How many original Hollies do there have to be for the band to still really be The Hollies? I think they have two members left from 1964 ... they still sell out shows all over Europe, they still put out new albums every few years.

It's not inconceivable that they'll just keep replacing members and still be touring in 2107. Seriously. An awful lot of the bands we grew up with are still touring, and sometimes still recording, with a minimal amount of original members. And they show no signs of slowing down or giving up. The bands have become "brands".

I remember seeing the movie Americathon in 1979, which took place in what was then "the future" — 1998, I think — it opened with a new Beach Boys song blaring out of a car radio, and the DJ announced "Still going strong after 40 years ...". The audience laughed. But now it's 16 years later than that "future", and some version of the Beach Boys is still out there doing gigs!

Do you like the idea that some variation of the bands we loved might still be around in a hundred years, or do you think it's a sham?

The Temptations are down to one founding member, Otis Williams. When Otis Williams retires or dies, it's time to call it a day. Are there ANY original members left in the current Drifters line-up? There might be some from their '70s revival, but if you saw the current line-up, can you really say you saw The Drifters?

I was lucky to see The Hollies with Sylvester, Elliot, and Clarke, so I feel I've seen The Hollies.

What about Santana? The line-up has gone through maybe over 40 members, but as long as Carlos is there, it's still Santana.

I remember Gene Simmons mentioning that KISS might go on long after the original members retire.

Not anymore.

http://www.nme.com/news/nme/29456

>> Last surviving Drifter dies

05.Jul.07 10:59pm

Bill Pinkney, the last surviving member of The Drifters died yesterday (July 4), aged 81.

Pinkney was found dead at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort in Florida, police did not reveal the cause of death but said it was not suspicious. Pinkney's manager said the singer had health problems.

Pinkney was due to perform with his band at July 4 celebrations in Daytona Beach.

Despite his death, the band went ahead with Wednesday's show.

Pinkney left the group in 1958 but held on to the name and went on to fight for laws to allow a group to hold on to the name only if an original member is in the group.

He will be buried in South Carolina. <<

I have a criteria for seeing these bands. If the original lead singer and one original guitar player is there, I will go. I saw the Hollies tour in '83 with Nash, Clarke, Hicks, and Elliot, and am thankful I saw that lineup. I would not walk across the street to see the current lineup.

I would have gone to see the Hollies a few years ago, but only to see Carl Wayne, before he died.

When Allan Clarke retired, it was because his voice couldn't handle it anymore, so I trust his judgement there.

Strangely enough, the only original member of the Moody Blues left is Graeme Edge...

Speaking of the Drifters . . .

Ben E. King was lead vocalist for at least a short time (even though he was not a founding member).

I believe he is alive and well (at least I hope so). Is he touring with the current version of the group?

Ben E. King was in an early line-up of The Drifters, replacing Clyde McPhatter. He's alive and well and performing, but not with the current Drifters.

A couple of the worst offenders are the previously mentioned Temptations, Creedence Clearwater Revisited & the current line up of the Cars. I also somehow suspect the touring version of Herman's Hermits is Peter Noone + a pickup band.

Peter Noone tours by himself and the other Herman's Hermits tour as Herman's Hermits.

I guess i picked a bad example of early 60's artists! It was the 1st one that came to mind.

I remember about 30 years ago seeing Paul Revere & The Raiders in Las Vegas. The only otiginal member was P.R. Mark Lindsay was in the audience that night & came up & sang a couple. Weird.

Only if Gene-O's collecting a fee or royalties for the usage rights.

Before he died, former Molly Hatchet lead singer Danny Joe Brown allowed a group of musicians to tour and record under the name of Molly Hatchet, none of which were in the original band.

I don't think there's many originals left in Canned Heat these days.

Thanks Googa!

I sort of feel sorry for the CCR guys. I don't blame them for trying to make some sort of living off of their fame.

I've met Peter Noone... extremely nice guy.

I caught ELO when they played with our local symphony. Tandy, Kaminski, Bevan, Clark, Groucutt, Huxley, no Lynne... it was an awesome show, even without Jeff.

Well, at least ELO II makes no pretense that they are not the original band w/o Lynne.