Replies

I always think of the Ozzy/ Dio change because of how it evolved. Heaven and Hell is one of the best heavy metal albums in my collection, but I never listen to it when I'm in a Black Sabbath mood and I rarely listen to it when I'm in a Dio mood, H&H has it's own specific mood because it has it's own specific sound. And then Mob Rules the sound has changed even further and it's functionally Dio's first solo album (has nearly an identical sound to Holy Diver and Last in Line).

The only reason AC/DC pulled it off is that Brian Johnson basically immitates Bon Scott, if you've ever listened to interviews with him you'll know immediately his singing voice shouldn't be that high and scratchy (well maybe now after tearing his vocal chords to pieces, back then no). But he seemed to understand that AC/DC had built a sound around Scott's voice and changing the voice would require changing the sound. Changing vocalists, unless the new guy sounds nearly identical, is the equivalent to trading the lead guitar for a balalaika, the band might still make good music but it's not gonna sound the same.

And it got worse with VH because then Eddie got to monkey with his keyboards. I'm all for artisitic freedom but Dave was right when he would remind Eddie that he was a Guitar God and shouldn't be toying with keyboards. Sammy's not nearly as good a player as Eddie (which really isn't a hit on Sammy, Eddie is damn good) and the band lost a lot of oomph with the down grade in guitars and developing more of a keyboard focus. Musically probably a better band, but not the same and not as much raw fun.

I read that Jim Dandy Mangrum of Black Oak Arkansas was considered to take Ozzy's place in the band.That would have been interesting.He had the long blonde mane and strutted the stage like a rooster long before David Lee came along.He was once quoted "He done me proud"speaking of Dave of course.Been a long time fan of BOA myself.