What's In a Name? (When Frontmen Are Replaced)

​Everyone has their different favorites when it comes to hair metal bands, or whatever you prefer to call them. For me personally, there are very few bands that switch out frontmen and I enjoy their new music as much as the original band. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one.So, what is in a name? When you hear Warrant, Skid Row, Ratt, Motley Crue, Great White, there is probably a certain song that comes to mind, a lyrical phrase or a flashback image of your old Metal Edge magazine posters; you may not remember all the details but you know who is supposed to be the guy front and center!


In some instances, there’s no choice. If the band wishes to continue they need to replace their frontman such as the case with Warrant and the death of Jani Lane.  Others fight over the name and end up creating two different bands with parts of the original and even sometimes using the same band name. For example, Ratt vs. Ratt featuring Stephen Pearcy and a few others over the years. Keeping track of all the moves some of these musicians make can be downright confusing. ​

Jani Lane- Warrant

Robert Mason - Warrant

Motley Crue Original Lineup

Motley Crue with John Corabi

In some instances, there’s no choice. If the band wishes to continue they need to replace their frontman such as the case with Warrant and the death of Jani Lane.  Others fight over the name and end up creating two different bands with parts of the original and even sometimes using the same band name. For example, Ratt vs. Ratt featuring Stephen Pearcy and a few others over the years. Keeping track of all the moves some of these musicians make can be downright confusing. ​

In some instances the replacement frontman has his own following of fans and is able to introduce his fans to the band he joins. For example, Great White just made a frontman change getting rid of Terry Ilous and replacing him with Mitch Malloy. In this instance it is a move that will regain them a fan. I haven’t listened to Great White since way back when Jack Russell was still a part of the band. Now, I will listen because I am a Mitch Malloy fan. Is it "Great White" that I remember from my high school days? No, in my mind it is now Great White with Mitch Malloy. 

Personally I tend to get attached to original members and the sound, attitude and stories that surround them. One fine example for me is Motley Crue. To me, no matter what Crue is Vince, Nikki, Tommy and Mick. That’s all and that’s it. When Vince left Motley Crue and was replaced with John Corabi it broke my heart. This is nothing against John Corabi, I absolutely love his voice and other projects but the fact that it was supposed to be Motley Crue and Vince wasn’t the frontman just didn’t work for me. I couldn’t MAKE myself like it.  If they had changed the name and had Corabi up front I would have thought “Oh a fresh start for them, that’s cool! I really like this guy’s voice, it’s not Motley Crue but I can dig it. Hmmm, I wonder what Vince is doing these days?”

Great White with Mitch Malloy

The situation with Warrant is different because of the death of frontman Jani Lane. However in my mind the “new” Warrant is “the guys who used to be Warrant”. Simply because I equate the band name with Jani. I get that the name is established and has a fan base but to hear someone else singing Jani’s songs, or new songs under the name Warrant just doesn’t interest me. 

The same goes for Skid Row. there is positively no other frontman like Sebastian Bach. The other members of the band are amazing as well, and I loved when all of them were together. But to me Skid Row without Sebastian on the mic is just plain wrong. Then again Sebastian solo is also just wrong to me. I’m not the only one who feels this way as has been evidenced by all the fans begging for Skid Row to reunite.  Again, while the new frontman, (and there have been a few), isn’t a bad singer he’s just not Sebastian and that lineup shouldn’t be called Skid Row. ​

Skid Row with Sebastian Bach

Skid Row with ZP Theart

Many of the nu-gen bands have had to deal with lineup changes just when they are getting noticed. This makes it difficult for fans to form an attachment to a specific lineup which in turn makes it difficult for the bands to achieve the success they deserve. Crashdiet and Santa Cruz are just a few that come to mind.  


So, what’s in a name? For some fans the name is everything because that name is associated with the lineup and the artists that we have spent money on, have read about and followed on social media. Most of the time I have no interest in a bands that have split and created two separate groups or replace members left and right while keeping the same name. ​

​~Suz

Crashdiet with Gabriel Keys

Crashdiet with Simon Cruz