3 Legendary Bands That Began With Different Lead Singers

Lead singers often define the bands they front. They become the voice, the face, and the person the press focuses on and the fans obsess over. Yet many great bands began with different singers, and if they had remained in their bands, rock history might have looked very different. Below, you’ll find three bands that became legends only after they changed singers.

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Pink Floyd

Syd Barrett was the primary singer on Pink Floyd’s debut album, The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn. Roger Waters and Richard Wright sang too, but Barrett was the band’s driving creative force. However, Pink Floyd reached its zenith after Barrett’s exit, with Waters and David Gilmour sharing vocal duties.

Gilmour was brought in as Barrett’s mental health worsened. Due to Barrett’s drug use and unpredictable behavior, Pink Floyd parted ways with its co-founder in 1968. The Dark Side Of The Moon arrived in 1973 and addressed Barrett’s mental health struggles. Though he was no longer the voice of Pink Floyd, his influence remained, and The Dark Side Of The Moon became one of the best-selling albums in history.

Faith No More

Mike Patton is one of the most iconic vocalists of his generation. He effortlessly transforms his voice from R&B crooner, metal screamer, and rapper to the monster growls that gave him a second career in film and video game work. Before Patton’s time, Faith No More released two albums with singer Chuck Mosley. (Courtney Love briefly fronted the band before Mosley.)

Patton arrived on Faith No More’s third album, The Real Thing. It marked a complete reinvention, as his avant-garde and classical influences reshaped the group. “Epic” was a breakthrough hit, and Patton’s debut with Faith No More helped usher in the ubiquitousness of rap metal. On the follow-up, Angel Dust, the band traded funk metal for dark theatrics as Patton’s groundbreaking approach further reshaped the sound of heavy music. Yet, referring to Patton as only a rock singer ignores the diverse projects he’s created outside of Faith No More. He’s a truly singular artist.

No Doubt

It’s impossible now to separate No Doubt from Gwen Stefani. But early in the group’s existence, Gwen sang backing vocals in her brother Eric’s band. Lead singer John Spence committed suicide in 1987, and the tragedy could have ended the band. Instead, No Doubt reemerged with trumpeter Alan Meade taking over on vocals. Meade soon left, and Gwen (finally) stepped up to the front of the stage.

Gwen Stefani turned out to be a cultural icon who influenced future female songwriters like Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo. Her confessional lyrics, fashion, and distinct vocal delivery propelled Tragic Kingdom to the top of the charts with a string of hits including “Just A Girl”, “Spiderwebs”, and “Don’t Speak”. But it didn’t end with No Doubt, Stefani’s best track might be her solo banger “What You Waiting For?” and its title begs a question one might have asked during her days as No Doubt’s backup singer.

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