vocalist H.R. in Los Angeles in December 2023. They performed under the name Sublime with Bradley Nowell’s son, Jakob Nowell (which the Nowell family approved of.)

  Wilson announced his departure from Sublime with Rome and they are set to disband at the end of this year since Rome Ramirez is also moving on to focus on his solo career. Sublime will move forward with Jakob as part of the trio. 

• INXS

   

  INXS were an Australian rock band that started in 1977 as the Fariss Brothers. For 20 years, the band enjoyed success and popularity, not just in their native Australia but around the world thanks to hits such as “Never Tear Us Apart,” “Need You Tonight,” and “Suicide Blonde.”   The band’s founding members include Michael Hutchence (lead singer), Garry Gary Beers (bass), Andrew Fariss (keyboard), John Farris (drums), Tim Farris (guitar), and Kirk Pengilly (saxophone). In November 1997, Hutchence died by suicide. 

  After Hutchence’s death, INXS appeared with several guest singers. From 2000-2003, the band toured and recorded with Jon Stevens as lead singer who left because of a “creative lull.” The members then participated in Rock Star: INXS, a reality television show where contestants competed to become INXS’ lead singer.  

  Canadian singer, J.D. Fortune won the reality show. He stayed with the band for two and a half years, after which he left because of creative differences and to focus on his solo career. Singer-songwriter Ciaran Gribbin replaced Fortune until the band’s permanent retirement in 2012. 

• Judas Priest

   

  Judas Priest is a heavy metal band formed in 1969 and featured singer Al Atkins. Atkins left the group in 1973 to find a more stable job to support his wife and daughter. Rob Halford replaced him from 1973 until 1992. Halford, who wanted to pursue a solo career (with blessings from the band), was told to submit a letter announcing his interest in a solo project. The letter was misconstrued as Halford leaving the band.  After Halford left, Judas Priest went on a four-year hiatus.

  Tim “Ripper” Owens, a Judas Priest fan who had been performing with a tribute band was asked to meet the members. Owens was with the band until Halford rejoined in 2003 and has been the band’s lead singer until the present. 

• Queen

   

  Queen is synonymous with Freddie Mercury; there’s no denying that. The British rock band formed in 1970 by Mercury (vocals), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals) and John Deacon (bass); the band ended after Mercury’s death in 1991 from bronchial pneumonia, a complication resulting from AIDS. 

  May and Taylor reactiveated the band a few years later. In 2004 the hooked up with former Bad Company singer to form Queen + Paul Rodgers; that lasted until 2009. In 2011 they started again with former American Idol singer Adam Lambert; Queen + Adam Lambert still frequently tour today.  Their most recent tour took place earlier this year, with five shows in Japan. The band have no plans of recording new music, but May guested on Lambert’s last solo album.