4 Classic Rock Bands With No Living Original Members

We’re getting to that point where many of the classic rock bands of the 20th century are starting to lose their original members. The wheel of time turns on, whether we like it or not. The following four classic rock bands no longer have living original members today that could result in a true OG reunion, but their music remains as some of the most legendary works of the last hundred years. Let’s take a look and honor these late greats of classic rock, shall we?

Videos by American Songwriter

1. Motörhead

We couldn’t leave heavy metal legends Motörhead off this list. Launched in 1975 and lasting well into the 2010s, Motörhead saw quite a revolving door of members through the decades. However, the original lineup included just three core members: Ian “Lemmy” Kilmister, Larry Wallis, and Phil “Philthy Animal” Taylor. Kilmister and Taylor passed in 2015. Lucas Wallis passed in 2019.

It’s worth noting that Lucas Fox, who is still alive today, was briefly part of the original lineup and is one of the band’s founding members. However, he was only part of the band for about six months before being replaced by Taylor, so we’ll include Motörhead on this list regardless.

2. The Band

Few bands are as legendary as The Band. This outfit is best known for its roots rock and Americana stylings, as well as how much they influenced legendary artists like George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Elton John, and others.

Like many of the entries on this list, The Band had quite a few different lineup changes through the years. However, a few noteworthy performers were part of the band as early as 1965. That original lineup includes Rick Danko, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel, and Robbie Robertson. Manuel died tragically young in 1986, Danko passed in 1999, Robertson passed in 2023, and Hudson passed recently in January 2025.

3. Emerson, Lake & Powell

This one is heartbreaking. Emerson, Lake & Powell, a prog-rock outfit often seen as a spinoff of Emerson, Lake & Palmer as well as Whitesnake, had one lineup for its entire short lifespan: Keith Emerson, Greg Lake, and Cozy Powell. The trio only released one (gorgeous) self-titled album together before disbanding in 1986.

Powell passed away in 1998. Tragically, Emerson and Lake died within months of each other later in 2016.

4. Sweet

Remember Sweet? Or maybe you remember them as “The” Sweet from the early 1970s? This entry on our list of rock bands with no living original members was packed with top-notch glam rock powerhouses during their heyday of the 70s. The band is still around today, but sadly, the original (or “classic”) lineup of Brian Connolly, Steve Priest, and Mick Tucker has long been gone. Connolly passed in 1997, Tucker passed in 2002, and Priest passed in 2020.

It’s worth noting that Andy Scott, a core member of the band from 1970 to 1982, is still alive. He is often considered part of the classic lineup. However, Scott joined several years after the band got together in 1968 and released “Slow Motion” and “The Lollipop Man”, so he’s technically not an original member.

Photo by Chris Foster/Shutterstock 

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.