How many of the classic group have to leave before it’s not the ‘real’ group any more?
Take Ian Anderson. He is absolutely the face of Jethro Tull, and he has been touring with random musicians for years as Jethro Tull. Let’s ignore the fact that his voice is gone. Is this unfair. How Jethro Tull is it really?
Renaissance had a classic line up of Jon, Terry, John, Annie and Michael. Annie Haslam still tours as Renaissance, with others. I was wondering, is that fair?
This is not saying against the skill of any musicians, or their longevity. Take Gordon Marshall, for instance. If you are asking who, Gordon was drummer in The Moody Blues for something like 25 years, actually second drummer to Graeme Edge as Edge got older, Gordon taking more of the heavy duty. Gordon is a good chap, a multi-instrumentalist with tireless energy. He runs a Moodies tribute band. If you saw him, would you think it was The Moodies?
There are some performers who are very clear about what they are. Nick Mason of Pink Floyd has a band that concentrates on early Floyd music. It has some great musicians, including Guy Pratt who has played for Gilmour and Floyd and tribute bands.
Steve Hackett was in Genesis for many years, in a five piece and a four piece. Steve tours playing all or mostly old Genesis music, but he never passes himself off as Genesis. i am sure he believes the music is still worth performing and there is an audience for it.
And then you have King Crimson. The churn on KC has been high, but the band is still in existence, I think. The one constant element is Robert Fripp. Is Robert Fripp King Crimson? Is is possible to think of KC and not have Fripp. Other members/ex-members have formed bands playing old KC music, but never called themselves King Crimson. Would Fripp even allow it?
There’s an old joke: a young boy goes to see his aged grandmother. She is sweeping the step with an old broom. The boy asks about the broom. “I have had this for 60 years,” says Granny, “and apart from five new handles and six new heads it has lasted me all these years”.