Many legendary bands owe their success to a lineup that changed over time, often after key members left early in their careers. This list highlights ten talented drummers who departed before their bands hit the big time, offering a fascinating glimpse into musical history and what might have been. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, a drummer, or just curious about the stories behind your favorite bands, these stories reveal the crucial roles these musicians played in shaping iconic sounds—and how their early exits might have altered history.
1. Pete Best and The Beatles
Pete Best was the original drummer for The Beatles, playing with the band from 1960 to 1962. Despite his solid rhythm, Best was replaced by Ringo Starr just before the band achieved international fame, largely due to managerial decisions and internal band dynamics. Had Best stayed, the band’s sound and chemistry might have been different, and his departure remains one of the most talked-about lineup changes in rock history.
2. Peter Criss and Kiss
Peter Criss was the original drummer of Kiss, helping define their early sound with his distinctive style. He left the band in 1980, just before Kiss’s commercial resurgence in the 1980s. Criss’s departure meant a shift in the band’s dynamic, and although he rejoined later, his initial exit prevented him from riding the wave of the band’s peak fame during their most commercially successful years.
3. Mick Avory and The Kinks
Mick Avory was the drummer for The Kinks from 1964 until 1984, but he left the band temporarily in 1984 due to personal conflicts. Interestingly, he was replaced by other drummers during the band’s decline, but his early influence helped shape their distinctive British Invasion sound. His departure before the band’s 1980s commercial revival kept him from being part of their later success stories.
4. Dave Clark and The Dave Clark Five
Dave Clark was the drummer and bandleader of The Dave Clark Five, a key player in the British Invasion. He retired from performing in 1970, just as the band was losing momentum, and chose to focus on managing and producing. His early exit from performing meant missing out on the band’s continued success, although his influence remained in the production side of their hits.
5. Cozy Powell and Rainbow
Cozy Powell was a renowned drummer who briefly played with Rainbow in 1980, just before their commercial peak with “Straight Between the Eyes.” He left the band in 1981, and although Rainbow continued to find success, Powell’s departure meant missing out on their most commercially successful era. His dynamic drumming remains influential among metal and rock drummers.
6. Tony Thompson and Chic
Tony Thompson was the original drummer for Chic, the band behind disco classics like “Le Freak.” He left the group in 1979, prior to their peak with hits in the early 1980s. His early departure meant he missed out on the massive crossover success that cemented Chic’s legacy as funk and disco legends.
7. John Bonham and Led Zeppelin
John Bonham is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers in rock history. However, he passed away in 1980, just as Led Zeppelin was preparing for their reunion tour. His death ended the band’s career abruptly, and while he was with them during their peak, had he left earlier or survived longer, the band’s trajectory might have changed dramatically.
8. Jim Gordon and Derek and the Dominos
Jim Gordon was a talented session drummer who played on Derek and the Dominos’ classic album “Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs.” He left the band before they achieved widespread fame, and his departure meant missing out on their peak success. Tragically, Gordon’s later life was marred by personal struggles, but his early drumming remains influential.
9. Jaki Liebezeit and Can
Jaki Liebezeit was the drummer for the German experimental band Can, pivotal in shaping their innovative sound. He left the band in 2012, after decades of pioneering music. Although he departed long after their rise to influence, his early work helped lay the groundwork for genres like krautrock and post-punk, making his early contributions essential to their legacy.
10. Buddy Rich and Various Big Bands
Buddy Rich was one of the most influential jazz drummers, but early in his career, he left several bands before they reached their peak, including the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. His early departures allowed him to develop his own style that would influence generations, though missing out on the band’s later successes. His legacy is built on both his early work and his groundbreaking solo career.
How to Choose
When considering these drummers, focus on the impact they had during their tenure, the potential they brought to their bands, and how their departure might have altered the band’s trajectory. Look at the style and influence of their drumming, the circumstances of their exit, and whether they rejoined later. Personal stories, recordings, and the band’s evolution can all inform your understanding of each drummer’s significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Did any of these drummers leave because of internal conflicts? Yes, several, including Mick Avory and Pete Best, left due to disagreements within the band or management issues.
- Could their bands have been more successful if these drummers had stayed? It’s impossible to know for sure, but their unique styles often contributed significantly to the band’s early sound.
- Did any of these drummers rejoin their bands later? Yes, Pete Best rejoined The Beatles for a brief reunion in 1990, and Peter Criss rejoined Kiss later on, but not during their initial rise.
- Are there other notable drummers who left before fame? Absolutely, many session and touring drummers played pivotal roles early on but departed before the bands’ major success.
- How do drummers influence a band’s success? Drummers set the rhythm and energy, often defining the band’s sound and feel, making their early contributions crucial to the band’s identity.
Final Thoughts
The stories of these drummers highlight how a single lineup change can alter the course of musical history. While some departed early due to personal or professional reasons, their contributions laid foundational elements for bands that would go on to achieve legendary status. Understanding their roles offers a richer appreciation of the bands’ evolution and the unpredictable nature of musical success. Whether they left voluntarily or were pushed out, these musicians’ early efforts continue to resonate through history, reminding us that sometimes, the path to fame is paved with what might have been.
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