15 Rock Stars Who Were Kicked Out of Their Own Bands
via Sandra Kinney / YouTube
Rock bands can be notorious for their drama and tension between members, leading to the departure of bandmates. Many famous rock bands have had to say goodbye to key members of their lineups due to creative differences, drugs and alcohol problems, or simply bad behavior. These 15 musicians all faced difficult circumstances during their time in iconic rock bands, and ultimately had to leave due to various issues.
Here is a more in-depth look at 15 musicians that were kicked out of iconic rock bands:
Ozzy Osbourne
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Ozzy was famously kicked out of Black Sabbath in 1979 due to his wild behavior, which included drug and alcohol abuse. His erratic behavior caused tension amongst the band members, and they eventually replaced him with Ronnie James Dio. Despite his dismissal, Ozzy went on to have a successful solo career.
Dave Mustaine
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Dave was one of the original members of Metallica, contributing as the lead guitarist and primary songwriter. However, he was kicked out of the band in 1983 due to his excessive drug and alcohol use, as well as his aggressive behavior. Dave channeled his frustration into forming Megadeth, which later became a successful thrash metal band.
Glen Matlock
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Glen was the bassist and founding member of The Sex Pistols, one of the most influential punk rock bands. He was fired from the band in 1977 due to his preference for melodic pop influences, particularly The Beatles, which clashed with the band’s punk sound. Glen’s departure opened the door for Sid Vicious to join the band.
Brian Jones
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One of the founding members of The Rolling Stones, Brian Jones was kicked out of the band in 1969 due to his drug problems and unpredictable behavior. Jones struggled with substance abuse and could no longer keep up with the demands of the band. Tragically, he passed away just a month after his dismissal.
Dave Evans
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Dave was the original singer of AC/DC when the band was forming. However, he was dismissed from the band due to creative differences and his inability to match the energy and charisma of Bon Scott, who later became the iconic lead vocalist of AC/DC.
Matt Sorum
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Matt Sorum served as the drummer for Guns N’ Roses during their successful “Use Your Illusion” era. However, he was fired from the band in 1997 following a disagreement with lead singer Axl Rose over the direction of the band. Despite his departure, Matt continued his career with bands like Velvet Revolver and The Cult.
Steven Adler
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Steven Adler, the original drummer of Guns N’ Roses, was kicked out of the band in 1990 due to his severe drug addiction. Despite being an integral part of the band’s early success, his substance abuse issues affected his ability to perform and caused tension within the group.
Pete Best
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Pete Best was the original drummer for The Beatles during their early years in Liverpool and Hamburg. However, he was controversially replaced by Ringo Starr just before the band’s rise to fame. There are various theories as to why he was dismissed, including his drumming abilities and his strained relationship with the other band members.
Dave Navarro
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Dave Navarro joined the Red Hot Chili Peppers as their guitarist in the early 1990s. However, he was fired from the band in 1998 due to his ongoing drug addiction and erratic behavior. His substance abuse issues became too detrimental for the band’s stability.
Steve Perry
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Steve Perry was the iconic lead singer of Journey from 1977 to 1998. However, he left the band due to health issues, particularly a degenerative hip condition that required surgery. The band decided to move forward with a new lead vocalist, leaving Steve to focus on his solo career.
Pete Willis
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Pete Willis was a founding member and guitarist of Def Leppard. However, he was removed from the band in 1982 due to his excessive alcohol addiction. His playing abilities were affected, and the band decided to replace him with guitarist Phil Collen.
Michael Anthony
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Michael Anthony was the bassist for Van Halen from 1974 to 2006. Despite being a key member of the band, he was eventually replaced by Eddie Van Halen’s son, Wolfgang, due to creative and personal differences between Michael and Eddie.
Nick Oliveri
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Nick Oliveri was the bassist for Queens of the Stone Age, contributing to their distinctive sound. However, he was fired from the band in 2004 after a physical altercation with his girlfriend. His erratic behavior on and offstage became a concern for the band’s stability.
Syd Barrett
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Syd Barrett was a founding member and guitarist of Pink Floyd, known for his unique songwriting and psychedelic sound. However, his excessive drug use and erratic behavior led to his dismissal from the band in 1968. Barrett’s mental health struggles became increasingly apparent, and the band could no longer continue with his unpredictable presence.
Scott Weiland
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Scott Weiland was the lead vocalist and founding member of Stone Temple Pilots, one of the prominent bands of the ’90s alternative rock scene. However, he was fired from the band in 2013 due to his ongoing struggles with drug addiction and his inability to meet professional commitments. Tragically, Scott passed away the following year.
