Top 10 Bands that Lost Their Mojo the Most When a Member Left or Died

The Top Ten
1 Queen - when Freddie Mercury died Queen are an English rock band formed in London in 1970. The original lineup was Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), and John Deacon (bass guitar, vocals). Before forming into Queen, Brian May and Roger Taylor had played together in a band named Smile. Freddie Mercury was a fan of Smile and encouraged them to experiment with more elaborate... read more

Isn't the same Queen without Freddie. Freddie was the heart and the motor of this band. Brian May and Roger Taylor have to end it, but they won't do.

Sad, very sad. Marc Martel is great. Why don't they replace him. Adam Lambert is good and all, get he's really not the same.

Get Marc Martel and save this band.

2 Led Zeppelin - when John Bonham died

Not only did they lose their mojo the entire band disbanded.

3 The Doors - when Jim Morrison died The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, guitarist Robby Krieger and drummer John Densmore.

Morrison was the GOAT of all frontmen, not even Freddie could compare to him. You got the feeling that Freddie was having a great time performing, and wanted you to have a great time too. Jim Morrison BECAME the music, and helped guide you to experience it at a level unequaled before or since.

4 Guns N' Roses - when Slash left Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also associated with heavy metal... read more

I don't really agree. According to me, Izzy Stradlin's departure was the real reason why Guns N' Roses fell appart.

More like when Axl "Narcissus" Rose kicked out everyone.

Chinese Democracy enough said...

5 The Who - when Keith Moon died The Who is an English rock band formed in London, England in 1964. The most recognizable lineup was Roger Daltrey (lead vocals), Pete Townshend (guitar), John Entwistle (bass guitar), and Keith Moon (drums). They are best known for their live performances and hit songs Baba O'Riley, My Generation, and Won't Get Fooled Again. Some noted achievements were their rock operas, Tommy (album), Quadrophenia... read more

It was inevitable. It could never, ever have been the same without the beautiful lunatic. RIP

6 Deep Purple - when Ritchie Blackmore left (1975) Deep Purple are an English rock band formed in Hertford in 1968. They are considered to be among the pioneers of heavy metal and modern hard rock, although their musical approach changed over the years. Originally formed as a progressive rock band, the band shifted to a heavier sound in 1970. Deep Purple, together with Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath, have been referred to as the "unholy trinity of... read more

When he left they de facto split because he was the primary composer. He left in 1975 because he didn't like what the other members wanted to put in the songs - soul, blues, funk. He has always been a metal guy - that's why he teamed up with Dio and formed Rainbow to do metal.

Several short reunions later (with Ritchie participation) helped them release a great album (Perfect Strangers, 1984) and 2 very good ones (Slaves and Masters, 1990, and The Battle Rages On, 1993). After this album, in 1993 Blackmore left forever and they continued with Steve Morse, putting out new albums and touring - to this day. This new material is not bad for what it is but I miss Blackmore's metal edge and his touch in songwriting.

Yeah, Deep Purple hasn't been that kind of great that they used to be in early 70s when ritchie was there

7 Iron Maiden - when Bruce Dickinson left Iron Maiden are an English Heavy Metal band formed in Leyton, East London, in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. The most critically acclaimed period for the band was from 1983-1989. With vocalist Bruce Dickinson, bassist Steve Harris, lead guitarist Dave Murray, rhythm guitarist Adrian Smith, and drummer Nicko McBrain. Smith left the band in 1989 and was replaced by Janick Gers... read more

I disagree. Virtual XI sounds almost exactly like Brave New World, just with a different singer. The X Factor does not sound like anything Iron Maiden has done but it is still very good. The Blaze era contains some of the band's best songs like Sign of the Cross, Fortunes of War and The Clansman.

I actually think they lost some of the mojo when Adrian Smith left, they made some of their worst songs like The Apparition, Hooks in You, Public Enema Number One, Weekend Warrior and Nodding Donkey Blues (besides some classics). I feel like they became better in the second half of the 1990s.

Blaze isn't the right voice for metal, especially maiden.

8 Thin Lizzy - when Phil Lynott died Thin Lizzy are an Irish rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Their leader Phil Lynott was composer or co-composer of almost all of the band's songs, and the first black Irishman to achieve commercial success in the field of rock music. Thin Lizzy's most successful songs, "Whiskey in the Jar", "Jailbreak" and "The Boys Are Back in Town", were all major international hits which are still played regularly... read more

Phil Lynott was the essence of Thin Lizzy. Without him, it's unfair to call the band Thin Lizzy because he was its driving force.

9 Judas Priest - when Rob Halford left Judas Priest are a British heavy metal band that formed in Birmingham, England, in 1969. They are often referred to as one of the greatest metal bands of all time, and are even commonly called “The Metal Gods”, after one of the songs on their 1980 album “British Steel”.

They are known for several of their hit songs, which include “Painkiller”, “Breaking The Law”, You’ve Got... read more

After spending nearly 20 years with Judas Priest, Halford left in 1992. After 10 years, in 2003 Halford returned to the band.

There is only one Tim Owens song I actually like (Cathedral Spires) the rest I'm just neutral about.

10 ABBA - when Agnetha Fältskog got alienated ABBA are a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1972 by members Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.

When two band members, Agnetha and Bjorn, got divorced in 1980, ABBA de facto disbanded but announced it later. Agnetha became reclusive because Bjorn dumped her for another woman and I guess it was difficult for her to sing his songs, see him on a regular basis and tour with him. Agnetha and Bjorn were married for 7 years and have 2 children.

The Contenders
11 Helloween - when Kai Hansen left Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg, Northern Germany. The band is a pioneering force in the power metal genre, and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I and Part II, are considered masterpieces of the genre.

After Hansen departure they released a really bad album - Pink Bubbles Go Ape (1991), and the follow up wasn't much better. Michael Kiske was still with the band with his awesome voice, Michael Weikath was also still with them but without Kai Hansen it wasn't the same band anymore.

12 Bon Jovi - when Richie Sambora left

Absolutely. Richie will always be the proper guitarist. He's 100% better than Phil X.

He was THE guitarist for BJ, it's such a shame he left, but at the same time it shows that BJ need to take a much deserved break.

13 Metallica - when Jason Newsted left
14 Helloween - when Michael Kiske left Helloween is a German power metal band founded in 1984 in Hamburg, Northern Germany. The band is a pioneering force in the power metal genre, and their second and third studio albums, Keeper of the Seven Keys: Part I and Part II, are considered masterpieces of the genre.

A second big crisis for this band. After Kiske departure they became an average band - not bad but just average.

15 Guns N' Roses - when Izzy Stradlin left Guns N' Roses is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles formed in 1985. The classic lineup, as signed to Geffen Records in 1986, consisted of vocalist Axl Rose, lead guitarist Slash, rhythm guitarist Izzy Stradlin, bassist Duff McKagan, and drummer Steven Adler. Apart from hard rock they are also associated with heavy metal... read more

He was the heart of Guns N' Roses. I think that his departure is one of the reason why the band unfortunately fell appart at the end of the Use Your Illusion tour..

16 Red Hot Chili Peppers - when John Frusciante left The Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American funk-rock and alternative rock band, that was founded in 1983.

The band's members are Anthony Kiedis (Vocals), Michael "Flea" Balzary (Bass), Chad Smith (Drums) and numerous guitarists, most well-known being John Frusciante.

The band is among the most well-known funk bands in music history with albums like "Blood Sugar Sex Magik" and "Californification"... read more

His replacement was not bad but he just did not have all the right elements to replace a guitarist like John.

17 Pink Floyd - when Roger Waters left Pink Floyd are an English progressive rock band formed in 1965 in London, England. They achieved international acclaim with their progressive and psychedelic music. The band consisted of 5 members - David Gilmour (Vocals and Guitar), Syd Barrett (Vocals and Guitar), Nick Mason (Drums), Roger Waters (Vocals and Bass), and Richard Wright (Vocals and Keyboard). Barrett was replaced by Gilmour in 1968... read more
18 Metallica - when Cliff Burton died Metallica is an American Heavy/Thrash Metal band formed in 1981. The original lineup was James Hetfield (Vocalist and Rhythm guitarist), Dave Mustaine (Lead Guitar), Lars Ulrich (Drums), Ron McGovney (Bassist). The group came into mainstream from their Self-Titled album and the hit single "Enter Sandman"... read more

Cliff death was a huge shock but fortunately this didn't ruin the band's future drastically.

19 Pantera - when Dimebag Darrell died Pantera was an American heavy metal band formed in 1981 by guitarist Dimebag Darrell and drummer Vinnie Paul. The band started out as a glam metal act in the 1980s with little success. After discarding their original lead vocalist and enlisting Phil Anselmo, the band signed a major record deal with Warner Music Group via Atco Records. Around this time, Pantera underwent a major change in their musical... read more

There wasn't Pantera when Dimebag died, so I don't think this item makes any sense.

20 One Direction - when Zayn Malik left One Direction (commonly abbreviated as 1D) were a British-Irish pop boy band based in London, composed of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson, and previously, Zayn Malik until his departure from the band on 25 March 2015. The group signed with Simon Cowell's record label Syco Records after forming and finishing third in the seventh series of the British televised singing competition... read more
21 Linkin Park - when Chester Bennington died Linkin Park is an American alternative rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The current members include Mike Shinoda (vocals, keyboards, rhythm guitar), Brad Delson (guitar), Dave "Phoenix" Farrell (bass), Joe Hahn (DJ), and Rob Bourdon (drums). Linkin Park is associated with a mixture of alternative rock, hip hop, and techno. Some of their influences include Nine Inch Nails, Deftones,... read more
22 Avenged Sevenfold - when Jimmy "The Rev" Sullivan died
23 Genesis - when Phil Collins left Genesis are an English rock band formed at Charterhouse School, Godalming, Surrey in 1967. The most commercially successful and long-lasting line-up includes keyboardist Tony Banks, bassist/guitarist Mike Rutherford and drummer/singer Phil Collins.

There will always be that debate about whether Genesis was better with Peter Gabriel or with Phil Collins. The truth is, both were the souls of the band. However, after Phil Collins left the band and was replaced by Ray Wilson, Genesis was lacking a true soul.

24 Iced Earth - when Matt Barlow left 1st time Iced Earth is an American heavy metal band from Tampa, Florida. It was formed in 1984 under the name Rose, then Purgatory, by guitarist and main songwriter Jon Schaffer, and original drummer Greg Seymour. The band's music has also been described as thrash metal and power metal.

They released their debut album in 1990 and have since released twelve studio albums, four EPs, three compilations,... read more

After the September 11 terrorist attacks (2001) Matt Barlow decided to become a police officer and contribute to the "real world" instead of living the illusion of a "rock star." In 2007 he returned to the band but left again in 2011 to spend more time with his family (Iced Earth have a busy touring schedule).

25 Three Days Grace - when Adam Gontier left Three Days Grace is a Canadian post-grunge/alternative rock band formed in Norwood, Ontario in 1992 with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer and backing vocalist Neil Sanderson, and bassist Brad Walst. Their original name was Groundswell until they changed it to their current name in 1997. In 2003, the band's current guitarist Barry Stock was recruited to the... read more
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