5 Great Bands That Had Terrible Reunion Tours

Reuniting can be risky for legendary bands. While fans hope to relive the magic, sometimes the results fall short. Here are five classic rock bands whose reunion tours didn’t meet expectations.

1. Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin’s 1985 Live Aid performance was highly anticipated but fell short. With Phil Collins and Tony Thompson on drums, the band struggled to recapture their original energy. The performance was marred by technical issues and a lack of rehearsal, leading to a disjointed set. Collins later admitted he almost walked off stage due to the chaos. ​

In 1986, the remaining members attempted another reunion near Peter Gabriel’s home in Bath. Despite spending a week together, they only managed two productive days. The sessions didn’t lead to any significant progress, highlighting the challenges of rekindling their past success. ​

2. Kiss

Kiss’s late ’90s reunion started strong but quickly unraveled. During the “Psycho Circus” tour, guitarist Ace Frehley missed rehearsals, citing Lyme disease, and even failed to show up for a California concert. The band had to dress tour manager Tommy Thayer in Frehley’s costume to perform. ​

Internal tensions resurfaced, with Paul Stanley stating, “The farewell tour was us wanting to put Kiss out of its misery.” The lack of cohesion and professionalism led to a disappointing experience for fans expecting the band’s former glory. ​

3. The Doors

In 2002, The Doors attempted a reunion with Ian Astbury filling in for the late Jim Morrison. While Astbury’s performance was commendable, many fans felt that without Morrison, it wasn’t truly The Doors. Critics argued that the essence of the band couldn’t be replicated. ​

Drummer John Densmore declined to participate due to tinnitus, further distancing the reunion from the original lineup. The absence of key members and the irreplaceable presence of Morrison led to a lukewarm reception. ​

4. The Police

The Police’s 2007 reunion tour was commercially successful but fraught with issues. Sting later expressed regret, saying he wouldn’t have participated if he’d known how he’d feel afterward. The band struggled with new arrangements of classic songs, leading to a lackluster performance. ​

Critics noted the band’s lack of emotion and connection on stage. The setlist’s pacing and the band’s detachment left audiences underwhelmed, proving that nostalgia alone couldn’t carry the tour. ​

5. Van Halen

Van Halen’s 2004 reunion with Sammy Hagar was plagued by internal conflicts. Hagar later revealed that Eddie Van Halen’s behavior during the tour was erratic, leading him to consider quitting mid-tour. The performances suffered as a result. ​

A planned reunion after Eddie’s death was canceled when David Lee Roth refused to pay tribute to him, causing a major fallout with Alex Van Halen. This disagreement, coupled with Alex’s back injury, led to the tour’s cancellation, disappointing fans once again. ​