While many notable bands go through several lineup changes throughout their careers, this list of artists who left right before their bands became famous only lists members who quit or were fired from a band shortly before the band achieved mainstream commercial success.
Artists who were only meant to be temporary stand-ins in their bands should not be included in this list. The bands the listed artists left must be notable, can be from any genre of music, and include vocal groups whose members do not play instruments. Because these artists left before their former bands' mainstream breakthrough, they should not be considered part of their former bands' "classic" lineups.
Notable examples
Of these "nearly-men", drummer Pete Best, who was fired from the Beatles in 1962, p. 1. p. 2. p. 3. p. 4. p. 5. p. 6. p. 7. p. 8. just a year before "Beatlemania" started, has been cited as the best-known archetype. Best has since become "famous for not being famous".
Jason Everman left two bands that went on to become famous: he was fired from Nirvana in 1989 and Soundgarden in 1990. According to The New York Times, Everman "wasn't just Pete Best ... He was Pete Best twice."
Some of these artists eventually went on to find mainstream success in another band or as a soloist. For example, Metallica's original lead guitarist, Dave Mustaine, formed his own thrash metal band Megadeth in 1983 after he was fired from his former band. While Metallica went on to achieve massive commercial success, Mustaine's Megadeth also enjoyed commercial success, selling 50 million records worldwide.
Alphabetic list
Artists are listed alphabetically by their surname, followed by the band they left, their former role in the band, the year they left, and the year their former band achieved mainstream success. Additional comments on the way the artist left (fired or quit) and their replacement, if any, may be added at the end. All entries are referenced with reliable sources.
+ArtistBandthe artist leftRoleYearthe artist leftYearof band's commercial breakthrough NotesRefBoyz II MenVocalist19881991QuitPink FloydGuitarist, vocalist19681973Fired and replaced by David GilmourMis-Teeq (then known as Face2Face)Vocalist19982001Left to join S Club 7 who also gained success, scoring 11 top 10 singles.Guns N' RosesBassist19851988Either quit or was fired. Replaced by Duff McKagan.Drummer19621963Fired and replaced by Ringo StarrSlipknotGuitarist19981999Replaced by Jim Root. Recorded for some tracks of Slipknot but left the band before the album's release.Vocalist19631964Fired and replaced by David RuffinKittieBassist19992000Played on debut album Spit and appeared on the cover of its original release, but quit Kittie two months before its release. She was replaced by Talena Atfield, who appears on the cover of all reissues of the album since 2000.StepsVocalist19971997Quit and replaced by Claire Richards and Faye TozerNirvanaDrummer19901991Fired and replaced by Dave GrohlDrummer19621963Quit and replaced by Charlie WattsDuran DuranBassist19791981Quit and replaced by John Taylor, who was already a member of the band, switching from guitar to bass guitar.SlipknotVocalist, percussionist19971999Replaced as vocalist by Corey Taylor and switched to percussion, then left the band and was replaced by Greg Welts.WeezerGuitarist19931994Fired and replaced by Brian BellDuran DuranGuitarist19801981Quit and replaced by Andy TaylorStyxGuitarist19751975Left and replaced by Tommy ShawDestiny's Child (then known as Girl's Tyme)Vocalist19931997Fired and replaced by LeToya LuckettCoast to CoastGuitarist19791980QuitDuran DuranVocalist/bassist/drummer19791981Quit and replaced by Andy WickettNirvanaGuitarist19891991FiredSoundgardenBassist19901992Fired and replaced by Ben ShepherdSupertrampBassist19701972Left and replaced by Dougie ThompsonNSYNCVocalist19951997Quit and replaced by Lance Bass Bassist19871989Quit and replaced by ManiWestlifeVocalist19981999Fired and replaced by Nicky Byrne and Brian McFaddenPanteraVocalist19861990Quit and replaced by Phil AnselmoDave Matthews BandKeyboardist19931994QuitQueenBassist19701974Quit, replaced by Barry Mitchell, then Doug Bogie, then John DeaconGuns N' RosesGuitarist19851988Quit and replaced by SlashThe SmithsBassist19821983Fired and replaced by Andy RourkeBlack Eyed PeasVocalist20002003Quit and later replaced by FergieGin BlossomsGuitarist19921993Fired and replaced by Scott JohnsonTLCVocalist19911992Fired and replaced by Rozonda ThomasRushVocalist, bassist19681974Left and replaced by Geddy LeeWestlifeVocalist19981999Fired and replaced by Nicky Byrne and Brian McFaddenGreen DayDrummer19901994Replaced while at college by Tré CoolGirls' GenerationVocalist20072007QuitSpice Girls (then known as Touch)Vocalist19941996Quit and replaced by Emma Bunton Pink FloydGuitarist19651967QuitWestlifeVocalist19981999Fired and replaced by Nicky Byrne and Brian McFaddenDrummer19871994Quit and replaced by Ron Welty98 DegreesVocalist19961998Quit and replaced by Drew LacheySantanaDrummer19681969Quit and replaced by Michael ShrieveDixie ChicksGuitarist19921995QuitVocalist19621964Quit: p. 1. p. 2. p. 3. p. 4. p. 5. p. 6.Boston (band)Drummer19751976Quit and replaced by Sib HashianMetallicaBassist19821986Quit and replaced by Cliff BurtonMis-TeeqVocalist20012001QuitCoast to CoastVocalist19801980Quit and replaced by Sandy FontaineSpice Girls (then known as Touch)Vocalist19941996Quit and replaced by Melanie CMetallicaGuitarist19831986Fired and replaced by Kirk HammettBoyz II MenVocalist19891991QuitStepsVocalist19971997Quit and replaced by Lee Latchford-EvansGuitarist19771979Fired and replaced by Andy SummersGirls' GenerationVocalist20072007Quit함은정, "티아라 소연 "소녀시대 탈퇴 후 가장 힘들었다"(인터뷰). Starnews. April 13, 2010. Retrieved June 21, 2011. My Chemical RomanceDrummer20042004Fired and replaced by Bob BryarGenesisGuitarist19701972Quit and replaced by Steve HackettAnother LevelVocalist19971998Left and became a solo UK garage singer known as JJ, appearing on two top 10 hits by DJ Luck & MC Neat in 2000.Vocalist19901993Quit and replaced by Dolores O'RiordanAll Saints(then known as All Saints 1.9.7.5.)Vocalist19951997Quit. Nicole and Natalie Appleton later joined the group in 1996.https://netvol.co.uk/simone-rainford-all-saints-original-lead-singer/Atomic KittenVocalist19991999Quit and replaced by Natasha Hamilton. Range would later find success with Sugababes.Earp, Catherine (22 February 2013). "Ten Things About... Atomic Kitten". Digital Spy. Retrieved 17 April 2017.Blink-182Drummer19981999Fired and replaced by Travis BarkerBoyzoneVocalist19941994Fired and replaced by Mikey GrahamBOYZONE HISTORYRushDrummer19741974Left and replaced by Neil PeartElliott, Paul (3 February 2016). "The History Of Rush by Geddy Lee & Alex Lifeson: The Early Years". Louder. Retrieved 20 July 2021.Twenty One PilotsDrummer20112015Quit and replaced by Josh DunDrummer19641965Fired and replaced by Keith MoonBeastie BoysDrummer19841986Boyz II MenVocalist19881991QuitNo DoubtKeyboardist19941995QuitSpice GirlsVocalist19941996Quit and replaced by Abigail Kis, prior to Emma Bunton StepsVocalist19971997Quit and replaced by Claire Richards and Faye TozerKeyboardist19631963Fired, but retained as studio and touring memberSoundgardenDrummer19851992Quit to spend time with his family and replaced by Matt CameronBassist, vocalist19611963Quit to pursue a career as a painterDestiny's Child (then known as Girl's Tyme)Vocalist19931997 Fired and replaced by LeToya LuckettDestiny's Child (then known as Girl's Tyme)Vocalist19931997Fired and replaced by LeToya LuckettDuran DuranVocalist19801981Quit and replaced by Simon Le BonTwenty One PilotsBassist20112015QuitNew Kids on the BlockVocalist19851988Quit and replaced by Joey McIntyreBoyz II MenVocalist19881991QuitBoyzoneVocalist19941994QuitSlipknotPercussionist19981999Replaced by Chris FehnDuran DuranVocalist19801981Quit and replaced by Jeff Thomas, prior to Simon Le BonMiss AVocalist20102010Left and joined Wonder Girls insteadJYP ENTERTAINMENT OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT SoundgardenBassist19891992Quit and replaced by Jason EvermanThe BanglesBassist19831986Quit and replaced by Michael Steele; Zilinskas later rejoined the band in 2018.
References