One of the most fearful things that can happen to a band is having to replace their lead singer. After putting in all of the hard work to establish the band, the departure of a singer can spell doom for some acts. But there are a number of instances where the new singer kept the momentum going and, in some cases, even elevated the band to new heights.
While we can get so attached to a singer’s voice, we never know what to expect when someone new takes the reigns. In the gallery above, you will find a host of singers who either replaced already legendary frontmen or kickstarted a band’s career as we present the Top 25 Hard Rock + Metal Replacement Singers.
22. Todd La Torre
When tensions mounted between Geoff Tate and the rest of the band, Queensrÿche parted ways with the only singer they’ve ever had. In turn, former Crimson Glory singer Todd La Torre was sought as Tate’s successor. Initially just playing two shows under the moniker Rising West, the band played a host of old Queensrÿche songs to wild fanfare. The singer has won over fans worldwide, able to nail the classics while showing more than enough of his own on new material, proving he’s not just a mere clone.