Previously two months, each Oasis and Rush have shocked followers by saying beforehand unthinkable reunion excursions. Which begs the query… who’s subsequent?
With apologies to Aerosmith, who appear to be heading in direction of at the least an Ozzy Osbourne-style farewell present, listed here are the 4 largest traditional rock reunions which can be nonetheless technically doable, if nonetheless not possible:
Journey and Steve Perry
Steve Perry hasn’t accomplished an album and touring cycle as Journey‘s lead singer since 1987. Whereas the band stays among the many largest touring sights within the style, followers nonetheless go into overdrive upon listening to any trace or rumor that the unique voice behind “Do not Cease Believin'” or “Faithfully” might someday return.
Perry has been very constant about his lack of curiosity in doing so, declining the prospect to carry out with the band throughout their 2017 Rock Corridor of Fame induction, praising the work achieved by present Journey frontman Arnel Pineda and stating only a few months in the past that he “get pleasure from(s) the solitude and privateness that my life has proper now.“
In a 2012 interview with UCR, guitarist Neal Schon said that he was merely hoping to re-establish private communication with Perry: “I hope that sometime, that we will get to the purpose to the place I can choose up the phone and I can discuss to him with out speaking by means of administration and attorneys,”
Earlier this month, Schon advised Sirius XM’s Eddie Trunk he had tried inviting Perry to a baseball sport, however didn’t hear again. He now appears resigned to that undeniable fact that the duo have certainly gone their (sorry) separate methods: “I imply, you’ll be able to’t maintain chasing one thing that is simply not all in favour of, you already know, correlating with you.”
Fleetwood Mac
The 2022 dying of Christine McVie means a full reunion of Fleetwood Mac‘s traditional Rumours-era five-piece lineup is now sadly not possible. In 2023 Stevie Nicks declared the loss to be the top of the group. “With out her, what’s it?,” she requested. “When [Christine] died, I figured we won’t actually go any additional with this. There is not any motive to.”
Here is the place you say, “However wait, did not Fleetwood Mac tour and even document as a four-piece band with out McVie from 1998 to 2014?” True! However bear in mind there’s additionally the Lindsey Buckingham matter to type out.
The guitarist and singer was compelled out of the group in 2018 after apparently enraging Nicks by mocking her throughout an award ceremony. “I handled Lindsey for so long as I might,” she declared in 2024. “You might not say that I didn’t give him greater than 300 million probabilities.”
Nevertheless, a glimmer of hope has emerged in latest months, as the previous bandmates and ex-lovers teamed up at the least lengthy sufficient to promote the reissue of their lengthy out-of-print 1973 Buckingham Nicks album. Earlier this month Nicks even wished Buckingham “the perfect birthday ever,” concluding her Instagram publish with “Love’s ya!”
Learn Extra: Why 38 of Rock’s Greatest Reunions Have not Occurred
Pink Floyd
As with Fleetwood Mac, a full classic-lineup Pink Floyd reunion is now not possible, on this case as a result of 2008 dying of keyboardist Richard Wright.
Additionally, to borrow a line from the Eagles, hell hasn’t frozen over but. If something, the feuding between David Gilmour and Roger Waters, who departed the group in 1985, has gotten worse lately.
Whereas each musicians have maintained profitable recording and touring careers, Gilmour has made it completely clear he has no real interest in a reunion.
In 2023, Gilmour’s spouse and collaborator Polly Samson tweeted that Waters was a “Putin apologist and a mendacity, thieving, hypocritical, tax-avoiding, lip-synching, misogynistic, sick-with-envy megalomaniac.” “Each phrase demonstrably true,” Gilmour mentioned whereas sharing his spouse’s message.
The next 12 months Gilmour expressed aid after promoting the rights to Pink Floyd’s recorded music, identify and likeness for $400 million. “I’ve spent the final 40-odd years attempting to combat the nice combat towards the forces of indolence and greed to do the perfect with our stuff that you are able to do. And I’ve given up that combat now… It is pretty to say goodbye to.”
Led Zeppelin
Quickly after the 1980 dying of drummer John Bonham, the surviving members of Led Zeppelin declared they may not think about occurring with out him.
Excluding a handful of charity present appearances – most notably the implausible 2007 full-length live performance that was chronicled on the Celebration Day reside album and residential video – they’ve held true to that promise, though two of the three surviving members have been apparently tempted.
After the Celebration Day present, Jimmy Web page and John Paul Jones have been keen to increase their reunion, with John’s son Jason on drums. Nevertheless, Robert Plant remained doggedly decided to go away the previous up to now, and to maintain transferring ahead along with his creatively fruitful solo profession.
“You are going again to the identical outdated s—,” the singer declared in 2014. “A tour would have been an absolute menagerie of vested pursuits and the very essence of every little thing that is shitty about about big-time stadium rock. We have been surrounded by a circus of individuals that will have had our souls on the fireplace. I am not a part of a jukebox!”
After jamming with Aerosmith‘s Steven Tyler – who says he in the end turned them down – and Myles Kennedy – Web page and Jones deserted the challenge, which Kennedy mentioned wasn’t going to make use of the band’s well-known and sacred moniker. “They weren’t positive what it was, however it was by no means going to be Led Zeppelin with one other singer, I imply, clearly.”
These Are The Solely 24 Basic Rock Lineups That Can Nonetheless Reunite
Solely two bands – U2 and Poison – are at present utilizing their most well-known lineups. These 24 acts might be a part of them, however do not maintain your breath.
Gallery Credit score: Matthew Wilkening