This is just a brief topic about some stories that I have read over the years. These are stories about people who auditioned for bands and didn't get the job but went on to make a name with another band.
One that I had always heard was that in the early 80's Kevin Dubrow was trying out bass players for Quiet Riot. One of the guys that Dubrow turned down went on to form his own band. The bass player was Nikki Sixx. Dubrow would later say that Nikki had a lot of energy, but not quite enough experience. Can you imagine if Nikki Sixx had gotten the job and not formed Motley Crue?
When Deep Purple were getting started they were originally going by Roundabout. They were looking for a singer and before landing Rod Evans, they tried out a number of guys who didn't work. One of the people they turned down was a fellow named Rod Stewart. Purple's original bass player Nick Simper described Stewart as "pretty awful" during his audition. Can you imagine Deep Purple with Rod Stewart?
When Poison moved from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to LA their guitarist was Matt Smith. Smith left not too long after the move. The band auditioned guitarists and selected CC Deville. One of the guitarists they turned down was Saul Hudson, you may know him better as Slash. Can you imagine Slash in Poison?
Do you know of any other stories like these?
These are all fascinating! I hadn't heard any of them before. If I know any stories they would'nt be of metal just regular rock n roll. I can't think of any right now but if I do I'll come back.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any more tidbits of trivia like this?? Good stuff.
Before forming Primal Fear, Ralf Scheepers was a candidate replacement of Rob Halford in JP. Rumour has it that he came second to Ripper Owens in the selection process.
ReplyDeletebar bar a- Welcome. I probably know more metal trivia than I should. It comes from years of wasting my time reading metal magazines.
ReplyDeletePhantasmak-I hadn't heard that one before.
Poison would've sounded better with Slash, because DeVille is not that talented, IMO.
ReplyDeleteDP w/ Rod Stewart probably would have rocked. Rod does have a great rock voice ... witness "Stay With Me." He might have done quite well indeed.
ReplyDeleteThe best one I've heard is the story of Neal Schon. As a teenage wunderkind, he supposedly sought by both Santana and Hendrix. He chose Santana, although then to eventually insult his own talent in 80s Journey and Bad English. But that's almost irrelevant--HE HAD JIMI HENDRIX AND CARLOS SANTANA COURTING HIM!!
I heard the same thing Phantasmak did. No other good metal ones off the top of my head. The only other one that comes to mind--and Perplexio's too, I'm sure, if he comes by here--is Chicago. After Peter Cetera left, the band approached the lead singer of Mr. Mister (great voice, by the way, for a pop guy). He said no, and went on into obscurity.
Let's all remember: If Brad Gillis played with Ozzy, anything's possible!
-- david
Slash could have possibly given Poison some of the respectability that they never received.
ReplyDeleteTony Iommi filled in at some shows with Jethro Tull during the early days of Sabbath and was offered a permanent job but turned it down to stay in Sabbath. Brian May was offered the chance to be a second guitarist in Sabbath because he was good friends with Iommi, but he turned it down.
ReplyDeleteDavid- good call on the guy from Mr. Mister. A local columnist once dubbed him a "poor man's Sting".
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine why Slash even TRIED OUT for Poison! Seems an odd choice.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly know your metal.