10 Rock Bands That Continued After Losing Their Lead Singer

Losing a lead singer can be a huge setback for a band, and many break up or change their name. Still, some bands decide to keep going with a new lead singer, even though it’s tough. Here, we look at 10 famous bands that carried on after losing their lead singer, including Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and Grammy winners who kept their legacy alive—or even took it to new heights.

AC/DC (Bon Scott)
By 1979, AC/DC had conquered the music scene in their native Australia and the UK, and their 1979 album Highway to Hell had finally brought them American success. Bon Scott, the charismatic and wild frontman, was at the center of it all. Tragically, Scott passed away on February 19, 1980, after a night of heavy drinking, leaving the band in shock and unsure of their future. Rather than disband, AC/DC chose to continue and brought in Brian Johnson as their new singer. Their next album, Back in Black, became a tribute to Scott and one of the best-selling albums ever. Johnson has fronted the band for over 40 years, except for a brief stint when Axl Rose took over in 2016.

Queen (Freddie Mercury)
Many fans believe Queen isn’t truly Queen without Freddie Mercury, and it’s an understandable sentiment. Mercury was one of rock’s greatest frontmen, known for his extraordinary vocal range and magnetic stage presence. After his death from AIDS in 1991, Queen held a tribute concert in his honor, and bassist John Deacon retired soon after. Guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor continued playing as Queen + with various guest singers. In 2005, they found a more permanent frontman in Paul Rodgers, and later, in 2011, they teamed up with American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert. Queen + Adam Lambert has continued to tour globally, bringing Queen’s legendary music to new generations.

Stone Temple Pilots (Scott Weiland)
Scott Weiland was the frontman who propelled Stone Temple Pilots to fame in the 1990s, with hits like Core, Purple, and Tiny Music… Songs from the Vatican Gift Shop. Despite his talent, Weiland’s struggles with substance abuse led to erratic behavior, causing tension within the band. He was dismissed in 2003 but returned from 2008 until 2013 when drug problems resurfaced. Weiland passed away in 2015, but Stone Temple Pilots chose to keep going. In 2017, they hired Jeff Gutt as their new singer, and the band continues to perform and record today.

The Doors (Jim Morrison)
Jim Morrison’s wild and unpredictable persona made him an iconic frontman for The Doors, helping them define an era with songs like “Light My Fire” and “Riders on the Storm.” However, his destructive behavior led to his tragic death in 1971. The remaining members—Robby Krieger, Ray Manzarek, and John Densmore—tried to keep the band alive, releasing two albums without Morrison. The effort, however, fell short, and The Doors disbanded in 1973. They reunited occasionally, most notably with the release of An American Prayer in 1978. Krieger and Manzarek later formed The Doors of the 21st Century with Ian Astbury of The Cult but eventually changed their name due to legal disputes.

Lynyrd Skynyrd (Ronnie Van Zant)
Ronnie Van Zant’s voice and lyrics were central to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s success in the 1970s, with hits like “Free Bird” and “Sweet Home Alabama.” Tragically, a plane crash in 1977 took the lives of Van Zant, guitarist Steve Gaines, and others, effectively ending the band for a decade. In 1987, Lynyrd Skynyrd reunited for what was supposed to be a short tour, but it turned into a long-term revival. Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie’s brother, has been the band’s vocalist since the reunion, and the band continues to perform despite the loss of the last original member, Gary Rossington, in 2023.

Alice in Chains (Layne Staley)
Alice in Chains was a staple of the ’90s grunge scene, largely due to Layne Staley’s distinct voice that combined power with vulnerability. However, Staley struggled with addiction, leading the band to take a hiatus in 1996. His reclusive lifestyle continued until his death from an overdose in 2002. The band remained dormant for years but reunited in 2005 for a benefit show. This rekindled their spirit, and they eventually brought in William DuVall as their new singer. With DuVall, Alice in Chains has released three albums and continues to tour.

INXS (Michael Hutchence)
INXS, led by charismatic frontman Michael Hutchence, enjoyed massive success in the 1980s with hits like “Need You Tonight” and “Never Tear Us Apart.” Hutchence’s death in 1997, ruled a suicide, was a massive blow to the band. After a brief hiatus, INXS continued with several different singers, including Jon Stevens and J.D. Fortune, who were selected through a reality TV show. Though INXS eventually retired from performing in 2012, their music and legacy endure until today.

Thin Lizzy (Phil Lynott)
Thin Lizzy’s Phil Lynott was a charismatic singer and bassist who helped craft classics like “The Boys Are Back in Town.” After he died in 1986 due to complications from drug and alcohol abuse, the band initially disbanded. However, a decade later, they reformed as a tribute to Lynott. The lineup has changed several times since then, but guitarist Scott Gorham has remained a constant, and Ricky Warwick has been the lead vocalist since 2010.

Sublime (Bradley Nowell)
Sublime was gaining traction in the ’90s with their unique blend of ska, punk, and rock when frontman Bradley Nowell died of an overdose in 1996. Despite his death, the band’s self-titled album released posthumously became a massive success. In 2009, the surviving members reunited with Rome Ramirez as their new singer. Although they faced legal battles over the band’s name, they continued as Sublime With Rome until 2024, when Bradley’s son, Jakob, took over as lead singer, reviving the original Sublime name.

Blind Melon (Shannon Hoon)
Blind Melon’s rise to fame was largely thanks to Shannon Hoon’s distinctive voice and stage presence, especially following their hit “No Rain.” Hoon’s struggles with addiction led to his tragic death from an overdose in 1995. The band attempted to continue but ultimately disbanded in 1999. They reunited in 2006 with new singer Travis Warren and have continued to release new music and tour intermittently since then.