Wanted: A Lead Singer

Is it really that hard to find a lead singer for a band? Will a band go to any length to find just the right person?

Apparently so.

First, there was reality TV and the program Rock Star. At first, I was opposed to the idea of the show. The first season of Rock Star took place to find a new singer for INXS. As a big fan of the band, it bothered me that they would, I don't know, stoop to such a commercial level to find a replacement for Michael Hutchence. In my opinion, Michael Hutchence was a great frontman and shouldn't be replaced. But of course, money talks and music is a business, and the band wanted to carry on. So after weeks of work, eliminations and drama, J.D. Fortune was chosen as the new singer for INXS. But, apparently, that was only temporary. I've read that they are making a greatest hits album with different singers on each track.

Remember a while back, I mentioned that I never watched an episode of American Idol? Well, that being said, I cop to being addicted to Rock Star: Supernova back in 2006. This struck me as different from the original series because it was a new band coming together to search for a lead singer, not trying to replace someone. And hey, how could I not have watched a show featuring Dave Navarro as host, and the band looking for a singer consisting of Tommy Lee, Jason Newsted and Gilby Clarke? Again, after weeks of eliminations, the guys chose Lukas Rossi (definitely not the right person but hey, what do I know?). They released one album, toured with former contestants from the show, and then phhttt! Nothing else. Lukas Rossi has done some small club dates but not much else.

Judas Priest had the nerve to replace one of the greatest metal vocalists of all times, Rob Halford, with Ripper Owens. They found him from a Judas Priest cover band. Okay, so they got a movie out of it, but again, a mistake. Rob returned to the fold and they toured this past summer performing the entire British Steel.

Fuel tried to hire Chris Daughtry after seeing him perform one of their songs on American Idol. He was smart and said no, and he's become popular with his own band. Styx replaced Dennis DeYoung with Gowan. Queen toured with Paul Rodgers singing for them. I would like to smack the person who thought up that pairing, because to even try and replace Freddie Mercury is a sacrilege. Journey found their new lead singer from YouTube. YouTube! Will the madness ever end?

The only band I can find that had equal if not better success with a new lead singer is Van Halen. Now, we'll have the Dave vs. Sammy debate another day, but if anything, this list should be a warning to all bands - take care of your singers!