Career Bands Who've Always Had the Same Lineup

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From inception to breakup/present-day incarnation. "Career" = they've been together at least 10 years.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Well OK "seven or more years."

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Radiohead are the only one that I can think of at the moment.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:05 (twenty-two years ago)

The Bee-Gees?

― M Carty (mj_c), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Orbital
the proclaimers
foster and allen (alright the last one scraped the barrel a bit)

― james (james), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:17 (twenty-two years ago)

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Nope, not the Bee Gees -- their original lineup featured two other musicians, Vince Melouney and Colin Petersen.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Do New Order count?

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Technically yes, because there was another guy in the group who left before they changed their name to U2.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Is Gill still in New Order?

― Alex in Rotherham (alexfack), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:24 (twenty-two years ago)

The Four Tops

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:24 (twenty-two years ago)

"In 1997, Lawrence Payton passed away due to cancer of the liver, which proved to be the only thing that could break up the Four Tops. After some consideration, the remaining members hired Theo Peoples to take Payton's place on tour." (AMG)

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:27 (twenty-two years ago)

if that counts as a veto, then U2 don't count either

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:28 (twenty-two years ago)

(also "death in the group" counts as "lineup change")

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Why not?

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:29 (twenty-two years ago)

the four tops didn't release any records with that guy* - he's a standin for the tour a la jimmy nichol and the beatles or whichever roadie stood in for adam clayton when he was too pissed to play

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:33 (twenty-two years ago)

* this may not be true

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:33 (twenty-two years ago)

the four tops didn't release any records with that guy

doesn't matter

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:35 (twenty-two years ago)

the other guy died = lineup change

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:36 (twenty-two years ago)

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:37 (twenty-two years ago)

so the entire band has to die at once?!!!

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:38 (twenty-two years ago)

what part of "lineup change" don't you understand??

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:38 (twenty-two years ago)

the guy was a standin for a few shows!!!

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:39 (twenty-two years ago)

ie. disqualify the four tops and ya gotta disqualify u2

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:40 (twenty-two years ago)

BUT THE ORIGINAL GUY DIED = THE GROUP IS NOT THE SAME ANYMORE

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I MEAN FORGET ABOUT THE STAND-IN FOR A SECOND

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:40 (twenty-two years ago)

but the group didn't make any records without the guy - they didn't change their lineup. it's like saying led zeppelin changed their lineup.

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:41 (twenty-two years ago)

they did.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:42 (twenty-two years ago)

what - live aid?

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:43 (twenty-two years ago)

If you go from being a four-piece to being (officially) a three-piece, you change your lineup.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:43 (twenty-two years ago)

so there no such thing as a band breaking up?

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:44 (twenty-two years ago)

or did zeppelin just not break up?

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Of course they broke up. What's your point?

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:45 (twenty-two years ago)

"In 1997, Lawrence Payton passed away due to cancer of the liver, which proved to be the only thing that could break up the Four Tops."

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:46 (twenty-two years ago)

From inception to breakup

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:46 (twenty-two years ago)

they did

sorry, i was confusing them w/ the who, who obv went on without moon after he died.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:47 (twenty-two years ago)

"In 1997, Lawrence Payton passed away due to cancer of the liver, which proved to be the only thing that could break up the Four Tops."

fine fine fine, as long as post-breakup reunions don't count as being part of a group's "lifespan" or what have you.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:49 (twenty-two years ago)

haha - why g'n'r will never be a great rock band according to my dad circa 1991: 'they change their lineup too much'

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:49 (twenty-two years ago)

if he only knew what the future would bring.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:50 (twenty-two years ago)

"From inception to breakup"

Oh well, in that case, Talking Heads.

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:52 (twenty-two years ago)

And The Doors.

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Talking Heads formed (with that name) in 1974 and added Jerry Harrison in 1976 = lineup change.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Do New Order count?

No. Gillian Gilbert wasn't in the band at its inception and she isn't now. Whether Phil Cunningham (ex-Marion) is her permanent replacement remains to be seen; he played throughout the Get Ready tour but I don't know whether he's recording with them.

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Wire - who changes their name when someone left.

They had the usual "other guy" in proto-lineups - but that hardly counts - though according to the u2 thing it does. Though they have disbanded and re-grouped so that probably exempts them.

Doors did 2 lps after Jimbo "went to africa"

Talking Heads did a Byrne-less lp.

I had a band that did 2 gigs before the percusionist moved to Holland and now its over. Hows that?

― tigerclawskank, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Pet Shop Boys

Yo La Tengo made early changes, but the current lineup has been together over ten years now.

Portishead should qualify. Their bio on AMG says they formed in 1991. Can anyone name a less prolific band than them? Two full lengths in twelve years of existence?

― turkey (turkey), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 08:58 (twenty-two years ago)

The No Talking Just Head record was credited to "The Heads."

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:01 (twenty-two years ago)

are Blue Nile any more prolific? Indeed, have they changed line-up?

― MarkH (MarkH), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Does it count if they split up and get back together, provided there were no incarnations of the band using the same name but with different members in the interim?

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I dunno. Judges?

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Sisters With Voices have kept the same line-up since their formation in 1990. Good for them.

― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:05 (twenty-two years ago)

haha

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Does it count if they split up and get back together, provided there were no incarnations of the band using the same name but with different members in the interim?

If it doesn't count, then i say EPMD. Also De La Soul, but I guess you could claim Prince Paul was the fifth Beatle of that group.

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 09:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I think I'm right in saying The Fall have always had the same line-up. That IS right, isn't it?

― Johnny Jarvis, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 10:02 (twenty-two years ago)

hard to pinpoint a group with more than 2 members who haven't changed their lineup.

― frenchbloke (frenchbloke), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 10:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Johnny Jarvis is a funny, funny man

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 11:35 (twenty-two years ago)

if Yo La Tengo count then the Rolling Stones count

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 11:36 (twenty-two years ago)

ie. they don't count

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 11:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Jody, you confused everyone w/ the U2 technicality. A band is not a band until they have a name. U2 has been together w/ the same lineup longer than any rock band (ever?)

Except the Residents.

― Mark (MarkR), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 11:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Are the Groundhogs still the same band?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 11:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Mark - Jody allowed U2 (they gotta little while to go to catch up to the Four Tops though)

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Autechre, Orbital (I guess duos are probably more durable), Shellac (since 1993). That's it off le top of my head.

― neil, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

ZZ Top! This is unless you want to consider Kid Rock an occassional member.

― Tom Breihan (Tom Breihan), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 12:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Queen?

― Siegbran (eofor), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 12:02 (twenty-two years ago)

phucking PHISH!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 12:04 (twenty-two years ago)

For that matter, phuck Phish, let me retract that interjection and blurt out much more loudly MEDESKI MARTIN AND WOOD!!!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 12:06 (twenty-two years ago)

FUGAZI

― Andrew Frye (paul cox), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 12:10 (twenty-two years ago)

*Although they now play with an additional drummer, I don't think he's been made an official member.

― Andrew Frye (paul cox), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 12:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Not the Beatles--remember Pete Best!

I'd say Wire (who even changed their name when they briefly lost Robert Gotobed), except that there was that guy George who played in the very earliest lineup.

Tall Dwarfs! 20 years now with the same lineup. The Bats have been the same four people for about 20 years now too. Spaceheads have been the same two people for 15 years.

― Douglas (Douglas), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 13:50 (twenty-two years ago)

the residents.

but then again who knows?

― frenchbloke (frenchbloke), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 13:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Guy Piccioto was not an original member of Fugazi; I think they played their first shows without him. And then he was something akin to a hypeman before becoming a full-on member.

The second drummer is in French Toast as well, and whenever they play they're billed as "French Toast, featuring members of Nation of Ulysses and Fugazi," so I dunno.

― Tom Breihan (Tom Breihan), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 14:02 (twenty-two years ago)

SLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAN.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 14:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, yes, but what about when Andrew quit and ran off to Toronto, huh? huh? They broke up then! So they don't count!

― kate (kate), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 14:06 (twenty-two years ago)

They just rotated him with other Canadians. All Canadians are alike, right? They're all from Halifax?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 14:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh shit, this one just hit me: DE LA SOUL!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 14:55 (twenty-two years ago)

(wait, was Prince Paul ever considered a member of De La?)

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 14:58 (twenty-two years ago)

You call that a break up?

Yes Ned, we are all alike, except for ugly Bob who wears a bag on his head.

― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Break ups are allowed.
Archers of Loaf had the same lineup for their roughly nine-year history.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 15:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Aphex Twin

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 15:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Beastie Boys (give or take a DJ)
Run-DMC

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 15:23 (twenty-two years ago)

"Doors did 2 lps after Jimbo "went to africa""

Don't forget their Columbia Demos from '65, which featured Jim, Ray, Ray's brother, and a couple others.

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 15:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Beastie Boys were originally a quartet. Their original drummer went on to become the drummer for Luscious Jackson. So Beastie Boys = no.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 15:56 (twenty-two years ago)

My bad. I forgot about Ms. Schellenbach.

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 16:02 (twenty-two years ago)

aerosmith owns this thread

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 16:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Not so, Gygax. Perry and one other guy left for a few years, late seventies/early eighties.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 16:35 (twenty-two years ago)

but they weren't recording/touring at that time were they?

(i saw the BTM about 3 years ago)

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 16:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I actually think at least one album surfaced with the non-Perry lineup...*checks*...yeah, Rock in a Hard Place, 1982. Thank ya AMG!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 16:38 (twenty-two years ago)

the cure, they are such a greate band and they have been the same pure true music people all along.

― exploding girl 2000, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh wow, how did I forget The Cure! I was just thinking (ever since I got that Trilogy DVD) how cool it is that they've stayed with the same lineup for so long!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Uh, hold up here. The Cure's current lineup has been the same since about 1994, yes, but before that it was NEVER stable. There is only one constant and that is Mr. Smith (but Simon Gallup is a close second).

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:50 (twenty-two years ago)

hi nickieliscious, i am glad you like them too, what is trilogy? i think it is really adimirable of robert smith that he kept the same band the whole time when he could have gone solo like a pop star probably

ned you need to learn more about the great band that is the cure, do your homework, they are so good

― exploding girl 2000, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:52 (twenty-two years ago)

*does some checking* Nice try, you can drop the act now. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:54 (twenty-two years ago)

D'oh! Thanks Ned, I am tard. It should be noted that I'm a VERY late-blooming Cure-fan (like, within the past SIX MONTHS).

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:56 (twenty-two years ago)

*checks exploding girl IP*

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA good one!

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:57 (twenty-two years ago)

exploding girl needs to get neducated

― geeta, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:58 (twenty-two years ago)

No worries, Nick! We all start out unknowing (but very good on you for getting into things, Dan and I approve). Meanwhile, I see JBR has found the joke too. ;-)

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 17:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I'd say that someone that would post a comment like that about the Cure, here, would have to be totally...CRACKERS.

― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:03 (twenty-two years ago)

(Sorry, I was bored and I <3 Ned.)

― nabisco (nabisco), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:04 (twenty-two years ago)

the Meters
MC5

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Tom Breihan's right with ZZ Top. They've been the same trio since 1967 or 1968.

― christoff (christoff), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:20 (twenty-two years ago)

This thread discriminates against multi-member bands!

So, are the Meat Puppets still around? They've finally ditched Cris K. a few years back after he threatened to never leave his junkie hole in Tempe, AZ somewhere... but I have no idea whether they just threw in the towel, or they replaced him with someone else.

If the former, then the Meat Puppets certainly qualify.

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:21 (twenty-two years ago)

hawkw1nd roxx same lineups r gay

― donut bitch (donut), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:22 (twenty-two years ago)

meat puppets are gone, kurt K. is too busy with that "we used to pack amphitheatres" band eyes adrift.

― Felcher (Felcher), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:28 (twenty-two years ago)

how long were the Minutemen together? Probably not 10 years...

Add:
Husker Du
Slade(?)
Goodie Mob

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Aerosmith & the Cure have both had more line-ups than you've had hot dinners.

- The Cars maintained a steady line-up throughout.(Bassist/vocalist Benjamin Orr didn't croak until after the band split).

- Ride had all the same members from beginning `til end....not that it was a particularly long trip, but still.

- The only others I can think of are Abba and the Smiths.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Doors did 2 lps after Jimbo "went to africa"

And are currently touring under the name "The Doors" with Ian Astbury of the Cult on vox.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Make that "The Doors - 21st CENTURY"!

― Sam J. (samjeff), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:46 (twenty-two years ago)

"The Doors - 21st CENTURY"

The band that has more more lawsuits pending against them than actual band members.

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:50 (twenty-two years ago)

The Pixies always retained the same line-up, no? Have they been mentioned?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Merzbow.

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:57 (twenty-two years ago)

how long were the Minutemen together? Probably not 10 years...

george left the band circa the "george-less EP" era! he quickly rejoined.

Husker Du

i believe i mentioned them upthread.

how about The Police?

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 18:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Though they've not even actually released a proper debut album yet, The Deli Creeps have been together more than ten years with the same lineup (Maximum Bob, Buckethead, Pinchface, Tony).

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:00 (twenty-two years ago)

And whadabout Sonic Yoof?

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:01 (twenty-two years ago)

nope

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:02 (twenty-two years ago)

"Sonic Youth also featured keyboardist Ann DeMarinis and drummer Richard Edson. DeMarinis left the band shortly afterward, and the quartet recorded their eponymous debut EP, which was released on Branca's Neutral Records the following year. During 1983, Edson left the band to pursue an acting career and he was replaced by Bob Bert, who drummed on the group's debut album, Confusion Is Sex (1983)."

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:03 (twenty-two years ago)

yeah, Sonic Youth had a pretty bad case of rotating-drummer-syndrome for quite awhile.

and stop trying to steal my thunder gygax! Husker Du was my call!

― Shakey Mo Collier, Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

And SY just added Jim O'Rourke like a year or two ago.

― NA. (Nick A.), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Pixies career = 7 years

― christoff (christoff), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:09 (twenty-two years ago)

If you only count Becker and Fagan as "true" members of Steely Dan, then they would count.

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:10 (twenty-two years ago)

sorry shakey mo, maybe it was my husker du-ism all over the crime thread.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Was about to say the Boo Radleys, but I think they had a different drummer for Ichabod and I.

Surely crap like Shed Seven and the Bluetones have been around for a while with the same line-up?

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:12 (twenty-two years ago)

NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Danny Whitten. Sorry Nick.

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:15 (twenty-two years ago)

D'oh!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Supergrass

― christoff (christoff), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Altough the current Crazy Horse line-up has been going strong for 25+ years, which is nothing to sneeze @.

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:19 (twenty-two years ago)

From, say 1964-1976, The Band (of course this is discounting Levon Helm's wilderness years from 66-68)

― Charles McCain (Charles McCain), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

the AMG claims Crazy Horse released an album with two ringers in 1989, called Left For Dead.

― Andrew Farrell (afarrell), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:27 (twenty-two years ago)

If you only count Becker and Fagan as "true" members of Steely Dan, then they would count.

No, the original lineup (officially) was Becker, Fagen, Jim Hodder, Denny Dias, Skunk Baxter, and David Palmer.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Just checked the details, and Queen has got to be the longest though...'71-'91...or does that tribute gig disqualify them?

― Siegbran (eofor), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:50 (twenty-two years ago)

I think maybe ? and the Mysterians are still the original lineup; I know they were when I saw them in 1999. Same lineup on the "Dallas Reunion Tapes" from the late seventies, too.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 19:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Husker Du had a keyboardist for the first few dates. Depending on the reports that you believe, they either 1: Started booking dates without telling him about it, or 2: Threw him off of the stage during one of the shows. They were only together from 1979-1987, anyway.

The Minutemen were together from 1980-1985, five years too short for the purposes of this thread.

The Residents, according to their official history (be it fact, fiction, or a combination of the two), had five members in 1971 when they named their band, not four. One supposedly quit in 1973-1974. (Rumors persist of lineup changes in the early Eighties and the mid-Nineties.)

― Christine 'Green Leafy Dragon' Indigo (cindigo), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 20:53 (twenty-two years ago)

for people who keep bringing up the minutemen, i give you:
http://www.stukonearth.com/minutemengeorgelessep.jpg
the georgeless EP
1980, reissued in 1993 on forced exposure
featuring frank tonche on drums

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 20:59 (twenty-two years ago)

If you don't count the portions of 80s vs. 90s that were recorded before Soulside broke up, Girls Against Boys must qualify.

― j.lu (j.lu), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Archers of Loaf had the same lineup for their roughly nine-year history.

Their very last tour in 1998 only featured 2nd guitarist Eric Johnson on two dates (those that made up the live Seconds Before the Accident cd). All other shows on that tour featured ex-Man...or Astro-man? guy Starcrunch on 2nd guitar.

― Andrew Frye (paul cox), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Besides, 1993 to 1998 doesn't = 9 years.

― Andrew Frye (paul cox), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:14 (twenty-two years ago)

BEAT HAPPENING, SUCKAZ!

― Francis Watlington (Francis Watlington), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 21:22 (twenty-two years ago)

If you're willing to forgive Ol' Dirty Bastard's jail time hiatus, the Wu Tang Clan have remained the same 9 guys since the beginning.

Of course, Cappadonna makes things a bit more complicated, but I'm pretty sure that he's never been made an official member, even though he stands in for ODB on The W.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 22:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Also: by beginning, I mean their first album.

Maybe I'm really pushing it with this Wu thing.

― Matthew Perpetua (Matthew Perpetua), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 22:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Suicide keep claiming that they never actually break up, instead taking years and years off away from each other for other projects. So, if you believe that: 1970-?; 33 years.

― Christine 'Green Leafy Dragon' Indigo (cindigo), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 22:39 (twenty-two years ago)

the lucksmiths
saint etienne if you don't count guest members

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 22:51 (twenty-two years ago)

smartarse answer: east river pipe

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 22:51 (twenty-two years ago)

which is more impressive, ZZ Top's line-up longevity or the fact that Frank Beard was never inspired to grow one?

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 2 July 2003 23:04 (twenty-two years ago)

The Dead C. They've had guests but its alway been Yeats/Morley/Russell.

― brg30 (brg30), Thursday, 3 July 2003 00:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Not the Smiths--Craig Gannon was the second guitarist for a bit.

The Pixies!

Sun City Girls, I believe (although they've had guests).

How about Elvis Costello & the Attractions? I think there were a couple of months in the early '80s when Steve Nieve had hurt his hand and wasn't playing with them, but it was always understood that he was in the band...

― Douglas (Douglas), Thursday, 3 July 2003 01:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry Andrew, as I understood it, the Archers formed in January of 1991. They released their first single in 1993. The band played its last show in December of 1998, meaning my math is bad. Roughly eight years. As for Johnson only playing two shows on the last tour, he couldn't get the time off work. He wasn't ousted and he didn't exactly quit, but it was the last few weeks of the band and he needed to put in the time at Birdie's Boutique.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Thursday, 3 July 2003 02:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Early Archers history is confusing, anyway. Was Bachmann already playing with Archers of Loaf while still in Small? If so, they would have had to have already been active in 1992 at least (and January 1991 is entirely possible, I guess).

― Andrew Frye (paul cox), Thursday, 3 July 2003 02:15 (twenty-two years ago)

There's Erasure and Pet Shop boys both going strong since the early 80s. But as Neil notated way upthread, duos probably shouldn't count. (Have there been any well-known duos who have survived a lineup change without a corresponding change of name?)

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Thursday, 3 July 2003 02:21 (twenty-two years ago)

replace "going strong" with "going"

― Paul in Santa Cruz (Paul in Santa Cruz), Thursday, 3 July 2003 02:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Didn't Peaches and Herb end up with a completely different Peaches toward the end? Or am I mistaken?

― Christine 'Green Leafy Dragon' Indigo (cindigo), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:10 (twenty-two years ago)

the final lineup of Peaches and Herb:

http://images.villagevoice.com/siren/photos/peaches.jpg http://www.lefoods.com/images/herb.gif

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:14 (twenty-two years ago)

http://www.kikiandherb.com/images/cdcover.jpg

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:20 (twenty-two years ago)

haha Jody I just read that New Yorker article on them! they roxx and R all gay too!
How about Simon and Garfunkel?

― Neudonym, Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:28 (twenty-two years ago)

ESG? They were always around, collecting royalties, and now they're touring, and whatnot, but I'm not sure about the original lineup.
Autechre.
Silver Apples?

― elliott (ebb), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:29 (twenty-two years ago)

nar, they had different drummer (Sybarite guy) for a bit

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:33 (twenty-two years ago)

(silver apples that is)

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:33 (twenty-two years ago)

Blur
The Tragically Hip
Fleetwood Mac (kidding)

― David A. (Davant), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Definitely not Blur anymore with Graham gone.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 3 July 2003 03:53 (twenty-two years ago)

saint etienne if you don't count guest members

no, not really. Insofar as guest vocalists sang prior to Sarah Cracknell joining. Moria Lambert of Faith Over Reason on Only Love Can Break Your Heart. I can't remember who on Kiss and Make Up, but Sarah didn't join until Nothing Can Stop Us.

― MarkH (MarkH), Thursday, 3 July 2003 06:30 (twenty-two years ago)

If you're willing to forgive Ol' Dirty Bastard's jail time hiatus, the Wu Tang Clan have remained the same 9 guys since the beginning.
Of course, Cappadonna makes things a bit more complicated, but I'm pretty sure that he's never been made an official member, even though he stands in for ODB on The W.

Wasn't Cappadonna made an official member after "Forever"? A quote from the AMG: "There were several contributions from guest associate Cappadonna (born Darryl Hill), who'd appeared on Only Built 4 Cuban Linx and Ironman, and would later become the tenth member of the Wu-Tang Clan.".

― Tuomas (Tuomas), Thursday, 3 July 2003 06:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Slade - there was a band called Slade II without Noddy Holder or Jim Lea, I'm afraid I don't understand the rules well enough to know whether that disqualifies them or not (what was the verdict on Wire / Wir?)

Pixies - was Eric Drew Feldman not made an official member of the band?

Police - original guitarist was Henri Padovani (and I'm sure I remember seeing them as a 4-piece some time around '77 / '78....)

― Stewart Osborne (Stewart Osborne), Thursday, 3 July 2003 07:57 (twenty-two years ago)

How could everybody forget Guided by Voices?

― T. Weiss (Timmy), Thursday, 3 July 2003 22:03 (twenty-two years ago)

HAHAHAHAHAHA

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 3 July 2003 22:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Duos that have changed lineup & maintained the same name: first one that comes to mind is Ruins, which has had at least three different bassists.

― Douglas (Douglas), Thursday, 3 July 2003 22:07 (twenty-two years ago)

Unwound almost qualifies... they changed drummers early on, but that first drummer, Brandt Sandeno, ended up rejoining the band as a peripheral live band member during the final days.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 3 July 2003 22:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Thinking Fellers almost qualify, too. They had a different drummer for the first few records... but for a five piece, having that be your only change in lineup is purty impressive.

― donut bitch (donut), Thursday, 3 July 2003 22:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Sundays

― christoff (christoff), Thursday, 10 July 2003 19:27 (twenty-two years ago)

FUGAZI
*Although they now play with an additional

Guy wasn't in the band in the early days, and didn't even play guitar on the first EP.

― Elmo Oxygen (elmo oxygen), Thursday, 10 July 2003 20:28 (twenty-two years ago)

six months pass...

RE: Talking Heads

Wasn't Jerry Harrison not on the first album?

― Huck Everlasting (Horace Mann), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

donut bitch (dot@dot.dot), July 3rd, 2003
Thinking Fellers almost qualify, too. They had a different drummer for the first few records... but for a five piece, having that be your only change in lineup is purty impressive.

well... they added another drummer in 2002.

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:32 (twenty-one years ago)

Harrison was on the first LP, but when the Heads first formed he was not with them. Was Bernie Worrell considered a member on the later albums?

― nickn (nickn), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:39 (twenty-one years ago)

forgive me if somebody else pointed out the SY inaccuracy....

the original line-up on the Noisefest tapes was Thurston, Ann and Kim or Lee, but not both, don't remember. Jim Sclavanus then joined, was replaced by Edson for the first ep, then came back for Confusion is Sex. Bob Bert then joined and played on Bad Moon Rising, not Confusion is Sex. And then there was George Lazenby...

― Dan Selzer (Dan Selzer), Tuesday, 27 January 2004 21:40 (twenty-one years ago)

quote from Mark E.- "if it's me and your 90-year-old granny on bongos, it's the Fall." So there you go :)

― Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:15 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually other Nick, Bernie Worrell only played on Remain in Light and "Making Flippy Floppy" on Speaking In Tongues, if memory serves correct. Although he did tour with them a lot. But I dunno about band memberness.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:23 (twenty-one years ago)

trent reznor is nine inch nails

― andrew s (andrew s), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Lots of duos to thread.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:47 (twenty-one years ago)

(Have there been any well-known duos who have survived a lineup change without a corresponding change of name?)

OMD and Tears For Fears, although the former were more than a duo at the start of their career.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:51 (twenty-one years ago)

falco - der kommisar

― gygax! (gygax!), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:52 (twenty-one years ago)

shellac
maybe the wrens?
run dmc

― andrew s (andrew s), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

Hasn't Kraftwerk maintained the same lineup? I won't be surprised if I'm wrong.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:55 (twenty-one years ago)

Falco was a solo artist, would have been difficult for him to go through a lineup change.

Besides, I don't think his career lasted for as much as 10 years, really.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Karl Bartos is currently not a member of Kraftwerk anymore.

― Geir Hongro (GeirHong), Thursday, 29 January 2004 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Oh right. Didn't know that. Thanks!

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 29 January 2004 20:00 (twenty-one years ago)

So, there is only ZZ Top & Queen. Clazzik rawk rulez ur all gay etc.!

― J (Jay), Thursday, 29 January 2004 21:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Macabre

― Øystein H-O (Øystein H-O), Thursday, 29 January 2004 21:56 (twenty-one years ago)

Radiohead? I Might Be Wrong, though (ha ha).

― latebloomer (latebloomer), Thursday, 29 January 2004 23:09 (twenty-one years ago)

The Cocteau Twins were always the same three folks, right?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 29 January 2004 23:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Nope -- original bassist was Will Heggie, left/was kicked out after the first album to form the band Lowlife, Simon Raymonde joined in time for the Pearly Dewdrops Drop EP IIRC.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 January 2004 02:44 (twenty-one years ago)

Ooh, that's right.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 30 January 2004 02:48 (twenty-one years ago)

Hey what about Bauhaus?

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 30 January 2004 02:57 (twenty-one years ago)

Well, yeah, but I wouldn't call a fifteen-year-break followed by a six-years-plus-one much in the way of career continuity.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 30 January 2004 03:00 (twenty-one years ago)

Hmm point, I keep forgetting they reformed.

― Trayce (trayce), Friday, 30 January 2004 03:01 (twenty-one years ago)

is Rum DMC still together despite Jam Master Jay's death?

― Donna Brown (Donna Brown), Friday, 30 January 2004 06:55 (twenty-one years ago)

two months pass...

Not Beat Happening - I have an interview with them somewhere where one "Diane" is touring in place of Heather.

― mike a, Tuesday, 30 March 2004 17:28 (twenty-one years ago)

At their rnr hall of fame induction, the Dells claimed to have been together 50 years with the same lineup.

― briania, Tuesday, 30 March 2004 18:46 (twenty-one years ago)

Aerosmith

― Joshman, Tuesday, 30 March 2004 20:02 (twenty-one years ago)

one year passes...

Just found this thread with google. I've been pondering the same thing. Apaprently U2, Led Zeppelin and ZZ Top qualify. Queen, however, doesn't, since they played two or three gigs with another bassist before John Deacon joined.

― Vesa Ahola, Thursday, 7 July 2005 09:51 (twenty years ago)

OK, the winners are UB40, who are apparently still totally intact since day one.

― mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, 7 July 2005 12:02 (twenty years ago)

The A-Teens always were the same 4, no?

― Siegbran (eofor), Thursday, 7 July 2005 13:43 (twenty years ago)

Led Zeppelin had Chris Dreja before John Paul Jones, so they're disqualified too...

― Siegbran (eofor), Thursday, 7 July 2005 15:17 (twenty years ago)

one year passes...

RUSH - formed in 1968 - only a minor hiatus

― david singer (dsing), Tuesday, 6 February 2007 20:15 (eighteen years ago)

I didn't think Peart joined til 1974/75. I didn't even think he was on the first record. Am I wrong here??

― Sir Echo (Sir Echo), Tuesday, 6 February 2007 21:41 (eighteen years ago)

Rush had a John Rutsey on drums for the self titled debut, later replaced by Neal Peart. Sorry.

― Bill Magill (Bill Magill), Tuesday, 6 February 2007 21:44 (eighteen years ago)

Not Aerosmith.
see 'Rock In a Hard Place' album and tour lineup:
* Jimmy Crespo - guitar
* Tom Hamilton - bass, guitar
* Joey Kramer - drums, vocals
* Steven Tyler - bass, harmonica, percussion, piano, keyboard, vocals
* Rick Dufay - guitar, rhythm guitar

― Mike Dixn (Mike Dixon), Tuesday, 6 February 2007 22:00 (eighteen years ago)

four years pass...

Sade have had the same 4 core members since 1984, which is especially impressive considering most people are barely aware Sade is actually a band and not a solo act.

― some dude, Saturday, 21 May 2011 14:37 (fourteen years ago)

OK, the winners are UB40, who are apparently still totally intact since day one.

― mark grout (mark grout), Thursday, July 7, 2005 8:02 AM (5 years ago) Bookmark

apparently 2 of the members that co-founded the band in 1978 left in 2008, giving them a nice round 30 years with the same lineup

― some dude, Saturday, 21 May 2011 14:44 (fourteen years ago)

White Stripes

― thats my meme dont were it out (Pillbox), Saturday, 21 May 2011 15:00 (fourteen years ago)

Isn't Ali Campbell out of UB40?

― Beggar On A Beach Of Shite. (PaulTMA), Saturday, 21 May 2011 15:28 (fourteen years ago)

he was one of the 2 members that departed in '08, yes

― some dude, Saturday, 21 May 2011 15:31 (fourteen years ago)

The Strokes

― henry s, Saturday, 21 May 2011 15:36 (fourteen years ago)

ooh, 10 years, half of which they've spent on hiatus

― some dude, Saturday, 21 May 2011 15:39 (fourteen years ago)

Super Furry Animals

― Beggar On A Beach Of Shite. (PaulTMA), Saturday, 21 May 2011 16:09 (fourteen years ago)

Even though they're a comedy group and not a musical group, I think the Firesign Theatre (nearly 45 years, same quartet) should get a mention.

― WmC, Saturday, 21 May 2011 16:12 (fourteen years ago)

Actually, back in their techno/early-EP days, the actor Rhys Ifans was a member of SFA.

― thats my meme dont were it out (Pillbox), Saturday, 21 May 2011 16:29 (fourteen years ago)

Clinic
The Residents (I mean, who really knows)

― henry s, Saturday, 21 May 2011 16:56 (fourteen years ago)

As far as current bands go, ZZ Top is the clear winner here. U2 are second and third is a band that has not even been mentioned so far in this thread, Cowboy Junkies.

― ban this sick stunt (anagram), Saturday, 21 May 2011 17:25 (fourteen years ago)

Ladies and germs, I give you The Radiators:

In a feat of continuity rarely seen in the rock music world, the current (2010) five-man lineup is the same as when the band was formed in 1978.

― henry s, Saturday, 21 May 2011 18:10 (fourteen years ago)

That (for some reason) reminds me that Los Lobos has had the same five members since the early 70s (Wikipedia says 1973).

― Johnny Fever, Saturday, 21 May 2011 18:18 (fourteen years ago)

twelve years pass...

so ZZ Top, Rush, and now with Larry Mullen Jr. not playing U2 have dropped off this list (as has Los Lobos according to Wiki)

no idea who it would be now...maybe Yo La Tengo?

― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 17:50 (two years ago)

Radiohead has only added members, not subtracted, seems to count

Autechre, lol

― Jordan s/t (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 17:52 (two years ago)

yo la tengo started one year prior to yo la tengo (though i didn't know they started that early!)

the other thing is that i'm not entirely sure Radiohead is still a band, i feel like it's a quiet breakup a la Fugazi

are there any classic 60s or 70s bands left? i can't believe there is at this point

― Blues Guitar Solo Heatmap (Free Download) (upper mississippi sh@kedown), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 17:55 (two years ago)

U2 still count imo. Larry isn't part of the residency but he's still their drummer. (Also, there was once a show when Adam's bass technician had to step in because he was too drunk.)

― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 11 October 2023 18:02 (two years ago)

According to Wikipedia, Yo La Tengo have had 14 bass players

― JRN, Wednesday, 11 October 2023 18:03 (two years ago)

The Necks are having a pretty good run 36 years in.

― Jordan s/t (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 18:03 (two years ago)

Yo La Tengo have had 14 bass players

Yes, and they all still show up to every show.

― Halfway there but for you, Wednesday, 11 October 2023 18:05 (two years ago)

Hopefully Portishead will still be a band someday

― Jordan s/t (Jordan), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 18:07 (two years ago)

I think Los Lobos has functionally kept the same core lineup. Coldplay has always had the same lineup, hasn't it? Someone mentioned the Strokes upthread.

― Josh in Chicago, Wednesday, 11 October 2023 18:54 (two years ago)

After U2 it's still Cowboy Junkies, 38 years since they formed with no line-up changes.

― lord of the rongs (anagram), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 18:55 (two years ago)

i would add Madness to this.
yeah, they split for a few years.
but since the reformation, they have been absolutely solid re the line up.
of course chas left for whatever reasons.
whereas the rest have absolutely hit the nostalgia/festival/special events thing hard.
i would suggest that they are totally a career band now.

― mark e, Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:03 (two years ago)

Travis, like some bands mentioned here, had a few people come and go pre-recording career but otherwise they've been the same for 27 years.

― you can see me from westbury white horse, Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:03 (two years ago)

this exchange cracked me up:

but the group didn't make any records without the guy - they didn't change their lineup. it's like saying led zeppelin changed their lineup.

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, July 2, 2003 4:41 AM (twenty years ago) bookmarkflaglink

they did.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, July 2, 2003 4:42 AM (twenty years ago) bookmarkflaglink

what - live aid?

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, July 2, 2003 4:43 AM (twenty years ago) bookmarkflaglink

If you go from being a four-piece to being (officially) a three-piece, you change your lineup.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, July 2, 2003 4:43 AM (twenty years ago) bookmarkflaglink

so there no such thing as a band breaking up?

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, July 2, 2003 4:44 AM (twenty years ago) bookmarkflaglink

or did zeppelin just not break up?

― James Blount (James Blount), Wednesday, July 2, 2003 4:44 AM (twenty years ago) bookmarkflaglink

Of course they broke up. What's your point?

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, July 2, 2003 4:45 AM (twenty years ago) bookmarkflaglink

― Beyond Goo and Evol (President Keyes), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:04 (two years ago)

the other day I was listening to Gordon Lightfoot's Sunday Concert, which was released in 1969 and featured a 3-piece band of Gord, Red Shea, and Rick Haynes. Red Shea continued to play with him until he died in '08. Rick Haynes was with him until Lightfoot himself died. Guess he must've been a good guy to work for!

similar story with Weird Al, not sure if it's true anymore but I remember people saying his backing band remained the same ever since his first record

― frogbs, Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:08 (two years ago)

He seems to have Rick Derringer on his records a lot. Not sure if he's a band member though.

― Beyond Goo and Evol (President Keyes), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:11 (two years ago)

I guess Weird Al has had the same three guys with him since the beginning, but added a 4th guy at some point and has used a ton of session musicians

― Beyond Goo and Evol (President Keyes), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:15 (two years ago)

George Thorogood, of all people, has mostly kept his band together forever:

The Destroyers
George Thorogood – vocals, guitar (1973–present)
Jeff Simon – drums (1973–present)
Billy Blough – bass (1976–present)
Jim Suhler – guitar (1999–present)
Buddy Leach – saxophone, piano (2003–present)

Former members
Michael Levine – bass (1973–1976)
Ron "Roadblock" Smith – rhythm guitar (1974–1980)
Hank "Hurricane" Carter – saxophone (1980–2003)
Steve Chrismar – rhythm guitar (1985–1993)

― read-only (unperson), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:21 (two years ago)

I think Golden Earring had the longest unchanged stretch until one of them died... or something. I'm away to check Wiki.

― The First Time Ever I Saw Gervais (Tom D.), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:31 (two years ago)

... OK, so they had the same lineup from 1970 (they actually formed in 1961) till they were forced to break up in 2021 due to guitarist and original member George Kooymans being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

― The First Time Ever I Saw Gervais (Tom D.), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 19:35 (two years ago)

i would add Madness to this.
yeah, they split for a few years.
but since the reformation, they have been absolutely solid re the line up.
of course chas left for whatever reasons.
whereas the rest have absolutely hit the nostalgia/festival/special events thing hard.
i would suggest that they are totally a career band now.

from inception...

pre-Madness:
Dikran Tulaine replaced by Suggs on vocals
Chas replaced by Barso's girlfriend's brother on bass
Suggs sacked and replaced by then-drummer John Hasler on vocals
Garry Dovey joined to replace Hasler on drums
Kix quit after his playing was criticised by Barso
Suggs rejoined after filling in for Hasler
Kix rejoined
Dovey left and replaced by Woody
Barso's girlfriend's brother replaced by Bedders

as Madness:
Chas joins as BV/dancer after the release of first LP in 1979
Barso quits in 1983, replaced on tour by Paul Carrack, then by Seamus Beaghan (who will continue to guest on stage, TV and record occasionally until 2012) and later on record and tour by Steve Nieve
Woody and Bedders leave and/or band breaks up in 1986

The Madness:
Suggs, Chas, Kix and Chrissy Boy (and Steve Nieve) do one album as The Madness in 1988

since the reformation...

reunion A:
main lineup reforms as seasonal nostalgia act in 1992
Bedders quits in 1995 because he doesn't want to take any more time off his day job, replaced by Norman Watt-Roy 1995-1996
Suggs leaves for solo career
Barso quits or drops out again
Chas recruits a big-time manager who can wrangle the other three for mostly-California US summer gigs to cash in on the ska-punk craze mid-1998, they do another Madstock in that run, Suggs' second album flops late in the year, new manager has a suggestion

reunion B:
they turn back into a proper band in 1999 and release LP
Chrissy Boy takes hiatus sometime around the time of jukebox musical Our House c. 2002
Chrissy Boy quits early in 2005 during recording of covers album, replaced by Kevin Burdette on tour and two 2007 non-LP singles
Chrissy Boy returns for Christmas tour 1996 and re-records one of the singles for 2008 release
Bedders takes hiatus in 2009, replaced by Graham Bush who had subbed on stage in 2005 and on record in 2008, is sole bassist on 2012 LP
Bedders gradually rejoins in 2013 after guesting at Olympics closing in 2012
Chas "takes hiatus" in 2013, is yet to return.

― vashti funyuns (sic), Wednesday, 11 October 2023 23:48 (two years ago)

they've all got such exhausting names

― verhexen, Thursday, 12 October 2023 03:45 (two years ago)

^ ah, a Cathalic

(I meant to hide tag the from inception chunk, apols)

― vashti funyuns (sic), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:25 (two years ago)

Garbage
The Strokes
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Rammstein
Phoenix

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:43 (two years ago)

I think most shoegaze bands?

Slowdive
Ride
My Bloody Valentine

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:45 (two years ago)

Cardigans
Coldplay

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:46 (two years ago)

Animal Collective sort of? They have an inner rule that they can come and go as they please so there's some record missing Panda Bear or Deakin but they come back so it's not a breakup.

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:47 (two years ago)

Records released under the name "Animal Collective" may include contributions from any or all of its members. Evolving from early collaborations between Lennox and Portner,[12] the collective was not officially established until all four members came together for the album Here Comes the Indian (2003). Most prior collaborations between the band members were then retroactively classified under Animal Collective's discography.[13][14] In the case of Dibb, who often takes breaks from recording and performing with the band, his time off does not constitute full leave

I think it's a great way of working as a band. I can't think of another band atm that has this dynamic where any pairing of the original members still counts as an album of the main band if they wish to do so.

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:52 (two years ago)

Sometimes one member of the band is burned out or wants to explore sounds on their own or maybe move to a foreign country or whatever for a long span of time, and it's admirable that the rest of the bandmates are ok with it and not rushing to seek a substitute.

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:58 (two years ago)

I am now curious to know if there's more bands with this sort of dynamic.

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 04:59 (two years ago)

No idea how the financial side of things works out in that dynamic. Would be interested in knowing how such contracts work with the label.

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 05:02 (two years ago)

Do the rest of the members get money for using the main band name? What if two members do a terrible record that shits on their legacy? Do the rest of the bandmates get a say before it gets published?

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 05:03 (two years ago)

My Bloody Valentine

had loads of lineup changes pre 1989, only Kev and Colm are founding members, and if you believe the Wikipedia page they were just Kev and Bilinda for a bit after Loveless

― assert (matttkkkk), Thursday, 12 October 2023 05:07 (two years ago)

I am now curious to know if there's more bands with this sort of dynamic.

I know Autechre records are made from solo tracks, collaborations and everything in between.

― assert (matttkkkk), Thursday, 12 October 2023 05:08 (two years ago)

Sloan since 1991

― Hideous Lump, Thursday, 12 October 2023 08:52 (two years ago)

Triawd y Coleg, the gentle Welsh harmony group led by the great Meredydd Evans, had the same lineup from their formation in 1945 up to their last (I think?) performances in the 80s.

― houdini said, Thursday, 12 October 2023 15:34 (two years ago)

had loads of lineup changes pre 1989, only Kev and Colm are founding members, and if you believe the Wikipedia page they were just Kev and Bilinda for a bit after Loveless
― assert (matttkkkk)

Welp you’re right

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 15:38 (two years ago)

I always forget they had a bunch of eps before Bilinda joined the band.

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 15:40 (two years ago)

Slowdive also doesn’t qualify I guess since they had 4 different drummers at some point.

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 15:42 (two years ago)

The Jam

― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Thursday, 12 October 2023 15:46 (two years ago)

The Jam had quite a few pre-fame members, and only Weller was there from the absolute start.

― houdini said, Thursday, 12 October 2023 15:51 (two years ago)

Huh. I read Paolo's book and I have no recollection of that.

― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Thursday, 12 October 2023 15:53 (two years ago)

The Jam "formed" when Weller was 14 years old and was playing with school friends. Seems more a case where a guy keeps using a band name he likes.

― Beyond Goo and Evol (President Keyes), Thursday, 12 October 2023 16:01 (two years ago)

Yeah, their lineup was certainly stable throughout their recorded career.

― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Thursday, 12 October 2023 16:02 (two years ago)

“Form” The Jam

― vashti funyuns (sic), Thursday, 12 October 2023 16:19 (two years ago)

The Fall was pretty consistent as I recall, Mark E. Smith and yer grannie on bongoes...

― henry s, Thursday, 12 October 2023 16:33 (two years ago)

― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 12 October 2023 05:52 (eleven hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

Not quite the same thing but I find it interesting how the Killers have sort of operated like this recently. Their bassist sat out the last album, while the guitarist sat out the one before that.

― you can see me from westbury white horse, Thursday, 12 October 2023 16:43 (two years ago)

Are there many bands who have gradually cycled round over the decades to having their original lineup again, despite big changes in the interim? I can only think of Killing Joke

― you can see me from westbury white horse, Thursday, 12 October 2023 16:47 (two years ago)

Simon and Garfunkel pretty much always consisted of simon and Garfunkel.

Ditto Peter, Paul, and Mary

Seals & Crofts

Loggins & Messina

Etc.

― The Royal House of Hangover (Ye Mad Puffin), Thursday, 12 October 2023 18:02 (two years ago)

true, but there was a Seals & Seals for awhile

― Beyond Goo and Evol (President Keyes), Thursday, 12 October 2023 18:04 (two years ago)

Peaches & Herb has had seven (7) different "Peaches"

― Chavez video on MTV, July 1995 (morrisp), Thursday, 12 October 2023 18:05 (two years ago)

Next you will tell me that Tennille had multiple Captains

― The Royal House of Hangover (Ye Mad Puffin), Thursday, 12 October 2023 18:18 (two years ago)

How many Ikes had Tina?

― The Royal House of Hangover (Ye Mad Puffin), Thursday, 12 October 2023 18:19 (two years ago)

Herb had multiple Peaches. (Or was it vice versa?)

― deep wubs and tribral rhythms (Boring, Maryland), Thursday, 12 October 2023 18:40 (two years ago)

xxp Nope, just one Captain.

― Chavez video on MTV, July 1995 (morrisp), Thursday, 12 October 2023 18:46 (two years ago)

The Everly Brothers

― immodesty blaise (jimbeaux), Thursday, 12 October 2023 22:35 (two years ago)

i mean nobody could replace daryl dragon

― Kate (rushomancy), Thursday, 12 October 2023 23:27 (two years ago)

other than an actual dragon

― real warm grandpa (Neanderthal), Friday, 13 October 2023 03:21 (two years ago)

Dragon & Oates

― vashti funyuns (sic), Friday, 13 October 2023 03:34 (two years ago)

But could an actual dragon stretch his own arm to outrageous lengths?

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 13 October 2023 11:50 (two years ago)

(no)

― Halfway there but for you, Friday, 13 October 2023 11:50 (two years ago)

Imagine Dragons backing Tennille. I can’t even!

― henry s, Friday, 13 October 2023 13:03 (two years ago)

The Horrors; eighteen years without a change iirc.

― piscesx, Friday, 13 October 2023 13:53 (two years ago)

Muse are coming up for 30 years as the same three.

Sub Sub / Doves have had the same lineup since 1991 even having changed name and genre partway through.

― Iain Mew (if), Friday, 13 October 2023 18:42 (two years ago)

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