RIP- musicians

[Nick Reg]

Surely the only thing that matters is whether the music is worth listening to or not.

I should agree with this but I sort of don't.  As examples I cannot take the current Dr Feelgood, no matter how many times people tell me they're decent, seriously.  Gong also.  It just doesn't compute.  Both decent bands, but in my head they shouldn't carry the moniker they do.

Man? At least Love have got Johnny back.

Man is a tricky one...some would argue Son of Man have more claim to the name than Man (although I'd disagree).  Baby Lemonade have been Love for a lot longer than Echols has been in the band.  What does this prove?  I dunno...

This is a discussion that is best had after curfew at a festival with a bottle of single malt and a big bag of dry roast nuts.

[wayne stote]

Surely the only thing that matters is whether the music is worth listening to or not.

This is my take too. Several bands that I like a lot - REO Speedwagon, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot - have no original members or, in a similar vein to Foreigner, have one left who doesn't always show up, but as long as the music is performed well, I'd be happy to catch them in concert or buy new music if they ever put it out.

[bassline (Mike)]

Surely the only thing that matters is whether the music is worth listening to or not.

This is my take too. Several bands that I like a lot - REO Speedwagon, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot - have no original members or, in a similar vein to Foreigner, have one left who doesn't always show up, but as long as the music is performed well, I'd be happy to catch them in concert or buy new music if they ever put it out.

I've rarely seen a band with the original/classic line up in all my years of gig going.
I've seen Black Sabbath with five different vocalists.
There are some bands that I couldn't accept as the real thing.
Thin Lizzy without Lynott ? Absolutely not.
I did see the same band as Black Star Riders at Download and enjoyed it well enough, with a few Lizzy classics and some very Phil styled new material.
Motorhead without Lemmy ? Who would DARE ?
Having said that, I quite happily went along to see the Grandmothers Of Invention without Uncle Frank and loved it, even Inca Roads which featured one of Frank's signature solos.
Then again, my last gig was a Genesis tribute doing The Lamb show, and it was fabulous.
On the other hand, I've seen Dean Friedman several times, and he ALWAYS had the original line up.

[garrypbrooks]

Surely the only thing that matters is whether the music is worth listening to or not.

This is my take too. Several bands that I like a lot - REO Speedwagon, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot - have no original members or, in a similar vein to Foreigner, have one left who doesn't always show up, but as long as the music is performed well, I'd be happy to catch them in concert or buy new music if they ever put it out.

I've rarely seen a band with the original/classic line up in all my years of gig going.
I've seen Black Sabbath with five different vocalists.
There are some bands that I couldn't accept as the real thing.
Thin Lizzy without Lynott ? Absolutely not.
I did see the same band as Black Star Riders at Download and enjoyed it well enough, with a few Lizzy classics and some very Phil styled new material.
Motorhead without Lemmy ? Who would DARE ?
Having said that, I quite happily went along to see the Grandmothers Of Invention without Uncle Frank and loved it, even Inca Roads which featured one of Frank's signature solos.
Then again, my last gig was a Genesis tribute doing The Lamb show, and it was fabulous.
On the other hand, I've seen Dean Friedman several times, and he ALWAYS had the original line up.

A few years ago, Taste were reincarnated, obviously without Rory Gallagher. I didn't bother seeing them

[davidmjs]

A few years ago, Taste were reincarnated, obviously without Rory Gallagher. I didn't bother seeing them

The worst is when ex band members who left aeons ago later subsume the mothership's name.  If you go and see the Groundhogs now it's nothing less than theft by Ken Pustelnik.  It's only the fact that Tony has no cash and is unwell that stop's legal redress.

I always used to like the tale of Ginger Baker getting sacked from Hawkwind then going off to Italy and doing all their dates as Hawkwind.  Sadly however, I've since learned this particular urban legend is untrue.  He did do the dates but sadly not as Hawkwind.

[Nick Reg]

A few years ago, Taste were reincarnated, obviously without Rory Gallagher. I didn't bother seeing them

The worst is when ex band members who left aeons ago later subsume the mothership's name.  If you go and see the Groundhogs now it's nothing less than theft by Ken Pustelnik.  It's only the fact that Tony has no cash and is unwell that stop's legal redress.

I always used to like the tale of Ginger Baker getting sacked from Hawkwind then going off to Italy and doing all their dates as Hawkwind.  Sadly however, I've since learned this particular urban legend is untrue.  He did do the dates but sadly not as Hawkwind.

I thought Band of Friends were pretty good. I prefer to see original bands with new members than tribute bands who just copy note for note, with a few exceptions of course.

[John From Austin]

A few years ago, Taste were reincarnated, obviously without Rory Gallagher. I didn't bother seeing them

The worst is when ex band members who left aeons ago later subsume the mothership's name.  If you go and see the Groundhogs now it's nothing less than theft by Ken Pustelnik.  It's only the fact that Tony has no cash and is unwell that stop's legal redress.

I always used to like the tale of Ginger Baker getting sacked from Hawkwind then going off to Italy and doing all their dates as Hawkwind.  Sadly however, I've since learned this particular urban legend is untrue.  He did do the dates but sadly not as Hawkwind.

I thought Band of Friends were pretty good. I prefer to see original bands with new members than tribute bands who just copy note for note, with a few exceptions of course.

I somewhat adhere to the Burton Cummings (ex-Guess Who) standard. He has said something to the effect that the name should go with the primary songwriters/singers, and anything less is either a rip-off (e.g., the fake Fleetwood Mac and fake Deep Purple of 1970s lore) or just a tribute band, albeit a legal one (e.g., the current Guess Who and Little River Band). This issue is compounded when the original guys/girls are still living and still performing, but are legally cut off from the economic benefits of using the band name.

From the thread above, I noted with sadness that the original keyboardist and sole remaining original member of REO Speedwagon retired this year. However, the lead singer/primary songwriter and bass player from the band's most fertile period remain.

[wayne stote]

A few years ago, Taste were reincarnated, obviously without Rory Gallagher. I didn't bother seeing them

The worst is when ex band members who left aeons ago later subsume the mothership's name.  If you go and see the Groundhogs now it's nothing less than theft by Ken Pustelnik.  It's only the fact that Tony has no cash and is unwell that stop's legal redress.

I always used to like the tale of Ginger Baker getting sacked from Hawkwind then going off to Italy and doing all their dates as Hawkwind.  Sadly however, I've since learned this particular urban legend is untrue.  He did do the dates but sadly not as Hawkwind.

I thought Band of Friends were pretty good. I prefer to see original bands with new members than tribute bands who just copy note for note, with a few exceptions of course.

I somewhat adhere to the Burton Cummings (ex-Guess Who) standard. He has said something to the effect that the name should go with the primary songwriters/singers, and anything less is either a rip-off (e.g., the fake Fleetwood Mac and fake Deep Purple of 1970s lore) or just a tribute band, albeit a legal one (e.g., the current Guess Who and Little River Band). This issue is compounded when the original guys/girls are still living and still performing, but are legally cut off from the economic benefits of using the band name.

From the thread above, I noted with sadness that the original keyboardist and sole remaining original member of REO Speedwagon retired this year. However, the lead singer/primary songwriter and bass player from the band's most fertile period remain.

It's true that REO still have two members from their hits era but I thought they were worth mentioning because I know a bunch of fans who are practically of a "No Gary Richrath, no REO" mindset but regarded the band was just about valid because Neal Doughty was still playing the keys.

It's interesting that the line-up that was in place until Neal retired, had lasted for more than thirty years yet still had regular questions asked about its legitimacy. Grim, really.

[garrypbrooks]

I've rarely seen a band with the original/classic line up in all my years of gig going.
I've seen Black Sabbath with five different vocalists.
There are some bands that I couldn't accept as the real thing.
Thin Lizzy without Lynott ? Absolutely not.
I did see the same band as Black Star Riders at Download and enjoyed it well enough, with a few Lizzy classics and some very Phil styled new material.
Motorhead without Lemmy ? Who would DARE ?
Having said that, I quite happily went along to see the Grandmothers Of Invention without Uncle Frank and loved it, even Inca Roads which featured one of Frank's signature solos.
Then again, my last gig was a Genesis tribute doing The Lamb show, and it was fabulous.
On the other hand, I've seen Dean Friedman several times, and he ALWAYS had the original line up.

In the last 10 years I've seen excellent concerts by John Lees's BJH, Renaissance and Caravan, all with only one original/classic line up member left, but said members being JL, Annie Haslam and Pye Hastings respectively, this shouldn't be a surprise.
I also saw the "new" Dr Feelgood, in which only the drummer (I think) from the original line-up remained, but  thought they were great. The singer was terrific, bounced around the stage with the energy of a teenager.
But as for Lizzy without Lynott, or Taste without Rory - no thank you

[Glen S]

I also saw the "new" Dr Feelgood, in which only the drummer (I think) from the original line-up remained, but  thought they were great. The singer was terrific, bounced around the stage with the energy of a teenager.

John Martin (The Big Figure) original Dr Feelgood drummer in both classic lineups retired many decades ago, leaving just Lee Brilleaux as the only original band member up to his passing in 1994...  

[garrypbrooks]

I also saw the "new" Dr Feelgood, in which only the drummer (I think) from the original line-up remained, but  thought they were great. The singer was terrific, bounced around the stage with the energy of a teenager.

John Martin (The Big Figure) original Dr Feelgood drummer in both classic line ups retired many decades ago, leaving just Lee Brilleaux as the only original band member up to his passing in 1994...  

I stand corrected. A great gig with no original Feelgoods, then, but very much in the spirit of the band I saw back in the 70s anyway.

[Andy]

The current Dr Feelgood members have all been in and around the band a long time.

    Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals (1983–1991, 1995–present)
    Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1983–1994, 1995–present)
    Gordon Russell – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals (1983–1989, 2021–present)
    Robert Kane – lead vocals, harmonica (1999–present)

[davidmjs]

The current Dr Feelgood members have all been in and around the band a long time.

    Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals (1983–1991, 1995–present)
    Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1983–1994, 1995–present)
    Gordon Russell – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals (1983–1989, 2021–present)
    Robert Kane – lead vocals, harmonica (1999–present)

Pah...you'll be telling me that new Fairport bass player is the real deal next  

ps I do accept that paints rather a different picture about Dr Feelgood.  They must have been in the band the two or three times I saw them with Lee.

[Glen S]

The current Dr Feelgood members have all been in and around the band a long time.

    Phil H. Mitchell – bass, acoustic guitar, backing vocals (1983–1991, 1995–present)
    Kevin Morris – drums, percussion, backing vocals (1983–1994, 1995–present)
    Gordon Russell – lead and slide guitars, backing vocals (1983–1989, 2021–present)
    Robert Kane – lead vocals, harmonica (1999–present)

Pah...you'll be telling me that new Fairport bass player is the real deal next  

ps I do accept that paints rather a different picture about Dr Feelgood.  They must have been in the band the two or three times I saw them with Lee.

It does kind of put things in perspective when realising that Wilko Johnson & his successor John (Gypie) Mayo, were members of Dr Feelgood for a mere 6 & 4 years respectively...Mind you, life was most likely in the fast lane back in those days I would imagine!

[Peter Allen]

Didn't Gypie work with Figure & Sparko as The Practice at one point

I just don't get along with Robert the  singer and I know Wilko certainly didn't

In fact it's really saying something when Wilko and Sparko endorsed a tribute band rather than the current line up of Dr Feelgood

[PaulT]

From Percy Jones, on facebook:

RIP   Robin Lumley    1948-2023.

Rob Lumley's health took a sudden turn for the worse a week ago. He went into hospital in Derriford, near his home in Tavistock, Devon, UK, for a quick operation, which had been scheduled, when he had heart failure. The bad news came in that same afternoon on March 9th.

We've lost a friend and a great composer, and one of the main reasons that Brand X actually existed. Pete Bonas often referred to him as a “little instigating monkey”, who got the band to regroup as a four piece and part company with Island records. Even John (Goodsall), who had initially wanted to stick with the holdovers at Island, eventually was convinced to move when he realized that Rob had Phil Collins by his side, and was determined to make a deal over at Charisma Records. Rob was good at wheeling and dealing, much better than John or I. He had a good business sense when it came to protecting the band's interests.

Robin had been living in Perth, Australia for decades with his wife Debra. He eventually moved back to the UK to retire on Dartmoor, and be near his daughter Jo. Still we never lost sight of each other over the years.

Those of you who have followed the band's recent struggles know that Rob and I got together to publicly call an end to Brand X and retire the band after John Goodsall died. Recently a few people have asked me to reconsider that decision, but I know in my heart that it was the right call. On that note I want to ask you all to join me in denouncing the tasteless and disrespectful abuse by the band's former managers who are continuing to steal our name and reputation on Facebook. It's illegal and needs to stop.

Rob and I, in the past couple of months, filed detailed legal documents to secure the status of Brand X with respect to what can or cannot be done with our work in the future. I wish things hadn't come to this but they have.
 
Please join his lifelong friend and collaborator Jack Lancaster, our friend Danny Wilding, Rob's wife Debra, his daughter Jo, his friend Joe Whittaker, and myself, in paying our final respects to Robin, the musician, band mate, friend and creator.

Our Brand X website will be telling his story for his fans: www.therealbrandx.com.

[Andy]

Terrible news from Jackie Oates on FB a few minutes ago.

[Delfini (Diane)]

Awful news.

[davidmjs]

Just seen this on Eliza's Twitter feed.  Very sad...but there's a lot of great music left behind to remember him by.  Fare thee well.

[Poor Will (Bill)]

Extremely sad news