Has there ever been a replacement member who actually made you like a group more?

A few situations stand out for me:

The Raspberries became better for their final album and tour when they replaced the bassist and drummer with two guys who were really supportive of Eric Carmen's vision for the group rather than constantly fighting against it.

The Eagles became more appealing to me (because they became "rockier") after bringing Walsh and Schmit on board.

And at the risk of Chris Evil beating me up, I felt that Duncan Faure made The Rollers a "serious" group whom I liked a lot more than the teenybop Bay City Rollers led by Les McKeown.

How about you? Are there any replacements you like better than the originals?

You'd probably have a better chance of beating me up, Linda.

And you're entitled to yer opinion.

Well, this maybe E Street blasphemy but the band probably got better when Miami Steve left and guitar virtuoso Nils Lofgren joined. Of course they're both in the band now.

I can only assume Shocking Blue was much better once Mariska Veres replaced Billy de Wilde as lead singer after their 1st album.......(though I never heard that 1st album)

The Stones with Mick Taylor.

Deep Purple

When Paul Rodgers joined Queen.

All opinion based, but I think Hagar improved VH just a wee bit more. One thing is that the guy (and still) can sing. His showmanship was different than Roth's. Not better, just different.

The Beatles with Ringo Starr.

Fleetwood Mac with Lindsey and Stevie

The Hollies with Bobby Elliott.

Deep Purple Mk2 blew away Mk1
Michael Schenker joining UFO

Mothers of Invention adding Don Preston, Bunk Gardner, Ian Underwood, Billy Mundi and Jim Motherhead Sherwood

Bruce Dickinson when he joined Iron Maiden. And I liked Pink Floyd far more when David Gilmour joined the group.

Jefferson Airplane with Grace Slick

AC/DC though I go back and forth.

Love the Dio Sabbath way more than the Ozzy.

Well, since Linda said this thread was inspired by the situation, I'll say it - wasn't Steve Perry a replacement in Journey?

Yardbirds — Jeff Beck replaces Eric Clapton

Moody Blues — Justin Hayward replaces Denny Laine; John Lodge joined Hayward replacing original bassist & temp replacement

(and Denny Laine was a replacement for McCartney's first choice for Wings)

Yes really hit their stride when Steve Howe replaced Peter Banks. Wakeman taking over for Tony Kaye didn't hurt either.

Rainbow Rising. Blackmore's new crew was the stuff of legends!

When Ghost replaced Papa II with Papa III.

I prefer the version of Deep Purple with Tommy Bolin, David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes to the Ritchie Blackmore and Ian Gillan version. I know the widely acknowledged classic lineup is Mark 2...but I've always preferred the (all too short lived) version of the band from the mid 1970's.