A band lineup change can be a significant event for fans, and it can be challenging to accept when a member leaves or is fired. It can cause a divide in the fan base, and many fans may struggle to connect with the band’s new sound or lineup. However, there are times when the reasons behind a band member’s departure are more tragic than the lineup change itself. In some cases, the musician may have struggled with personal issues or faced health concerns that forced them to leave the band. In other cases, they may have been fired due to substance abuse, declining musical abilities, or other issues that made it difficult for them to function within the band.
We look back at the Tragic Reasons These Musicians Were Fired From Their Band:
Brian Jones
Brian Jones was a founding member of the Rolling Stones and an integral part of the band’s early success. Jones’s musical versatility and innovative use of instruments such as the sitar helped shape the band’s sound. However, Jones’s drug use and personal problems made it increasingly difficult for him to function within the band, and he was ultimately dismissed in 1969.
After leaving the Rolling Stones, Jones struggled to maintain a career in music. He formed a new band, The Pipes of Pan, but the project was short-lived. Jones continued to struggle with addiction and legal troubles, including several arrests for drug possession. In July 1969, Jones was found dead in his swimming pool at his home in Sussex. His death was officially ruled as accidental drowning, but many fans and conspiracy theorists have speculated that he was murdered or that his drug use played a more significant role in his passing than the official ruling suggests.
Jon Anderson
Jon Anderson’s departure from Yes in 2008 was a result of health concerns. Anderson had been with the band since its inception in 1968 and was known for his distinctive vocal style and songwriting contributions. Anderson’s departure was a significant loss for the band and its fans, but he continued to make music and tour on his own.
He released numerous solo albums and collaborated with other musicians, including Jean-Luc Ponty and Roine Stolt. Anderson’s continued success as a solo artist and his ongoing collaborations with other musicians have solidified his legacy as one of the most influential voices in progressive rock.
Jason Everman
Jason Everman is an American musician and former member of two prominent grunge bands: Nirvana and Soundgarden. Everman’s time with Nirvana was brief but significant. He contributed as a guitarist on the band’s debut album, “Bleach,” and was credited for his backing vocals on their cover of “Love Buzz.” However, he was eventually dismissed from the band before the release of their breakthrough album, “Nevermind.” Everman’s contributions to Nirvana’s early sound have been acknowledged by the band’s surviving members.
Following his departure from Nirvana, Everman briefly played guitar for Soundgarden during the recording of their second album, “Louder Than Love.” However, he was dismissed from the band before the album’s release, and his contributions were not credited to the album.
Everman struggled with drug addiction and personal issues, which led to his inability to function within the bands. In the early ’90s, he found a sense of purpose in the military and joined the U.S. Army. He served in both the Army and the Special Forces, where he completed several tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
After his time in the military, Everman went back to school and earned a degree in philosophy. He has since remained largely out of the public eye and has not pursued a career in music.
Tony McCarroll
Tony McCarroll was the original drummer for Oasis and played on their debut album, “Definitely Maybe,” which became a critical and commercial success. However, tensions within the band and McCarroll’s inability to keep up with the other members’ musical abilities led to his dismissal from the band in 1995.
Following his departure from Oasis, McCarroll released a book titled “Oasis: The Truth,” which was critical of his former bandmates and accused them of unfairly portraying him in their memoirs. He has also been vocal about his disappointment in not being invited to participate in the band’s reunion shows in 2019.
Despite his contentious departure from Oasis, McCarroll has remained active in the music industry. He has released several solo albums, including “Rhythm and Stealth” and “Time Flies.” He has also collaborated with other artists, including the Verve’s Nick McCabe and Death in Vegas.
Danny Kirwan
Danny Kirwan was a British musician and guitarist who played with Fleetwood Mac during their transitional period from a British blues band to a more pop-rock sound. Kirwan’s contributions to the band were significant, and he played on several successful albums, including “Then Play On,” “Kiln House,” and “Future Games.” He was known for his intricate guitar work and unique style, which helped shape Fleetwood Mac’s sound.
However, Kirwan struggled with alcoholism, which affected his ability to perform and ultimately led to his dismissal from the band in 1972. He continued to make music as a solo artist and released a handful of albums, including “Second Chapter” and “Midnight in San Juan.” However, he never achieved the same level of success as he did with Fleetwood Mac.
In 1993, Kirwan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Fleetwood Mac, but he was not present at the ceremony. He remained largely out of the public eye in his later years and passed away in 2018 at the age of 68. Despite his struggles with alcoholism and his troubled personal life, Kirwan’s contributions to Fleetwood Mac’s sound have been widely recognized and celebrated.
Syd Barrett
Syd Barrett was born in Cambridge, England in 1946 and grew up in a creative and musically-inclined family. He formed Pink Floyd in 1965 with Roger Waters, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright, and the band quickly gained a following for their experimental and psychedelic sound. Barrett was known for his unique songwriting style, which often featured whimsical and surreal lyrics that explored themes of madness, childhood, and nostalgia.
However, Barrett’s mental health began to deteriorate as he became more involved in the London music scene, and he began experimenting with LSD and other drugs. He became increasingly unreliable and unpredictable, often showing up to concerts too intoxicated to play or refusing to perform altogether. This behavior put a strain on the band’s relationships, and in 1968, they made the difficult decision to replace Barrett with David Gilmour.
After leaving Pink Floyd, Barrett released two solo albums, “The Madcap Laughs” and “Barrett,” which were both critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful. He then retreated from the public eye and lived a reclusive life, rarely granting interviews or making public appearances. Despite his reclusive nature, Barrett’s influence on the music world has been widely recognized, and he is often credited with pioneering the psychedelic rock genre.
Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix was born in Seattle, Washington in 1942 and began playing the guitar at the age of 15. He played with several different bands in his early career, including the Isley Brothers and Little Richard, before forming his own band, the Jimi Hendrix Experience, in 1966. The band’s debut album, “Are You Experienced,” was a critical and commercial success and solidified Hendrix’s reputation as one of the most innovative and talented guitarists of all time.
Hendrix was known for his unique playing style, which involved using feedback, distortion, and other effects to create a sound that was entirely his own. He pushed the boundaries of rock music and experimented with different genres, including funk and jazz. Despite his success, Hendrix was plagued by personal and financial problems throughout his career, and he struggled with addiction and mental health issues.
Hendrix died in 1970 at the age of 27 from a drug overdose. Despite his short career, he left a lasting impact on the music world, and his influence can be heard in the work of countless musicians who have followed in his footsteps.
Glen Matlock
Glen Matlock was born in London, England in 1956 and began playing the bass guitar at the age of 11. He joined the Sex Pistols in 1975 as the band’s bassist, and his contributions to the band’s sound and songwriting abilities were integral to the success of their debut album, “Never Mind the Bollocks, Here’s the Sex Pistols.”
However, Matlock’s tenure with the band was short-lived, and he was fired in 1977 due to creative differences with the other members. Despite this setback, Matlock continued to make music and played with several other bands, including the Rich Kids and Iggy Pop. He also released several solo albums and collaborated with other musicians, including the Stray Cats and the Philistines Jr.
In addition to his musical career, Matlock has also pursued other creative endeavors, including writing and acting. He has published several books, including an autobiography, and has appeared in films and TV shows. Matlock’s contributions to the punk rock genre and his continued involvement in the music industry have earned him a place in the pantheon of influential musicians.
Dennis DeYoung
Dennis DeYoung was one of the founding members and lead vocalist of the popular American rock band Styx. He was known for his distinctive high-pitched voice and his contributions to some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Come Sail Away,” “Babe,” and “Mr. Roboto.” However, in 1999, tensions between DeYoung and the other members of Styx came to a head, and he was fired from the band.
Reports indicate that the conflict between DeYoung and the rest of the band was rooted in creative differences and DeYoung’s desire to pursue a more theatrical approach to their music. He wanted to incorporate more elaborate stage productions and theatrical elements into the band’s live performances, which ultimately clashed with the other members’ vision for the band. DeYoung also struggled with health issues, including chronic fatigue syndrome, which made it difficult for him to tour.
Despite his dismissal from Styx, DeYoung has continued to make music and tour on his own. He has released several solo albums, including 2007’s “One Hundred Years from Now” and 2019’s “26 East, Vol. 1.” He has also collaborated with other artists, including Jim Peterik of the band Survivor. DeYoung remains a beloved figure in the world of classic rock, and his contributions to the music of Styx have earned him a place in rock history.
Richard Wright
Richard Wright was one of the founding members of Pink Floyd and a key contributor to the band’s distinctive sound. He was known for his keyboard skills and his ability to create atmospheric, otherworldly sounds that helped define Pink Floyd’s sound. However, in 1979, tensions between Wright and the other members of the band came to a head, and he was dismissed from Pink Floyd.
The reasons for Wright’s dismissal from the band are somewhat unclear, but reports indicate that there were conflicts between him and the band’s bassist, Roger Waters. Waters was becoming increasingly dominant in the band’s creative process, and this reportedly led to tensions between him and Wright. Additionally, Wright was struggling with personal issues, including depression and addiction, which may have contributed to the conflict.
Despite his dismissal from Pink Floyd, Wright continued to make music and tour on his own. He released several solo albums, including 1996’s “Broken China,” which explored themes of mental illness and addiction. He also collaborated with other musicians, including former Pink Floyd bandmates David Gilmour and Nick Mason. Wright passed away in 2008, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most innovative and influential keyboardists in rock history.
Dickey Betts
Dickey Betts was one of the guitarists for the Allman Brothers Band, one of the most iconic American rock bands of the 1970s. He was known for his bluesy, improvisational style and his contributions to some of the band’s biggest hits, including “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica.” However, in 2000, Betts was fired from the Allman Brothers Band due to a combination of personal and professional issues.
Reports indicate that Betts was struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol, which was affecting his ability to perform and causing conflicts with other band members. Additionally, he reportedly had creative differences with the other members of the band, particularly Gregg Allman, which contributed to his dismissal.
Despite his dismissal from the Allman Brothers Band, Betts has continued to make music and tour with his own band. He has released several solo albums, including 2018’s “Ramblin’ Man: The Dickey Betts Band Live at the St. George Theatre.” He has also collaborated with other musicians, including members of the Grateful Dead and the Marshall Tucker Band. Betts remains a highly respected figure in the world of Southern rock and has been recognized for his contributions to the genre. In 2004, he was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and in 2012 he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Georgia Trustees. Betts has also been recognized by his peers, having been ranked as one of the greatest guitarists of all time by Rolling Stone magazine.
Despite his successes, Betts has also faced personal struggles throughout his life. In addition to his battles with addiction, he has also dealt with legal issues and family conflicts. However, he has remained committed to his music and continues to tour regularly, performing songs from throughout his career, including many Allman Brothers Band classics. Fans of Betts and Southern rock in general continue to hold him in high esteem, and he remains an influential figure in the genre.
Scott Weiland
Scott Weiland’s dismissal from Stone Temple Pilots marked the end of a tumultuous relationship between him and the band. Weiland’s struggles with drug addiction had been well-documented throughout his career, and his behavior had become increasingly erratic in the years leading up to his firing.
Following his departure from Stone Temple Pilots, Weiland went on to form a new band called Scott Weiland and the Wildabouts, with whom he released the album “Blaster” in 2015. However, just a few months later, Weiland was found dead on his tour bus from an accidental overdose of a mix of drugs, including cocaine, alcohol, and methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA).
Weiland’s death was a tragic loss for the music industry, as he was widely regarded as one of the most talented and charismatic frontmen of the 1990s alternative rock scene. His distinctive voice and songwriting had helped to define the sound of Stone Temple Pilots, and his influence can still be heard in the music of countless artists today.
In addition to his work with Stone Temple Pilots and the Wildabouts, Weiland had also been a member of the supergroup Velvet Revolver, which also featured former members of Guns N’ Roses. The band released two albums, “Contraband” and “Libertad,” before disbanding in 2008. Despite his struggles with addiction and personal demons, Scott Weiland’s impact on music cannot be denied.