Who's got the most original members?

**arturs** · 03-08-2015

So it looks like Aerosmith is the winner so far. All five original members after 40 years (even if there were some gaps where it wasn't all five...). Very impressive!

I started this thread thinking that more bands should have more originals, but the more I think about it, it is damn hard with marriages, children (now grandchildren) not to mention egos, illnesses and death.

ZZ Top gets 2nd place, and Rush gets the honorable mention I think...

**GuitarGeek** · 03-08-2015

Originally Posted by arturs

I never understood Love's thinking on this. I understand it is cheaper but didn't having Brian quadruple the size of the venues they could play? Weird...

Dunno if they played larger venues or not with Brian and Al back in the band. I know that both before and after that one tour, they've played at Cain Park around the corner from my house. I'm kidna thinking about going to see them this summer.

**Digital_Man** · 03-08-2015

Originally Posted by klothos

U2 - ALL original members

Two bands with long histories from their SECOND albums

RUSH - 2, with one current member from the second album
MOODY BLUES - 1, but 2 members since their second album (1967!)

Actually if you want to be really nitpicky Alex is the only original member. Geddy was a replacement for Jeff Jones.

**klothos** · 03-08-2015

Originally Posted by Digital_Man

Actually if you want to be really nitpicky Alex is the only original member. Geddy was a replacement for Jeff Jones.

I try to consider an original lineup the lineup that first lays down recorded music, even if its a demo, because actual recordings can be counted as a form of posterity. The reason I do this is that any early recordings of a group would count towards having a complete anthology, including demos.

Yes, Jeff Jones played bass before Geddy, but I don't think any recordings exist with him (as far as I know) so, therefore, I omit that as an actual original lineup and count the pre-recorded version of a band as "formation stages"
Of course, your mileage may vary

**Vic2012** · 03-08-2015

Mötley, all 4 original members.

**mozo-pg** · 03-08-2015

Original members should really be when the band gels. For Crimson, first album and one member. For Genesis, Nursery Cryme, so three members. I'm also interested in when bands that only have a few originals produce gems. Hittin' The Note (Allman Brothers), for example, is on par with their early music.

**Shadow** · 03-08-2015

How many are left in Hawkwind.

**TheH** · 03-08-2015

Originally Posted by Shadow

How many are left in Hawkwind.

One

**JJ88** · 03-08-2015

Status Quo still have two. In fact they also reformed their original line-up (minus keyboard player Roy Lynes who wasn't in the band that long) for a few tours fairly recently.

Am I right in saying the Welsh band Man no longer have any original members at all? Martin Ace and Phil Ryan seem to be in the current band and were certainly members in the 70s, but neither were on their 60s albums.

**Shadow** · 03-08-2015

Did anyone mention The Monkees

**Joe F.** · 03-09-2015

Originally Posted by arturs

So it looks like Aerosmith is the winner so far. All five original members after 40 years (even if there were some gaps where it wasn't all five...). Very impressive!

ZZ Top gets 2nd place, and Rush gets the honorable mention I think...

ZZ Top's first album 1971
Aerosmith's first album 1973

**Rarebird** · 03-09-2015

First Golden Earring album with the current line-up and with the current name 1971. Before that the group carried the name Golden Earrings.
And all four members stayed.

**PeterG** · 03-09-2015

Black Sabbath - 3 out of 4.

**100423** · 03-09-2015

Originally Posted by Joe F.

ZZ Top's first album 1971
Aerosmith's first album 1973

Yeah, but I would imagine it's harder to keep 5 members in place, than just 3.

**trurl** · 03-09-2015

Well, Chicago has four guys which is pretty good- the horns and Robert Lamm. Even though they have lost a lot of guys they were such a big band to begin with

**Trane** · 03-09-2015

Originally Posted by Rarebird

First Golden Earring album with the current line-up and with the current name 1971. Before that the group carried the name Golden Earrings.
And all four members stayed.

didn't their drummer Cesar took a long break during the 80's & 90's?

**Joe F.** · 03-09-2015

Originally Posted by 100423

Yeah, but I would imagine it's harder to keep 5 members in place, than just 3.

Sure.

I don't seem to recall there being a stipulation on the number of people in a band. Only who has had all original members for the longest.

**Zeuhlmate** · 03-09-2015

Kraan - 3 of the original 4.

They proclaimed last year that they disbanded - but they didn't.

**100423** · 03-09-2015

Originally Posted by Joe F.

Sure.

I don't seem to recall there being a stipulation on the number of people in a band. Only who has had all original members for the longest.

That does it... Let's rumble.

**trurl** · 03-09-2015

By definition then all solo acts have the most original members. Like, James Taylor. He's still in it.

**bob_32_116** · 03-09-2015

B B King still has all his original members.

**Nijinsky Hind** · 03-09-2015

Wonder why the Stones assed out Bill Wyman? Last I read somewhere he sells metal detectors for treasure hunting... Coins and stuff.

**SteveSly** · 03-09-2015

Originally Posted by GuitarGeek

But I guess in recent years, Brian Downey's returned to the group, and of course, they're now not calling themselves Thin Lizzy anymore.

The band is now Black Star Riders and Downey is no longer with them. BSR are excellent by the way. Saw them last summer and they were great. Their debut album kicked ass as well.