Five Bands That Changed Guitarists And Are Still Awesome

With Seether recently losing their guitarist, it made me wonder about particular rock bands that have lost guitarists and replaced them. These bands with new guitarists remain awesome.  Check out my top five.

5. Def Leppard

Def Leppard was huge in the ‘80s starting the twin-guitar playing of Pete Willis and Steve Clark. Willis gave way to Phil Collen for 1983’s Pyromania. He and Clark earned the nickname, the “Terror Twins.” Following Clark’s tragic death in 1991, Collen considered leaving the band. With the release of Adrenalize, Whitesnake’s Vivian Campbell joined the lineup, and with Collen the group’s two-guitar attack was restored.

4.  Ozzy Osbourne

Ozzy started with Black Sabbath and then in 1980 left to begin his own solo career with two albums Blizzard of Oz and Diary of A Madmen.  Starting with guitarist Randy Rhoads, Blizzard of Oz became one of the best selling albums in the 80's.  Randy Rhoads was named the 85th best guitarist of all time.  After the tragic death of Randy in 1982, Ozzy selected Bernie Torme from Night Ranger to finish the tour.  Brad Gillis played with Ozzy for a short while , followed by Jake E Lee from Ratt then ultimately finding Zakk Wylde in 1987 who was the most confident replacement of Randy.  To this day, The Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde combination continues and remains to be quite successful.

3. Red Hot Chili Peppers

Four guitarists in particular have made strong musical statements within the Chili Peppers. The group started with six-stringer Hillel Slovak. Following Slovak’s tragic drug overdose in 1988, John Frusciante entered for four-years. Frusciante’s left  in 1992, followed by former Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro for one album.  Frusciante rejoined for 1999’s Californication. Eight years later he again departed, giving way to current Peppers guitarist Josh Klinghoffer.

2. The Rolling Stones

Some say that Rolling Stones founding guitarist Brian Jones was considered to be the band’s best musician in the ’60s. Following Jones’ death in 1969, the Mick Taylor stepped in until 1975. A year later, Ron Wood joined to play alongside Keith Richards -- that remains to this day.

1. Metallica

Founding Metallica guitarist Dave Mustaine was kicked out of the band  just prior to the recording of their debut album in 1983. Kirk Hammett came in that very same afternoon, and has remained with the group ever since. Dave Mustaine had something to prove and  formed Megadeth. He has earned the reputation as one of speed metal’s greatest guitarists.