When does a band cease to be a band

[Ripper]

My students at the college were buzzing the other day about G'N'R coming through and how they needed to go see them. I mentioned that it really wasn't G'N'R as there was only Axel (and the voices in his head) left. So when does a band cease to be "the band" they were?

[elindso]

Case in point.

They are not GnR

Floyd ain't without Waters,

The Band is not without Roberstson (the Prick)

The Who with just Roger and Petie the Peddo are not The Who.

The Stones without Brian, Mick T. or Andrew are still the Stones.

[GuitarsCanada]

Probably a case by case thing. There are always the stand-outs. A few good examples above. What about a band like Led Zep? Almost had to have them all. I did see the Page and Plant tour several years ago and dug it. But at least they did not bill themselves as Led Zep.

[james on bass]

I think if the band has lost a key member or members, they really cease to be anything other than a marketing name.

IMO, the Who was an ensemble cast - they managed to get by without Moon, but now with half the cast gone, they are no longer the Who.

For G'n'R to be G'n'R still, I really think it needs to be Axl & Slash at a minimum.

Would Rush be Rush with any of the 3 replaced? No.

[Coustfan'01]

I think it's case by case too . Slash was obviously a big part of gnr , but if a band like gwar changed one band member every year until the whole band was changed , it would still be gwar .