When it comes to legacy bands, especially those who have been very successful, U2 basically the only band still going with their original lineup.
Among those still performing with only a handful of original members are The Rolling Stones, The Who, Eagles, ZZ Top, Queen, Styx, Cheap Trick and Journey. Obviously since they're still able to fill venues, a good number of their fans obviously don't have a problem with some original members missing.
But, like some R&B bands from the '50s and '60s who continue to tour with no original members -- The Platters, Drifters, Coasters, Four Tops and Spinners -- there are at least two rock bands who made their mark in the '70s that are doing relatively high-profile tours without any original members. They are Foreigner and Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Rolling Stone has just published an article, "Zombie Bands Attack! These Touring Groups Don’t Have a Single Original Member," which asks the question, "What happens when the last legit band member shuffles off?"
Starting with Foreigner, the article points out that their credibility is "pretty minimal... They do a very nice job playing the classics, and they’re in the middle of a successful summer tour right now, but this is a glorified cover band."
The most successful lineup will most likely come together for one final performance when they're inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on October 19th in Cleveland, but Rolling Stone predicts: "Fake Foreigner, however, will likely tour forever -- even though they claim they are on their own farewell tour at the moment."
And as for Skynyrd's credibility, Rolling Stone points out that "the current incarnation has a much greater claim to legitimacy than many of the other groups on this list. A big reason is the tireless work of Johnny Van Zant over the past four decades. He sings his heart out every night in a voice eerily reminiscent of his late brother. There’s also guitarist Rickey Medlocke, who played drums very briefly in the group before they found success in the early '70s and returned to the fold as a guitarist in 1996. One could even argue that Skynyrd shouldn’t be on this list because Medlocke is still a member. But he left before the band recorded the first album. He seems to fall one tiny degree short of counting as an actual OG, but good people can disagree on this."
As for any kind of reunion, the only member still alive from their heyday is drummer Artimus Pyle. "His return would give the group a bit more credibility, but it’s pretty unlikely. Relations between the two camps are pretty strained."
Other legacy rock bands still touring without any original members are Blood, Sweat & Tears, Iron Butterfly, Molly Hatchet, Blackfoot, Canned Heat and The Ventures.
So, the question is: Who is the star of the show? The songs, or in this case, the band performing them?
What member of original band still needs to be there for you to make you feel they are legit? The singer, guitarist?
Your favorite sports team continues to evolve, so why not a band?